Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Sinusitis in long-term intubated, intensive care patients: nasal versus oral intubation].
Discussion of paranasal sinusitis as a nosocomial infection in the mechanically ventilated intensive care (ICU) patient has recently been intensified. Some authors have emphasized nasotracheal intubation as a possible pathogenetic pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nasotracheal or orotracheal intubation on the development of sinusitis in ICU patients. ⋯ We found that patients intubated orotracheally developed significantly less sinusitis than those intubated nasotracheally. Edema, local infection of the nasal mucosa, or mechanical obstruction of sinus drainage pathways by the tube are possible explanations. The fact that 63% of orally intubated patients had a pathologic maxillary sinus finding as well suggests that in addition to other reasons, an increased central venous pressure, positive pressure ventilation, and the supine position must be regarded as predisposing factors that increase the incidence of sinusitis. We conclude that the conditions of critically ill patients predispose to the development of sinusitis. Nasotracheal intubation is to be regarded as an additional risk, and therefore oral intubation should be preferred.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Histamine release and cardiovascular reactions to implantation of bone cement during total hip replacement].
Cardiovascular reactions to acrylic bone cement in patients with total hip replacement are a common complication. Hypotension and arrhythmias are the most frequently observed symptoms. Elderly patients with fractures of the femoral neck constitute a special risk group. ⋯ Because we also observed significant falls in systolic blood pressure in premedicated patients, we assume that the pathogenesis of cardiovascular reactions to bone cement implantation is multifactorial. It may be that potentially lethal complications only occur if two or more of the predisposing factors (hypovolemia, myocardial insufficiency, arrhythmia, embolism, histamine release) are present simultaneously. Pre- and intraoperative measures therefore have to be instituted to eliminate all possible risk factors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Intrapleural catheter analgesia in patients with multiple rib fractures].
Patients with multiple rib fractures often suffer from severe pain that impairs their respiratory performance. The effect of interpleural administration of bupivacaine (20 ml 0.25% every 4 h) for pain management was evaluated in ten patients. The initial interpleural injection resulted in significant pain relief and improvement of arterial oxygen tension. ⋯ Even though maximum total plasma concentrations of bupivacaine above 2 micrograms/ml were found in some patients, there were no signs of CNS toxicity, most probably because of the increased protein binding of bupivacaine following trauma. Accordingly, the maximum free plasma concentrations in all patients were below the threshold level of 0.24 micron/ml. We therefore conclude tht interpleural administration of bupivacaine could be a valuable means of pain relief in patients with multiple rib fractures, providing no severe pulmonary contusions or concomitant injuries are present.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[The effect of propofol-ketamine anesthesia on hemodynamics and analgesia in comparison with propofol-fentanyl].
Propofol (Diprivan), a modern intravenous hypnotic, produces a reduction in both cardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Ketamine (Ketanest), a potent analgesic, in contrast, causes an increase in MAP and CI. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the combination of propofol and ketamine can give better hemodynamic stability during the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia than propofol used with fentanyl, whose cardiodepressant actions may cumulate. ⋯ Patients in group B showed better vigilance as well as better pain relief postoperatively. The population of the fentanyl group was obviously more deeply sedated and analgesia was still inadequate. In our study general intravenous anesthesia with propofol and ketamine offered the advantages of better analgesia, a higher state of vigilance and the absence of respiratory depression during the postoperative phase compared with the combination of propofol and fentanyl.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Famotidine dosage in children. The effect of different doses on the pH and volume of the gastric juice].
Children undergoing general anesthesia are at increased risk of severe aspiration pneumonitis. Cimetidine and ranitidine, specific histamine (H2-receptor) antagonists, when given 1-3 h preoperatively markedly reduce the acidity and volume of gastric content. A newer compound, famotidine, is a more specific antagonist with no inhibitory effect on the drug metabolizing microsomal enzyme systems of the liver (cytochrome P-450), in contrast to cimetidine. ⋯ Preoperative famotidine application produces pH values of gastric contents higher than 2.5 in all dosage groups (84%, 94%, 75%), and these differences were highly significant (P less than 0.001), whereas the gastric volume reduction with these doses was not significant. The incidence of pH less than 2.5 and volume of gastric contents exceeding 0.4 ml/kg did not vary with the different doses of famotidine. As there were no measurable differences in the effect of famotidine, we recommend that children at high risk of pulmonary aspiration receive 0.15 mg/kg famotidine orally at least 1.5 h but not later than 6 h before induction.