脊柱交界区终板抗压强度分布规律的生物力学研究

目的:探讨脊柱交界区终板不同位点抗压强度及其分布规律。方法:选用5具成年男性新鲜脊柱标本的颈胸段、胸腰段及腰骶段,共65个椎体125个终板,采用环形取点的方式,对每个终板平面的49个测试点用直径1.5mm的平底压头进行连续压缩加载试验,获得最大压缩力,所得数据进行统计分析。结果:以椎体为单位,颈胸段终板从C4开始抗压强度逐渐下降,至C7达到最低点,C7～T1明显升高。胸腰段各椎体终板的抗压强度呈依次上升趋势,腰骶段L3、L4终板抗压强度继续上升,L5出现降低,S1节段再次升高。颈胸段与胸腰段抗压强度均小于腰骶段(P<0.01)。上下终板抗压强度变化趋势相似。各段椎体抗压强度下终板强于上终板(P<0.01)。椎间隙相邻面上一椎体下终板的抗压强度大于下一椎体上终板(P<0.05)。由内至外,抗压强度逐渐增大(P<0.05)。颈胸段和腰骶段的后部终板抗压强度大于前部,而胸腰段为前部大于后部(P<0.05)。结论:不同节段终板的抗压强度分布规律不同,临床安放椎间置入物时需注意置入物的大小及放置位置。     

颈椎下终板冠状面形态分型

[目的]测量颈椎各节段下终板冠状面的解剖参数,分析数据并对颈椎下终板冠状面形态进行分型,为人工颈椎间盘终板设计的改进提供参考依据。[方法]对85例非颈椎病患者C2~7共510个节段的CT资料进行回顾性分析,以图像三维重建软件Mimics 15.0纳入相应DICOM格式文件,将各节段椎体置于选定的参考平面系统中,显示目标终板的轮廓。将颈椎下终板冠状面分为Ⅲ型:I型,弧形;Ⅱ型,平板形;Ⅲ型,不规则形,并进一步测量颈椎下终板冠状面宽度(左右径)和下终板穹窿高度。[结果]总体上I型终板占67.65%,Ⅱ型终板占26.67%,Ⅲ型终板占5.69%。C3~7下终板形态均以I型为主(占50.59%~91.76%),且自C3~7I型终板所占比例呈逐渐增加趋势,而C2下终板则以I型和Ⅱ型终板为主(I型、Ⅱ型均占45.88%)。颈椎下终板宽度自C2~7逐渐增加,且以C6和C7下终板宽度增加最明显。C3下终板穹窿高度最大(2.20±0.39)mm,且自C3~7下终板穹窿高度逐渐减小。颈椎各节段下终板宽度、穹窿高度男性均大于女性。[结论]颈椎下终板冠状面形态可分为三型:弧形、平板形、不规则形,可参考本研究对颈椎下终板形态分型及测量数据对人工颈椎间盘终板的设计进行改进。     

颈椎下终板矢状面形态分型

[目的]测量分析颈椎各节段下终板的解剖参数,对颈椎下终板形态进行分型,为改进人工颈椎间盘终板的设计提供依据。[方法]回顾性纳入68例非颈椎病患者C2~7共408个节段的CT资料,将DICOM格式文件导入图像三维重建软件Mimics 10.01中,将各节段椎体置于选定的参考平面系统中,显示目标终板的轮廓。将颈椎下终板分为三型:I型,穹隆顶点位置靠后;II型,穹隆顶点位置居中;III型,穹隆顶点位置靠前,并测量下终板矢状径、下终板穹隆高度和下终板穹隆顶点位置。[结果]总体上Ⅰ型终板占17.89%,Ⅱ型终板占45.83%,Ⅲ型终板占36.27%,Ⅰ~Ⅲ型终板穹隆顶点分别位于下终板矢状径41.06%、49.94%和61.58%的位置。除C7下终板以II型终板为主(占75%)外,C2~6下终板以II型为主(占39.71%~63.24%)。两型间各节段终板类型构成比差异无统计学意义。C5和C6颈椎下终板矢状径最大,C3下终板穹隆高度最大(2.26±0.36)mm,C3~7下终板穹隆高度逐渐减小,各节段下终板矢状径、穹隆高度男性均显著大于女性。[结论]颈椎下终板矢状面形态可分为三型,改进人工颈椎间盘终板设计时可参考本研究对颈椎下终板的分型及其测量数据。     

颈椎终板结构的生物力学研究

目的 研究颈椎终板不同位点生物力学特性的分布规律。方法 运用人体新鲜颈椎标本66椎，对终板平面上的20个特定测试点进行压缩试验，用直径2mm的半球形压头以0.03mm/s的速度垂直终板平面下压2mm，由所得的压缩力-位移线计算最大压缩力及刚度，采用析因分析对实验数据进行统计处理。结果 （1）颈椎各节段之间最大压缩力及刚度的差异有显著性（P＜0.01)，且由上而下呈逐渐减小趋势。终板矢状方向中各点之间最大压缩力及刚度的差异有显著性（P＜0.01），且椎体后部是最大压缩力及刚度较大的区域；终板冠状方向上各点之间最大的压缩力及刚度（除下终板最大压缩力外）的差异均无显著性（P＞0.05)。（2）下颈椎相邻终板之间的最大压缩力及刚度的差异有显著性（P＜0.05），下终板的最大压缩力及刚度比上终板大。矢状方向上相邻板的最大压缩力差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。结论 颈椎上终板后都、下终板后外侧区是椎体力学强度最大的区域。在进行颈前路融合术时下颈椎较易发生塌陷，且塌陷多发生于颈椎上终板平面。     

椎体后凸成形术后再发骨折的相关危险因素分析

[目的]探讨椎体后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折后不同类型再发骨折的特点和相关危险因素。[方法]回顾性研究2006年4月~2012年4月间,458例行椎体后凸成形术治疗的骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折患者资料,根据术后再发椎体骨折情况分为原位再发骨折组36例,相邻椎体再骨折组33例,间隔椎体再骨折组35例,对照无再骨折组354例,对临床资料、影像学资料以及手术相关因素进行观察评估并分析。[结果](1)104例患者(22.71%)PKP术后发生再发骨折,66.7%的原位组和54.5%的相邻组椎体再发骨折发生在术后半年内;(2)体重指数低、基础陈旧椎体骨折数目多、骨密度t值低是三种类型再发骨折共同的危险因素;(3)椎体内骨水泥的形态学分布是原位组和相邻组再骨折的影响因素,原位组下终板骨水泥越局限骨小梁水平,原位再骨折的风险越大(OR值,0.311;P=0.016);相邻组上终板骨水泥越接近终板和椎间盘分布,相邻椎体再骨折的风险越大(OR值,4.831;P=0.018);(4)术后支具佩戴时间短是相邻椎体再骨折和间隔椎体再骨折的危险因素。[结论]椎体后凸成形术后三种类型的再发骨折均与严重骨质疏松有关,椎体内骨水泥的形态学分布特点是引起术后再骨折的重要因素,规范佩戴支具和抗骨质疏松治疗能降低再骨折风险。     

椎间孔镜术相关解剖参数的CT影像测量

[目的]在CT影像上测量经皮椎间孔镜椎间盘切除术相关解剖参数。[方法]选取40名志愿者,男女各20名,采集腰椎影像学资料进行数字化处理,测量椎间孔的高度、宽度、椎间隙上下终板水平出口根到上关节突的距离、椎间隙上下终板水平神经根内缘与硬膜囊外缘的距离。[结果]从L3/4到L5S1节段椎间孔的高度和宽度均呈逐步降低趋势,同一节段的左右双侧对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05),同一侧不同节段椎间孔的高度和宽度差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。椎间隙上、下终板水平出口根到上关节突距离从L3/4到L5S1节段逐渐增大。同一节段的左右双侧对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05),同一侧不同节段椎间隙上、下终板水平出口根到上关节突距离差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。椎间隙上下终板水平上神经根內缘与硬膜囊外缘的距离从L3/4到L5S1节段逐渐增大,同一节段的左右双侧对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而同一侧不同节段间隙上下终板水平上神经根內缘与硬膜囊外缘的距离差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]虽然从上到下椎间孔面积逐渐减小,但神经出口根倾斜角度逐渐增大,工作通道可操作范围也逐渐增大。     

腰段自主神经的解剖学研究及临床意义

目的 :描述腰段自主神经的解剖学特征,为前路腰椎手术提供详实的神经解剖学资料。方法 :取10具防腐男性胸腰骶部标本(年龄36～78岁,平均56岁)。仔细剔除腹腔器官及双侧腰大肌,找出腰段自主神经并去除周围软组织。观察腰段自主神经的走行、起始位置和分布特点。使用游标卡尺测量各腰内脏神经发出点与对应节段腰椎体下终板之间的距离,同侧相邻腰内脏神经发出点之间的距离,腰椎椎间孔前缘以及各腰椎间盘平面上左、右两侧腰交感干后缘分别与腰椎椎体前缘在矢状面上的距离,以及上腹下丛右侧缘在L5椎体下终板和S1椎体上终板平面上与中线的距离。使用量角器测量各腰内脏神经与水平面所成的夹角。结果:在10具标本上共发现72条腰内脏神经,其中58条起源于L3椎体下终板颅侧的腰交感干。第1、2、3、4腰内脏神经的发出点分别位于L1椎体下终板尾侧9.35±10.62mm,L2椎体下终板尾侧5.23±7.08mm,L3椎体下终板颅侧9.34±6.36mm及L4椎体下终板尾侧9.21±8.55mm。第3腰内脏神经与第1、2、4腰内脏神经发出点位置分布有差别(H=32.227,P=0.000),其余腰内脏神经发出点位置分布及左侧与相应的右侧腰内脏神经发出点位置分布均无统计学差异(P0.05)。第1与第2腰内脏神经、第2与第3腰内脏神经以及第3与第4腰内脏神经发出点之间的距离分别为24.25±6.27mm、21.96±8.13mm、54.54±11.41mm。在L2/3、L3/4及L4/5椎间盘平面上,双侧腰交感干有95%(57/60)位于矢状面上的前1/3内。在L5椎体下终板及S1椎体上终板平面上,上腹下丛的右侧缘分别位于中线左侧3.92±3.35mm及右侧5.25±2.98mm。左侧与相应的右侧腰内脏神经分别与水平面所成夹角(P0.05)及各腰内脏神经与水平面所成夹角(H=4.921,P=0.178)均无统计学差异,大小约为41°±6°。结论:80.6%腰内脏神经起源于L3椎体下终板颅侧的腰交感干,第3与第4腰内脏神经发出点之间的距离远大于其他两相邻的腰内脏神经发出点之间的距离;在L5/S1椎间盘平面上,腹中线的右外侧存在非常少的上腹下丛神经纤维。了解腰段自主神经的这些解剖学特征对减少手术并发症、提高手术安全性具有重要意义。     

两种棘突间动态稳定系统置入后对腰椎结构的影响变化及对比分析

[目的]对比分析两种棘突间动态稳定系统(X-Stop和Wallis)置入后对腰椎结构的影响变化。[方法]2009年11月²011年8月收治的61例L4/5节段腰椎间盘退变性疾病患者,按入院时间和自身对手术的选择随机分为X-Stop组(A组,33例)和Wallis组(B组,28例)。两组患者性别、年龄、病变节段、病程等一般资料比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。分别于X线片上测量L4/5节段手术前后的Cobb角度变化、椎间孔横径及纵径/L5椎体后缘高度、椎间隙高度/L5椎体后缘高度。[结果]A组术后Cobb角、椎间隙后高度/L5椎体高度、椎间孔横径/L5椎体高度、椎间孔纵径/L5椎体高度均较术前有显著变化,成增大趋势(P值分别为:0.016、0.000、0.001和0.001);B组术后Cobb角、椎间隙后高度/L5椎体高度、椎间孔横径/L5椎体高度、椎间孔纵径/L5椎体高度均较术前有显著变化,成增大趋势(P值分别为:0.000、0.000、0.001和0.000)。组间比较术前、术后变化,Cobb角(P=0.168>0.05)、椎间孔横径/L5椎体高度(P=0.884>0.05)、椎间孔横径/L5椎体高度(P=0.566>0.05)的变化差异,A、B两组无统计学意义,椎间隙后高度/L5椎体高度存在组间差别(P=0.002<0.05),椎间隙后高度在两种不同动态稳定系统置入后变化的趋势不同,其中A组椎间隙后高度增加趋势更大。[结论]X-Stop系统与Wallis系统均可恢复腰椎生理曲度,有效增大椎间孔面积和椎间隙高度,是治疗腰椎间盘退变性疾病的一种安全、有效的外科方法,但X-Stop系统在增加椎间隙高度方面较Wallis系统有优势,且具有操作方便,不损伤相邻节段棘间韧带等优势。     

新型颈椎多孔型（金属）网式融合器的三维有限元分析

[目的]通过三维有限元分析新型颈椎多孔型(金属)网式融合器应力的分布特点,为临床应用提供理论依据。[方法]建立传统钛网融合器以及新型颈椎多孔型(金属)网式融合器的颈椎前路椎体次全切减压融合内固定术的三维有限元模型。在前屈后伸、左右侧屈、左右旋转等六种工况下施加73.6 N的预载荷,1.5 Nm的附加运动力矩,观察并分析融合器自身、钛板及融合器与上下终板接触面的Von-Mises应力分布情况以及椎体位移情况。[结果]与传统钛网相比,在六种工况下新型颈椎多孔型(金属)网式融合器自身最大应力减少了84%～98%,C6上终板的最大应力减少了29%～83%,C4下终板的最大应力减少了8%～55%。在大部分工况下,新型颈椎多孔型(金属)网式融合器组的钛板最大应力值较传统钛网融合器组低。在大部分工况下,两种钛网融合器组的终板应力最大值均位于上终板后缘,但新型颈椎多孔型(金属)网式融合器的终板后缘最大应力值要小于传统钛网。[结论]与传统钛网融合器比较,新型颈椎多孔型(金属)网式融合器在颈椎前路椎体次全切减压融合内固定术后具有较强的即刻稳定性,能减少应力集中,减少钛板的应力遮挡,显著降低上下终板的最大应力,更好的预防融合器下沉。     

国人颈椎椎间盘解剖参数与常用人工椎间盘尺寸的比较

目的　分析临床上常用的人工椎间盘尺寸是否与国人颈椎椎体解剖尺寸相匹配,并据此提出适合国人的人工颈椎椎间盘设计方案。方法利用CT测量138例国内患者C_(2～7)椎体的相关解剖学数据(椎体终板前后径、横径,椎间隙高度,矢状角大小),并分别与4种常用人工椎间盘(Bryan、Prestige LP、Discover、Prodisc-C)的尺寸进行比较,分析人工椎间盘的尺寸是否与各个椎间隙尺寸相匹配,并计算不匹配率。结果 4种常用人工椎间盘中,在椎体终板前后径上与国人颈椎椎体解剖尺寸的不匹配率为15.22%(C_3/C_4节段,Prestige LP、Prodisc-C)至57.61%(C_6/C_7节段,Discover);在横径上的不匹配率为24.28%(C_3/C_4节段,Prodisc-C、Prestige LP)至94.93%(C_6/C_7节段,Bryan)。所有患者中,19.71%的椎体终板前后径大于最大人工椎间盘,52.17%的椎体终板最大横径大于最大人工椎间盘。除了因高度不固定而无法比较的Bryan人工椎间盘,其他人工椎间盘的最大高度均满足患者各节段的最大椎间隙高度,但39.13%的颈椎椎间隙高度小于最小的人工椎间盘高度。C_2/C_3、C_3/C_4、C_4/C_5、C_5/C_6、C_6/C_7节段平均矢状角分别为3.64°、4.51°、5.04°、5.15°、4.13°,纳入的4种人工椎间盘中只有Discover有固定的7°前凸角与之相符。结论目前临床上常用的人工椎间盘尺寸与国人椎体解剖数据存在较大差异,应设计更多的人工椎间盘尺寸来匹配国人颈椎。     

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.