腰椎定量CT对骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折行椎体成形术的指导意义

目的：探究腰椎定量CT（QCT）对骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折行椎体成形术的指导意义。方法：对2017年12月至2018年12月采用经皮穿刺椎体成形术治疗的90例骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折患者进行回顾性分析,其中男24例,女66例;年龄（74.47±6.60）岁。90例患者术前均进行腰椎QCT测定,根据腰椎QCT值分为3组：骨量减少组（80~120 g/L,17例,30个椎体）,骨质疏松组（40~80 g/L,44例,66个椎体）及严重骨质疏松组（<40 g/L,29例,39个椎体）。术中向椎体内注射骨水泥及正侧位C形臂X线透视,观察不同QCT值患者的骨水泥在伤椎内的弥散分布及渗漏情况,对于骨水泥弥散超过椎体中线患者采用单侧入路术式,相反则采用双侧入路术式,分析腰椎QCT值对骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折行椎体成形术穿刺方法的指导意义。结果：90例135个椎体中,共有72例98个椎体骨水泥弥散超过中线,占72.59%。骨水泥弥散超过椎体中线的患者采用单侧入路术式,其中骨量减少组有5例8个椎体、骨质疏松组有40例55个椎体,严重骨质疏松组有27例35个椎体;且3组患者间骨水泥弥散效果比较差异有统计学意义（χ²=41.397,P=0.000）;此外,骨量减少组患者未发生骨水泥渗漏,骨质疏松组有3例4个椎体发生渗漏,严重骨质疏松组有2例3个椎体发生骨水泥渗漏,但发生骨水泥渗漏的患者均未造成神经损伤等症状,且3组患者间骨水泥渗漏比较差异无统计学意义（χ²=2.242,P=0.326）。结论：根据患者腰椎QCT检测明确患者骨质疏松程度,指导进行穿刺方法,可缩短手术时间,减少透视次数,有效提高椎体成形术的安全性。     

单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定椎间融合治疗腰椎退行性疾病的中期疗效评价

目的:探讨单侧神经减压椎间融合椎弓根螺钉固定治疗腰椎退行性疾病的可行性和中期临床疗效。方法:对2005年8月至2010年5月收治并获得随访的56例腰椎退行性疾病患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。根据固定方法分为两组,其中,单侧组27例,男18例,女9例,年龄41～66岁,平均(57.5±7.1)岁,采用单侧神经减压椎间融合椎弓根螺钉固定治疗;双侧组29例,男19例,女10例,年龄43～68岁,平均(54.6±5.1)岁,在上述基础上加行对侧椎弓根螺钉固定。对两组患者的手术时间、出血量、住院时间和住院费用等进行比较,采用JOA评分评估两组患者临床疗效,随访观察植骨融合情况及融合器相关并发症的发生情况。结果:随访36～60个月,平均45.8个月。两组患者术中均无医源性神经、血管、脏器等损伤。单侧组在手术时间、出血量、住院时间和住院费用等指标上均优于双侧组(P<0.05);两组手术前后JOA评分及术后改善率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);末次随访,单侧组融合器移位1例,沉降1例,双侧组透光未融合2例,但差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.305,P=0.58).结论:单侧椎间融合椎弓根螺钉固定作为治疗腰椎退行性疾病的一种方法,中期效果满意,但应严格掌握适应证。     

椎体后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩骨折的非骨水泥渗漏相关并发症

目的:分析椎体后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩骨折的非骨水泥渗漏相关并发症。方法:自2008年10月至2012年10月,178例胸腰椎压缩骨折患者,在局麻下行椎体后凸成形术治疗;其中男72例,女106例;年龄58～92岁,平均75.3岁。共224节椎体,胸椎93节,腰椎131节。对患者术中及术后出现的并发症进行记录,分析椎体后凸成形术非骨水泥渗漏相关并发症。结果:所有患者顺利完成手术,无死亡病例。随访时间12～60个月,平均26.2个月。发生骨水泥渗漏27例,占15.1%;非骨水泥渗漏相关并发症15例,其中心脏骤停1例,经心肺复苏,抢救成功,无后遗症;呼吸暂停1例,经抢救恢复;血压下降、心率减慢3例;肠梗阻1例;局部血肿2例;肋间神经痛1例;骨水泥致椎体骨折分离2例;邻椎骨折4例。结论:非骨水泥渗漏相关并发症不常见,心肺并发症是椎体后凸成形术中风险最大的非骨水泥渗漏相关并发症,其可能原因与骨水泥的毒性、神经反射、脂肪栓塞以及椎体内压力变化有关。     

皮质骨螺钉通道技术在骨质疏松腰椎退行性疾病中的应用

目的讨论研究皮质骨螺钉通道技术(cortical bone trajectory,CBT)与骨水泥强化螺钉技术在老年骨质疏松患者腰椎后路固定手术中应用的临床疗效。方法回顾分析西安交通大学医学院附属红会医院自2015年1月至2016年8月行腰椎后路植骨融合内固定术的骨质疏松腰椎退行性疾病患者45例,其中使用皮质骨螺钉通道技术内固定20例,使用骨水泥强化螺钉技术内固定25例,观察两组的手术时间、手术出血量、手术前后视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、日本骨科协会评分(Japanese orthopaedic association,JOA)及末次随访植骨融合情况。结果两组患者术后临床症状均改善,置钉过程未出现神经及血管损伤,骨水泥组未出现水泥渗漏,术后影像学检查未见螺钉松动、退钉、断裂,内固定、融合器在位。随访时间6～18个月,平均随访12.8个月。术后VAS评分逐渐降低,JOA评分较术前明显提高,在术后7dVAS评分中,两组差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组手术时间、出血量、末次随访VAS及JOA评分改善率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),术后末次随访两组融合均较满意。结论应用皮质骨螺钉通道技术与骨水泥强化螺钉技术均有对椎体把持力好、螺钉稳定性高、固定牢靠、术后植骨融合疗效满意的特点,而皮质骨螺钉技术对肌肉组织剥离少、损伤小,螺钉置入过程更安全,神经损伤风险小,同时增加了皮质骨的接触面,增大螺钉把持力,是骨质疏松患者腰椎融合内固定的新选择。     

骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定治疗老年退行性腰椎不稳的临床疗效分析

目的:探讨用聚甲基丙烯酸甲(polymethylmethacrylate,PMMA)骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗老年退行性腰椎不稳的临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析2002年3月～2009年6月收治的23例老年腰椎退行性不稳患者的临床资料,其中:男6例,女17例;年龄62～77岁,平均71岁;均采用PMMA骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉内固定、椎体间植骨融合治疗,术前测量待置人螺钉之椎体的骨密度,术中测量螺钉的最大旋入力偶矩;取出螺钉后经钉道注入3ml粘稠的PMMA,再拧入螺钉,10min后拧紧螺钉并测量螺钉的最大旋入力偶矩;减压后行植骨融合内固定.结果:所有患者随访7～24个月,平均17个月,腰腿痛治愈好转率达87%,无手术并发症发生.PMMA强化椎弓根螺钉后,螺钉的最大旋入力偶矩由0.591±0.213N·m增至1.332±0.377N·m,差异有显著性(P<0.01):影像学表现为骨水泥分布于钉道周嗣松质骨中,未出现椎体外渗漏.结论:骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗老年退行性腰椎不稳能明显增强螺钉的稳定性;正确掌握进钉技术及螺钉强化技术是手术成功的关键.     

钉道骨水泥强化植骨融合治疗退行性腰椎侧凸

目的评价钉道骨水泥强化内固定矫形加植骨融合治疗伴骨质疏松及滑脱的腰椎退行性侧凸的中短期疗效。方法2006年6月至2011年3月采用腰椎管减压、椎间植骨和钉道骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗伴骨质疏松及滑脱的腰椎退行性侧凸患者26例。根据x线片观察术前及术后即刻、2周、3个月、1年腰椎滑脱率、腰椎生理前凸角及椎间隙高度变化,植骨融合情况;采用JOA下腰痛评分标准评价临床疗效。结果26例患者随访12-45个月,平均2年。所有患者症状减轻,JOA评分术前平均13．2分,术后随访时平均27．0分,改善率平均87．5％。术后X线片复查,所有融合椎节均获得骨性融合。腰椎侧凸Cobb角从术前平均26．6°至术后平均11．2°。融合椎间隙高度术后均明显改善,从术前平均0．14cm改善至术后平均0．45cm。术后3个月、1年复查x线片内置物无松动及断裂,滑脱不同程度纠正,植骨融合时间平均12．2周。结论对合并骨质疏松及滑脱的腰椎退行性侧凸患者,钉道骨水泥强化内固定矫形加植骨融合可有效纠正侧凸,手术前对减压、固定范围、畸形矫正与否作出明确的判断,可减少神经并发症的发生。     

后路膨胀式椎弓根钉治疗骨质疏松性老年椎管狭窄

目的探讨后路膨胀式椎弓根钉(EPS)结合椎间融合治疗骨质疏松性老年腰椎管狭窄的疗效。方法采用后路EPS结合椎间融合治疗25例骨质疏松性老年腰椎管狭窄患者。采用JOA临床腰椎手术评分系统对手术效果进行评价,参考Burkus et al及Singh et al的方法评估椎弓根螺钉稳定性及脊柱融合情况。结果患者均得到随访,时间6~25个月。末次随访时JOA改善率:显效19例,有效4例,无效2例。螺钉稳定性评分平均为(2.9±0.3)分,骨融合评分平均为(2.8±0.2)分。未出现螺钉松动、拔出,滑脱无复发。结论采用EPS结合椎间融合可有效治疗骨质疏松性老年椎管狭窄,术后融合率高,并发症少。     

微创技术联合骨水泥螺钉在严重骨质疏松伴腰椎退行性疾病中的疗效

目的 探讨微创技术联合骨水泥螺钉在严重骨质疏松伴腰椎退行性疾病中的疗效。方法 自2017年1月～2019年1月，因严重骨质疏松伴腰椎退行性疾病在本院行手术治疗40例患者，根据手术方式分为两组：MIS-TLIF联合骨水泥螺钉20例，纳入观察组；TLIF联合骨水泥螺钉20例，纳入对照组。随访16～24个月，观察两组患者的手术情况和疗效。结果 两组患者均顺利完成手术，并获得完整的随访。与术前相比，两组患者术后3、6个月及末次随访时的VAS评分和ODI指数均显著改善(P<0.05);观察组术后3、6个月的VAS评分以及术后3个月的ODI指数均显著低于对照组，差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者的手术时间无显著差异(P>0.05),但观察组的术中出血量和术后引流量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组均未出现螺钉松动、骨水泥渗漏等并发症。两组患者融合率均为100%。结论 微创技术联合骨水泥螺钉在严重骨质疏松伴腰椎退行性疾病中的疗效较好，手术创伤小、术后康复快。     

经皮椎体成形术中注入不同剂量骨水泥治疗老年骨质疏松性单椎体压缩性骨折

目的 探讨经皮椎体成形术（PVP）中注入不同剂量骨水泥治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折（OVCF）的临床应用效果。方法 回顾性分析2017年7月—2018年7月在海军军医大学附属长征医院接受PVP治疗的122例老年胸腰椎单椎体OVCF患者临床资料。51例患者术中注入小剂量骨水泥（小剂量组,≥2.5 mL且< 4.0 mL）,71例患者术中注入大剂量骨水泥（大剂量组,≥4.0 mL且< 6.0 mL）。记录2组患者手术前后疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分、椎体前缘高度及术后骨水泥渗漏率。结果 2组患者术后1个月、1年的VAS评分均较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）,术后各时间点组间比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。2组患者术后伤椎前缘高度均较术前显著改善,且大剂量组改善程度优于小剂量组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。大剂量组骨水泥总渗漏率为14.08%（10/71）,小剂量组骨水泥总渗漏率为5.88%（3/51）,组间比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。结论 PVP术中注入不同剂量骨水泥治疗老年单椎体OVCF均可获得良好的临床效果,改善患者临床症状,恢复脊柱功能,且注入大剂量骨水泥可更有效地恢复椎体高度。     

骨水泥螺钉与可膨胀椎弓根螺钉治疗严重骨质疏松腰椎病手术的比较

[目的]对比可灌注椎弓根骨水泥螺钉与可膨胀椎弓根螺钉应用于严重骨质疏松老年患者腰椎退变疾病手术的临床效果。[方法]选择本院2012～2015老年腰椎退变疾病合并严重骨质疏松患者30例;完善术前X线片、CT及MRI检查后,15例行经皮可灌注骨水泥螺钉固定+Mis-TILF减压手术技术,另15例行可膨胀螺钉固定+Mis-TILF减压手术技术。分别记录术前、术后VAS评分、JOA评分以及椎弓根钉松动率并进行统计分析。[结果]所有患者均顺利手术,术中均未出现神经损伤、骨水泥渗漏。所有患者随访1年以上。VAS评分随术后时间延长而逐渐减小、JOA评分随术后时间延长而逐渐增加,不同时间点间的差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。随访中均未见螺钉断钉、断棒现象。可灌注椎弓根骨水泥螺钉组所有患者椎弓根螺钉未见松动现象,可膨胀椎弓根螺钉组有2例患者椎弓根钉出现不同程度松动,占可膨胀螺钉组13.3%,两组椎弓根钉松动率差异有统计学意义。[结论]微创下中空可灌注骨水泥螺钉应用于老年严重骨质疏松患者,在术后恢复过程中效果更可靠,固定更牢固,不易松动,可为老年微创手术患者提供稳定有效的脊柱内固定。     

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.