[Computerized recording of physiologic parameters monitored during anesthesia].

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to describe a multifunctional anesthesia record system PC-based, for use in operating room, and to verify the possibility of statistical analysis of some of the signals registered.

DESIGN

Anesthesia records with data entered automatically were performed in 650 patients undergoing anesthesia for abdominal or thoracic surgery. A randomized trial in patients allocated into two groups was performed too. The first group was ventilated with non rebreathing system, the second group was ventilated with circle system.

SETTING

Inpatient surgery clinic at a medical center.

PATIENTS

24 patients ASA I undergoing general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

The first group was ventilated with O2 = 4 1/min-1 and N2O = 6 1/min-1; the second group was ventilated with O2 = 350 ml/min-1 and N2O = 250 ml/min-1, reducing the N2O flow in order to keep FIO2 = 0.4.

MEASUREMENTS

Esophageal temperature was registered every 90 sec and automatically copied on a Microsoft Excel spread sheet for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The automated anesthesia record was easy to use and different information about anesthesia and surgery were recorded. The automated analysis of the signals can be performed if no artifacts exist. With this method we found a statistical difference in the esophageal temperature between the two groups after 45 min of anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Computerized records capture many more data than handwritten records and give the possibility to give a rationale in their customs.