Use of ropivacaine and lidocaine for axillary plexus blockade.

Objective: The use of certain peripheral nerve blocks in paediatric patients is gaining increasing popularity, although distinctive characteristics of the juvenile anatomy, psychological barriers, time constraints on block placement, and risks of neurotoxic and cardio toxic side effects are still mentioned. However, newer agents like Ropivacaine and Levobupivacaine seem to offer excellent alternatives to Bupivacaine and Lidocaine, especially for use in paediatric patients.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated Ropivacaine 0.

Ultrasound of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve: normal findings in a cadaver and in volunteers.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of ultrasound (US) in visualizing the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) in a cadaver and 8 volunteers.

Methods: Ultrasound and US-guided dye injection was performed in 1 cadaver to show the feasibility of detecting the LFCN. We then performed US in 8 volunteers to assess position of the nerve in respect to the anterior iliac spine.

Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric blocks in children: where do we administer the local anesthetic without direct visualization?

Background: Ultrasonographic observation of peripheral nerve blocks enables direct visualization of the spread of local anesthetic around the targeted nerves. Similarly, ultrasonography may be used to determine the site of local anesthetic placement when landmark-based techniques are used. We performed a study to determine the actual location of local anesthetic when ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks are performed using landmark-based techniques in children in an attempt to explain a failed block.

Experience of recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven) in the operating theatre and intensive care unit for the management of intracranial bleeding in nonhaemophilic patients.

Objective: Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to explore the use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa NovoSeven Novo Nordisk, A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) for the management of ICH in the operating theater and intensive care unit.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed all the records of nonhaemophilic patients entered into the haemostasis.

Postoperative vigilance in patients with total intravenous anaesthesia with ketamine/propofol.

Ketamine is a strong acting analgesic drug, used mainly in trauma and emergency medicine settings, as well as for minor procedures. Its pharmacological properties make it a useful drug for military anaesthesia. Ketamine acts by blocking activation of the spinal and supraspinal NMDA-type glutamate and opioid receptors.

Effect of prostacyclin on platelets, polymorphonuclear cells, and heterotypic cell aggregation during hemofiltration.

Objectives: Hemodialysis activates both platelets and leukocytes, which play a role in the development of multiple organ dysfunctions in critically ill patients. Prostacyclin inhibits both cell types. To examine the hypothesis that prostacyclin prevents cellular activation during clinical hemofiltration, we investigated the expression of activation markers on platelets and leukocytes using whole blood flow cytometry.

Comparison of in vitro closure time (PFA-100) with whole blood electrical aggregometry and platelet surface antigen expression in healthy volunteers.

It was the aim of this study to compare in vitro closure time (PFA-100), reflecting platelet-related primary hemostasis, to more platelet-specific tests like whole blood electrical aggregometry and platelet surface antigen expression in healthy volunteers. In vitro closure time was measured using a PFA-100. Platelet surface antigen expression (CD63, CD62-P, CD42b, CD36, CD31) was determined in accordance with the consensus protocol for flow-cytometric characterisation of platelet function.