EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON INTRAVENOUS REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA USING RADIOACTIVE LIGNOCAINE

Experiments using ¹⁴C-labelled lignocaine administered by theintravenous regional anaesthetic technique were carried outin dogs in order to determine the site and mode of action oflignocaine used in this way. Preliminary results have showna statistically significant selective pick-up by nerve tissuealthough the actual site of action has not yet been determined.Blood lignocaine levels in the venous outflow of the limb afterremoval of the tourniquet were also determined. The peak levelsrecorded were beneath the concentrations considered to be dangerousin clinical practice.     

TRACHEOSTOMY COMPLICATIONS IN AN INFANT: A Case Report

A case of upper respiratory tract obstruction in a 5-month-oldinfant is described. Difficulties in establishing a tracheostomywere encountered and orotracheal intubation was used to providea clear airway. The patient died suddenly 15 hours later. Possiblemechanisms accounting for the failure of resuscitation are discussed.The merit of prolonged endotracheal intubation and tracheostomyin the infant are compared.