Cahiers d'anesthésiologie
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Epidural opiate administration is routinely used by many anaesthesiologists involved in obstetric anaesthesia. Epidural injection of a local anaesthetic combined with an opioid generates a more rapid onset of more profound analgesia with little motor blockade. Thus pain relief lasts longer than after either drug alone. ⋯ Sufentanil appears to induce a faster onset of more profound, long lasting analgesia with extremely low concentrations of bupivacaine than that with fentanyl. The reduction of the total amount of bupivacaine is correlated with a significant decrease in motor blockade and instrumental deliveries. There were no adverse maternal or fetal effects and umbilical cord levels were too low to be detected.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
[Combined epidural and spinal anesthesia for cesarean section].
Combined spinal epidural block has proven its efficacy in skilled hands. This technique allies advantages of spinal anaesthesia, regarding its speed of action and intensity of motor blockade and advantages of postoperative epidural analgesia. ⋯ Local anaesthetics and additives are reviewed and commented. The two main complications, hypotension and post dural puncture headache can be contained in very low limits.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
[Indications of blood components and outcome of transfusion practices in hemorrhage of multiple trauma].
Bleeding occurring in a patient with multiple trauma has an unpredictable evolution; blood losses are often very important and their origins mostly unclear. These problems should not prevent the use of a strategy for optimal use of blood components. Indications for packed red cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets and coagulation factors are discussed. ⋯ Considering its cost, the use of albumin must and can be reduced when fluid replacement is realized with long lasting colloids, like starch. Warming of transfused blood is necessary, especially if acceleration disposals are used to prevent or minimize hypothermia. Use of portable monitors for haemoglobin and coagulation parameters is recommended.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
[Mechanisms of the analgesic effect of alpha 2 adrenergic agonists].
Alpha 2 adrenergic agonists stimulate specific receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord leading to blockade of potassium and calcium channels. Presynaptic alpha 2 receptors inhibit the release of substance P and other neuropeptides which stimulate transmission of nociceptive stimulations. Post-synaptic alpha 2 receptors hyperpolarize neurons membranes and decrease the activity of nociceptive neurons. In addition, alpha 2 adrenergic agonists have a synergistic action with opioid and cholinergic agonists.
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Sciatic nerve blocks were seldom used until recently. They apply to most surgical procedures on the lower limb and are often combined with a "3 in 1" block. ⋯ Sciatic nerve block can be obtained by different techniques. The choice of which being helped by some guidelines according to the patients characteristics and the surgical site.