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 Trial Comparative StudyA comparison of intrathecal morphine/fentanyl and patient-controlled analgesia with patient-controlled analgesia alone for analgesia after liver resection.
Continuous epidural anesthesia and analgesia may be considered in liver resection, but is often avoided because of the potential development of coagulopathies and the risk of epidural hematoma. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study we compared postoperative morphine consumption via patient-controlled analgesia after liver surgery between two groups of patients: patients receiving a preoperative dose of intrathecal morphine (0.5 mg) and fentanyl (15 microg) (treatment group) and patients receiving a sham intrathecal injection (placebo group). Forty patients scheduled for major liver resection (> or = two segments) were enrolled. ⋯ Pain evaluation on the visual analog scale was lower for the first 18 h in the treatment group. There was no difference in the incidence of side effects in both groups. Intrathecal morphine (0.5 mg) and fentanyl (15 microg) given before liver surgery significantly decreased postoperative morphine consumption compared to placebo without any increase in side effects.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSuprasternal Doppler estimation of cardiac output: standard versus sequential combined spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery.
Sequential (Seq) combined spinal epidural (CSE) may provide better cardiovascular stability than standard (Std) CSE for cesarean delivery. We compared the cardiovascular stability of both techniques using suprasternal Doppler. ⋯ We therefore found no benefit in terms of cardiovascular stability of Seq to Std CSE for elective cesarean delivery in the healthy pregnant population.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialAn evaluation of the efficacy of aspirin and benzydamine hydrochloride gargle for attenuating postoperative sore throat: a prospective, randomized, single-blind study.
Postoperative sore throat (POST), although a minor complication, remains a source of postoperative morbidity. We compared the efficacy of dispersible aspirin gargle to benzydamine hydrochloride (a topical nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug) gargles for prevention of POST. We enrolled 60 consecutive female patients, 16-60 yr of age, ASA physical status I or II, undergoing elective modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind study. ⋯ Aspirin gargles reduced the incidence of POST for 4 h whereas benzydamine hydrochloride gargles reduced POST for 24 h. POST was more severe in the control group at 0 and 2 h (P < 0.05). Aspirin and benzydamine hydrochloride gargles significantly reduced the incidence and severity of POST (P < 0.05).
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The nature and mechanism of human consciousness is emerging as one of the most important scientific and philosophical questions of the 21st century. Disregarded as a subject of serious inquiry throughout most of the 20th century, it has now regained legitimacy as a scientific endeavor. The investigation of consciousness and the mechanisms of general anesthesia have begun to converge. In the present article I provide an introduction to the study of consciousness, describe the neural correlates of consciousness that may be targets of general anesthetics, and suggest an integrated approach to the science of consciousness and anesthesia.