Anaesthesia
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We performed a retrospective case note review to identify the major complications of epidural analgesia occurring after surgery at our hospital. By cross-referencing the radiology, microbiology and patient information management system databases, we identified patients who had undergone either spinal magnetic resonance imaging or a lumbar puncture within 60 days of surgery in the period from January 2000 to December 2005. Review of these case notes identified six cases of epidural abscess, three of meningitis and three of epidural haematoma. ⋯ Diagnostic delays contributed to adverse neurological outcome in three patients. This study suggests that leg weakness is a critical monitor of spinal cord health. A national database is needed to establish a more accurate estimate of the incidence of major complications and to identify relevant risk factors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of work of breathing using drawover and continuous flow anaesthetic breathing systems in children.
We compared the work of breathing under general anaesthesia in children using drawover and continuous flow anaesthetic systems. A pilot study was conducted in four children weighing > 20 kg in whom it would usually be considered appropriate to use breathing systems designed for adult anaesthesia. The pilot study compared work of breathing using the Mapleson D breathing system and the Triservice Anaesthetic Apparatus (TSAA). ⋯ Following completion of the pilot study, we conducted a study on 10 children weighing between 10 and 20 kg comparing work of breathing using the Mapleson F breathing system and the TSAA. We found no significant difference in the work of breathing between the Mapleson F and the TSAA for these children. The TSAA can therefore be recommended for use down to a lower weight limit of 10 kg.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Postoperative analgesia requirements at home after inguinal hernia repair: effects of wound infiltration on postoperative pain.
The aim of this study was to evaluate our postoperative pain protocol after ambulatory herniorrhaphy and to determine how infiltration with local anaesthetics would add to our management of postoperative pain. Two groups of 60 patients, scheduled for herniorrhaphy, received wound infiltration with 20 ml levobupivacaine 0.5% or saline 0.9%. Postoperatively, the patients regulated their own analgesic consumption and registered VAS scores, use of analgesics and side-effects in a diary for 5 days. ⋯ Most patients used acetaminophen in the first 5 days after surgery and occasionally diclofenac. Only a minority used tramadol. Our multimodal pain protocol achieved reasonable results at rest, but a considerable number of patients experienced moderate to severe pain with movement.
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Review Case Reports
Portal venous gas--case report and review of the literature.
A 74-year-old man with chronic renal failure was admitted to the renal unit with non-specific symptoms and positive blood cultures. He later deteriorated and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with septic shock, respiratory failure and deranged liver function. Initial improvement was followed by abdominal distension and discomfort. ⋯ He died on day 16. Portal venous gas is not a disease; it is a diagnostic clue in patients who may be harbouring an intra-abdominal catastrophe. Successful management of these cases requires early identification of the underlying pathology and can range from simple observation to extensive surgical intervention.