British journal of anaesthesia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of articaine and bupivacaine/lidocaine for single medial canthus peribulbar anaesthesia.
In a single-centre, randomized, double-blind study, we compared the efficacy of 2% articaine with that of a mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine for peribulbar anaesthesia in cataract surgery, using a single medial canthus injection technique. Eighty-two patients were allocated randomly to receive 7-9 ml of a mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine or an equal volume of 2% articaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine. Hyaluronidase 30 iu ml(-1) was added to both solutions. ⋯ There was a faster offset of akinesia after surgery in the articaine group (P=0.01). There were no differences between groups in the incidence of reported pain or of minor complications. In our study, 2% articaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine was safe and efficacious for single medial canthus peribulbar anaesthesia.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Evaluation of the Greenbaum sub-Tenon's block.
A prospective, randomized blind study was conducted in 40 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. They received anaesthetic infiltration of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and hyaluronidase 150 U ml(-1) in a volume of 2, 3, 4 or 5 ml into the sub-Tenon's fascial space through a Greenbaum cannula after a conjunctival incision. Reduction of ocular movements, anaesthesia, pain on injection and any incidental complications were recorded. ⋯ Chemosis and conjunctival haemorrhage were noted in the majority of patients but caused no intraoperative problems. Approximately 10-15% of patients reported slight discomfort at the time of injection. Four to 5 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 150 U ml(-1) of hyaluronidase is the optimum volume to achieve adequate akinesia, anaesthesia and reduction of lid movements during the Greenbaum sub-Tenon's block.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Postoperative analgesia by epidural methylprednisolone after posterolateral thoracotomy.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential analgesic effect of epidural methylprednisolone (MP) after posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT). Adult male patients undergoing PLT for lung surgery were included in a prospective, randomized, double blind study. Peroperative analgesia (bupivacaine plus sufentanil) was given by a thoracic epidural catheter associated with general anaesthesia. ⋯ There were no differences between groups for morphine requirements every 4 h during the 48 h and VAS for pain at rest and evoked pain. No side effects were reported. It was concluded in this small study that these results did not support the use of epidural steroids for postoperative analgesia after PLT.
-
A computer-based hierarchical method was developed to code conditions leading to admission to intensive care in the UK. The hierarchy had five tiers: surgical status, body system, anatomical site, physiological or pathological process and medical condition. The hierarchy was populated initially using the free-text descriptions of the reason for admission from 10,806 admissions recorded as part of the Intensive Care Society's UK APACHE II study. ⋯ Six hundred and thirty-seven of the 741 unique conditions (85.9%) were used in one of the five reasons for admission and 564 (76.1%) in the primary reason for admission. Five conditions account for 19.4% of all primary reasons for admission. This is the first method to be developed empirically for coding the reason for intensive care admission.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Comparison of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with and without night-time infusion following gastrectomy.
To assess the analgesic efficacy and side effects of a supplemental night-time infusion in patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after gastrectomy, we carried out a randomized, double-blind study. The number of requests were lower (P<0.005) in the PCEA plus night-time infusion group than in the PCEA alone group during the postoperative nights. ⋯ VAS pain scores on coughing were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the PCEA plus infusion group than in the PCEA alone group during the night following postoperative day 1. In conclusion, a night-time infusion in PCEA following gastrectomy decreases the incidence of postoperative pain, provides a better sleep pattern, and reduces the degree of the pain associated with coughing during the night.