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Biomedical subjects

E A Shipton

Publications and source records attributed to E A Shipton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Patient-controlled analgesia. Its South African debut in a provincial hospital.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a well-established technique for the relief of acute and chronic pain. It is widely used in Western hospitals. Patient and staff education is required to provide successful analgesia. This paper reports the successful introduction of PCA on a large scale in a provincial hospital. The considerable potential difficulties in communication and education appear to have been overcome. The widespread introduction of PCA in all our hospitals would appear to be feasible.

Adolescent

Extending patient-controlled analgesia to patient-controlled neuroleptanalgesia.

A trial was conducted (among 22 patients) to assess a new use of patient-controlled devices. Using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump under the anaesthetist's guidance, the patients self-administered a neurolept mixture consisting of droperidol and alfentanil. The patients were then able to undergo minor surgery (dilatation and curettage). The majority remained detached, sedated and pain-free, while able to control the PCA pump during the procedure. Patient-controlled neuroleptanalgesia or PCNA, as we propose to call this technique, appeared practical, effective and safe. The method was generally well accepted and highly rated by the patients.

Adolescent

Unexplained hypertension during induction of a patient with phaeochromocytoma.

An unexplained hypertensive response during the induction of anaesthesia for phaeochromocytoma resection is described. This response was not accompanied by elevations in plasma catecholamine levels. It occurred despite heavy premedication and followed induction with etomidate, alfentanil, lignocaine, vecuronium and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4). A bolus of esmolol (0.5 mg/kg) lowered the blood pressure rapidly. Subsequent haemodynamic manipulations were carried out by varying the rate of an esmolol infusion. A constant background infusion of MgSO4 was maintained throughout the procedure. These produced satisfactory haemodynamic control despite marked rises in plasma catecholamine levels.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms

Postoperative pain--an update.

Adequate treatment of pain after surgery is central to the care of postoperative patients. Preventing pain or reducing its impact makes subsequent pain management easier. The establishment of 'acute pain relief services' will improve relief offered. Recent pharmacological, psychological and technical advances in this field are briefly discussed.

Humans

The case for patient-controlled analgesia. Inter-patient variation in postoperative analgesic requirements.

Postoperative morphine requirements were assessed for the first 48 hours after surgery in 93 consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency laparotomies. Analgesia was provided by patient-controlled analgesic (PCA) pumps. Daily morphine utilisation was recorded. At the conclusion of PCA therapy, patients were asked to assess their quality of analgesia. Eighty-one patients, who reported good or excellent pain relief, were included in the study. Data are presented demonstrating the wide variation in morphine requirements necessary to produce this level of analgesia.

Adult

Low back pain and the post-laminectomy pain syndrome.

Back pain is one of the most common disorders seen in general practice. Patients with chronic low back pain form a large proportion of the work of any pain relief unit. The aetiology of low back pain and the post-laminectomy pain syndrome are briefly presented and treatment of the 'failed back surgery patient' and the patient with arachnoiditis are discussed.

Arachnoiditis

A comparison of labetalol, acebutolol, and lidocaine for controlling the cardiovascular responses to endotracheal intubation for oral surgical procedures.

Arterial blood pressure and pulse rate changes following tracheal intubation were studied in 80 patients undergoing oral surgical procedures who received an etomidate/suxamethonium anesthetic induction sequence. Three treatment groups and a control group were used. Intravenous labetalol (1 mg/kg), acebutolol (0.25 mg/kg), lidocaine (2 mg/kg), and saline (1 ml), injected prior to anesthesia, were compared with respect to their effect on the hemodynamic consequences of direct laryngoscopy followed by the passage of an endotracheal tube. A pre-induction dose of labetalol was found to be more effective than acebutolol and lidocaine in attenuating the pressor response to instrumentation and intubation. Labetalol should prove most useful for those patients at risk from the transient hypertension and tachycardia following instrumentation and intubation.

Acebutolol