Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Case ReportsCardiac arrest from tension pneumopericardium in a premature infant.
This case report describes a rare and potentially fatal anesthetic complication. It occurred during the care of a small premature infant as a result of improper use of medical equipment.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of lidocaine on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass surgery.
We investigated the effect of lidocaine on the incidence of cognitive dysfunction in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery. One-hundred-eighteen patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomized to receive either lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg bolus followed by a 4 mg/min infusion during operation and 4 mg/kg in the priming solution of CPB) or placebo. A battery of nine neuropsychological tests was administered before and 9 days after surgery. A postoperative deficit in any test was defined as a decline by more than or equal to the preoperative SD of that test in all patients. Any patient showing a deficit in two or more tests was defined as having postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Eighty-eight patients completed pre- and postoperative neuropsychological tests. Plasma lidocaine concentrations (microg/mL) were 4.78 +/- 0.52 (mean +/- SD), 5.38 +/- 0.95, 4.52 +/- 0.39, 5.82 +/- 0.76, and 7.10 +/- 1.09 at 10 min before CPB; 10, 30, and 60 min of CPB; and at the end of operation, respectively. The proportion of patients showing postoperative cognitive dysfunction was significantly reduced in the lidocaine group compared with that in the placebo group (18.6% versus 40.0%; P = 0.028). We conclude that intraoperative administration of lidocaine decreased the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction in the early postoperative period. ⋯ Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a commonly recognized complication after cardiac surgery. Intraoperative cerebral microembolism and hypoperfusion have been proposed to be the major mechanisms. The results of this study show that intraoperative administration of lidocaine decreased the occurrence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction, perhaps because of its neuroprotective effects.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe reliability and validity of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability observational tool as a measure of pain in children with cognitive impairment.
Pain assessment remains difficult in children with cognitive impairment (CI). In this study, we evaluated the validity and reliability of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) tool for assessing pain in children with CI. Each child's developmental level and ability to self-report pain were evaluated. The child's nurse observed and scored pain with the FLACC tool before and after analgesic administration. Simultaneously, parents scored pain with a visual analog scale, and scores were obtained from children who were able to self-report pain. Observations were videotaped and later viewed by nurses blinded to analgesics and pain scores. One-hundred-forty observations were recorded from 79 children. FLACC scores correlated with parent scores (P < 0.001) and decreased after analgesics (P = 0.001), suggesting good validity. Correlations of total scores (r = 0.5-0.8; P < 0.001) and of each category (r = 0.3-0.8; P < 0.001), as well as measures of exact agreement (kappa = 0.2-0.65), suggest good reliability. Test-retest reliability was supported by excellent correlations (r = 0.8-0.883; P < 0.001) and categorical agreement (r = 0.617-0.935; kappa = 0.400-0.881; P < 0.001). These data suggest that the FLACC tool may be useful as an objective measure of postoperative pain in children with CI. ⋯ The FLACC pain assessment tool may facilitate reliable and valid observational pain assessment in children with cognitive impairment who cannot self-report their pain. Objective pain assessment is important to facilitate effective postoperative pain management in these vulnerable children.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialNasotracheal intubation: a simple and effective technique to reduce nasopharyngeal trauma and tube contamination.
Our hypothesis was that nasopharyngeal passage of an endotracheal tube can be facilitated by a nasopharyngeal airway (Wendl tube) acting as a "pathfinder." Accordingly, we performed a randomized, controlled trial with blinded assessment of nasopharyngeal bleeding and contamination of the tip of the endotracheal tube. After the induction of anesthesia, a Wendl tube (28 Ch) was inserted into the more patent nostril. In the control group (n = 30), the Wendl tube was retrieved before nasopharyngeal passage was attempted with an endotracheal tube (inner diameter, 7.0 mm). In the intervention group (n = 30), the Wendl tube was kept in position and only its adjustable flange was removed. Then, we inserted the tip of the endotracheal tube into the trailing end of the Wendl tube. Subsequently, the endotracheal tube was advanced under visual control to the oropharynx guided by the Wendl tube. After the endotracheal tube was positioned in the oropharynx, the Wendl tube was removed and intubation completed. Six hours after surgery, we determined the patients' nasal pain. The "pathfinder" technique reduced the incidence (P < 0.001) and severity (P = 0.001) of bleeding, decreased tube contamination with blood and mucus (P < 0.001), and diminished postoperative nasal pain (P = 0.036). ⋯ Nasopharyngeal passage of an endotracheal tube can be facilitated by a flexible Wendl tube (nasopharyngeal airway) covering and guiding the rigid tube tip. This technique is helpful in reducing the incidence and severity of nosebleeds and in minimizing contamination of the tip of the endotracheal tube with blood and mucus.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialCaudal anesthesia in children: effect of volume versus concentration of bupivacaine on blocking spermatic cord traction response during orchidopexy.
In this study we compared the intensity and level of caudal blockade when two different volumes and concentrations of a fixed dose of bupivacaine were used. Fifty children, 1-6 yr old, undergoing unilateral orchidopexy received a caudal block with a fixed 2 mg/kg dose of bupivacaine immediately after the induction. Group 1 (n = 23) received 0.8 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine, whereas Group 2 (n = 27) received 1.0 mL/kg of 0.2% bupivacaine. Epinephrine 1:400,000 and 0.1 mL of sodium bicarbonate per 10 mL of local anesthetic solution were added. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in their anesthesia, surgery, recovery, and discharge times. Fifteen patients (65.2%) in Group 1 required an increase in inspired halothane concentration to block hemodynamic and/or ventilatory response during spermatic cord traction, as compared with 8 patients (29.6%) in Group 2 (P = 0.022). In the recovery room, four (17.4%) patients in Group 1 required rescue treatment with fentanyl, versus two (7.4%) in Group 2 (P = 0.372). In children undergoing orchidopexy, a caudal block with a larger volume of dilute bupivacaine is more effective than a smaller volume of the standard 0.25% solution in blocking the peritoneal response during spermatic cord traction, with no change in the quality of postoperative analgesia. ⋯ In children undergoing orchidopexy, a caudal block with a larger volume of dilute bupivacaine is more effective than a smaller volume of the more concentrated solution in blocking the peritoneal response during spermatic cord traction, with no change in the quality of postoperative analgesia.