1/5. Profound desaturation following vomiting on induction. A case for routine pre-oxygenation.Whilst participating in a clinical trial, a patient vomited during induction of anaesthesia. Subsequent analysis of the continuous record of oxygen saturation showed precipitous desaturation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. vomiting and aspiration pneumonitis with the laryngeal mask airway.We report a case of severe aspiration pneumonitis in the dependent lung of a 74-yr-old man following Austin-Moore arthroplasty. A laryngeal mask airway provided a clear airway until anaesthesia became too light during manipulation of the fractured femoral head. Active vomiting occurred and gastric contents were "reflected" back into the trachea. Tracheal intubation and suction were immediately performed but the patient required postoperative ventilatory and inotropic support for three days.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Delayed surgical emphysema, pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothoraces after postoperative vomiting.We describe a case of surgical emphysema, pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothoraces which occurred some hours after general anaesthesia for a repeat laparoscopy and followed persistent nausea and vomiting. We report the case because of the unexpected and delayed appearance, which led to delay in diagnosis and management. We suggest that this intrathoracic air leak was a consequence of postoperative vomiting rather than a complication of laparoscopy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. sumatriptan relieves and prevents peri-operative migraine attacks.The novel use of sumatriptan as an adjunct to the management of general anaesthesia in patients with a history of migraine is described. In two unpremedicated patients awaiting day surgery an acute pre-operative attack of migraine was successfully terminated by the injection of sumatriptan, allowing surgery to proceed uneventfully under general anaesthesia without postoperative complications. Two other patients with a history of severe habitual vomiting after general anaesthesia, who also had a history of migraine, were each given a prophylactic injection of sumatriptan after induction of anaesthesia and for the first time emerged from general anaesthesia free of these distressing complications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Fatal aspiration (Mendelson's) syndrome despite antacids and cricoid pressure.Two patients died after inhalation of gastric contents during general anaesthesia for caesarean section. Both had received antacid therapy before surgery and their stomachs contained large volumes of fluid. Failure to empty the stomach preoperatively may have been a major contributory cause of these deaths.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |