British journal of anaesthesia
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In biomedical research papers, authors often use descriptive statistics to describe the study sample. The standard deviation (SD) describes the variability between individuals in a sample; the standard error of the mean (SEM) describes the uncertainty of how the sample mean represents the population mean. Authors often, inappropriately, report the SEM when describing the sample. As the SEM is always less than the SD, it misleads the reader into underestimating the variability between individuals within the study sample. ⋯ One in four articles (n=198/860, 23%) published in four anaesthesia journals in 2001 inappropriately used the SEM in descriptive statistics to describe the variability of the study sample. Anaesthesia journals are encouraged to provide clearer statistical guidelines on how to report data variability in descriptive statistics.
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The perioperative management of two-stage oesophagectomy has not been standardized and the prevailing practice regarding the timing of extubation after the procedure varies. This audit has evaluated the outcome, in particular the respiratory morbidity and mortality, after immediate extubation in patients who have had thoracic epidural analgesia. ⋯ Immediate extubation after two-stage oesophagectomy in patients with thoracic epidural analgesia is safe and associated with low morbidity and mortality. Patients can be managed in a high-dependency unit, thus avoiding the need for intensive care. This has cost-saving and logistical implications.
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Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is associated with a number of life-threatening complications. We present a case of massive and fatal arterial haemorrhage that occurred in the intensive care unit during an elective PDT on an 86-year-old woman following earlier evacuation of a traumatic subdural haematoma. An avulsed right subclavian artery was found at post mortem. Previous thyroid surgery and aberrant arterial anatomy contributed to the fatal outcome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Propofol and halothane versus sevoflurane in paediatric day-case surgery: induction and recovery characteristics.
The aim of this study was to compare the induction and recovery characteristics associated with propofol induction and halothane maintenance with sevoflurane anaesthesia in paediatric day surgery. ⋯ The increased incidence of adverse events during induction, postoperative nausea and vomiting and postoperative delirium in the sevoflurane group suggests that sevoflurane is not ideal as a sole agent for paediatric day case anaesthesia.