European journal of anaesthesiology
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The performance of Bispectral Index in children during equi-MAC halothane vs. sevoflurane anaesthesia.
The reliability of the Bispectral Index for evaluating and monitoring the depth of general anaesthesia in children is not as great as for that in adults. Therefore we analysed Bispectral Index performance in children by comparing changes in Bispectral Index values during a standardized and equipotent anaesthetic regimen using either halothane or sevoflurane for the induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia. Special interest was focussed on excitation during induction, and whether it was associated with simultaneous changes in Bispectral Index scores. ⋯ In children, halothane anaesthesia was associated with higher Bispectral Index values than sevoflurane when administered at 1 MAC. Large individual variation in Bispectral Index occurred within both groups. Due to these limitations, one should be cautious when interpreting paediatric Bispectral Index data.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Postoperative pain status after intraoperative systemic dexmedetomidine and epidural neostigmine in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery.
To determine whether intraoperative systemic dexmedetomidine improves postoperative pain and interacts with epidural neostigmine to produce analgesic effects. ⋯ The intraoperative systemic infusion of dexmedetomidine alone at doses causing sedation does not result in postoperative analgesic effects. However, the co-administration of systemic dexmedetomidine and epidural neostigmine at higher doses may be a useful method to improve postoperative pain although side-effects have to be evaluated.
-
The elderly represent a wide and increasing patient population and significant numbers of elderly patients have chronic renal disease. This study aimed to investigate the neuromuscular effects of 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium under propofol anaesthesia in young adults and elderly patients with or without renal failure. ⋯ The neuromuscular effects of 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium under propofol anaesthesia were markedly prolonged in young and elderly renal failure patients compared to patients with normal renal function, and also in elderly patients with normal renal function compared with young adults.
-
Because patients who are to undergo surgery must give their consent to planned postoperative care, clear and complete information on postoperative pain management should be given. The aim of this quality-of-care study was to evaluate by inquiry the impact of written information describing postoperative pain management on the quality and type of information retained, and patient participation in discussing and agreeing to the postoperative pain management programme during the presurgical anaesthesiology consultation. ⋯ Written information on postoperative pain management distributed before the presurgical anaesthesiology consultation improved the quality of information retained, facilitated discussion with the anaesthesiologist and patient agreement with the postoperative pain management programme.