Efficacy of Forced-Air Warming to Prevent Perioperative Hypothermia in Morbidly-Obese Versus Non-obese Patients.

Background: Hypothermia is associated with an increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Forced-air warming systems are the most effective methods for its prevention. When using a mattress, a reduction in the area of diffusion of warm air by crushing due to excess weight cannot be ruled out.

Is routine preoperative chest X-ray indicated in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery?

Background: In our hospital pre-operative chest x-ray (CXR) are routinely requested without prior establishment of any medical indication for patients of 70 or more years of age who are undergoing elective surgery. The aim of this study was to determine if routine preoperative chest x-rays are justifiably indicated for elderly patients undergoing elective surgery in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

Method: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients aged 70 or more years were studied between January 2003 and December 2005.

A five-year review of upper airway obstruction in the immediate general anaesthetic post-operative period in Enugu, Nigeria, 1990-1994.

Aim: To determine the incidence and causes of upper airway obstruction in the Post Anaesthesia Recovery Room (PARR) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, from January 1990 to December 1994

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study of 4500 anaesthetic charts from January 1990 to December 1994 was undertaken. Cases where upper respiratory tract obstruction (URTO) occurred were retrieved and reviewed. Information sought for included patient's age, sex, pre-operative physical status (ASA), type of surgery, probable cause of URTO, and management outcome.

Intraoperative diclofenac for post-adenoidectomy analgesia in small children.

We investigated the analgesic effect of intra-operative intravenous diclofenac in a randomized, double blind placebo-controlled paralled group study after adenoidectomy in 150 children aged 1-7 years. A standard anaesthetic method was used and all children received oral diazepam as premedication. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with halothane and nitrous oxide in oxygen with controlled ventilation.