British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of the extradural administration of lofentanil, buprenorphine or saline in the management of postoperative pain. A double-blind study.
Sixty postoperative orthopaedic patients were randomly assigned to three equal groups to study, in a double-blind fashion, the analgesic effects, durations of action and side effects of the extradural administration of lofentanil 5 micrograms, buprenorphine 0.3 mg or physiological saline. No systemic analgesics were given before, during or after surgery, and all the patients had operations on the lower extremities under extradural analgesia (lignocaine and bupivacaine). ⋯ We observed a long duration of action and a marked analgesic effect with lofentanil, a shorter duration of action and less pain suppression with buprenorphine and a rather marked placebo effect after saline. The only side effect noticed in this study was drowsiness in three patients in the lofentanil group and in two patients in the buprenorphine group.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A double-blind study of motor blockade in the lower limbs. Studies during spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric and glucose-free 0.5% bupivacaine.
Sensory and motor blockade were studied double-blind during spinal anaesthesia in 20 urology patients who received 0.5% bupivacaine solution 4 ml with or without glucose. Using a new method for determining muscle strength, motor blockade during anaesthesia was recorded quantitatively for flexion of the hip, extension of the knee and plantar flexion of the big toe. Movements of the lower part of the thoracic cage were recorded at the same time. ⋯ Thoracic movements (maximal inspiration to normal expiration) did not appear to be notably influenced by the level of analgesia. Complete regression of motor blockade was not observed for any of the movements at grade O of a modified Bromage scale. Not until 1.5-2 h after the attainment of this grade was the muscle strength of all movements restored (90% of control value).
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The effects of the cutaneous application of EMLA cream (a eutectic mixture of lignocaine and prilocaine in their base form) were studied in volunteers. When tested by pin-prick, EMLA cream 2.5% and 5% produced analgesia of the area tested, the cream being most effective if left in contact with the skin for 60 min. ⋯ Tests for delayed hypersensitivity reactions were negative. Plasma concentrations of lignocaine and prilocaine were low after a standard application.
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The effects of 124 boluses of etomidate 0.2 mg kg-1 i.v. on intracranial pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were studied in eight patients with severe head injury (Glasgow coma score less than 8). The data were divided into two groups based on the minimum voltage of the cerebral function monitor (CFM) recording before the bolus. In group A this was less than 5 microV (representing profound cortical electrical depression), while in group B the minimum voltage was greater than 5 microV. ⋯ CPP was therefore usually reduced. Conversely, in the absence of such depression larger decreases in ICP, unrelated to hypotension, occurred and these were usually associated with increases in CPP. However, even under these circumstances, potentially dangerous decreases in CPP may be seen.