Articles: general-anesthesia.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1995
Preoperative evaluation of the cervical spine in children with trisomy-21: results of a questionnaire study.
Atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) is a form of cervical spine instability predominantly found in persons with Trisomy-21. Several case reports describe the occurrence of acute AAS in the perioperative period. Some authors have recommended cervical spine radiographs prior to elective surgery in all children with Trisomy-21. ⋯ Approximately half of the respondents would attempt to maintain the head and neck in a neutral position for either asymptomatic (42%) or symptomatic (55%) patients. We conclude that the majority of respondents base their preoperative evaluation of the cervical spine on the signs and symptoms of the patient. This is supported by the literature reviewed, but is contrary to the recommendations made in some case reports.
-
The cellular and synaptic mechanisms that underpin the state of general anaesthesia are discussed. Anaesthetics act principally on synaptic processes and this provides a satisfactory basis for understanding their effects on neural networks. ⋯ Effects on action potential firing patterns also play a role in anaesthetic modulation of neuronal signalling. Many of these complex data can be explained in terms of altered ion channel function.
-
Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial[Effects of preoxygenation methods on the course of PaO2 and PaCO2 in anesthetic post-induction apnea].
This study compares two preoxygenation techniques by blood gases measurements during induction of anaesthesia. After hospital ethics committee approval, 17 adult surgical patients, ASA I, all free of cardiac or lung disease were randomly assigned to two groups. Before preoxygenation, venous and radial artery canulations were performed. ⋯ The group I had significantly higher PaO2 immediately after preoxygenation (397 +/- 49 vs 293 +/- 86 mmHg) and the time for SaO2 to decrease to 95% was significantly shorter in group II (3 +/- 1 vs 1.87 +/- 0.99 min). PaCO2 was not different after preoxygenation in group II. In summary, healthy and young patients receive better protection against hypoxia with normal breathing of 100% for 4 minutes.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Patient-controlled analgesia following caesarean section under general anaesthesia: a comparison of fentanyl with morphine.
This prospective, randomised, double-blind study compared PCA fentanyl with PCA morphine for post-Caesarean section analgesia. Following a standardised general anaesthetic, 37 women were allocated to receive either fentanyl (n = 18) or morphine (n = 19). The PCA was commenced after the women had been made comfortable in the postanaesthetic recovery room with the appropriate opioid solution (mean dose required = fentanyl 375 micrograms or morphine 16 mg). ⋯ Both analgesic solutions provided effective analgesia for a mean of 37 hr with high levels of patient satisfaction, and there were no differences in VAS scores for pain and patient satisfaction, or for side effects (nausea, itch, and sleepiness) between fentanyl or morphine. However, more patients in the fentanyl group required supplementary boluses or alterations to the PCA settings (13/18 vs 4/19: P = 0.005), and one patient was removed from the study due to inadequate analgesia. We conclude that fentanyl is not recommended for routine PCA use following Caesarean section.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effect of isoflurane versus balanced anesthesia on rocuronium's pharmacokinetics and infusion requirement.
To compare the effects of two anesthetic techniques, balanced and isoflurane anesthesia, on the response to an intubating dose and an infusion of rocuronium, and on rocuronium's pharmacokinetics. ⋯ The similarity of response to an intubating dose and an infusion of rocuronium suggests that clinicians need not alter the dose or rate of rocuronium administration during isoflurane anesthesia with a of duration less than 1 hour. However, the greater clearance of rocuronium, in light of the similarity of infusion requirements, suggests that isoflurane potentiates rocuronium compared with balanced anesthesia.