Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 1996
Case ReportsLimitations of jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation without intracranial pressure monitoring in subarachnoid hemorrhage.
We report a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage in which, even after having obtained a normal jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation, cerebrovenous desaturation developed, and brain death occurred. The limitations of jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation without intracranial pressure monitoring are discussed. We conclude that if increased intracranial pressure is suspected, use of jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation monitoring alone would appear to be substantially limited.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 1996
Comparative Study Clinical TrialRecovery from mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not affected by anticonvulsant therapy.
Long-term chronic anticonvulsant therapy produces a resistance to the effects of all nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents studied to date. Since the metabolism of mivacurium is unique among the nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents, the effect of anticonvulsants on its recovery parameters was examined. Forty-five patients were separated into three groups based on the number of chronic anticonvulsant medications the subjects were taking: subjects in group 1, the control group, took no anticonvulsant medication; group 2 subjects took one medication; and group 3 subjects took two medications. ⋯ T-1 at 25% was 18.2 +/- 1.8, 20.7 +/- 1.9, and 21.5 +/- 1.4 min for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with TR at 25% being 23.7 +/- 2.3, 26.9 +/- 2.4, and 27.3 +/- 2.3 min. No significant differences were noted in neuromuscular recovery between groups at any time point. These results fail to demonstrate the resistance to the nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade of mivacurium that has been observed with other nondepolarizing agents.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 1995
Case ReportsPropylene glycol toxicity caused by prolonged infusion of etomidate.
We describe a case of propylene glycol toxicity due to intravenous administration of etomidate for cerebral protection. A continuous etomidate infusion was titrated to burst suppression of the electroencephalogram during surgical resection of a large intracranial arteriovenous malformation. The etomidate formulation used (Amidate, Abbot) contains etomidate 2 mg/ml in a 35% propylene glycol vehicle. ⋯ Adverse effects of propylene glycol were observed including hyperosmolality with an increased osmolal gap, hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, and metabolic acidosis. Normalization of these metabolic and ionic alterations occurred after 12 h of discontinuation of the infusion. The potential toxicity of the solvent should be considered during long-term administration of etomidate.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 1995
Outcome of head injury in 2298 patients treated in a single clinic during a 21-year period.
Between 1968 and 1988, 2298 head-injured patients of all grades of severity were registered in the data bank of a single clinic. The majority of patients were admitted to a community hospital and transferred later to the neurosurgical clinic. The data included mechanism of injury and clinical status at admission, including the level of consciousness according to the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) before and after resuscitation. ⋯ Outcome was significantly correlated to age and type and severity of lesion, as judged by the postresuscitation GCS. The outcome of the 1264 most severely injured, comatose patients (GCS < 9) shows a good recovery rate of 55%, a severely disabled rate of 14%, a vegetative rate of 7%, and a mortality rate of 24%. We attribute these results, which compare favorably with others, to prompt airway control and controlled ventilation in unconscious patients.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 1995
Clinical TrialDo recently developed techniques for skull base surgery increase the risk of difficult airway management? Assessment of pseudoankylosis of the mandible following surgical manipulation of the temporalis muscle.
We report our experience with anesthetic care for six patients with pseudoankylosis of the mandible following neurosurgical procedures, four of whom required fiberoptically guided intubation for anesthesia. We suggest that the development of operative approaches and reconstruction techniques in skull base surgery may increase the risk of difficult airway due to limitation of mouth opening.