Biomedical subjects
B Astley
Publications and source records attributed to B Astley.
Lorazepam in children. A double-blind trial comparing lorazepam, diazepam, trimeprazine and placebo.
One hundred patients aged 5-13 yr were randomly allocated to four groups in a double-blind study of premedication. Drugs studied were lorazepam, diazepam and trimeprazine. A placebo group was included. All the drugs appeared satisfactory as premedicants. Lorazepam induced the most sedation immediately after surgery, but by 4 h lorazepam and diazepam appeared similar. Lorazepam produced better amnesia than the other drugs. There were no untoward side-effects and no cardiorespiratory depression in any group. Lorazepam appears a suitable premedicant for children.
Anaesthetic management of acute laryngeal trauma.
Three patients suffering acute laryngeal trauma illustrate problems of missed diagnosis and airway management confronting anaesthetists. A 55-year-old man suffered multiple injuries, including a supraglottic laryngeal fracture which was not diagnosed during administration of a subsequent general anaesthetic. The diagnostic delay compromised any reconstructive surgery. Two 26-year-old males suffered laryngeal fractures, but tracheal intubation for reconstruction and tracheostomy was successful. Guidelines for management are suggested.