微创切口内固定治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折

目的探讨微创切口内固定治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折的疗效。方法采用微创切口内固定治疗38例SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折患者。结果 38例术后均获得随访,随访时间14～18个月。骨折均骨性愈合。末次随访时,跟骨B9hler角由术前5. 28°±10. 38°改善至28. 45°±6. 82°,Gissane角由术前98. 73°±25. 36°改善至120. 61°±15. 57°,差异均有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。末次随访时,按AOFAS踝-后足评分标准评估疗效:优24例,良10例,可4例,优良率89. 5%。结论微创切口内固定治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折,复位满意,固定牢固,术后允许早期活动,有效减少术后切口并发症,是治疗跟骨关节内骨折的有效方法。     

钢板内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折

目的探讨切开复位钢板内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折的疗效。方法对21例SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨关节内骨折患者（23足）采用开放复位、解剖型钢板内固定。结果 21例获得8~25个月随防。B lher角由术前12.5°±0.6°矫正为术后的36°±0.4°,Gissane角由术前98.7°±0.5°矫正为术后的135.3°±0.7°。术后疗效评价：优14足,良7足,差2足。结论切开复位钢板内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折疗效良好。     

钢板内固定治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折

目的探讨钢板内固定治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折的疗效。方法应用钢板内固定治疗74例（78足）SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折,均采用跟骨外侧L形切口。测量术前及术后B hler角及Gissane角,按照Mary-land足部评分系统评估疗效。结果 74例均获随访,时间6-24（15.1±5.6）个月。术后B hler角由术前的-23°-30°（12.2°±9.7°）恢复至12°-45°（32.6°±7.0°）,术后Gissane角由术前的83°-139°（113.1°±11.6°）恢复至102°-145°（120.8°±9.6°）。优36足,良34足,可8足,优良率89.7%;Ⅱ型优良率92.3%,Ⅲ型优良率87.2%。3足术后出现伤口浅部皮肤坏死,1足出现伤口深部感染,4足出现腓肠神经损伤症状。结论掌握恰当的手术时机,精细的术中操作,经跟骨外侧L形切口入路、钢板内固定治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折是一种有效的方法。     

跟骨关节内骨折钢板内固定手术疗效及并发症分析

目的探讨切开复位钢板内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折的疗效及手术并发症。方法对68例（75足）跟骨关节内骨折行切开复位钢板内固定治疗,均行跟骨外侧L形切口,复位关节面骨折,恢复Bohler角和±issane角后用钢板固定。采用AOFAS评分评定手术效果。结果68例均获得平均22（12—46）个月随访,骨折均愈合。Bohler角由术前（6．5±11．6）°恢复至术后（27．2±6．8）°,Gissane角由术前（88．7±10．4）°恢复至术后（123．5±10．2）°。19足出现并发症。结论切开复位、钢板内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折疗效满意,适当的手术时机和熟练的手术技巧可以减少手术并发症。     

切开复位内固定治疗移位的跟骨关节内骨折

目的探讨切开复位可塑跟骨钢板内固定治疗移位的跟骨关节内骨折的疗效。方法对76例（82足）复杂跟骨关节内骨折行切开复位可塑跟骨钢板内固定治疗,其中39足予自体髂骨植骨。结果76例均获随访,时间12-35（22.3±3.7）个月。B hler角术前9.3°±3.2°,术后恢复到26.7°±6.8°;Gissane角术前101.6°±13.3°,术后恢复到120.1°±14.2°。根据Maryland足部评分系统：优39足,良31足,可8足,差4足。结论切开复位可塑跟骨钢板内固定治疗复杂的跟骨关节内骨折,固定牢固,能早期功能锻炼,可减少并发症。     

小切口入路治疗跟骨骨折

目的探讨采用小切口入路治疗跟骨骨折的临床疗效。方法对26例闭合跟骨骨折患者在C臂机下先行克氏针牵引撬拨复位,骨折复位后取足外侧纵行长约4 cm小切口,紧贴跟骨外侧插入钛板,透视下经皮拧入螺钉作内固定。结果 26例均获得随访,时间8~18个月。Bhler角由术前的7.2°±2.2°恢复到术后的35.4°±5.6°,末次随访时为31.0°±8.2°。骨折均愈合,时间6~12个月。结论撬拔复位后小切口入路钛板内固定治疗跟骨骨折创伤小,减少了切口边缘坏死的并发症,功能恢复快,临床效果满意。     

撑开器双向撑开辅助闭合复位微创接骨板内固定治疗跟骨骨折

目的:探讨撑开器双向撑开跟骨骨折闭合复位微创接骨板内固定治疗跟骨骨折的临床疗效。方法 :自2015年9月至2016年10月,采用撑开器双向撑开辅助闭合复位微创接骨板内固定治疗11例(13足)跟骨骨折,全部为男性,年龄24～57岁,平均36.4岁。Sanders分型:Ⅱ型8足,Ⅲ型5足。术后观察切口情况、骨折愈合情况、B?hler角、Gissane角及采用Maryland足部评分系统进行功能评价。结果:所有骨折愈合,无切口感染或切口不愈合的并发症发生。所有患者术后获得随访,时间12～15个月,平均13.5个月。跟骨B?hler角由术前的(9.6±7.3)°恢复至术后1年的(20.2±4.6)°,差异有统计学意义;跟骨Gissane角由术前的(92.7±8.5)°恢复至术后1年的(121.7±7.6)°,差异有统计学意义。术后1年Maryland足部评分为88.79±8.25,优11足,良2足。结论:撑开器双向撑开跟骨骨折闭合复位微创接骨板内固定可以有效固定骨折,减少切口并发症,术后随访影像及功能满意,是治疗SandersⅡ、Ⅲ型跟骨骨折的有效方法之一。     

“/\”形小切口钢板螺栓加压内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折

目的 探讨跟部外侧“/\”形小切口钢板螺栓加压内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折的方法及疗效.方法 回顾性分析2010年8月至2011年11月手术治疗并获得随访的130例(140足)跟骨关节内骨折患者资料,男117例(127足),女13例(13足);年龄17～73岁,平均42.3岁.按Sanders分型:Ⅱ型49足,Ⅲ型75足,Ⅳ型16足.手术采用跟部外侧“/\”形小切口,即跟腱前缘直切口和跗骨窦斜切口,使用跟骨解剖钢板螺栓加压固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折.手术前、后摄跟骨轴位、侧位X线片和跟骨CT扫描,测量跟骨B(o)hler角、Gissane角、内翻角、距下关节面骨折移位距离、跟骨高度、中点宽度、长度.根据Maryland足部评分及AOFAS踝-后足评分评价疗效.结果 130例患者均获得随访,随访时间15～31个月,平均20个月;术后平均出血量(194.24±104.17) ml,无一例发生切口皮缘坏死及伤口感染.骨折愈合时间45～86 d,平均(54.51±20.38)d.手术前、后B(o)hler角分别为6.27°±11.81°、27.21°±8.28°,Gissane角分别为108.36°±21.77°、117.47°±12.93°,跟骨中点宽度为(47.35±5.85) mm、(35.96±4.14) mm,高度为(39.79±5.85) mm、(47.64±3.83) mm,长度为(78.30±5.81) mm、(79.41±5.30) mm.Maryland足部评分为42～100分,优71足,良59足,可7足,差3足,优良率92.86％(130/140).AOFAS踝-后足评分为45～100分,优76足,良58足,可5足,差1足,优良率95.71％.术后12足踝关节内外翻活动较健侧受限5°～8°,其中3足于术后1年发生距下关节创伤性关节炎.结论 外侧“/\”形小切口钢板螺栓加压内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折可显著减少伤口并发症,恢复跟骨解剖形态和距下关节面平整,促进骨折早期愈合.     

微创小切口与常规切开复位内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折的临床疗效比较

目的 比较小切口克氏针内固定和"L"形切口钢板内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2007年1月至2010年2月采用小切口克氏针内固定(微创组)和"L"形切口钢板内固定(对照组)治疗的60例(78足)跟骨关节内骨折患者临床资料.微创组3l例(40足),男19例,女12例;年龄15～63岁,平均36岁;对照组29例(38足),男20例,女9例;年龄17～55岁,平均33岁.比较B(o)lher角与Gissane角、美国足踝外科协会(AOFAS)功能评分及术后并发症3方面的差异,评估2种治疗方法的疗效.结果 56例患者(73足)术后获17～28个月(平均23个月)随访,4例(5足)失访.B(o)lher角与Gissane角:微创组分别为34.6°±4.4°、128.8°±7.3°,对照组分别为35.6°±2.6°、127.9°±3.7°;AOFAS功能评分:微创组:优18足,良14足,可5足,优良率为86.5%;对照组:优17足,良14足,可5足,优良率为86.1%.两组术后影像学资料和AOFAS功能评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).微创组并发症发生率(2.5%)低于对照组(13.2%),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 与"L"形切口钢板内固定相比,小切口克氏针内固定具有手术创伤小、操作简便等优点,在临床疗效相同的情况下,能够有效地避免术后切口并发症的发生,值得推广.     

跟骨钢板治疗跟骨关节内骨折

目的探讨跟骨钢板治疗跟骨关节内骨折的疗效。方法对45例跟骨关节内骨折患者(51足)采用跟骨外侧延长L形切口,跟骨钢板内固定治疗。测量术前、术后Bhler角和Gissane角,根据Maryland足功能评分标准进行疗效评定。结果 45例均获随访,时间6～16(10.3±2.1)个月。Bhler角术前为-9°～17°(5.6°±11.4°),术后恢复至15°～40°(27.5°±11.3°);Gissane角术前为75°～97°(85.6°±11.4°),术后恢复至110°～140°(127°±13.0°)。术后发生切口延迟愈合2例,皮瓣边缘坏死1例。结论选择好恰当的手术时机,掌握骨折复位技巧,采用跟骨外侧延长L形切口,跟骨钢板治疗跟骨关节内骨折可以获得满意的疗效。     

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。     

Comparison of University of Wisconsin and University of Pittsburgh solutions for heart transplantation

The effectiveness of University of Wisconsin (UW) and University of Pittsburgh (UP) solutions for the preservation of rat hearts was compared. Lewis rat hearts were preserved with UW (group A, n=45) or UP (group B, n=45) solution for 0 or 24 h and then transplanted heterotopically into the recipients' abdomen. Ten recipients in each group were observed to obtain 1-week graft survival rates. Tissue water content and tissue content of adenine nucleotides were measured 2 h after transplantation in six grafts from each group. Six hearts preserved for 0 h and seven hearts preserved for 24 h were taken from each group 24 h after grafting for histopathology. The 1-week graft survival rates of groups A24 and B24 were 60% and 10%, respectively. In the 24-h preserved grafts, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge [(ATP+adenosine diphosphate/2)/(ATP+adenosine diphosphate+adenosine monophosphate)] of groups A and B were 0.972±0.165 and 0.200±0.123 mg/g wet tissue (P<0.05) and 74.4% and 61.1% (P<0.05), respectively. The tissue water content of group A24 was 71.7%, whereas that of group B24 was 74.1% (P<0.05). Histopathology revealed more severe muscle edema and necrosis and infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells in group B24 than in group A24. We conclude that UW solution is more appropriate for rat heart preservation than UP solution.     

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.     

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。     

Long-term follow-up of callotasis lengthening of the capitate after resection of the lunate for the treatment of stage III lunate necrosis

The callotasis lengthening technique was used to gradually lengthen the capitate after resection of the lunate in stage IIIa necrosis in 23 patients. Results of ten patients with a follow-up of at least 5 years showed rapid and sufficient callus formation in every patient regardless of age. The callotasis lengthening modification of the Graner II operation provides all advantages and avoids the major inconvenience of the traditional Graner II operation. There was no increased rate of disturbed fracture healing. Results of the DTPA-gadolinium MRI study did not show any significant impairment of vascularization within the region of the capitate bone. With the “intrinsic bone formation,” contrary to every other intercarpal arthrodesis at the wrist, there is no need for an additional bone graft.     

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。     

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.     

Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of rejection of a kindney allograft in the rat

Orthotopic DA (RT1^a) into Lewis (RT1¹) rat kidney allografts and control Lewis-into-Lewis grafts were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and perfusion measurement after intravenous injection of a superparamagnetic contrast agent. MRI anatomical scores (range 1–6) and perfusion rates were compared with graft histology (rank of rejection score 1–6). Not only acute rejection, but also chronic events were monitored after acute rejection was prevented by daily cyclosporine (Sandimmune) treatment during the first 2 weeks after transplantation. In acute allograft rejection (n=11), MRI scores reached the maximum value of 6 and perfusion rates were severely reduced within 5 days after transplantation; histology showed severe acute rejection (histologic score 5–6). In the chronic phase (100–130 days after transplantation), allografts (n=5) manifested rejection (in histology cellular rejection and vessel changes), accompanied by MRI scores of around 2–3 and reduced perfusion rates. Both in the acute and chronic phases, the MRI anatomical score correlated significantly with the histological score (Spearman rank correlation coefficient r _s 0.89, n=30, P<0.01), and perfusion rates correlated significantly with the MRI score or histological score (r _s values between-0.60 and -0.87, n=23, P<0.01). It is concluded that MRI represents an interesting tool for assessing the anatomical and hemodynamical status of a kidney allograft in the acute and chronic phases after transplantation.     

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.     

Cost-effectiveness of three combinations of antiemetics in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Background. This study compares the cost-effectiveness of threecombinations of antiemetics in the prevention of postoperativenausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods. We conducted a prospective, double-blind study. NinetyASA I–II females, 18–65 yr, undergoing general anaesthesiafor major gynaecological surgery, with standardized postoperativeanalgesia (intrathecal 0.2 mg plus i.v. PCA morphine), wererandomly assigned to receive: ondansetron 4 mg plus droperidol1.25 mg after induction and droperidol 1.25 mg 12 h later (Group1); dexamethasone 8 mg plus droperidol 1.25 mg after inductionand droperidol 1.25 mg 12 h later (Group 2); ondansetron 4 mgplus dexamethasone 8 mg after induction and placebo 12 h later(Group 3). A decision analysis tree was used to divide eachgroup into nine mutually exclusive subgroups, depending on theincidence of PONV, need for rescue therapy, side effects andtheir treatment. Direct cost and probabilities were calculatedfor each subgroup, then a cost-effectiveness analysis was conductedfrom the hospital point of view. Results. Groups 1 and 3 were more effective (80 and 70%) thanGroup 2 (40%, P=0.004) in preventing PONV but also more expensive.Compared with Group 2, the incremental cost per extra patientwithout PONV was €6.99 (95% CI, –1.26 to 36.57) forGroup 1 and €13.55 (95% CI, 0.89–132.90) for Group3. Conclusion. Ondansetron+droperidol is cheaper and at least aseffective as ondansetron+ dexamethasone, and it is more effectivethan dexamethasone+droperidol with a reasonable extra cost. Br J Anaesth 2003; 91: 589–92