Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Jun 2002
Review[Preoperative fasting regimens and premedication to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration].
Our greater understanding of gastric physiology and the epidemiology of Mendelson's syndrome has allowed the traditional guidelines for preoperative fasting (nothing by mouth after midnight or 6 hours before surgery) to be changed, based on the results of many scientific studies. The stomach is not emptied of liquids and solids in the same way, and therefore preoperative fasting should not be the same for both. ⋯ Factors such as premedication, anxiety, age, certain associated diseases or injuries may or may not influence gastric emptying and/or acidity at the time of anesthesia. We review the literature, including the guidelines on fasting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists for application with healthy patients of all ages in elective procedures, excluding, among others, women in childbirth and patients undergoing emergency surgery.
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An epidural abscess is a rare lesion whose consequences can cause high morbi-mortality, particularly in obstetrics, where it occurs in young, healthy patients. With increased use of regional anesthesia, the incidence of epidural abscess will increase. We therefore review the risk factors, most common etiology and clinical signs, which may be non-specific but are nevertheless suggestive. ⋯ It may be difficult to distinguish epidural abscess from other causes of medullar compression, but prompt diagnosis is essential so that emergency surgical repair can proceed and neurological recovery will be as early and complete as possible. Appropriate antibiotic therapy should be aggressive. Basic aseptic measures are critical for preventing infection through epidural needles, as the presence of infection at the moment of puncture facilitates greater susceptibility to epidural abscess.
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Mar 2002
Review[Applications of informatics in anesthesiology: anesthesia graphics].
Computerization has brought radical changes to anesthesiology. Quality of care, management, cost control, training, research, safety and privacy have all improved. ⋯ The computer graphic display of anesthesia is more precise, legible, complete and reliable (during critical events, in substitutions of anesthesiologists or for research) than the traditional graph. One of the greatest problems of computer graphing today--besides start-up costs--is that of inserting comments on monitoring artifacts, given that the graph is a legally valid medical document.
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Feb 2002
Review[Magnetic resonance in dural post-puncture headache in patient with cerebrospinal fluid hypotension].
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has allowed us to establish a set of radiologic signs associated with intracranial hypotension syndrome. Findings are partly influenced by cerebral displacement. Intracranial hypotension syndrome is characterized by a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure to less than 60 mm H2O associated with occipital headache radiating to the frontal and temporal zones. ⋯ Findings gradually disappear as symptoms diminish. The signs and symptoms that might develop during intracranial hypotension syndrome vary according to the brain structure that might be affected during descent, repositioning and the traction of anchoring structures. MRI allows the degree of cerebral and spinal involvement to be ascertained, to predict whether resolution of the clinical picture will be early or late and to visualize the effect of approaches to reducing CSF leakage.