Anesthesia and analgesia
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of volatile anesthetics on respiratory system resistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
We examined the effect of isoflurane and sevoflurane on respiratory system resistance (Rmin,rs) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The diagnosis of COPD rests on the presence of airway obstruction, which is only partially reversible after bronchodilator treatment. Ninety-six consecutive patients undergoing thoracic surgery for peripheral lung cancer were enrolled. ⋯ Maintenance with thiopental failed to decrease Rmin,rs, whereas both volatile anesthetics were able to decrease Rmin,rs in patients with COPD. The percentage of patients who did not respond to volatile anesthetics was larger in those with COPD as well. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that isoflurane and sevoflurane produce bronchodilation in patients with COPD.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSpinal 2-chloroprocaine for surgery: an initial 10-month experience.
Spinal 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP) is currently being investigated as a short-acting alternative to lidocaine, which frequently causes transient neurologic symptoms (TNS) in surgical patients. TNS has not been reported with 2-CP in volunteers in doses ranging from 30 to 60 mg and appears to provide an excellent level of surgical anesthesia. In this retrospective study, we describe the experience with spinal 2-CP in surgical patients during its first 10 mo of clinical use at our institution. ⋯ Time from placement of the block to the end of the surgical procedure was 53.1 +/- 20.7 min. Times to ambulation and discharge were 155.1 +/- 34.7 min and 207.9 +/- 69.4 min, respectively. 2-CP spinal anesthesia has proven to be a safe and effective alternative to lidocaine and procaine for ambulatory surgical procedures of < or =1 h, with a predictable regression of block height. No patients reported TNS after surgery.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2005
Comparative StudyThe ProSeal has a shorter life-span than the Classic laryngeal mask airway.
We tested the hypothesis that the life-span of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is shorter than the Classic LMA. We also compared residual cuff volumes and changes in elastance and permeability with use. Six new size 4 ProSeal LMAs and 6 new size 4 Classic LMAs were tested. ⋯ The residual cuff volume was higher for the ProSeal LMA (2.6 +/- 1.3 mL versus 1.5 +/- 0.9, P = 0.04). We conclude that the life-span of the ProSeal LMA is shorter than the Classic LMA, but both exceed the manufacturer's recommendations of 40 uses. We recommend that reusable LMA devices be discarded when they fail the pre-use check tests, rather than after a specific number of uses.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2005
Clinical TrialThe timing of acupuncture stimulation does not influence anesthetic requirement.
Studies suggest that acupuncture is more effective when induced before the induction of general anesthesia than afterwards. We tested the hypothesis that electro-acupuncture initiated 30 min before the induction reduces anesthetic requirement more than acupuncture initiated after the induction. Seven volunteers were each anesthetized with desflurane on 3 study days. ⋯ The P(50) of logistic regression identified desflurane requirement. Desflurane requirement was similar on the Control (mean +/- sd; 5.2% +/- 0.6%), Preinduction (5.0% +/- 0.8%), and At-induction (4.7% +/- 0.3%; P = 0.125) days. This type of acupuncture is thus unlikely to facilitate general anesthesia or decrease the requirement for anesthetic drugs.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2005
Airway management in adult patients with deep neck infections: a case series and review of the literature.
Patients with deep neck infections, especially those with Ludwig's angina, may die as a result of airway management mishaps. Skillful airway management is critical, but a safe method of airway control in these patients is yet to be established. We subjected patients with deep neck infections to fiberoptic tracheal intubation by using topical anesthesia to provide general anesthesia for surgical interventions. ⋯ Twelve patients remembered part of the procedure, and two considered it unpleasant. Tracheal intubation with a flexible bronchoscope by using topical anesthesia is highly successful in adult patients with deep neck infections. Tracheostomy using local anesthesia is recommended if fiberoptic intubation is not feasible, if the clinician is not skillful in the use of awake fiberoptic intubation, or if intubation attempts have failed.