腔镜与开胸食管癌切除术围术期并发症的比较

目的 比较腔镜食管肿瘤切除与Sweet、Ivor-Lewis和McKeown 3种开胸食管肿瘤切除术式的围术期并发症发生率.方法 2012年2月至2013年2月,四川大学华西医院822例食管癌切除手术,经左胸(Sweet) 673例,上腹右胸(Ivor-Lewis) 37例,颈胸腹三切口(McKeown)19例,腔镜辅助(MIE)93例,回顾性分析患者的临床资料.结果 4种手术组患者年龄、腹腔及中下纵隔淋巴结清扫数目、术后并发症肺部感染、吻合口瘘、膈疝、乳糜胸、胃排空障碍、死亡的发生率等方面的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).上纵隔淋巴结清扫数目McKeown组(4.05±4.29)枚和MIE组(3.16 ±2.34)枚高于Sweet组(1.40 ±2.28)枚和Ivor-Lewis组(1.11±1.82)枚,P＜0.001.手术时间MIE组(363.63±98.27) min明显高于Sweet组(199.51 ±46.75) min、Ivor-Lewis组(241.76 ±71.88) min及McKeown组(271.05±92.30) min,P＜0.001.术后患者呼吸衰竭的发生率McKeown组(10.5％,2/19)高于Sweet组(1.3％,9/673)、Ivor-Lewis组(2.7％,1/37)和MIE组(3.2％,3/93),P=0.046;声音嘶哑MIE组(4.3％,4/93)高于Sweet组0.3％(2/673)、Ivor-Lewis组(0)和McKeown组(0),P＜0.001.MIE小手术量组的手术时间高于大手术量组[(418.10±133.42) min对(337.70±62.31) min,P＜0.001].结论 三切口食管癌切除能够获得较左开胸、上腹右胸更彻底的上纵隔淋巴结清扫,腔镜的应用可能有助于降低术后呼吸道并发症发生率.     

改良Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗中段食管癌的双向性队列研究

目的探讨腹腔镜辅助腋下小切口改良Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术对中段食管癌手术疗效的影响。方法以术前检查颈部无可疑转移淋巴结的中段食管癌患者为研究对象。将2010年4月至2012年12月行Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗的55例作为历史性队列[A组,男36例、女19例,年龄(65±8)岁],2013年1月至2015年3月行改良Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗的46例作为前瞻性队列[B组,男31例、女15例,年龄(66±7)岁],比较两组的围手术期观察指标、淋巴结清扫效果和手术后1年的随访情况。结果与A组比较,B组患者胸部手术时间短(t=5.94,P0.05)、术后呼吸系统并发症发生率及总体并发症发生率更低(χ~2=3.08,4.30,P0.05)、恢复肛门自动排气时间缩短(t=2.08,P0.05)、术后住院时间缩短(t=3.20,P0.05)。两组与外科技术相关的吻合口瘘、喉返神经损伤、乳糜胸的发生率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组颈胸交界(包括颈段食管旁)、纵隔、上腹部淋巴结转移率(χ~2=0.03,0.15,0.08,P0.05)和淋巴结转移度(χ~2=0.01,0.71,0.01,P0.05)的差异均无统计学意义。两组术后1年的肿瘤复发转移率(χ~2=0.04,P0.05)和生存率(χ~2=0.13,P0.05)差异也无统计学意义。结论改良Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术是一种更好的以经胸径路替代经颈径路清扫颈部淋巴结治疗中段食管癌的手术方法。     

Ivor-Lewis手术在老年中下段食管癌患者中的应用

目的探讨Ivor-Lewis手术治疗老年中下段食管癌患者的安全性。方法前瞻性入组2009年6月至2010年6月天津医科大学肿瘤医院老年（60岁以上）中下段食管癌患者232例,按随机数字表法分为Ivor-Lewis手术组（116例,取右胸后外侧及上腹正中切口）和Sweet手术组（116例,取左胸后外侧切口）,比较两组术中及术后情况。结果Ivor-Lewis手术组与Sweet手术组根治性切除率分别为95.7％(111/116)和92.2％ (107/116) (P＞0.05);开胸手术时间分别为(47.2±5.2) min和(105.4±9.3) min（P=0.000）。术后呼吸衰竭发生率分别为1.7％(2/116)和6.9％(8/116)(P=0.049);室上性心律失常发生率分别为3.4％(4/116)和10.3％(12/116)(P=0.035);总并发症发生率分别为22.4％(26/116)和34.5％(40/116)(P=0.004);围手术死亡率分别为1.7％(2/116)和3.4％(4/116) (P＞0.05)。两组术后下床活动时间分别为(4.0±2.0)d和(4.8±3.7)d(P=0.046);术后住院时间分别为(11.5±4.7)d和(13.7±7.8) d(P=0.008)。结论Ivor-Lewis手术具有不损伤膈肌、胸腔内手术时间短、对心肺功能影响小、术后并发症少、恢复快的优势,可考虑作为老年中下段食管癌的首选手术方式。     

颈胸交界部淋巴结转移特征及清扫价值的前瞻性队列研究

目的探讨中段食管鳞癌颈胸交界部淋巴结的转移特征及清扫价值。方法2005年3月至2013年2月,选取303例术前颈部无可疑转移淋巴结的中段食管鳞癌患者(江苏省如皋市博爱医院107例、江苏省如皋市人民医院196例),按照入院顺序编号分组、采用不同径路的经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗,比较其中Ivor-Lewis径路Ro切除的149例(Ivor-Lewis组)和Sweet径路Ro切除的141例(Sweet组)的淋巴结清扫情况、肿瘤病理分期和中长期疗效。结果Ivor-Lewis组患者的颈胸交界部与自身上腹部相比,其阳性淋巴结的数目多(Z=3.12,P0.05)、转移率高(X~2=10.76,P0.05)、转移度大(X~2=11.67,P0.05)。Ivor-Lewis组患者与Sweet组患者相比,其颈胸交界部的阳性淋巴结的数目多(Z=3.30,P0.0 5)、转移率高(X~2=7.34,P0.05)、转移度大(X~2=5.99,P0.05),NN_1的Ilia、lllb期患者所占比例高(X~2=5.59,P0.05),术后1年、3年、5年的淋巴结局部复发转移率低(X~2=5.85,6.30,5.12,P0.05)、肿瘤总复发转移率低(X~2=6.56,5.69,6.38,P0.05)、患者生存率高(X~2=5.20,8.60,5.89,P0.05)。结论在中段食管鳞癌上、下双向淋巴转移趋势中颈胸交界部比上腹部更加高发淋巴结转移、且转移强度更大。彻底清扫颈胸交界部淋巴结对于术后准确分期和加强局部控制、减少术后淋巴结局部复发转移至关重要是提升中段食管鳞癌手术的中长期疗效的关键性措施。     

OrVil吻合技术在全腔镜食管癌根治术中的应用

目的 探讨应用经口钉砧头输送系统(OrVil)吻合技术行全腔镜食管癌根治术的可行性、安全性.方法 回顾性分析2010年12月至2013年3月53例应用OrVil吻合技术行全腔镜食管癌根治术的患者临床资料.男42例,女11例;年龄36 ～ 78岁,平均(59.3±8.6)岁.肿瘤位于胸中段13例,胸下段40例(包括13例食管胃交界腺癌累及食管下段),病变长度(3.7±1.6)cm.其中46例应用OrVil技术行全胸腹腔镜下食管癌切除胃食管右胸内吻合术,7例应用OrVil技术行全腹腔镜下食管胃交界癌切除胃食管吻合术.结果 全组无围手术期死亡,无中转开胸、开腹手术.手术(294.5±46.8)min,术中出血(172.3±102.1)ml;术后(5.2±2.3)天拔胸管,(10.1±4.3)天进食;住院(14.1±6.2)天.全组淋巴结清扫总数(26.5 ±9.9)枚/例,其中胸野清扫淋巴结(10.9±6.6)枚/例,腹野清扫淋巴结(15.1±10.9)枚/例.围术期主要并发症发生率13.2％ (7/53)例,其中吻合口瘘1例,肺部感染6例.按手术时间比较,早期15例与后期15例,手术时间由(307.3±53.7) min缩短至(266.0±24.7) min(P=0.014),术中出血量由(180.0±106.6) ml减少至(142.0±81.3) ml(P=0.281).52例患者平均随访(13.0±7.3)个月,无吻合口狭窄.1例失访.术后总生存率88.5％,死亡6例.结论 应用OrVil吻合技术完成全腔镜食管癌切除消化道重建术是微创、安全、可行的,近期效果良好.     

胸腹腔镜联合经腹胸二切口食管癌根治胸内吻合术的效果

目的探讨胸腹腔镜联合经腹胸二切口食管癌根治胸内吻合术(Ivor-Lewis)的效果。方法根据手术方式不同将70例食管癌患者分为2组,各35例。对照组实施胸腹腔镜联合经颈胸腹三切口食管癌根治颈部吻合术(Mckeown),观察组行Ivor-Lewis术。比较2组的疗效。结果观察组手术时间、住院费用低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组淋巴结清扫数、术中失血量及术后恢复效果等指标比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 Ivor-Lewis治疗食管癌,可缩短手术时间,减轻患者经济负担。     

胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除颈部吻合术30例疗效分析30例疗效分析

目的探讨胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除术的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2012年12月在江苏南通医学院附属丹阳医院胸心外科接受食管癌切除术的53例T3N1M0内食管癌患者的临床资料,其中行胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除颈部吻合术30例(腔镜组,男16例、女14例),年龄(62.3±7.6)岁;右侧开胸三切口食管癌切除手术23例(开胸组,男13例、女10例),年龄(63.1±6.9)岁。比较两组胸部及腹部手术时间、术中出血量、手术淋巴结清扫数目、住ICU时间、术后疼痛评分、镇痛药用量、围手术期并发症。结果与开胸组相比,腔镜组患者胸部手术时间更短[(98±35)min vs.(115±45)min,P=0.000],胸部出血量更少[(65±30)ml vs.(142±53)ml,P=0.000],胸部淋巴结清扫数量更多[(14.8±4.8)枚/例vs.(12.6±3.5)枚/例,P=0.002],术后住ICU时间更短[(1.2±0.4)d vs.(3.3±1.2)d,P=0.001],疼痛视觉模拟评分更低[(2.5±1.3)vs.(4.8±1.2),P=0.000],镇痛药用量更少[(142±32)mg vs.(368±62)mg,P=0.000],围手术期呼吸循环系统并发症发生率明显降低(16.7%vs.47.8%,P0.05)。结论掌握手术适应证行胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除颈部吻合术,具有创伤小、出血少、疼痛轻、住ICU时间短、肺部并发症发生率低等优点。     

腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌507例临床体会

目的 总结开展腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌的经验体会.方法 回顾性分析1997年8月至2012年12月507例施行腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌的患者临床资料.男348例,女159例;年龄(60.5±10.6)岁.其中,食管肿瘤位于上段39例(7.69％),中段312例(61.54％),下段156例(30.77％),术前放、化疗21例(4.14％).TNM分期:0期55例(10.85％),Ⅰ期167例(32.94％),Ⅱ期203例(40.04％),Ⅲ期69例(13.61％),Ⅳ期13例(2.56％);鳞癌463例(91.32％),腺癌及其他类型44例(8.68％).手术采用腔镜辅助下经右胸、上腹、左颈入路,其中胸腔镜+开腹281例(55.42％),胸腔镜+腹腔镜179例(35.31％),开胸+腹腔镜32例(6.31％),中转开胸/开腹15例(2.96％).结果 507例患者中腔镜辅助下完成McKeown食管癌切除手术492例(97.04％).胸腔镜下食管游离及胸腔淋巴结清扫(81.5±34.7) min,腹腔镜下胃游离及腹区淋巴结清扫(60.3 ±17.5) min.胸腔镜手术出血(105.2±73.1)ml,腹腔镜手术出血(43.5土21.4)ml.清扫淋巴结总数(23.7±11.5)枚/例,其中胸腔淋巴结清扫(14.6±7.7)枚/例,腹腔淋巴结清扫(8.7±5.2)枚/例,颈区淋巴结清扫(1.3±1.1)枚/例.198例经食管床、309例经胸骨后径路重建食管.全组术中无死亡.术中因非病灶原因胸导管损伤13例、心房颤动9例、食管切缘阳性R1切除者3例、奇静脉/脾脏损伤出血3例、电凝钩/超声刀误伤气管3例.术后早期主要并发症为肺部感染54例(10.65％),颈部吻合瘘39例(7.69％),心律失常25例(4.93％),胸腔积液需要置管19例(3.75％),喉返神经损伤17例(3.35％),术后乳糜胸12例(2.37％).术后早期死亡5例(0.99％).241例(47.53％)接受术后放化疗.458例随访(41.5±35.9)个月,1、3、5年生存率分别为81.9％ (324/396)、53.7％ (148/276)、47.6％ (63/132).结论 腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管肿瘤可行、有效,术后近、中期疗效可靠.     

胸腹腔镜联合食管癌微创Ivor-Lewis手术(附102例报告)

目的探讨胸腹腔镜联合食管癌微创Ivor-Lewis手术的可行性及临床效果。方法对102例食管癌患者进行胸腹腔镜联合食管癌微创Ivor-Lewis手术(胸腹腔镜组),以同期94例行左胸后外侧切口食管癌切除术者为对照(左侧开胸组),对两组患者的治疗效果和围手术期情况进行比较,应用疼痛数字评价量表(NRS)评价患者疼痛程度。结果胸腹腔镜组和左侧开胸组的平均手术时间分别为(236±40)min和(228±44)min,术中出血量分别为(151±45.4)ml和(192.5±58.3)ml,淋巴结平均切除数分别为(19.7±5.4)枚和(9.3±5.7)枚,术后胸腔闭式引流带管时间分别为(5.8±2.1)d和(6.7±2.6)d,术后平均住院时间分别为(12.4±6.1)d和(15.6±7.5)d。两组术中出血量、淋巴结切除数、带管时间和术后平均住院时间比较,差异有统计学意义(t=-5.583,13.116,-2.675,-3.288;P均0.05)。两组并发症发生情况相当。胸腹腔镜组和左侧开胸组术后第1天平均NRS分别为(3.7±0.9)分和(4.8±2.1)分,术后第3天平均NRS分别为(2.1±0.7)分和(3.0±1.4)分,术后第5天平均NRS分别为(2.0±0.7)分和(2.1±0.5)分。两组术后第1天、第3天平均NRS比较,差异有统计学意义(t=-4.831,-5.759;P均0.05)。结论胸腹腔镜联合食管癌微创Ivor-Lewis手术与左胸后外侧切口手术相比,并没有增加手术并发症,同时表现出创伤小、出血少、疼痛轻、淋巴结清扫更彻底及住院时间短等优势。     

食管癌Ivor-Lewis术式与Sweet术式比较研究的Meta分析

目的：比较食管癌切除手术Ivor-Lewis术式与Sweet术式的有效性和安全性,探讨食管癌切除术的最佳手术方式。方法检索PubMed、EMbase、the Cochrane Library 、Google scholar、中国知网（CNKI）、中国生物医学文献总库（CBM）、维普数据库（VIP）及万方数据库公开发表的Ivor-Lewis术式与Sweet术式比较的研究,采用RevMan 5．2软件进行数据分析。结果15篇文献共4106例患者纳入研究,其中Ivor-Lewis组1454例,Sweet组2652例。 Meta分析结果显示,与Sweet组比较,Ivor-Lewis组手术时间明显较长（MD＝57．40,95％CI：42．43～72．38,P＝0．000）,手术出血量明显较高（MD＝28．39,95％CI：4．06～52．72,P＝0．02）,淋巴结清扫数目明显较多（MD＝4．19,95％CI：3．06～5．32,P＝0．000）;两组术后住院时间、喉返神经损伤、乳糜胸、肺部并发症和吻合口瘘等并发症的发生情况差异无统计学意义（均P＞0．05）;两组间5年生存率差异无统计学意义（P＝0．52）。结论两种术式远期疗效相当,Sweet术式较Ivor-Lewis术式操作方便,节省手术时间,患者耐受性较好;Ivor-Lewis术式比Sweet术式能够清扫更多的淋巴结,亦未增加术后并发症。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.