Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Mar. 17, 2010). Research paper (M.S.), 3 hrs. Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-59).

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on September 25, 2009). Thesis advisors: Dr. N. Scott Litofsky & Dr. Anand Chandrasekhar. Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements tor the degree of Master of Medicine (Anaesthesia) in the Department of Anaesthesla University of the Witwatersrand / This study investigated the postoperative management of hypothermia of intraoperative origin using a forced-air convective warming device. Hypothermia develops during the intraoperative period partly as a result of disordered thermoregulation induced by anaesthesia and partly because of the nature of the operational injury and the surgical environment. Both the hypothermic state and the consequences of physiological attempts to return the core temperature to normal, which take place during the postoperative period, are associated with non-beneficial effects. Attempts to prevent intraoperative decline in core temperature are a part of anaesthesia management. However, most of the traditional options available are inefficient or ineffective, particularly in adults. This study evaluated the performance of a new device, the forced-air convective warmer, in the management of the postoperative hypothermic state. Results showed that when compared to a hypothermic control group the device made a significant difference to the thermal state of a group of hypothermic postoperative patients but only if it was used for at least two hours postoperation. / Andrew Chakane 2018

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a subtype of delirium that commonly occurs within the first three days after a surgical procedure. Common risk factors for POD include advanced age, dementia, visual and hearing impairment, alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, and previous history of delirium.This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with POD in elderly surgical patients following elective surgical procedures. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. Demographic information and clinical data were collected for adult patients over 65 years old who underwent elective surgical procedures that required general anesthesia at Boston Medical Center (BMC) between May 2021 and November 2022. POD was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method, which was administered by the nursing staff as part of usual care protocols at BMC. Univariate analysis was utilized to assess potential risk factors. A multivariate logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was conducted in order to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients were enrolled in this study, including 43 male and 46 female patients. Four patients presented with POD following their surgical procedure, making the incidence of POD in this study 4.5%. There was a statistically significant difference regarding frequency of alcohol use, with 50% of POD patients classified as having frequent alcohol use compared to 7.1% of patients without POD (p = 0.029). POD patients had significantly lower incidence of increased blood pressure fluctuations during surgery compared to patients without POD (50% versus 95.3%, p = 0.012). Increased blood pressure fluctuation during surgery was also identified as a significant protective factor in elderly patients without POD (OR: 0.002, p = 0.015) POD was also significantly associated with administration of postoperative olanzapine (25% versus 0%, p = 0.027) and quetiapine (25% versus 0%, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: POD in elderly patients after elective surgery procedures with general anesthesia is significantly associated with frequent alcohol use, postoperative administration of quetiapine, and postoperative administration of olanzapine. Increased blood pressure fluctuations was significantly greater in patients without POD, which suggests it may be an important protective factor against POD. Future study should consider focusing on the effects of hemodynamics in the development of POD.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate various interventions used for rewarming patients with post-anesthetic hypothermia and to determine which treatments are most effective. Hypothermia is a potential complication that is seen in many patients post-operatively. It is defined as any temperature below 35 degrees Celsius (C) or 95.8 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The combination of anesthesia, cold room temperatures, and compromised patients predisposes them to hypothermia. Physicians and nurses need to understand the potential complications that can occur if patients are left to rewarm themselves passively. Many strategies are available to help patients achieve normothermia. In this review of research, the physiology of thermoregulation, complications of, and treatments for hypothermia are presented.

A review of the literature identified that few research studies have been published which examined the post-operative pain of children, particularly those between the ages of 4 and 7 years. As a result, theoretical literature has been the major contributor to the understanding of the concept of children's post-operative pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the post-operative pain of hospitalized children aged 4 to 7 years on the first postoperative day, through a self-reported measure of pain intensity levels as well as descriptions of the children's overt behaviours used to express pain. Data were gathered on the pain intensity levels (using the PCT) and overt behaviours of 11 children between the ages of 4 and 8 years on the first post-operative day between the hours of 0800 and 2000. In addition, data regarding parental presence and the administration of analgesics were also collected for these children. Findings related to pain intensity scores provided the basis for three important conclusions. First, all of the children were able to place a value on their pain using the PCT. Second, all of the children were experiencing some degree of post-operative pain possibly related to the lack of consistent administration of analgesia. Third, parental presence did not influence the pain intensity scores reported by the children. Findings related to the overt behaviours exhibited by children also provided the basis for three important conclusions. First, the most frequent behaviours identified were not those normally associated with feelings of pain. The researcher believed that this lack of expected response was as a result of the children's ability to adapt and cope with the pain. Second, behavioural measurement of pain may not be a reliable and valid measure of post-operative pain. Third, parental presence or absence did not influence the overt behaviours exhibited. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Doctor of Medicine

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Zugl.: Bochum, Universiẗat, Diss., 2008.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1979.