PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I D Conacher

Publications and source records attributed to I D Conacher.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Resin injection of thoracic paravertebral spaces.

Stained, quick setting resin was injected into the thoracic paravertebral spaces of six cadavers to assess the suitability of this material for delineating the spread of injected substances in an area of the human body which is being re-evaluated currently as a repository for analgesic drugs. The distribution and spread of the resin in relation to intercostal spaces, vertebral bodies and the spinal cord were noted, and compared with other studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Postoperative paravertebral blocks for thoracic surgery. A radiological appraisal.

Five patients who underwent thoracic operations had an extradural catheter placed in the paravertebral space. X-ray contrast was injected through the catheters. In those who had detectable analgesia, contrast spread extensively, laterally, along one intercostal space, and up and down the paravertebral spaces. In one patient, contrast appears to have entered the extradural space and, in another who had no detectable analgesia, the contrast was probably dispersed intrapleurally. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Carbon dioxide laser bronchoscopy. A review of problems and complications.

The records of 20 patients who underwent carbon dioxide laser bronchoscopy were analysed retrospectively. Many of the cases presented with evidence of severe obstruction of the trachea or major bronchi and were regarded as highly at risk from anaesthesia. The majority of problems in the 35 laser sessions related to the use of a rigid bronchoscope for delivering the laser and to the ventilatory difficulties associated with the airway pathology. Invasive arterial monitoring for blood gas analysis and blood pressure measurement proved essential to detect and correct changes of a potentially serious nature. This experience is compared and contrasted with that of others.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Combined unilateral high frequency jet ventilation and contralateral intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

The anaesthetic management of a patient who required right lower lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma associated with emphysema, pneumoconiosis and a previous thoracoplasty for pulmonary tuberculosis, is described. A technique of unilateral high frequency jet ventilation plus conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation to the contralateral lung was used.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1987

Anaesthesia for trans-sternal thymectomy in myasthenia gravis.

A retrospective review is presented of the thirty patients who underwent trans-sternal thymectomy for myasthenia gravis in our unit from 1980-85. The clinical status of these patients is contrasted to that of more severely debilitated patients described by other authors. The problems encountered by the anaesthetist in the perioperative care of patients with mild myasthenia gravis are discussed. Management of the perioperative anticholinesterase regime is described and a case presented for the use of suxamethonium for intubation. A less invasive postoperative regime is advocated in which tracheostomy and nasotracheal intubation are avoided, and anticholinesterase therapy is re-introduced orally as soon as possible after surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Percutaneous cryotherapy for post-thoracotomy neuralgia.

Fourteen patients had percutaneous cryotherapy for persistent post-thoracotomy neuralgia. Although a significant proportion had their condition improved, relief was temporary. However, a third felt that symptoms were exacerbated by the therapy.

Cryosurgery↗
PubMed1986

A ventilator for carbon dioxide laser bronchoscopy.

A jet ventilator is described. It is designed for use in patients undergoing carbon dioxide laser vaporization of intraluminal tumours, and obstructions in the trachea and main bronchi. The ventilator overcomes two major anaesthetic problems during laser vaporization in the tracheobronchial tree. It ensures adequate alveolar ventilation and it evacuates smoke generated by the laser. The device has two modes of operation, an automatic ventilation mode and a second mode in which ventilation and suction can be alternated--laser ventilation mode.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1985

The first anaesthetic in Central Africa.

The Reverend Doctor Robert Laws (1851-1934) followed in the footsteps of David Livingstone to Central Africa. At the beginning of a long and distinguished career as a medical missionary in Christian service to the country that has since become the Republic of Malawi, he was a prime mover in the setting up of a mission station at Cape Maclear, on the shores of Lake Malawi (formerly known as Lake Nyasa and closely associated with the discoveries of Doctor Livingstone). There, on 2 March 1876, Laws used chloroform to produce surgical anaesthesia when he operated on a young African male who had a cystic tumour above his left eye.

Africa, Central↗
PubMed1985

A Venturi connector for tracheal tubes.

An attachment for tracheal tubes is described. It functions as a holder for a choice of needles used to conduct a Venturi jet powered from a high-pressure gas system of the kind used for bronchoscopic ventilation. It is suggested as a potentially useful device for some unusual clinical situations, two of which are illustrated.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1983

Extradural versus intramuscular diamorphine. A controlled study of analgesic and adverse effects in the postoperative period.

The effects of diamorphine hydrochloride 0.1 mg/kg, given either extradurally or intramuscularly for postoperative analgesia were compared in two randomised double-blind studies involving 39 patients undergoing thoracotomy and major gynaecological surgery. Assessments were made at fixed intervals after the administration of diamorphine and consisted of the measurement of pain or analgesic effect. Segmental, sympathetic and any adverse effects were sought. There was no significant difference in the quality of analgesia between the two groups in either trial. Extradural diamorphine provided safe and effective analgesia of rapid onset, with no specific undesirable side-effects. In both studies, analgesia was more prolonged following extradural administration. The relative proportion of spinal binding may be increased after extradural administration and this may be reflected in the prolonged analgesia observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The urinary catheter as a bronchial blocker.

Two cases are described in which problems with double lumen bronchial tubes occurred during thoracic surgery. A urinary catheter inserted down one lumen of each of the tubes enabled one lung anaesthesia to be continued without disturbing the surgery. This technique should be considered before abandoning one lung anaesthesia in those few cases where double lumen tubes fail to function as desired.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed1983

Epidural analgesia following thoracic surgery. A review of two years' experience.

The use of thoracic epidurals for postoperative pain relief in 58 patients following thoracic surgery is reviewed. Epidural catheters were inserted at the end of the operative procedure and it was planned that analgesia was to be maintained with a continuous infusion of bupivacaine. In those patients with evidence of successful neurological blockade there was a high incidence of adverse effects. Hypotension occurred in nearly 80% of patients and inadequate analgesia necessitating intramuscular opiates in 30%. The results suggest that the method adopted is unsuitable for some patients who have undergone major pulmonary surgery, although it has proved a useful adjuvant for pain relief in patients who have had other intrathoracic operations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Acute onset facial oedema. A complication of extubation.

A case of sudden onset facial swelling which occurred in association with extubation is presented. Factors are suggested that may have made this patient--a known sufferer from chronic liver disease--more susceptible to the development of such a reaction, but the principle cause is thought to have been the changes in capillary hydrostatic pressure induced by the patient 'fighting' on the tracheal tube whilst regaining consciousness after an anaesthetic for the injection of her esophageal varices.

Acute Disease↗