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Biomedical subjects

C P Morton

Publications and source records attributed to C P Morton.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Ropivacaine 0.75% for extradural anaesthesia in elective caesarean section: an open clinical and pharmacokinetic study in mother and neonate.

In an open study we have investigated the efficacy of 20 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine (7.5 mg ml-1) to provide extradural anaesthesia for elective Caesarean section. Plasma concentrations (total and free) were estimated in the mother and neonate. Anaesthesia was effective and safe. Plasma concentrations of ropivacaine in the mother and neonate were within safe limits and consistent with previous studies. Two mothers received accidental i.v. injections of ropivacaine 75 mg and 150 mg, respectively, without serious adverse effects.

Adult↗

Change in chest wall dimensions on induction of anaesthesia: a reappraisal.

We used a linearized magnetometer to measure the changes in rib cage and abdominal dimensions which occurred during induction of anaesthesia with i.v. methohexitone when spinal movement was prevented. By plotting the changes on an adaptation of the Konno and Mead plot, we inferred changes in chest wall volume, which decreased in 11, did not change in two and increased in four patients (n = 17). The mean change was a decrease (P < 0.05). These results differ from previous studies using magnetometry but are consistent with those of three-dimensional imaging. A decrease in chest wall volume could explain the decrease in functional residual capacity associated with general anaesthesia.

Abdomen↗

Continuous spinal anaesthesia--evolution of a technique.

Continuous spinal anaesthesia is an established technique in which renewed interest has been generated by the availability of small bore catheters suitable for use in the subarachnoid space. Problems include technical difficulty, post dural puncture headache and maldistribution of local anaesthetic, the latter being implicated in the development of caudal equina lesions. Maldistribution of local anaesthetic may possibly be reduced by attempting to place the tip of the catheter at the apex of the lumbo-sacral curve and the use of local anaesthetic solution that is only marginally hyperbaric. This article is in the form of a short review together with an account of the authors' own studies of continuous spinal anaesthesia, conducted to assess the technique for peripheral vascular surgery.

Aged↗

Continuous subarachnoid infusion of local anaesthetic.

We observed the sensory, motor and cardiovascular changes occurring during subarachnoid infusion of bupivacaine 0.125% at 15 ml.h-1 in six patients. After 1 h, motor block and lower sensory levels were consistent and predictable but upper sensory levels were variable. There was a moderate decrease in systolic blood pressure. Regular assessments of motor block are more likely to detect accidental subarachnoid infusion than assessments of upper sensory level or measurements of blood pressure.

Aged↗

Pethidine has a local anaesthetic action on peripheral nerves in vivo. Addition to prilocaine 0.25% for intravenous regional anaesthesia in volunteers.

In a double-blind, randomised study, we have examined the effects of the addition of pethidine 100 mg to 40 ml prilocaine 0.25% for intravenous regional anaesthesia in healthy volunteers. During intravenous regional anaesthesia the hand and forearm are isolated from the rest of the circulation and pethidine interaction with central opiate receptors does not occur. Pethidine increased the speed of onset and extent of sensory and motor block, reduced tourniquet and forearm pain, and subjectively improved the quality of the block. Pethidine has local anaesthetic action on peripheral nerves in vivo.

Adult↗

Bradycardia and vecuronium: comparison with alcuronium during cholecystectomy.

We have compared the incidence of bradycardia in two groups of patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Twenty consecutive patients were allocated randomly to receive either vecuronium (n = 8) or alcuronium (n = 12) as part of a standard anaesthetic technique. Bradycardia was defined as a heart rate less than 50 beat min-1. Five episodes of bradycardia occurred with vecuronium and none with alcuronium (P less than 0.01).

Adult↗

Does measurement of yield pressure at the cardia during endoscopy provide information on the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter mechanism?

We describe a technique for measuring the yield pressure at the cardia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The test was applied to 47 patients with macroscopic oesophagitis and nine patients with achalasia. Controls were 123 patients from the routine endoscopy list in whom no abnormality was found and 21 healthy volunteers. Yield pressure was similar in both control groups, but was significantly higher in achalasia (p less than 0.001) and lower in oesophagitis (p less than 0.001). Yield pressures fell dramatically after pneumatic dilatation in the achalasia patients. The test was reproducible and yield pressure was not affected by age, sex, weight, or sedation. Measurement of yield pressure during endoscopy provides information which may reflect the function of the whole antireflux mechanism, and not just the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Adolescent↗