Anaesthesia, general history

Thacker MA, Davis FM. Subsequent general anaesthesia in patients with a history of previous anaphylactoid/ana-phylactic reaction to muscle relaxant. Anaesth Intensive Care 1999 27(2) 190-3. 

The development of general anaesthesia has quite a long history, which is worth relating here. 

A 77-year-old female underwent an elective right hemicolectomy for cancer. Preoperative investigations were unremarkable and previous medical history included hypertension and a previous general anaesthesia for uterine fibroid surgery (anaesthetic agent unknown). She had an uneventful general anaesthetic with thoracic epidural... 

In 2 patients under general anaesthesia for vesical surgery, indigo carmine was used to visualize the ureteric orifices. Both patients were aged over 70, with a history of asthmatic bronchitis. Immediately after the injection, the arterial tension dropped, cyanosis appeared, and despite all emergency measures - including cardiac massage - cardiac arrest finally occurred (43 -). 

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