保留后交叉韧带膝关节置换术治疗胫骨固有内翻膝骨关节炎的近期疗效

目的 探讨保留后交叉韧带膝关节置换术（cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty,CR-TKA）治疗胫骨固有内翻膝骨关节炎的近期临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2018年5月至2020年12月在我科行胫骨固有内翻的CR-TKA的病人48例（内翻组）,男23例,女25例;年龄为（64.21±5.73）岁（53~79岁）。匹配同期实施CR-TKA的胫骨正常病人48例（对照组）,男22例,女26例;年龄为（65.60±5.20）岁（56~77岁）。所有病人手术均由我科同一高年资主任医师完成,记录手术时间、术中出血量、术后下地时间和并发症等,比较术前和末次随访病人的膝关节疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分、美国膝关节协会评分（Knee Society Score,KSS）、牛津膝关节评分（Oxford Knee Score,OKS）、活动度（range of motion,ROM）、髋膝踝角（hip knee ankle,HKA）、机械轴股骨远端外侧角（mechanical lateral distal femoral angle,mLDFA）、机械轴胫骨近端内侧角（mechanical medial proximal tibial angle,mMPTA）及关节线汇聚角（joint line convergence angle,JLCA）等。结果 所有病例均获得随访,内翻组随访（27.69±9.92）个月,对照组随访（28.13±8.12）个月。两组的手术时间、术中出血量和术后下地时间比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组术后VAS、KSS、OKS评分及ROM均较术前得到明显改善,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组影像学测量HKA、mMPTA提示术后膝关节内翻、胫骨内翻均得到不同程度矫正,手术前后数据比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。末次随访时,两组病人VAS、KSS、OKS评分及ROM比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,且两组无感染、假体松动、僵硬及不稳等并发症。结论 CR-TKA可以显著改善胫骨固有内翻膝骨关节炎病人近期膝关节疼痛和功能,是治疗胫骨固有内翻膝骨关节炎的有效方法。     

个体化设置股骨开髓点与外翻角在股骨外弓患者人工全膝关节置换术中的应用

目的：探讨外移股骨开髓点并设置个性化股骨外翻角能否改善合并股骨外弓的人工全膝关节置换术（total knee arthroplasty,TKA）患者下肢力线。方法：2016年3月至2018年10月,收治50例（55膝）合并股骨外弓拟行TKA的膝内翻畸形的骨关节炎患者。男10例,女40例;年龄63.1~80.5（67.8±5.8）岁。单侧45例,双侧5例。55膝的骨关节炎分期均为Kellgren-Lawrence分级Ⅲ-Ⅳ级,病程2~10年。术前特种外科医院（Hospital for Special Surgery,HSS）评分疼痛（15.20±3.52）分,功能（8.30±2.96）分,活动度（10.15±2.85）分,肌力（4.20±1.95）分,屈曲畸形（5.50±3.05）分,稳定性（6.15±2.20）分,总分（47.93±3.39）分。股骨外弓角6.4~16.7（10.63±2.29）°,胫股角7.4~12.6（12.04±3.59）°,解剖股骨远端外侧角83.10~91.20（84.55±1.66）°,膝关节中心至下肢力线距离2.01~6.00（3.57±1.12） cm。置换术中均通过个性化设置股骨开髓点与外翻角,获得良好下肢力线。结果：术前股骨开髓点外移距离0.24~0.74（0.54±0.10） cm,股骨内外髁间距离6.86~8.12（7.27±0.27） cm。术前股骨外翻角（valgus correction angle,VCA）7.20~13.80（9.38±1.38）°;矫正后VCA''6.10~9.50（7.36±0.82）°。50例患者均获随访,时间3~36（13.5±5.8）个月。术后患者均获得良好的膝关节功能,术后3个月HSS评分疼痛（25.30±3.05）分,功能（18.25±2.05）分,活动度（16.05±0.75）分,肌力（6.20±2.10）分,屈曲畸形（8.80±1.85）分,稳定性（8.20±1.75）分,总分90.00~93.00（91.82±0.98）分,总分较术前提高（t=1.728,P=0.038）。术后X线片复查示,假体没有松动、下沉及骨溶解等征象发生;术后第2天负重位X线片上胫股角1.30~4.90（2.53±0.83）°,解剖股骨远端外侧角87.50~91.30（88.73±0.86）°,膝关节中心至下肢力线距离0.02~1.20（0.23±0.05） cm,均较术前改善（t=2.415,P=0.019;t=1.496,P=0.041;t=1.912,P=0.033）。结论：合并股骨外弓的TKA中通过外移股骨开髓点并设置个性化股骨外翻角能获得良好的下肢力线和膝关节功能。     

新疆多民族膝骨关节炎病人股骨后髁角的测量及其临床意义

目的 测量新疆地区多民族膝骨关节炎病人股骨后髁角（posterior condylar angle，PCA）并探讨其临床意义。方法 2020年1月至2020年12月，对我科收治的因膝骨关节炎行全膝关节置换术（total knee arthroplasty，TKA）的381例（729膝）病人行膝关节CT扫描，其中男103例，女278例；汉族223例，维吾尔族108例，哈萨克族50例；年龄为（68.5±7.3）岁（46~89岁）；左膝363个，右膝366个；其中259例（458膝）同时完善膝关节MRI扫描。通过与股骨机械轴垂直的断层图像测量外科经股骨上髁轴（surgical transepicondylar axis，STEA）和股骨后髁线（posterior condylar line，PCL），测量PCA值。比较不同民族、性别、侧别之间的PCA值。结果 根据MRI测得的PCA为2.97°±1.47°，根据CT测得的PCA为3.01°±1.49°，CT与MRI测量得到的PCA值比较，差异无统计学意义（P=0.732）。不同民族的PCA比较，汉族：3.13°±1.51°、维吾尔族：2.81°±1.48°、哈萨克族：2.85°±1.39°，汉族的PCA大于维吾尔族，差异有统计学意义（P=0.011）；不同侧别的PCA比较，左侧：3.16°±1.53°、右侧：2.85°±1.44°，左侧PCA大于右侧，差异有统计学意义（P=0.005）；男性与女性人群的PCA比较，差异无统计学意义（P=0.168）。维吾尔族男性病人的PCA小于女性，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）；汉族病人左侧的PCA大于右侧，差异有统计学意义（P=0.005）。结论 新疆地区膝骨关节炎病人行TKA时可采用CT或MRI测量PCA，以PCL外旋3°截骨可实现相对匹配的股骨旋转对线，汉族病人左膝PCL外旋截骨稍＞3°，维吾尔族男性病人PCL外旋截骨＜3°，提倡联合多种方法校准股骨旋转对线。     

膝骨关节炎单髁置换术后下肢冠状位力线对早期临床效果的影响

目的 探讨单髁置换术（unicompartmental knee arthroplasty,UKA）后不同的下肢冠状位力线对早期临床效果的影响。方法 2018年8月至2019年6月,对93例（102膝）UKA术后病人进行回顾性分析,根据术后下肢力线将102膝分为三组,轻度内翻组（0°~3°）36膝、中等内翻组（3°~6°）37膝和重度内翻组（6°以上）29膝。比较三组术前及末次随访时的西安大略和麦克马斯特大学（the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities,WOMAC）骨关节炎指数及膝关节功能活动度,评估病人术后满意度。结果 随访24~34个月,平均27.1个月。末次随访时各组WOMAC评分以及轻度内翻组、中等内翻组的活动度均显著优于术前,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。轻度内翻组、中等内翻组末次随访的活动度值均显著优于重度内翻组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,但轻度内翻组和中度内翻组比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。中度内翻组中有更多的病人（70%）认为非常满意（P=0.028）。结论 UKA术中将力线调整至内翻0°~6°均可获得不错的膝关节功能评分及活动度,但UKA术后力线在3°~6°范围内的病人较0°~3°组可有更好的早期满意度。     

关节镜手术治疗股骨髁间窝撞击综合征的短期疗效分析

目的 探讨关节镜手术治疗不同原因引起的股骨髁间窝撞击综合征的短期疗效。方法 回顾性分析2016年1月至2017年1月于我院采用关节镜手术治疗并获得随访的52例（58膝）股骨髁间窝撞击综合征病人的临床资料,其中男24例,女28例;年龄为28~65岁,平均（49.8±10.3）岁,单独左膝23例,单独右膝23例,双膝6例;病史为3个月~12年。收集并比较病人手术前后关节屈曲及伸直功能的改善情况和患肢手术前后的膝关节Lysholm评分等指标。结果 本组病例随访6个月以上,膝关节最大屈曲角度由术前的108.0°±10.2°（100°~120°）提高到术后的125.0°±7.9°（120°~135°）,最大伸直角度由术前的16.0°±4.9°（10°~20°）改善为术后的6.2°±3.7°（0°~10°）,膝关节伸、屈角度明显改善,差异均有统计学意义（t=5.938,t=7.142,P均＜0.001）;术后膝关节Lysholm评分为（87.0±9.8）分（82~100分）,较术前的（51.0±11.8）分（41~78分）明显提高,差异有统计学意义（t=2.530,P＜0.05）。结论 采用关节镜手术治疗股骨髁间窝撞击综合征,可明显改善术后膝关节屈伸等功能,临床效果良好。     

截骨矫形联合软组织手术治疗高弓内翻足伴跖内收的短期疗效

目的 探讨跖骨截骨联合跟骨截骨以及软组织手术治疗高弓内翻足伴跖内收的短期疗效。方法 回顾性分析2018年2月至2021年9月我院采用跖骨截骨联合跟骨截骨以及软组织手术治疗的14例（16足）高弓内翻足伴跖内收病人的临床资料。男6例（6足）,女8例（10足）;单左足5例,单右足7例,双足2例;平均年龄为24.5岁（18~35岁）,病程3~10年。病人术前均有足部的高弓内翻畸形伴疼痛,保守治疗无效。根据术前负重位X线片测量跖内收角（MAA）评估前足内收程度,中度10足,重度6足。评估术前及末次随访时的MAA、距骨第1跖骨角、跟骨倾斜角、后足力线位跟骨外翻角和美国足踝外科医师协会（American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS）踝与后足功能评分系统评分。结果 术后病人伤口均一期愈合。1例（1足）术后4个月穿正常鞋下地行走时出现转移性跖痛,配矫形鞋垫后症状消失。14例（16足）病人均获得了随访,随访时间为18~24个月,平均21.4个月。末次随访时,MAA为8.53°±0.69°,距骨第1跖骨角为3.58°±0.52°,跟骨倾斜角为24.75°±2.77°,跟骨外翻角为2.67°±1.78°,AOFAS评分为（90.08±5.62）分,均明显优于术前［25.89°±3.62°,8.67°±1.97°,38.17°±7.83°,-29.08°±8.51°,（45.08±9.09）分］,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 跖骨截骨联合跟骨截骨以及软组织手术治疗高弓内翻足伴跖内收的短期疗效显著。     

正常成人股骨远端后髁角的测量及其临床意义

目的测量正常成人股骨远端后髁角,为国人行全膝关节置换术时的旋转对线提供参考数据。方法118例(186膝)膝关节无疾病、无畸形的苏皖地区成年人,男67例103膝,女51例83膝。年龄18～69岁,平均39.7岁。按年龄分成三组,A组18￣39岁(85膝),B组40￣59岁(73膝),C组≥60岁(28膝)。用CT扫描技术对股骨远端垂直于膝关节的机械轴进行薄层扫描,选取通过内、外上髁的CT扫描影像测定后髁角。结果男103膝,左侧57膝,右侧46膝;股骨远端后髁角:左侧5.9°±1.6°,右侧5.6°±2.6°,平均5.8°±2.2°。女83膝,左侧38膝,右侧45膝;股骨远端后髁角:左侧5.5°±2.5°,右侧5.2°±1.5°,平均5.3°±1.9°。各年龄组股骨远端后髁角:A组平均5.5°±1.9°,B组平均5.7°±1.8°,C组平均5.5°±2.7°。统计学分析表明,股骨远端后髁角在不同性别、侧别和年龄间比较,差异无统计学意义。结论苏皖地区成人正常股骨远端后髁角平均为5.6°±2.1°,明显大于西方人,且男女无差异。在对中国人进行全膝关节置换术时,依据股骨远端后髁线,参照欧美外旋3°的标准进行旋转对线可能会导致膝关节对线不良。     

颈椎人工间盘置换术治疗混合型颈椎病的长期疗效观察

目的 评估颈椎人工间盘置换术（cervical artificial disc replacement, CADR）治疗混合型颈椎病的长期临床疗效并探讨其影响因素。方法 对2003年12月至2007年12月于我院行单节段CADR治疗混合型颈椎病的25例病人进行回顾性分析,病人年龄为（56.56±8.65）岁,其中男15例,女10例,随访时间均在10年以上。依据术前CT及MRI检查结果将病人分为单纯间盘突出组（7例）、合并骨赘增生组（18例）。收集并比较两组病人手术前后的颈椎整体活动度、手术节段活动度、手术节段Cobb角、椎旁骨化（paravertebral ossification, PO）分级、日本骨科协会（Japanese Orthopaedic Association, JOA）评估治疗分数、颈椎功能障碍指数（neck disability index, NDI）及Odom''s标准。结果 单纯间盘突出组病人术前及末次随访时的手术节段活动度分别为9.61°±4.72°、12.63°±4.41°,颈椎整体活动度分别为50.91°±15.58°、57.62°±9.18°,手术节段Cobb角分别为2.61°±1.38°、2.07±1.74°,末次随访时未发生高等级PO,手术前后的各指标比较,差异均无统计学意义。合并骨赘增生组术前及末次随访时的手术节段活动度分别为9.73°±4.62°、7.77°±5.82°,颈椎整体活动度分别为45.98°±17.26°、40.89°±15.85°,手术节段Cobb角分别为1.92°±1.11°、0.69°±2.12°,高等级PO发生率为55.6%,末次随访时的手术节段Cobb角较术前明显下降,差异有统计学意义（P=0.004）。末次随访时,合并骨赘增生组颈椎整体活动度低于单纯间盘突出组（t=2.610,P=0.016）,高等级PO比例较单纯间盘突出组更高（Z=2.494,P=0.034）,其余各影像学评估指标的组间比较,差异均无统计学意义。两组病人末次随访时JOA评分及NDI均较术前明显改善（P均＜0.05）,单纯间盘突出组NDI下降情况优于合并骨赘组（t=2.169,P=0.041）,其余各临床功能评估指标的组间差异无统计学意义。结论 采用CADR治疗混合型颈椎病,长期临床疗效好,且对于单纯颈椎间盘突出病人的疗效优于合并骨赘增生的病人。     

631例Graf Ⅱa型发育性髋关节发育不良不同干预后转归的回顾性分析

目的 对比分析Pavlik干预和非Pavlik干预（蛙抱、髋关节外展操、宽尿不湿等家庭干预）治疗Graf Ⅱa型发育性髋关节发育不良（DDH）患儿的疗效。方法 回顾性分析河南省儿童医院2016年2月至2022年7月收治的Graf Ⅱa型DDH患儿的临床资料，共纳入631例（833髋），所有患儿均进行超声随访。分别在0~6周Graf Ⅱa型患儿（300髋），6~12周Graf Ⅱa（+）型患儿（478髋），6~12周Graf Ⅱa（-）型患儿（55髋）中观察Pavlik干预（Pavlik组）和非Pavlik干预（非Pavlik组）的效果，比较两组患儿的初始α角、转归正常的时间及α角、α角增加值。结果 Pavlik干预组和非Pavlik干预组均无并发症出现。0~6周Graf Ⅱa型患儿中，Pavlik组的初始α角明显低于非Pavlik组（53.83°±2.56° vs. 57.23°±1.65°），α角增加值显著高于非Pavlik组（10.43°±1.21° vs. 6.36°±1.45°），转归正常的时间明显少于非Pavlik组［（40.09±19.40） d vs.（45.76±17.57） d］；6~12周Graf Ⅱa（+）型患儿中，Pavlik组的初始α角明显低于非Pavlik组（56.53°±1.63° vs. 57.75°±1.15°），α角增加值显著高于非Pavlik组（7.52°±1.26° vs. 5.84°±1.71°），转归正常的时间明显少于非Pavlik组［（34.31±12.82） d vs. （43.71±19.98） d］；6~12周Graf Ⅱa（-）型患儿中，Pavlik组的转归正常时间明显少于非Pavlik组［（45.80±16.14） d vs. （57.33±14.40） d］。组间比较，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 Pavlik干预、非Pavlik干预均可治愈Graf Ⅱa型DDH，相比之下，Pavlik挽具更能缩短转归正常的时间。     

凹侧撑开预矫形技术治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸的早期研究

目的 研究凹侧撑开预矫形技术治疗重度僵硬性特发性脊柱侧凸的早期疗效和安全性。方法 回顾性分析2020年1月至2022年12月山西医科大学第二医院收治并进行手术治疗的重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸的8例病人的临床资料。手术均采用凹侧撑开预矫形后双侧依次上棒二次矫形的手术方法。分别测量术前、术后及末次随访时的影像学参数包括主弯Cobb角、次弯Cobb角、胸椎后凸角（TK）、腰椎前凸角（LL）、主弯顶椎偏距（AVT）、躯干偏移（TS）。结果 病人随访（9.0±6.3）个月（1~16个月）。术前主弯Cobb角：97.4°±10.0°,次弯Cobb角：55.6°±8.4°,TK：50.4°±20.3°,LL：62.7°±6.3°,AVT：（7.64±1.55） cm,TS：（2.00±1.93） cm;术后即刻主弯Cobb角：25.8°±8.1°,次弯Cobb角：21.0°±12.0°,TK：24.9°±9.6°,LL：31.6°±11.9°,AVT：（2.34±1.45） cm,TS：（1.26±0.63） cm;末次随访主弯Cobb角：21.2°±9.1°,次弯Cobb角：22.4°±16.1°,TK：32.8°±12.0°,LL：37.6°±14.0°,AVT：（2.41±0.81） cm,TS：（1.6±1.4） cm。除TS外,上述其他指标术后即刻、末次随访时的数值与术前比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,但术后即刻与末次随访时的数值比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。1例术后7个月出现迟发性感染,遂进行手术清创以及内固定取出术后再愈合。结论 采用凹侧撑开预矫形治疗重度脊柱侧凸能够获得满意的矫形效果,且出血少,术中及术后神经系统并发症发生率低,是一种安全有效且实用的治疗方法。     

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.     

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.     

Utilisation des médicaments prokinétiques en réanimation : indications et limites ?

Enteral feeding is often limited by gastric and intestinal motility disturbances in critically ill patients, particularly in patients with shock. So, promotility agents are frequently used to improve tolerance to enteral nutrition. This review summaries the pathophysiology, presents the available pharmacological strategies, the clinical data, the counter-indications and the principal limits. The clinical data are poor. No study demonstrates a positive effect on clinical outcomes. Metoclopramide and erythromycin seems to be the more effective. Considering the risk of antibiotic resistance, the first line use of erythromycin should be avoided in favor of metoclopramide.     

Anesthésie générale chez l’enfant : quid des pratiques en 2010 ?

Introduction

The practice of pediatric anesthesia requires a regular update of scientific knowledge and technical skills. To provide the most adequate Continuing Medical Education programs, it is necessary to assess the practices of pediatric anesthesiologists. Thus, the objective of this survey was to draw a picture of the current clinical practices of general anesthesia in children, in France.

Material and methods

One thousand one hundred and fifty questionnaires were given to anesthesiologists involved in pediatric cases. These questionnaires collected information on various aspects of clinical practice relative to induction, maintenance, recovery from general anaesthesia and also classical debated points such as children with Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), emergence agitation, epileptoid signs or anaesthetic management of adenoidectomy. Differences in practices between CHG (general hospital), CHU (teaching hospital), LIBERAL (private) and PSPH (semi-private) hospitals were investigated.

Results

There were 1025 questionnaires completed. Fifty-five percent of responders worked in public hospitals (CHG and CHU); 77% had a practice that was 25% or less of pediatric cases. In children from 3 to 10 years: 72% of respondents used always premedication and two thirds performed inhalation induction in more than 50% of cases. For induction, 53% used sevoflurane (SEVO) at 7 or 8%. Respondents from LIBERAL used higher SEVO concentrations. Tracheal intubation was performed with SEVO alone (37%), SEVO and propofol (55%) and SEVO with myorelaxant (8%), 93% of respondents used a bolus of opioid. For maintenance, the majority of respondents used SEVO associated with sufentanil; desflurane and remifentanil were more frequently used in CHU. Two thirds of respondents used N₂O. Depth of anesthesia was commonly assessed by hemodynamic changes (52%), end tidal concentration of halogenated (38%) or automated devices based on EEG (7%). In children with URI, 98% of respondents used SEVO for anesthesia. To control the airway 42% used a tracheal tube, 30% a laryngeal mask and 20% a facial mask. Emergence agitation was an important concern for two thirds of respondents, while epileptoid signs were considered as important by only 20%. Eighty-nine percent of respondents practiced anesthesia for adenoidectomy. Anesthesia was induced by inhalation of SEVO 7–8% (41%), 6% (39%) or 4% (12%), 66% put an intravenous line (less frequently in LIBERAL). 67% of the responders managed adenoidectomy without any device to control the airway (more frequently in LIBERAL), 32% administrated a bolus of opioid (less frequently in LIBERAL).

Discussion

This survey demonstrated that the practices regarding general anesthesia in children are relatively homogenous. Most of the differences appeared between LIBERAL and the others structures; the anaesthetic management for adenoidectomy illustrates these findings.     

Intérêt d’une rééducation précoce pour les patients neurologiques

Rehabilitation improves the functional prognosis of patients after a neurologic lesion, and tendency is to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. This review focuses on the interest and the feasibility of very early rehabilitation, initiated from critical care units. It is necessary to precisely assess patients’ impairments and disabilities in order to define rehabilitation objectives. Valid and simple tools must support this evaluation. Rehabilitation will be directed to preventing decubitus complications and active rehabilitation. The sooner rehabilitation is started; the better functional prognosis seems to be.     

Risiko Schlaganfall — Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Aufklärung dringend erforderlich

Zusammenfassung Das wesentliche — und zugleich noch wenig ausgeschöpfte — Potenzial der Schlaganfallmedizin liegt in der langfristigen Prophylaxe. Durch Beeinflussung von Lifestylefaktoren wie Ernährungsgewohnheiten, Zigarettenkonsum und körperlichem Training durch entsprechende Aufklärung ließe sich ein erheblicher Teil an zerebralen Ereignissen vermeiden. Ein weiterer in Deutschland noch zu wenig beachteter Faktor ist die konsequente Blutdruckeinstellung. Breitgestreute Aufklärung könnte außerdem potenziellen Patienten helfen, bereits auftretende Warnsymptome wie die transiente ischämische Attacke richtig einzuschätzen, um eine rechtzeitige Behandlung zu ermöglichen.