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S P Gatt

Publications and source records attributed to S P Gatt.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Administration of a crystalloid fluid preload does not prevent the decrease in arterial blood pressure after induction of anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl.

Anaesthesia was induced in 58 women (ASA I or II) undergoing elective gynaecological procedures, using propofol 2.5 mg kg-1 and fentanyl 1.5 micrograms kg-1. Patients were allocated to receive 20 ml kg-1 of crystalloid fluid preload over 20 min or to receive no fluids before induction of anaesthesia. A significant decrease in systolic arterial pressure (< 75% of baseline value) occurred in both the fluid-loaded and the control groups, and was similar in both groups. Administration of a fluid preload did not attenuate the decrease in systolic arterial pressure after induction of anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Potential intrathecal leakage of solutions injected into the epidural space following combined spinal epidural anaesthesia.

A combined spinal epidural anaesthetic (CSE), by design, produces a deliberate multicompartment block across a breached dural membrane. Since the lateral holes of the epidural catheter may lie in close proximity to the dural puncture site, a bolus solution of drug injected via the epidural catheter has the potential to leak through the dural puncture into the subarachnoid space. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of intrathecal leak by performing an epidurogram. Fifteen patients undergoing surgery with a CSE anaesthetic using a 16 gauge Tuohy/26 gauge pencil point needle were studied. Within three hours of catheter insertion, 12 ml of contrast (iohexol 300 mg/ml) was injected via the epidural catheter under fluoroscopic control with screen recording and exposure of lateral and anteroposterior X-ray plates. All films were later reviewed for evidence of intrathecal spread. We did not observe any evidence of intrathecal spread of contrast. However, caution should be observed during administration of an intraoperative bolus dose of analgesic agent via a catheter inserted as part of a combined spinal epidural anaesthetic technique, particularly with the use of hydrophilic opiods.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A continuous subdural block.

We describe a case of accidental subdural block, after attempted extradural puncture for Caesarean section. Fractionation of the local anaesthetic dose led to avoidance of more serious complications. Subdural fentanyl and a continuous low-dose subdural infusion were used satisfactorily for intraoperative management and postoperative analgesia. As little as 0.5 ml of bupivacaine, hourly, provided satisfactory analgesia over a 15-h period.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A new epidural catheter. Closer eyes for safety?

A new design of epidural catheter with three lateral eyes placed in close proximity to its closed end is described. Prototype models of this catheter were tested in 200 obstetric and surgical patients. In a single-blind randomised study it was found to be easy to insert and highly satisfactory in use, when compared to the current catheter type, with three widely spaced lateral eyes. It is hoped that the close spacing of the eyes will eliminate the complication of multicompartment block, as seen with earlier multihole catheters, and improve the safety of epidural block.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

A clinical sign to predict difficult tracheal intubation: a prospective study.

It has been suggested that the size of the base of the tongue is an important factor determining the degree of difficulty of direct laryngoscopy. A relatively simple grading system which involves preoperative ability to visualize the faucial pillars, soft palate and base of uvula was designed as a means of predicting the degree of difficulty in laryngeal exposure. The system was evaluated in 210 patients. The degree of difficulty in visualizing these three structures was an accurate predictor of difficulty with direct laryngoscopy (p less than 0.001).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A quadruple-lumen intravenous infusion catheter.

A 5 French gauge, 30 cm usable length, radio-opaque, colour-coded quadruple-lumen catheter has been designed for simultaneous multiple central drug infusion and central venous pressure measurement. Concentrated drug infusions can be administered without interruption for pressure measurements. It eliminates the risk of inadvertent bolus administration of concentrated drug solutions during flushing of lines or administration of "push-doses" of other injections into the same infusion line. The problems of chemical incompatibilities and drug interactions are reduced. The system may help reduce complications in patients requiring complex intravenous therapy and pressure measurement.

Blood Pressure Determination↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidural catheters for obstetrics. Terminal hole or lateral eyes?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Controversy exists over the choice of the ideal epidural catheter for obstetric use, particularly whether the catheter should have a single terminal hole or three lateral eyes. METHODS: A randomized single-blind study of 200 obstetric patients undergoing epidural block for analgesia in labor or for cesarean delivery was undertaken, using either a catheter with a terminal hole or three lateral eyes. The extent and quality of the block was recorded, as well as the presence of any complications. RESULTS: The study was abandoned after 102 patients had been assessed, as the incidence of unsatisfactory blocks with terminal eye catheters was found to be unacceptably high (32%), when compared with the lateral eye catheters (12%) (P < .05). Four of the terminal eye catheters (8%) had to be resited compared with one of the lateral eye catheters (2%). One case of intravascular injection (2%) occurred through a terminal eye catheter, despite repeated negative attempts at aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: The use of terminal eye epidural catheters in our obstetric patients has led to an unacceptably high incidence of both unsatisfactory blocks and catheter replacement. Lateral eye catheters produced better results in our circumstances.

Analgesia, Epidural↗