Anesthesiology
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The dose-dependent suppression of midlatency auditory evoked potentials by general anesthetics has been proposed to measure depth of anesthesia. In this study, perioperatively recorded midlatency auditory evoked potentials were analyzed in a time-frequency space to identify significant changes induced by general anesthesia. ⋯ This study describes the presence of high-frequency components of the auditory evoked potential. The amount of these components is higher during responsiveness when compared to unconsciousness. Temporal localization of the high-frequency components within the auditory evoked potential shows that they represent a response to the auditory stimulus. Further studies are required to identify the source of these high-frequency components.
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Continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) is the technique of choice for postoperative analgesia after painful orthopedic surgery. However, the incidence of neurologic and infectious adverse events in the postoperative period are not well established. This issue was the aim of the study. ⋯ CPNB is an effective technique for postoperative analgesia. Minor incidents and bacterial colonization of catheters are frequent, with no adverse clinical consequences in the large majority of cases. Major neurologic and infectious adverse events are rare.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Investigation of implicit memory during isoflurane anesthesia for elective surgery using the process dissociation procedure.
This prospective study evaluated memory function during general anesthesia for elective surgery and its relation to depth of hypnotic state. The authors also compared memory function in anesthetized and nonanesthetized subjects. ⋯ During general anesthesia for elective surgery, implicit memory persists even in adequate hypnotic states, to a comparable degree as in nonanesthetized subjects.