胸腹腔镜联合食管癌Ivor-Lewis术与McKeown术近期疗效比较

目的：对比胸腹腔镜Ivor-Lewis术与McKeown术治疗食管癌的近期疗效。方法回顾性分析2010年12月至2014年3月福建医科大学附属协和医院胸外二科同一治疗组采用全腔镜食管癌根治术治疗的288例胸中下段食管癌患者临床资料。其中,Ivor-Lewis组103例,McKeown组185例,两种手术方式均进行胸腹部淋巴结清扫。对比观察两种术式的围术期情况。结果两组术中出血量、中转开胸或开腹率、术后拔管时间、术后进食时间、术后住院时间、清扫淋巴结总数的差异均无统计学意义（P＞0．05）;而Ivor-Lewis组手术时间较McKeown组缩短[（283．4±32．0） min比（303．6±43．7） min,P＜0．01],住院总费用增高[（76492±18553）元比（68923±17331）元,P＜0．01）。McKeown组围手术期死亡1例（0．5％）,Ivor-Lewis组无一例围手术期死亡。Ivor-Lewis组术后总并发症发生率为16．5％（17/103）,明显低于McKeown组的31．4％（58/185）（P＜0．01）,其中术后肺部并发症、吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、喉返神经损伤发生率均明显低于McKeown组（均P＜0．05）。结论全胸腹腔镜Ivor-Lewis术较McKeown术治疗胸中下段食管癌术后并发症发生率更低,但手术费用增加。     

Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗中段食管癌的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗中段食管癌的疗效.方法 前瞻性研究2005年3月至2013年3月两家医院收治的303例中段食管癌患者(江苏省如皋市博爱医院107例、江苏省如皋市人民医院196例)的临床资料,按患者入院先后顺序编号分为Ivor-Lewis组(151例),施行Ivor-Lewis径路经胸颈部机械吻合术;Sweet组(152例),施行Sweet径路经胸颈部机械吻合术.比较两组患者术中情况、围手术期并发症、淋巴结清扫和术后随访等情况.采用门诊复查方式随访,随访时间截至2012年12日.计量资料采用成组t检验,计数资料采用x2检验或Fisher确切概率法,等级资料采用Wilcoxon成组秩和检验.采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线,COX比例风险模型分析术后死亡风险.结果 Ivor-Lewis组的手术时间和手术切除率分别为(239±21) min和98.68％(149/151),Sweet组分别为(188±30) min和92.76％(141/152),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(t=11.32,x2=6.45,P＜0.05).Ivor-Lewis组和Sweet组的食管上切缘阳性率分别为0.67％(1/149)和0.71％(1/141),术后并发症发生率分别为10.07％ (15/149)和11.35％(16/141),手术死亡率分别为0和0.71％(1/141),两组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).Ivor-Lewis组清扫的颈胸交界部、腹上区淋巴结数目以及颈胸交界部阳性淋巴结数目分别为(3.6±1.1)枚、(3.5±1.1)枚和(0.7±1.1)枚,Sweet组分别为(2.3±0.8)枚、(2.4±0.8)枚和(0.3±0.6)枚,两组比较,差异均有统计学意义(Z=9.96,9.02,3.26,P＜0.05).290例手术切除治疗的食管癌患者中273例获得术后随访,随访率为94.14％ (273/290),中位随访时间为28.0个月.Ivor-Lewis组患者术后第1、2、3年肿瘤复发、转移率分别为8.21％(11/134)、19.64％ (22/112)、29.35％(27/92),Sweet组分别为19.05％ (24/126)、35.24％ (37/105)、44.19％ (38/86),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(x2=6.55,7.33,5.03,P＜O.05).其中两组患者术后1、2、3年区域淋巴结复发率比较,差异有统计学意义(x2=7.03,9.68,6.87,P＜0.05).Ivor-Lewis组患者术后1、2、3年累积生存率分别为90.30％ (121/134)、80.36％ (90/112)、71.74％ (66/92),Sweet组分别为80.95％ (102/126)、59.05％ (62/105)、51.16％ (44/86),两组比较,差异均有统计学意义(x2=4.65,11.73,7.97,P＜0.05).结论 Ivor-Lewis经胸颈部机械吻合术治疗中段食管癌,手术切除率高、安全性好,术后患者生存获益明显.该术式可以作为治疗颈部无肿大可疑转移淋巴结的中段食管癌的优选手术方法.     

胸腔镜与开放食管癌根治术中纵隔淋巴结清扫情况的比较

目的：比较胸腔镜食管癌根治术与开放手术的纵隔淋巴结清扫情况,探讨胸腔镜手术的根治性及安全性。方法回顾性分析2009年6月至2011年6月间四川省肿瘤医院胸外科经左颈右胸上腹食管癌根治术治疗304例患者的临床资料。其中199例行传统开放三切口食管癌根治术（开放组）,105例行胸腹腔镜三切口食管癌根治术（腔镜组）,比较两组患者术中淋巴结清扫情况及围手术期并发症发生情况。结果腔镜组清扫纵隔淋巴结数目为（10．1±5．5）枚,明显少于开放组的（13．3±7．5）枚（P＜0．01）;但匹配术后病理分期后,各期腔镜组和开放组的胸内淋巴结清扫数目差异并无统计学意义（均P＞0．05）。开放组和腔镜组左喉返神经旁淋巴结平均清扫数分别为（2．7±0．2）枚和（1．4±0．2）枚,下段食管旁分别为（1．0±0．1）枚和（0．6±0．1）枚,病灶旁分别为（1．7±0．2）枚和（0．7±0．1）枚,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0．01）;其他区域两组淋巴结清扫数目差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0．05）。腔镜组围手术期并发症发生率为28．6％（30/105）,低于开放组的41．2％（82/199）（P＜0．05）,但喉返神经麻痹发生率[12．4％（13/105）]明显高于开放组[2．5％（5/199）,P＜0．01）。结论胸腔镜食管癌根治术安全可行。但在行胸腔镜纵隔淋巴结清扫时,应加强对喉返神经旁、下段食管旁和病灶旁淋巴结的清扫,并注意喉返神经的保护。     

Ivor-Lewis手术在老年中下段食管癌患者中的应用

目的探讨Ivor-Lewis手术治疗老年中下段食管癌患者的安全性。方法前瞻性入组2009年6月至2010年6月天津医科大学肿瘤医院老年（60岁以上）中下段食管癌患者232例,按随机数字表法分为Ivor-Lewis手术组（116例,取右胸后外侧及上腹正中切口）和Sweet手术组（116例,取左胸后外侧切口）,比较两组术中及术后情况。结果Ivor-Lewis手术组与Sweet手术组根治性切除率分别为95.7％(111/116)和92.2％ (107/116) (P＞0.05);开胸手术时间分别为(47.2±5.2) min和(105.4±9.3) min（P=0.000）。术后呼吸衰竭发生率分别为1.7％(2/116)和6.9％(8/116)(P=0.049);室上性心律失常发生率分别为3.4％(4/116)和10.3％(12/116)(P=0.035);总并发症发生率分别为22.4％(26/116)和34.5％(40/116)(P=0.004);围手术死亡率分别为1.7％(2/116)和3.4％(4/116) (P＞0.05)。两组术后下床活动时间分别为(4.0±2.0)d和(4.8±3.7)d(P=0.046);术后住院时间分别为(11.5±4.7)d和(13.7±7.8) d(P=0.008)。结论Ivor-Lewis手术具有不损伤膈肌、胸腔内手术时间短、对心肺功能影响小、术后并发症少、恢复快的优势,可考虑作为老年中下段食管癌的首选手术方式。     

SiewertⅠ型和Ⅱ型食管胃结合部癌不同手术方式的近期疗效分析

目的分析SiewertⅠ型、Ⅱ型食管胃结合部癌患者不同手术方式的近期疗效。方法纳入2015年3月至2018年3月西安交通大学第一附属医院胸外科接受手术治疗的SiewertⅠ型、Ⅱ型食管胃结合部癌患者共82例,其中男53例、女29例,年龄48~72(61±6)岁。根据手术方法将患者分为4组,左开胸组(n=14),腹腔镜左胸小切口组(n=33):胸腹腔镜Ivor-Lewis组(n=17)和胸腹腔镜McKeown组(n=18)。对比分析不同手术组的近期疗效和生存率。结果左开胸组手术时间最短,随后为腹腔镜左胸小切口组、胸腹腔镜McKeown组和胸腹腔镜Ivor-Lewis组;胸腹腔镜McKeown组/腹腔镜左胸小切口组术中出血量最少;左开胸组淋巴结清扫数量最少,胸腹腔镜McKeown组最多。腹腔镜左胸小切口组总并发症发生率低于其它3组(P<0.05),肺炎及心律失常发生率在4组中最低(P<0.05)。4组近期生存率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论胸腹腔镜联合手术治疗SiewertⅠ型、Ⅱ型食管胃结合部癌安全、可靠。腹腔镜左胸小切口手术方式具有微创优势,淋巴结清扫较为彻底,尤其对于心肺储备功能欠佳的高龄患者,能明显缩短手术时间、减少术后并发症,具有一定的可推广性。     

微创Ivor-Lewis食管切除术与Sweet手术治疗Siewert Ⅱ型食管胃结合部腺癌的前瞻性对比研究

目的探讨微创Ivor-Lewis食管切除术(minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy,MI-ILE)与Sweet手术治疗SiewertⅡ型食管胃结合部腺癌(adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction,AEG)的疗效。方法选择2017年12月～2019年3月SiewertⅡ型AEG 82例,按照前瞻性非随机方法分为2组,行MI-ILE手术41例,Sweet手术41例,2组术前一般资料差异无显著性(P0.05)。比较2组手术指标、术后并发症及短期生存和复发率。结果 MI-ILE组手术时间长于Sweet组[(244.0±39.5)min vs.(186.9±24.8)min,t=7.840,P=0.000],但术中出血量少[(88.9±34.1)ml vs.(107.7±42.4)ml,t=-2.211,P=0.030],术后第1天胸腔引流量少[(205.9±73.3)ml vs.(287.7±126.3)ml,t=-3.587,P=0.001],胸腔引流时间短[(6.2±2.2)d vs.(8.8±2.8)d,t=-4.666,P=0.000],术后排气早[(3.0±1.0)d vs.(3.7±1.3)d,t=-2.739,P=0.008],术后住院时间短[(9.2±3.2)d vs.(11.2±2.6)d,t=-2.982,P=0.004]。MI-ILE组清扫淋巴结(28.6±10.0)枚,其中胸腔清扫(7.2±4.4)枚,腹腔清扫(21.4±8.9)枚,均高于Sweet组的(22.2±7.3)、(4.8±4.0)、(17.4±7.3)枚(P均0.05)。2组胸腔、腹腔淋巴结转移数目差异无显著性(P0.05)。随访1年,2组均无死亡;MI-ILE复发1例(2.5%),Sweet组复发3例(7.3%)(χ~2=1.051,P=0.305)。结论 MI-ILE治疗SiewertⅡ型AEG安全、可行,与Sweet手术比较,不增加风险,近期疗效满意。     

腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌507例临床体会

目的 总结开展腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌的经验体会.方法 回顾性分析1997年8月至2012年12月507例施行腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌的患者临床资料.男348例,女159例;年龄(60.5±10.6)岁.其中,食管肿瘤位于上段39例(7.69％),中段312例(61.54％),下段156例(30.77％),术前放、化疗21例(4.14％).TNM分期:0期55例(10.85％),Ⅰ期167例(32.94％),Ⅱ期203例(40.04％),Ⅲ期69例(13.61％),Ⅳ期13例(2.56％);鳞癌463例(91.32％),腺癌及其他类型44例(8.68％).手术采用腔镜辅助下经右胸、上腹、左颈入路,其中胸腔镜+开腹281例(55.42％),胸腔镜+腹腔镜179例(35.31％),开胸+腹腔镜32例(6.31％),中转开胸/开腹15例(2.96％).结果 507例患者中腔镜辅助下完成McKeown食管癌切除手术492例(97.04％).胸腔镜下食管游离及胸腔淋巴结清扫(81.5±34.7) min,腹腔镜下胃游离及腹区淋巴结清扫(60.3 ±17.5) min.胸腔镜手术出血(105.2±73.1)ml,腹腔镜手术出血(43.5土21.4)ml.清扫淋巴结总数(23.7±11.5)枚/例,其中胸腔淋巴结清扫(14.6±7.7)枚/例,腹腔淋巴结清扫(8.7±5.2)枚/例,颈区淋巴结清扫(1.3±1.1)枚/例.198例经食管床、309例经胸骨后径路重建食管.全组术中无死亡.术中因非病灶原因胸导管损伤13例、心房颤动9例、食管切缘阳性R1切除者3例、奇静脉/脾脏损伤出血3例、电凝钩/超声刀误伤气管3例.术后早期主要并发症为肺部感染54例(10.65％),颈部吻合瘘39例(7.69％),心律失常25例(4.93％),胸腔积液需要置管19例(3.75％),喉返神经损伤17例(3.35％),术后乳糜胸12例(2.37％).术后早期死亡5例(0.99％).241例(47.53％)接受术后放化疗.458例随访(41.5±35.9)个月,1、3、5年生存率分别为81.9％ (324/396)、53.7％ (148/276)、47.6％ (63/132).结论 腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管肿瘤可行、有效,术后近、中期疗效可靠.     

胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除颈部吻合术30例疗效分析30例疗效分析

目的探讨胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除术的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2012年12月在江苏南通医学院附属丹阳医院胸心外科接受食管癌切除术的53例T3N1M0内食管癌患者的临床资料,其中行胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除颈部吻合术30例(腔镜组,男16例、女14例),年龄(62.3±7.6)岁;右侧开胸三切口食管癌切除手术23例(开胸组,男13例、女10例),年龄(63.1±6.9)岁。比较两组胸部及腹部手术时间、术中出血量、手术淋巴结清扫数目、住ICU时间、术后疼痛评分、镇痛药用量、围手术期并发症。结果与开胸组相比,腔镜组患者胸部手术时间更短[(98±35)min vs.(115±45)min,P=0.000],胸部出血量更少[(65±30)ml vs.(142±53)ml,P=0.000],胸部淋巴结清扫数量更多[(14.8±4.8)枚/例vs.(12.6±3.5)枚/例,P=0.002],术后住ICU时间更短[(1.2±0.4)d vs.(3.3±1.2)d,P=0.001],疼痛视觉模拟评分更低[(2.5±1.3)vs.(4.8±1.2),P=0.000],镇痛药用量更少[(142±32)mg vs.(368±62)mg,P=0.000],围手术期呼吸循环系统并发症发生率明显降低(16.7%vs.47.8%,P0.05)。结论掌握手术适应证行胸腹腔镜联合食管癌切除颈部吻合术,具有创伤小、出血少、疼痛轻、住ICU时间短、肺部并发症发生率低等优点。     

食管癌Ivor-Lewis术式与Sweet术式比较研究的Meta分析

目的：比较食管癌切除手术Ivor-Lewis术式与Sweet术式的有效性和安全性,探讨食管癌切除术的最佳手术方式。方法检索PubMed、EMbase、the Cochrane Library 、Google scholar、中国知网（CNKI）、中国生物医学文献总库（CBM）、维普数据库（VIP）及万方数据库公开发表的Ivor-Lewis术式与Sweet术式比较的研究,采用RevMan 5．2软件进行数据分析。结果15篇文献共4106例患者纳入研究,其中Ivor-Lewis组1454例,Sweet组2652例。 Meta分析结果显示,与Sweet组比较,Ivor-Lewis组手术时间明显较长（MD＝57．40,95％CI：42．43～72．38,P＝0．000）,手术出血量明显较高（MD＝28．39,95％CI：4．06～52．72,P＝0．02）,淋巴结清扫数目明显较多（MD＝4．19,95％CI：3．06～5．32,P＝0．000）;两组术后住院时间、喉返神经损伤、乳糜胸、肺部并发症和吻合口瘘等并发症的发生情况差异无统计学意义（均P＞0．05）;两组间5年生存率差异无统计学意义（P＝0．52）。结论两种术式远期疗效相当,Sweet术式较Ivor-Lewis术式操作方便,节省手术时间,患者耐受性较好;Ivor-Lewis术式比Sweet术式能够清扫更多的淋巴结,亦未增加术后并发症。     

腔镜微创食管癌切除术的学习过程分析

目的总结腔镜微创食管癌切除术（MIE）的学习过程。方法选取同一组医生连续完成的MIE手术100例,按手术时间顺序分为3组：第1、2组各25例行胸腔镜并常规开腹手术,第3组50例行胸腹腔镜手术．分别记录手术时间、出血量、正常结构保护及并发症发生情况、术后ICU观察时间、住院时间、术后肿瘤病理及淋巴结清扫情况等临床资料,比较各组之间的差异。结果全组中96例患者顺利完成MIE,4例患者中转开胸,无中转开腹。中位手术时间310min,中位失血量200ml,中位清扫淋巴结22枚,总体并发症发生率50％。第1组与第2组比较,在保留奇静脉弓（P=0．010）、保留支气管动静脉（P=0．038）及左侧喉返神经胸段术中暴露率（P=0．048）方面的差异有统计学意义。前50例与后50例比较,在胸部手术时间（P=0．000）、失血量（P=0．025）、保留奇静脉弓（P=0．001）、保留支气管动静脉（P=0．000）、胸野淋巴结清扫（P=0．022）、左喉返神经链淋巴结清扫（P=0．000）及该神经起始部术中暴露率（P=0．002）方面的差异有统计学意义。结论MIE学习过程较长．应循序渐进。随着经验的积累和手术技巧的提升．MIE将逐渐显示其独特的优势并替代传统开胸食管癌切除术。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.