Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
[Propofol for paediatric patients in ear, nose and throat surgery. Practicability, quality and cost-effectiveness of different anaesthesia procedures for adenoidectomy in infants].
The aim of this study was an improvement in patient comfort, reduction of anaesthesia costs and room contamination by the use of propofol for adenoidectomy. ⋯ The use of propofol for preschool children undergoing ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery seems to be advantageous because of less postoperative agitation, emesis and costs.
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In neonates and infants, arterial and central venous catheters are of vital importance to optimize perioperative surveillance during surgery as well as postoperative care in the intensive care unit. The insertion of umbilical venous (UVC) and umbilical arterial catheters (UAC) in neonates in the first days of life is relatively simple and associated with a low procedure-related risk. As with other centrally placed catheters, correct positioning must be verified and the catheters should not be used for more than 5-7 days. ⋯ In order to minimize the risk associated with catheter malposition, correct position must always be verified by appropriate imaging studies or ECG guidance. Surgically placed Broviac catheters are mainly used in patients with a long-term need for central venous access. Finally, it has been shown that adherence to strict guidelines for insertion and handling can significantly reduce catheter-associated infections.
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Sepsis results from the host response to infection. While a localized and controlled inflammatory reaction helps to control infection, a dysregulated response may lead to multiple organ failure and determines the course and prognosis of the septic patient. Despite intensive care, mortality remains as high as 54% for severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Nevertheless, several seminal studies have indicated that early and systematic supportive therapy according to pathophysiological principles, most notably early goal-directed therapy, low-dose hydrocortisone and activated protein C, can disrupt dysfunctional cascades and can favourably influence the course of the disease. In parallel, efforts to better define nationwide epidemiology and treatment habits for severe sepsis by the German competence network "SepNet" indicate that therapy of severe sepsis is generally in poor compliance with guidelines, while the personal perception of physicians in charge would suggest high rates of adherence. Thus, strategies of change management, such as implementation of sepsis bundles are warranted to achieve a better standard of care toward the aim of the "surviving sepsis campaign", i.e. a reduction of mortality by 25% within the next 5 years.
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Acute renal failure in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit is associated with high morbidity and mortality which is independent of the underlying etiology. Despite improvements in intensive care medicine and renal replacement therapy, patients with acute renal failure have much higher morbidity and mortality rates than patients without acute renal failure in the intensive care unit. In this overview, we summarize the literature on the incidence and mortality of patients with acute renal failure in the intensive care unit. Furthermore, we discuss timing of the initiation of renal replacement therapy, patient outcome with different renal replacement therapies and the adequate dialysis dose to be delivered.
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Multicenter Study
[Current level of patients' knowledge of anaesthesiology].
The anaesthesiologist's competence in anaesthesia, intensive care medicine, pain therapy and emergency medicine is accepted throughout the medical society. Nevertheless, during the last decades patient surveys demonstrated a considerable lack of information of the responsibility of our work. By continuous education and information anaesthesiologists have aimed to improve the information and decision-making process for the patient. ⋯ In the case of emergency medicine (10%) the in-hospital and out-of-hospital responsibilities were not clear among patients. We conclude that the continuous distribution of information in recent years has contributed to improving patients' knowledge on interdisciplinary responsibilities. Future efforts should focus on the gaps in patient's knowledge to allow the patient to ask the right questions necessary for decision-making.