Anaesthesia
-
In a well-defined fast-track setup for total hip and knee arthroplasty, with a multimodal analgesic regimen consisting of intra-operative local anaesthetic infiltration and oral celecoxib, gabapentin and paracetamol for 6 days postoperatively, we conducted a prospective, consecutive, observational study. The purpose was to describe the prevalence and intensity of subacute postoperative pain and opioid related side effects, use of analgesics and functional ability 1-10 and 30 days postoperatively. ⋯ However, after total knee arthroplasty 52% patients reported moderate pain (VAS 30-59 mm), and 16% severe pain (VAS > or = 60 mm) when walking 1 month after surgery with a concomitant increase in the use of strong opioids. These results emphasise the need for improvement in analgesia after discharge following total knee arthroplasty, to facilitate rehabilitation.
-
A 31-year-old female with no risk factors for cardiac disease suffered a peri-operative myocardial infarction during an elective gynaecological procedure under spinal anaesthesia. The timing and nature of cardiac symptoms suggest that the myocardial infarction was caused by coronary artery vasospasm secondary to ephedrine and/or metaraminol, which were administered to treat spinal-induced hypotension. We review the recent literature and case reports on myocardial infarction attributed to sympathomimetic drugs, and recommend the use of sublingual or intravenous nitrates when signs or symptoms of coronary arterial vasospasm become evident during their use.
-
This study reports the incidence and associated mortality of acquired hypernatraemia (Na > 150 mmol x l(-1)) in a general medical/surgical intensive care unit. Patients admitted over a 5-year period with normal sodium values were eligible for inclusion; exclusions were made for burn/neurosurgical diagnoses and for hypertonic saline therapy. From 3475 admissions (3317 patients), 266 (7.7%) episodes of hypernatraemia were observed. ⋯ Intermediate sodium levels (145-150 mmol x l(-1)) were associated with increased mortality (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.98). Uncorrected sodium at discharge (p = 0.001) and peak sodium (p = 0.001) were better predictors of mortality than time to onset (p = 0.71) and duration of hypernatraemia (p = 1.0). Hypernatraemia avoidance is justified, but determinants of hypernatraemia and benefits of targeted treatment strategies require further elucidation.
-
Cancellation of scheduled surgery is undesirable for patients and an inefficient use of resources. We prospectively collected data for 52 consecutive months in a public general hospital to estimate the prevalence and causes. ⋯ The commonest specific causes within these categories were respectively: infections/fever (18%), patient did not attend (20%) and lack of theatre time (23%). This data will help direct resources to target prevention of cancellations as a result of these main problems.