European journal of anaesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The influence of a prophylactic dose of dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting on plasma interleukin concentrations after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective randomised trial.
Little is known about the effects of small doses of dexamethasone used for the prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting on the innate host response. ⋯ Prophylactic dexamethasone given before laparoscopic cholecystectomy produced a significant decrease in concentrations of interleukins 6 and 8. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical implications of these findings.
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Preeclampsia continues to be a leading cause of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity worldwide. It is defined as hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks' gestation, which resolves after delivery. It is complicated by intracerebral haemorrhage, pulmonary oedema and respiratory and hepatic failure, which form the commonest causes of death. ⋯ A fluid restriction policy should be used to prevent iatrogenic pulmonary oedema. Effective anaesthetic management relies on neuraxial techniques. Epidural, combined spinal-epidural and single-shot spinal anaesthetic techniques are all perfectly acceptable and should be actively promoted to the mother unless contraindications such as thrombocytopaenia exist.