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Biomedical subjects

J M Kreitzer

Publications and source records attributed to J M Kreitzer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Central nervous system toxicity in a patient receiving continuous intrapleural bupivacaine.

A patient developed signs of central nervous system (CNS) toxicity during treatment of postthoracotomy pain with a continuous intrapleural bupivacaine infusion. This incident occurred after the patient's chest tube was clamped, without any decrease in the bupivacaine infusion rate. This is the first reported case of CNS toxicity in a patient receiving a continuous intrapleural bupivacaine infusion. Possible etiologies of this complication are discussed, as are ways to avoid such a complication in the future.

Akathisia, Drug-Induced↗

Hyskon induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

Hyskon, a distension medium composed of dextran 70 in 10% dextrose in water, is often used during hysteroscopic procedures. Coagulopathy and pulmonary edema are the most commonly reported side effects encountered during its use. We present the first case report in which a healthy patient developed pulmonary hemorrhage from Hyskon use. The major side effects of Hyskon are discussed, as are the possible etiologies of the reported complication and the implications for anesthesiologists.

Anesthesia↗

Intravenous regional anesthesia using lidocaine and ketorolac.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) interfere with the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and can supplement postoperative pain relief. We postulated that using the parenterally available NSAID ketorolac (K) as a component of intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) would suppress intraoperative tourniquet pain and enhance postoperative analgesia. Sixty patients were assigned randomly and blindly to receive either intravenous (i.v.) saline and IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine, IV K and IVRA 0.5% lidocaine, or i.v. saline and IVRA 0.5% lidocaine with K. The patients who received IVRA K reported significantly less intraoperative tourniquet pain, with lower verbal analog pain scores at 15 and 30 min after tourniquet inflation. Similarly, IVRA-K patients experienced less postoperative pain with lower visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 30 and 60 min, and required no fentanyl for control of early postoperative pain in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). They also required fewer analgesic tablets in the first 24 h (1.9 +/- 1.4 Tylenol No. 3 tablets compared to the other two groups, 4.6 +/- 1.3 and 3.0 +/- 1.1; P < 0.05). We conclude that K improves IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine both in terms of controlling intraoperative tourniquet pain and by diminishing postoperative pain.

Acetaminophen↗

Postoperative pain control with a new transdermal fentanyl delivery system. A multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: A new transdermal delivery system for fentanyl is available in two strengths: 70-80 and 90-100 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 (40- and 60-cm2 patches, respectively). Their short onset and 24-h drug delivery make them attractive for postoperative pain control. METHODS: Both doses of the new transdermal fentanyl patches were evaluated for the relief of postoperative pain in 143 patients after gynecologic exploratory laparotomy. The study was conducted at four centers using a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind format. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: group 1 patients received two placebo patches: group 2 patients received a 40-cm2 fentanyl patch and a 60-cm2 placebo patch; and group 3 patients received a 60-cm2 fentanyl patch and a 40-cm2 placebo patch. Patient-controlled morphine use and pain, sedation, and comfort scores were assessed postoperatively every 4 h for 36 h after patch placement. RESULTS: Patients' assessment of their analgesia was significantly (P < or = 0.05) better in group 2 at 16 and 24 h and in group 3 at 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h postoperatively, compared with the patients in group 1. Patients in groups 2 and 3 required less supplemental morphine to maintain satisfactory analgesia than did the patients in group 1. Patients in groups 2 and 3 had greater incidences of pruritus, erythema, and respiratory depression than did those receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Concern exists regarding the side effects of this this new transdermal fentanyl patch. Therefore, this new patch will need further research before it can be recommended as an adjunct in controlling postoperative pain.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Improving patient-controlled analgesia: adding droperidol to morphine sulfate to reduce nausea and vomiting and potentiate analgesia.

Opioid-related side effects, including nausea and vomiting, are common in patients using morphine in patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain relief. The purpose of this study was to determine if the addition of droperidol to a morphine sulfate delivery system could decrease the incidences of nausea and vomiting without increasing droperidol-related side effects. Forty ASA 1 and 2 patients scheduled to undergo peripheral orthopedic surgery were randomized to receive either morphine sulfate (2 mg/mL), or morphine sulfate (1.9 mg/mL) plus droperidol (0.125 mg/mL) for postoperative self-controlled analgesia. Visual analogue scores for pain, nausea, and sedation were obtained from each patient immediately after surgery and each morning and evening until patient-controlled analgesia was discontinued approximately 48 hours later. Total patient-controlled use of morphine sulfate was recorded at each visual analogue rating. The patients who used morphine sulfate plus droperidol had significantly less nausea and vomiting and used significantly less morphine. No patient experienced droperidol-related side effects. We conclude that the routine addition of droperidol to morphine sulfate in self-controlled analgesia improves the comfort of patients following peripheral orthopedic surgery.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗

Epidural fentanyl by continuous infusion for relief of postoperative pain.

Data from the charts of 40 patients in whom a continuous epidural infusion of fentanyl had been used to effect postoperative pain relief were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 39 out of 40 (97.5%) reported adequate analgesia at an average fentanyl infusion rate of 1.3 micrograms/kg/h. After discharge from the postanesthesia recovery room, each patient was sent to a general medical-surgical nursing floor with standard orders for medications to be administered as required. The overall incidence of side effects was low, and, in particular, respiratory depression was not noted. In our experience, this analgesia technique is safe, effective, and could be readily introduced into most community hospital settings.

Adult↗

Ascending back pain and headache during attempted epidural placement.

A 30-year-old parturient requested epidural analgesia during labor. Immediately after the epidural space was presumably identified using the loss-of-resistance-to-air technique, she reported severe back pain, followed by neck pain, which progressed to severe unrelenting headache. An emergency computerized tomographic (CT) scan performed during labor showed air in the intracranial subarachnoid space.

Adult↗