Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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This five-year retrospective study reviews our experience with epidural obstetric analgesia in patients with previous Harrington rod instrumentation (HRI) for correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Patients were identified by the presence of an antepartum anaesthetic consultation for HRI. The anaesthetic record was examined to determine the frequency of epidural catheter insertion and any problems related to this procedure. ⋯ There were no sequelae related to epidural insertion. There were no sequelae related to epidural insertion. We conclude that patients with HRI may be offered epidural anaesthesia for labour and delivery provided that they are informed of the increased risk of complications.
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We report a case of suspected carbon dioxide embolism occurring during laparoscopy. Among the sequelae was neurological dysfunction felt to be secondary to paradoxical embolization. The patient was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen should be considered when confronted with a clinically important gas embolism.
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Following use with halothane, ten anaesthestic machines were sampled using infrared analysis for halothane contamination. Baseline measurements of halothane were made in the room and at the machine's common gas outlet. ⋯ Baseline measurements of the rooms and anaesthestic machines ranged from 0 to 0.8 parts per million. Following the oxygen flow, the halothane concentration decreased to undetectable levels within six minutes in all ten machines.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of end-tidal carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation and clinical signs for the detection of oesophageal intubation.
The reliability of various methods for detecting oesophageal intubation was assessed by means of a single blind study in rats. Both oesophagus and trachea were simultaneously intubated. The presence or absence of various clinical signs was noted during tracheal or oesophageal ventilation and arterial blood gases and end-tidal CO2 were measured. ⋯ Moisture condensation in the tracheal tube (PPV = 1.0) and abdominal distension (PPV = 0.9) were judged to be the least reliable because each had a high false negative rate of 0.3. The most reliable method for the early detection of oesophageal intubation in rats was end-tidal, CO2 (sensitivity 1.0, specificity = 1.0, PPV = 1.0). In addition, end-tidal CO2 when used in conjunction with the four clinical signs improved the reliability of these signs.