British journal of anaesthesia
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of two methods for predicting difficult intubation.
Two methods of predicting difficult laryngoscopy were compared prospectively. Mallampati class and Wilson risk-sum were determined before operation and laryngeal view graded in 675 patients. ⋯ Inter-observer variation was minimal using Wilson risk-sum, but considerable for Mallampati classification. We prefer the Wilson risk-sum for assessment of the airway, while noting that both tests have poor sensitivities.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of trimetaphan on the cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation.
In three groups of 10 patients, we have studied the effect on the cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and intubation of bolus doses of saline or trimetaphan 0.05 mg kg-1 or 0.1 mg kg-1 given 1.75 min before the start of laryngoscopy. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 5 mg kg-1 i.v. and tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 0.2 mg kg-1. During anaesthesia, ventilation was assisted or controlled with 1% enflurane and 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen. ⋯ These increases following tracheal intubation were less in trimetaphan-treated patients compared with those of the control group (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in heart rate following tracheal intubation between the three groups. These data suggest that trimetaphan may be used as a supplement during induction, to attenuate the hypertensive response associated with laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Plasma concentrations of bupivacaine following combined sciatic and femoral 3 in 1 nerve blocks in open knee surgery.
We administered combined femoral 3 in 1 and sciatic nerve blocks to provide postoperative pain relief in 22 consecutive patients undergoing elective knee replacement surgery under spinal anaesthesia. The patients were allocated randomly to two groups. In group A (n = 11) the blocks were performed with 0.5% bupivacaine (with adrenaline) 3 mg/kg body weight and in group B (n = 11) 0.5% plain bupivacaine in the same dose was used. ⋯ No significant differences were found between the two groups. There were no clinical signs or symptoms of bupivacaine toxicity in each group. This study demonstrated that, after combined sciatic and 3 in 1 femoral block, concentrations of bupivacaine associated with toxicity were not reached, even though the dose of bupivacaine administered exceeded the manufacturer's recommended dose by 50%.
-
We report a case of meningitis caused by inadvertent introduction of bacteria following spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section. The technique of performing the spinal anaesthesia is reviewed. Meningitis may occur, although very rarely, despite meticulous aseptic techniques. It is vital that meningitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of post-spinal headache when patients present with headaches, pyrexia and meningism in the postoperative or postpartum period.
-
We have used continuous ambulatory electrocardiography in the perioperative period to monitor 108 patients with known cardiovascular disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery. There was a high incidence of ischaemic ST segment changes and ventricular arrhythmias. ⋯ However, the mean duration of ischaemic ST segment changes was increased significantly in those patients with treated hypertension. Of the risk factors considered, preoperative ischaemia and peroperative systolic arterial pressure were significant correlates with postoperative myocardial ischaemia.