Effect of celecoxib combined with thoracic epidural analgesia on pain after thoracotomy

in British Journal of Anaesthesia (2010), 105(2), 196-200

Cerebral subarachnoid blood migration consecutive to a lumbar haematoma after spinal anaesthesia

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2008), 59(3), 223

Actualites en anesthésie-réanimation en chirurgie cardiaque adulte

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2004), 59(1), 35-45

Anesthetic techniques and treatment of cardiac surgery patients have considerably evolved over the past twenty years. The demand for cardiac surgical procedures is increasing. This demand coincides with a ... [more ▼]

Anesthetic techniques and treatment of cardiac surgery patients have considerably evolved over the past twenty years. The demand for cardiac surgical procedures is increasing. This demand coincides with a change in the profile of patients presenting for surgery, requiring modification in perioperative management strategies. Several new anesthetics, related drugs, and technologies have become available in recent years that inevitably have made new approaches with patient management possible. In parallel to these new developments, there have appeared real opportunities to apply novel physiologic and pharmacologic concepts that may redefine our clinical practice. Fast-tracking, which emphasizes the major role of anesthetic management in postoperative outcome, is one such line of investigation. Fast-tracking was first introduced in an attempt to decrease the time to tracheal extubation and reduce expensive time in intensive care unit areas. Large doses of opioids have been clearly identified as a factor in delaying weaning from mechanical ventilatory support after cardiac surgery. Thus, early investigations emphasized the importance of limiting the dose of potent opioid analgesics during the intraoperative period to achieve early recovery. Supplementation with hypnotic drugs allows reduction of the opioid dose, enabling earlier extubation without compromising hemodynamic stability. Fast track cardiac anesthesia (FTCA) is becoming an accepted practice for perioperative management of cardiac surgical patients. FTCA is a key component to successful conduction of fast-track cardiac surgery. Also, analgesia management in cardiac surgery is becoming more important with the establishment of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery and fast track management of conventional cardiac surgery patients. [less ▲]

Hemodynamic changes and catecholamine release during laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

in Anesthesia and Analgesia (1999), 88(1), 16-21

We investigated hemodynamics and plasma catecholamine concentrations in eight consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for suspected pheochromocytoma. The same anesthesia protocol was ... [more ▼]

We investigated hemodynamics and plasma catecholamine concentrations in eight consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for suspected pheochromocytoma. The same anesthesia protocol was used in all patients: a continuous infusion of sufentanil 0.5 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) and isoflurane 0.4% (end-tidal) in 50% N2O/O2. Systolic arterial pressure was maintained between 120 and 160 mm Hg by adjusting an infusion of nicardipine, a calcium-channel blocker, while tachycardia (>100 bpm) was treated by 1-mg boluses of atenolol. Hemodynamics (thermodilution technique) and plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured before surgery, after the induction of anesthesia, after turning the patient to the lateral position, during pneumoperitoneum, during tumor manipulation, after adrenalectomy, and at the end of surgery. Two events resulted in significant catecholamine release: creation of the pneumoperitoneum and adrenal gland manipulation. As a consequence, a twofold increase in cardiac output was recorded. Adjustments of nicardipine infusion (2-6 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) minimized changes in mean arterial pressure. Beta-adrenergic blockade was necessary in six patients. In conclusion, laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma results in marked catecholamine release during pneumoperitoneum and tumor manipulation. Titration of a nicardipine infusion allowed easy and quick control of the hemodynamic aberrancies related to these processes. IMPLICATIONS: Pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy, now used for adrenalectomy, may complicate anesthetic management of patients with pheochromocytoma. In this study, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with catecholamine release during the creation of pneumoperitoneum and tumor manipulation. Adjustments of a nicardipine infusion readily attenuated the subsequent hemodynamic aberrancies. [less ▲]