Der Anaesthesist
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Postoperative cognition disorders in elderly patients. The results of the "International Study of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction" ISPOCD 1)].
Cognitive dysfunction is a known problem after operations and may be especially relevant in the elderly. The aim of this international multicentre study was to investigate short- and long-term cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients and to elucidate the relevance of hypoxaemia and hypotension as causative factors. ⋯ With this investigation long-term cognitive dysfunction could be proven definitively for elderly patients after major operations under general anaesthesia. No factors with prophylactic or therapeutic influence were detectable so that aetiology and pathophysiology of POCD could not be further determined.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Ondansetron. Prophylaxis and therapy of nausea and vomiting following major gynecologic procedures. Results of a national multicenter study].
This investigation was conducted as a national multicenter study to evaluate effectiveness and safety of prophylactic and therapeutic ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in major gynaecological surgery. ⋯ Our investigation proves the efficiency of ondansetron 8 mg prior to induction of anaesthesia in preventing PONV. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the safety of the drug for prophylaxis and therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Predictability and precision of "target-controlled infusion" (TCI) of propofol with the "Disoprifusor TCI" system].
In Germany a TCI-system for propofol (Disoprifusor-TCI) has been commercially available since spring 1997. We investigated the prediction error and precision of this TCI system as part of a multicentre study. Bias, precision, blood concentrations and dosage of propofol were compared with patients receiving propofol via a manually controlled infusion device. ⋯ With a precision of 27.5% the investigated TCI system (Diprifusor-TCI) showed an acceptable inaccuracy, as for TCI-systems a median prediction error of +/- 30% has to be expected due to the inherent variability of pharmacokinetic parameters. Further studies will be necessary to find out whether the investigated TCI system for propofol may offer substantial advantages.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Nosocomial infections intensive care units. A nation-wide prevalence study].
In a large, multicenter survey in 1994, the prevalence of nosocomial infections in German hospitals was examined, predominant pathogens were identified, and possible risk factors evaluated. In this paper the results from the intensive care units (ICUs) are presented. ⋯ Nosocomial infections are seen far more often in ICUs than on normal wards due to the immuno-suppressed state of many ICU patients and the continuous use of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Most of these infections are of endogenous origin. Other prevalence surveys have shown results comparable to ours. Daily changing of ventilation tubes is no longer necessary, but is still routine in many hospitals. Infusion sets were also changed more often than required. The use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract for the prevention of pneumonia is still controversial; in our study it was practised in only 1.5% of the cases. The most commonly used drugs for the prevention of stress ulcers were H2-receptor blocking agents, although it has been shown that sucralfate is the better choice, as it can help prevent nosocomial pneumonia. Routine microbiological surveillance of tracheal aspirates and urine was done in 25.9% and 24.6% of the ICUs. No study so far has shown that routine cultures of tracheal secretions and urine have a preventive effect regarding infection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Comparison of sevoflurane and isoflurane in ambulatory surgery. Results of a multicenter study].
A multicenter, randomized, comparative phase III study evaluating the effect of sevoflurane versus isoflurane in adult outpatients was performed. The aim of the study was to compare (1) maintenance of anaesthesia and (2) how rapidly and easily the patients emerge from the anaesthetic and recover. ⋯ Sevoflurane was as safe as isoflurane for anaesthesia in adult outpatients. Patients who received sevoflurane had statistically significantly shorter recovery parameters than isoflurane patients.