[Propofol administration systems. Handling, hemodynamics and propofol consumption].

Background: During anaesthesia propofol is administered either by manual controlled infusion (MCI) or by target controlled infusion (TCI) techniques. In this study two different TCI systems for propofol administration were evaluated with regard to handling, patient safety, and costs and compared to administration of propofol by the MCI technique.

Methods: In a prospective study, 90 patients scheduled for elective surgery of the nose or nasal sinuses were randomly enrolled in three groups.

Individual titration of propofol plasma target improves anaesthetic stability in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a comparison with manually controlled infusion.

Background And Objective: The impact of anaesthesia using target-controlled infusion with propofol on intraoperative stability, recovery and cost compared to manually controlled infusion has been evaluated with inconsistent results. We studied a new device that allows more individual titration of propofol target-controlled infusion by using the effect-site concentration at the loss of eyelash reflex to predict the maintenance infusion rate (FM-TCI).

Methods: Fifty-six patients undergoing major abdominal surgery lasting >2 h were randomly assigned to receive either FM-TCI (n = 28) or MCI-controlled (n = 28) anaesthesia.

[Comparison of a propofol-based anesthesia regimen using optimated-target-controlled-infusion (OTCI) and manually-controlled infusion (MCI) technique].

Background: Propofol anesthesia based on target-controlled-infusion (TCI) has been shown to be superior to a manually-controlled-infusion (MCI) technique. A new optimal-target-controlled-infusion (OTCI) technique enables an individual plasma-targeted adjustment by including the concentration in the effect-compartment. This study compared practicability and costs of the new system with a conventional MCI-based propofol anesthesia regimen.

[ProSeal-laryngeal mask versus endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing gynaecologic laparoscopy].

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the practicality of the ProSeal laryngeal mask (PS-LMA) airway during laparoscopic surgery with capnoperitoneum compared to endotracheal intubation (ET).

Methods: Prospective, randomized study. 104 patients undergoing gynaecologic, laparoscopic surgery were allocated randomly to two groups: 1.

[Prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting. Randomised comparison of dolasetron versus dolasetron plus dexamethasone].

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequent complications after operations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of combined dolasetron plus dexamethasone versus dolasetron alone with respect to the incidence and severity of emetic symptoms and patients satisfaction.

Methods: In a prospective, randomised, double-blind study, 150 patients scheduled for hysterectomy or breast surgery were allocated to one of the following two groups: group A received 50 mg dolasetron orally and group B 50 mg dolasetron orally plus 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously.

Placebo-controlled comparison of dolasetron and metoclopramide in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing hysterectomy.

Background And Objective: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, we compared the efficacy of dolasetron and metoclopramide in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing hysterectomy.

Methods: Patients were allocated randomly to one of three groups: group A (n = 50) received 50 mg dolasetron orally, group B (n = 50) received 20 mg metoclopramide intravenously and placebo orally, group C (n = 50) received placebo orally. If patients complained of retching or vomiting, or if patients demanded an antiemetic, 1.

A randomised comparison of three laryngoscopes with the Macintosh.

The Macintosh laryngoscope blade was compared with three modified blades--the Bizzarri-Giuffrida, the 'Improved Vision' Macintosh, and the Wiemers blade. Before and after a training session 24 participants intubated a Laerdal Airway Management Trainer with the four blades in random order. Intubation time was measured, oesophageal malpositions and 'clicks' indicating possible teeth damage, were counted.

[Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after hysterectomy with oral dolasetron, intravenous dehydrobenzperidol or a combination of both substances].

Objective: PONV is a frequent postoperative complication. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of oral dolasetron in comparison to intravenous droperidol (DHB) and to a combination of both drugs for prophylaxis of PONV.

Methods: 80 patients (ASA I-III) were randomly allocated to one of four groups and received the following medication: group A: 50 mg dolasetron was given orally 45-60 minutes before anaesthesia was induced, group B: 2.

[Neurologic symptoms in acute thoracic aortic dissection--a case report].

Acute thoracic aortic dissection is a life-threatening illness. It is often difficult to diagnose preclinically due to its many possible symptoms. One out of three patients has neurological deficits.

Unexpected return of spontaneous circulation after cessation of resuscitation (Lazarus phenomenon).

Since 1982, more than 20 patients with return of spontaneous circulation after cessation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Lazarus phenomenon) have been published. We report on another case here. Such cases are probably underreported due to medicolegal concerns.

[Prophylactic nefopam administration for post-anesthetic shivering].

Purpose: Shivering is a frequent postanaesthetic complication. Its definite reason is unknown. Patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases are endangered by postanaesthetic shivering.

Point-of-care (POC) measurement of coagulation after cardiac surgery.

Objective: Two different point-of-care (POC) systems for the monitoring of coagulation variables at the bedside were evaluated with regard to practicability, accuracy and costs.

Design: Prospective, descriptive study.

Setting: Single-institutional, clinical investigation on an intensive care unit (ICU) of an urban, university-affiliated hospital.

Critical illness polyneuropathy following cardiac surgery.

Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), a neurologic complication which may occur secondary to surgery, trauma and coma, is associated with sepsis or multiple organ failure (MOF). CIP is characterized by an axonal distal degeneration of sensory and motor fibres. The patients will often become neurologically conspicuous when weaning from mechanical ventilation is unexpectedly difficult.

Myxoma complex associated with transient hyperthyroidism: are diseases of the thyroid part of the complex?

The myxoma complex is a very rare disease. We report on a 31-year-old woman who suffered a hyperthyreosis, which resolved spontaneously. A few months later she developed a Cushing's syndrome, caused by a primary adrenocortical nodular dysplasia.