British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of intravenous fluid therapy on postoperative vomiting in children undergoing tonsillectomy.
Postoperative vomiting (POV) is one of the most frequent complications of tonsillectomy in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiemetic effect of super-hydration with lactated Ringer's solution in children undergoing elective otorhinolaryngological surgery. ⋯ Intraoperative administration of 30 ml kg(-1) h(-1) lactated Ringer's solution significantly reduced the incidence of POV during the first 24 h postoperative. Our results support the use of super-hydration during tonsillectomy, as an alternative way to decrease the risk of POV in children.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Surgical pleth index-guided remifentanil administration reduces remifentanil and propofol consumption and shortens recovery times in outpatient anaesthesia.
The surgical pleth index (SPI) is an index based on changes in plethysmographic characteristics that correlate with the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. It has been proposed as a measure of the balance between nociception and anti-nociception. The goal of this study was to test whether it could be used to titrate remifentanil in day-case anaesthesia. ⋯ Adjusting the remifentanil dosage according to the SPI in outpatient anaesthesia reduced the consumption of both remifentanil and propofol and resulted in faster recovery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized controlled trial of goal-directed haemodynamic treatment in patients with proximal femoral fracture.
Patients with proximal femoral fracture (PFF) are at high risk of postoperative complications. Goal-directed haemodynamic treatment (GDHT) in other high-risk surgical patients reduces postoperative complications. We aimed to compare effects of GDHT and routine fluid treatment (RFT) on postoperative outcomes after PFF surgery. ⋯ The magnitude of risk reduction of postoperative complications is clinically relevant, but the trial was underpowered and the null hypothesis cannot be rejected.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Bispectral index-guided induction of general anaesthesia in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery using propofol or etomidate: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.
In a double-blind, randomized trial, we compared the haemodynamic effects of a bispectral index (BIS)-guided etomidate and propofol infusion for anaesthesia induction in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. ⋯ Our study showed that the use of propofol resulted in less hypertension and tachycardia at and after intubation than etomidate. But even with the reduced doses given with the BIS-guided protocol, it often caused significant hypotension.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Challenging authority during a life-threatening crisis: the effect of operating theatre hierarchy.
Effective operating theatre (OT) communication is important for team function and patient safety. Status asymmetry between team members may contribute to communication breakdown and threaten patient safety. We investigated how hierarchy in the OT team influences an anaesthesia trainee's ability to challenge an unethical decision by a consultant anaesthetist in a simulated crisis scenario. ⋯ This study did not show a significant effect of OT team hierarchical structure on trainee's ability to challenge authority; however, the results are concerning. The challenges were suboptimal in quality and there was an alarming high rate of blood checking and administration in both groups. This may reflect lack of training in appropriately and effectively challenging authority within the formal curriculum with implications for patient safety.