British journal of anaesthesia
-
Review Comparative Study
Comparison of predictive models for postoperative nausea and vomiting.
In order to identify patients who would benefit from prophylactic amtiemetics, six predictive models have been described for the risk assessment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study compared the validity and practicability of these models in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. ⋯ The simplified risk scores provided better discrimination and calibration properties compared with the more complex risk scores. Therefore, simplified risk scores can be recommended for antiemetic strategies in clinical practice as well as for group comparisons in randomized controlled antiemetic trials.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Positive pressure ventilation during fibreoptic intubation: comparison of the laryngeal mask airway, intubating laryngeal mask and endoscopy mask techniques.
The efficacy of delivery of mechanical ventilation through different airway devices during fibreoptic intubation is not known. ⋯ PPV is possible with the LMA, ILM or endoscopy mask during fibreoptic intubation. With an airway pressure of 20 cm H2O, ventilation during intubation using a size 3 or 4 LMA was almost insufficient, while ventilation using a size 5 LMA or an ILM was almost acceptable. Ventilation during intubation with the endoscopy mask was greater than that with the LMA or ILM, but gastric insufflation was more frequent.
-
There is renewed interest in the use of induced hypothermia as a method of neuroprotection both intraoperatively and in the intensive care management of severe brain injury. In this study we have investigated the effects of hypothermia on brain tissue oxygenation in patients with severe head injury. ⋯ These results emphasize the advantage of measuring brain temperature directly, and suggest that decreasing brain temperature below 35 degrees C may impair brain tissue oxygenation.
-
We report a case of mechanical closure of the vocal cords with the laryngeal mask airway ProSeal (PLMA) in an anaesthetized, paralysed 59-yr-old, 88 kg female undergoing lower-limb vascular surgery. Near-complete airway obstruction developed after a size-5 PLMA was inserted and the cuff inflated with 20 ml of air. Fibreoptic inspection revealed that the PLMA was correctly positioned, but the vocal cords were closed. Withdrawal of air from the cuff and/or moving the head and neck into the sniffing position resolved this problem.