Tissue and cell culture (in vitro) studies reported in the 1997 issues of the British Journal of Anaesthesia, Anesthesia and Analgesia, and Anesthesiology were compared with groups of clinical studies selected at random from the same issues. Comparisons were of some basic aspects of study design and reporting that might lead to bias. The aspects examined were sample size, randomization and reporting of exclusions and withdrawals. Two groups of 53 articles were compared: sample size was smaller in in vitro than in clinical studies (median 6 vs 19); randomization was reported in five in vitro studies and in 37 studies; and failures were reported in two in vitro studies and in 43 clinical studies. This hinders interpretation of reported tissue and cell culture studies. Where possible, tissue and cell culture studies should be conducted, reported and assessed for publication to standards equivalent to those for clinical studies.

Anesthesia↗

PubMed1998

Human albumin administration in critically ill patients. Paper failed to mention earlier review.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Albumins↗

PubMed1998

Body posture during simulated tracheal intubation.

Seventeen experienced anaesthetists and 15 novices were filmed intubating the trachea of a training manikin. Measurements were made of the distance from manikin's chin to subject's nose and of the angles at the elbow, the shoulder and of the forearm with the horizontal. Trained subjects stood further back (trained: median 43 cm, interquartile range 41-56 cm; novices 35 cm, 26-38 cm; Mann-Whitney U, p < 0.01), with a straighter arm (trained elbow angle: 108 degrees, 99-121 degrees; novices': 92 degrees, 88-102 degrees; Mann-Whitney U, p < 0.01). Trained subjects tended to hold the laryngoscope closer to the hinge, with a pincer grip; novices were more likely to use a full grip of the handle. Trainers should consider giving novices explicit instructions on how to stand and how to hold the laryngoscope.

Anesthesiology↗

PubMed1998