Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Andel

Publications and source records attributed to H Andel.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The axillary vein central venous catheter in severely burned patients.

In severely burned patients the approach to the central vein is often difficult due to concomitant edema, but also due to the fact that the skin area, where commonly used approaches are performed, is burned as well, whereas the axillary region is often not involved. In order to perform an axillary approach to the central vein as an alternative to the commonly used approaches in patients, an anatomical dissection in fresh human cadavers was carried out. Considering the anatomical landmarks which were found during dissection of the axillary region, the axillary approach to the central vein was used in 35 patients in our intensive burn care unit with unaffected axillary skin. In three cases the only complication observed was an occasional puncture of the axillary artery without major hematoma. The infection rate of the catheters was similar to the commonly used puncture sites. This approach to the central venous line in severely burned patients can be recommended.

Adult↗

[Combined sciatic nerve-3 in 1 block in high risk patient].

BACKGROUND: We report on a case of combined sciatic nerve block and 3-in-1 block for amputation of lower limb in an ASA IV-V patient 6 days after intraoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation following induction of general anaesthesia. CASE REPORT: A 54-year old male patient was admitted for necrosectomy of a crural ulcer due to end-stage peripheral vascular disease and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The patient also suffered from toxic cardiomyopathy. After induction for general anaesthesia the haemodynamic situation deteriorated progressively and ended up in cardiac arrest with consequent successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The operation was cancelled and the patient was admitted to the intensive-care unit, where he was extubated after 2 days of further haemodynamic stabilisation. Following development of a septic situation of the lower limb the patient was again admitted for amputation six days after the cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Regional anaesthesia was conducted with a combination of a sciatic nerve block via the posterior approach and a 3-in-1 block facilitated by ultrasonographic guidance. For each of the blocks we used 20 mL mepivacaine 1%. Sensory blockade was sufficient and the patient remained haemodynamic and respiratorily stable. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The combined sciatic and 3-in-1 block is a rarely used technique, but for haemodynamically unstable patients it is a safe method for surgery of the lower limb.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Magnesium sulfate reduces intra- and postoperative analgesic requirements.

UNLABELLED: In a randomized, double-blind study with two parallel groups, we assessed the analgesic effect of perioperative magnesium sulfate administration in 46 ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery with total i.v. anesthesia. The patients received either magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg preoperatively and 8 mg.kg-1.h-1 intraoperatively or the same volume of isotonic sodium chloride solution i.v. Anesthesia was performed with propofol (2 mg/kg for induction, 6-8 mg.kg-1.h-1 for maintenance), fentanyl (3 micrograms/kg for induction), and vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg for intubation). Intraoperative pain was defined as an increase of mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate of more than 20% from baseline values after the induction of anesthesia and was treated with bolus fentanyl (1-2 micrograms/kg). Postoperative analgesia was achieved with fentanyl (0.5 microgram/kg) and evaluated using the pain visual analog scale for 4 h. During the intraoperative and postoperative periods, patients in the magnesium group required significantly less fentanyl than those in the control group (control group 0.089 +/- 0.02 microgram.kg-1.min-1 versus magnesium group 0.058 +/- 0.01 microgram.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.05 and control group 0.021 +/- 0.013 microgram.kg-1.min-1 and magnesium group 0.0031 +/- 0.0018 microgram.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.01 for intraoperative and postoperative periods, respectively). We conclude that, in a clinical setting with almost identical levels of surgical stimulation, i.v. magnesium sulfate administration reduces intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements compared with isotonic sodium chloride solution administration. IMPLICATIONS: The perioperative administration of i.v. magnesium sulfate reduces intra- and postoperative analgesic requirements in patients with almost identical levels of surgical stimulus. Our results demonstrate that magnesium can be an adjuvant to perioperative analgesic management.

Adult↗

Forced-air warming maintains normothermia during orthotopic liver transplantation.

We evaluated the efficacy of forced-air warming to maintain normothermia during liver transplantation. In a prospective, clinical trial 20 patients were randomly assigned to routine thermal management (circulating-water mattress set at 42 degrees C, intravenous fluid warming to 37 degrees C and passive insulation) or routine management with additional forced-air warming of head, chest, and arms. Core temperature was measured in the pulmonary artery. Morphometric and demographic characteristics were similar in each group, as was total administered fluid volume replacement. Core temperatures in each group decreased by about 0.6 degrees C during the first 70 min of anaesthesia and then by 0.9 degree C within 90 to 120 min in the patients given routine thermal management, but only by 0.4 degree C in those warmed with forced-air. Subsequently, core temperatures in the control group increased to only 35.7, SD 0.25 degree C whereas those in the patients given forced-air warming increased to 36.5, SD 0.2 degree C. Despite the relatively high ambient temperature, patients warmed only with a circulating-water mattress and passive insulation became hypothermic during surgery. In contrast, when forced-air warming was added to this routine thermal management, patients were normothermic at the end of surgery. Forced-air warming prevented intra-operative hypothermia during liver transplantation.

Body Temperature↗

Moderate induced hypotension provides satisfactory operating conditions in maxillofacial surgery.

Patients scheduled for maxillofacial surgery were randomly assigned to receive isoflurane (n = 22) or nitroglycerin (n = 18) in order to induce hypotension. Surgeons, blinded for the actual level of blood pressure and the technique used for inducing hypotension, were asked to rate operating conditions on a scale from 1 to 5. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were reduced by 26% for both groups. Although blood pressure levels showed little variation throughout the induced hypotension period, scores of 2 to 5 were given significantly more often at incision and at 30 min compared to the following measuring points (P < 0.01). In total, the surgical field was rated significantly more often with a score of 1 and 2 than with a score of 3 to 5 (P < 0.01). A relation between score and SAP and/or MAP could not be found. There was also no relation between scores and the technique used for hypotension. Our data suggest that, with the exception of the first half hour of surgery, on average a SAP of 89 mmHg and a MAP of 65 mmHg were sufficient to produce satisfactory operating conditions.

Adolescent↗

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a suitable procedure for patients with cardiopulmonary risk factors?].

There is considerable debate whether or not the laparoscopic technique for cholecystectomy supersedes conventional procedures in patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease. Hemodynamic stress and CO2 absorption from the peritoneum can have a negative effect on intraoperative safety. On the other hand, a more rapid recovery of lung function and a shorter stay in hospital are the obvious advantages. 74 patients were investigated in our study: 54 with a low cardiopulmonary risk (group 1, ASA classes I or II) and 20 high risk patients belonging to ASA class III (group 2). Series of blood-gas samples were drawn from an arterial catheter and the respiratory parameters and blood gas values measured before and at the end of the CO2-insufflation period were compared. No dangerous rise in paCO2 or decrease in pH occurred with the ventilation method used in this study (Ti:Te = 1:1, PEEP = 5 mbar, Rf = 10/min modification of the tidal-volume according to the measured paCO2 and ventilation with an O2/air mixture). No significant changes in arterial O2 saturation compared with baseline values occurred and values remained within the physiological range. We conclude that excessive intraoperative paCO2 increase can be avoided by modification of the ventilation procedure and that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an advantageous technique in the patient with cardiopulmonary disease.

Adult↗

Perioperative TNF alpha and IL-6 concentrations correlate with septic state, organ function, and APACHE II scores in intra-abdominal infection.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if concentrations of tumour necrosis factor a (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a part in the pathophysiology of intra-abdominal infection, and try to identify patients who would benefit from immunotherapy against TNF alpha. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS: 19 consecutive patients (septic shock, n = 4; sepsis syndrome, n = 6; and no sepsis syndrome, n = 9, classified by the APACHE II score and the criteria of the Methyl-prednisolone Severe Sepsis Study Group) who were to undergo their first operation for intra-abdominal infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation between median (interquartile) concentrations of TNF alpha and IL-6 (pg/ml), and APACHE II score, plasma lactate concentration, and organ function. RESULTS: Perioperative concentrations of both TNF alpha (p = 0.001) and IL-6 (p = 0.006) were significantly higher in patients with septic shock. Preoperative cardiovascular and respiratory failure were associated with significantly raised TNF alpha (p < 0.001 in both cases) and IL-6 concentrations (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). The preoperative APACHE II score correlated with the increased TNF alpha concentration (r = 0.5, p < 0.001) and plasma lactate concentration with that of IL-6 (r = 0.7, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Perioperative TNF alpha and IL-6 concentrations correlated with the severity of intra-abdominal infection, so it is possible that patients who present with either septic shock or the sepsis syndrome may benefit from immunotherapy against TNF alpha.

Abdomen↗