Anaesthesia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomised controlled trial of ultrasound-guided blockade of the saphenous nerve and the posterior branch of the obturator nerve for postoperative analgesia after day-case knee arthroscopy.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of blockade of the saphenous nerve and the posterior branch of the obturator nerve in addition to a standard analgesic regimen for patients discharged the same day after knee arthroscopy. The primary outcome was knee pain on flexion during the first 24 postoperative hours, calculated as area under the curve. ⋯ The median (IQR [range]) pain score on knee flexion in the ropivacaine group 2.0 (1.1-3.7 [0.1-7.1]) was not statistically different to that in the saline group (3.3 (1.7-4.6 [0.3-6.8]), p = 0.06). There were no differences in pain at rest, opioid consumption or function.
-
Comparative Study
A comparison of airway dimensions, measured by acoustic reflectometry and ultrasound before and after general anaesthesia.
Changes in airway dimensions can occur during general anaesthesia and surgery for a variety of reasons. This study explored factors associated with postoperative changes in airway dimensions. Patient airway volume was measured by acoustic reflectometory and neck muscle diameter by ultrasound echography in the pre- and post-anaesthetic periods in a total of 281 patients. ⋯ A significant decrease in median (IQR [range]) total airway volume (from 63.8 (51.8-75.7 [14.7-103]) ml to 45.9 (33.5-57.2 [6.4-96.3]) ml, p < 0.0001), and a significant increase in muscle diameter (from 4.3 (3.3-5.6 [2.2-9.0]) mm to 5.8 (4.7-7.3 [2.8-1.3]) mm, p < 0.0001) and neck circumference (from 34.0 (32.5-37.0 [29.5-49.0]) cm to 35.0 (33.5-38.0 [30.5-50.5]) cm, p < 0.0001) were observed. It may be possible that changes in airway volume and neck circumference were influenced by surgical duration or peri-operative fluid management (ρ) = -0.31 (95% CI -0.24 to -0.01), p = 0.0301, -0.17 (-0.23 to -0.06), p = 0.0038, 0.23 (0.12-0.34), p < 0.0001, and 0.16 (0.05-0.27), p = 0.0062, respectively). The intra-oral space can significantly decrease and neck thickness increase after general anaesthesia, and might increase the risk of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation if airway management is required after extubation following general anaesthesia.
-
Peripherally inserted central catheters are often positioned blindly in the central circulation, and this may result in high malposition rates, especially in critically ill patients. Recently, a new technology has been introduced (Sherlock 3CG Tip Positioning System) that uses an electro-magnetic system to guide positioning in the superior vena cava, and then intra-cavity ECG to guide positioning at the cavo-atrial junction. In this observational study, we investigated how the Sherlock 3CG Tip Positioning System would affect peripherally inserted central catheter malposition rates, defined using a post-insertion chest radiograph, in critically ill patients. ⋯ When an adequate position was defined as low superior vena cava or cavo-atrial junction, 134 catheters (56.1%; 95% CI 50-62%) were malpositioned. When an adequate position was defined as mid/low superior vena cava, cavo-atrial junction or high right atrium (≤ 2 cm from cavo-atrial junction), 49 (20.5%; 95% CI 16-26%) catheters were malpositioned. These malposition rates are significantly lower than our own historical data, which used a 'blind' anthropometric technique to guide peripherally inserted central catheter insertion.
-
Review Meta Analysis
A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of mivacurium for tracheal intubation.
Higher dosing, waiting longer or combining with an opioid improve mivacurium intubating conditions, particularly in older patients.
pearl