Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Apr 1980
Comparative Study[Delivery by cesarean section under general anesthesia and the neurobehavioral assessment of the newborn infant].
The problem of the effects on newborns of the anaesthetics administered to the mother has been reviewed. For research purposes Pentothal, widely used for induction in Caesarean section was considered. In spite of the presence of fair quantities of this drug, as demonstrated by foetal blood withdrawn from the umbilical cord, the newborns examined and submitted to painstaking neuro-behavioral assessment using Brazelton's method, did not show any signs of neurological impairment nor diversity in behaviour compared to a control group.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 1980
Case Reports[Case of high spinal anesthesia as a complication of an interscalenic brachial plexus block].
A case of high spinal anesthesia complicating an interscalene brachial plexus block is described. After an apparently straightforward location of the plexus with good paresthesias, the injection of 10 ml of local anesthetic caused a high spinal block whose main feature was apnea. The patient retained his consciousness until he was anesthetized with thiopentone and N2O-O2 and had a vivid recollection of the accident. ⋯ The clinical picture compared to previous cases reported in the literature is commented on. A possible subarachnoid spread of the local anesthetic via the perineural space following intraneural injection is discussed. The author advocates the use of needles no longer than 1 inch for the interscalene approach to the brachial plexus.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 1980
[Is d-tubocurarine dangerous for the fetus and the newborn infant?].
A survey of a series of caesarean section done under general anesthesia with the aid of muscle relaxation obtained by repeated doses of d-tubocurarine evidenced a tendency to worsen the Apgar index. In the light of the cases and from the literature some hypotheses are here discussed; the most reliable are based upon the fact that injections of the curare before the plasma half life of the drug end by increasing the materno foetal gradients permitting the transplacentar passage of the d-tubocurarine.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Feb 1980
[Use of althesin as a drug to induce and maintain anesthesia for cesarean section].
Results with CT 1341 as the main anaesthetic agent in balanced anaesthesia in 90 cases of caesarean section are presented. It was found that this form of steroid anaesthesia had no effect on the Apgar score uterine tone, maternofoetal metabolism, or cardiocirculatory and respiratory stability. Reference is made to the possible injury of theatre staff owing to chronic exposure to volatile anaesthetics, and it is asserted that the use of althesin is a positive step forward in the solution of this problem.