腓骨截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎的近期效果研究

目的 :探讨腓骨截骨手术对膝骨性关节炎患者的近期临床治疗效果。方法 :自2015年1月起,收治以内侧间隙疼痛为主要表现的膝骨性关节炎患者12例(15膝);均为女性患者,平均年龄61.3岁。均采用腓骨截骨手术,对其膝骨性关节炎进行治疗。术后早期下地适当进行关节活动,对患者手术前后进行相应影像学评估,测量膝关节内外间室高度变化情况。观察并记录术前、术后2 d、术后2个月VAS、KSS、HSS评分,分析各项指标变化情况。结果:患者住院天数(6.0±2.4)d;单侧手术时间(33.3±8.4)min,术中均无明显出血。术后均未出现伤口感染、延迟愈合及神经损伤等并发症。所有患者于术后1 d下地行走,主诉原有膝关节内侧间隙疼痛明显好转或消失。患者手术后2 d与术前相比,VAS、HSS及KSS临床评分均较术前改善;手术后2个月与术前相比,VAS、HSS、KSS临床评分及功能评分均较术前改善。术后2 d复查膝关节负重位X线片,与术前膝关节负重位X线片比较,均出现不同程度膝关节内侧间隙增高。结论:腓骨截骨术手术操作简单,创伤小,术后疼痛减轻明显,关节功能恢复良好,是治疗骨性关节炎膝内翻的有效方法。     

腓骨高位截骨在膝关节骨性关节炎的应用

目的:探讨腓骨高位截骨术对膝关节骨性关节炎的短中期疗效。方法:2014年10月至2016年7月,采用腓骨高位截骨治疗膝关节骨性关节炎76例,男22例,女54例;年龄47~82岁,平均61.62岁。术前查体膝关节内侧压痛,内侧麦氏征阳性,摄膝关节负重正侧位X线片显示内侧间隙变窄,术后行膝内侧间隙、股骨胫骨角、VAS疼痛评分及AKS评分进行评价。结果:术后随访10~18个月,平均8.9个月。与术前相比,术后膝内侧间隙明显变宽,股骨胫骨角度变大。术前VAS疼痛评分5.70±1.56,术后1周3.70±1.03,1个月3.20±0.95,3个月2.35±0.99,1年2.10±0.97。膝关节功能AKS评分术前疼痛14.45±1.76,活动度12.60±1.98,稳定性12.15±1.72;末次随访疼痛42.60±2.28,活动度21.80±2.14,稳定性20.85±2.16。VAS评分术前与术后各时间段相比差异有统计学意义,AKS评分术前与术后差异均有统计学意义。结论:腓骨高位截骨操作简单,并发症少,能有效减轻膝关节疼痛,改善膝关节功能,临床效果满意。     

截腓骨术治疗膝骨性关节炎临床观察

【】 目的：观察截腓骨术治疗膝骨性关节炎的临床效果。方法：自2013年9月～2016年3月通过采用单纯截腓骨术治疗膝骨性关节炎内侧间隙疼痛患者87例105膝,其中男23例(29膝),女64例(76膝),平均63.4岁;对患者手术前后进行相应影像学评估,观察膝关节内外侧间隙高度变化情况。记录术前、术后3天、术后3个月、术后6个月HSS、VAS、KSS评分,分析各项指标变化情况。结果：所有患者于术后2天下床活动,原有膝关节内侧间隙疼痛明显减轻或消失。术后出现一过性腓浅神经损伤3例,腓骨小头后侧疼痛5例;术后3天、3个月、6个月与术前相比,HSS、VAS、KSS临床评分均较术前明显改善。术后1周和3个月复查膝关节负重位X线片,与术前膝关节负重位X线片比较,均可见不同程度的内侧间隙增宽。结论：截腓骨术具有手术切口小,创伤小,效果好,操作简单,风险低,对治疗膝骨性关节炎内侧疼痛具有良好的疗效。     

关节镜下清理并胫骨高位截骨、腓骨近端切除术治疗内侧间室骨性关节炎

目的探讨应用关节镜下清理并胫骨高位截骨、腓骨近端切除术治疗内侧间室膝关节骨性关节炎的可行性。方法笔者自2014-05—2014-12应用关节镜下清理并胫骨高位截骨、腓骨近端切除术治疗10例内侧间室膝关节骨性关节炎,对比术前与术后9、18个月HSS评分及Lysholm评分差异。结果 10例均获随访15~20个月,平均18个月。胫骨截骨处术后1.5个月均获得临床愈合,2~3个月均获得骨性愈合,膝关节疼痛缓解明显,术后18个月HSS评分、Lysholm评分与术前、术后9个月比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论应用关节镜下清理并胫骨高位截骨、腓骨近端切除术治疗内侧间室膝关节骨性关节炎,无需钢板内固定,不用异体骨,临床疗效满意。     

腓骨截骨与运动疗法联合治疗内翻型膝骨关节炎效果分析

目的探讨腓骨截骨与运动疗法联合治疗内翻型膝骨性关节炎的疗效评估。 方法回顾性收集2016年1月至2018年1月岳阳市中心医院骨关节科，采用腓骨截骨与运动疗法治疗膝骨性关节炎伴内翻膝的患者30例，男性5例，女性25例，平均年龄（62±7）岁。于术后4个月、8个月进行随访比较术前及术后的疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、美国特种外科医院（HSS）膝关节评分，膝关节步态改变。 结果30例患者获得随访，随访时间（1.4±0.3）年。HSS评分由术前（50.2±7.8）分增至术后4个月（78.2±6.3）分，术后8个月（82.1±5.5）分；VAS评分由术前（6.8±1.2）分降至术后4个月（3.2±1.1）分，术后8个月（2.5±0.8）分。术后2次随访HSS评分均明显升高、VAS评分均显著降低（P<0.05）。关节角度参数术前屈伸角度-5°~45°，内外翻转角度-8°~18°，内外旋转角度-5°~20°；8个月时屈伸角度-4°~58°，内外翻转角度-7°~13°，内外旋转角度-3°~10°。术后随访发现膝关节屈伸、内外翻、内外旋各角度与正常相比逐步改善，具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论腓骨截骨与运动疗法治疗膝骨性关节炎伴内翻膝早期疗效满意，应用步态分析得出的量化指标为骨性关节炎的诊治及评估提供客观依据,值得临床应用及参考。     

胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎中长期疗效分析

目的 :分析胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎的中长期疗效。方法 :自2001年1月至2005年12月,采用胫骨高位截骨术治疗45例63膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎患者,男10例(15膝),女35例(48膝);年龄45~64岁,平均(54.76±5.54)岁。术前常规行膝关节负重正侧位X线检查,准确测量股胫角大小,根据术前股胫角决定胫骨外侧截骨量,手术均在硬膜外麻醉下常规行胫骨高位截骨术,大部分行腓骨中段截骨,部分病例行上胫腓关节松解。术后第2天即行功能锻炼,2周开始无负重下床活动,术后8~10周开始负重。术后第2天、8~10周、半年、1年及以后每年1次拍片复查,对全部病例术前、术后3~5年、术后10~14年采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)、美国特种外科医院膝关节评分(HSS)和美国膝关节协会评分(KSS)评价膝关节疼痛、畸形、功能和运动范围。结果 :43例(61膝)进行了10年及以上的随访,全部患者手术切口Ⅰ期愈合,术后8~10周截骨处均达骨性愈合。术后10~14年HSS评分平均76.24±5.27,优27膝,良25膝,可7膝,差2膝。术前与术后3~5年、术前与术后10~14年VAS、HSS、KSS比较有差异,术后3~5年与术后10~14年各项评分无明显差异。结论:胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎(内侧间室关节炎)只要手术指征掌握适当,术后积极锻炼,其中长期疗效满意。     

关节镜清理联合股骨远端闭合截骨术治疗膝外翻并骨性关节炎的疗效观察

目的观察关节镜下清理联合股骨远端内侧闭合楔形截骨术治疗膝外翻并骨性关节炎的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2015-01—2017-05采用关节镜清理联合股骨远端内侧闭合楔形截骨术治疗的22例膝外翻并骨性关节炎。比较术前与术后胫股角、负重力线比值、股骨远端外侧角、疼痛VAS评分与膝关节HSS评分。结果 22例术后均获得2年以上随访,随访时间平均35.2 (24~52)个月。术后2年取内固定物时关节镜下二次探查所有患者外侧间室磨损软骨Outbridge分级由Ⅳ级改善为Ⅲ级。术后1年股胫角、负重力线比值、股骨远端外侧角较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。术后1年、2年疼痛VAS评分、膝关节HSS评分较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05),而术后1年与术后2年比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论股骨远端内侧闭合楔形截骨术是膝外翻并骨性关节炎患者理想的保膝治疗手段,可获得较为满意的中期临床效果,有利于膝关节外侧间室软骨修复。     

固定平台单髁置换术治疗膝关节内侧骨关节炎

目的：探讨采用固定平台假体膝关节单髁置换术治疗膝关节内侧单间室骨性关节炎的早期临床疗效。方法：自2015年1月至2017年12月,采用固定平台单髁置换术治疗62例膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎患者,其中男19例,女43例;年龄47~83（65.3±8.2）岁;病程5~72（19.4±14.3）个月。观察术后并发症情况,并采用VAS评分评价疼痛缓解程度,HSS膝关节评分评价临床疗效。结果：62例患者均获得随访,时间4~40（19.9±10.2）个月。所有患者切口愈合良好,无须术后输血,住院时间2~10（3.5±1.6） d。术后未发生脱位、感染、松动或假体周围骨折等并发症,1例患者术后1个月并发胫后静脉血栓。HSS评分由术前的69.9±7.2提高至末次随访时的90.1±7.4;其中优51例,良9例,可2例;VAS评分由术前的3.8±0.9降至末次随访时的1.1±0.9。结论：固定平台单髁关节置换术治疗膝关节内侧单间室骨性关节炎术后住院时间短,并发症低,可以获得较好的早期临床疗效。     

胫骨高位截骨术治疗膝内侧骨性关节炎的体会

目的探讨胫骨高位截骨术治疗膝内侧骨性关节炎的疗效及手术体会。方法回顾性分析自2016-06—2018-05采用胫骨高位截骨术治疗的26例膝内侧骨性关节炎,比较手术前后股胫角、胫骨近端内侧角、胫骨平台后倾角、疼痛VAS评分、膝关节功能HSS评分。结果 26例均获得随访,随访时间平均32(24～46)个月。术后1周股胫角为170°～177°(173.21±2.52)°,较术前减小;胫骨近端内侧角为87°～92°(89.61±1.27)°,较术前增加;胫骨平台后倾角为8°～18°(13.32±4.64)°,较术前增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。末次随访时疼痛VAS评分为0～3(1.90±0.57)分,较术前降低;膝关节功能HSS评分为83～96(89.51±6.83)分,较术前增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。1例于术后4个月出现术区感染,取出内固定物,清创、抗感染治疗6周后痊愈。1例出现胫神经损伤,表现为足底麻木,但踝关节与跖趾关节跖屈肌力正常,3年后复查时麻木感仍存在。结论胫骨高位截骨术治疗膝内侧骨性关节炎可取得满意的近期疗效,术后膝关节疼痛及功能均获得明显改善,但是术后胫骨平台后倾角有增大的趋势,术中应注意操作技巧。     

腓骨近端截骨联合膝关节镜下关节腔清理术治疗膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎的疗效分析

目的探讨腓骨近端截骨联合膝关节镜下关节腔清理术治疗膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2014-01—2017-12月诊治的67例膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎患者。按照治疗方式不同分为观察组(26例,腓骨近端截骨联合膝关节镜下关节腔清理术)和对照组(41例,玻璃酸钠注射结合药物治疗)。比较2组不同时间段(治疗前、治疗后1周、3个月、6个月、12个月)的疼痛VAS评分和HSS评分。结果所有患者均获得随访,随访时间12～16(14.5±1.6)个月。观察组对治疗效果的满意率(80.8%)高于对照组(53.7%),差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。治疗前2组间疼痛VAS评分和HSS评分相比,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后3个月、6个月、12个月的疼痛VAS评分及HSS评分方面,观察组均高于对照组(P 0.05)。结论腓骨近端截骨联合膝关节镜下关节腔清理术治疗膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎创伤小,恢复快,早期疗效满意。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.