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Biomedical subjects

J Motsch

Publications and source records attributed to J Motsch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

[Dolasetron and shivering. A prospective randomized placebo-controlled pharmaco-economic evaluation].

BACKGROUND AND GOAL: Forced by the current economical situation, German hospitals have to reconsider their clinical productivity. When caregivers introduce new therapeutic concepts medical quality should either be improved without increasing costs or when reducing costs medical quality should be maintained. In the surgical field postoperative shivering reduces both patient comfort and medical quality. We therefore investigated the clinical pathway prevention of shivering with dolasetron in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled analysis of cost-effectiveness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After written informed consent we randomized 40 patients scheduled for lumbar disc hernia repair or head and neck surgery into two groups: patients of group D received dolasetron 1 mg/kg body weight during surgery whereas patients of group K received 100 ml saline as placebo. Primary endpoints were the incidence of shivering, the length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit and process-associated costs. Secondary endpoint was the influence on perioperative thermoregulation. RESULTS: We observed postanesthetic shivering in 5 patients belonging to group D in comparison to 15 patients receiving the placebo (p<0.05). The length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit was shorter in patients allocated to dolasetron (mean+/-SD; group D: 43+/-16 min, group K 62+/-18 min, p<0.05). There was a significant saving in process-associated personnel costs (personnel costs in group D EUR 41.26+/-14, personnel costs in group K EUR 53.15+/-15) but in contrast the process-associated material costs were significantly increased (group D EUR 17.16+/-3, group K EUR 0.73+/-1, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The optimization of the clinical process and medical quality induced by a prophylaxis against shivering and postoperative nausea and vomiting compensates for the increased use of pharmaceutical resources in our setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[A factorial trial of six interventions for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting].

BACKGROUND: Untreated, one third of patients who undergo surgery will have postoperative nausea and vomiting. Although many trials have been conducted, the relative benefits of prophylactic antiemetic interventions given alone or in combination remain unknown. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled trial of factorial design, 5,199 patients at high risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting were randomly assigned to 1 of 64 possible combinations of 6 prophylactic interventions: 1) 4 mg of ondansetron or no ondansetron; 2) 4 mg of dexamethasone or no dexamethasone; 3) 1.25 mg of droperidol or no droperidol; 4) propofol or a volatile anesthetic; 5) nitrogen or nitrous oxide; 6) remifentanil or fentanyl. The primary aim parameter was nausea and vomiting within 24 h after surgery, which was evaluated blindly. RESULTS: Ondansetron, dexamethasone, and droperidol each reduced the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting by about 26%, propofol reduced the risk by 19%, and nitrogen by 12%. The risk reduction with both of these agents (i.e., total intravenous anesthesia) was thus similar to that observed with each of the antiemetics alone. All the interventions acted independently of each other and independently of the patients' baseline risk. Consequently, the relative risks associated with the combined interventions could be estimated by multiplying the relative risks associated with each intervention. However, absolute risk reduction was a critical function of patients' baseline risk. CONCLUSIONS: Because antiemetic interventions are similarly effective and act independently, the safest or least expensive should be used first. Prophylaxis is rarely warranted in low-risk patients, moderate-risk patients may benefit from a single intervention, and multiple interventions should be reserved for high-risk patients.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed2005

[Airway management for one-lung ventilation].

The progress in sophisticated and complex operating methods for intrathoracic procedures demands reliable lung separation with the possibility of one-lung ventilation. Patients with thoracic traumas and pulmonary emergencies can confront any anaesthesiologist with the need for lung separating procedures. This review describes the contemporary procedures for lung separation. The special aspects of difficult airway management during one-lung ventilation and the indications for one-lung ventilation are described in detail. The pathophysiological changes during one-lung ventilation and strategies to avoid hypoxemia and to preserve adequate oxygenation are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Association between early postoperative coagulation activation and peri-operative myocardial ischaemia in patients undergoing vascular surgery.

We investigated the association of peri-operative myocardial ischaemia with activation of coagulation and endogenous fibrinolysis in patients undergoing vascular surgery. In 50 patients, continuous Holter monitoring was performed to assess peri-operative myocardial ischaemia and 12-lead electrocardiography was recorded preoperatively and 72 h postoperatively to assess myocardial infarction. Serial blood samples were drawn peri-operatively to determine the concentrations of fibrin monomers (for activation of coagulation), D-dimer (for endogenous fibrinolysis) and cardiac troponin T and I. Patients with myocardial ischaemia showed higher concentrations of fibrin monomers at 48 h, and higher concentrations of d-dimer preoperatively and at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. In patients with peri-operative myocardial ischaemia, strong positive correlations were observed between fibrin monomer and D-dimer concentrations at 15 min and 4 h postoperatively, and cardiac troponins at 15 min and at 4, 24, 48 and 72 h postoperatively. Early postoperative activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis is associated with peri-operative myocardial cell damage among patients who are at risk for, or have a history of, coronary artery disease plus peri-operative myocardial ischaemia.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Survey on practice of regional anaesthesia in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Part 1: Quality assurance and training concepts].

The practice of regional anaesthesia in German speaking countries was investigated by a survey. The first part of the trilogy contains the presentation and evaluation of the data about quality assurance and training concepts. In 2002 questionnaires were mailed to 750 randomly selected departments of anaesthesia and 384 hospitals participated (51.2%). The overall proportion of regional anaesthesia was 23% and in Switzerland it was significantly higher (adults: 48%; children: 31%). Of the hospitals 19% had no person who was responsible for quality assurance. The number of puncture attempts was unlimited in 59% of the hospitals. The first training steps were observed closely (complete observation: 81%). The exact beginning (48%) and end (15%/13%) of the training were often not fixed, 80% of all anaesthesia departments requested an improvement in the training for peripheral and 53% for neuroaxial regional anaesthesia techniques. Regional anaesthesia plays a highly important role. Concepts of training and quality assurance that are backed up by evidence-based medicine should be worked out to improve the training and further education in regional anaesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Survey on practice of regional anaesthesia in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Part 3: Methods in obstetric anaesthesia].

The practice of regional anaesthesia in German speaking countries was investigated by a survey. The last part of the trilogy contains the presentation and evaluation of the data about the methods in obstetric anaesthesia. In 2002 questionnaires were mailed to 750 randomly selected departments of anaesthesia, 384 hospitals (51.2%) responded of which 278 had an obstetric unit. Caesarean section rate was 22.5+/-8.2% and for elective caesarean section spinal anaesthesia was mostly used. General anaesthesia was never used in 58.3% of Swiss, 10.2% of German, and 21.1% of Austrian hospitals. For non-elective caesarean section 42.1% of the hospitals often used a spinal anaesthesia, and 44.8% sometimes, in Switzerland these were 92.9% and 7.1%, respectively. Pain relief for labour was usually achieved with epidural anaesthesia or drugs. The trend from general to regional anaesthesia for caesarean section is continued, as is the trend from local infiltrative techniques to epidural anaesthesia for vaginal delivery. Switzerland was in the forefront for these developments.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Survey on current practice of regional anaesthesia in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Part 2: Use, success rates and techniques].

The current practice of regional anaesthesia in German-speaking countries was investigated in a survey. The second part of the trilogy presents data about its use, success rates, and techniques. In 2002 questionnaires were mailed to 750 randomly selected departments of anaesthesia of which 384 hospitals participated. Peripheral regional anaesthesia is used above all in traumatology and orthopaedics, 45% of the hospitals with paediatric surgery never used neuroaxial blocks. The residents achieved mean success rates of 69.7+/-11.8% for supraclavicular plexus block to 85.5+/-9.0% for spinal anaesthesia, the specialists in anaesthesia 79.2+/-11.3% (supraclavicular plexus block) to 91.0+/-6.8% (spinal anaesthesia). Standards for basic techniques, recording of success rates, and for quality assurance of peripheral nerve blocks should be worked out to improve the application of peripheral regional anaesthesia procedures. In neuroaxial anaesthesia satisfying success rates were reached in German-speaking countries. In paediatric anaesthesia its use still has many opponents.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Propofol infusion syndrome].

Propofol infusion syndrome has not only been observed in patients undergoing long-term sedation with propofol, but also during propofol anesthesia lasting 5 h. It has been assumed that the pathophysiologic cause is propofol's impairment of oxidation of fatty acid chains and inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, leading to lactate acidosis and muscular necrosis. It has been postulated that propofol might act as a trigger substrate in the presence of priming factors. Severe diseases in which the patient has been exposed to high catecholamine and cortisol levels have been identified as trigger substrates. Once the development of propofol infusion syndrome is suspected, propofol infusion has to be stopped immediately and specific therapeutic measures initiated, including cardiocirculatory stabilization and correction of metabolic acidosis. To increase elimination of propofol and its potential toxic metabolites, hemodialysis or hemofiltration are recommended. Due to its possible fatal side effects, the use of propofol for long-term sedation in critically ill patients should be reconsidered. In cases of unexplained lactate acidosis occurring during continuous propofol infusion, propofol infusion syndrome must be taken into consideration.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗
PubMed2004

Real-time ultrasonic observation of combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The quality of combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia mainly depends on accurate identification of the epidural space. The real-time ultrasound control of the procedure for puncture was therefore evaluated. METHODS: Thirty parturients scheduled for Caesarean section were randomized to three equal groups. Ten control patients received conventional combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia. Ten of the remaining patients received ultrasonic scans by an offline scan technique, and 10 received online imaging of the lumbar region during epidural puncture. The epidural space was identified and needle advancement was surveyed through the interspinal and flaval ligaments. The number of attempts to advance the needle to achieve a successful puncture was measured and compared, as well as the number of vertebral interspaces punctured before successful entry into the epidural space. RESULTS: There was no difference between patient characteristics in the three groups. The visualization of the epidural structures and of the needle manipulations was very effective. In the ultrasound group, the reduction in the number of attempts at puncture was significant (P < 0.036). The number of interspaces necessary for puncture was reduced (P < 0.036) in the ultrasound online group compared with controls. The number of spinal needle manipulations was significantly reduced (P < 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time ultrasonic scanning of the lumbar spine is an easy procedure. It provides an accurate reading of the location of the needle tip and facilitates the performance of combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cost-effectiveness and high patient satisfaction in the elderly: sevoflurane versus propofol anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of propofol compared with isoflurane is associated with improved patient comfort and decreased costs. However, as the cost saving, the quicker recovery time and patient comfort may not be evident if sevoflurane is substituted for isoflurane; these two anaesthetic agents were analysed in elderly patients. METHODS: In a prospective randomized study, 96 patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery received either total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol (Group P), propofol for induction and sevoflurane for maintenance (Group P/S) or sevoflurane for inhalation induction and maintenance (Group S). Analyses focussed on haemodynamics, the quality of recovery, and the costs for the anaesthetic and the entire procedure. RESULTS: Bradycardia or hypotension, mainly registered in Groups P and P/S, did not influence patients' recovery. In Group S, postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred frequently, and 50% of patients complained of discomfort during induction. In Group P/S, the costs for anaesthetics and total costs were lower than those in Groups P and S. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol- and sevoflurane-based maintenance of anaesthesia were similar with regard to patient comfort and recovery in the elderly. Cost analysis revealed that it was less expensive to use propofol for induction and sevoflurane for maintenance than to use either propofol or sevoflurane as sole agents for anaesthesia.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Cerebral and extracerebral release of protein S100B in cardiac surgical patients.

Although several clinical studies have shown that increased serum concentrations of protein S100B predict ischaemic brain damage after cardiac surgery, S100B may also be released from the heart or other injured tissue. We therefore investigated the correlation between serum S100B levels and those of the specific cardiac marker troponin I in order to assess the cerebral vs. extracerebral origin of S100B. In 64 cardiac surgical patients, serial blood samples were drawn for the measurement of S100B and troponin I before surgery and for seven days after surgery. Neurological function was assessed before with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Folstein Mini Mental Test. The data show that a sustained increase in serum S100B levels is associated with neurological dysfunction, as witnessed by a positive correlation between S100B values and the results of the neuropsychological tests. In contrast, the early postoperative increased levels of protein S100B derive from cardiac tissue, as shown by the positive correlation between S100B and cardiac troponin I levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Postoperative 12-lead ECG predicts peri-operative myocardial ischaemia associated with myocardial cell damage.

Peri-operative myocardial ischaemia is the single most important risk factor for an adverse cardiac outcome after non-cardiac surgery. The present study examines whether intermittent 12-lead ECG recordings can be used as an early warning tool to identify patients suffering from peri-operative myocardial ischaemia and subsequent myocardial cell damage. Fifty-five vascular surgery patients at risk for or with a history of coronary artery disease were monitored for peri-operative myocardial ischaemia using intermittent 12-lead ECG recordings taken pre-operatively and at 15 min, 20 h, 48 h, 72 h and 84 h postoperatively. The effectiveness of the 12-lead ECG was gauged by examining concordance with continuous 3-channel Holter monitoring and capturing peri-operative myocardial ischaemia by serial analyses of creatine kinase myocardial band isoenzyme and cardiac troponin T and I. The incidence of peri-operative myocardial ischaemia detected by 12-lead ECG was 44% and was identifiable in most patients (88%) 15 min after surgery. The incidence of peri-operative myocardial ischaemia detected by continuous monitoring was 53%, with the most severe episodes occurring intra-operatively and during emergence from anaesthesia. The concordance of the 12-lead method with continuous monitoring was 72%. The concordance of creatine kinase myocardial band isoenzyme activity with the 12-lead method was 71% and with Holter monitoring 57%. The concordance of mass concentration of creatine kinase myocardial band with 12-lead ECG recordings was 75%, and the corresponding value for Holter monitoring was 68%. The concordance of cardiac troponin T and I levels with the 12-lead method was 85% and 87%, respectively, and concordance with Holter monitoring was 72% and 66%, respectively. The postoperative 12-lead ECG identified peri-operative myocardial ischaemia associated with subsequent myocardial cell damage in most patients undergoing vascular surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Ultrasound and local anaesthesia. Part III: ultrasound and neuroaxial local anaesthesia].

The use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for the visualisation of the epidural space has effects on the quality and the performance of epidural anesthesia. This work presents an overview of the recent experiences with ultrasound for epidural anesthesia and on the possibilities for ultrasound imaging techniques. The results of visualisation of the epidural space and its limiting structures obtained by various working groups are presented. We review all presently available data on the prediction of the puncture depth. The various working groups found correlations between predicted and effective puncture depth between 0.79 and 0.98 and the precision of the measurement was 57-7.7 mm. Regarding the prediction of the puncture angle there was a poor correlation ranging between 0.07 and 0.31. The precision between the measured and the punctured angles was found to be 10-13.4 degrees. In all available prospective randomised studies on the puncture effects in the lumbar epidural space, the influence of ultrasound showed a significant reduction ( p<0.03) of the puncture attempts,and we found a significant ( p<0.05) reduction in the number of puncture levels. The ultrasound-guided puncture allowed an ideal needle trajectory and a more precise application of the catheter. A significant improvement of analgesia quality ( p<0.035) and patient satisfaction ( p<0.006) could be achieved. The metaanalysis of the different studies regarding puncture quality by ultrasound-guided peridural anaesthesia showed a clear advantage for the use of imaging techniques.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗
PubMed2003

[Accessible price lists at the anaesthesiologist's workplace enhance cost consciousness as a part of process and cost optimization].

The imminent introduction of the DRG (diagnosis-related-group) system is putting hospitals in Germany under considerable pressure. This requires that personnel are efficiently allocated by optimizing organizational procedures and that the limited resources be distributed in a cost-effective manner. One prerequisite for this is a marked cost-consciousness on the part of those who "incur costs" in providing a service. To increase the awareness of costs in clinical physicians, the cost structures must be transparent. In order to achieve this goal, a project was initiated at the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, which aimed to enhance the cost-consciousness of the staff by making price lists available to anaesthesiologists at the workplace. In addition to the price lists, the 25 most expensive medications and medical products were added as an ABC analysis. The departmental staff was interviewed by questionnaire as to whether this project was reasonable. After 1 year the interview was repeated. The results of the questionnaire showed that in the opinion of the staff, price lists are an effective tool, as cost-consciousness on the part of clinical physicians can be enhanced by making price structures transparent. This is a major prerequisite for individual motivation in the cost-effective management. Although the ABC analyses demonstrate no long-term effect of the price-transparency on the cost structures, the staff showed increased cost-consciousness and individual motivation for economic tasks.

Anesthesia Department, Hospital↗
PubMed2003

[Emergency from anesthesia in small children. From laryngospasm to prolonged apnea].

Postoperative laryngospasm during emergence from anaesthesia represents a potentially life-threatening complication. Even if this is successfully overcome using drug therapy, new, serious problems may develop. We report the case of a 3 1/2 -year-old boy of African descent weighing 15 kg who developed a laryngospasm during emergence from anaesthesia. Because the airway obstruction could not be controlled by deepening the anaesthesia again and administering anti-obstructive drugs, the boy was given 15 mg succinylcholine. Thereafter prolonged apnea developed such that the patient had to be admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The child was extubated 6 h later and the further course was normal so that he could be released from the hospital the following day. Further diagnostic study revealed a dibucaine-sensitive, fluoride-resistant pseudocholinesterase in the plasma, which is a rare form of atypical pseudocholinesterase, explaining the prolonged arousal phase after the administration of succinylcholine. Three significant aspects of this case are discussed: 1. risk factors and treatment of perioperative airway obstruction 2. factors and treatment of prolonged apnea, and 3. delayed arousal reactions and their management in an outpatient setting.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed2003

[Development of a questionnaire to assess the quality of the preanesthetic visit].

In the current study a questionnaire was developed to evaluate the preanesthetic visit to prepare patients for general anesthesia with regard to the effects on in-hospital quality of care. The questionnaire consists of one part pertaining to patient satisfaction and one part pertaining to the information gained from the preanesthetic visit. In a first phase, the questionnaire was generated and then validated in 104 patients undergoing general or vascular surgery at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. As a result of the pretest evaluation, the preliminary pool of questions could be reduced. Consequently, the final questionnaire is composed of six questions on patient satisfaction and six questions on information gained after the preanesthetic visit as well as one question regarding the number of preanesthetic consultations prior to general anesthesia. In the part of the questionnaire on patient satisfaction, responses can be given on a 6-point scale ranging from -3 (statement is not correct) to +3 (statement is correct). The scores -3 to +3 are assigned 1-6 points, in order to calculate a total sum score to measure patient satisfaction. The part on information gained contains multiple-choice questions with four possible answers, of which only one is correct. Analogous to the measurement of patient satisfaction, a total sum score can be calculated to evaluate the information gain after the preanesthetic visit. The present study shows the suitability of a questionnaire to evaluate the quality of health care after the preanesthetic visit with the parameters patient satisfaction and information gain. Such a questionnaire can be used to compare different premedication techniques and, thus, might contribute to improve the quality of health care.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Drug interactions and the anesthesiologist].

Modern anesthesiology employs the combined administration of several drugs belonging to different pharmacological classes. Additionally, anesthesiologists are facing the challenge of polypharmacy regimens utilized by patients considered for surgical treatment When drugs are combined, the pharmacological effect may considerably differ from the individually expected properties. This may be beneficial or potentially lead to adverse drug reactions harming the patient. The incidence of drug interaction increases exponentially with the number of drugs administered. Depending on the mechanism involved, drug interactions can be classified as pharmaceutical, pharmacodynamic, or pharmacokinetic. Although there are enormous possibilities for adverse drug reactions nd the complexity is hard to identify, prediction of drug interaction is possible. Besides recognizing the general risk factors, fundamental knowledge of basic and clinical pharmacology is important to prevent serious or fatal drug interactions before they occur.

Anesthetics↗