British journal of anaesthesia
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Neurone specific enolase (NSE) and S-100 beta protein have been used as markers of brain damage. We hypothesized that blood concentrations of NSE and S-100 beta protein reflect cognitive dysfunction after abdominal surgery. We studied 65 elderly patients in whom neuropsychological testing was performed before abdominal surgery, at discharge from hospital and after 3 months. ⋯ The increase in S-100 beta protein concentration after 48 h was significantly greater in patients with delirium. No correlation was found between cognitive dysfunction and S-100 beta protein or NSE concentration. We conclude that blood concentrations of S-100 beta protein increase after abdominal surgery and may be related to postoperative delirium.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
EEG controlled rapid opioid withdrawal under general anaesthesia.
We performed rapid opioid detoxification under propofol anaesthesia in 30 opioid addicts, using the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. Two strategies to obtain a sufficient depth of anaesthesia and to avoid anaesthetic overdose were evaluated. Patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups. ⋯ There were significant differences in the total dose of propofol given (group 1, mean 72 (SD 9) mg kg-1; group 2, 63 (8) mg kg-1; P < 0.01), duration of anaesthesia (318 (53) min vs 309 (42) min; P < 0.05), duration of recovery time (49 (13) min vs 40 (12) min; P < 0.01) and frequency of withdrawal symptoms between groups. In addition, the incidence of side effects was different between groups (62 vs 29 points on a withdrawal symptom scale; P < 0.01). To obtain a sufficient depth of anaesthesia but to avoid inappropriately large doses of anaesthetic, we consider that EEG monitoring is valuable during rapid opioid detoxification.
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The anaesthetic risks of acromegaly include difficulties in airway management, hypertension, and cardiac, gastrointestinal and renal problems. To estimate the incidence of major complications in this rare group of patients, we reviewed 28 patients with acromegaly who had pituitary tumour excision over a 10-yr period. Each patient was matched for age, weight and sex to a non-acromegalic patient undergoing transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. ⋯ Arterial pH was significantly lower (P = 0.015), blood glucose was higher (P < 0.001) and fluid intake minus output was higher (P = 0.04) in acromegalic patients than in controls. Airway difficulty and tongue enlargement were encountered more often in acromegalic patients (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Our data confirm that in acromegalic patients: airway difficulties occurred more frequently; severe haemodynamic instability did not typically occur during surgery for acromegaly; pulmonary gas exchange was not altered during operation; glucose intolerance may be an intraoperative problem; and fluid regulation may be altered.
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We have assessed the feasibility of retrograde nasotracheal intubation using a flexometallic tracheal tube with a detachable pilot balloon and connector in a study of 20 consecutive adult patients undergoing oropharyngeal surgery. The technique consisted of: (1) laryngoscope-guided orotracheal intubation; (2) insertion of an 18-gauge Foley catheter through the nose and retraction into the mouth; (3) detachment of the anaesthesia circuit, pilot balloon and connector; (4) insertion of the Foley catheter tip into the proximal end of the tracheal tube and inflation of the Foley catheter cuff; (5) withdrawal of the Foley catheter and attached tracheal tube back through the nose; (6) deflation of the Foley catheter cuff; and (7) re-attachment of the pilot balloon, connector and anaesthesia circuit. The technique was successful at the first attempt in all patients. ⋯ Nasal bleeding, airway problems and hypoxic events did not occur. No anatomical abnormalities or nasal trauma were detected at rhinoscopy. We conclude that retrograde nasotracheal intubation is feasible using a flexometallic tracheal tube with a detachable pilot balloon and connector.