Editorial. Nursing Aid Specialized in Anesthesia and Resuscitation (NASAR): why should we promote the involvement of anesthesia helping nurses within the current and future Belgian anesthesia field?

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2012), 63(1), 1-2

Linking sleep and general anesthesia mechanisms: this is no walkover

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2011), 62(3), 161-171

Maintaining the communication and information tool of the Belgian anesthesiology community

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2011), 62(4), 173-174

Unexpected entropy response to saline spraying at the end of posterior fossa surgery: a few cases report.

in Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica (2011), 62(2), 87-90

The Spectral Entropy proposed to monitor the depth of anesthesia includes the State Entropy (SE) computed from the EEG (0.8-32 Hz frequency band), and the Response Entropy (RE) computed from EEG and ... [more ▼]

The Spectral Entropy proposed to monitor the depth of anesthesia includes the State Entropy (SE) computed from the EEG (0.8-32 Hz frequency band), and the Response Entropy (RE) computed from EEG and facial muscles activity (0.5-47 Hz frequency band). We report an unexpected Entropy response to saline spraying at the end of posterior fossa surgery. Six patients undergoing scheduled functional surgery of the posterior fossa were included in this report. They were anesthetized with propofol and remifentanil using TCI and received an intubation dose of rocuronium. At the end of surgery, saline spraying, performed for hemostatic purpose and wreckage elimination, resulted in a sustained increase in RE and SE without hemodynamic modification in four patients, while no change was observed in the two other ones. In one of the responding patients, 0.1 mg kg(-1) rocuronium attenuated the Entropy response. In the two non responders, repetition of spraying or rocuronium administration did not change Entropy value. Recovery from anesthesia was comparable in all patients and none of them complained from awareness. We conclude that Entropy can increase during posterior fossa surgery in non-paralyzed patients. This response probably reflects an increase in facial muscle activity rather than a change in depth of anesthesia, as far as it can be attenuated by a small dose of rocuronium. While this hypothesis requires further investigation, these observations suggest that saline spraying may confound interpretation of Entropy during posterior fossa surgery. [less ▲]

Antiplatelet therapy in the perioperative period.

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2010), 61

antiplatelet drugs are the cornerstone treatment in the secondary prevention of arterial thrombosis. Until recently, their intake was interrupted in the perioperative period because of fear for bleeding ... [more ▼]

antiplatelet drugs are the cornerstone treatment in the secondary prevention of arterial thrombosis. Until recently, their intake was interrupted in the perioperative period because of fear for bleeding, but new insights have challenged this old habit. in patients at high risk for atherothrombotic events who need to undergo surgery or an invasive procedure, the risk for bleeding complications because of a treatment with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (lD aSa) needs to be balanced against the risk of atherothrombotic events after treatment discontinuation. for patients at high risk of atherothrombotic complications recent guidelines do no longer advocate to interrupt lD aSa routinely. However, the likelihood of bleeding versus atherothrombotic complications should be considered on a case-by-case basis. when continued perioperatively, the bleeding risk associated with thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel and prasugrel) is higher than that of lD aSa. it is recommended to stop their intake 1 week before the surgical intervention, except in patients with (recent) coronary stenting [less ▲]

Effect of the transversus abdominis plane block on pain after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2009, September 19), 60(3), 205

Postoperative respiratory problems in morbidly obese patients.

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2009), 60(3), 169-75

Morbid obesity results in a restrictive pulmonary syndrome including decreased functional residual capacity. General anaesthesia further decreases functional residual capacity, and consequently alters gas ... [more ▼]

Morbid obesity results in a restrictive pulmonary syndrome including decreased functional residual capacity. General anaesthesia further decreases functional residual capacity, and consequently alters gas exchanges more profoundly in morbidly obese patients than in nonobese patients. Moreover, these changes persist longer during the postoperative period, rendering obese subjects vulnerable to postoperative respiratory complications. In this review, we present postoperative measures improving respiratory function of these patients. Whether these measures affect outcome remains however unknown. Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome deserve special considerations that are briefly described. Finally, the algorithm of the postoperative respiratory management of morbid obese patients used in our institution is provided. [less ▲]

Intravenous lidocaine reduces propofol requirement during propofol - remifentanil anaesthesia for thyroid surgery

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2008, June 14), 59(3), 204

Dose response curve of intravenous lidocaine on the depth of propofol - remifentanil anesthesia assessed byt the bispectral index (BIS) and A-line ARX index (AAI)

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2008, June 14), 59(3), 205

Intraoperative ketamine increases BIS-guided sevoflurane requirements during combined general and thoracic epidural anaesthesia for major abdominal surgery

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2008, June 14), 59(3), 201