Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialProphylactic dexamethasone decreases the incidence of sore throat and hoarseness after tracheal extubation with a double-lumen endobronchial tube.
Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness are common complications after tracheal intubation, particularly after using a double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT). We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone for reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness. ⋯ The prophylactic use of 0.2 mg/kg of dexamethasone significantly decreases the incidence and severity of sore throat and hoarseness 1 h and 24 h after tracheal extubation of a DLT.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2008
Case ReportsA fulminant malignant hyperthermia episode in a patient with ryanodine receptor gene mutation p.Tyr522Ser.
A 37-yr-old patient scheduled for elective bursectomy developed fulminant malignant hyperthermia (MH) under sevoflurane anesthesia. The first sign was a dramatic increase in end-tidal CO(2). Symptomatic and specific therapy was rapidly instituted. ⋯ An infrequent MH causative mutation was identified on the ryanodine receptor gene. This case report confirms the causative nature of this mutation. It also shows that molecular genetic investigation may be as appropriate as in vitro contracture testing to confirm the diagnosis after a clinical episode of MH.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2008
Factors associated with unanticipated day of surgery deaths in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Patients of ASA physical status 1, 2, and 3 undergoing elective surgery do not have underlying conditions that are a constant threat to life, and hence should not be expected to be at significant risk for death on the day of surgery. ⋯ We conclude that, although patient and surgical factors lead to the vast majority of deaths on the day of surgery, there are identifiable areas for reducing the incidence of such deaths by improvements in anesthesia care.