British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Isoflurane sedation for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation: metabolism to inorganic fluoride and renal effects.
The metabolism and renal effects of isoflurane sedation were studied for 24 h in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Forty-six patients admitted to our intensive therapy unit were allocated randomly to receive either 0.1-0.6% isoflurane or midazolam 0.01-0.2 mg kg-1 h-1 for sedation. ⋯ Serum electrolyte, urea and creatinine concentrations, and urine output rates during and after sedation in patients who received isoflurane were similar to those who received midazolam. We conclude that, following isoflurane sedation for up to 24 h, metabolism to inorganic fluoride is insufficient to cause clinical renal dysfunction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Spinal anaesthesia in young patients using a 29-gauge needle: technical considerations and an evaluation of postoperative complaints compared with general anaesthesia.
One hundred patients aged 18-49 yr, undergoing elective arthroscopy of the knee joint, were allocated randomly to either spinal anaesthesia using a 29-gauge spinal needle or general anaesthesia. Dural puncture was considered difficult in 18% of the patients receiving spinal anaesthesia. In three patients (6%) it was necessary to supplement the spinal anaesthetic with general anaesthesia. ⋯ This headache was of short duration and disappeared without treatment. Spinal anaesthesia caused more backache than general anaesthesia, otherwise the frequency of postoperative complaints was the same or lower. Ninety-six percent of the patients receiving spinal anaesthesia would prefer the same anaesthetic for a similar procedure in the future.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Effect of nicardipine on the cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation.
We studied the cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and intubation in 30 patients who received nicardipine 15 micrograms kg-1 or 30 micrograms kg-1, or saline placebo 60 s before the start of laryngoscopy. Anaesthesia was induced with thiamylal 5 mg kg-1 i.v. and tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 0.2 mg kg-1. Patients receiving saline showed a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) associated with tracheal intubation. The increases in MAP and RPP following tracheal intubation were reduced in both groups of patients who received nicardipine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of complications associated with single-holed and multi-holed extradural catheters.
Adverse events associated with single-holed and multi-holed extradural catheters were compared in obstetric practice. Two hundred and forty-five patients were given an extradural block using a single-holed catheter and 229 received a block via a multi-holed catheter. ⋯ Flow of fluid under gravity in the catheter was restricted significantly more often in the single-holed catheters. Blood was found significantly more often in the multi-holed catheters.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Peroperative nitrous oxide delays bowel function after colonic surgery.
Forty patients scheduled for elective colonic surgery were allocated at random to receive either nitrous oxide or air during surgery. Preoperative management, surgery, parenteral therapy and postoperative analgesics were similar in both groups. Anaesthetic management included isoflurane, vecuronium by infusion and fentanyl 3 micrograms kg-1 h-1. ⋯ No differences were found in duration of operation, blood loss, need for postoperative analgesia or postoperative nausea. Patients in the air group had less gas in the small bowel (P less than 0.005) and in the large bowel (P less than 0.001), and operating conditions were better than in the nitrous oxide group (P less than 0.01). After operation, the air group had significantly earlier bowel function than the nitrous oxide group, with earlier passing of flatus (3.4 (1.2) vs 4.7 (1.4) days) (P less than 0.05) and faeces (4.7 (1.5) vs 6.3 (2.2) days) (P less than 0.05) and required a shorter postoperative hospital stay (10.0 (1.3) vs 11.7 (2.5) days) (P less than 0.05).