[Specific aspects of perioperative pain relief in children.]. / Besonderheiten der Behandlung des akuten Schmerzes im Kindesalter : Die perioperative Phase.

Pain relief in children during the perioperative period can be provided by means of peripherally or centrally acting analgesics or of regional anaesthetic techniques. Narcotics or regional blockde are indicated when peripherally acting analgesics prove inadequate to abolish pain. Side effects of narcotics must be taken into account: opioids must not be administered unless continuous safety monitoring of the child's respiration is assured. If narcotics fail to relieve pain, regional anaesthesia may be indicated. All advantages and drawbacks of the various techniques that might be appropriate must be considered: the technique involving the least risk and side effects is the anaesthetic technique with a broad margin of safety when applied by an anaesthesiologist who has experience with paediatric regional blocks include topical anaesthesia, local infiltration, peripheral nerve blocks (e.g. nervi dorsalis penis, plexus axillaris) and caudal epidural blockade. Caution must be exercised whenever narcotics are administered systemically or epidurally; side effects must not be underestimated, even under conditions of intensive care observation. The provision of effective pain relief is a rewarding task-and particularly in little children.

[Fiberoptic intubation of neurosurgical patients]. / Die fiberoptische Intubation neurochirurgischer Patienten.

Patients with cervical spine injury presenting with respiratory distress require airway management that does not compromise integrity of the atlanto-occipital joint. Endotracheal intubation by means of direct laryngoscopy is not suitable. The method of choice is nasotracheal intubation of the awake patient, using a flexible fibre bronchoscope. If anatomy or surgical access render the nasal approach impossible, fibre optic intubation can be performed orotracheally, utilising specific technical aids. Flexible fibrescopes are available in different sizes (length and diameter): selection is base on the patient's anatomical requirements. Aids to orotracheal intubation are constructed with a bore wide enough to accommodate an endotracheal tube, and a face mask equipped with an extra intubation port allowing introduction of an endotracheal tube, slipped over a fibrescope. Premedication of the patients consists of an orally administered benzodiazepine. Topical anaesthesia and vasoconstriction of the nasal passages are achieved by cocaine (5-10%), or a local anaesthetic, combined with a vasoconstrictor. The selected nostril is prepared by means of introducing a nasopharyngeal airway, which--lubricated with xylocaine gel and left in place for few minutes--widens the nostril and facilitates passage of the endotracheal tube. Through the other nostril, oxygen is administered. Systemic analgo-sedation is strictly limited to fentanyl, 0.1 mg i.v. Topical anaesthesia of the larynx and cranial trachea is achieved by xylocaine, 2%, administered under direct vision through the instrumentation channel of the fibrescope.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Prevention of adverse reactions to contrast media by means of general anesthesia?]. / Prophylaxe des "Kontrastmittelzwischenfalls" durch Allgemeinanästhesie?

Adverse reactions to systemically administered contrast media are a threat to patients as well as the responsible physician. Non-ionic media produce less side effects due to the lower osmolarity and an advantageous chemical structure. Suggested prophylactic measures include the intravenous administration of H1- and H2-receptor blockers the administration of corticosteroids, sedatives and general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia not necessarily protects from a reaction to either ionic or nonionic compounds and bears its own risks.