Augmented Local Anaesthesia In Selected Cases Of Thyroidectomy In Rural Practice

An augmentation of anaesthesia in 12 selected cases of thyroidectomy in a rural practice is presented. The cases were selected according to well defined criteria. The augmentation involved the use of general anaesthesia with ketarmine hydrochloride and diazepam, at the state of mobilizing the superior poles of the gland. This method was adopted following the observation that this stage of surgery under local infiltration, elicited severe coughing and occasional stridor, which were immediately relieved after administration of general anaesthesia. The result was satisfactory in all cases in all cases done. The procedure is therefore, recommended especially in rural practice where anaesthetic expertise and other facilities are inadequate and access to immediate may not be readily available Key Words: Thyroidectomy, Local anaesthesia, augmentation. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(1) 2004: 31-3