Der Anaesthesist
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Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with an incidence of 1:10,000-1:40,000 caused by deficient genetic imprinting in the chromosomal segment 15q11-q13. Experimental data suggest that the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptor as well as the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole proprionic acid (AMPA) receptors may be affected by this condition. The first description of the syndrome goes back to 1965 when the British pediatrician Harry Angelman (1915-1996) recognized similar clinical features in three children. ⋯ Although epilepsy is the primary feature of AS, not every EEG alteration indicates the presence of epilepsy. The advantage in using neuromonitoring for measuring the depth of anesthesia is limited. Administration of anticonvulsants must be continued if they were used preoperatively.
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Perioperative visual loss (POVL) after nonocular surgery is a rare but unexpected event and represents a devastating complication. It is most often associated with cardiac, spinal as well as head and neck surgery. The etiology of POVL remains incompletely understood. ⋯ However, the risk factors for any given patient or procedure may vary. The underlying specific pathogenesis of these neuro-ophthalmic complications remains unknown and physicians should be alert to the potential for loss of vision in the postoperative period. This review updates readers on the incidence, suspected risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of POVL in the setting of nonocular surgery.
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In the case presented an intravenous line for large volume infusion rates was to be placed in a patient with an aortic aneurysm during clinical preoperative care. After a high-flow catheter had been placed without any problems retraction of the guide wire was found to be impossible. Computer tomography revealed that the reason was a kink in the catheter resulting in the guide wire being nipped off. Fortunately both catheter and guide wire could be removed completely without any further complications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
[Perivascular brachial plexus block. Ultrasound versus nerve stimulator].
Optimizing the needle position using ultrasound (US) instead of electrical nerve stimulation (NSt) is increasingly common for perivascular brachial plexus block. These two methods were compared in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled trial regarding effectiveness and time of onset of peripheral nerve blockade. ⋯ The use of ultrasound in perivascular brachial plexus blocks leads to significantly higher success rates and shorter times of onset.
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Review Case Reports
[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and severe traumatic brain injury. Is the ECMO-therapy in traumatic lung failure and severe traumatic brain injury really contraindicated?].
Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be lifesaving in multiple injured patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to chest trauma. To prevent circuit thrombosis or thromboembolic complications during ECMO systemic anticoagulation is recommended. Therefore, ECMO treatment is contraindicated in patients with intracranial bleeding. The management of veno-venous ECMO without systemic anticoagulation in a patient suffering from traumatic lung failure and severe traumatic brain injury is reported.