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Sixty-four ASA 1 and 2 infants between the ages of 44 weeks postconceptual age and one year presenting for routine, elective surgery were randomly anaesthetized with either 3% halothane in oxygen (Group H) or 5% isoflurane in oxygen (Group I). Patients in Group I took a mean (SD) time of 70.1(13.6) s to loss of eyelash reflex and 80.0 (13.5) s to tolerating the face mask, compared with 80.2 (17.7) s and 93.4 (20.5) s in Group H (P=0.028 and 0.0072, respectively). There were no significant differences between the groups for preinduction or induction state, lowest oxygen saturation, or the incidence of airway related complications or interventions. This study demonstrates that 5% isoflurane in oxygen induces anaesthesia in infants more quickly than 3% halothane in oxygen, without any increase in the incidence or severity of airway-related complications.

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This study compared the quality of anaesthesia and surgical access afforded by two techniques for the administration of anaesthesia during paediatric chair dental procedures. A total of 50 ASA 1 paediatric day case patients were randomly assigned to receive anaesthesia through either the traditional Goldman nasal mask or through a nasopharyngeal airway. Patients in the nasal mask group were judged to have significantly worse airway patency (p = 0.0001) and significantly more episodes of airway obstruction (14 vs. 4; p = 0.0032) than those in the nasopharyngeal airway group. Anaesthetic, surgical and oxygen saturation data did not differ significantly between the two groups. Operating conditions were universally graded as excellent in the nasopharyngeal airway group, while those in the nasal mask group were graded as excellent/good in only 79% of cases (p < 0.0001). These results suggest that better quality anaesthesia and operating conditions can be achieved by using a nasopharyngeal airway rather than the traditional nasal mask for the administration of anaesthesia to paediatric chair dental patients.

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A 15-year old girl underwent a posterior spinal fusion procedure for severe lordoscoliosis. On turning to the prone position acute posture-related upper airway obstruction occurred. During surgery, manipulation of the spine caused several episodes of loss of cardiac output. Retrospective assessment of the pre-operative chest X rays demonstrated approximation of the sternum and thoracic vertebrae, with evidence of tracheal narrowing at the level of the thoracic inlet. We feel that both complications were directly related to the severity of the lordoscoliosis and that careful pre-operative clinical, spirometric and X ray assessment should be undertaken in such patients.

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The effect of the addition of a single dose of 7 micrograms.kg-1 of alfentanil to a propofol/enflurane anaesthetic on the quality of anaesthesia and recovery was assessed. A total of 53 ASA grade 1 or 2 patients who underwent daycase dental surgery were allocated randomly to receive either alfentanil or saline. The study was blinded so that neither the anaesthetist nor the assessor was aware of which solution had been given. Patients in the alfentanil group took significantly longer to recommence spontaneous ventilation (p = 0.035). Both techniques provided good quality of anaesthesia. Postoperative morbidity was common (45% of patients), but there was no difference between the groups. The rate of recovery was similar in the two groups and no patient required hospital admission after the final assessment at 3 h. Drowsiness was only mild to moderate in both groups at 24 h. A single dose of alfentanil can be administered safely as part of a daycase anaesthetic without increasing morbidity, although there appears to be little advantage in doing so.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine what change in respiratory function occurred following prolonged and efficient continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration (CAVH) in a group of patients with multiple organ systems failure (MOSF). DESIGN: A retrospective assessment using patient notes and ICU charts. SETTING: The Intensive Care Unit of a large University Teaching Hospital. PATIENTS: All ICU patients satisfying the following criteria: (i) Failure of more than one organ system; (ii) Treatment with CAVH; (iii) Removal of more than 10 l of ultrafiltrate per day; (iv) Continuous haemofiltration for at least 5 days. Thirteen patients satisfied these criteria and 14 episodes of CAVH were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS: All data were recorded from the patient notes and ICU charts apart from the A-aDO2 and PaO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio which were calculated from available values. A mean of 3.5 different organ systems failed during the period of stay. The mean daily ultrafiltrate volume obtained was 23.7 (SD 0.95) l and the mean duration of treatment 9.6 (SD 4.3) days. Significant improvements occurred in the values for the PF ratio and ventilatory modality (p < 0.05), and the FiO2 and A-aDO2 (p = 0.001). The mean PEEP value remained unchanged at 4.8 cmH2O. Ten of the 13 patients subsequently died (77% mortality). CONCLUSIONS: A significant improvement in respiratory function occurred in patients with MOSF who had undergone a prolonged period of intensive CAVH. Haemofiltration may therefore be a useful treatment for respiratory failure in this patient group. Unfortunately the overall mortality of the group remained high.

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