Articles: general-anesthesia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 1994
Comparative StudyThe premature infant: anesthesia for cesarean delivery.
The influence of anesthetic technique (general [GA] versus epidural [EPI]) on neonatal outcome was assessed for singleton infants of gestational age 32 wk or less, delivered by cesarean section. Neonates were identified from a prospectively collected perinatal database from 1986 to 1991. The independent effect of anesthetic technique on low 1-min Apgar scores after controlling for other risk factors was assessed by ordinal logistic regression. ⋯ GA as compared to EPI was associated with higher risk of low (0-3) 1-min score after controlling for confounding factors (relative odds = 2.92, [1.99, 4.27 95% confidence intervals]). Other factors significantly related to low 1-min Apgar scores included malpresentation, maternal diabetes, primiparity, low gestational age, and associated neonatal outcomes (presence of respiratory distress syndrome and intraventricular hemorrhage). When there is a choice to be made in cesarean delivery of the premature infant, EPI is associated with higher 1- and 5-min Apgar scores compared to GA.
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Comparative Study
The influence of anesthetic technique on perioperative complications after carotid endarterectomy.
This study evaluated the influence of anesthetic techniques on perioperative complications after carotid endarterectomy. ⋯ We conclude that cervical block anesthesia is safer and results in a more efficient use of hospital resources than general anesthesia in the treatment of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
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Pneumocephalus occurs in a variety of clinical settings and has important anesthetic implications, particularly if N2O is used. One common cause of pneumocephalus is a craniotomy or craniectomy, and therefore, patients undergoing these neurosurgical procedures may be at increased risk for the development of tension pneumocephalus if N2O is used during a subsequent anesthetic. However, because the rate at which a postoperative pneumocephalus resolves has not been well defined, the duration of this risk period is unknown. ⋯ These data indicate that all patients have pneumocephalus immediately after a supratentorial craniotomy. Although the incidence and size of pneumocephali decrease over time, a significant number of patients have an intracranial air collection large enough to put them at risk for complication if N2O is used during a second anesthetic in the first 3 weeks after the first procedure. This information should be considered in the evaluation of the patient and in the selection of anesthetic agents.
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The frequency and morbidity of bradycardia during anesthesia in infants are not well documented. This study sought to determine the frequency of bradycardia during anesthesia in infants (0 to 1 yr) compared to that in older children, describe causes and morbidity, and identify factors that influence its frequency. ⋯ Bradycardia is more frequent in infants undergoing anesthesia compared to older children and is associated with substantial morbidity. It is more likely in sicker infants undergoing prolonged surgery and less likely when a pediatric anesthesiologist is present.
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To evaluate the relative contribution of general anesthesia alone and in combination with the surgical procedure to the pathogenesis of late postoperative hypoxemia. ⋯ General anesthesia in itself is not an important factor in the development of late postoperative constant and episodic hypoxemia, which instead may be related to the magnitude of trauma and/or opioid administration.