The distance from the skin to the subarachnoid space can be predicted in premature and former-premature infants.

Purpose: Spinal anesthesia can be technically challenging in young infants. We studied whether the distance between the skin and the lumbar subarachnoid space in premature and former-premature young infants could be predicted prior to lumbar puncture.

Methods: The distance from skin entry point to tip of the spinal needle was measured using a caliper after lumbar spinal anesthesia at the L4-5 interspace.

A comparison of three techniques for acute postoperative pain control following major abdominal surgery.

Study Objectives: To compare the analgesic efficacy of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) alone (basic pain treatment) with that of NSAID in conjunction with either intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) or intermittent epidural morphine (epidural morphine), among patients recovering from major intraabdominal surgery; and to assess the fixed and variable costs of providing the respective acute pain treatment modalities.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized study.

Setting: Postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and surgical departments of a large referral hospital.

Surgical management of spinal stenosis: a comparison of immediate and long term outcome in two geriatric patient populations.

This retrospective study was performed to assess and compare the immediate safety and long term outcome of surgical decompression of spinal stenosis when performed for geriatric patients aged 65-74 years (Group A) and those >75 years (Group B) of age. Some 283 patients were studied (179 and 104 patients in Groups A and B, respectively). The mean follow-up time was 41.

Observations on the safety and efficacy of surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis in geriatric patients.

This retrospective study examines the results of surgical decompression of the lumbar spinal canal in 122 geriatric patients (age range 75-89 years) treated under general anesthesia by the same surgeon between the years 1990 and 1999. Patient demographics, perioperative complications, pain profiles before surgery and at the time of data collection (December 2000), as well as overall mortality were recorded. One hundred and twenty-two patients were studied.

Patient-controlled bupivacaine wound instillation following cesarean section: the lack of efficacy of adjuvant ketamine.

Study Objective: To assess the analgesic efficacy of ketamine when administered as an adjuvant to bupivacaine for patient-controlled wound instillation following cesarean section.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Setting: Large referral hospital.

[Spinal anesthesia in premature infants--indications, technical aspects and results].

Purpose: To present our experience with spinal anesthesia in premature and former premature infants, and to focus on technical aspects and pitfalls enlightened with increasing experience.

Methods: The perioperative course of all premature and former premature infants below 60 weeks postconceptual age undergoing spinal anesthesia within an 35-month-period was analyzed. Lumbar puncture was performed while the patient was held seated at L4-5 or L5-S1.

Fast-track eligibility of geriatric patients undergoing short urologic surgery procedures.

Unlabelled: Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility of geriatric patients (>65 yr) bypassing the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after ambulatory surgery. A secondary objective was to compare recovery profiles when using three different maintenance anesthetics. Ninety ASA physical status I--III consenting outpatients (>65 yr) undergoing short urologic procedures were randomly assigned to one of three anesthetic treatment groups.

Spinal anesthesia in 62 premature, former-premature or young infants--technical aspects and pitfalls.

Purpose: To highlight technical aspects and pitfalls of spinal anesthesia (SA) in infants.

Methods: The medical history and perioperative course of all infants who underwent SA over a 28-month period were collected (retrospectively in the first 20).

Results: Sixty-two infants underwent surgery under SA.

Anesthetic techniques for pharyngeal flap surgery: effects on postoperative complications.

Objective: To assess the effects of 2 different anesthetic techniques on early complications after superior pharyngeal flap surgery.

Design: Randomized, prospective, single-blind study.

Setting: Large referral hospital.