Comparison of 27-gauge (0.41-mm) Whitacre and Quincke spinal needles with respect to post-dural puncture headache and non-dural puncture headache.

Background: The incidence of headache after spinal anaesthesia has varied greatly between studies. We compared the incidence of postoperative headache in general and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) when using 27-gauge (G) (outer diameter 0.41 mm) Quincke and Whitacre spinal needles in ambulatory surgery performed under spinal anaesthesia.

Peroral tramadol premedication increases postoperative nausea and delays home-readiness in day-case knee arthroscopy patients.

Background And Aims: To evaluate the effect of preoperative oral tramadol on postoperative pain and its effect on the patient's home-readiness after diagnostic day-case knee arthroscopy performed under spinal anaesthesia.

Material And Methods: We studied 156 outpatients in a prospective, randomized, double-blind fashion to examine the postoperative analgesic effect of preoperative oral slow-release tramadol. Postoperative pain was measured using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS).

Double-blind comparison of the variability in spontaneous recovery of cisatracurium- and vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block in adult and elderly patients.

Background: This study was designed to compare variability in the offset of two neuromuscular blocking agents with different elimination pathways.

Methods: The spontaneous recovery profiles of cisatracurium and vecuronium were compared in adult (18-64 years) and elderly (> or =65 years) patients receiving N2O/O2/fentanyl/propofol anaesthesia. Patients were randomised to receive an initial bolus dose and maintenance doses of 3xED95, respectively, 0.

Preoperative diclofenac is a useful adjunct to spinal anesthesia for day-case varicose vein repair.

Purpose: To examine if preoperative diclofenac 50 mg or diazepam 10 mg po are useful adjuncts to spinal anesthesia for day-case varicose vein repair.

Methods: Two hundred ASA physical status I-II outpatients, age 18-60 yr, were randomized to receive either diclofenac 50 mg po or diazepam 10 mg po one hour before operation in a double-blind fashion (100 patients in both groups). If the patient was distressed or feared the spinal puncture and requested sedation, a bolus dose of alfentanil 0.

Intra-articular ropivacaine injection does not alleviate pain after day-case knee arthroscopy performed under spinal anaesthesia.

Background And Aims: To evaluate the effect of intra-articular ropivacaine injection on postoperative knee pain after day case arthroscopy.

Material And Methods: We studied one hundred outpatients in a prospective, randomized, double-blind fashion to examine the postoperative analgesic effect of intra-articular ropivacaine or saline injected into the knee joint after day-case knee arthroscopy performed under spinal anaesthesia. Patients were interviewed postoperatively with a standardized questionnaire.