Reduction of Heat Loss in Neurosurgical Patients Using Metallized Plastic Sheeting

Intra‐operative heat loss—wrapping up the problem with a space blanket

“…Intra-operative monitoring included the placement of a balloon-tipped, flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter (Arrow Heparin-coated 'Hands Off 4-Lumen Thermodilution). This was inserted via the right internal jugular vein using a modified Seldinger technique [3], and worked well throughout the procedure and on arrival in the Intensive Care Unit.…”

Horner's syndrome due to epidural anaesthesia presenting with a painful eye

“…The incidence is about 1.33% [2]. The syndrome is usually asymptomatic and, when bilateral, may be overlooked [3]. I report a 22-year-old primigravida who developed a left Homer's syndrome and severe pain in her eye during lumbar epidural block performed for analgesia during the first stage of labour.…”

“…Firstly, the presence of 0.15 mg of adrenaline in the local anaesthetic solution used conferred little, if any, prophylaxis against bronchospasm. Secondly, the use of anxiolytic/antihistamine premedication [2,3], in conjunction with the patient's routine asthma medications, would seem prudent in offsetting the impact of psychological factors in even outwardly calm asthmatics, as both these cases appeared to be. Thirdly, we have often noted the pungent nature of the vapour from the antiseptic cleaning solutions used by both the anaesthetist and surgeon.…”