Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Dec 2010
Back massage therapy promotes psychological relaxation and an increase in salivary chromogranin A release.
Massage therapy promotes psychosocial relaxation, reduces stress and has been reported to improve the immune function. As such, massage therapy is currently used in palliative care for the relief of anxiety and pain. Although psychosocial status has been evaluated using subjective psychological tests, such as State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), subjective psychological tests are of limited value if the subjects fail to report reliably. ⋯ In contrast, the level of salivary chromogranin A significantly increased. We therefore conclude that changes in the salivary biomarkers tested here may not indicate changes in psychological status following massage therapy. However, the increase in chromogranin A release may contribute to the immunologically beneficial effects of massage therapy as chromogranin A has antibacterial and antifungal activity.
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Journal of anesthesia · Dec 2010
Case ReportsComplications with massive sacrococcygeal tumor resection on a premature neonate.
Resection of large sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) in neonates can pose many anesthetic challenges. The pathophysiology of the SCT determines the varying management. We present a case report of a 34-week newborn with a massive Altman type 3 SCT. ⋯ We also had difficulty in maintaining the temperature. This patient did well after the surgery and was discharged home. We address here the anesthetic issues involved in the perioperative care management of a premature infant with a massive SCT.
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Journal of anesthesia · Dec 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAnalysis of the cost-effectiveness of remifentanil-based general anesthesia: a survey of clinical economics under the Japanese health care system.
Remifentanil has been available in Japan for 3 years. The use of this new opioid is considered a useful adjuvant to general anesthesia. Knowing the exact cost-effectiveness of remifentanil should lead to improved anesthetic outcomes with a reasonable cost. ⋯ This study shows that remifentanil-based general anesthesia is no more expensive than conventional fentanyl-based anesthesia under the Japanese health care system because of the small difference in price between remifentanil and fentanyl.
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Journal of anesthesia · Dec 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialLocal warming at injection site helps alleviate pain after rocuronium administration.
Various strategies have been proposed to reduce discomfort of pain after rocuronium injection. These studies have shown pretreatment of drugs such as fentanyl and lidocaine to be effective. In a prospective randomized study, we evaluated whether pretreatment with local warming at injection site using an air-warming device could effectively alleviate pain induced by rocuronium. ⋯ Application of warmth over the vascular access prior to rocuronium administration effectively reduces injection-related pain.
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Journal of anesthesia · Dec 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of injection speed on the spinal block characteristics of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% in the elderly.
The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to compare anesthetic characteristics after two speeds of intrathecal injection of hyperbaric bupivacaine in elderly patients. ⋯ An eightfold difference in speed of intrathecal injection of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine did not affect the clinical characteristics of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing transurethral surgery.