Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTramadol for postoperative shivering: a double-blind comparison with pethidine.
In most operating and recovery rooms, shivering is controlled by the use of humidifiers, warming blankets, and inhalation of humidified heated oxygen. However, pharmacological control is an effective alternate treatment modality. This randomized, double-blind trial, conducted in 30 ASA Grade 1 or 2 patients, was designed to explore the efficacy of tramadol and pethidine in the treatment of post-anaesthetic shivering. ⋯ Patients received either tramadol 1 mg/kg or pethidine 0.5 mg/kg intravenously and the grade of shivering, pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate were observed every 10 minutes after injection for one hour Shivering was significantly more likely to have ceased in the tramadol group (12 of 15 versus 4 of 15 cases, P<0.05) at 10 minutes after drug administration and this control was better sustained. No patients receiving tramadol had a recurrence of shivering. It is concluded that intravenous tramadol 1 mg/kg is more effective for the treatment of postoperative shivering than pethidine 0.5 mg/kg.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTotal intravenous versus inhalational anaesthesia for colonoscopy: a prospective study of clinical recovery and psychomotor function.
A randomized, prospective study was conducted on 69 patients comparing recovery after two different anaesthetic techniques for ambulatory colonoscopy. Thirty-five patients received an intravenous fentanyl (1 microg/kg), midazolam (0.05 to 0. 075 mg/kg) and propofol (10 to 20 mg boluses as required) combination. 34 patients received sevoflurane in 67% nitrous oxide. Drug administration was titrated to clinical signs. ⋯ A lower sedation score was detected at 20 minutes in the sevoflurane/nitrous oxide group. Psychomotor impairment was of a greater magnitude and more prolonged by 30 to 90 minutes in the fentanyl/midazolam/propofol group. It is concluded that a sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anaesthetic has a suitable recovery profile for ambulatory colonoscopy and results in faster recovery of cognitive function compared with a fentanyl, midazolam and propofol combination.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparative study of three different methods of administering metaraminol during spinal anaesthesia in the elderly.
We compared three methods of administering metaraminol during spinal (subarachnoid) anaesthesia. Fifty-two elderly patients with fractured hips were studied. Blood pressure was maintained by either intramuscular (i.m.) metaraminol (0.1 mg x kg(-1)), intravenous (i.v.) boluses (0.01 mg x kg(-1)) or an infusion (0.05 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). ⋯ I.m. metaraminol during spinal anaesthesia has a very unpredictable effect. Infusions of metaraminol provided the best blood pressure control. Diastolic blood pressure fell significantly after spinal anaesthesia and this merits further investigation.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe use of thiopentone/propofol admixture for laryngeal mask airway insertion.
An admixture of thiopentone and propofol was evaluated against propofol for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. Eighty-one ASA 1 and 2 18- to 65-year-old patients, premedicated with 7.5 mg midazolam orally were assigned randomly to receive either propofol 1% or an admixture of thiopentone and propofol (1.25% and 0.5% respectively), both at a dose of 0.25 ml x kg(-1). Satisfactory conditions for insertion were achieved with the admixture, which was comparable to propofol (73% vs 85%, P>0.05). ⋯ We conclude that thiopentone/propofol admixture can be a suitable alternative to propofol for LMA insertion, producing less hypotension while allowing cost savings of up to 45%. An admixture of thiopentone and propofol (1.25% and 0.5% respectively) can produce suitable conditions compared to propofol 1%, for laryngeal mask insertion. In addition to cost containment, the admixture also produces less hypotension.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA randomized comparison of low-dose ketamine and lignocaine infiltration with ketamine-diazepam anaesthesia for post partum tubal ligation in Vanuatu.
Ketamine remains one of the most commonly used anaesthetic agents around the world. Despite it being the anaesthetic agent of choice in many developing nations, there is a paucity of literature describing ketamine in the developing world. In what we believe is the first randomized controlled trial to be performed in Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides) we compared the use of ketamine 0.9 mg/kg and diazepam 0.07 mg/kg with ketamine 0.3 mg/kg and 2% lignocaine infiltration in 50 Melanesian women undergoing post partum tubal ligation. ⋯ In institutions where post-anaesthesia care resources are limited, 0.3 mg/kg ketamine with local anaesthesia provides for earlier self-care of patients after tubal ligation, without compromise of analgesia, emergence or satisfaction. The implications of these findings extend to other procedures that require short general anaesthesia, which can be adequately performed with low-dose ketamine and local anaesthesia. The latter technique allows more rapid awakening.