Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of intrathecal fentanyl infusion with intrathecal morphine infusion or bolus for postoperative pain relief after hip arthroplasty.
The purpose of this study was to compare an intrathecal fentanyl infusion with intrathecal morphine infusion or bolus for postoperative pain relief after hip arthroplasty. Sixty patients scheduled to undergo hip joint replacement were studied. A 28-gauge (n = 12) or a 22-gauge (n = 48) spinal catheter was introduced through the L3-4 interspace, 3-4 cm into the subarachnoid space. ⋯ In Group I, supplementary intramuscular (IM) opioid was required more often (46 doses) than in Group II (18 doses) in 24 h (P < 0.01). The number of patients given IM administered opioid was larger in Group I (18 patients) than in Group II (8 patients) (P < 0.01). The IM opioid was requested sooner in Group I (18 patients, mean 480 min) after the intrathecal injection than in Group III (13 patients, mean 786 min) (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialNerve stimulator polarity and brachial plexus block.
To determine whether needle polarity significantly affects nerve stimulation during peripheral nerve block, we performed a randomized double-blinded study of 10 patients undergoing axillary block for upper extremity surgery. Using an insulated needle, we determined the minimum current necessary to elicit muscle contraction with positive and negative needle polarity at two needle placements: (A) where stimulation was first observed and (B) where stimulation was maximal. At Position A, stimulation required significantly more current when the needle was positive (2.32 +/- 0.45 mA, mean +/- SEM) than when it was negative (1.05 +/- 0.23 mA, P < 0.001). ⋯ The mean ratio of positive to negative threshold stimulation current at Position B (3.11 +/- 0.20) was significantly greater than that at Position A (2.37 +/- 0.19, P < 0.05). Our results emphasize the importance of attaching the negative terminal of the nerve stimulator to the stimulating electrode. Use of the positive terminal could lead to abandoning a block if stimulation were not obtained at a low enough current; alternatively, motor contraction might not be observed before neural contact or vascular puncture.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 1993
Comparative StudyManagement of intractable pain with percutaneous epidural spinal cord stimulation: differences in pain-relieving effects among diseases and sites of pain.
This study is a survey of the overall clinical results achieved with our pain treatment method, percutaneous epidural low-frequency (1.6-8.0 Hz) spinal cord stimulation. It examines the relationship between the effectiveness of epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) and diseases or sites of pain. Continuous indwelling of the catheter electrodes in the posterior epidural space ranged from 3 to 67 days, and the duration of percutaneous ESCS varied from less than 1 wk to more than 1 yr. ⋯ Alleviation of pain by ESCS was lower when the verbal pain score was high. There were no major complications in percutaneous ESCS. Thus, we have demonstrated that pain-alleviating effects of ESCS varies significantly by disease and site of pain, and that this simple percutaneous method can be used for a relatively long period.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 1993
Reevaluation of a maneuver to visualize the anterior larynx after intubation.
Confirmation of translaryngeal placement of the tracheal tube can be unexpectedly difficult. This study examined the usefulness of displacing the larynx posteriorly with the tracheal tube during laryngoscopy with a straight laryngoscope blade to confirm tracheal tube placement. One hundred ASA Classes I, II, or III patients presenting for elective surgery whose normal anesthetic care included placement of an orotracheal tube via direct laryngoscopy were enrolled in this institutionally approved study after giving their written, informed consent. ⋯ Thus, the tracheal tube actually was not seen to pass between these patients' vocal cords. Use of the maneuver resulted in improved visualization of the intubated larynx in 12 of these patients, and confirmed tracheal intubation. This maneuver is recommended as an aid to the anesthesiologist in the confirmation of tracheal intubation.