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Biomedical subjects

H Kehlet

Publications and source records attributed to H Kehlet.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Effect of preemptive nerve block on inflammation and hyperalgesia after human thermal injury.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain relief may be improved by reducing sensitization of nociceptive pathways caused by surgical trauma. Such a reduction may depend on the timing and efficacy of analgesia and the duration of the nociceptive block versus the duration of the nociceptive input. We examined whether a prolonged nerve block administered before a superficial burn injury could reduce local inflammation and late hyperalgesia after recovery from the block. METHODS: The effects of a preemptive saphenous nerve block on primary and secondary hyperalgesia, skin erythema, and blister formation, were compared to the opposite unblocked leg for 12 h after bilateral thermal injuries (15 x 25 mm, 49 degrees C for 5 min) in 20 healthy volunteers. Recovery from the block was identified by return of sensation to cold. RESULTS: Six subjects were excluded because of insufficient initial block (2 subjects) or because the block lasted beyond the study period (4 subjects). The remaining 14 subjects experienced significantly reduced primary (P = 0.005) and secondary hyperplasia (P = 0.01) in the blocked leg after return of cold sensation compared to the unblocked leg. Erythema intensity and blister formation were not significantly affected by the blockade (P = 0.94 and P = 0.07, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a prolonged, preemptive nerve block reduced late hyperalgesia after thermal injury, whereas the erythema and blister formation were not significantly affected.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The effect of posture on late postoperative oxygenation.

Twelve patients had their arterial oxygen saturation measured pre-operatively and on days 1, 4 and 7 after laparotomy. Measurements were performed in the supine, sitting and standing positions on each day. Arterial oxygen saturation was significantly higher during sitting and standing on days 1 and 4 after operation compared with the supine position (p < 0.05). These results give further evidence for the benefits of patient mobilisation after major surgery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia versus combined spinal/thoracic epidural analgesia on pain, pulmonary function and the metabolic response following colonic resection.

BACKGROUND: The neuroendocrine response following major surgery has not been previously influenced by either regional anaesthetic techniques or opioid analgesia probably due to insufficient intraoperative afferent neural blockade. In this study we attempted to determine whether significant inhibition of these pathways could be achieved by combining preoperative high spinal anaesthesia with postoperative thoracic epidural anaesthesia. In theory too, there may be additional benefits over perioperative thoracic epidural anaesthesia on pain and pulmonary dysfunction. METHODS: 20 ASA 1-3 patients undergoing elective colonic surgery were studied. Gp 1 (n = 10) received a high spinal intraoperative block to T4 using 6mls of 0.5% bupivacaine plus continuous epidural 0.125% bupivacaine/0.0025% diamorphine. Gp 2 (n = 10) patients received epidural 0.5% bupivacaine block to T4 plus continuous epidural infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine/0.0025% diamorphine. We measured a) plasma glucose and cortisol at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 h; b) forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and peak flow rate (PFR) preoperatively, at 8 and 24 h; c) visual analogue pain scores (VAS 0-10) at rest, cough and mobilisation at 8 and 24 h; d) block height every hour for 12 hours then 3 hourly; e) 24-hour urine volumes for dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline f) 24-hour PCA morphine requirements. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ in age, sex, height, weight, duration of surgery, blood loss or serum albumin. Pain relief was excellent and similar in both groups. The average 24 hour morphine consumption was 10 mg in both groups with no differences in the block height. All the patients had a 30-50% reduction in FEV1, FVC and PFR (P > 0.05). Metabolically, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups except a higher rise in glucose in Gp1 at 2 and 3 h (P = 0.0312 and 0.014). 24-hour catecholamine studies showed no differences for noradrenaline (P = 0.8), adrenaline (P = 0.47) and dopamine (P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural bupivacaine/diamorphine infusion provided excellent postoperative analgesia following colonic surgery. An intraoperative combined spinal/epidural technique conferred no additional benefit on analgesia, pulmonary function and the neuroendocrine response.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prophylaxis against postoperative complications in gastroenterology.

Gastrointestinal surgery results in pain, profound endocrine metabolic changes and organ dysfunction, immunosuppression and decreased resistance to infection, fatigue and convalescence. The main pathogenetic mechanism is the surgical stress response, which may be reduced by minimal invasive (laparoscopic) surgical techniques and afferent neural and perhaps humoral mediator blockade. Subsequently, these techniques have been documented as reducing a variety of postoperative morbidity parameters. A unifying concept for control of the postoperative period is presented as a combined effort to enhance preoperative information, stress reduction and sufficient functional pain relief allowing early mobilization and oral nutrition. Preliminary data, in combination with laparoscopic surgery, suggest that this approach improves outcome significantly.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗
PubMed1996

Pain relief and clinical outcome: from opioids to balanced analgesia.

If it is generally accepted that adequate postoperative pain relief will improve outcome from surgery, several controlled trials demonstrated this only for lower body surgical procedures with epidural and spinal anesthetics. Important effects on outcome were not shown when postoperative opioids were administered with patient controlled (PCA) or epidural techniques. However, the most optimal pain relief seems to be best achieved with balanced analgesia techniques using combinations of epidural opioids and local anesthetics and systemic non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Future efforts should aim at including physical rehabilitation programs in the pain treatment regimen.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1995

Recovery after laparoscopic colonic surgery with epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation.

The rate of postoperative recovery is determined by pain, stress-induced organ dysfunction, and limitations in conventional postoperative care. We attempted to provide "stress-free" colonic resection for neoplastic disease in eight elderly high-risk patients by a combination of laparoscopically assisted surgery, epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation. Effective pain relief allowed early mobilisation, and hospital stay was reduced to 2 days without nausea, vomiting, or ileus. Postoperative fatigue and impairment in functional activity were avoided. Major advances in postoperative recovery can be achieved by early aggressive perioperative care in elderly high-risk patients undergoing colonic surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Inguinal herniotomy--which kind of anesthesia? Economical considerations].

Economical aspects of three different types of anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair are discussed on the basis of relevant papers and economical estimates. Infiltration anaesthesia is found to be less expensive than both spinal and general anaesthesia. The reduction in cost is mainly based on a reduced demand for observation facilities during and after the operation as well as for preoperative evaluation. Early postoperative analgesia is improved after inguinal field block. Urinary retention is seen with a reduced frequency after inguinal field block. The risk of wound complication seems unrelated to the type of anaesthesia. The risk of serious complications related to anaesthesia (i.e. aspiration pneumonitis and significant circulatory events) is probably lower after infiltration anaesthesia. It is recommended that infiltration anaesthesia be employed for hernia repair.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1995

[Pain and convalescence after ambulatory inguinal herniotomy during local anesthesia].

Postoperative pain and convalescence following ambulatory inguinal herniotomy in local infiltration anesthesia was evaluated in this descriptive study. Sixty consecutive patients (median age 63 yr) were included. Per- and postoperative pain treatment were pre- and postoperative oral tenoxicam and methadone plus infiltration of the surgical field with up to 60 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. Intraoperative pain intensity was slight and was treated with supplemental bupivacaine. Patients were totally relieved of pain at rest and during mobilisation in the first hours after surgery, but more than half of the patients had moderate pain from the first to the third postoperative day and still had light pain seven days after surgery. Normal daily activity was re-established five days postoperatively (median). Fifty-two patients were satisfied with the anesthesia and eight patients not satisfied due to fear of intraoperative pain. This study shows that inguinal herniotomy can be performed routinely as an outpatient procedure under local infiltration anesthesia. However, late postoperative pain was significant and should be improved with multi-modal analgesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of three devices for oxygen administration in the late postoperative period.

We have evaluated three different devices for oxygen administration in the surgical ward, the Hudson face mask (oxygen 3 litre min-1, air 12 litre min-1), the nasal prong (oxygen 3 litre min-1) and the binasal catheter (oxygen 3 litre min-1). We evaluated the three devices in random order for periods of 30 min each in 25 patients with postoperative hypoxaemia (SpO2 < or = 94%). Arterial oxygen saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetry and comfort was evaluated with a questionnaire after each treatment period. The three systems increased arterial oxygen saturation to similar levels, but the highest degree of comfort was found with the binasal catheter. Use of the binasal catheter is recommended for oxygen administration in the late postoperative period.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Oxygen therapy reduces postoperative tachycardia.

Concomitant hypoxaemia and tachycardia in the postoperative period is unfavourable for the myocardium. Since hypoxaemia per se may be involved in the pathogenesis of postoperative tachycardia, we have studied the effect of oxygen therapy on tachycardia in 12 patients randomly allocated to blinded air or oxygen by facemask on the second or third day after major surgery. Inclusion criteria were arterial hypoxaemia (oxygen saturation < or = 92%) and increased heart rate (> 90 beat.min-1). Each patient responded similarly to oxygen therapy: an increase in arterial oxygen saturation and a decrease in heart rate (p < 0.002). Thus, postoperative supplementary oxygen has a positive effect on the cardiac oxygen delivery and demand balance.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Wound infiltration with ropivacaine and bupivacaine for pain after inguinal herniotomy.

In a double-blind, randomized study, 32 patients scheduled for elective inguinal herniotomy under general anaesthesia received subcutaneous infiltration with 40 ml ropivacaine 2.5 mg/ml or bupivacaine. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed repeatedly for 24 hours at rest, during cough and movement on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by means of pressure algometry. No differences between pain intensities or wound tenderness were found between the groups. The demand for analgesics was similar in the two groups. We conclude that incisional ropivacaine is as effective as bupivacaine in the management of post-herniotomy pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Synergism between analgesics.

The concept and value of 'multimodal' or 'balanced' analgesia in the treatment of postoperative pain is reviewed. Based upon the relatively few multimodal studies compared to unimodal studies, it is concluded that a combination of analgesics will improve pain relief including movement-associated pain. Since analgesic combination therapy is rational, further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal combination for each surgical procedure, as well as to assess the risk of side effects and need for surveillance in large-scale studies.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1995

Convalescence and hospital stay after colonic surgery with balanced analgesia, early oral feeding, and enforced mobilisation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the combined effects of pain relief by continuous epidural analgesia, early oral feeding and enforced mobilisation on convalescence and hospital stay after colonic resection. DESIGN: Uncontrolled pilot investigation. SETTING: University hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 17 unselected patients (median age 69 years) undergoing colonic resection. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received combined epidural and general anaesthesia during operations and after operation were given continuous epidural bupivacaine 0.25%, 4 ml hour and morphine 0.2 mg hour, for 96 hours and oral paracetamol 4 g/daily. No patient had a nasogastric tube, and oral feeding with normal food and protein enriched solutions (1000 Kcal (4180 KJ/day) was instituted 24 hours postoperatively together with intensive mobilisation. RESULTS: Median visual analogue pain scores were zero at rest and minimal during coughing and mobilisation, which allowed early mobilisation for up to 11 hours on the third postoperative day. Gastrointestinal function with defaecation had returned to normal in 12 patients within the first two postoperative days. Median hospital stay was five days with minimal increase in fatigue and without postoperative weight loss. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a combined approach of optimal pain relief with balanced analgesia, enforced early mobilisation, and oral feeding, may reduce the length of convalescence and hospital stay after colonic operations.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1995

Post-operative sleep disturbance: causes, factors and effects on outcome.

Post-operative sleep disturbance, with suppression of rapid eye movement sleep and slow wave sleep followed by a subsequent rebound, seems to be related to the magnitude of trauma and thereby to the surgical stress response. In this context, cortisol, autonomic stimulation, and certain cytokines may lead to abnormal sleep. Furthermore, the environment, pain and the administration of analgesics seem to be important factors in the precipitation of sleep abnormalities. Post-operative sleep disturbance may contribute to the development of episodic hypoxaemia, haemodynamic instability and altered mental status, all of which have an influence on post-operative morbidity and mortality. Prevention or reduction of the post-operative sleep disturbance may be achieved by minimizing surgical trauma, changing the conventional nursing procedures, avoiding opioids and treating pain with non-opioid analgesics, although none of these methods has been thoroughly studied. Post-operative sleep disturbance represents an important research field, since it may have a significant adverse impact on post-operative outcome.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Late post-operative hypoxaemia and organ dysfunction.

Constant and episodic hypoxaemia are common after major operations in the late post-operative period in the surgical ward. Recent studies have shown that hypoxaemia may be related to the development of myocardial ischaemia and cardiac arrhythmias. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated an adverse effect of tissue hypoxia on wound healing and on resistance to bacterial wound infections. Finally, mental confusion and surgical delirium may be related to inadequate arterial oxygenation during the late post-operative period. Late post-operative constant and episodic hypoxaemia may therefore be important surgical risk factors, and further studies on the pathogenesis, prophylaxis and treatment are warranted.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1994

[Acute pain service--another in-hospital specialty?].

Realizing that achievement in postoperative pain treatment was not satisfactory, central health authorities in USA, United Kingdom and Australia have published guidelines for managing acute pain. Establishing acute pain services is thought to be one of the means of improving pain relief in the individual patient. Development and research are secured and achieved results may be presented currently. At this moment, introduction of acute pain services is at a preliminary stage in Denmark, and consequently an overview of results obtained from abroad is given including pain treatment techniques, management and safety measures, as well as visions concerning the impact of optimal pain relief upon convalescence. We conclude that the introduction of acute pain services is bound to optimize postoperative patient care and might well prove to be a significant factor in reducing postoperative morbidity.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1994

[Postoperative oxygen therapy at a surgery department].

Late postoperative hypoxaemia is a common phenomenon, and is probably an important pathogenetic factor in the development of cardiac, cerebral and wound complications after major surgery. Thus, oxygen therapy may play an important role in the postoperative care of the surgical patient. Diagnosis of hypoxaemia is most cheaply and easily performed with pulse oximetry. The data available does not prefer one method of administering oxygen therapy to another, but patient compliance and comfort is probably greatest with the binasal cannula. There are no indications in published medical journals for scientifically based limits for hypoxaemia that requires treatment concerning the late postoperative period. Further studies of pathogenesis, treatment and clinical implications of late postoperative hypoxaemia are therefore warranted. It is our opinion, until further data is available, that monitoring of oxygenation is indicated in all patients after major surgery, and that hypoxaemia should indicate supplementary oxygen therapy. Proposed guidelines for monitoring and oxygen therapy are provided.

Contraindications↗