British journal of anaesthesia
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Case Reports
Reversible nitrous oxide myelopathy and a polymorphism in the gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.
We present a case of a patient who received nitrous oxide on two occasions within a period of 8 weeks and who subsequently developed a diffuse myelopathy, characterized by upper extremity paresis, lower extremity paraplegia and neurogenic bladder. Laboratory testing revealed hyperhomocysteinaemia and low levels of vitamin B(12). Because of this uncommon clinical presentation, we analysed the patient's DNA, and found a polymorphism in the MTHFR gene that is associated with the thermolabile isoform of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme, which explained the myelopathy experienced by the patient after being exposed to nitrous oxide. Soon after initiating supplementary therapy with folic acid and vitamin B(12), the neurological symptoms subsided.
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Hypotensive anaesthesia does not impair renal function after surgery in normal patients but there are no reports of hypotensive anaesthesia in patients with chronic renal dysfunction (CRD). ⋯ HEA, per se, when carefully managed does not appear to predispose patients with CRD to acute renal failure after THR.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of oral gabapentin on postoperative epidural analgesia.
Gabapentin has been used successfully as a non-opioid analgesic adjuvant for postoperative pain management. We hypothesized that gabapentin might be a useful adjuvant for postoperative analgesia provided with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). ⋯ Oral gabapentin (1.2 g day(-1)) as an adjunct to epidural analgesia decreased pain and analgesic consumption. Despite an increased incidence of dizziness it also increased patient satisfaction.
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The transient effects of epidural bupivacaine 0.25-0.5% on the Doppler velocimetry of umbilical and uterine arteries had been reported, but the effects of continuous lower dose epidural bupivacaine (0.05-0.1%) infusion for labour analgesia have never been reported. In this study, we evaluated the effects of continuous epidural bupivacaine 0.075% on the Doppler velocimetry of uterine arteries. ⋯ Continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine 0.075% increases the resistance of uterine artery and therefore possibly reduces the uterine blood flow.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of three different dose regimens of magnesium on propofol requirements, haemodynamic variables and postoperative pain relief in gynaecological surgery.
In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study we compared the effects of three different dose regimens of magnesium on intraoperative propofol and atracurium requirements, and postoperative morphine consumption in patients undergoing gynaecological surgery. ⋯ Magnesium 40 mg kg(-1) bolus followed by 10 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion leads to significant reductions in intraoperative propofol, atracurium and postoperative morphine consumption. Increasing magnesium dosage did not offer any advantages, but induced haemodynamic consequences.