Interaction between erythromycin and midazolam was investigated in two double-blind, randomized, crossover studies. In the first study, 12 healthy volunteers were given 500 mg erythromycin three times a day or placebo for 1 week. On the sixth day, the subjects ingested 15 mg midazolam. In the second study, midazolam (0.05 mg/kg) was given intravenously to six of the same subjects, after similar pretreatments. Plasma samples were collected, and psychomotor performance was measured. Erythromycin increased the area under the midazolam concentration-time curve after oral intake more than four times (p < 0.001) and reduced clearance of intravenously administered midazolam by 54% (p < 0.05). In psychomotor tests (e.g., saccadic eye movements), the interaction between erythromycin and orally administered midazolam was statistically significant (p < 0.05) from 15 minutes to 6 hours. Metabolism of both erythromycin and midazolam by the same cytochrome P450IIIA isozyme may explain the observed pharmacokinetic interaction. Prescription of midazolam for patients receiving erythromycin should be avoided or the dose of midazolam should be reduced by 50% to 75%.

Several studies have reported transient neurological symptoms after spinal anaesthesia with 5% lignocaine. In order to evaluate the role of concentrated solutions of local anaesthetic in the development of transient neurological symptoms, 200 ASA I or II patients undergoing minor orthopaedic or rectal surgery under spinal anaesthesia were allocated randomly to receive 4% mepivacaine 80 mg or hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine 10 mg. All patients were interviewed by an anaesthetist approximately 24 h after spinal anaesthesia, and after 1 week patients were asked to return a written questionnaire. The incidence of transient neurological symptoms consisting of pain in the buttocks or pain radiating symmetrically to the lower extremities differed (P < 0.001) between patients receiving mepivacaine (30%) and those receiving bupivacaine (3%). Hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine can be recommended for minor operations on the lower abdomen or lower extremities.

Purpose: To compare the intubating conditions after remifentanil-propofol with those after propofol-rocuronium combination with the aim of determining the optimal dose of remifentanil.Methods: In a randomized, double-blind study 80 healthy children aged three to nine years were assigned to one of four groups (n=20): 2 or 4 µg·kg -1 remifentanil (Re2 or Re4); 2 µg·kg -1 remifentanil and 0.2 mg·kg -1 rocuronium (Re2-Ro0.2); 0.4 mg·kg -1 rocuronium (Ro0.4). After atropine, remifentanil was injected over 30 sec followed by 3.5 mg·kg -1 propofol and rocuronium. After 60 sec, laryngoscopy and intubation were attempted. Intubating conditions were assessed as excellent, good or poor based on ease of ventilation, jaw relaxation, position of the vocal cords, and coughing to intubation.Results: In all children intubation was successful. Overall intubating conditions were better (P < 0.01), and the frequency of excellent conditions, 85%, was higher (P < 0.01) in the Re4 group than in the Ro0.4 group. No child manifested signs of muscular rigidity. In the remifentanil groups, arterial pressure decreased 11-13% and heart rate 6-9% after anesthetic induction, and remained at that level throughout the study. Conclusion:The best intubating conditions were produced by the combination of 4 µg·kg -1 remifentanil and 3.5 mg·kg -1 propofol. It provided excellent or good intubating conditions in all children without causing undue cardiovascular depression.Objectif : Comparer les conditions d'intubation après l'usage d'une combinaison de rémifentanil-propofol avec celles d'une combinaison de propofol-rocuronium dans le but de déterminer la dose optimale de rémifentanil.Méthode : Lors d'une étude randomisée et à double insu, 80 enfants en bonne santé, de trois à neuf ans, ont été répartis en quatre groupes (n=20) et ont reçu : 2 ou 4 µg·kg -1 de rémifentanil (Ré2 ou Ré4); 2 µg·kg -1 de rémifentanil et 0,2 mg·kg -1 de rocuronium (Ré2-Ro0,2); 0,4 mg·kg -1 de rocuronium. Après l'administration d'atropine, le rémifentanil a été injecté pendant 30 s et a été suivi de 3,5 mg·kg -1 de propofol et de rocuronium. La laryngoscopie et l'intubation ont été tentées après 60 s. Les conditions d'intubation ont été évaluées comme excellentes, bonnes ou pauvres selon la facilité de la ventilation, la relaxation de la mâchoire, la position des cordes vocales et la toux pendant l'intubation.Résultats : L'intubation a été réussie chez tous les enfants. Les conditions générales d'intubation ont été meilleures (P < 0,01), et la fréquence d'excellentes conditions, 85 %, plus élevée (P < 0,01) dans le groupe Ré4 que dans le groupe Ro0,4. Aucun enfant n'a manifesté de signe de rigidité musculaire. Dans les groupes rémifen-tanil, la tension artérielle a baissé de 11-13 % et la fréquence cardiaque de 6-9 % après l'induction de l'anesthésie et sont demeurées à ce niveau tout au long de l'étude. Conclusion :Les meilleures conditions d'intubation ont été réalisées avec la combinaison de 4 µg·kg -1 de rémifentanil et de 3,5 mg·kg -1 de propofol. L'intubation a été bo...