[Data and quality assurance tools from a new cardiac center in Denmark]. / Data samt kvalitetsstyringsredskab fra et nyt hjertecenter i Danmark.

Open heart surgery was established at Aalborg Hospital in 1992. In the time period March to December 1992 cardiac anaesthesia was administered in 98 operations utilizing extracorporeal circulation and cardiopulmonary bypass. Mortality in coronary artery surgery was 1.6%. All patients were prospectively registered using a new dataform allowing registration of 228 patients related variables concerning preoperative status, course of anaesthesia and perfusion, surgery and postoperative intensive care. Quality assurance in cardiac surgery requires risk factor analysis, and registration of numerous data is a necessary tool. The software for our database system has been developed and programmed using the database programme dBASE IV from the Ashton/Tate Corporation.

[The laryngeal mask. An anesthesiological reevaluation]. / Larynxmasken. En anaestesiologisk nyvurdering.

The larynx mask (LM) is an alternative to a mask and endotracheal tube. LM ensures free airway for the patient under anaesthesia while the anaesthetist has his hands free. The mask is introduced into the pharynx in the anaesthetized patient without use of muscle relaxants or laryngoscope. The literature is reviewed. The possibilities for employment are discussed and the authors' personal experience is presented.

Infected ventriculostomy: bacteriology and treatment.

During a period of 6 years 256 patients underwent ventriculostomy as their first operative procedure. Twenty-seven patients (11%) developed CSF-infections, in almost 90% caused by Gram-positive cocci compatible with normal skin flora. The incidence of infection was distributed evenly in the postoperative period. All patients received intravenous and intrathecal antibiotic treatment simultaneously according to the sensitivity test. The treatment was highly effective, and without serious adverse effects.