Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil protects against postoperative nausea and vomiting.
The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and requirements for anti-emetic medication were assessed in 80 female patients undergoing day-case anaesthesia during assisted conception therapy. Anaesthesia was induced with alfentanil 50 micrograms.kg-1 and propofol 1 mg.kg-1; atracurium 0.5 mg.kg-1 was given to facilitate tracheal intubation. The patients were allocated to receive either total intravenous maintenance of anaesthesia with an infusion of propofol and increments of alfentanil (Group P) or inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia with nitrous oxide and enflurane (Group E). ⋯ Incidence of vomiting was 67% in Group E and 34% in Group P (P less than 0.05). Metoclopramide was requested by 62% of patients in Group E, and 32% of those in Group P (P less than 0.05); 21% of the patients in Group E were admitted to hospital overnight, while only 5% of the patients in Group P required unscheduled admission to hospital (P less than 0.05). We conclude that total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil is superior to inhalational maintenance with nitrous oxide and enflurane in that it is associated with less nausea and vomiting, less requirement for anti-emetic medication, and a lower probability of unplanned admission to hospital after day-care gynaecological surgery.
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Rectal methohexitone has been used to induce anaesthesia in paediatric patients for a number of years. This study was conducted in order to confirm the safety of this method of induction for uncomplicated routine paediatric patients. Children between the ages of six months and six years were considered candidates for induction with methohexitone (10%, 25-30 mg.kg-1). ⋯ This study confirms the efficacy and safety of rectal methohexitone for induction of general anaesthesia in children. Mechanical obstruction of the airway following induction seems to be the most likely cause for oxygen desaturation. Monitoring of pulse oximetry does not appear necessary provided the child is carefully observed for adequacy of air exchange.
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The neuromuscular effects of ketamine, at cumulative doses of 2.5 and 10 mg.kg-1 iv, were studied by electromyographically quantifying the thumb response evoked by ulnar nerve stimulation in 25 monkeys anaesthetized with pentobarbital-N2O-O2. Ketamine alone at these doses had no neuromuscular effects. ⋯ These results indicate that ketamine does not act on the postjunctional acetylcholine receptor. It plays a secondary role in neuromuscular block, possibly by prejunctional or postjunctional effects independent of receptor occupation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of transcutaneous end-tidal and arterial measurements of carbon dioxide during general anaesthesia.
A randomized, prospective study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of a new transcutaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor (Fastrac) during general anaesthesia. Twenty-two adult patients undergoing elective surgery were subjected to three different levels of minute ventilation by varying their respiratory rates in a randomized cross-over design. Simultaneous measurements of transcutaneous CO2 (PTCCO2) and arterial CO2 (PaCO2) were obtained at three levels of minute ventilation (low, medium and high). ⋯ These differences were greatest when PaCO2 was in the high range (48-60 mmHg). We conclude that the new Fastrac CO2 monitor is accurate for monitoring carbon dioxide levels during general anaesthesia. The new transcutaneous devices provide an effective method for non-invasive monitoring of CO2 in situations where continuous, precise control of CO2 levels is desired.