We studied the haemodynamic changes induced by pneumoperitoneum (PP) in elderly patients with increased cardiac risk (ASA class III; n = 10; age 72.3 ± 8.8 years, mean±SD, P < 0.05; group 2) and compared the results with patients at normal risk (ASA class I, II; n = 12; age 55.6 ± 11.8 years; group 1). Thermodilution measurements were performed after induction of general anaesthesia (T1), after onset of PP (T2, intraabdominal pressure 14 mmHg) and after additional 15° head-up tilt (T3). In both groups PP, as compared with T1, induced a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg, group 1:77 ± 14 to 96 ± 18, P < 0.05/group 2:75 ± 10 to 102 ± 18, P < 0.01), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP, mmHg: 15 ± 5 to 22 ± 4, P < 0.01/18 ± 3 to 25 ± 5, P < 0.01), central venous pressure (CVP, mmHg: 7 ± 2 to 15 ± 3, P < 0.01/7 ± 2 to 12 ± 2, P < 0.01), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP, mmHg: 9 ± 4 to 16.3, P < 0.01/8 ± 2 to 15 ± 6, P < 0.01) and in systemic vascular resistance (SVR, dynes s cm−5: 1415 ± 375 to 1873 ± 412, P < 0.01/1502 ± 360 to 2067 ± 647, P < 0.01). Cardiac index (CI, L min−1 m−2: 2.3 ± 0.3 to 1.9 ± 0.3, P < 0.05/2.2 ± 0.4 to 2.2 ± 0.5 P = 0.76) and oxygen delivery index (DO2I, mL min−1 m−2: 388 ± 54 to 324 ± 61, P < 0.05/358 ± 69 to 353 ± 82, P = 0.77) decreased in group 1 but not in group 2. Heart rate, stroke index, pulmonary vascular resistance, arteriovenous oxygen content difference and oxygen consumption index were unchanged. After head-up tilt MAP (mmHg, 92 ± 15, P < 0.05/101 ± 17, P < 0.01), MPAP (mmHg, 20 ± 3, P < 0.01/22 ± 4, P < 0.05), CVP (mmHg, 12 ± 2, P < 0.01/10 ± 2, P& lt; 0.01) and PCWP (mmHg, 12 ± 3, P < 0.05/12 ± 5, P < 0.05) remained elevated compared with T1 in both groups, SVR (dynes s cm−5, 1575 ± 372, P = 0.13/1793 ± 528, P < 0.01) in group 2 only. No complications occurred. The results indicate that PP is associated with significant but relatively benign haemodynamic changes. Anaesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be performed safely also in elderly ASA class III patients with increased cardiac risk. An adequate haemoto dynamic monitoring is recommended.

The most common indication for employing the fibreoptic technique for intubation is when a difficult intubation is anticipated. It may also be used when intubation unexpectedly proves difficult with a rigid laryngoscope in anaesthetized patients. However, failures with orotracheal fibreoptic intubation have been reported in up to 9.5% of cases, although only two possible equipment related causes of intubation difficulties have been identified. The Berman intubating airway and the Ovassapian intubation airway in fibreoptic orotracheal intubation have been compared in 65 patients. The study was randomized and for fibreoptic endoscopy each patient served as his or her own control. The results indicate that both airways can be used for orotracheal fibreoptic intubation in anaesthetized patients. The Berman airway offers easier visualization of the vocal cords than the Ovassapian airway, provided that the Berman airway is of an adequate size and positioned in the midline. Upon impingement of the intubation tube, completing the tracheal intubation is more difficult with the Berman airway than the Ovassapian airway.

A prospective survey was conducted among an aesthesiologists to determine their criteria for excluding a patient from autologous blood donation prior to total hip prosthesis. Information on patients operated on during a 5-week period was obtained using a questionnaire, consisting of a set of possible responses to simple questions, matched with some parametric values. Sixty-eight of the 99 patients included in the survey underwent surgery without donation. Age was the main cause for exclusion (34%). The age of patients excluded because of their age alone was 75 ± 11 years (standard deviation). The age of patients excluded from donation and who did not subsequently receive homologous blood was comparable with that of patients not autotransfused but who received homologous blood (68 ± 4 vs. 69 ± 6 years, respectively). Post-operative haemoglobin concentrations were similar whether transfusion was performed or not, and regardless of the origin of blood given. Since age is no longer taken into consideration at the time of transfusion, it is likely that exclusion of a patient from autologous blood donation because of age is an arbitrary choice.

We have assessed prospectively the time to readiness for surgery following axillary block (sum of block performance and latency times) in 80 patients. The brachial plexus was identified using a nerve stimulator, and anaesthetized with 45 mL of mepivacaine 1% with adrenaline 5 μgmL−1. In group 1 (single injection) the whole volume of mepivacaine was injected after locating only one of the plexus nerves. In group 2 (multiple injections) at least three plexus nerves were located, and the volume of mepivacaine was divided between them. Sensory block was assessed by a blinded observer every 10 min. Patchy analgesia was supplemented after electrolocating the unblocked nerves after 20, 30 or 40 min. The patient was pronounced ready for surgery when analgesia was present in all areas to be operated upon, which always included the three nerves to the hand. The single injection technique required less time for block performance (mean 5.5 min) than multiple injections (mean 9.5 min), P < 0.0001. However, latency of the block was longer and the requirement for supplemental nerve blocks was greater, after single injections (33 min and 57%) than after multiple injections (15.5 min and 7%, respectively), P < 0.0001. As a result, readiness for surgery was achieved faster in group 2 (25 min), than in group 1 (38.5 min), p < 0.0001. After supplementation, block effectiveness was 100% in group 1 and 98% in group 2 (NS). The frequency of adverse effects (vessel puncture or paraesthesia) was similar in both groups. No neurological sequelae were observed.We conclude that the multiple injection technique takes longer to perform than single injection, but that readiness for surgery is faster because of shorter block latency and better spread of analgesia.

Peri-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), remain a considerable problem. Ondansetron is being promoted currently as the drug of choice for the prevention and treatment of PONV. Experiments to investigate efficacy of ondansetron in PONV have been made with placebo or single doses of other drugs, e.g. metoclopramide, and often with different anaesthetic regimes with different emetic potential. This study investigated the relative benefits, in the prevention of PONV, of ondansetron compared with metoclopramide used at a dose higher than used in previous studies. Ninety-six patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery were randomized to receive either ondansetron 4 mg or metoclopramide 0.4 mg kg−1. The patients were then assessed in the recovery room, in the day ward prior to discharge and the following day for the occurrence of PONV. Emetic symptoms occurred in similar proportions of patients who received ondansetron and metoclopramide. Nausea scores were similar between the groups in the recovery ward and 24-h follow-ups but there were higher post-operative nausea scores in the ondansetron group in the day ward (P = 0.001). There were no significant side effects due to either drug. We conclude that moderate dose metoclopramide is an effective alternative to ondansetron in the control of PONV.

Forty-three ASA Grade I patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery received at random either 25% or 50% inspired oxygen for intra-operative mechanical ventilation lasting 4–6 h. Pulse oximetry was monitored continuously. Venous admixture was assessed from the PaO2/FIO2 ratio and was measured twice intra-operatively: at the time of incision, and during surgical wound closure. PaO2 was measured 1 h after extubation having breathed room air for 10 min, if tolerated. The patients in the two groups were similar in regard to general characteristics, and had similar operations. Patients given oxygen 50% had operations that lasted longer, which made the trial more sensitive. The inspired oxygen did not affect pulmonary gas exchange either within each group or between groups under the conditions of the study. In no patient did pulse oximetry record an oxygen saturation below 95% intra-operatively.

The effect of the addition of clonidine 2 μg kg−1 to prilocaine 0.57% for intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) in the arm was investigated in 56 healthy patients using a randomized, double-blind study. The characteristics of the sensory and motor block, quality of analgesia, development of post-operative pain sensations and haemodynamic variables were studied in three groups (IVRA with prilocaine, IVRA with prilocaine and clonidine, IVRA with prilocaine and systemic application of clonidine at tourniquet release). There were no significant differences between the groups concerning the onset and recovery characteristics of sensory and motor blockade, post-operative pain or side effects. In those patients receiving clonidine, mean arterial pressure decreased significantly (24–28%, respectively) after tourniquet release, while heart rate remained unchanged. Clonidine as an adjunct to prilocaine seems to be of limited benefit during and after intravenous regional anaesthesia.

Ketamine has been considered to be contraindicated for schizophrenic patients because it may induce psychological emergence reactions and psychiatric deterioration. Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with ketamine combined with droperidol and fentanyl (DFK) has been used in 14 schizophrenic patients undergoing various surgical procedures. Two patients died post-operatively of concomitant severe disease rather than from schizophrenia related pathophysiology or anaesthetic complication. One patient showed transient mild anxiety in the early post-operative period soon relieved by the patient's routine medication. However, no patient developed exacerbations of psychosis or psychological emergence reactions during the first post-operative month. The cardiovascular state during and after DFK remained stable in all cases. It is concluded that ketamine when combined with droperidol and fentanyl is a satisfactory anaesthetic for patients with schizophrenia.

Ninety patients undergoing scheduled upper limb orthopaedic surgery were studied to determine the optimal anaesthetic dose using the ‘orthogonal two-needle technique’. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups to receive one of three different volumes (20, 30 and 40mL) (n = 30) of anaesthetic solution (a mixture of equal parts of 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline 1:200 000 and 2% lignocaine). A significant correlation was found between the volume injected and the anaesthetic spread for all tested areas. A better analgesic spread to all the major branches of the plexus was obtained when increased volumes of anaesthetic solution were injected. The comparisons between the 20 mL group and the other two groups are significant in all the tested areas, as well as the comparisons between 30 and 40 mL groups in the areas innervated by radial and musculo-cutaneous nerves. Only the area innervated by the axillary nerve showed a weaker volume-analgesia relation, confirming the elusiveness of this area to anaesthesia in the axillary approaches. The improved results observed using greater amounts of anaesthetic solution might result from a higher intrasheath pressure with disruption of sheath septa, or from a greater availability of drug for all the terminal branches of brachial plexus, or both.

One hundred and thirty-seven patients were studied to assess whether the timing of a dose of ketorolac affected cumulative morphine requirements during the first 12 post-operative hours. Pain, sedation and nausea scores, respiratory rate and degree of operative blood loss were also recorded. Thirty-six patients (group A) were given placebo injections pre- and intra-operatively. Thirty-one patients (group B) received placebo pre-operatively and ketorolac 30 mg intra-operatively. Thirty-six patients (group C) received ketorolac 10 mg pre-operatively and ketorolac 20 mg intra-operatively and thirty-four patients (group D) were given ketorolac 30 mg pre-operatively and placebo intra-operatively. Post-operative analgesia was with intravenous (i.v.) morphine administered using a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in morphine consumption at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 h post-operatively (P < 0.05) between group A (no ketorolac) and groups B, C and D (ketorolac). However, there were no significant differences between groups B, C and D during the study period. Thus, the timing of ketorolac administration made no difference to overall morphine consumption. Pain, nausea, sedation and respiratory rate scores were similar in all four groups. There was a significantly greater blood loss in patients receiving ketorolac (groups B, C and D) compared with those receiving placebo alone (group A).

Desflurane has been reported to cause tachycardia and hypertension during induction of anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of desflurane on cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in a setting that closely resembled usual clinical practice. In two groups (n = 9 in each) ASA Grade I or II patients, anaesthesia was induced with etomidate and vecuronium intravenously (i.v.), sufentanil (0.3 μg kg−1 i.v.) was added in the second group. Patients were ventilated by facemask for 2 min before desflurane was administered in steps of 0.5 MAC min−1 until 1.5 MAC was reached and maintained for 7 min. Haemodynamic variables and CBF velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were monitored throughout the study period. In group 1 heart rate increased to 108 ± 2 b.p.m. (37% increase) whereas MAP increased to 114 ± 6 mmHg after administration of desflurane (33% increase). CBF velocity increased to 86 ± 7 cm s−1 (69% increase). In group 2 no significant changes in systemic haemodynamic responses were measured after desflurane administration; however, CBF velocity increased to 73 ± 5 cm s−1 (59% increase). The results indicate that desflurane increases CBF velocity concurrently with induction of tachycardia and hypertension. Although sufentanil and N2O attenuate the systemic haemodynamic alterations caused by desflurane, the CBF velocity increases. These data suggest that the abrupt addition of desflurane may have adverse consequences in patients at risk for intracranial hypertension.

Nausea and vomiting remain unpleasant side effects of intrathecal (i.t.) morphine and of the numerous therapies tried, only prophylactic intravenous (i.v.) metoclopramide has been reported to be promising. Seventy-three patients, scheduled for orthopaedic prosthesis surgery of the hip or knee were studied. They received 4mL of plain bupivacaine and 0.3 mg of preservative-free morphine i.t. for anaesthesia. The test drugs given in a double-blind and randomized fashion, were either metoclopramide 20 mg, three times, at 6 h intervals (23 patients), ondansetron, 8 mg, twice, at 12 h intervals (25 patients), or 0.9% saline three times, at 6 h intervals (25 patients). The occurrence of nausea, vomiting and pain was followed for 24 h. The incidences of nausea and vomiting were 60% (15/l25) and 56% (14/25) in the saline group, 52% (12/23) and 48% (11/23) in the metoclopramide group, and 52% (13/25) and 40% (10/25) in the ondansetron group. Incidences of severe vomiting were 24, 35 and 12%, respectively. Eight patients in the saline group, seven in the metoclopramide and 10 in the ondansetron group did not need additional opioids for post-operative pain relief. We conclude that, metoclopramide and ondansetron were not better than saline in the prevention of post-operative emesis induced by intrathecal morphine.

Topical anaesthesia of the trachea is used to avoid coughing during emergence from anaesthesia. This study was designed to compare the effects of an alkalinized lignocaine and plain lignocaine solution given intratracheally. After institutional approval and written informed consent, 30 patients were randomized into three groups and received in a double-blind fashion: lignocaine, alkalinized lignocaine and normal saline for control. After application of normal or alkalinized lignocaine the tolerance to the tube was significantly better during extubation (P = 0.001). Noradrenaline levels were significantly diminished in the lignocaine groups (P < 0.05). Plain and alkalinized lignocaine solutions for topical anaesthesia significantly improved tolerance to the tracheal tube during emergence from anaesthesia. Plain and alkalinized lignocaine given directly before intubation reduced the sympathomimetic stress response resulting in a lower noradrenaline concentration and a reduced heart rate.

A report is made of respiratory complications which occurred following the insertion of Palacos bone cement during Howse total hip replacement under spinal anaesthesia in a 78-year-old female patient. Persistent cough and tachypnoea developed 30 s after the insertion of bone cement into the acetabulum and femur and persisted for 2–3 min producing considerable passive movement of the pelvis and femur. The probable cause, disadvantages and prevention of these complications are discussed.

Reports about post-operative infections associated with the use of propofol prompted us to investigate the in-use contamination of lipid-formulated intravenous (i.v.) anaesthetics used for general anaesthesia or for sedation of intensive care patients in this department. The level and incidence of extrinsic contamination of propofol (‘Diprivan’) and of another intravenous anaesthetic, etomidate, formulated in lipid solution (‘Etomidat-lipuro’) was found to be low during two study periods. However, the need to observe strict aseptic precautions in handling these intravenous drugs must be emphasized.

The number of protocol-eligible patients, refusing to participate in a clinical trial is often not mentioned. The aim of this study is to report the number of refusers and to evaluate the reasons for not participating in a clinical study concerning post-operative pain relief and to assess the potential influence on the final study results. Patients refusing to participate in the study were recorded and evaluated for reasons of refusal. The post-operative pain relief techniques applied in this trial are commonly used, but nevertheless the refusal rate was higher than expected. When it was mentioned that an epidural technique was a part of the trial, 16.7% of the total protocol-eligible group refused. The responses of those offered an epidural could be divided into two groups: the adamant pros and cons to this technique. It can be concluded that in order to be able to judge the validity of results and thus for good clinical practice, the number of patients refusing to participate in a clinical trial and their reasons, should be mentioned in all publications.

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of lignocaine biotransformation into monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and conventional liver function tests in the early post-operative period as an indicator of graft function and as a diagnostic tool for complications after hepatic transplantation. Monoethylglycinexylidide formation, plasma bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine amino- transferase (ALAT), factor V index (FVI) and prothrombin time index (PTI) were measured in 71 patients undergoing 80 liver transplantations respectively at 12 (T1), 24 (T2), 48 (T3) and 72 h (T4) after liver graft revascularization. Patients were divided into two group according to the post-operative outcome. Patients with favourable outcome (n = 59) had significantly higher monoethylglycinexylidide synthesis, higher factor V index and prothrombin time index plasma concentrations, lower bilirubin, ASAT and ALAT plasma concentration (P < 0.0001 at T2 and T3) than those with complicated time course (n = 21). Monoethylglycinexylidide synthesis was the best discriminant of a favourable outcome, whereas bilirubin and ALAT concentrations were associated with complications (bilirubin for primary non function [PNF], ALAT for acute rejection). Thus, the combination of parameters at T2 was a very efficient predictor of primary non function, acute rejection and an uncomplicated time course.