Articles: general-anesthesia.
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Review Meta Analysis
Analgesic impact of intra-operative opioids vs. opioid-free anaesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Opioids are administered peri-operatively for postoperative analgesia, and intra-operatively to control the sympathetic response to surgical stimuli, frequently as a surrogate for presumed pain. However, opioid use during surgery is a matter of dispute in contemporary practice and carries the risk of side-effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting. This meta-analysis investigated whether opioid-inclusive, compared with opioid-free anaesthesia, would reduce postoperative pain, without increasing the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting. ⋯ Pain scores at rest at two postoperative hours were equivalent in the opioid-inclusive and opioid-free groups with a mean difference (95%CI) of 0.2 (-0.2 to 0.5), I2 = 83%, p = 0.38 and a high quality of evidence. Similarly, there was high-quality evidence that the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting was reduced in the opioid-free group, with a risk ratio (95%CI) of 0.77 (0.61-0.97), I2 = 16%, p = 0.03 and high-quality evidence for a similar length of stay in the recovery area, the mean difference (95%CI) being 0.6 (-8.2 to 9.3), min, I2 = 60%, p = 0.90. As there is strong evidence that opioid-inclusive anaesthesia does not reduce postoperative pain, but is associated with more postoperative nausea and vomiting, when compared with opioid-free anaesthesia, we suggest that anaesthetists should reconsider their intra-operative opioid choices on a case-by-case basis.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · May 2019
Review[Anaesthesia in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension].
The perioperative management of patients with pulmonary hypertension requires an in-depth knowledge of the underlying disease, its related pathophysiology, effects of anaesthesia and surgery, as well as the appropriate pharmacotherapy. With respect to preoperative assessment, it is essential to review all available diagnostic findings, evaluate the patient's physical state, and to plan the anaesthetic procedure. Intraoperatively, the prevention of increases in pulmonary resistance and right ventricular decompensation appears essential. ⋯ If the pulmonary artery pressure exacerbates, application of inhaled nitric oxide or prostacyclins (iloprost), phosphodiesterase-III-inhibitors (milrinone) and phosphodiesterase-V-inhibitors (sildenafil), reflect first-line treatment options. In order to support the right ventricle, inotropes (adrenalin, dobutamine, levosimendan) or inodilators (milrinone) increase its contractility. Dependent on severity of disease and the magnitude of surgical intervention, patients with pulmonary hypertension require a specific continuous monitoring as well as trained staff in the postoperative period.
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Review Meta Analysis
Dexmedetomidine for craniotomy under general anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
To assess the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to general anesthesia for craniotomy. ⋯ Dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to general anesthesia shows small benefits in reduction of pain, PONV, and maintains more stable hemodynamics with comparable effects on procedural success versus placebo. Very limited evidence explored comparative effects between dexmedetomidine and active controls. Further evidence is required to evaluate patient-important outcomes and optimal dosing strategies, particularly versus active comparators.
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Neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine are reported in preclinical and clinical studies but evidence regarding the postoperative neurocognitive function is still unclear. This study performed a meta-analysis on outcomes of studies which examined neurocognitive performance and inflammatory factors to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and inflammation in patients after general anaesthesia. ⋯ Perioperative dexmedetomidine treatment is associated with significantly reduced incidence of POCD and inflammation and better neurocognitive function postoperatively in comparison with both saline controls and comparator anaesthetics.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2019
ReviewAssessing Long-term Neurodevelopmental Outcome Following General Anesthesia in Early Childhood: Challenges and Opportunities.
Neurodegeneration has been reported in young animals after exposure to all commonly used general anesthetic agents. The brain may be particularly vulnerable to anesthetic toxicity during peak synaptogenesis (in gestation and infancy). Human studies of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome following general anesthesia in early childhood report contradictory findings. ⋯ We discuss potential solutions to these challenges. Further adequately powered, multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trials of anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity in children are required. However, we believe that the inherent methodological challenges of studying anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity necessitate the parallel use of well-designed observational cohort studies.