Articles: general-anesthesia.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1986
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Comparative study of general and spinal anesthesia in elderly women in hip surgery].
The choice between regional versus general anaesthesia for elderly patients undergoing hip surgery is debated. It is vitally important to see if the type of anaesthetic administered affects per- and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Seventy women more than 75 yr old suitable for spinal anaesthesia were included in this study. ⋯ In patients having general anaesthesia, 22.9% developed bronchopneumonia as opposed to 8.6% in the spinal anaesthesia group (p less than 0.05). The mortality rate at three months was rather similar in the two groups. It was concluded that, in order to reduce the incidence of postoperative central dysfunction and bronchopneumonia, spinal anaesthesia should be preferred in geriatric patients for lower limb surgery.
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Awareness and recall under anesthesia is a complication that appears to be related to the use of muscle relaxants. While little is known about unconscious awareness and its physical and psychological consequences, it is well known that recall can result in traumatic psychological sequelae under certain circumstances. ⋯ In the event of unexpected awareness, the anesthesiologist must deal with the patient in an honest and forthright manner. Failure to do so may lead to dire psychological consequences for the patient and legal consequences for the anesthesiologist.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Hemodynamics of the legs and clinical symptoms following regional blocks for transurethral surgery.
In a prospective clinical study we compared the hemodynamics and clinical symptoms following regional blocks and general anesthesia. 115 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate were randomized to spinal (n = 62) and epidural (n = 53) blocks. An additional 10 patients received general anesthesia. Calf arterial flow, determined by strain gauge plethysmography (SGP), was similar pre- and postoperatively in the regional block groups but decreased in the general anesthesia group (p less than 0.05) on the 5th postoperative day compared to the preoperative day. ⋯ Antiembolism stockings offered no hemodynamic or clinical advantages. During the hospital stay (screening by Doppler and SGP) and 3 months of follow-up, no deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. 3 months after the operation, unspecific pain and/or weakness in the legs were reported by 12 patients in the spinal group, while the epidural group remained asymptomatic (p less than 0.01). We conclude that the predictive value of negative Doppler and SGP findings is good and that spinal and epidural blocks are hemodynamically advantageous as compared to general anesthesia.
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We report a patient with achondroplasia who presented for emergency Caesarean section. Endotracheal intubation was not difficult. The reaction of this patient to drugs such as thiopentone and tubocurarine, judged on body weight basis, was normal.