Anaesthesia
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The volume and pressure of a tracheal tube cuff inflated with air increases during nitrous oxide anaesthesia. The study was designed to investigate the changes of tracheal tube cuff pressure during nitrous oxide anaesthesia following inflation of the cuff with air or saline in 10 mongrel dogs who were anaesthetised with nitrous oxide and their lungs artificially ventilated. ⋯ On microscopic examination of the trachea, only the air group had glandular inflammation, dilatation and destruction. Therefore, it appears that if saline is used to inflate tracheal tube cuffs, there will not be an increase in cuff volume and pressure during nitrous oxide anaesthesia.
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This study examines the changing pattern of maternal analgesia administration during the decade 1970-1979. In addition, the relationship between analgesia, anaesthesia and the infant's Apgar score was documented. Approximately 40000 deliveries to South Glamorgan residents were included in the study. ⋯ Respiratory depression following Caesarean section remains a problem. The group delivered by elective Caesarean section contained a substantial proportion of infants with a low Apgar score; 30% had an Apgar score less than 8 and 10% had a score of less than 4. Likely causative factors include undue sensitivity of the infants' respiratory centre and aortocaval compression during surgery.