Anaesthesia and intensive care
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An understanding of the principles of operation and hazards of the surgical diathermy is necessary for the safety of the anaesthetized patient. The surgical diathermy performs its function by the application of high density radio frequency current which can be used to cut or coagulate tissue. Its improper use can result in electrical burns and even electrocution. The principles underlying its safe use are outlined, and detailed recommendations are made to ensure the patient's safety.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 1978
Intravenous ketamine anaesthesia for major abdominal surgery--an assessment of a technique and the influence of ataractic drugs on the psychomimetic effects of ketamine.
Eighty-two patients presenting for major abdominal surgery were divided into five groups, and received intravenous ketamine, muscle relaxation and controlled ventilation with oxygen-enriched air. For maintenance of anaesthesia patients were given a single intravenous dose of either droperidol 5 mg, diazepam 5 mg, promethazine 25 mg, flunitrazepam 0.5 mg or lorazepam 2 mg, followed by incremental doses of ketamine. Flunitrazepam and lorazepam were the adjuvants associated with the lowest incidence of dreaming and emergence phenomena; postanaesthetic sequelae occurred most frequently with both ketamine/diazepam and ketamine/droperidol anaesthesia. However, the differences between the five groups failed to reach statistical significance.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 1978
Case ReportsProlonged curarisation in the presence of renal impairment.
Prolonged curarisation in the presence of renal failure occurred in six cases where pancuronium was used, and one case where alcuronium was used. The cases are presented with a brief review of the literature. Pancuronium must be used with great caution if postoperative reversal problems are to be avoided. Greater use of adjuvants will reduce requirements and may eliminate the problems encountered in renal failure.