Diabetes mellitus and anaesthesia.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrinological problem encountered by an anaesthetist and its prevalence will increase greatly in the next decade. This review focuses on the relevance of a new classification and diagnostic criteria for diabetes and the results of the important UK prospective diabetes study group trial. Other key areas of interest are the acute treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2), the management of coronary heart disease and vascular reactivity in patients with diabetes.

Neostigmine reversal of vecuronium neuromuscular block and the influence of renal failure.

The duration of clinical relaxation induced by vecuronium and reversal by neostigmine was studied in 40 patients with renal failure (RF) and 40 patients with normal renal function (NL) under general anesthesia. Patients were premedicated with flunitrazepam, and anesthesia commenced with fentanyl 1-2 micrograms/kg, thiopental 5-8 mg/kg, and vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. Anesthesia was maintained with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen, isoflurane 0.3%-1.0% end-tidal concentration, and 1 microgram/kg fentanyl every 20-30 min. Neuromuscular block was reversed by the administration of intravenous neostigmine 40 mg/kg at the time of reappearance of either two or four responses to the train-of-four (TOF) stimulation. Monitoring of neuromuscular function consisted of supramaximal TOF stimulation of the ulnar nerve and the evoked thumb response was registered using a force transducer. Spontaneous recovery time, reversal time, and the time to recovery of TOF ratio to 0.7 were recorded. RF did not prolong the vecuronium neuromuscular blocking effect, reversal was achieved at the same rate in NL as in RF, and the duration of reversal of neuromuscular blocking effect of vecuronium was not influenced by the time of administration of neostigmine. Therefore, the neuromuscular blocking effect of a tracheal intubating dose of vecuronium can be reversed at the same rate in patients with end-stage RF as in patients with normal kidney function.

Comparison of duration of neuromuscular blocking effect of atracurium and vecuronium in young and elderly patients.

In a controlled, randomized study, we evaluated duration of neuromuscular block in 80 patients undergoing routine abdominal surgery. Forty patients were aged 18-50 yr (control group) and 40 patients were more than 65 yr (elderly group). All patients had normal plasma creatinine concentrations. After induction of anaesthesia, patients were allocated randomly to receive either atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1 or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg-1 to facilitate tracheal intubation. Monitoring of the evoked response of the adductor pollicis muscle to supramaximal single twitch ulnar nerve stimulation every 10 s was performed and measured with a strain gauge. Repeat doses of atracurium 0.1 mg kg-1 or vecuronium 0.02 mg kg-1 were administered when the adductor pollicis response recovered to 25% of the control twitch height. We found that the duration of action of the initial dose of atracurium was similar in the control and elderly groups, and it did not vary after repeated doses. However, the initial dose of vecuronium caused a significantly longer period of clinical block in the elderly group compared with the controls, and the duration of action of repeated doses was longer in the elderly group. We conclude that as there is a risk of prolonged effect of vecuronium in the elderly, monitoring of neuromuscular function is recommended in this group. Alternatively, atracurium should be preferred for prolonged surgery in elderly patients.

Comparison of the neuromuscular blocking effect of atracurium and vecuronium on the adductor pollicis and the geniohyoid muscle in humans.

BACKGROUND: Residual paralysis of suprahyoid muscles may occur when the adductor pollicis response has completely recovered after the administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent. The response of the geniohyoid muscle to intubating doses of muscle relaxants is evaluated and compared to that of adductor pollicis. METHODS: Sixteen patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were given 5-7 mg.kg-1 thiopental and 2 micrograms.kg-1 fentanyl intravenously for induction of anesthesia. Eight (half) patients then received 0.5 mg.kg-1 atracurium, and the other eight received 0.1 mg.kg-1 vecuronium. The evoked response (twitch height, TH) of the adductor pollicis was monitored by measuring the integrated electromyographic response (AP EMG) on one limb and the mechanical response, using a force transducer (AP force), on the other. The activity of geniohyoid muscle (GH EMG) was measured using submental percutaneous electrodes. The following variables were measured: maximal TH depression; onset time for neuromuscular blockade to 50%, 90%, and maximal TH depression (OT50, OT90, and OTmax); times between administration of neuromuscular blocking agent and TH recovery to 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% of control; and time for return of train-of-four ratio to return to 0.7. RESULTS: The principal findings were (1) OTmax was significantly (P < 0.01) shorter for geniohyoid than for adductor pollicis after either atracurium or vecuronium (OTmax was 216, 256, and 175 s for AP force, AP EMG, and GH EMG, with atracurium and 181, 199, and 144 s with vecuronium, respectively), and (2) the evoked EMG of geniohyoid recovered at the same speed as the EMG of adductor pollicis after an intubating dose of atracurium or vecuronium (recovery of TH to 75% of control at 50, 48, 42 min with AP force, AP EMG, and GH EMG with atracurium and 46, 45, and 42 min with vecuronium, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Once the adductor pollicis response has returned to normal values after a single intubating dose of atracurium or vecuronium, the risk of residual depression of the TH of the geniohyoid muscle, one of the principal muscles contributing to airway patency, appears unlikely.

Onset of neuromuscular block is the same if the ipsilateral or contralateral limb to the injection site is used for monitoring.

We studied 40 healthy adult patients undergoing elective surgery who were premedicated with flunitrazepam. Before induction of anaesthesia, one of the upper limbs was cannulated and an i.v. infusion of 0.9% saline commenced. Patients were given fentanyl and thiopentone for induction of anaesthesia and then 50% (20 patients) received atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1 and the other 50% vecuronium 0.1 mg kg-1. Neuromuscular block (maximum degree of depression of the elicited first twitch and the onset time of depression of twitch height to 50%, 90% and 100% of control) and skin temperature (at the thenar eminence) were monitored in both the limb with the i.v. infusion and the non-cannulated upper limb. There was no difference in onset time and degree of neuromuscular block between the two upper limbs. Skin temperature was not significantly different between the two upper limbs. We conclude that each upper limb, irrespective of whether an i.v. infusion is in progress, may be used for monitoring onset of neuromuscular block.

A simple method for the maintenance of oxygen saturation following intravenous induction of anaesthesia with propofol.

One hundred unpremedicated fit adult patients having elective minor day-stay surgery and general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to one of two groups. During 30 s of intravenous propofol administration (2.5 mg.kg-1), study group patients (n = 50) were instructed to take three vital capacity breaths of room air, whilst control group patients (n = 50) were given no specific instructions. Pulse oximetry was continuously recorded over the next 5 min and the lowest oxygen saturation was noted. Pre-induction oxygen saturation was the same for both groups, but the lowest median oxygen saturation in the study group patients was 94% versus 88% in the control group patients (p < 0.001). Oxygen saturation returned to the pre-induction value significantly earlier in the study group patients compared with controls (97 s vs 135 s, p < 0.01). These results demonstrate that significant desaturation occurs in patients following intravenous induction of anaesthesia with propofol. This desaturation may be attenuated by asking patients to take three vital capacity breaths of room air during induction of anaesthesia.

Diamorphine-bupivacaine mixture compared with plain bupivacaine for analgesia.

We have studied the efficacy of two extradural infusions (10 ml h-1) in 50 patients in active labour. Patients in the diamorphine group (n = 25) received 0.0625% plain bupivacaine 6.25 mg h-1 mixed with 0.005% diamorphine 0.5 mg h-1 and those in the control group (n = 25) received 0.125% plain bupivacaine 12.5 mg h-1. Both groups received intermittent "top-ups" of 0.25% bupivacaine 10 ml when indicated. Although median pain scores during the infusion were similar in both groups, patients in the diamorphine group indicated greater satisfaction with the infusion (88% very satisfied, compared with 52% in the control group (P < 0.02)). There were no differences in the incidence of hypotension, instrumental vaginal delivery, number of "top-ups", duration of the second stage or extent of motor block. However, patients in the diamorphine group had a high incidence of pruritus (44%, compared with 0% in the control group (P < 0.01)).

Anaesthesia: cheap at twice the price? Staff awareness, cost comparisons and recommendations for economic savings.

We questioned 50 anaesthetic staff about the costs of consumables used in routine anaesthetic practice. By means of a questionnaire staff were asked for estimates of the cost of 28 drugs, fluids and disposables. The responses were more accurate than in previous surveys; 47% of all the estimated costs were within 50% of the actual costs and 75% were within 100%. The costs of relatively expensive items such as blood, laryngeal mask airways, enflurane and isoflurane were consistently underestimated whereas cheaper items such as disposable syringes and electrocardiograph electrodes were consistently overestimated. Using 'state of the art' consumables, an hour-long anaesthetic in 1992 cost 14.02 pounds compared with 1.24 pounds in 1959. However, allowing for inflation, the cost today is actually equivalent to the cost in 1959. Since 1980 there has been no consistent pattern in drug prices, with some prices remaining the same, others falling and some increasing; all are, however, cheaper in real terms. It is possible to make substantial savings by using the more expensive drugs judiciously and by encouraging the use of low-flow, closed-circuit anaesthetic systems.

Zingiber officinale (ginger)--an antiemetic for day case surgery.

The effect of powdered ginger root was compared with metoclopramide and placebo. In a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was measured in 120 women presenting for elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery on a day stay basis. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was similar in patients given metoclopramide and ginger (27% and 21%) and less than in those who received placebo (41%). The requirement for postoperative antiemetics was lower in those patients receiving ginger. The requirements for postoperative analgesia, recovery time and time until discharge were the same in all groups. There was no difference in the incidence of possible side effects such as sedation, abnormal movement, itch and visual disturbance between the three groups. Zingiber officinale is an effective and promising prophylactic antiemetic, which may be especially useful for day case surgery.

Zingiber officinale does not affect gastric emptying rate. A randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

The effect of the powdered rhizome of Zingiber officinale (ginger root) on the gastric emptying rate was investigated. In a double-blind crossover trial, 16 healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to receive either 1 g of ginger or placebo. Gastric emptying was measured using the oral paracetamol absorption model. Ingestion of ginger did not effect gastric emptying. The antiemetic effect of ginger is not associated with an effect on gastric emptying. No adverse effects were noted.

A D-glucose-sensitive cytochalasin B binding component of cerebral microvessels.

The technique of photoaffinity labelling with [4-3H]cytochalasin B was applied to osmotically lysed cerebral microvessels isolated from sheep brain. Cytochalasin B was photo-incorporated into a membrane protein of average apparent Mr 53,000. Incorporation of cytochalasin B was inhibited by D-glucose, but not by L-glucose, which strongly suggests that the labelled protein is, or is a component of, the glucose transporter of the blood-brain barrier. Investigation of noncovalent [4-3H]cytochalasin B binding to cerebral microvessels by equilibrium dialysis indicated the presence of a single set of high-affinity binding sites with an association constant of 9.8 +/- 1.7 (SE) microM-1. This noncovalent binding was inhibited by D-glucose, with a Ki of 23 mM. These results provide preliminary identification of the glucose transporter of the ovine blood-brain barrier, and reveal both structural and functional similarities to the glucose transport protein of the human erythrocyte.