British journal of anaesthesia
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We have evaluated the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) for ventilation and for blind tracheal intubation. After induction of anaesthesia with fentanyl 1 microgram kg-1 and propofol 3 ml kg-1, the ILMA was placed successfully on the first attempt in all 100 patients. ⋯ Success was improved by pulling the metal handle of the ILMA towards the intubator in an "extension" manoeuvre, if intubation was not possible on the first attempt. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the ILMA in an Asian population.
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We describe the anaesthetic management of a parturient with achondroplasia presenting for Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia. A block extending from T4 to S4 was established over 25 min using a total of 12 ml of 2.0% lidocaine (lignocaine) with epinephrine (adrenaline) 1:200,000 and fentanyl 37.5 micrograms. Apart from mild discomfort during peritoneal incision, her perioperative course was uneventful. Achondroplasia is reviewed and the anaesthetic implications of the condition are discussed.
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Sevoflurane uptake (Vsevo) can be predicted by the square root of time model or the four-compartment model. However, Vsevo and the effect of cardiac output on anaesthetic uptake have not been quantified clinically. After obtaining IRB approval and informed consent, 34 adult patients received closed-circuit anaesthesia with sevoflurane for 1 h. ⋯ The rate of sevoflurane uptake decreased less than predicted by the square root of time and four-compartment models, even when measured cardiac output was used in the formulae. These findings confirm that the square root of time and four-compartment models do not accurately predict anaesthetic uptake. In addition, uptake of sevoflurane cannot be predicted by patient characteristics but was higher in patients with a higher cardiac output.
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The successful management of a 29-yr-old patient with tracheal separation between rings one and two after attempted hanging is described. Increasing difficulty with ventilation via a tracheal tube and surgical emphysema indicated the need for a tracheostomy. The diagnosis was made during the tracheostomy procedure when it was observed that the tracheal tube was protruding through the incomplete transection of the trachea such that Murphy's eye was aligned with the lower tracheal stump. ⋯ The signs and symptoms of laryngotracheal separation after blunt trauma are described. A review of the airway management has been made as it requires combined anaesthetic and surgical expertise. Injuries to the trachea may have severe, life-threatening consequences and early diagnosis and management reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Differential onset of median nerve block: randomized, double-blind comparison of mepivacaine and bupivacaine in healthy volunteers.
We have compared the delay in onset of 1% mepivacaine and 0.33% bupivacaine in different nerve fibre types in 10 volunteers undergoing median nerve blocks, in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Hot, cold, pinprick and light touch sensations, compound motor action potentials (CMAP), sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) and skin temperature were recorded at 2-min intervals. Hot, cold, pinprick, light touch sensations, SNAP and CMAP were significantly inhibited, and skin temperature was significantly increased after administration of both agents. ⋯ Bupivacaine and mepivacaine inhibited SNAP and CMAP with a similar time delay to steady-state. Bupivacaine produced steady-state inhibition of hot and cold sensations significantly later than mepivacaine; nevertheless, the sequence that sensory modalities failed, with few exceptions, and the extent of anaesthesia at 40 min were similar for both agents. Our technique provides a novel, multi-modal method of comparing local anaesthetics and related agents over time.