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Early and late reversal of rocuronium and vecuronium with neostigmine in adults and children.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the influence of the timing of neostigmine administration on recovery from rocuronium or vecuronium neuromuscular blockade. Eighty adults and 80 children were randomized to receive 0.45 mg/kg rocuronium or 0.075 mg/kg vecuronium during propofol/fentanyl/N2O anesthesia. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored by train-of-four (TOF) stimulation and adductor pollicis electromyography. Further randomization was made to control (no neostigmine) or reversal with 0.07 mg/kg neostigmine/0.01 mg/kg glycopyrrolate given 5 min after relaxant, or first twitch (T1) recovery of 1%, 10%, or 25%. Another eight adults and eight children received 1.5 mg/kg succinylcholine. At each age, spontaneous recovery of T1 and TOF was similar after rocuronium and vecuronium administration but was more rapid in children (P < 0.05). Spontaneous recovery to TOF0.7 after rocuronium and vecuronium administration in adults was 45.7 +/- 11.5 min and 52.5 +/- 15.6 min; in children, it was 28.8 +/- 7.8 min and 34.6 +/- 9.0 min. Neostigmine accelerated recovery in all reversal groups (P < 0.05) by approximately 40%, but the times from relaxant administration to TOF0.7 were similar and independent of the timing of neostigmine administration. Recovery to T1 90% after succinylcholine was similar in adults (9.4 +/- 5.0 min) and children (8.4 +/- 1.1 min) and was shorter than recovery to TOF0.7 in any reversal group after rocuronium or vecuronium administration. Recovery from rocuronium and vecuronium blockade after neostigmine administration was more rapid in children than in adults. Return of neuromuscular function after reversal was not influenced by the timing of neostigmine administration. These results suggest that reversal of intense rocuronium or vecuronium neuromuscular blockade need not be delayed until return of appreciable neuromuscular function has been demonstrated. IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that reversal of intense rocuronium or vecuronium neuromuscular blockade need not be delayed until return of appreciable neuromuscular function has been demonstrated. Although spontaneous and neostigmine-assisted recovery is more rapid in children than in adults, in neither is return of function as rapid as after succinylcholine administration.

Adult↗

Isoflurane dosage for equivalent intraoperative electroencephalographic suppression in patients with and without epidural blockade.

UNLABELLED: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to establish the effect of epidural blockade on isoflurane requirements for equivalent intraoperative electroencephalographic (EEG) suppression. Fifty patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy received combined epidural and general anesthesia or general anesthesia alone with isoflurane and alfentanil. Isoflurane was administered by computer-controlled closed-loop feedback to maintain an EEG 95% spectral edge frequency of 17.5 Hz, a target chosen on the basis of a pilot study. In epidural patients, end-tidal isoflurane concentration (FE'(ISO)) was 0.19% smaller (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32% to -0.06%; P < 0.01), mean arterial blood pressure was 17 mm Hg lower (95% CI, -24 to -9 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), and body temperature was 0.4 degrees C lower (95% CI, -0.7 to 0 degrees C; P < 0.05) than in controls. EEG bispectral index (BIS) was 4 points higher (95% CI, 1 to 7; P < 0.05). EEG median frequency and heart rate were similar in both groups. Epidural patients were 76% more likely (95% CI, 58% to 94%; P < 0.001) to require metaraminol for hypotension and were 28% more likely (95% CI, 3% to 53%; P < 0.05) to require glycopyrrolate for bradycardia. After surgery, the time to eye opening in epidural patients was 2.3 min shorter (95% CI, -4.2 to -0.5 min; P < 0.05). Time to eye opening correlated better with FE'(ISO) in the last 30 s of anesthesia (FE'(ISO) = 0.07 x time to eye opening + 0.31; r(2) = 0.59; P < 0.0001) than with BIS from the same period (BIS = 64 - 1.25 x time to eye opening; r(2) = 0.22; P < 0.001) (P < 0.0001). To maintain similar intraoperative spectral edge frequency, patients receiving combined epidural and general anesthesia require 21% less isoflurane than those receiving general anesthesia alone. This smaller isoflurane dose is associated with faster emergence from anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: The dose of general anesthetic required to maintain similar intraoperative suppression of brain electrical activity is 21% less in patients with nerve blockade than in those without. This dose reduction results in faster waking times in patients with nerve blockade, which may reflect lighter intraoperative anesthesia. The dose of general anesthetic required to maintain similar intraoperative suppression of brain electrical activity is 21% less in patients with nerve blockade than in those without. This dose reduction results in faster waking times in patients with nerve blockade, which may reflect lighter intraoperative anesthesia.

Adult↗

A comparison of ketamine and lidocaine spray with propofol for the insertion of laryngeal mask airway in children: a double-blinded randomized trial.

UNLABELLED: The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has been used successfully as both a ventilatory device and a conduit for tracheal intubation. In this double-blinded, randomized study, we examined whether pretreatment with lidocaine spray, ketamine anesthesia, and LMA insertion could be used as airway management that could maintain spontaneous breathing in children. After IV premedication with midazolam 0.05 mg/kg and glycopyrrolate 0.005 mg/kg, 90 patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 main groups for the administration of either propofol or ketamine: 40 patients received 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 mg/kg of propofol IV (n = 10 each), whereas 50 patients received 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 mg/kg of ketamine IV (n = 10 each). Only in the ketamine group was lidocaine spray applied to the oropharynx 1 min before anesthesia induction. After injection of the designated drug, self-respiration, airway obstruction, and jaw relaxation were checked. Self-respiration, laryngospasm coughing, gagging, swallowing, biting or tongue movements, secretions, and head or limb movements after LMA insertion were graded. All variables were graded as satisfactory, acceptable, or unsatisfactory. The overall result was considered satisfactory if all criteria were satisfactory; acceptable if all were better than acceptable, but at least one acceptable criterion was included; and unsatisfactory if at least one criterion was unsatisfactory. Overall satisfactory or acceptable results in every patient were achieved only in the ketamine 3.0 or 3.5 mg/kg subgroups. No propofol dose was completely satisfactory; most cases involved apnea or airway obstruction. Ketamine and lidocaine spray were appropriate for LMA insertion, which may be a safe method for management of difficult airway in children. IMPLICATIONS: Ketamine and lidocaine spray appear to be appropriate for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion in children. Thus, apnea and airway obstruction, the two most serious and frequent complications of propofol, can be avoided during LMA insertion.

Child↗

Systemic vascular responses to atracurium during enflurane-nitrous-oxide anesthesia in humans.

Systemic circulatory responses to atracurium (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) were studied in 15 healthy (ASA I or II) adult patients during enflurane (1.0 to 1.25% inspired) and nitrous oxide (70% inspired) anesthesia. All patients were premedicated with intramuscular morphine (10-15 mg) and glycopyrrolate (0.2 mg). Compared with control measurements during enflurane-nitrous oxide anesthesia, heart rate, cardiac and stroke index, central venous pressure, and systemic mean arterial pressure remained unchanged at 2, 5, and 10 min after administration of both doses of atracurium. Systemic vascular resistance was minimally decreased (7% compared to control) (0.01 less than P less than 0.05) at 10 min following both doses of atracurium. No patient demonstrated a decrease in systemic mean arterial pressure greater than 6 mmHg. The authors conclude that atracurium in doses which produce adequate skeletal muscle relaxation during steady-state enflurane anesthesia produces no clinically significant alteration in hemodynamic variables.

Adult↗

Muscle pain occurs after outpatient laparoscopy despite the substitution of vecuronium for succinylcholine.

The occurrence, location, and severity of muscle pain were determined when vecuronium was used in lieu of succinylcholine during outpatient laparoscopy. Postoperative muscle pain, in 11 body parts, was assessed by a linear analogue scale questionnaire that was completed by each patient on the evening of surgery and for the next three mornings. All patients had general endotracheal anesthesia with nitrous oxide, thiopental, and fentanyl. Succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg (3-4 min after 3 mg of d-tubocurarine) was given to 14 patients for tracheal intubation and then by infusion for additional muscle relaxation. Another 14 patients received vecuronium 50 micrograms/kg iv as the only muscle relaxant used; all of these patients had residual neuromuscular blockade antagonized with glycopyrrolate 7 micrograms/kg and edrophonium 0.5 mg/kg iv. Both groups were similar in age, weight, length of procedure, time to discharge, and amount of thiopental and fentanyl used (P greater than 0.05). No difference was noted in either group with respect to the severity of pain by body part over time. Mean total body pain scores were generated for each group at all four intervals as an alternate type of analysis. No statistical significance was demonstrated by a Student's t test in any group at any interval sampled. The authors failed to demonstrate that the substitution of vecuronium for succinylcholine lowers the incidence of myalgia when used in outpatient diagnostic laparoscopy. They refrain from concluding that vecuronium contributes to postanesthetic myalgia, but feel justified in stating that the avoidance of succinylcholine did not lower the severity or occurrence of muscle pains after laparoscopy when vecuronium was used in its place.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Pancuronium increases the duration of electroencephalogram burst suppression in dogs anesthetized with isoflurane.

Earlier studies have demonstrated both a decrease as well as no effect on halothane MAC after administration of nondepolarizing neuromuscular relaxants. To clarify further the relationship between neuromuscular blocking agents and anesthetic potency, the authors studied the effect of pancuronium on steady-state electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression produced by isoflurane in dogs. Anesthesia was induced using isoflurane and oxygen via mask without the administration of other drugs. The trachea was intubated, and isoflurane was administered at a concentration sufficient to produce EEG burst suppression. Thereafter, end-tidal isoflurane concentration, temperature, and end-tidal PCO2 were meticulously maintained at constant values. Dogs in group 1 (n = 6) received pancuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1. The percent of the EEG that was isoelectric increased from 21 +/- 9% (mean +/- SD) to 35 +/- 11% (P less than 0.01). After the return of single-twitch response to train-of-four stimulation, neostigmine 0.05 mg.kg-1 and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg.kg-1 were administered. This resulted in a reduction in EEG isoelectricity to 19 +/- 8% (P less than 0.01), similar to the value before pancuronium administration. In group 2 dogs (n = 6), the percent isoelectricity of the EEG prior to pancuronium was 25 +/- 10%. After administration of pancuronium 0.02, 0.04, and 0.2 mg.kg-1 sequentially, the percent isoelectricity of the EEG was 29 +/- 11, 37 +/- 15, and 43 +/- 9%, respectively. This represents a dose-related increase in isoelectricity for the 0.04- and 0.2-mg.kg-1 doses (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Intramuscular dexmedetomidine as premedication for general anesthesia. A comparative multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is a new potent and selective alpha 2-agonist that might prove useful as a preanesthetic agent. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study design was used in 192 ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients scheduled for elective abdominal hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, or intraocular surgery under general anesthesia. Intramuscular injection of 2.5 micrograms/kg dexmedetomidine administered 60 min before and intravenous saline placebo 2 min before induction of anesthesia (DEXPLA group, n = 64) was compared with a combination of 0.08 mg/kg intramuscular midazolam 60 min and 1.5 micrograms/kg intravenous fentanyl 2 min before induction (MIDFENT group, n = 64), or a combination of intramuscular dexmedetomidine and intravenous fentanyl (DEXFENT group, n = 64). After thiopental induction, anesthesia was maintained with 70% N2O/O2, and fentanyl was administered according to clinical and cardiovascular criteria. Patients undergoing cholecystectomy received additional enflurane. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine and midazolam induced comparable preoperative sedation and anxiolysis. The DEXFENT combination blunted the increases in blood pressure and heart rate induced by tracheal intubation more efficiently when compared with the DEXPLA and MIDFENT groups, in which approximately 25 mmHg and 15 beats/min greater increases were observed. The intraoperative fentanyl requirements were greater in MIDFENT patients when compared with both dexmedetomidine groups, in which 56% (DEXFENT group) and 31% (DEXPLA group) less fentanyl, respectively, was needed. Intraoperatively, fluids or vasopressors for hypotension and glycopyrrolate for bradycardia were administered more often to patients receiving dexmedetomidine than to those who did not. Postoperatively, there were no differences in oxygen saturation, analgesic, or antiemetic requirements, but dexmedetomidine-induced blood pressure and heart rate reductions were still evident at the end of the 3-h follow-up period. Bradycardia as an adverse event was reported more frequently in dexmedetomidine patients (20% in the DEXPLA and 33% in the DEXFENT groups) than in MIDFENT patients (8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that pretreatment with a single intramuscular injection of 2.5 micrograms/kg dexmedetomidine is efficacious, but significantly increases the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia in ASA physical status 1 or 2 patients.

Adult↗

Residual postoperative paralysis. Pancuronium versus mivacurium, does it matter?

BACKGROUND: Based on a train-of-four (TOF) ratio greater than 0.70 as the standard of acceptable clinical recovery, undetected postoperative residual paralysis occurs frequently in postanesthesia care units. In most published studies, detailed information regarding anesthetic management is not provided. The authors reexamined the incidence of postoperative weakness after the administration of long- and short-acting neuromuscular blockers because few, if any, such comparative studies are available. METHODS: Ninety-one adult patients were studied. In group 1 (mivacurium, n = 35), anesthesia was induced with propofol/ fentanyl and maintained with nitrous oxide, desflurane, and opioid supplementation. The response of the adductor pollicis to ulnar nerve stimulation was estimated by palpating the thumb. Mivacurium (0.20 mg/kg) was administered for tracheal intubation, and an infusion was adjusted to maintain the TOF count at 1. When surgery was completed, the infusion was discontinued. When a second twitch could be detected, 7.0 micrograms/kg atropine and then 0.5 mg/kg edrophonium were administered. At 5 and 10 min, the mechanical TOF response was measured. Additional measurements were recorded if possible. Patients were tracheally extubated and discharged from the operating room when they could respond to verbal commands and no TOF fade was palpable. In group 2 (pancuronium-desflurane anesthesia, n = 29), the protocol was identical to that of group 1, except that 0.07 mg/kg pancuronium was administered for tracheal intubation. Additional increments (0.5 to 1 mg) were given as needed. Antagonism was accomplished with 0.05 mg/kg neostigmine and 0.01 mg/kg glycopyrrolate. In group 3 (pancuronium propofol-opioid, n = 27), the protocol was identical to that of group 2, except that anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide and a propofol-alfentanil infusion. In all groups, patients were assessed until a TOF ratio of 0.90 or more was achieved. RESULTS: All of the patients in group 1 had TOF ratios greater than 0.80 on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit. Twenty of 35 patients had TOF ratios 0.90 or more while they were still in the operating room. Thirty-three of 35 patients had TOF ratios 0.90 or more within 30 min of reversal, and this value was reached in all patients by 45 min. Recovery parameters in groups 2 and 3 did not differ from each other. Hence data from these groups were pooled. Fifty-four of 56 patients who received pancuronium had TOF values of 0.70 or more, the remaining two patients had values of 0.6 to 0.7. In contrast to the mivacurium group, however, only four patients achieved a TOF ratio of 0.90 or greater while still in the operating room. Finally, eight of these patients did not achieve this degree of recovery within 90 min of reversal. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that if nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers are administered using tactile evaluation of the TOF count as a guide, critical episodes of postoperative weakness in the postanesthesia care unit should occur infrequently even with long-acting relaxants. Nevertheless, if full recovery is defined as return to a TOF ratio of 0.90 or more, then short-acting agents would appear to offer a wider margin of safety.

Adult↗

The response of patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy to neuromuscular blockade with vecuronium.

BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) are more sensitive to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. METHODS: Eight children with DMD and eight healthy children having orthopedic procedures were studied. Anesthesia consisted of thiopental, 60% nitrous oxide in 40% oxygen, and intravenous fentanyl and midazolam. Using electromyography, the ulnar nerve was stimulated and the electromyographic train-of-four ratio (TOFr) of the first dorsal interosseous muscle was recorded every 60 s. After baseline TOFr recording, all patients received 50 microg/kg vecuronium and the TOFr at 3 min was compared. Vecuronium (10 microg/kg) was then administered every minute until TOFr was < or =0.1. The TOFr was followed until TOFr was > or =0.01. Then 10 microg/kg of vecuronium were administered to maintain TOFr < or = 0.1. At the conclusion of the procedure, TOFr was allowed to recover to 0.25, and then neostigmine and glycopyrrolate were administered. Data are presented as medians and ranges. RESULTS: The initial dose of vecuronium resulted in greater TOFr depression in patients with DMD than in controls (0.14 vs. 0.86). Less vecuronium was needed to produce TOFr < or = 0.1 in the patients with DMD than in the control patients (55 microg/kg vs. 95 microg/kg). Recovery time for the TOFr to > or =0.1 after the initial dose was longer in the patients with DMD than in the controls (28 vs. 20 min; P = 0.03), and the maintenance dose of vecuronium was less in patients with DMD (0.6 vs. 1.3 microg x kg[-1] min[-1]; P < 0.01). The time for TOFr recovery from 0.1 to 0.25 was 36 min in the patients with DMD and 6 min in the controls (P < 0.01). After neostigmine, the TOFr was 1.0 in the controls and 0.91 (P = 0.03) in the patients with DMD. CONCLUSION: There is increased sensitivity to vecuronium from neuromuscular blockade in patients with DMD.

Adolescent↗

Effects of prophylactic nalmefene on the incidence of morphine-related side effects in patients receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Opioid-related side effects associated with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia can be reduced by a low-dose naloxone infusion. The influence of nalmefene, a pure opioid antagonist with a longer duration of action, on opioid-related side effects has not been evaluated. This study was designed to determine the dose-response relation for nalmefene for the prevention of morphine-related side effects in patients receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. METHODS: One hundred twenty women undergoing lower abdominal surgery were enrolled in the study. General anesthesia was induced using thiopental and rocuronium and maintained with desflurane, nitrous oxide, and fentanyl or sufentanil. All patients received neostigmine and glycopyrrolate to reverse residual neuromuscular blockade. No prophylactic antiemetics were administered. At the end of surgery, patients were randomized to receive saline, 15 microg nalmefene, or 25 microg nalmefene intravenously. The need for antiemetic and antipruritic drugs and the total consumption of morphine during the 24-h study were recorded. The incidences of postoperative nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and pain were recorded 30 min after patients were admitted to the postanesthesia care unit. In addition, patient remembrance of these side effects was noted at 24 h after operation. RESULTS: The need for antiemetic and antipruritic medications during the 24-h study period was significantly lower in the patients receiving nahmefene compared with those receiving placebo. However, the need to treat side effects was similar in the two nahmefene groups. Prophylactic administration of nalmefene reduced the patients remembrance of nausea and itching as assessed 24 h after operation. Although the total consumption of morphine during the 24-h study period was similar in the three groups, retrospectively patients who received nalmefene characterized their pain as less severe in the previous 24 h. CONCLUSION: Compared with placebo, prophylactic administration of nalmefene significantly decreased the need for antiemetics and antipruritic medications in patients receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine.

Adult↗

A comparison of propofol and ketamine/midazolam for intravenous sedation of children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ketamine and propofol sedation in children undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A six-bed pediatric intensive care unit and a pediatric hematology oncology clinic. PATIENTS: From 1996 to 1998, 405 procedures were performed on patients between 1 month and 22 yrs of age. INTERVENTIONS: All patients but one were sedated intravenously with either propofol or ketamine; those who received ketamine also received midazolam and either atropine or glycopyrrolate. Vital signs were monitored continuously. Procedures included bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, esophagoduodenoscopies, colonoscopies, and other miscellaneous procedures. A pediatric intensivist performed all sedations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-one procedures were conducted with propofol and 144 with ketamine. The mean time (+/-sd) from administration of the first dose of medication until the patient was awake was 36.6 (15.0) mins for the propofol group and 69.2 (43.2) mins for the ketamine group. The mean time to awakening was significantly longer for the ketamine group, even after adjusting for the length of the procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and setting of procedure (inpatient or outpatient; p =.0001). Only one unplanned endotracheal intubation in the propofol group and two in the ketamine group occurred. Patients were significantly more likely to have airway (p =.01) or hemodynamic (p =.002) effects with propofol than with ketamine, although these effects were essentially minor in nature. CONCLUSIONS: Both propofol and ketamine provided safe and effective sedation for the short, painful procedures performed. Because the patients who received propofol awakened almost twice as quickly as the patients who received ketamine, the sedation service operated more efficiently when propofol was used. The major complication rates for propofol and ketamine were small, and the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. We conclude that with proper monitoring, intravenous propofol can be used safely and effectively for short procedures in the pediatric setting.

Journal Article↗

Effect of vecuronium and pancuronium on cardiac performance and transmural myocardial perfusion during ketamine anaesthesia.

The haemodynamic effects of vecuronium and pancuronium were studied in 20 healthy patients during diazepam/ketamine anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced with glycopyrrolate 3 micrograms/kg, diazepam 0.3 mg/kg and ketamine 1.0 mg/kg as a bolus and 1.0 mg/kg over 10 min. After induction, anaesthesia was maintained with ketamine infusion 1.0 mg/kg/h. The lungs were ventilated with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Equipotent doses of vecuronium (74 micrograms/kg) or pancuronium (99 micrograms/kg) were administered for intubation. The thoracic impedance, ECG and phonocardiogram were recorded during the induction of anaesthesia. The results suggest that vecuronium has no cardiovascular effects during ketamine anaesthesia, whereas pancuronium due to its chronotropic effect, causes a deterioration in left ventricular performance.

Anesthesia, General↗

Ketamine monoanaesthesia for major surgery in epidermolysis bullosa. Case report.

A case report is presented of a patient with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, who required anaesthesia for a major plastic surgery operation. The special anaesthetic problems are discussed, and ketamine monoanaesthesia is advocated when muscle relaxation is unnecessary. Glycopyrrolate was found to be an excellent antisialogenic agent.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular responses caused by the combination of lidocaine and vecuronium in the induction of general anaesthesia.

Fentanyl, vecuronium and enflurane may cause bradyarrhythmias during anaesthesia. Lidocaine administered before endotracheal intubation may interact synergistically with these agents. In this randomized and double-blind study, lidocaine 1 mg kg-1 (24 patients) or saline (20 patients) was given, immediately after glycopyrrolate 5 micrograms kg-1, fentanyl 1.5 micrograms ml-1 and thiopentone 3-5 mg kg-1, together with vecuronium 0.1 mg kg-1 as a rapid i.v. injection to healthy (ASA 1) surgical patients. Enflurane 0.8% was included in the inhaled gases 10 min and enflurane 1.6% 25 min after lidocaine administration. The plasma concentrations of lidocaine rose to a mean level of 3.1 micrograms ml-1 (maximum 7.1 micrograms ml-1) which may affect the electrical conduction at various sites in the heart. There were no statistically significant differences in arterial blood pressures or heart rates during anaesthesia between the groups. The incidence of junctional rhythm was 7/24 patients in the lidocaine group and 5/20 patients in the saline group. Three patients in the lidocaine group, and two patients in the control group developed junctional rhythm immediately after intubation. The plasma concentrations of vecuronium were unaffected by lidocaine. The ratio of the unbound lidocaine to plasma protein bound lidocaine was at the expected level and did not differ significantly 2 and 10 min after the injection.

Adolescent↗

Continuous interscalene brachial plexus block: clinical efficacy, technical problems and bupivacaine plasma concentrations.

Continuous interscalene brachial plexus block with a single dose of 0.5% bupivacaine 1.25 mg/kg, continued with an infusion of 0.25% bupivacaine 0.25 mg/kg/h, was performed on 24 patients to provide analgesia during shoulder surgery and in the postoperative period. The drugs for general anaesthesia included glycopyrrolate, thiopentone, vecuronium, enflurane and N2O/O2. All patients had signs of regional analgesia 30 min after the block without haemodynamic problems. The infusion of local anaesthetic was interrupted in six patients because of a failure in catheter function. Of the remaining 18 patients, nine needed no complementary analgesics and nine patients received, on average, 1.6 doses of oxycodone (0.15 mg/kg/dose) during a 24-h period. Displacement of the interscalene catheters could be prevented by a fixation suture to the skin. Two patients noted a metallic taste during the bupivacaine infusion. The most common complaints were numbness of the hand (n = 15) and hoarseness (n = 5). The mean (+/- s.e.mean) plasma concentrations of bupivacaine at 30, 60, 180 min and 24 h were 0.68 +/- 0.06, 0.62 +/- 0.05, 0.52 +/- 0.04 and 0.76 +/- 0.01 micrograms/ml, respectively. During the 24-h period, the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentration (mean +/- s.e.mean) in plasma rose from 0.41 +/- 0.04 g/l to 0.54 +/- 0.04 g/l (P less than 0.001). The concentration of free bupivacaine was below detectable levels (less than 0.01 micrograms/ml) after the 24-h infusion. The rise in AAG probably increases binding of bupivacaine to plasma proteins, diminishing the risk of systemic toxicity.

Brachial Plexus↗

Propofol-fentanyl anesthesia compared to thiopental-halothane with special reference to recovery and vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery.

Forty-four children, ASA physical status I or II, aged 1.5-14 years and admitted for strabismus surgery, were studied. The study compared the postoperative condition after two different anesthesia methods. All children were premedicated with midazolam rectally, received glycopyrrolate i.v. and were then randomised to one of two anesthetic methods: 1) induction with thiopental, maintenance with halothane or 2) induction with propofol supplemented with fentanyl, maintenance with propofol infusion. In both groups, tracheal intubation was performed after vecuronium i.v. and the children were ventilated manually. Peroperatively, patients receiving propofol/fentanyl had more episodes of bradycardia (P less than 0.001). Times to spontaneous breathing and extubation were shorter in the propofol/fentanyl group (P less than 0.05) and there was also a lesser degree of sedation during the first 2 h postoperatively (P less than 0.01). Fewer children in the propofol/fentanyl group vomited postoperatively (P less than 0.05). The apprehension score was higher in the propofol/fentanyl group compared to the thiopental/halothane group (P less than 0.05). We conclude that children undergoing strabismus surgery anesthetized with propofol/fentanyl had more episodes of peroperative bradycardia, a lower incidence of postoperative vomiting and a shorter recovery time, and were more apprehensive during the initial postoperative period than children anesthetized with thiopental/halothane.

Adolescent↗

Train-of-four recovery after pharmacologic antagonism of pancuronium-, pipecuronium-, and doxacurium-induced neuromuscular block in anaesthetized humans.

Previous studies have suggested that the increased duration of action of long-acting neuromuscular relaxants may make their pharmacologic antagonism more difficult and, thus, increase the likelihood of residual block. This hypothesis was tested in healthy, adult humans who received a background of isoflurane/N2O/fentanyl anaesthesia. Study subjects were paralyzed with either pancuronium (N = 8), pipecuronium (N = 8), or the longer-acting relaxant, doxacurium (N = 8). Neuromuscular function was monitored, and, using a blinded, randomized study design, the relaxants were titrated to identify the ED95 dose in each patient. Thereafter, spontaneous recovery was observed until there was 25% of baseline response to the first supramaximal twitch (T1) in a train-of-four (TOF). At this time, the block was antagonized with neostigmine 0.07 mg/kg and glycopyrrolate 0.014 mg/kg i.v., and recovery of TOF was recorded. Spontaneous recovery to 25% of the baseline T1 response occurred at 52 +/- 14 min (mean +/- SD) following administration of either pancuronium and pipecuronium, and 85 +/- 33 min following doxacurium (P < 0.05 for doxacurium versus pancuronium and pipecuronium). In doxacurium-treated patients, reversal of block with neostigmine was less predictable and less complete than with the other two relaxants. For example, the ratio of the fourth to first twitch (T4/T1) of the TOF at 10 and 15 min after reversal was significantly less with doxacurium (59 +/- 14% and 61 +/- 16%, respectively) than with either pancuronium (75 +/- 6% and 75 +/- 10%) or pipecuronium (76 +/- 9% for both).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia↗

Comparison of eltanolone and thiopental in anaesthesia for termination of pregnancy.

Eltanolone, a new steroid hypnotic, was compared to thiopental in short anaesthesia. Sixty unpremedicated, Asa 1-2 women were randomized to receive eltanolone 0.6 (group E1) or 0.8 mg.kg-1 (group E2) or thiopental 4 mg.kg-1 (group T) for induction of anaesthesia. One minute before induction glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg and alfentanil 15 micrograms.kg-1 i.v. were administered. If induction failed, additional boluses of the test drug were given. Anaesthesia was maintained with 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen, and additional bolus doses of the test drug were given in a standardized fashion, if needed. Recovery was assessed by a research nurse blinded to the agent used. Mean +/- s.d. induction doss were 0.7 +/- 0.1 mg.kg-1 (group E1), 0.8 +/- 0.1 mg.kg-1 (group E2) and 4.0 +/- 0.0 mg.kg-1 (group T). Induction time was prolonged in the group E1 compared to the other two groups (P < 0.05). Side effects were few in all groups, but involuntary muscle movements or hypertonus occurred in 23% of the patients in the eltanolone and in 3% in the thiopental groups (n.s). Early recovery (eye opening, orientation and sitting) was slower in both eltanolone groups compared to the thiopental group (P < 0.01). No differences between the groups were found in toleration of oral fluids, walking, voiding, postoperative analgesic requirements or postoperative nausea and vomiting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Induced↗