Patient-controlled intranasal analgesia: effective alternative to intravenous PCA for postoperative pain relief.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the nasal route for fentanyl administration in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) provides as effective postoperative analgesia as intravenous PCA. METHODS: Patient-controlled intranasal or intravenous analgesia with fentanyl was investigated in 48 patients (ASA I-III) on the day of surgery (orthopedic, abdominal or thyroid) in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy study. Fentanyl was given in a bolus of 25 microg for intranasal and 17.5 microg for i.v. PCA, lockout interval six minutes. The first requested dose was doubled in both groups. Pain intensity (101-point numerical rating scale) and vital parameters were observed at 11 measurement points during the 240 min study. Patients were asked for side effects at every measurement point and for their satisfaction at the end of the study by the same investigator (J.M.). RESULTS: Onset of analgesia, the first reduction in pain intensity on the numerical rating scale, was 21 +/- 11 min (range 15-45 min) in intranasal and 22 +/- 16 min (range 15-90 min) in i.v. PCA. Pain intensity was reduced from 55 +/- 11 to 11 +/- 10 in the intranasal group and from 53 +/- 8 to 11 +/- 6 in the i.v. PCA group. Vital parameters remained stable and side effects were comparable in both groups. The judgement "excellent" or "good" was given by 21 of 23 patients treated intranasally and 24 of 25 patients treated intravenously. CONCLUSION: Intranasal PCA with fentanyl was an effective alternative to i.v. PCA in postoperative patients.

Midazolam pharmacokinetics following intravenous and buccal administration.

AIMS: Midazolam has good anxiolytic qualities and is a well established premedication agent before anaesthesia or short surgical procedures. The objective of the present study was to determine pharmacokinetic data from individual plasma concentration profiles obtained following intravenous and buccal administration of midazolam. METHODS: Eight young healthy volunteers received single doses of 5 mg midazolam i.v. and after a period of 1 week buccally in a cross over manner. Blood samples were obtained up to 480 min. The measurement of plasma midazolam concentrations was by gas-chromatography. RESULTS: The maximum plasma concentration was 55.9 ng ml(-1) (range 35.6-77.9 ng ml(-1)) at 30 min (range 15-90 min) following buccal administration. AUC was calculated to be 15016 ng ml(-1) min (s.d. 3778 ng ml(-1) min) following i.v. and 11191 ng ml(-1) min (s.d. 1777 ng ml(-1) min) following buccal midazolam. This gave a mean midazolam bioavailability of 74.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetic data presented in this study demonstrate a high bioavailability and reliable plasma concentrations following buccal midazolam. The clinical benefit of buccal midazolam may be in particular patient controlled premedication or sedation in adults.

Intracuff pressures do not predict laryngopharyngeal discomfort after use of the laryngeal mask airway.

BACKGROUND: The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a large foreign body that exerts pressure on the pharyngeal mucosa, which may lead to throat discomfort. To determine whether intracuff pressures are associated with such discomfort, a randomized, double-blind study was performed to determine the effect of high versus low intracuff pressures. METHODS: Seventy healthy women were randomly allocated to two groups with different LMA intracuff pressures: 30 mmHg (low pressure) or 180 mmHg (high pressure). Pressures were controlled with a microprocessor-controlled monitor. Insertion of the LMA was performed by one investigator and facilitated with propofol and verified fiberoptically. Anesthesia was maintained with enflurane and nitrous oxide. The LMAs were removed while the patients were still asleep. Patients assessed their laryngopharyngeal complaints (sore throat, dysphagia, hoarseness) at 8, 24, and 48 h after operation on a 101-point numerical rating scale. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the overall incidence of complaints between both groups (low pressure: 50%; high pressure: 42%). On the day of surgery, dysphagia (38%) was more frequent than sore throat (16%) or hoarseness (6%) (P < 0.05) within the high-pressure group. In the low-pressure group, the incidence of these complaints was not significantly different (33%, 20%, and 23%, respectively). On the following day, dysphagia was still present in 20% of the women in both groups, and other symptoms comprised 10% or less of the reported complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in LMA intracuff pressures did not influence either the incidence or severity of laryngopharyngeal complaints.

Halothane-propofol anaesthesia for tracheal intubation in young children.

In this double-blind, randomized study, we have investigated 100 healthy children, aged 3-6 yr. We compared intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes during light halothane anaesthesia and propofol 3 mg kg-1 with those during deep halothane anaesthesia. Light halothane anaesthesia was defined as an end-tidal concentration of 1%, deep halothane anaesthesia as 2%. Intubating conditions were graded according to ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position and coughing. There were no statistically significant differences in the assessment of intubating conditions between the two groups; 94% of the children in the 1% halothane-propofol group and 100% of the children in the 2% halothane group had acceptable intubating conditions. Systolic arterial pressure decreased by 13% in the 1% halothane-propofol group compared with 20% in the 2% halothane group (P < 0.01).

Laryngo-pharyngeal complaints following laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal intubation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and severity of laryngo-pharyngeal complaints following anesthesia with the use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) compared with endotracheal intubation in adults. DESIGN: Prospective study with randomized patient selection. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: 202 adult ASA physical status I, II, and III patients scheduled for elective surgery of either an extremity or breast, or a transurethral resection. INTERVENTIONS: Following intravenous induction of anesthesia, a standard LMA size #3, #4, or #5 corresponding to the patient's body weight, was inserted in 103 patients; 99 patients were intubated with a polyvinylchloride endotracheal tube [7.5 mm inner diameter (ID) in women and 8.0 mm ID in men]. Cuff pressures in the LMA group were initially reduced to a minimum pressure at which an air-tight seal between the LMA and the laryngeal inlet was provided at a positive pressure of 20 cm H2O during manual bag ventilation. Cuffs of endotracheal tubes were inflated and controlled to a volume needed to prevent gas leak at 35 cm H2O pressure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Cuff pressures were continuously monitored in both groups. Patients assessed their laryngo-pharyngeal complaints on a 101-point numerical rating scale on the evening after surgery and the following two days. No difference was found in the incidence and severity of sore throat on the evening following surgery or on the two following days. Dysphonia was more frequent following intubation than following LMA insertion on the day of surgery (46.8% vs. 25.3%) and on the first postoperative day (28.1% vs. 11.6%) (p < 0.05). However, the incidence of dysphonia increased with the duration of anesthesia in LMA patients but not in intubated patients. The incidence of dysphagia was significantly higher following LMA insertion compared with endotracheal intubation on the day of surgery (23.8% vs. 12.5%), and on the first postoperative day (22.3% vs. 10.4%). The severity of the individual complaints of minor laryngo-pharyngeal morbidity was comparable between groups. The type of airway management during anesthesia did not affect patient satisfaction with the anesthesia received. CONCLUSIONS: There is a distinct pattern of laryngo-pharyngeal complaints following the use of the LMA and endotracheal intubation. With regard to minor laryngo-pharyngeal morbidity, the advantage of the LMA to endotracheal intubation is questionable.

Deep halothane anaesthesia compared with halothane-suxamethonium anaesthesia for tracheal intubation in young children.

A double-blind and randomized study design was used to investigate 100 healthy children, aged 1-5 years. Intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes during deep halothane anaesthesia, defined as an end-tidal concentration of 2%, were compared with those changes during 1% halothane and suxamethonium relaxation. Intubating conditions were graded according to the ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, coughing and jaw relaxation. In each group 96% of the children demonstrated acceptable intubating conditions. Jaw relaxation was worse in the 1% halothane/-suxamethonium group (P < 0.01). When anaesthesia with 2% or 1% halothane was compared there was a more pronounced decrease in systolic blood pressure (18 vs. 8%, P < 0.001). Junctional rhythm occurred more frequently during deep halothane anaesthesia (46 vs. 18%, P < 0.01). Intravenously (i.v.) administered atropine attenuated blood pressure depression significantly and reinstituted sinus rhythm in most cases.

Marked increases in heart rate associated with sevoflurane but not with halothane following suxamethonium administration in children.

The changes in heart rate and arterial blood pressure following the administration of suxamethonium in healthy children (mean age 3.8 +/- 0.3 years) during inhalational induction with either sevoflurane (n = 22) or halothane (n = 19) were studied. Heart rate 60s following suxamethonium administration increased significantly in the sevoflurane but not in the halothane group. In the halothane group, four children required intravenous (i.v.) atropine as as result of bradycardia. None of the children in the sevoflurane group developed bradycardia following suxamethonium (P < 0.05). Values of oxygenation, ventilation and age corrected minimal alveolar concentration were comparable at all measurement times. The haemodynamic response to the administration of suxamethonium in children anaesthetized with sevoflurane seems to reflect the stimulation of the autonomic ganglia by suxamethonium whereas this positive chronotropic effect is attenuated or reversed by halothane.

Patient-controlled intranasal analgesia: a method for noninvasive postoperative pain management.

Recently, a new device for patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA) was described, and a pilot study demonstrated promising results with respect to efficacy and patient satisfaction. The present study compares PCINA with intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Fifty orthopedic patients were prospectively studied over an 8-h period on the first day after surgery. The patients were randomly allocated to PCINA group (n = 25) or to an IV PCA group (n = 25). Pain intensity was evaluated at 30-min intervals using a 101-point numerical rating scale. With respect to initial pain intensity, there was no significant intergroup difference. At the 30- to 480-min measurement points pain intensity in the PCINA group (P < 0.0001) and the IV PCA group (P < 0.0001) was significantly less as compared to the initial value. There was no significant intergroup difference in pain intensity. No patient had problems using the PCINA device. The present study demonstrates, that PCINA provides relief of postoperative pain as effectively as IV PCA.

Intensive care unit stay is prolonged in chronic alcoholic men following tumor resection of the upper digestive tract.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic alcohol misuse in patients with oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal or esophageal carcinomas exceeds 60%. No data is available, to our knowledge, on the morbidity and mortality of chronic alcoholics in surgical intensive care units (ICU) following tumor resection. We investigated whether the subsequent ICU stay in chronic alcoholics following tumor resection was prolonged and whether the incidence of pneumonia and sepsis was increased. METHODS: 213 patients with carcinomas of the upper digestive tract were evaluated regarding their drinking habits. Chronic alcoholics met either the DSM-III-R criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. Conventional laboratory markers and serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin were determined preoperatively. Major intercurrent complications during ICU stay such as an alcohol withdrawal syndrome, pneumonia and sepsis as well as the frequency of death were documented. RESULTS: Patients did not differ significantly between groups regarding age or APACHE score on admission to the ICU.121 patients were diagnosed as being chronic alcoholics, 39 as being social drinkers and 61 as being non-alcoholics. In chronic alcoholics the frequency of death was significantly increased. Due to the increased incidence of pneumonia and sepsis the ICU stay was significantly prolonged in chronic alcoholics by approximately 8 days. CONCLUSIONS: The increased mortality and morbidity rate demonstrates that chronic alcoholics undergoing major tumor surgery have to be considered as high-risk patients during their postoperative ICU stay. Further studies are required with respect to the immuno-competence of chronic alcoholics and the prevention of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, pneumonia and sepsis in these patients.

Patient controlled oral analgesia with morphine.

PURPOSE: When using strong oral opioids for postoperative pain management, demand titration is desirable. A device for patient controlled oral analgesia (PCORA) and first results of its use for oral titration of morphine are presented. METHODS: The PCORA-device is a modified Baxter-PCA-on-demand system (maximum bolus volume: 0.5 ml; flow rate for filling bolus volume: 0.5 ml.hr-1). The demand PCORA-volumes were measured at specific time intervals and PCORA was compared with customarily prescribed pain therapy (CPPT) for postoperative pain management. On the first postoperative day, 20 orthopaedic ASA I or II patients received, in a randomised, cross-over trial, either PCORA (300 min) followed by CPPT (300 min) (Group I) or vice versa (Group II). The PCORA-device permitted a maximum dose of 15 mg morphine per 60 min and CPPT was performed by the ward doctor or nurse. Pain intensity (101-point numerical rating scale) and side effects were evaluated at 30 min intervals. RESULTS: The accuracy of the bolus volume delivered by the PCORA-device was 89.2 +/- 0.85% (mean +/- SEM), of manufacturer's specifications. PCORA pain intensity decreased over time whereas CPPT pain intensity did not (P < 0.001). PCORA-morphine requirements were 61.5 +/- 5.2 mg (Group I) and 52.5 +/- 8.5 mg (Group II) (NS; mean +/- SEM). The handling of the PCORA-device presented no problem to any patient. CONCLUSION: Patient controlled oral analgesia is an effective and non-invasive mode of postoperative pain management. The PCORA-device is reliable and easy to use.

Intercurrent complications in chronic alcoholic men admitted to the intensive care unit following trauma.

OBJECTIVE: A chronic alcoholic group following trauma was investigated to determine whether their ICU stay was longer than that of a non-alcoholic group and whether their intercurrent complication rate was increased. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: An intensive care unit. PATIENTS: A total of 102 polytraumatized patients were transferred to the ICU after admission to the emergency room and after surgical treatment. Of these patients 69 were chronic alcoholics and 33 were allocated to the non-alcoholic group. The chronic-alcoholic group. met the DSM-III-R and ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence or chronic alcohol abuse/harmful use. The daily ethanol intake in these patients was > or = 60 g. Diagnostic indicators included an alcoholism-related questionnaire (CAGE), conventional laboratory markers and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: Major intercurrent complications such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), pneumonia, cardiac complications and bleeding disorders were documented and defined according to internationally accepted criteria. Patients did not differ significantly between groups regarding age, TRISS and APACHE score on admission. The rate of major intercurrent complications was 196% in the chronic alcoholic vs 70% in the non-alcoholic group (p = 0.0001). Because of the increased intercurrent complication rate, the ICU stay was significantly prolonged in the chronic-alcoholic group by a median period of 9 days. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic alcoholics are reported to have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. However, to our knowledge, nothing is known about the morbidity and mortality of chronic alcoholics in intensive care units following trauma. Since chronic alcoholics in the ICU develop more major complications with a significantly prolonged ICU stay following trauma than non-alcoholics, it seems reasonable to intensify research to identify chronic alcoholics and to prevent alcohol-related complications.

Therapy of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in intensive care unit patients following trauma: results of a prospective, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of three different alcohol withdrawal therapy regimens in traumatized chronic alcoholic patients with respect to the duration of mechanical ventilation and the frequency of pneumonia and cardiac disorders during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A university hospital ICU. PATIENTS: Multiple-injured alcohol-dependent patients (n=180) transferred to the ICU after admission to the emergency room and operative management. A total of 180 patients were included in the study; however, 21 patients were excluded from the study after assignment. INTERVENTIONS: Patients who developed actual alcohol withdrawal syndrome were randomized to one of the following treatment regimens: flunitrazepam/clonidine (n=54); chlormethiazole/haloperidol (n=50); or flunitrazepam/haloperidol (n=55). The need for administration of medication was determined, using a validated measure of the severity of alcohol withdrawal (Revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The duration of mechanical ventilation and major intercurrent complications, such as pneumonia, sepsis, cardiac disorders, bleeding disorders, and death, were documented. Patients did not differ significantly between groups regarding age, Revised Trauma and Injury Severity Score and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score on admission. In all except four patients in the flunitrazepam/clonidine group, who continued to hallucinate, the Revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale decreased to <20 after initiation of therapy. ICU stay did not significantly differ between groups (p=.1669). However, mechanical ventilation was significantly prolonged in the chlormethiazole/haloperidol group (p=.0315) due to an increased frequency of pneumonia (p=.0414). Cardiac complications were significantly (p=.0047) increased in the flunitrazepam/clonidine group. CONCLUSIONS: There was some advantage in the flunitrazepam/clonidine regimen with respect to pneumonia and the necessity for mechanical ventilation. However, four (7%) patients had to be excluded from the study due to ongoing hallucinations during therapy. Also, cardiac complications were increased in this group. Thus, flunitrazepam/haloperidol should be preferred in patients with cardiac or pulmonary risk. Further studies are required to determine which therapy should be considered.

[Patient acceptance of patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA)]. / Patientenakzeptanz gegenüber der patientenkontrollierten intranasalen Analgesie (PCINA).

UNLABELLED: Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (i.v.-PCA) represents the gold standard in the management of acute postoperative pain. However, in many countries i.v.-PCA is rarely used. Recent clinical studies demonstrated that intranasal fentanyl titration provides a rapid and safe form and pain management. In the present study we investigated patients' acceptance and assessment of patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA) and compared it to intravenous PCA and the customarily prescribed pain therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After approval by the local ethics committee and written informed consent, 79 ASA physical status I or II patients were investigated on the first postoperative day following orthopaedic surgery. The patients were allocated either to the PCINA group (a maximum of 0.025 mg fentanyl over 6 min), to the i.v.-PCA group (0.025 mg fentanyl bolus, lockout interval 6 min) or to a group of patients who received the customarily prescribed pain management. Following the 8-h investigation period, the patients were questioned regarding their satisfaction with the pain therapy using a 6-point rating scale (ranging from 1 = very good to 6 = not acceptable). The patients were furthermore asked to name the advantages and disadvantages of their pain management. RESULTS: Three patients in the i.v.-PCA group had to be excluded due to pain at the injection site and one patient in the PCINA group because of a surgical complication. Seventy-five patients were finally included, 25 patients per group. No statistically significant intergroup differences regarding age, weight, height and initial pain intensity (evaluated by a 101-point numeric rating scale) were demonstrated. The patients' satisfaction with the mode of pain management was significantly higher in the PCINA (median "good") and in the i.v.-PCA group (median "good") than in the group who received the customarily prescribed pain management (median "satisfactory"). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was demonstrated between the PCINA and i.v.-PCA groups. The patients in the PCINA and in the i.v.-PCA group stated as main advantages the rapid onset of action and good pain relief (n = 25 and n = 25, respectively), as well as their independence from the doctor or nurse (n = 12 and n = 13). The main disadvantages were pain on injection in the i.v.-PCA group and too frequent fentanyl administrations in the PCINA group (n = 6). DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate that the patients' satisfaction with PCINA is comparable to that with i.v.-PCA. Both PCINA and i.v.-PCA were assessed as superior to the customarily prescribed pain management (P = 0.0001). Patients' acceptance of a given form of pain management is mainly related to its efficiency. However, side effects such as pain on injection with i.v.-PCA, or frequent opioid administration with PCINA, must be considered when assessing a method of pain control. Patients' global assessment includes both efficiency and side effects. PCINA represents an interesting alternative non-invasive method for postoperative pain management.

Patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA) for the management of postoperative pain: a pilot study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA) for post-operative pain management with ward-provided pain therapy. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective pilot study. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: 20 ASA status I and II orthopedic patients. INTERVENTIONS: On the first postoperative day, 20 patients were randomized to receive either PCINA for 4 hours followed by 5 hours of ward-provided pain therapy (Group 1; n = 10) or ward-provided pain therapy for 5 hours followed by 4 hours of PCINA (Group 2; n = 10). The PCINA device used permits self-administration up to a maximum 0.025 mg dose of fentanyl every 6 minutes. Pain intensity (101-point numerical rating scale) and vital signs, as well as possible side effects, were registered at 30-minute intervals. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Within 30 minutes after the start of PCINA, pain intensity had decreased significantly in both groups. At the 60, 150, 210, 240, 270, 390, 420, and 480 minute measuring points, there was a significant intergroup difference in pain intensity, the level being significantly lower in the PCINA period. The handling of the PCINA device presented no problem to any patient. The PCINA fentanyl requirement was 0.415 +/- 0.083 mg (Group 1) and 0.408 +/- 0.06 mg (Group 2), respectively (NS). The ward-provided pain therapy included pethidine, tramadol, metamizole, acetaminophen, codeine, and diclofenac alone or in combination. Patient satisfaction was greater with PCINA than with ward-provided pain therapy (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: PCINA provides an adequate, noninvasive mode of postoperative pain management. The PCINA device is easy to handle and offers new perspectives in the management of postoperative pain.

Prophylaxis of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in alcohol-dependent patients admitted to the intensive care unit after tumour resection.

Prophylaxis of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in alcohol-dependent patients shortens the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study was to assess the effect of four different prophylactic regimens on the duration of ICU stay, prevention of AWS and rate of major intercurrent complications in alcohol-dependent patients admitted to the ICU after tumour resection. A total of 197 alcohol-dependent patients, diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (third revised edition) with a daily ethanol intake of 60 g, were allocated randomly to one of the following regimens which were commenced on admission to the ICU: flunitrazepam-clonidine, chlormethiazole-haloperidol, flunitrazepam-haloperidol or ethanol. The duration of ICU stay, prevention of AWS, incidence of tracheobronchitis and major intercurrent complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, cardiac disorders, bleeding disorders and death were documented. On admission, patients did not differ significantly in age, APACHE II and multiple organ failure scores. ICU stay, incidence of AWS, severity of AWS (revised clinical institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol scale > 20) and major intercurrent complication rate did not differ significantly between groups. Although there was no advantage in any of the four regimens with respect to the primary outcome measures, pulmonary and cardiac patients were not included in the study. Patients in the chlormethiazole-haloperidol group had a significantly increased incidence of tracheobronchitis (P = 0.0023), probably because of an increased incidence of hypersecretion.

[Endotracheal intubation with propofol and fentanyl]. / Endotracheale Intubation unter Propofol und Fentanyl.

The routine use of succinylcholine for endotracheal intubation is being increasingly questioned. Initial studies have suggested that a combination of propofol and alfentanil without a muscle relaxant can provide good intubating conditions. However, most of these initial studies either did not have a double-blind design or did not include a control group with muscle relaxants. In this study, intubation conditions using fentanyl/propofol without a muscle relaxant were compared with the combinations of fentanyl/propofol/succinylcholine and sodium thiopental/succinylcholine. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Following approval from the local ethics committee and written consent, 100 gynaecological patients (ASA I, II) were included in this study. The study was carried out in a double blind, randomized and prospective manner. Black perfusor syringes and extension sets were used, and the drugs administered were diluted to equal volumes. For induction, group 1 (n = 25) received 0.1 mg fentanyl, 1 mg vecuronium, sodium thiopental (demand-adapted) and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg; group 2 (n = 25) received 0.1 mg fentanyl and propofol (demand-adapted); group 3 (n = 25) received 0.2 mg fentanyl and propofol (demand-adapted); group 4 (n = 25) received 0.1 mg fentanyl, 1 mg vecuronium, propofol (demand-adapted) and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. Each patient was assessed prior to induction with regard to visualization of the pharynx (grade I-IV). Following induction, jaw relaxation (grade I-IV) and the laryngoscopic visualization of the glottis (grade I-IV) were assessed. During the intubation, the position and movements of the vocal cords (grade I-IV) and patient movement during and 1 min following the intubation were assessed. The overall assessment of the intubation was graded (grade I-IV) by the anaesthetist and the anaesthetic nurse. Postoperatively the patients were questioned regarding muscle pain (grade I-IV). Before, during and after endotracheal intubation arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation, heart rate and arterial blood pressure were monitored. RESULTS. There were no intergroup differences with regard to age, height, weight and preanaesthetic visualization of the pharynx. In group 1 an average of 5.5 +/- 1.2 mg/kg sodium thiopental was required. There were no significant differences in group 2, 3 and 4 with respect to the dose of propofol (2.4, 2.2 and 2.2 mg/kg). No intergroup differences were noted with regard to jaw relaxation, laryngoscopic visualization of the glottis and patients' movements during intubation. Statistically significant intergroup differences occurred with regard to the position and movements of vocal cords during intubation (group 3 worse than groups 1, 2, 4) and the patients' movements 1 min after intubation (group 2 worse than group 3). Significant intergroup differences also occurred with regard to the overall assessment of the intubation by the anaesthetist (group 3 worse than groups 2, 4) and the anaesthetic nurse (group 3 worse than group 4) and the postoperative muscle pain (group 1 worse than groups 2, 3). CONCLUSION. The use of 0.1 mg fentanyl/sodium thiopental/succinylcholine results in no better intubating conditions than 0.1 mg fentanyl plus propofol. Under these conditions, without the use of a muscle relaxant, it is possible to carry out safe endotracheal intubation in cases where no complications are anticipated.

Self-administered intranasal meperidine for postoperative pain management.

Recent studies have demonstrated that intranasal is comparable to intravenous opioid titration in its pain-relieving effect. In these studies, however, the intranasal opioid titration was performed by the investigator, and the treatment period was two hours or less. The purpose of this randomized, prospective study was to investigate whether intranasal opioid administration by the patients themselves for a prolonged postoperative period may be regarded as a therapeutic alternative for postoperative pain management. Forty-four orthopaedic patients were studied over a 12-hr period on the first day after surgery. Twenty-two had free access to intranasal meperidine (nasal group) and were allowed to administer six intranasal puffs (27 mg per dose). The next self-administration was only permitted after a delay of at least ten minutes. Another 22 patients received intermittent subcutaneous meperidine injections (25 or 50 mg) on request (sc group). Pain intensity was recorded at 30-min intervals with the aid of the 101-point numerical rating scale. The pain score was lower in the nasal than in the sc group at the 30, 150 to 330, 420 to 480 and 540 to 600 min measuring points (P = < 0.05). The meperidine requirement was 112.9 +/- 81.3 mg in the nasal and 103.4 +/- 41.5 mg in the sc group (NS). Two patients in each group complained of nausea and vomiting. Thirteen of the 21 nasal and nine of the 15 sc patients who completed the final questionnaire rated the pain management as excellent or good (NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Tracheal rupture caused by overinflation of endotracheal tube cuff]. / Trachealruptur durch zu stark geblockte Tubusmanschette.

The authors report a tracheal rupture in a 34-year-old patient who was primarily intubated following generalised seizures and loss of consciousness (Rüsch endotracheal tube). Some hours later, she developed high ventilatory airway pressures and subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema were noted. Reintubation with a high-volume, low-pressure endotracheal tube was planned when it was noted that the ballon of the Rüsch tube was grossly overinflated. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure was measured and found to be greater than 120 cm H2O (the maximum measurement possible with the manometer). The diagnosis of tracheal rupture was confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The patient immediately underwent a throactomy and a 3-cm tear of the pars membranacea of the trachea was sutured with a dural patch. To maintain low airway pressures post-operatively, she remained sedated for 2 days and received a muscle relaxant to permit pressure-controlled ventilation. In this case, it can be concluded that excessive inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff resulted in the tracheal rupture. Other possible causes and results of tracheal rupture are discussed.

[A device for patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA).]. / Ein neues Gerät zur patientenkontrollierten intranasalen Analgesie.

INTRODUCTION: It has been demonstrated that intranasal opioid titration has a rapid onset of action and can provide satisfactory management of postoperative pain [10, 12, 14]. In these studies the intranasal titration was carried out by the investigator. Self-administration of an opioid intranasally by patients requires a spray bottle with safety precautions of an equivalent standard to those offered by an intravenous PCA device. We describe a device for patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PCINA) that meets these safety requirements. METHODS: The Baxter PCA on demand system consists of a mechanically driven infusor, a flow restrictor, and a patient control module for bolus administration. The flow restrictor provides a flow rate of 5 ml/h or 2 ml/h. This Baxter intravenous PCA system has been subjected to a slight modification to adapt it for PCINA. The patient control module has a bolus volume of 0.5 ml and in this modification it is attached, instead of to an intravenous line, to a narrow, 26-gauge plastic cannula with the needle tip removed (Fig. 1). To check the accuracy of the volume delivered, three PCINA devices with a flow rate of 5 ml/h (filling time of 6 min for the 0.5-ml bolus volume) and three PCINA devices with a flow rate of 2 ml/h (filling time of 15 min for the 0.5-ml bolus volume) were examined at defined time intervals. The PCINA devices were filled with distilled water and the volume demanded was immediately determined by means of a high-precision scale. Three determinations of the volumes delivered were performed. In an initial unblinded pilot observation in five orthopaedic patients, PCINA (for a 4-h period) was compared with the conventionally prescribed pain medication (for a subsequent 5-h period). For intranasal opioid administration, fentanyl (1 ml=0.05 mg) was used. At every evaluation point, pain intensity was evaluated with the aid of a 101-point numerical rating scale (0 = no pain, 100 = worst pain possible). At the end of both examination periods (PCINA/conventionally prescribed pain medication), overall patient satisfaction with the method of pain management experienced was evaluated (graded: very good, good, satisfactory, bad, very bad, not acceptable). RESULTS: The volumes delivered from the three PCINA devices with a flow rate of 5 ml/h (PCINA device 6') and from the three PCINA devices with a flow rate of 2 ml/h (PCINA device 15') are presented in Fig. 4. The subjective pain intensities measured with the 101-point numerical rating scale are demonstrated in Fig. 5. The patients used 0.28+/-0.097 mg fentanyl (0.15-0.45 mg) during the 4-h period of PCINA. No patients had any difficulty using the PCINA device. No technical problems arose with any of the devices. No patient complained of intranasal pain or burning during or after nasal administration. At the end of the study overall patient satisfaction with PCINA was judged as very good (2 patients), good 2 patients) or satisfactory (1 patient). The relief obtained with the customarily prescribed pain medication was judged as satisfactory (1 patient) or bad (4 patients). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the PCINA device presented fulfils the PCA device safety requirements. The bolus volume delivered by the device is precise and follows the manufacturer's specifications for flow rate and bolus volume. Initial.