European journal of anaesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Use of EEG spectral edge as index of equipotency in a comparison of propofol and isoflurane for maintenance of general anaesthesia.
Propofol and isoflurane were compared for haemodynamic stability and recovery time as main anaesthetic agents for maintenance in a total of 43 ASA I and II patients in uncomplicated operations lasting at least 30 min. The premedication (oral diazepam), induction (thiopentone-fentanyl-suxamethonium) and maintenance protocol (N2O-O2 2:1 litre min-1, fentanyl and vecuronium in incremental doses) were identical for all patients. In one group of 20 patients, propofol was used in continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion (starting dose 3 mg kg-1 h-1), while in the second group of 23 patients, isoflurane was administered in a starting concentration of 1%. ⋯ The incidence of mean blood pressure deviations/case in the propofol group was less than half of those occurring in the isoflurane group (0.45 vs. 0.96 P = 0.04). The mean duration of blood pressure deviation from baseline value was 5.5 min in the propofol group vs. 16.8 min in the isoflurane group (P = 0.01). The recovery intervals were significantly shorter in the propofol group (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Analgesia for outpatient surgery: placebo versus naproxen sodium (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) given before or after surgery.
One hundred and eighty patients scheduled for day-care surgery were allocated randomly to one of three groups to receive naproxen sodium 1100 mg 1 h prior to surgery, naproxen sodium 1100 mg immediately after surgery, or placebo. The pre-surgery naproxen sodium group had significantly lower pain scores 1 h post-operatively and at discharge than the placebo group. At discharge both treatment groups were better than placebo. ⋯ A questionnaire concerning general acceptability of anaesthesia/analgesia showed similar results. Our conclusion is that naproxen is better than placebo for treatment of post-operative pain. The time of administration pre- or post-operatively is important for the immediate post-operative pain, but we found no support for the existence of 'pre-emptive analgesia'.
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Comparative Study
Attendance of the anaesthesiologist to the patient. National recommendations for standard of anaesthetic practice.
The national recommendations for standard of anaesthetic practice in six countries of the European Community are compared with respect to the attendance of the anaesthesiologist to the patient. These standards apply to anaesthesia, major regional anaesthesia and sedation administered by anaesthesiologists. The attendance to the patient varies from strict continuous presence of the anaesthesiologist to observation of the patient by a non-medical assistant and the anaesthesiologist taking care of another anaesthetized patient. Items which all standards should mention are defined.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of neostigmine and methyl-atropine administered at different degrees of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block.
The neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of neostigmine, 40 micrograms kg-1, and methyl-atropine, 7 micrograms kg-1, administered at different degrees of rocuronium-induced (600 micrograms kg-1) neuromuscular block were evaluated. In one group of patients spontaneous recovery was awaited (Group A; n = 20). Neostigmine and methyl-atropine were administered 2 minutes after rocuronium (Group B; n = 20) or at 25% twitch recovery (Group C; n = 20). ⋯ The initial rate of recovery (time until a TOF ratio of 0.2) in group B, i.e. 14.2 (4.5) [12.1-16.3] min, was significantly faster than in group C, i.e. 28.7 (5.3) [26.3-31.1] min. However, the time until clinically sufficient recovery (time until a TOF ratio of 0.7) was similar for groups B, i.e. 29.3 (9.5) [24.9-33.7] min and group C, i.e. 31.8 (5.6) [29.2-34.4] min, both significantly different from that of group A, i.e. 53.2 (14.5) [46.5-59.9] min. The increase in heart rate following neostigmine/methyl-atropine was more pronounced in the group reversed at 2 min after rocuronium (P < 0.01).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Technical problems and side effects associated with continuous intrathecal or epidural post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.
Fifty-five patients undergoing hip arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia (4 ml of 0.5% plain bupivacaine) were randomized to receive post-operative analgesia either using an intrathecal or an epidural catheter. Associated technical problems and side effects were studied. In both groups per-operative analgesia was achieved with intrathecal 0.5% plain bupivacaine, 4 ml. ⋯ The number of side effects was 21 in the remaining spinal group (n = 20) and 18 in the 20 epidural group patients with successful infusions. One patient in the spinal catheter group developed postdural puncture headache. For post-operative pain relief the patients in the epidural group needed less supplementary intramuscular oxycodone (five doses/four patients) than the spinal group (17 doses/nine patients) (P < 0.05).