无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤外科治疗随诊观察

目的 :探讨脊髓损伤程度、治疗方法及手术时机对无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤疗效的影响。方法 :对 118例手术治疗的无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤患者平均随访 30 3个月 (1～ 16 3个月 ) ,74例随访 1年以上 (平均 4 6 3个月 )。观察 :(1)伤后 3种不同脊髓功能状况的治疗效果 (A组 :受伤时呈完全性瘫痪 ,70例 ;B组 :不完全性瘫痪 ,4 2例 ;C组 :上肢部分瘫痪、下肢完全性瘫痪 ,6例 )。 (2 )保守治疗与手术治疗的效果。 (3)手术时机 (伤后 <12个月、>12个月 )对疗效的影响。并做统计学分析。结果 :(1) 3组之间在保守治疗效果、术后近期效果和后期随访结果上无显著性差异。 (2 ) 3组均经保守治疗 ,平均为 2 1 3个月。保守治疗的效果与术后近期、尤其与后期随访结果相比 ,JOA评分较低 ,存在统计学上的差异。 (3)伤后 <12个月和 >12个月手术的患者后期随访结果具有统计学上的差异。前者术后近期和后期脊髓功能恢复都较满意 ;后者术后近期恢复较明显 ,但后期脊髓功能却出现倒退现象。结论 :无骨折脱位型脊髓损伤患者不同的脊髓功能状况对脊髓功能恢复程度无影响 ;手术治疗效果明显优于保守治疗 ;手术时机对后期脊髓功能恢复有重要影响。最迟不应超过伤后 12个月     

无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤治疗分析

目的探讨无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤保守与手术疗效差别以及手术时机的选择。方法 对1996年10月～2002年1月收治的无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤45例疗效进行探讨。结果 保守治疗病例脊髓功能恢复程度低。而手术治疗病例脊髓功能恢复程度较高，并县城越早手术脊髓功能改善率越高。手术均采用颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术。结论 手术治疗效果显优于保守治疗，伤后1个月内手术效果最佳，伤后至手术时间越长，效果越差。     

陈旧性颈髓损伤的外科治疗

目的：观察颈椎减压融合手术对陈旧性颈椎骨折脱位引起的颈脊髓或神经根损伤的治疗效果。方法：1999年1月～2003年12月手术治疗因颈椎骨折脱位合并不同程度颈脊髓损伤后1个月以上的患者58例，总结临床资料，比较手术前后感觉运动功能的改善程度。结果：平均随访27个月。术前ASIA分级A级的7例患者术后上肢有1～2个神经根功能改善者3例，下肢出现肌肉活动功能改善者2例：术前B级的11例患者术后8例上肢活动有改善，6例出现下肢功能改善；术前C级6例患者术后达D级3例，E级3例：术前D级34例患者术后达到E级24例，10例仍为D级。所有患者术后ASIA的感觉及运动评分较术前明显提高（P〈0．05）。结论：减压融合手术对陈旧性颈椎骨折脱位引起的颈脊髓损伤或神经根损伤仍是有效的治疗方法，脊髓功能的恢复与脊髓损伤程度有关。     

无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤的手术治疗

目的：探讨外伤性无骨折脱位颈脊髓损伤的手术指证、手术效果并分析影响疗效的因素。方法：外伤性无骨折脱位颈脊髓损伤16例，手术治疗的方式均行单开门推管扩大成型术。结果：根据JOA17分法评分，术后脊髓功能均有改善。随访2个月-2年7个月，平均1年8个月。术后脊髓功能优良达81.3％。结论：外伤性无骨折脱位颈脊髓损伤，应正确选择术式，早期行手术。     

无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤诊断和治疗

目的：探讨无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤的诊断及治疗方法。方法：回顾性分析56例确诊无骨折脱位型脊髓损伤病例的临床资料。男24例，女32例；年龄21～73岁，平均54岁。脊髓损伤平面与类型：C2 2例，C3 1例，C4 5例，C5 18例，C6 15例，C7 11例，C8 4例。完全性脊髓损伤11例，不完全性脊髓损伤45例。在不完全性脊髓损伤中，表现为脊髓中央综合征的29例，脊髓前侧综合征为10例，BrownSepuard综合征3例，脊髓后部损伤的为3例。结果：56例无颈椎骨折或脱位的颈髓损伤患者中，48例伤后1周之内接受颈椎CT扫描检查，颈髓病变的检出率为79．17％。52例在伤后1周之内、4周后接受MRI检查，脊髓病变阳性检出率为90．38％。A组：26例在伤后1周之内接受手术治疗，完全改善2例，明显改善15例，部分改善6例，无改善3例。B组：3例在2周内接受手术治疗，明显改善1例，部分改善1例，无改善1例。C组：5例在2个月内接受手术治疗，脊髓功能均无改善。D组：17例进行非手术治疗，完全改善1例，明显改善9例，部分改善2例，无改善5例。有5例患者在治疗过程中因并发症死亡。结论：MRI对了解脊髓病变部位与程度，原发病病变的情况，预测病理变化的转归，都明显优于CT检查。治疗方面非手术治疗不可缺少，但适时选择手术治疗会取得更好的治疗结果。     

颈椎间盘与纵韧带损伤的诊断及治疗

目的 探讨颈椎间盘和纵韧带损伤的诊断与治疗方法。方法回顾性分析2001至2005年63例颈椎间盘与纵韧带损伤患者的X线片和MRI表现,根据是否合并脊髓损伤及椎间不稳,早期采取不同治疗方法。早期手术治疗54例,早期颈托和（或）石膏颈围保守治疗9例。结果61例患者获得随访,随访时间6～41个月,平均16个月。8例脊髓完全性损伤患者术后2例神经功能获得改善,39例脊髓不完全性损伤患者术后31例神经功能获得改善。4例保守治疗4～6周后存在颈椎不稳而行颈椎前路椎间盘切除植骨融合术,2例长期颈部疼痛,1例伤后3年出现脊髓压迫症而行前路减压植骨融合术。结论MRI检查是颈椎间盘和纵韧带损伤的最佳诊断手段,早期颈椎前路减压植骨内固定术是治疗颈椎间盘与纵韧带损伤的重要方法。     

外伤性颈脊髓中央综合征手术治疗

目的总结早期手术治疗颈脊髓损伤中央综合征的临床效果和经验,探讨早期手术治疗的积极意义。方法选择2005年以来颈脊髓急性损伤患者确诊为颈脊髓中央综合征的病例中采用手术治疗的22例患者,其中男15例,女7例;年龄22～70岁,平均46岁。入院时间为伤后1 h～2周。损伤原因：车祸伤11例,平地摔伤6例,高处坠落伤3例,重物砸伤2例。损伤分型为：过伸性损伤15例,甩鞭样损伤5例,垂直压缩损伤2例;X线片提示6例颈椎骨折并半脱位,颈椎不稳;16例无明显骨折脱位型,进一步MRI检查提示单纯颈椎间盘突出7例,合并椎管狭窄9例,MRI检查22例均有颈脊髓信号异常;单纯上肢型5例,四肢型17例;脊髓损伤分级按Frankel分级,B级3例,C级11例,D级8例。随访时间6个月～4年,平均18个月。针对颈髓压迫位置,手术方式分别采用颈椎前/后路椎管减压、植骨融合并行内固定手术,经颈前路手术16例,经颈后路内固定5例,1例行单纯颈后路椎管半开门扩大成形术。伤后距离手术时间4～16 d,平均7 d。结果 22例患者均获满意疗效,脊髓压迫改善,神经功能均有明显恢复,病人神经刺激症状术后就有改善,四肢肌力及大小便功能随后开始恢复,Frankel法评定优良率为77%。结论对于脊髓损伤的中央综合征患者,早期进行椎管减压、稳定脊柱等手术干预治疗可有效减轻脊髓水肿和继发性损伤,缩短病理性炎症反应过程,促进脊髓功能恢复,降低病残率。     

无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤的外科治疗

目的探讨手术治疗无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤的临床疗效。方法对80例无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤采用手术治疗,随访观察术后治疗效果。结果本组随访12～30个月,平均22.5个月。术后JOA评分较术前改善明显,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤根据颈脊髓的受压部位和损伤节段,选择合理的手术方式及正确操作,前、后路手术治疗均能获得较好的脊髓功能恢复。     

颈椎颈髓损伤早期手术治疗疗效评价（附37例报告）

目的：探讨早期手术对颈脊髓神经功能恢复方面的作用。方法：通过脊髓神经功能评价方法,分析总结一组伤后3d内实施手术减压和／或固定的颈椎脊髓损伤患者的预后。结果：术后第15d,23例脊髓不完全性损伤者运动和感觉神经功能分别改善（ASIA神经功能评分法）9．12和9．30分,相差显著,14例脊髓完全性损伤者运动和感觉功能分别改善0．43和1．43分,有改善。术后12个月随访,9例脊髓不完全性损伤者运动和感觉神经功能分别改善4．00和18．33分,相差显著,6例脊髓完全性损伤运动和感觉神经功能分别改善0．50和1．00分,无显著改善。结论：伤后3d内实施手术脊髓减压和颈椎内固定术,可促进不完全性颈髓损伤神经功能恢复。     

伴颈椎后纵韧带骨化的颈脊髓损伤临床特点与疗效

目的探讨颈椎后纵韧带骨化（OPLL）患者外伤时脊髓损伤的临床特点及疗效。方法回顾性分析19例脊髓损伤患者OPLL骨化类型与颈髓NRIT2高信号变化范围、手术方式与手术前后脊髓功能变化的关系。结果伴OPLL的颈椎在较轻的外力作用下常可出现较严重脊髓损伤。伤后8h内行甲泼尼龙冲击治疗12例患者,2例死于并发症,10例患者脊髓功能明显改善。手术治疗17例,1例手术后27d死亡,16例患者术后半年颈髓功能Frankel评分改善。结论OPLL患者外伤后脊髓损伤的程度往往较重,骨化类型与NRI颈髓信号改变平面直接相关。甲泼尼龙冲击治疗、手术减压均有助于颈髓功能的恢复。     

Reduction of Plasma Fibrinogen, Immunoglobulin G, and Immunoglobulin M Concentrations by Immunoadsorption Therapy with Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Adsorbents

Abstract Immunoadsorption (1A) therapy with tryptophan (TR-350) or phenylalanine (PH-350) adsorbents has been used to reduce the concentration of serum antibodies in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-immunized patients. Other forms of plasma purification have been reported to reduce the level of fibrinogen, which affects the blood properties. In this study we investigated the effects of IA therapy using both adsorbents on plasma fibrinogen and immunoglobulins G and M in 13 patients (8 patients were treated with TR-350, and 5 patients were treated with PH-350). During each session 1 plasma volume (2.8 ± 0.4 L of plasma) was processed through the immunocolumn and then returned to the patient together with the blood cells. Compared with the pretreatment values, the plasma fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM concentrations were significantly reduced after IA therapy (p < 0.01 for TR-350; p < 0.04 for PH-350). There was a positive correlation between the degree of reduction of plasma proteins and the number of IA treatments given. A nonpara-metric test (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test or the Mann-Whitney test) was used for statistical analysis. We conclude from our study that IA therapy effectively lowers the plasma levels of fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM and thus can be considered a valuable alternative to other blood purification methods.     

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.     

The multiply injured child

Blunt trauma is the principal cause of childhood death in many developed countries. This review outlines the differences between adults and children with respect to resuscitation and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in a child with polytrauma. Recent advances in techniques of fracture stabilization are reported.     

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.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.     

Adrenaline markedly improves thoracic epidural analgesia produced by a low-dose infusion of bupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline after major surgery: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study with and without adrenaline

Background: Basic pharmacological research indicates that there are synergistic antinociceptive effects at the spinal cord level between adrenaline, fentanyl and bupivacaine. Our clinical experience with such a mixture in a thoracic epidural infusion after major surgery confirms this. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects on postoperative pain intensity, pain relief and side effects when removing adrenaline from this triple epidural mixture. Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in 24 patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Patients with only mild pain when coughing during a titrated thoracic epidural infusion of about 10 ml · h^?1 of bupivacaine 1 mg · ml^?1, fentanyl 2 μg · ml^?1, and adrenaline 2 μg · ml^?1 were included. On the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days each patient was given a double-blind epidural infusion, at the same rate, with or without adrenaline. The effect was observed for 4 h or until pain when coughing became unacceptable in spite of a rescue analgesic procedure. Rescue analgesia consisted of up to two epidural bolus injections per hour and i.v. morphine if necessary. All patients received rectal paracetamol 1 g, every 8 h. Fentanyl serum concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay technique at the start and end of each study period. Main outcome measures were extent of sensory blockade and pain intensity at rest and when coughing, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, a verbal categorical rating scale, the Prince Henry Hospital pain score, and an overall quality of pain relief score. Results: The number of hypaesthetic dermatomal segments decreased (P <0.001) and pain intensity at rest and when coughing increased (P <0.001) when adrenaline was omitted from the triple epidural mixture. This change started within the first hour after removing adrenaline. After 3 h pain intensity when coughing had increased to unacceptable levels in spite of rescue analgesia (epidural bolus injections and i.v. morphine). Within 15–20 min after restarting the triple epidural mixture with adrenaline, pain intensity was again reduced to mild pain when coughing. Serum concentration of fentanyl doubled from 0.22 to 0.45 ng · ml^?1 (P <0.01), and there was more sedation during the period without adrenaline. Conclusions: Adrenaline increases sensory block and improves the pain-relieving effect of a mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl infused epidurally at a thoracic level after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Serum fentanyl concentrations doubled and sedation increased when adrenaline was removed from the epidural infusion, indicating more rapid vascular absorption and systemic effects of fentanyl.