Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialPostoperative patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia: importance of dose compared to volume or concentration.
This randomised and blinded study evaluated the quality of analgesia and the incidence of side-effects of two concentrations of levobupivacaine (0.15% and 0.5%) given as an equal mg-bolus-dose (5 mg) via patient-controlled epidural analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 0.15% levobupivacaine as a 3.3 ml bolus on demand, with a lockout interval of 30 minutes (n=30), or 0.5% levobupivacaine as a 1 ml bolus on demand, with a similar lockout interval (n=30). For both groups we combined the bolus on demand with a background infusion of 5 mg/hour levobupivacaine, i.e. 3.3 ml/hour 0.15% or 1 ml/hour 0.5% of levobupivacaine. ⋯ The following variables were registered in the 48 hours after surgery: upper and lower sensory block, pain scores at rest and after coughing, rescue morphine consumption, motor blockade, haemodynamic (arterial blood pressure and heart rate), nausea and vomiting, and patient satisfaction ratings. The two groups had similar sensory block, quality of analgesia, rescue morphine consumption requirement, motor blockade and side-effects, and both had a high satisfaction rate. These findings indicate that administering the same dose of levobupivacaine in either a low or high concentration via the patient-controlled epidural analgesia mode, combined with a background infusion, provides an equal quality of analgesia for low thoracic level epidurals with no difference in the incidence of side-effects.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of the efficacy of magnesium sulphate as an adjuvant to lignocaine for intravenous regional anaesthesia for upper limb surgery.
Several additives have been combined with local anaesthetics for intravenous regional anaesthesia to improve block quality, analgesia and to decrease tourniquet pain. Magnesium sulphate is one potential additive. This prospective, randomised, double-blinded study was conducted in 30 ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing upper limb surgery under tourniquet. ⋯ There was a statistically significant difference in visual analogue scale for tourniquet pain at 10 and 30 minutes after tourniquet inflation (lower in group M). These findings indicate that magnesium sulphate added as an adjuvant to lignocaine hastens the onset of sensory and motor block and decreases tourniquet pain. However there is increased incidence of transient pain on injection if magnesium sulphate is added.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of low dose levobupivacaine (0.1%) for axillary plexus block using multiple nerve stimulation.
The purpose of this study was to investigate if low doses of levobupivacaine (0.1%) produce complete sensory blockade in preoperative axillary brachial plexus block and to compare the effect of different doses of levobupivacaine on sensory and motor blockade. A total of 110 patients scheduled for elective forearm or hand surgery were randomly allocated to receive 36 ml or 72 ml of levobupivacaine 0.1% or 36 ml of levobupivacaine 0.25%. In each group, volumes were equally distributed in the four nerve territories. ⋯ Complete sensory block was obtained in 94.4% of patients receiving 36 ml of levobupivacaine 0.1%, 92.1% of those receiving 72 ml of levobupivacaine 0.1%, and 97.1% of those receiving 36 ml of levobupivacaine 0.25%. There was no significant difference either in the onset of the sensory and motor block or duration of the sensory and motor block. This study demonstrates that 36 ml of levobupivacaine 0.1% (36 mg) is as effective as higher doses and volumes in axillary brachial plexus blockade.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAcid-base effects of a bicarbonate-balanced priming fluid during cardiopulmonary bypass: comparison with Plasma-Lyte 148. A randomised single-blinded study.
Fluid-induced metabolic acidosis can be harmful and can complicate cardiopulmonary bypass. In an attempt to prevent this disturbance, we designed a bicarbonate-based crystalloid circuit prime balanced on physico-chemical principles with a strong ion difference of 24 mEq/l and compared its acid-base effects with those of Plasma-Lyte 148, a multiple electrolyte replacement solution containing acetate plus gluconate totalling 50 mEq/l. Twenty patients with normal acid-base status undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomised 1:1 to a 2 litre prime of either bicarbonate-balanced fluid or Plasma-Lyte 148. ⋯ We conclude that a bicarbonate-based crystalloid with a strong ion difference of 24 mEq/l is balanced for cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with normal acid-base status, whereas Plasma-Lyte 148 triggers a surge of unmeasured anions, persisting throughout bypass. These are likely to be gluconate and/or acetate. Whether surges of exogenous anions during bypass can be harmful requires further study.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison between sevoflurane/remifentanil and propofol/remifentanil anaesthesia in providing conditions for somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during scoliosis corrective surgery.
Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring is an important tool in spinal corrective surgery. Anaesthesia has a significant influence on SSEP monitoring and a technique which has the least and shortest suppressant effect on SSEP while facilitating a fast recovery from anaesthesia is ideal. We compared the effect of sevoflurane/ remifentanil and propofol/remifentanil anaesthesia on SSEPs during scoliosis corrective surgery and assessed patients' clinical recovery profiles. ⋯ These findings indicate that propofol produces a better SSEP signal than sevoflurane. However adjustments in sevoflurane concentration result in faster changes in the SSEP signal than propofol. Assessment of neurological function was facilitated more rapidly after sevoflurane anaesthesia.