British journal of anaesthesia
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Editorial Review
Rocuronium: the newest aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking drug.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Magnesium sulphate enhances residual neuromuscular block induced by vecuronium.
Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is currently used for haemodynamic control during anaesthesia and the early postoperative period. We have investigated the effect of this treatment on residual neuromuscular block after administration of vecuronium. ⋯ MgSO4 caused rapid and profound recurarization in all 20 patients. MgSO4 decreased the amount of acetylcholine released at the motor nerve terminal and thus may lead to recurarization in patients previously exposed to neuromuscular blocking agents.
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In pneumoperitoneum, carbon dioxide eliminated in expired gas (carbon dioxide output) contains both metabolic and absorbed carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity. When elimination of carbon dioxide is much higher than carbon dioxide output, storage of tissue carbon dioxide and arterial carbon dioxide concentrations change. Finally, the rate of carbon dioxide eliminated in expired gas is not a match for the real rate of metabolic production and absorbed carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity. ⋯ After removal of carbon dioxide from the abdominal cavity, the regression equation of excess carbon dioxide output/BSA best fitted a two-compartment model. The time constants of the rapid and slow compartments were 8.2 and 990 min, respectively. Excess carbon dioxide output/BSA was still 5.5 ml min-1 m-2, 30 min after pneumoperitoneum.
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Propofol is used widely during general anaesthesia but there has been concern that it may be implicated in provoking seizure activity. We have investigated the effects of low-dose propofol on the electrocorticogram of anaesthetized patients undergoing surgery for medically intractable epilepsy. During continuous peroperative recording of the electrocorticogram, propofol was administered in 25 mg increments until burst suppression occurred. ⋯ There was an increase in mean spike frequency in 16, extension of spike distribution in 15 and polyphasia in 13 patients. The mean dose of propofol required to cause burst suppression was 88.2 (range 25-175) mg. We conclude that at low doses, propofol caused activation of the electrocorticogram in epileptic patients but at higher doses burst suppression was induced.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Single-dose i.v. granisetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
In this randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study, we have compared three doses (0.1 mg, 1.0 mg and 3.0 mg) of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, granisetron (Kytril), as prophylactic therapy for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The aims were to determine the optimal dose of granisetron and to evaluate its safety profile. We studied 527 adult patients, undergoing elective open abdominal surgery or vaginal hysterectomy during general anaesthesia. ⋯ The two higher doses of granisetron (1.0 mg and 3.0 mg) provided effective prophylaxis against vomiting, with 78% and 77% of patients, respectively, being free from vomiting in the first 6 h after surgery, and 63% and 62% in the first 24 h. This compares with 50% and 34% at 0-6 h and 0-24 h, respectively, in the placebo group. Granisetron was well tolerated and the optimum dose was 1.0 mg.