British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effects of ketorolac trometamol on renal function.
We have compared the renal effects of ketorolac trometamol 10 mg administered 4-hourly by intermittent i.m. injection or by continuous i.m. infusion with placebo in a double-blind study in 67 patients who had undergone upper abdominal surgery. Ketorolac was supplemented during the 48-h postoperative study period with bolus doses of morphine delivered by a patient controlled analgesia system. ⋯ The overall changes caused by surgery alone were of much greater magnitude. Bleeding time was increased with ketorolac, but there were no adverse events related to this.
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Comparative Study
Somatosensory and auditory evoked responses recorded simultaneously: differential effects of nitrous oxide and isoflurane.
Auditory (AER) and somatosensory evoked responses (SSER) were recorded simultaneously in eight patients under anaesthesia before surgery. We studied the effects of equi-MAC end-expiratory concentrations of isoflurane (0.65-0.75%) and nitrous oxide (60-65%). The anaesthetics were changed at random in three consecutive 10-min periods so that each patient received both drugs. ⋯ We were unable to demonstrate significant differences in Pa and Nb amplitude between isoflurane and nitrous oxide that we had seen previously. However, the amplitude of the SSER wave N20 was reduced significantly by nitrous oxide compared with isoflurane (P = 0.0004). This wave (N20) is thought to emanate from the thalamo-cortical radiations, and our findings may be explained by an analgesic effect of nitrous oxide mediated by endogenous opioids.
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Case Reports
Airway management in a case of neck impalement: use of the oesophageal tracheal combitube airway.
A patient presented with neck impalement after a traffic accident. Respiratory arrest demanded immediate tracheal intubation, which was impossible as a wooden splinter had partially obstructed the pharynx and prevented laryngoscopy. An oesophageal tracheal Combitube airway was inserted successfully and the patient's lungs were ventilated adequately until tracheotomy was performed.
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Comparative Study
Voltage fields surrounding needles used in regional anaesthesia.
Using a bench model, we have studied the voltage fields surrounding both insulated and uninsulated needles used in regional anaesthesia. The findings were compared with earlier computer predictions which suggested that the fields would be markedly different for the two types of needle. The results confirm that the fields differ markedly and suggest that the use of insulated needles may not necessarily improve the accuracy of nerve location and that uninsulated needles may be more appropriate.
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We have investigated the pharmacological basis of CNS excitation that occurs in association with general anaesthesia in mice. Propofol produced sustained clonic movements during anaesthesia. Methohexitone produced intermittent non-rhythmic jerking during anaesthesia. ⋯ Bicuculline did not affect either behaviour or EEG with any of the anaesthetic drugs. Our data show that methohexitone and propofol produced CNS excitation, while pentobarbitone and ethanol did not. We propose that the pharmacological basis of this excitation may be glycine antagonism occurring in subcortical structures.