Intravenous tramadol compared to propacetamol for postoperative analgesia following thyroidectomy.

We compared the efficacy and side effects of propacetamol (P), an injectable prodrug of acetaminophen, 2 g and tramadol (T), a weak synthetic opioid, 1.5 mg.kg-1, given intravenously following thyroidectomy.

Predictive accuracy of target-controlled propofol and sufentanil coinfusion in long-lasting surgery.

Background: The predictive accuracy of target concentration infusions of propofol has been documented only for less than 4 h, and no prospective study of sufentanil target controlled infusion is available. The authors investigated the predictive accuracy of pharmacokinetic models for propofol and sufentanil coadministered during long-lasting surgery.

Methods: Ten patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, were studied during extended cervicofacial surgery.

Catheter entrapment by atrial suture during minimally invasive port-access cardiac surgery.

Purpose: The port-access approach allows surgeons to perform heart operations through small intercostal openings, or "ports". This technique requires new skills for anesthesiologists. A pulmonary artery venting (PAV) catheter and, in some cases, a coronary sinus catheter (for administration of retrograde cardioplegia) are positioned with the aid of fluoroscopy and transesophageal echography (TEE).