Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyA comparison of neuraxial block versus general anesthesia for elective total hip replacement: a meta-analysis.
A recent meta-analysis showed that compared with general anesthesia (GA), neuraxial block reduced many serious complications in patients undergoing various types of surgeries. It is not known whether this finding from studying heterogeneous patient groups is applicable to a particular surgical patient population. We performed the present meta-analysis to determine whether anesthesia choice affected the outcome after elective total hip replacement (THR). ⋯ Patients undergoing elective THR under neuraxial anesthesia seem to have better outcomes than those under GA.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialThe contribution of remifentanil to middle latency auditory evoked potentials during induction of propofol anesthesia.
There is a debate regarding whether opioids, as a component of general anesthesia, are adequately reflected in the assessment of anesthesia based on derivatives of the electroencephalogram. To test the hypothesis of a possible quantitative contribution of remifentanil on middle latency auditory evoked potentials, we studied its interaction with propofol anesthesia in 45 unpremedicated male patients undergoing elective lower limb orthopedic surgery. They were allocated randomly to three groups. ⋯ We found no significant contribution of remifentanil alone on the auditory evoked response, whereas increasing concentrations of remifentanil led to a significant decrease of the calculated propofol effect site concentrations (P = 0.023) necessary for unconsciousness. Prediction probability for AEPex was inversely related to the remifentanil concentration and was best for the control group, which received propofol alone. These results support previous findings of a quantitative interaction between remifentanil and propofol for loss of consciousness but question the specific contribution of remifentanil to auditory evoked potentials.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
Task analysis of the preincision period in a pediatric operating suite: an independent observer-based study of 656 cases.
We designed this cross-sectional investigation to assess anesthesia release time (ART = patient-on-table until release for surgical preparation) and surgical preparation time (start of surgical preparation to incision) of children undergoing anesthesia and surgery (n = 656). Data collected by trained independent observers included variables such as age, ASA physical status, anesthetic technique, and placement of invasive monitoring. We found that mean ART was 11.0 +/- 9.7 min and the mean surgical preparation time was 11.1 +/- 10.0 min. ⋯ Room coverage ratio by the attending anesthesiologist and training level of the anesthesia resident did not impact ART (P = not significant). We conclude that ART in children undergoing surgery is highly variable and is a function of factors such as the surgical service involved, age of the child, and ASA physical status of the child. These factors should be considered when scheduling a surgical case.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
An analysis of postoperative epidural analgesia failure by computed tomography epidurography.
In this prospective study involving 125 patients, we analyzed epidural analgesia failure after major abdominal surgery using computed tomography (CT) epidurographies to compare the incidence of dislodgement of epidural catheters and leakage of solution from the epidural space between two groups of patients: patients with successful or failed epidural analgesia. Our hypothesis was that the incidence of dislodgement and leakage should be low when epidural analgesia is successful. A thoracic epidural catheter was inserted before general anesthesia and secured by subcutaneous tunneling. ⋯ In the success group, CT scans (n = 19) showed 11 patients with normal distribution, five with unilateral spread, and three with leakage. We conclude that the major cause of epidural analgesia failure was dislodgment of the catheter. CT scans were mostly useful for detecting leakage of injectate, which may be the early phase of dislodgment.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
Case ReportsBleeding complications from femoral and sciatic nerve catheters in patients receiving low molecular weight heparin.
After knee replacement surgery, the use of continuous local anesthetic infusions in femoral and sciatic peripheral nerve catheters is an effective analgesic option. Limited data are available concerning the safety of peripheral nerve infusions in patients receiving low molecular weight heparin thromboprophylaxis. ⋯ Physical therapy and discharge from the hospital were delayed in two cases but no other complications were seen. More data are needed to determine if it is necessary to use the same guidelines for managing peripheral nerve infusion catheters in patients receiving enoxaparin as with epidurals and other types of central nerve catheter infusions.