3D显微镜辅助下经前路治疗合并骨性颈椎间孔狭窄的神经根型颈椎病的疗效观察

目的 探讨3D显微镜辅助下经颈椎前路减压融合术（anterior cervical discectomy and fusion,ACDF）治疗合并骨性颈椎间孔狭窄的神经根型颈椎病的疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析我院2019年1月至2020年12月的36例接受3D显微镜辅助下ACDF手术治疗合并骨性颈椎间孔狭窄的神经根型颈椎病病人的临床资料。观察病人术中出血量、术后引流量以及手术并发症发生情况。比较病人术前及末次随访时的颈痛、上肢痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分和颈椎功能障碍指数（NDI）。结果 所有病人均成功实施手术,未发生血管、神经损伤等严重并发症。术中出血量为（56.4±22.3） mL,术后引流量为（6.7±4.6） mL。末次随访时颈痛VAS评分、上肢痛VAS评分及NDI指数别为（1.1±0.8）分、（1.4±0.9）分和15.6%±4.6%,较术前的（4.8±1.1）分、（6.3±0.9）分和49.3%±6.7%明显降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 3D显微镜辅助下经前路治疗合并骨性颈椎间孔狭窄的神经根型颈椎病疗效确切,是一种高效、安全、可视化的手术技术,值得临床上推广应用。     

单纯前路与前后联合入路治疗退变性多节段脊髓型颈椎病的对比研究

目的 比较前路多节段（≥3）颈椎间盘切除椎管减压植骨融合内固定（ACDF）与后路单开门椎管扩大成形（ELAP）联合ACDF治疗伴颈椎后凸、巨大椎间盘突出的退变性多节段脊髓型颈椎病的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2014年1月至2019年1月于我院接受多节段ACDF或ELAP联合ACDF治疗的41例合并颈椎后凸畸形、巨大椎间盘突出的退变性多节段脊髓型颈椎病病人的临床资料,根据手术方式分为单纯前路组（21例）和前后联合入路组（20例）,单纯前路组21例,男10例,女11例,年龄为（52.10±5.96）岁。前后联合入路组20例,男12例,女8例,年龄为（53.23±5.12）岁。记录病人手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分、日本骨科协会（Japanese Orthopedic Association,JOA）评分、Nurick评分、C_2-7 Cobb角、局部后凸角（RK）、C_2-7矢状面垂直轴（SVA）。结果 前后联合入路组手术时间、出血量大于单纯前路组（P＜0.05）。两组住院时间的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。末次随访,两组VAS评分、Nurick评分均小于术前,JOA评分大于术前,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;前后联合入路组VAS评分、Nurick评分小于单纯前路组,JOA评分、JOA改善率大于单纯前路组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组C_2-7 Cobb角、RK均大于术前（P＜0.05）,C_2-7 SVA与术前比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组C_2-7 Cobb角、RK、C_2-7 SVA比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 多节段ACDF、ELAP联合ACDF治疗合并颈椎后凸畸形、巨大椎间盘突出的退变性多节段脊髓型颈椎病均可显著改善病人的临床症状及颈椎曲度。与多节段ACDF比较,ELAP联合ACDF虽然手术创伤大但术式更安全,病人的临床症状效果改善更好。     

3D打印导板辅助经皮椎间孔镜下腰椎间盘切除术的临床应用效果

目的 探讨3D打印导板辅助经皮椎间孔镜下腰椎间盘切除术（PELD）治疗腰椎间盘突出症（LDH）的临床效果。方法 选取2020年8月至2021年8月在我院采用PELD治疗单节段LDH的48例病人，根据是否采用3D打印导板辅助手术分为导板组和对照组。导板组24例，采用3D打印导板辅助下穿刺行PELD治疗，对照组24例，采用单纯PELD治疗。比较两组的手术时间、术中出血量、穿刺次数、穿刺时间、透视次数、住院时间，比较两组在术前及术后不同时间的疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分、日本骨科协会（JOA）评分、改良MacNab疗效评价和术后并发症发生率。结果 病人随访（9.33±1.24）个月（7~12个月）。导板组病人的手术时间、术中出血量、穿刺次数、穿刺时间、透视次数及住院时间均明显低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组术后VAS评分均低于术前，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；导板组在术后1天、1周时的VAS评分低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；但两组术后1个月、3个月的VAS评分比较，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组术后JOA评分均较术前明显升高，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；但组间各时间段的JOA评分比较，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组末次随访改良MacNab标准的优良率、并发症发生率比较，差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 通过3D打印导板辅助PELD治疗单节段LDH，手术效果确切，明显提高了穿刺准确性，减少了因反复穿刺而带来的手术创伤及辐射伤害，提高了手术效率、缩短了手术时间，对术后短期内疼痛的缓解作用显著，具有良好的临床使用前景。     

斜外侧腰椎椎间融合术通道辅助腰椎爆裂性骨折的前路重建

目的 探讨斜外侧腰椎椎间融合术（OLIF）通道辅助腰椎爆裂性骨折前路重建的临床应用价值。方法 回顾性分析2017年12月—2022年1月收治的载荷分享分类（LSC）评分≥7分的腰椎爆裂性骨折患者41例，根据骨折AO分型，采用传统腰椎前路手术治疗12例（传统组），OLIF通道辅助腰椎前路手术治疗15例（OLIF辅助组），OLIF通道辅助腰椎前路手术并后路固定治疗14例（OLIF辅助+后路组）。记录3组患者前路手术时间、前路手术切口长度、术中出血量、手术前后Cobb角及并发症情况。结果 所有手术顺利完成，所有患者随访≥ 12个月。OLIF辅助组和OLIF辅助+后路组的前路手术时间、前路手术切口长度、术中出血量低于传统组，差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。OLIF辅助+后路组术前Cobb角大于传统组和OLIF辅助组，差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。3组术后1周及末次随访时Cobb角差异均无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。结论 对于LSC评分≥7分需要行腰椎前路重建手术的腰椎爆裂性骨折患者，OLIF通道辅助前路重建具有手术时间短、创伤小、出血量少等优点，且临床疗效与传统腰椎前路手术相当，值得临床推广。     

颈椎前路减压融合术联合钩椎关节部分切除在神经根型颈椎病治疗中的应用

目的 评价颈椎前路减压融合术（anterior cervical decompression and fusion, ACDF）联合钩椎关节部分切除术治疗神经根型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2013年9月至2017年7月我科收治并进行手术的神经根型颈椎病病人76例,平均年龄为47.2岁;其中男43例,女33例。行ACDF联合钩椎关节部分切除者49例,纳入联合组;行单纯ACDF手术者27例,纳入单纯ACDF组。对其手术时间、术中出血量及手术前后C₂~C₇ Cobb角、颈部及上肢疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale, VAS）评分、颈椎功能障碍指数（neck disability index, NDI）、植骨融合情况等进行统计分析,评价并比较两种手术方式的疗效。结果 随访时间为12~24个月,平均18个月。联合组1例病人出现C5神经根麻痹,余均无明显的神经功能损害等严重并发症;1例术后伤口内血肿,予以再次手术清除血肿。联合组手术时间为（123.74±10.19） min,术中出血量为（343.93±72.29） ml;单纯ACDF组手术时间为（108.00±10.50） min,术中出血量为（299.40±49.31） ml。所有病人术后Cobb角较术前明显增大,末次随访时Cobb角未见明显丢失;所有病人术后、末次随访时的VAS评分、NDI均较术前明显改善;两组间术前、术后及末次随访时的VAS评分比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）,但联合组术后的VAS评分优于单纯ACDF组;而联合组术后NDI较单纯ACDF组改善更显著,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。所有病人末次随访时均植骨融合。结论 ACDF联合钩椎关节部分切除术治疗伴有钩椎关节增生、神经根管狭窄的神经根型颈椎病,与单纯ACDF相比,可以更快地缓解病人疼痛,提高病人生活质量,是一种安全、有效的治疗方法。     

导航辅助经皮置钉微创经椎间孔腰椎椎间融合术治疗腰椎退行性疾病的疗效研究

目的 评估导航辅助经皮置钉微创经椎间孔腰椎椎间融合术（minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, MIS-TLIF）治疗腰椎退行性疾病的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2013年1月至2015年2月,我科收治的腰椎退行性疾病病人60例,其中行导航辅助MIS-TLIF手术病人26例（导航辅助MIS-TLIF组）,行开放TLIF手术34例（开放TLIF组）。收集两组病人的手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量及并发症等情况;记录病人手术前后不同时间的腰痛、下肢痛疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale, VAS）评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index, ODI）;通过其腰椎X线、CT、MRI检查结果,评估椎间融合率、置钉精准率等影像学指标。结果 病人随访时间为24~36个月,所有病人均未出现神经、血管损伤等严重永久性并发症。导航辅助MIS-TLIF组的手术时间为（146.8±20.9） min,显著长于开放TLIF组的（133.6±15.8） min,其术中出血量、术后引流量、术后住院天数分别为（172.4±71.2） ml、（130.0±40.6） ml、（5.8±2.2） d,显著低于开放TLIF组的（253.3±88.6） ml、（206.1±38.8） ml、（7.5±1.9） d,上述指标组间比较,差异均具有统计学意义（P均＜0.05）。导航辅助MIS-TLIF组术后2 d腰痛VAS评分为（3.1±1.6）分,显著低于开放TLIF组的（4.4±1.1）分,差异具有统计学意义（t=3.837,P＜0.001）;但两组病人术后3、6、12、24个月的腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分及腰痛ODI比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。导航辅助MIS-TLIF组和开放TLIF组的椎间融合率分别为80.77%、82.35%,置钉精准率分别为90.38%、88.97%,组间比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。结论 导航辅助MIS-TLIF术治疗腰椎退行性疾病临床疗效良好,置钉精准、安全性高,并且更加微创、出血少、术后腰痛轻微、康复快。     

同种异体骨椎间融合器在颈椎前路手术中应用的临床效果

目的 评估同种异体骨椎间融合器（Cage）在颈椎前路椎间盘切除融合术（ACDF）中的临床疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2015年6月至2018年3月使用同种异体骨Cage行ACDF手术者45例（48节段）,收集其术前、术后3个月、术后6个月及末次随访时的疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）、颈椎功能障碍指数（NDI）评分、日本骨科协会（JOA）脊髓型颈椎病评分、椎间隙高度。术后3、6个月摄颈椎正侧位X线片、行CT三维重建评估融合率。结果 随访时间为（16.18±6.78）个月（6~25个月）。与术前的数值比较,45例病人术后3个月、术后6个月及末次随访时的VAS评分、NDI及JOA评分均有不同程度的改善,椎间融合率分别为64.58%（31/48）、93.75%（45/48）、100%（48/48）;椎间隙高度分别为（9.25±0.50） mm、（8.85±0.46） mm、（8.25±0.48） mm,均较术前显著改善,差异均有统计学意义（P均＜0.05）。无神经压迫、受损症状,无Cage脱出、位移等情况发生。结论 同种异体骨椎间融合器用于ACDF手术可提供早期的稳定和较高的融合率,且安全性良好。     

Hybrid手术与单纯颈椎前路椎间盘切除融合术治疗颈椎退行性疾病的疗效比较

目的 对比Hybrid手术［颈椎人工椎间盘置换术（CTDR）联合颈椎前路椎间盘切除融合术（ACDF）］与单纯ACDF治疗颈椎退行性疾病的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2010年8月—2019年8月收治的48例双节段及三节段颈椎退行性病变患者临床资料,其中采用Hybrid手术治疗8例（Hybrid组）,采用ACDF治疗40例（ACDF组）。应用倾向性评分匹配法（PSM）对Hybrid组和ACDF组患者进行匹配,共8对匹配成功。分别采用t检验、χ²检验及重复测量方差分析比较2组患者基本资料、手术前后颈椎功能障碍指数（NDI）、日本骨科学会（JOA）评分、疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分及C_2~7活动度（ROM）的变化。结果 匹配后2组术前NDI、JOA评分、VAS评分、C_2~7 ROM差异均无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。2组手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间差异均无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。2组患者术后NDI、JOA评分、VAS评分均较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;且Hybrid组NDI改善优于ACDF组,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。2组患者术后C_2~7 ROM均较术前下降,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;C_2~7 ROM随访中逐渐增加,且Hybrid组在各随访时间点均优于ACDF组,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 Hybrid手术与ACDF治疗颈椎退行性疾病具有相同的临床效果,Hybrid手术在改善颈部功能和保留颈椎ROM方面优于ACDF。     

3D导航引导与徒手椎板关节突螺钉置钉在单节段腰椎融合手术中的应用比较

目的 比较3D导航引导与徒手椎板关节突螺钉置钉在单节段腰椎融合手术中的疗效。方法 纳入2020年1月至10月我院骨科收治的拟行单节段腰椎融合手术的病人30例,按参与研究的奇偶顺序分为两组,3D导航组15例,行3D导航引导下椎板关节突螺钉置钉,徒手置钉组15例,行徒手椎板关节突螺钉置钉。统计两组病人的术中透视次数、操作时间、术中失血量及24 h引流量,拔除引流管后统计并对比两组的置钉准确性,分别于术后第1、3、7天测量两组的红细胞沉降率（ESR）及C反应蛋白（CRP）水平,同时对比两组的日本矫形外科协会（JOA）评分改善情况及椎间融合情况。结果 两组病人均顺利完成手术,未予以输血。3D导航组的术中透视次数、手术时间、术中失血量及引流量分别为（2.43±0.25）次、（110.86±10.75） min、（150.45±23.46） mL、（83.87±10.63） mL,徒手置钉组分别为（6.52±1.21）次、（152.37±13.45） min、（213.68±34.68） mL、（156.84±15.67） mL,3D导航组各项手术指标均优于徒手置钉组（P＜0.05）;3D导航组的置钉准确性显著优于徒手置钉组（100% vs. 73.33%,P＜0.05）;术后第1、3、7天时,3D导航组的ESR、CRP均较徒手置钉组显著降低（P＜0.05）;末次随访时,3D导航组的JOA改善率为75.00%,稍高于徒手置钉组的72.41%,但两组对比,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。随访期间,两组均达到良好椎间融合,无椎间融合期移位、螺钉断裂、松动或移位等情况出现。结论 3D导航引导与徒手椎板关节突螺钉置钉均可有效改善单节段腰椎融合手术病人的JOA评分,但与徒手置钉相比,3D导航引导下椎板关节突螺钉置钉可改善病人手术指标,提升置钉准确性,降低术后ESR和CRP,可作为腰椎椎板关节突螺钉置钉的优先选择方案。     

弧度显微剪应用于全椎板切除术治疗多节段胸椎黄韧带骨化的疗效分析

目的 评估弧度显微剪在全椎板切除术治疗多节段胸椎黄韧带骨化症（thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum, TOLF）并硬膜粘连的临床疗效和安全性。方法 回顾性分析2013年1月至2018年3月惠州市中心人民医院采用全椎板切除术治疗多节段TOLF并硬膜粘连的病人30例,分为尖刀片组（15例）和弧度显微剪组（15例）。记录并比较两组病人的术中出血量、手术时间、围手术期并发症、改良日本骨科协会（Japanese Orthopaedic Association, JOA）评分及其神经功能恢复率。结果 尖刀片组和弧度显微剪组的随访时间分别为（13.2±1.4）个月、（12.8±2.4）个月。尖刀片组的手术时间和术中出血量分别为（261±45） min、（563±201） ml,显著高于弧度显微剪组的（203±38） min、（493±139） ml,组间比较,差异均有统计学意义（t=4.161,P＜0.001;t=6.817,P＜0.001）。尖刀片组发生脑脊液渗漏6例,弧度显微剪组脑脊液渗漏1例,两组的脑脊液漏发生率比较,差异有统计学意义（χ²=4.658,P=0.031）。两组病人的末次随访JOA评分均较术前显著提高,但两组病人术前JOA、末次随访JOA及神经恢复率比较,差异均无统计学意义。结论 弧度显微剪全椎板切除术治疗多节段TOLF并硬膜粘连是一种安全有效的治疗方式,与尖刀片分离的手术方式相比,缩短了手术时间,减少了术中出血量,降低了脑脊液漏发生率。     

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.     

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.     

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.