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G Geldner

Publications and source records attributed to G Geldner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Incidence and duration of residual paralysis at the end of surgery after multiple administrations of cisatracurium and rocuronium.

In a randomised, controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial in 338 patients, we assessed the incidence of residual paralysis following administration of cisatracurium or rocuronium. The incidence at the end of surgery was significantly lower in patients treated with rocuronium (62 of 142 patients, 44%) than in those given cisatracurium (99 of 175 patients, 57%) (p < 0.05). In contrast, with rocuronium the mean (SD) time between skin closure and extubation was 28 (28) min vs 18 (19) min for cisatracurium, and the duration 0.9 (time from administration of last top-up dose to recovery of the train-of-four ratio to 0.9) was significantly longer and more variable for rocuronium than for cisatracurium. Thus, after repeated administration, the duration and variability of duration of action are greater with rocuronium compared with cisatracurium. These pharmacodynamic differences do not necessarily translate into a higher incidence of residual paralysis, because clinicians compensate for the longer duration of action and variability of rocuronium by terminating administration of the neuromuscular blocking earlier.

Androstanols↗

[Muscle relaxants in Germany 2005: a comparison of application customs in hospitals and private practices].

Aim of this study was to evaluate application customs of muscles relaxants in hospitals compared to their use in private practice. Of the 3,260 questionnaires sent-out, 66.9% could be analyzed. Of these 54% were from anesthetists in private practice, 41% from heads of hospital anesthesia departments and 5% from heads of level one hospital anesthesia departments. The first difference between private practices and hospitals was the number of available muscle relaxants: 87% of private practices use 1-3 relaxants, whereas 79% of hospitals use 3-5. Another apparent difference was the relationship between general anesthesia and the number of intubations: 60% of private practices have over 80% of general anesthesia cases, but only 50% of these patients are intubated. On the contrary, two thirds of the hospitals have 50-80% general anesthesia cases and 60-70% of patients are intubated. The main wish for an ideal muscle relaxant was independent of private practice or hospital, short onset time, followed by fast recovery. In accordance 74% of anesthetists in hospitals and 72% of anesthetists in private practice voiced the wish for a non-depolarizing succinylcholine substitute. The results of this nationwide survey suggest that time pressure in combination with an increased specialization of anesthetists in private practice are the main factors for availability and use of muscle relaxants in routine anesthesia.

Anesthesia↗

[Pharmacological peculiarities and problems with older patients].

Because of demographic developments, the fraction of the German population over 65 years of age in the year 2025 will have risen to 20% and will continue to rise so that in 2030 this number will have doubled compared to today's numbers. This has a huge impact on the requirements for anaesthesiologic procedures. In addition to the frequent multi-morbidity in this age group, physiologic changes also occur in the elderly which have to be taken into consideration during the entire perioperative management of these patients. Renal, cardiovascular and hepatic function are impaired in many elderly patients. A major concern in addition to cardiovascular and operative complications is the postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), not only because of its implications for the patient but also because of economical consequences. Regional anaesthesia has some benefits when compared to general anaesthesia as it leads to a reduction in thromboembolic and respiratory complications.

Aged↗

[Severe ARDS following perioperative aspiration of gastric content associated with the use of a "ProSeal" laryngeal mask airway].

A ProSeal laryngeal mask airway was used for anaesthesia for laparoscopic surgery in a 26 y old male patient with acute appendicitis. Perioperative aspiration of gastric contents resulted in severe ARDS. Invasive therapeutic options including ECMO had to be used to obtain full recovery. After critical evaluation of the chain of causation it must be postulated that an improper airway was chosen for an intervention that comprises a high risk of aspiration per se. Further risk factors were a long period of fasting, untimely removal of the mask before the patient regained full consciousness, the late confirmation of the diagnosis and the hesitant initial therapy. Since PLMA provides a higher airway occlusion pressure compared to the classic laryngeal mask airway (CLMA), the use of this device may be justified for elective laparoscopic surgery. In emergency patients with increased risk of regurgitation endotracheal intubation still remains the gold standard.

Adult↗

[Carotid-surgery in ultrasound-guided anesthesia of the regio colli lateralis].

OBJECTIVE: Carotid endarterectomy significantly reduces the risk of stroke in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. An increasing number of interventions in carotid surgery are performed under regional anesthesia in conscious patients. Carotid endarterectomy in local anesthesia requires block of the cervical nerves C2-C4, which may be accomplished in different ways. The most frequent method of regional anesthesia in carotid surgery is a combined block of profunda and superficial cervical plexus (by using a nerve stimulator). Ultrasound is frequently used in anesthesia for venous access and peripheral nerve block. By ultrasound, it is possible to visualize puncture needle and spread of local anesthetics at the correct position for block of cervical plexus in carotid surgery. The aim of the case reports was to demonstrate the effectiveness of using ultrasound for regional anesthesia in carotid surgery. METHOD: At the level of carotid bifurcation, scalene muscles were visualized by ultrasound (10-MHz-transducer). At this position, a puncture needle was inserted in the beam of ultrasound. Between the anterior scalene and the sternocleidomastoid muscles the local anesthetics were injected (10 ml prilocaine 1 %, 20 ropivacaine 0.375 %). In addition, superficial cervical plexus was performed by subcutaneous injection (10 ml prilocaine 1 %, 40 ropivacaine 0.375 %). Sedation was performed by application of remifentanil (max. 0.02 microg/kg/min), as needed. RESULTS: Ultrasound guided cervical block was performed in 29 patients. In all cases cervical plexus block was complete. A conversion to general anesthesia during operation was not necessary in any case. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound presents an alternative to cervical block using nerve stimulation, especially in patients with anatomical abnormalities. The method proves to be effective and may improve the approach to profundeal cervical plexus.

Aged↗

Applicability of risk scores for postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults to paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Scores to predict the occurrence of postoperative vomiting (PV) or nausea and vomiting (PONV) are well established in adult patients. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the applicability of risk scores developed and tested in adult patients in 983 paediatric patients (0-12 yr) undergoing various surgical procedures. METHOD: The predictive properties of five models were compared with respect to discriminating power (measured by the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve) and calibration (comparison of the predicted and the actual incidences of the disease by weighed linear regression analysis). RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of PV was 33.2% within 24 h. The discriminating power was low and insufficient in all models tested (0.56-0.65). Furthermore, the predicted incidences of the scores correlated only vaguely with the actual incidences observed. CONCLUSION: Specialized scores for children are required. These might use the history of PV, strabismus surgery, duration of anaesthesia > or =45 min, age > or =5 yr and administration of postoperative opioids as independent risk factors.

Adult↗

[Premedication visits. Economizing at the cost of the patient?].

The older the patient, the higher the risk of perioperative cardiac complications. Therefore, patients at risk have to be identified and the appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic measures initiated. The most important factor in this context is whether a planned surgery can be postponed. Several strategies have been developed (e.g. Goldman index, Eagle criteria) and the American Heart Association (AHA/ACC) has produced guidelines concerning perioperative diagnosis and therapy of cardiac risk patients. The common goal of these strategies is always the risk classification of the patient by combining the operative risk and the risk factors of the patient. The further procedure (diagnostic or therapeutic measures) is based on the risk classification. If further invasive therapy proves to be necessary, the determining factor is the period of time for which the operation can be delayed. This appears to be about 3 months but if this is not possible the outcome could be improved with a beta-blocker therapy in advance. A working group from the university hospital in Marburg has developed a strategy for risk classification and further diagnostic and therapeutic measures as outlined in this article.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Marburg model for optimization of stratification of the anaesthesiological risk].

The perioperative risk is mostly determined by the patient's cardiological condition and the type of surgical intervention. Therefore it is very important during the premedication visit to identify patients with cardiac risk factors. We suggest that patients be classified into three risk classes according to the ACC/AHA recommendations in advance of the preanaesthetic visit. The majority of patients with a low or medium anaesthesiological risk profile could be identified by simple asking, e.g. whether they are able to exercise physically for 20 min or to climb two staircases without resting. For the lowest risk no further evaluation is necessary. For the medium risk class an additional preoperative diagnosis or for the higher risk class a cardiological consultation or even postoperative intensive care monitoring could be necessary. The aim of such a system is to always minimise the rate of perioperative complications and delays in scheduled surgery.

Anesthesia↗

[Does fentanyl or midazolam improve patient's comfort and cooperation when given for regional catheter placement? A randomized, controlled and double-blind trial].

BACKGROUND: The procedure of placing a catheter for continuous regional anaesthesia is often associated with fear and pain in the patient. Thus, we evaluated the use of midazolam and fentanyl to improve patient's comfort and cooperation. METHODS: After an oral dose of 20 mg clorazepate, 174 patients receiving peripheral nerve catheters for regional anaesthesia where randomized into 3 groups to receive either intravenous placebo, 3 mg midazolam or 0.1 mg fentanyl immediately before catheter placement in a double-blind manner. Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with patient's assessment of subjective discomfort (measured using a VAS 0-10) during the procedure. Amnesia was evaluated 24 h later. The anaesthetist rated patient's cooperation during catheter placement. RESULTS: Female sex and longer duration of catheter placement had significant negative impact on patient's comfort, whereas fentanyl showed an improvement. Age, body mass index, midazolam and the type of catheter had no influence. The following day 27% of the midazolam group, 6% of the placebo group and 9% of the fentanyl patients did not remember catheter placement. Patient's cooperation was poor in 26% of the midazolam patients but only in 9% of the placebo and 3% of the patients receiving fentanyl. Of the placebo patients 18.4% had to be supplemented with fentanyl because they found the procedure of catheter placement unbearable. No side effects occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: As patient's comfort and cooperation were significantly improved by fentanyl, we recommend fentanyl to facilitate catheter placement for regional anaesthesia.

Aged↗

[Prophylaxis and treatment of nausea and vomiting after outpatient ophthalmic surgery].

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are the most common side effects following anesthesia. It is unpleasant for the patients and has significant impact on postoperative well-being. After ophthalmic surgery arterial hypertension caused by retching and vomiting can cause intraocular bleeding with detrimental effects on the result of surgery. It is possible to identify risk patients who are likely to develop PONV. In these patients antiemetic prophylaxis is indicated, but the extreme age of patients (geriatric patients with relevant comorbidity and children) undergoing (ambulatory) ophthalmic procedures must be considered. Furthermore, antiemetics should be free from side effects, especially sedating effects, since these procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis. Regional or local anesthesia is the method of choice. However, when general anesthesia is necessary avoidance of volatile anesthetics, nitrous oxide, and administration of 5-HT(3) antagonists is recommended. Also, dexamethasone is a potent antiemetic drug that can favorably be combined with the 5-HT(3) antagonists. Dimenhydrinate is well accepted and an effective antiemetic for pediatric patients. By combining these antiemetic measures PONV can be lowered to a clinically satisfying level even in high-risk patients.

Adult↗

Fast-track eligibility, costs and quality of recovery after intravenous anaesthesia with propofol-remifentanil versus balanced anaesthesia with isoflurane-alfentanil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The randomized, patient- and observer-blinded study was performed in 120 patients undergoing ear, nose and throat surgery to test the hypothesis that intravenous anaesthesia with propofol-remifentanil when compared with a balanced anaesthesia technique using isoflurane-alfentanil improves the speed of recovery, minimizes postoperative side-effects and, thus, leads to an improved quality of recovery without increasing total costs. METHODS: The total costs for each anaesthesia technique were calculated considering drug acquisition costs, personnel costs for the additional time spent in the operating room and the postanaesthesia care unit until fast-tracking eligibility, and the costs to treat the side-effects during and after operation. RESULTS: The times from the end of surgery to tracheal extubation and the time until leaving the operating room were not different between the two groups. However, more patients receiving intravenous anaesthesia (80 versus 49%) were eligible for fast tracking and thus could bypass the recovery room. This was associated with an average cost saving of 6.00 euros per patient. However, intravenous anaesthesia was associated with higher total costs (89 euros versus 78 euros) mainly because of higher acquisition costs of the anaesthetics (34.60 euros versus 16.50 euros). There was no difference in the quality of recovery as measured by a Quality of Recovery score and patient satisfaction between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The higher acquisition costs of the intravenous anaesthetics propofol and remifentanil cannot be compensated for by improved speed of recovery. This anaesthesia technique is more cost intensive than balanced anaesthesia using isoflurane and alfentanil.

Adult↗

[Is ginger a relevant antiemetic for postoperative nausea and vomiting?].

OBJECTIVE: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has traditionally been used in China for gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. A recent systematic review on the possible antiemetic effect of ginger for various indications, including PONV, morning sickness, and motion sickness, concluded that ginger was a promising antiemetic herbal remedy, but the clinical data were insufficient to draw firm conclusions. Since that publication, additional data has accumulated and thus an updated meta-analysis was performed. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was performed using different search strategies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Six randomized controlled trials including 538 patients were identified investigating ginger to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Data on the incidences of PONV, nausea, vomiting, and the need for rescue antiemetics within the first 24 postoperative hours were extracted and the pooled relative risk and the numbers needed to treat (NNT) were calculated using a random effects model. RESULTS: The pooled relative risk to suffer from PONV after pre-treatment with ginger was 0.84 (95 %-confidence interval 0.69 - 1.03). About 11 patients must be treated with ginger for one additional patient remaining free from PONV (NNT: 11; 95 %-CI: 6 - 250). Results for nausea, vomiting, and need for antiemetic rescue treatment are similar. CONCLUSION: Ginger is not a clinically relevant antiemetic in the PONV setting.

Antiemetics↗

[Cross-validation of simple questioning methods to determine patient satisfaction with anaesthesia care].

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of patient satisfaction with the perioperative care is an integral part of modern quality management. For this purpose simple questioning techniques are often used in clinical practise or reports of clinical trials. However, little research has been performed to investigate whether these tools and methods are useful and provide valid information. METHODS: Two-hundred patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were interviewed. Five different simple techniques or questions that have been used in the international and in the German literature throughout the last years were applied in random sequence together with the validated German translation of the QoR-9 questionnaire to measure quality of recovery. All analyses were performed descriptively. RESULTS: All investigated techniques could be answered without help by another person in 95 % up to 100 %. All simple dichotomous questions regarding satisfaction were insufficient to discriminate satisfied from less satisfied patients. A rating using grades known from the German school system (1 - 6) and a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0 - 100 mm) obtained ratings lower than the maximum possible values in 10 % and 11 % of the patients respectively. Furthermore, the flexibility that was provided by these tools was not utilized by the patients. The results of the QoR-9 questionnaire as a marker of postoperative recovery showed only a moderate correlation with ratings of patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Until now, there is no method or questioning technique in the German language that can be recommended for a quality assurance program. Thus, further research is needed to develop tools that provide valid information with adequate resolution to allow discrimination of patient satisfaction with perioperative care.

Adult↗

[Rapid sequence induction in prehospital emergency medicine: is it safe?].

OBJECTIVE: The use of 0,9 mg/kg Rocuronium allows endotracheal intubation within 60 seconds and therefore might be an alternative to succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction. We investigated the use of high-dose Rocuronium for RSI in prehospital emergency medicine. METHODS: Rocuronium was used in two physician staffed units of emergency medical service for RSI in 79 patients aged 4 - 81 yrs (mean 46 yrs). Anesthesia was induced with etomidate/fentanyl or ketamine and 1 mg/kg of rocuronium. Recorded data were number of intubations, time interval application rocuronium-intubation, rating of intubation conditions and side effects. RESULTS: In 75 of 79 (94,9 %) patients intubation could be performed at the first attempt. In three (3,8 %) patients a second attempt and in one pt. a third attempt was necessary. In 78 (98,7 %) patients intubation could be performed within 60 seconds, in one patient intubation was completed within three minutes. The intubation conditions were estimated as excellent (n = 69; 87,3 %) or good (n = 10; 12,7 %) in all patients. No specific side effects could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of muscle relaxants improves the intubation conditions and may help to avoid unnecessary high doses of anesthetics in hemodynamic unstable emergency patients. This study shows that rocuronium might be an alternative to succinylcholine for RSI also in prehospital emergency medicine, if succinylcholine is contraindicated.

Androstanols↗

The development and validation of a risk score to predict the probability of postoperative vomiting in pediatric patients.

Risk scores to predict the occurrence of postoperative vomiting (PV) or nausea and vomiting that were developed for adult patients do not fit for children, because several risk factors are difficult to assess or are usually not applicable in pediatric patients (e.g., smoking status). Thus, in the present study, we sought to develop and to validate a simple score to predict PV in children (POVOC-score). Development and validation of the new score was based on data from 4 independent institutions of 1257 children (aged 0-14 yr) undergoing various types of surgery under general anesthesia without antiemetic prophylaxis. Preoperatively, several potential risk factors were recorded. Postoperatively, the occurrence of PV was observed for up to 24 h. The dataset was randomly split into an evaluation set (n = 657) that was analyzed using a forward logistic regression technique and a validation set (n = 600) that was used to confirm the accuracy of prediction by means of the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve. Four independent risk factors for PV were identified in the final analysis: duration of surgery >/=30 min, age >/=3 yr, strabismus surgery, and a positive history of PV in the children or PV/postoperative nausea and vomiting in relatives (mother, father, or siblings). The incidence of PV was 9%, 10%, 30%, 55%, and 70% for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 risk factors observed. Using these incidences as cut-off values in the validation dataset, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.77). Our data suggest that PV can be predicted with an acceptable accuracy using a four-item simplified risk score.

Adolescent↗

[The use of muscle relaxants for routine induction of anesthesia in Germany].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of muscle relaxants during induction of anesthesia in patients without risk of aspiration of stomach contents. Of the 2,996 questionnaires sent out, 2,054 (68.6%) could be analysed and the results show that succinylcholine is used regularly in 13.6% of anesthesia departments. The next most commonly used muscle relaxants are atracurium, vecuronium and mivacurium, followed by cis-atracrium, rocuronium and pancuronium. Alcuronium is the least frequently used muscle relaxant. During induction of an elective anesthesia procedure, a priming technique is used by 19% of anesthesiologists, 22% utilize precurarization, and a timing technique is performed in 7.1%. The use of muscle relaxants for on-going relaxation follows the same pattern as for induction of neuromuscular blockade and succinylcholine is used in 1.4% if further relaxation is needed. The desire for specific qualities of muscle relaxants is correlated with higher use of the specific substance: short onset time for rocuronium, good controllability with mivacurium, no side-effects with cisatracurium and economical aspects with alcuronium. Of the participants 76.6% voiced the desire for a non-depolarizing replacement for succinylcholine.Private practices use mivacurium more often than hospitals, level one hospitals use rocuronium and cisatracurium more often. This survey could not show a definite standard of use in terms of muscle relaxants for an elective case.Precurarization, priming and timing are used frequently in patients not at risk of aspiration. This should be reduced by on-going teaching.

Anesthesia↗