经皮经肝胃冠状静脉栓塞术固体栓塞物移(异)位及脱落的原因及处理方法

目的探讨经皮经肝胃冠状静脉栓塞术（PTVE）固体栓塞物移（异）位及脱落的原因及处理方法。方法对112例胃镜确诊食管胃底静脉曲张的肝硬化患者行PTVE,术中栓塞曲张的胃冠状静脉及胃短静脉,术毕栓塞穿刺道。观察术中及术后并发症。结果3例出现固体栓塞物移（异）位、脱落,其中1例弹簧圈移位导致肺动脉栓塞,1例部分弹簧圈留置于脾静脉远端致血栓形成,1例穿刺道栓塞剂脱落导致患者死亡。结论PTVE是预防及治疗食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血的有效方法,细心操作、合理使用栓塞剂是提高手术成功率、降低并发症的关键。     

食道胃底静脉曲张出血套扎术联合聚桂醇硬化术的疗效观察

目的观察内镜下套扎术联合聚桂醇硬化术治疗食道胃底静脉曲张出血的疗效。方法 103例食管胃底静脉曲张出血患者,予套扎术联合聚桂醇硬化术治疗,观察其疗效。结果治疗后患者食管静脉曲张消失率为95.1%（98/103）。随访半年至1年中,患者再出血病例4例（3.9%）,3例为合并门脉高压性胃病患者,1例为注射点渗血,死亡1例。治疗后胸骨后疼痛12例,合并胸膜炎10例,发热8例,早期再出血1例,无出现食管狭窄或食管穿孔病例。结论内镜下食管胃底静脉曲张套扎术联合聚桂醇硬化治疗食管胃底静脉曲张出血效果好,复发率低,副反应小,临床应广泛开展应用。     

肝硬化门静脉高压并发上消化道出血的相关危险因素分析

目的：探讨肝硬化门静脉高压并发上消化道出血的相关危险因素。
　　方法：回顾性分析2003年1月—2013年12月收治的门静脉高压患者498例，根据患者入院前上消化道出血情况分为出血组和非出血组，观察和比较两组患者的一般情况、胃底静脉曲张程度、冠状静脉怒张程度、红色征及门静脉内径、脾静脉内径。
　　结果：出血组男性、未行抗病毒治疗者、酒精性肝硬化者、胃底静脉曲张直径>5mm、冠状静脉怒张直径>5mm的比例明显高于非出血组（均P<0.05）；红色征程度越严重，出血风险越高，出血组患者门静脉内经、脾静脉内径明显大于非出血组（均P<0.05）。
　　结论：男性、胃底静脉曲张程度、红色征、门静脉及脾静脉内径增大等均是肝硬化门静脉高压合并食管静脉曲张破裂出血的相关危险因素，应针对各因素采取相应的干预措施，降低食管静脉破裂出血的发生率，改善肝硬化患者的预后。     

断流术联合胃底切除治疗门静脉高压症

目的 探讨断流术加食管下端及胃底切除术治疗门静脉高压的疗效.方法 回顾性分析32例采用断流术联合食管下端及胃底切除术治疗门静脉高压症患者(联合组)的临床资料,并以34例贲门周围血管离断术为对照组,患者均为肝炎后肝硬化,均患有明显的食管胃底静脉曲张,且有1次以上出血史.结果 患者均获随访,平均14个月,两组患者术后门静脉压变化及手术近期病死率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);食管胃底静脉曲张、术后再出血、腹胀和早期胃潴留等联合组明显优于断流组(P<0.05).结论 断流术联合胃底切除治疗门静脉高压症上消化道出血止血确切,复发出血率低,并发症少,是治疗门静脉高压症较理想的一种手术方法.     

改良Sugiura术治疗门静脉高压症9例报告

门静脉高压症最常见 ,最严重的并发症是食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血。目前的手术方法较多 ,各有利弊。我院 1 997年 9月～ 2 0 0 1年 9月期间采用保留胃冠状静脉与奇静脉侧支的改良 Sugiura术治疗门静脉高压症 9例 ,疗效较满意。报告如下。1　临床资料1 .1　一般资料　男性 7例 ,     

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大量临床实践表明 ,门静脉高压症的外科治疗 ,尤其是肝炎后肝硬化病人应以贲门周围血管离断术为首选。为提高本术式的疗效 ,达到即刻止血和降低再发出血 ,应强调完全和彻底的断流。因此 ,熟悉和掌握胃底贲门区的应用解剖和手术技巧是十分必要的。1　贲门周围血管离断术的解剖学基础胃底贲门区的解剖主要包括以下四个方面 (图 1)。术前术后　　 1 胃短静脉　 2 胃冠状静脉的胃支 (胃右静脉 )　 3 胃冠状静脉的食管支 (胃左静脉 )　 4 胃冠状静脉的高位食管支　 5 门静脉6 胃后静脉　 7 左膈下静脉　 8 胃网膜左静脉　 9 肠系膜上静脉　 10…     

胃壁食管粘膜下曲张静脉梯形环扎加贲门周围血管离断术

目的　探索治疗门静脉高压食管胃底静脉曲张出血的最佳止血术式。方法　对 3 0例食管胃底静脉曲张出血的患者实施胃底、食管粘膜下曲张静脉梯形环扎加贲门周围血管离断术。结果　手术平均时间 2 .5h ,手术近期止血率 10 0 % ,术后再出血率 2 % ,肝功能及腹水有不同程度改善。结论　本术式止血针对性强、操作简单、止血彻底、易于推广     

断流术后再出血的原因分析及预防对策

门奇断流术(Portazygous disconnection,PAD)是治疗门脉高压症,食道、胃底静脉曲张破裂出血的有效方法之一,因其对肝功能损害小,手术相对简单,术后近期疗效较好而被广为应用,令人遗憾的是PAD术后仍有部分患者再出血。PAD术后再出血的原因为: 一、食管、胃底曲张静脉再破裂 1.首次手术断流不完全 (1)食管、胃底旁静脉离断不完全 (2)未消除因胃左动、静脉分流造成局部门脉高压 (3)未阻断食管、胃底避内门奇静脉反常血流 2.食管、胃底区门奇侧支循环的再建立 3.门脉高压的病理及肝脏代偿功能的影响 4.局部因素的作用,如局部粘膜糜烂等 二、门脉高压症性胃粘膜病变(PHGP) 正确认识上述各种再出血的原因,于术前、术中、术后采取相应的预防措施,是减少PAD术后再出血的有效方法。     

内镜腹腔镜联合治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症食管胃底曲张静脉出血

目的：探讨内镜腹腔镜联合治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症食管胃底曲张静脉出血的可行性。 方法： 23例肝硬化门静脉高压症食管胃底曲张静脉出血患者行食管曲张静脉套扎或胃底曲张静脉组织胶注射后行手助腹腔镜脾切除11例,门奇静脉断流术12例。 结果：21例术后1年内无上消化道出血,2例因出血行再次套扎。1例于2年后患肝癌死亡,1例3年后上消化道出血死亡。 结论：内镜联合腹腔镜治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症曲张静脉出血创伤小,近期止血效果好,是一种切实可行的治疗门静脉高压症并食管胃底静脉曲张出血的方法。     

腹腔镜脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术18例体会

目的探讨完全腹腔镜脾切除、贲门周围血管离断术(laparoscopic splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization,LSPD)的技术改进。方法采用预先结扎脾动脉,建立脾门后隧道,根据脾门具体形态使用Endo-GIA分次离断脾蒂、应用直线切割闭合器离断胃冠状曲张静脉丛(胃蒂)的方法优化LSPD来治疗门静脉高压症及脾功能亢进。结果 18例病人均顺利完成手术,手术时间130~350 min,术中出血120~900 ml。其中11例病人行选择性贲门周围血管离断术,6例病人行非选择性贲门周围血管离断术,1例病人胃短静脉撕裂出血术中转为开腹手术。术后引流4~5 d,12例病人拔除引流管;术后6~8 d,6例病人拔除引流管。术后病人禁食及胃肠减压24~48 h,26~72 h肛门排气,引流4~8 d,住院及随访期间无死亡病例。术后2例病人出现血小板计数突然升高[(670~820)×10~9/L],7例病人出现腹水(550~800 m1),均对症治疗后好转,术后无感染性并发症、结肠损伤等严重并发症,切口愈合良好。18例术后住院时间8~20 d,术后1个月,上消化道钡餐或胃镜复查,8例病人改善为轻度胃底食管静脉曲张,5例病人改善为中度胃底食管静脉曲张,改善效果较为理想;其余5例也较术前减轻。随访8~24个月内,均未见死亡病例,无复发者。结论改良的LSPD可显著提高全腹腔镜手术成功率,减少术中出血量和缩短手术时间。     

维生素D受体在糖尿病肾病足细胞损伤及蛋白尿缓解中的作用

目的探讨维生素D受体(VDR)在糖尿病肾病(DKD)足细胞中的表达水平及在足细胞损伤及蛋白尿缓解中的作用。方法(1)本研究纳入了65例诊断患有2型糖尿病(伴或不伴蛋白尿)的患者,并纳入了25例年龄和性别相匹配的健康体检者为对照组。根据白蛋白/肌酐(ACR)的尿排泄比例对2型糖尿病患者进行分组,分别为无蛋白尿(ACR<30 mg/g,n=24)、微量白蛋白尿(ACR 30~300 mg/g,n=18)和临床蛋白尿(ACR>300 mg/g,n=23)。另选择25例经肾活检确诊的DKD患者作为DKD组。正常肾脏组织标本均取自泌尿外科同一时期肾脏肿瘤切除患者10例。将各组检测指标进行对比,同时采用实时定量PCR、ELISA法和免疫组化法检测VDR在各组患者的血液、尿液样本和肾脏组织中的表达情况,以及使用Pearson相关分析分析VDR与尿蛋白的相关性。(2)在2型糖尿病肾病小鼠模型中对上述结果进行验证,将遗传背景均为C57BLKs/J的雄性db/db小鼠及同窝出生的db/m小鼠,随机分为正常对照组(A组)、DKD对照组(B组)、DKD二甲基亚砜处理组(C组)、DKD帕立骨化醇(VDR激动剂)处理组(D组),C、D组连续腹腔注射处理8周,对照组不做任何处理。小鼠10周龄时开始连续干预8周,在小鼠22周龄(开始干预后12周)检测各组小鼠体重、血、尿生化指标对比;Western印迹法检测β⁃catenin、VDR的变化;免疫荧光观察足细胞标志蛋白podocin及足细胞损伤蛋白α⁃SMA的表达变化。结果(1)与正常健康对照组相比,无蛋白尿组、微量白蛋白尿组和临床蛋白尿组的糖尿病患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平均较低(均P<0.05);与无蛋白尿组的糖尿病患者相比,微量白蛋白尿组和临床蛋白尿组的糖尿病患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平均较低(均P<0.05)。(2)与正常健康对照组相比,无蛋白尿糖尿病组和DKD组患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平均较低(均P<0.05);与无蛋白尿糖尿病组患者相比,DKD组患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平亦较低(均P<0.05)。(3)免疫组化结果显示,DKD组肾组织中VDR的表达明显少于正常对照组。(4)DKD患者血浆中VDR mRNA相对水平与ACR呈负相关(r=-0.342,P<0.05)。(5)各组尿液上清液中VDR的水平与血浆中的水平呈相反趋势。(6)Western印迹结果显示,B组、C组肾小球足细胞β⁃catenin蛋白表达高于D组(均P<0.05),VDR蛋白的表达低于D组(均P<0.05);免疫荧光结果显示,B组、C组肾小球足细胞podocin的表达低于D组(均P<0.05),α⁃SMA的表达高于D组(均P<0.05)。结论VDR高表达缓解DKD足细胞损伤及蛋白尿。     

Anterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy After Shoulder Arthroscopy Treated With Surgical Decompression: A Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: Anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) palsy is a very uncommon cause of upper extremity pain and weakness that comprises less than 1% of all upper extremity nerve palsies. Rarely reported but also mentioned in the literature is AIN palsy after shoulder arthroscopy. Methods: A systematic review of the literature to date using PubMed was conducted to identify patients who suffered AIN palsy after shoulder arthroscopy procedures. Articles included met the following criteria: (1) published in English; (2) primary presentation of the data; (3) patients had undergone shoulder arthroscopy before developing symptoms of AIN palsy; and (4) diagnosis was confirmed with clinical symptoms of AIN palsy. Measured outcomes included patient demographics, specific shoulder procedure, anesthesia procedure, intra-operative patient positioning, intra-operative compressive dressing, intra-operative traction, surgical versus conservative treatment, abnormal findings during decompression procedure, proposed mechanism of injury, and follow-up. Results: The search yielded 6 articles, of which 4 (13 cases) met inclusion criteria. An additional 2 cases were included in this report totaling 15 cases. The average patient age was 49 years (range: 31-64) with 73% males. At average follow-up of 24 months, 67% of patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms—more than half of which underwent surgical decompression. Patients who failed to progress experienced weakness of the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus muscles. Conclusions: Proposed injury mechanisms for AIN palsy after shoulder arthroscopy range from mechanical trauma, compressive hematoma, and direct anesthetic neurotoxicity. Management should be directed by clinical symptoms, imaging, and patient factors with majority of patients expected to have excellent clinical outcomes.     

不同尿钙水平的Gitelman综合征患者临床特点比较

目的观察不同尿钙水平Gitelman综合征(GS)患者的临床特点,探讨尿钙在GS疾病临床分型中的价值。方法收集2016—2018年来自中国国家罕见病注册系统(NRSC)、在北京协和医院行SLC12A3基因检测诊断为GS患者的临床资料,分析其尿钙特点,比较不同尿钙水平患者的临床和实验室检查指标。氢氯噻嗪试验按照标准操作流程进行,测定患者基线和用药后3 h内氯离子排泄分数改变量的最大值(ΔFECl)。结果共有83例GS患者被纳入研究,其中低尿钙患者53例(63.86%)。低尿钙组尿钙/肌酐比明显低于非低尿钙组[(0.085±0.058)mmol/mmol比(0.471±0.284)mmol/mmol,t=7.349,P<0.001]。两组患者在年龄、性别、估算肾小球滤过率、血压、血尿电解质水平、代谢性碱中毒方面差异均无统计学意义。低尿钙组患者乏力(χ2=4.595,P=0.032)及多尿(χ2=5.778,P=0.016)发生比例低于非低尿钙组,两组患者在其他临床症状方面差异无统计学意义。低尿钙和非低尿钙组各有16例患者行氢氯噻嗪试验,中位ΔFECl结果分别为0.539%(0.430%,1.283%)和0.829%(0.119%,1.298%),均提示对氢氯噻嗪无反应,组间差异无统计学意义(U=130.000,P=0.956)。结论GS患者中低尿钙比例为63.86%,尿钙水平与疾病临床表型、NCC功能损伤严重程度之间均无明确相关性。     

Fibrinogen-thrombin collagen patch reinforcement of highrisk colonic anastomoses in rats

AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of human fibrinogenthrombin collagen patch(TachoSil~?) in the reinforcement of high-risk colon anastomoses.METHODS A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Wistar rats(n = 56) that all underwent high-risk anastomoses(anastomosis with only two sutures) after colectomies. The rats were divided into two randomized groups: Control group(24 rats) and treatment group(24 rats). In the treatment group, high-risk anastomosis was reinforced with TachoSil~? (a piece of Tacho Sil? was applied over this high-risk anastomosis, covering the gap). Leak incidence, overall survival, intra-abdominal adhesions, and histologic healing of anastomoses were analyzed. Survivors were divided into two subgroups and euthanized at 15 and 30 d after intervention in order to analyze the adhesions and histologic changes. RESULTS Overall survival was 71.4% and 57.14% in the TachoSil~? group and control group, respectively(P = 0.29); four rats died from other causes and six rats in the treatment group and 10 in the control group experienced colonic leakage(P 0.05). The intra-abdominal adhesion score was similar in both groups, with no differences between subgroups. We found non-significant differences in the healing process according to the histologic score used in both groups(P = 0.066).CONCLUSION In our study, the use of TachoSil~? was associated with a non-statistically significant reduction in the rate of leakage in high-risk anastomoses. TachoSil~? has been shown to be a safe product because it does not affect the histologic healing process or increase intra-abdominal adhesions.     

罗伊适应模式对腹股沟疝无张力疝修补术后恢复情况的影响

目的探讨罗伊适应模式对患者腹股沟疝无张力疝修补术后恢复情况的影响。 方法将2016年1月至2019年5月在秦皇岛市第二医院择期进行无张力修补术治疗的120例腹股沟疝患者，按照随机数字法分为对照组和观察组，每组各60例。对照组采用常规护理治疗，观察组在对照组的基础上采用罗伊适应模式。比较2组患者的术后临床指标、心理状态、围手术期并发症发生情况及满意度。 结果术后观察组患者的首次排气时间、恢复正常饮食时间、离床活动时间和术后住院时间均低于对照组（P<0.05）；术后观察组患者的抑郁自评量表（SDS）和焦虑自评量表（SAS）评分显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；术后2组患者均无切口感染发生，2组患者尿潴留、急性疼痛、认知功能障碍、发热、血肿等发生率相比无统计学差异（P>0.05）；术后观察组患者护理满意度为96.67%，显著高于对照组的83.33%（P<0.05）。 结论在常规护理的基础上，罗伊适应模式用于患者腹股沟疝无张力修补围手术期，能有效改善术后患者的焦虑/抑郁情绪，不增加围手术期并发症，促进术后患者的恢复及提高治疗满意度。     

Safety and tolerability of single intravenous doses of sugammadex administered simultaneously with rocuronium or vecuronium in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex rapidly reverses rocuronium- and vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block. To investigate the effect of combination of sugammadex and rocuronium or vecuronium on QT interval, it would be preferable to avoid the interference of anaesthesia. Therefore, this pilot study was performed to investigate the safety, tolerability, and plasma pharmacokinetics of single i.v. doses of sugammadex administered simultaneously with rocuronium or vecuronium to anaesthetized and non-anaesthetized healthy volunteers. METHODS: In this phase I study, 12 subjects were anaesthetized with propofol/remifentanil and received sugammadex 16, 20, or 32 mg kg(-1) combined with rocuronium 1.2 mg kg(-1) or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1); four subjects were not anaesthetized and received sugammadex 32 mg kg(-1) with rocuronium 1.2 mg kg(-1) or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1) (n=2 per treatment). Neuromuscular function was assessed by TOF-Watch SX monitoring in anaesthetized subjects and by clinical tests in non-anaesthetized volunteers. Sugammadex, rocuronium, and vecuronium plasma concentrations were measured at several time points. RESULTS: No serious adverse events (AEs) were reported. Fourteen subjects reported 23 AEs after study drug administration. Episodes of mild headache, tiredness, cold feeling (application site), dry mouth, oral discomfort, nausea, increased aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, and moderate injection site irritation were considered as possibly related to the study drug. The ECG and vital signs showed no clinically relevant changes. Rocuronium/vecuronium plasma concentrations declined faster than those of sugammadex. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose administration of sugammadex 16, 20, or 32 mg kg(-1) in combination with rocuronium 1.2 mg kg(-1) or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1) was well tolerated with no clinical evidence of residual neuromuscular block, confirming that these combinations can safely be administered simultaneously to non-anaesthetized subjects. Rocuronium and vecuronium plasma concentrations decreased faster than those of sugammadex, reducing the theoretical risk of neuromuscular block developing over time.     

血浆凝血因子VIII水平与IgA肾病患者临床病理改变及预后的关系

目的探讨血浆凝血因子VIII(factor VIII,FVIII)水平与IgA肾病(IgAN)患者临床参数及预后的关系。方法收集2016年1月至2016年12月中南大学湘雅二医院确诊的IgAN患者的临床资料。按照时间依赖的受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)得出的血浆FVIII预测IgAN预后的临界值,将患者分为高FVIII组(FVIII>140.50%)和低FVIII组(FVIII≤140.50%),比较两组患者肾活检时基线临床参数的差异。以估算肾小球滤过率(eGFR)下降≥30%或进入终末期肾脏病(ESRD)为终点事件,采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线及Cox回归方程法分析血浆FVIII水平对IgAN患者预后的影响。结果共93例IgAN患者纳入本研究,中位随访时间为35.15(33.77,36.76)个月,12例(12.90%)患者发生终点事件。高FVIII组患者年龄、血肌酐、尿素氮、血三酰甘油、血总胆固醇、血浆纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体、24 h尿蛋白量、蛋白C、蛋白S和eGFR下降速率高于低FVIII组(均P<0.05);eGFR、血白蛋白、中位随访时间低于低FVIII组(均P<0.05)。Kaplan-Meier生存分析结果显示,与低FVIII组比较,高FVIII组患者肾脏累积生存率降低(χ2=5.635,P=0.018)。在校正收缩压、eGFR、尿蛋白、肾小管萎缩/间质纤维化程度等因素后,多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,高血浆FVIII水平是IgAN患者肾脏预后不良的独立危险因素(HR=4.147,95%CI 1.055~16.308,P=0.042)。结论血浆FVIII水平与IgAN患者临床指标及预后相关,高血浆FVIII水平是IgAN患者肾脏预后不良的独立危险因素。     

Factors Associated With Reoperation After Silicone Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty

Background: Silicone proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty has a high revision rate. It has been suggested that persistent ulnar deviation and joint instability influence the durability of PIP silicone arthroplasties. The goal of this study was to evaluate what factors are associated with reoperation after silicone PIP arthroplasty. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all adult patients who underwent PIP silicone arthroplasty between 2002 and 2016 at one institutional system for inflammatory-, posttraumatic-, and primary degenerative arthritis. After manual chart review, we included 91 patients who underwent 114 arthroplasties. Fingers operated included 14 index, 41 middle, 38 ring, and 21 small fingers. Results: The overall reoperation rate was 14% (n = 16). Non-Caucasian race (P = .040), smoking (P = .022) and PIP silicone arthroplasty for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (P = .021) were associated with reoperation. The 1-, 5- and 10-year implant survival rates were 87%, 85%, and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: Caution should be exercised when considering PIP silicone arthroplasty of the index finger or in patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis. It may be worthwhile addressing smoking behavior before pursuing silicone PIP arthroplasty.     

Role of Conventional and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spinal Treatment Protocol for Hydatid Disease

Objective:

To demonstrate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the treatment protocol for hydatid disease of the spine.

Design:

Case report; literature review.

Findings:

Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate complicated infected hydatidosis from abscesses, epidermoid cysts from arachnoid cysts, and benign from malignant vertebral compression fractures. It is also helpful in differentiating between abscesses and necrotic tumors.

Conclusion:

Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate between infections requiring immediate surgery and those that can be treated medically with antihelmintic treatment.     

Effect of the implementation of NICE guidelines for ultrasound guidance on the complication rates associated with central venous catheter placement in patients presenting for routine surgery in a tertiary referral centre

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines of 2002 recommended the use of ultrasound (US) for central venous catheterization in order to minimize complications associated with central line placement. An ongoing audit of line placement by anaesthetists in the theatre complex of a tertiary referral centre looked at the associated complication rates. The objective of the study was to compare complication rates pre- and post-implementation of NICE guidelines. METHODS: This prospective, single centre audit looked at all patients in whom a central venous catheter was placed for surgery. Complication rates were assessed for procedures that were performed pre- and post-implementation of NICE guidelines. In total, 438 patients were identified for the study, and the procedures were performed either by trainee or by consultant anaesthetists. RESULTS: The pre- and post-implementation complication rates were 10.5% (16/152) and 4.6% (13/284), respectively, representing an absolute risk reduction of 5.9% (95% CI 0.5-11.3%). Comparison of those procedures in which US was used when compared with the landmark technique after implementation found a reduction of 6.9% in complications (95% CI 1.4-12.4%). The reduction in complication rates was larger for specialist registrars than for consultants (11.2% vs 1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of NICE guidelines has been associated with a significant reduction in complication rates in our tertiary referral centre. In the light of the cross-speciality evidence of US superiority and our results, it is imperative that routine use of US guidance becomes more widespread.