Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The air-Q(®) intubating laryngeal airway vs the LMA-ProSeal(TM) : a prospective, randomised trial of airway seal pressure.
We performed a prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial comparing the air-Q(®) against the LMA-ProSeal™ in adults undergoing general anaesthesia. One hundred subjects (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1-3) presenting for elective, outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to 52 air-Q(®) and 48 ProSeal devices. The primary study endpoint was airway seal pressure. ⋯ Mean (SD) airway seal pressures for the air-Q(®) and ProSeal were 30 (7) cmH (2) O and 30 (6) cmH(2) O, respectively (p = 0.47). Postoperative sore throat was more common with the air-Q(®) (46% vs 38%, p = 0.03) as was pain on swallowing (30% vs 5%, p = 0.01). In conclusion, the air-Q(®) performs well as a primary airway during the maintenance of general anaesthesia with an airway seal pressure similar to that of the ProSeal, but with a higher incidence of postoperative oropharyngolaryngeal complaints.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ability of patients to retain and recall new information in the post-anaesthetic recovery period: a prospective clinical study in day surgery.
Patients are frequently told new information in the early postoperative period and may retain little of it. Two hundred patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day surgery procedures were randomly allocated into two equal groups, 'Early' and 'Late'. Both groups were asked to undertake a simple memory test either in the early or late postoperative phase of their recovery. ⋯ Twenty-three percent of patients in the 'Early' group had total amnesia of any test information given. Only 1% of the 'Late' group were unable to remember any information; a mean interval of 40 min separated the two groups. We recommend that verbal information given postoperatively be delayed until a recovery interval of at least 40 in, and should be supported with written material.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of magnesium sulphate on bleeding during lumbar discectomy.
We assessed the effect of magnesium on the amount of bleeding, coagulation profiles and surgical conditions during lumbar discectomy under general anaesthesia. Forty patients, of ASA physical status 1-2 and aged 18-65 years, undergoing single-level microscopic lumbar discectomy, were randomly assigned to magnesium sulphate (50 mg.kg(-1) in 100 ml saline over 10 min followed by a continuous infusion of 20 mg.kg.h(-1) ) or saline. The mean (SD) estimated blood loss was 190 (95) and 362 (170) ml in the magnesium and saline groups, respectively (mean difference = 172 ml; 95% CI 84-260 ml). ⋯ The activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged in the magnesium group immediately postoperatively and at 6 h after surgery. After the bolus of magnesium, the heart rate was higher and the mean arterial pressure lower in the magnesium group. The use of magnesium sulphate during lumbar discectomy decreases blood loss, and provides better surgical conditions without marked haemodynamic effects.