We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing droperidol 1.25 mg intravenously (i.v.) (group 1, n = 30), ondansetron 4 mg i.v. (group 2, n = 30), or both (group 3, n = 30) in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the first 24 h following major gynaecological procedures under combined general and epidural anaesthesia. PONV was analysed by a linear nausea/vomiting score, incidence of nausea and vomiting, and the need for antiemetic rescue. Our results showed a similar incidence of nausea and vomiting in all groups (G1 33%, G2 40%, G3 43%). However, when comparisons were made according to the time of assessment, combination therapy resulted in significantly lower PONV than droperidol in the first hour (0% vs. 13%, P < 0.05) and second hour (0% vs. 13%, P < 0.05), and than ondansetron on the first hour (0% vs. 13%, P < 0.05). A trend persisted up to the fourth hour but was not statistically significant in either group. In conclusion, droperidol and ondansetron are effective agents in the prevention of PONV, and their combination seems to provide slightly better results than either drug alone.

Summary

Background and objective: A multicentre study was conducted to compare three methods of inhalation induction with sevoflurane in adult premedicated patients.

Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty-five adult patients of ASA I–II were scheduled for short elective surgical procedures (<90 min) under general anaesthesia with spontaneous ventilation of the lungs via a laryngeal mask airway. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: conventional stepwise inhalation induction group (Group C) or vital capacity rapid inhalation induction groups at 4.5% (Group VC4.5) or at 8% sevoflurane (Group VC8). Before anaesthetic induction, fentanyl 1 μg kg−1 was given and the face mask applied with the anaesthetic breathing system primed with sevoflurane 4.5% or 8% in the respective vital capacity groups. Loss of eyelash reflex, time to cessation of finger tapping, laryngeal mask insertion, side-effects and adequacy of induction were recorded.

Results: The time to loss of eyelash reflex was significantly shorter in both vital capacity groups vs. the control group: VC8: 68 ± 7 s; and VC4.5: 94 ± 6.5 s vs. C: 118 ± 6.4 s (P < 0.0001). Significant differences were found in all pairwise comparisons for time to cessation of tapping: Group VC8 (62 ± 7 s), Group VC4.5 (85 ± 6 s) and Group C (116 ± 6 s; P < 0.0001). The time to laryngeal mask insertion was significantly shorter in the Group VC8 (176 ± 13 s) compared with the other two groups, Group VC4.5 (219 ± 13 s) and Group C (216 ± 9 s). There were no significant differences in the incidence of side-effects between the three groups.

Conclusions: Inhalation induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane with the three techniques tested is safe, reliable and well accepted by the patients. The vital capacity rapid inhalation group primed with sevoflurane 8% was the fastest method with no relevant side-effects.

Background and aim Compound A generation and accumulation in sevoflurane anaesthesia is dependent on fresh gas flow. We investigated the extent of generation of compound A.

Methods After Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, patients with normal renal function were randomized to receive either sevoflurane (n = 33) or isoflurane (n = 43) minimal flow anaesthesia (0.5 L min−1) for at least 2 h under standardized conditions. Compound A concentrations were quantified and blood and urine samples were taken to assess renal involvement. Both groups were comparable.

Results No significant differences concerning blood chemistry and urine measurements were found. The maximum mean compound A concentration was observed 90 min after flow reduction being 40±9p.p.m. at a corresponding mean sevoflurane concentration of 2.1 ±0.5 vol%. Mean inspiratory compound A exposure was 102±l33p.p.mh−1.

Conclusion Compound A concentrations using 0.5 L min−1 fresh gas flow and a heated absorber were higher than previously published values using an inflow of 1 Lmin−1. Compound A exposure was similar to other clinical studies which did not show changes in renal and hepatic function.

The elimination of procalcitonin and the course of plasma concentrations during continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration were measured in patients with sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, because these patients are a main target group for the measurement of procalcitonin and often require renal replacement therapy. Procalcitonin was measured in the prefilter plasma and the filtrate at 5 min, 15 min and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h after set-up of continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration. In a prospective study, 19 patients with plasma levels of procalcitonin >3ng mL−1 and acute oliguric renal failure treated with continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration using a polysulphone membrane, were evaluated for the study of clearance. Twenty-one control patients (procalcitonin <2ng mL−1) were studied to determine whether filtration itself induced a procalcitonin response. No interventions were required. In patients with low procalcitonin concentrations (procalcitonin <2ng mL−1) continuous veno-venous haemodiafltration did not cause a rise in procalcitonin. In patients with increased procalcitonin plasma concentrations (>3ng mL−1), the protein was removed through the polysulphone membrane, with a final clearance of 4 mL min−1 after the initial adsorption period (clearance 0.4–0.9mL min−1 during the first hour of continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration). Thus, on the average, approximately 10% of plasma concentrations were measurable in the filtrate ultimately. However, procalcitonin plasma levels were not significantly altered during continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration (86% of the initial concentration after 24 h). Although procalcitonin is removed from the plasma during continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration in measurable amounts plasma procalcitonin concentrations did not change significantly during haemodiafiltration. Procalcitonin thus can also be used as a diagnostic parameter in patients undergoing continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration.

The cuffed oropharyngeal airway is a modified Guedel airway and is recommended for anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing patients. To our knowledge this is the first report of transient unilateral lingual nerve palsy after the use of a cuffed oropharyngeal airway to maintain anaesthesia during arthroscopy of an ankle. The aetiology of lingual nerve damage is multi-factorial. The possible mechanisms involved include anterior displacement of the mandible during insertion of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (as in the jaw hrust manoeuvre), compression of the nerve against the mandible, or stretching of the nerve over the hyoglossus by the cuff of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway. We recommend gentle airway manipulation with the use of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway, avoidance of excessive cuff inflation and early recognition of such a complication if it occurs.

A 45-year-old man with cryptorchism, who was known to suffer from generalized myasthenia gravis, was admitted to hospital for surgical treatment using laparoscopy. Such minimally invasive surgery requires good muscle relaxation. However, the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in patients with myasthenia gravis may lead to prolonged apnoea after operation, thus necessitating mechanical ventilation of the lungs. We used a combination of general anaesthesia (with desflurane), and epidural anaesthesia (with the amide local anaesthetic ropivacaine) to obtain excellent abdominal relaxation during surgery. Tracheal extubation was possible immediately after the operation and no adverse effects were observed. The patient was discharged from hospital on the second day after operation. The combination of regional and general anaesthesia for minimally invasive surgery in this patient permitted safe anaesthetic management.

The post-operative anti-emetic efficacy of 4 and 8 mg of ondansetron in adult patients with and without a previous history of motion sickness (PHMS) was assessed by meta-analysis. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the anti-emetic effectiveness of ondansetron in a 24-h period. In the 49 studies found, a further selection was with respect to those studies that noted the patient's previous history of motion sickness. Twelve trials involving 2122 patients; 446 previous history of motion sickness(+)patients and 1676 previous history of motion sickness(−) patients met the selection criteria. The dose of 4 mg ondansetron was 71.5% more effective in previous history of motion sickness(+) than in previous history of motion sickness(−) patients. For the 8 mg dose, the odds ratios (95% CI) were: previous history of motion sickness(+)=3.11 (1.40–6.93) and previous history of motion sickness(−)=2.08 (1.35–3.21). The calculated number needed to treat was also more favourable in previous history of motion sickness(+) patients for both doses of ondansetron,demonstrating a higher effectiveness in this subgroup of patients.

Background and objective: The intravenous anaesthetic propofol may become contaminated once the ampoules have been opened. The effect of lidocaine and cooling was tested on the bacterial contamination of propofol.

Methods: The study was performed in two parts. In Part 1, 1920 aliquots of propofol alone, and of a propofol-lidocaine mixture, were drawn into sterile syringes and stored at room temperature (24–26°C) or in the refrigerator (12–14°C). In Part 2, 1200 aliquots from opened ampoules of propofol alone, or as a propofol-lidocaine mixture, were stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Samples were aerobically cultured at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h.

Results: In Part 1, diphtheroid bacillus was isolated from one aliquot (0.06%). In Part 2, there was bacterial growth in both groups; the number of contaminated ampoules increased with time and it was 20–26% at 12 h. Diphtheroid bacilli and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequent micro-organisms.

Conclusions: When propofol is stored in opened ampoules, the bacterial contamination rate is high. Adding lidocaine, or storing opened ampoules at 12–14°C, does not affect the contamination rate, except during the first few hours. It is advisable to draw propofol aseptically into a syringe in an amount that can be used during one procedure.

Summary

Background and objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg mL−1 via epidural for analgesia in labour.

Methods: In a randomized study, 80 nulliparous parturients in labour had epidural analgesia initiated with 0.2% ropivacaine and fentanyl and were then randomized to receive either 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg mL−1 at 10 mL h−1 (Group R1, n = 38) or 0.2% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg mL−1 at 8 ml h−1 (Group R2, n = 39) as epidural infusions. Supplementary analgesia was provided on request with ropivacaine 0.2% 5 mL as an epidural bolus.

Results: There were no significant differences between the visual analogue pain scores either with respect to motor block or sensory block. The amount of local anaesthetic used was lower in the 0.1% ropivacaine group than in the 0.2% ropivacaine group (P = 0.001). Side-effects, patient satisfaction, labour outcome and neonatal outcomes were similar in both groups.

Conclusions: An epidural infusion of 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg mL−1 at 10 mL h−1 provided adequate analgesia in the first stage of labour. The level of analgesia was similar to that obtained using 0.2% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg mL−1 and with no differences with regard to motor or sensory block.

The incidence of bacterial colonization of central venous catheters using a standard polyurethane catheter was compared with that using an antiseptic (silver sulphadiazine and chlorhexidine) impregnated catheter in a group of patients with thoracic organ transplantation. Colonization was reduced from 25 of 35 standard catheters to 10 of 44 study catheters (P < 0.002), a 68 % reduction. Similarly, the incidence of concomitant infection, by the same organism at another site was reduced from 10 of 35 standard catheters to 4 of 44 study catheters (P < 0.03), a 63% reduction.