Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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The pathogenesis of persistent postoperative hiccups is not known. Hiccups can present as a symptom of a subphrenic abscess of gastric distention, and metabolic alterations may also cause hiccups. The hiccups may develop because of increased activity in neural reflex pathways not yet fully defined. ⋯ Valproate has proven effective in two trials investigating persistent non-surgical hiccups. The simple application of a nasogastric tube may successfully treat the hiccups, possibly because of an alteration of the activity in the reflex neural pathways involved. The available literature on the treatment of persistent hiccups is reviewed, and a treatment protocol for persistent postoperative hiccups is provided.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 1992
ReviewLow molecular weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis and epidural/spinal anaesthesia--is there a risk?
This article reviews the problem of bleeding in connection with epidural/spinal anaesthesia, with special emphasis on the use of low molecular weight heparins for thromboprophylaxis. There are methodological difficulties to studying the problem in a scientifically correct way because of the rarity of the complication. ⋯ So far, there is only a single case report, of spinal haematoma, although low molecular weight heparins have been used in combination with epidural/spinal anaesthesia in at least 1,000,000 patients. In controlled studies, at least 10,000 patients have been given the combination without complications.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 1992
ReviewEffects of anaesthesia and surgery on the immune response.
Alterations have been found to occur in every component of immune response during anaesthesia and surgery. These alterations represent the body's general physiological responses and are mainly dependent on the extent of surgery, as well as other factors such as the patient's age and health status, medication and blood transfusion. Anaesthetic and operative complications have profound effects on these responses. ⋯ Experimental evidence suggests that results of treatment in injured and operated patients can in the future be improved by controlling immune responses and their mediator systems. Our current level of knowledge of immune responses is already helping us to avoid many immune-mediated complications. However, routine interference with these responses is not indicated.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 1989
ReviewLung function during anesthesia and respiratory insufficiency in the postoperative period: physiological and clinical implications.
This review covers the physiological and clinical implications of lung function during anesthesia and respiratory insufficiency in the postoperative period. We have divided it into 3 main sections: 1) lung function changes induced by anesthesia and surgery, in which the impact on pulmonary mechanics, ventilation/perfusion changes and gas exchange are examined; 2) physiological implications of postoperative respiratory function secondary to decreased alveolar ventilation, development of atelectasis, and interstitial lung edema; and 3) clinical implications of postoperative respiratory failure. In this last section we analyze the current therapeutic modalities available to reduce the incidence of postoperative respiratory failure, as well as related morbidity and mortality.
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The intellectual and technological roots of respirators and respiratory care may be traced back hundreds of years. The clinical evolution has taken the better part of a century, and it has been most closely linked to the development of open-chest surgery. Resuscitation and the treatment of poliomyelitis also have contributed ideas and technology to this evolution. ⋯ Open-chest surgery forced the change from single-agent deep anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation to a balanced technique, using multiple drugs or agents, with controlled ventilation. Open-chest surgery also necessitated that physicians specialize in anesthesiology. Scandinavian scientists and physicians have contributed greatly to the field of respirators and respiratory care, as has the specialty of anesthesiology.