Reversal of delayed-onset paraplegia after thoracic aortic surgery with cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

We report two patients who had postoperative reversal of delayed-onset paraplegia after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage after type I thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair. CSF drainage was not initiated before operation because of the urgent presentation of both patients. Decompression of the spinal canal by CSF drainage may improve spinal cord circulation in certain patients and may avoid or decrease neurologic injury.

A comparison of epidural and intramuscular morphine in patients following cesarean section.

This randomized, double-blind study compared epidural (EP) and intramuscular (IM) morphine in 24 healthy parturients for 24 h after cesarean section. The 11 EP subjects received 5 mg of EP morphine and normal saline intramuscularly, and the 13 IM patients received 5 mg of IM morphine and normal saline epidurally. Both injections were given simultaneously just after delivery and then upon request with at least 30 min between each pair of injections.

Temperature changes and shivering after epidural anesthesia for cesarean section.

Changes in bladder, tympanic membrane, and skin temperature were monitored in two groups of parturients after they received epidural anesthesia for elective Cesarean sections. Group 2 patients (n = 21) received warm intravenous crystalloid and prep solutions as well as extra body covering, whereas Group 1 patients (n = 19) did not. The drop in bladder temperature over the course of the procedure was significantly greater in Group 1 patients (1.