Anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
Continuous monitoring of blood PO2 in extracorporeal systems. An in vitro evaluation of a re-usable oxygen electrode.
The technique of intermittent sampling of blood during extracorporeal circulation and in vitro analysis to establish that the blood-gas status of the patient is within acceptable limits has drawbacks which may be overcome by continuous monitoring. An evaluation of an oxygen monitoring system and a comparison with a blood gas analyser have been performed. ⋯ There was no significant difference between the calculated value and the monitor readings but the blood gas analyser results were significantly lower (p less than 0.01) than the calculated values of the tonometered blood. The reasons for this difference and the potential clinical advantages of continuous monitoring are discussed.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Mandatory sublingual buprenorphine for postoperative pain.
This study examined the analgesic effect, vital signs and side effects when 0.4 mg doses of buprenorphine were given pre-emptively for the treatment of postoperative pain after elective total hip replacement. Pain intensity, pain relief, retrospective peak pain intensity and pain relief, sedation, vital signs and side effects were measured 1 hour after surgery and then in the morning and evening of the first 2 postoperative days. ⋯ However, there was a significant increase in the number of patients with a pulse rate greater than 100 beats per minute. No particular benefit for postoperative pain relief was observed in patients receiving buprenorphine premedication in comparison with those who had received morphine or placebo.
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A case of respiratory failure following postoperative intercostal nerve blockade is described. A possible mechanism is postulated and the evidence in favour of intercostal blockade in patients with chronic airways disease is questioned. The need for caution when managing such patients with regional blockade is emphasised.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Reduction of gastric acid secretion. The efficacy of pre-anaesthetic oral cimetidine in children.
Cimetidine 10 mg/kg orally was given at varying times from 60 to 240 minutes pre-operatively to 100 healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 14 years. Cimetidine proved to be most effective when given between 120 and 180 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia. ⋯ In these patients the mean (SD) half-life of cimetidine was 138 (18) minutes. The reduction of gastric juice volume and acidity produced by 10 mg/kg oral cimetidine given 120-180 minutes prior to induction of anaesthesia has important clinical implications.