Intramuscular dexmedetomidine premedication—an alternative to midazolam-fentanyl-combination in elective hysterectomy?

Sedation, anxiolysis, intubation responses and fentanyl anaesthetic requirements were investigated in a double-blind, randomized study in twenty ASA I-II elective hysterectomy patients. Ten patients received dexmedetomidine 2.5 μg kg^-1 i.m. 60 min before induction and saline placebo i.v. 2 min prior to induction (= DP group). Ten patients received midazolam 0.08 mg kg^-1 i.m. 60 min and fentanyl 1.5 μg kg^-1 i.v. (= MF group) 2 min before induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone 4 mg kg^-1. Anaesthesia was maintained with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen and with fentanyl 2 μg kg^-1 i.v. increments according to predetermined criteria. Both premedications induced sedation ( P < 0.01 in both groups) and anxiolysis ( P < 0.01 in DP vs <0.05 in MF group) without any differences between the groups. Haemodynamic changes following tracheal intubation did not significantly differ between the groups. Intraoperatively systolic and diastolic arterial pressure were 15% and 13% lower in DP group ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for drug effect), the mean heart rate was approximately 9 beats min^-1 lower in DP group (n.s.). Fentanyl was required more often in MF group: median 3.5 (QD 1.5) vs. 2.5 (QD 0.5) times in DP group ( P < 0.05), the total amount being 57% smaller in DP group: 0.03 (QD 0.01) vs. 0.07 (QD 0.02) μg kg^-1 min^-1 ( P < 0.05). Postoperative course and analgesic requirements were similar in both groups. Dexmedetomidine premedication may offer an alternative to current anaesthesia practice in elective hysterectomy.     

学龄前儿童困难型气质影响因素的回归分析

目的 了解学龄前儿童困难型气质的影响因素。方法 对1150名学龄前儿童的气质类型进行评定，以筛选出的85例困难型气质儿童为研究对象，平易型气质儿童为对照，进行1：2病例对照研究，采用单因素和多因素条件logistic回归进行统计分析。结果 回归分析发现学龄前儿童困难型气质的影响因素主要有出生窒息（OR=8．93）、高热史（3岁前）（OR=2．85）、母亲打骂儿童情况（OR=5．266）、父母带儿童参加社会交往活动频率（OR=0．648）和长辈对儿童教育方式的一致性（OR=2．435）等。结论 学龄前儿童困难型气质受多种因素的影响，重视困难型气质儿童的早期发现，对其采取恰当的教养方式，做好围产期和儿童保健工作，有助于促进儿童健康成长。     

Difficulties with tooth protectors in endotracheal intubation

The suitability of three tooth protectors for routine use during endotracheal intubation was studied in 300 consecutive patients undergoing elective operations under general anaesthesia. The main disadvantages of the protectors were lack of space and the consequent difficulty of guiding the endotracheal tube into the larynx, and poor visibility, especially when the Camo protector was used. These difficulties could be avoided in most cases by cutting off the right angle of the Camo protector. The less experienced anaesthesiologists especially had difficulties with the protectors: 20% of patients in the Camo group were considered impossible to intubate unless the protector was removed. The silicone inlay of the Camo protector melts and becomes adhesive at body temperature, which makes its prolonged use hazardous. Two patients lost a maxillary incisor despite the proper use of a protector (Denex). Thus the use of a tooth protector alone does not guarantee avoidance of dental trauma. Better results could be obtained by improving the design of the protectors and by careful pre-anaesthetic dental examination.     

Anaesthesia for Cockayne's syndrome. Contemporary solutions to an old problem

The management of a failed intubation in a nineteen-year-old patient suffering from Cockayne's syndrome is described. Use of a laryngeal mask prevented major anaesthetic morbidity. Tracheal intubation was subsequently facilitated by a fibreoptic bronchoscope passed through the laryngeal mask. Cockayne's syndrome is reviewed including recent important developments in its aetiology and pathogenesis.;     

296例胎膜早破的临床分析

以２９６例胎膜早破（ＰＲＯＭ）作为研究对象，并以３５０例无ＰＲＯＭ作对照，探讨ＰＲＯＭ对母婴的影响。结果显示：ＰＲＯＭ组难产率为５６．０８％，产褥病率４．０５％，早产率为５．４０％，胎儿窘迫率为１３．００％，新生儿窒息率为４．３３％，新生儿肺炎发生率为３．６６％，均明显高于对照组，统计学处理后有显著或极显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．０５，Ｐ＜０．０１）。而且，ＰＲＯＭ隐惹期小于２４小时的产褥病率为２．２９％；大于２４小时的产褥病率则为８．９７％（Ｐ＜０．０５）。本文提示，应积极预防胎膜早破，一旦出现胎膜早破，宜在６小时内使用抗生素预防感染，并加强母儿监测。     

The haemodynamic response to the insertion of the laryngeal mask airway: a comparison with laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation

The haemodynamic response to the insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was assessed and compared to that of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in a study of forty patients (ASA 1) randomly allocated into two groups and anaesthetised using a standard balanced anaesthetic technique. The results show that the changes in all cardiovascular parameters measured following LMA insertion were significantly less (P<0.05) when compared with those following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. We conclude that airway management with the LMA may be used to avoid the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation where such a response is undersirable.     

Techniques of nasotracheal intubation with the fiberoptic bronchoscope

When nasotracheal intubation with a fiberoptic bronchoscope is performed, the tube may be blocked in the nasal cavity or larynx, resulting in several complications including epistaxis and hoarseness. We review the causes and complications of tube blockage and discuss optimal techniques for minimizing it.