Cahiers d'anesthésiologie
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Biography Historical Article[Scientific anesthesiology of John Snow].
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The occurrence of bleeding in trauma patients is a life-threatening problem which can be explained by different mechanisms. The infusion of cristalloids, colloids, packed red blood cells, or even fresh frozen plasma is very rarely responsible for bleeding but it can contribute to dilute the patient's platelet pool, and especially dilutional thrombocytopenia is the first cause of bleeding after massive transfusion. Blood coagulation factor activity is decreased after a massive fluid infusion is performed but it has to reach a dramatically low plasma level in order to induce troubles. ⋯ Hypothermia can also impair platelet function and worsen the bleeding. A simplified monitoring of haemostasis can be proposed with platelet count, whole blood coagulation clotting time, immediately available activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time with bedside portable monitors and thromboelastography. Haematocrit and body temperature have to be monitored as well.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Review[Optimal use of the administration of morphine derivatives].
During the postoperative period, the efficacy of opioid treatment is different among patients. Indeed, an extreme variability exists between patients, concerning their analgesic requirement and their sensibility to opioids. ⋯ The combination of different analgesics must be prescribed systematically, if there is no contraindication. 3) Opoid side effects must be appropriately treated, in order to improve the quality of analgesia. These simple measures require regular evaluation of opioid analgesia, and treatment of the side effects.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial[Efficacy of propacetamol in postoperative pain based on two modes of intravenous administration].
The analgesic and antipyretic efficacy of propacetamol is identical to paracetamol. Because the propacetamol is injectable and its side effects are uncommon and mild, it is the drug commonly used in France for postoperative pain relief. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of propacetamol after breast surgery or thyroidectomy when it was administered either systematically or on the patients demand. ⋯ Pain during propacetamol infusion was more frequent in the D group than in the S group (30% and 13% respectively, p < 0.05). No other adverse effects were observed during the study. Propacetamol alone is sufficient for pain relief after peripheral surgery; more than 90% of patients need no supplemental analgesic, and adverse effects are rare.
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This review describes the mechanisms of analgesic effect, advantages and risks related to the perioperative use of non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID's). The NSAID's should be used as the first analgesic, around the clock, with a rapid onset of the therapy. Their combination with other NSAID's (acetaminophen) or opioids can have an additive analgesic effect and may limit frequent secondary effects as nausea and vomiting. Their potential toxicity must be remembered and the contra indications, maximum doses and duration of treatment have to be respected.