非气腹单孔拖出式腹腔镜阑尾切除术与常规腹腔镜阑尾切除术的比较

目的 探讨非气腹单孔拖出式腹腔镜阑尾切除术的疗效.方法 2010年1月~2012年1月对93例慢性阑尾炎、急性单纯性阑尾炎分别施行非气腹单孔拖出式腹腔镜阑尾切除手术（单孔组,n=42）和常规腹腔镜阑尾切除术（常规组,n=51）,比较2组手术时间、术后排气时间、术后住院时间及费用.结果 单孔组8例为后位阑尾,无法单钳局部分离,改行传统腹腔镜下阑尾切除;常规组51例行传统腹腔镜下三孔阑尾切除术,无中转开腹.单孔组手术时间（26.1±3.2）min,显著短于常规组（47.1±4.4）min（t=-23.912,P=0.000）;单孔组术后恢复排气时间（12.1±2.1）h,显著短于常规组（20.1±1.9）h（t=-18.231,P=0.000）;单孔组术后住院时间（2.1±0.7）d,明显短于常规组（3.1±0.6）d（t=-7.039,P=0.000）;单孔组住院费用（5066.7±99.6）元明显少于常规组（5996.7±119.3）元（t=-37.543,P=0.000）.93例术后随访3～6个月,平均5.3月,均无并发症发生.结论 非气腹单孔拖出式腹腔镜阑尾切除术手术安全可行,与常规三孔法腹腔阑尾切除术相比,恢复快、费用少,切口瘢痕藏于脐部,美容效果更好.     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术在急性和慢性阑尾炎中应用疗效的比较

目的 通过探讨腹腔镜阑尾切除术在治疗急性和慢性阑尾炎中疗效的优缺点,总结腹腔镜阑尾切除术的手术经验.方法 连续收集北京大学人民医院自2008年6月至2009年12月129例阑尾炎患者的资料,比较急性阑尾炎患者腹腔镜与开腹手术的临床效果,以及急性与慢性阑尾炎的腹腔镜治疗效果.结果 对于急性阑尾炎患者,接受腹腔镜手术患者术后住院时间明显少于开腹组[(4.8±2.6)d比(7.0±1.3)d,t=0.679,P=0.006].在接受腹腔镜组阑尾切除术的患者中,急性阑尾炎患者的平均手术时间[(77±33) min比(55±23) min,t=3.431,P＜0.01]、术后首次排气时间[(2.3±1.2)d比(1.4±0.9)d,t=4.665,P＜0.01]、术后首次进食时间[(2.3±1.4)d比(1.2±0.6)d,t=4.517,P＜0.01)]均长于慢性阑尾炎患者.结论 腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎安全可行;与慢性阑尾炎患者相比,急性阑尾炎患者行腹腔镜阑尾切除术可能导致更多的术后腹腔脓肿和小肠梗阻等并发症.     

经脐单孔腹腔镜与传统腹腔镜手术治疗输卵管妊娠的对比研究

目的比较经脐单孔腹腔镜与传统三孔腹腔镜异位妊娠手术的临床效果。方法选择2012年1月~2013年12月在我院接受异位妊娠手术120例,患者根据自身经济情况选择手术方式,其中单孔腹腔镜组66例,传统三孔腹腔镜组54例,比较2组患者手术时间、术中出血量、肠道功能恢复时间、术后疼痛视觉模拟评分、术后住院时间、手术费用、术后切口愈合情况、术后患者满意度等。结果单孔腹腔镜组手术时间(30.6±6.3)min,明显长于传统三孔腹腔镜组(20.1±6.9)min(t=8.701,P=0.000)。单孔腹腔镜组和传统三孔腹腔镜组术中出血量、肠道功能恢复时间、术后住院时间、术后拔除尿管时间、手术费用和术后患者满意度差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。单孔腹腔镜组术后第1、3天疼痛视觉模拟评分分别为(3.2±0.8)、(1.5±0.7)分,显著低于传统三孔腹腔镜组(3.9±0.8)、(2.3±0.6)分(t=-4.769,P=0.000;t=-6.636,P=0.000)。结论单孔腹腔镜手术治疗异位妊娠是安全可行的,且能减轻患者的术后疼痛,并能达到更好的美容效果。     

经脐单切口与传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术的回顾性对比研究

目的探讨经脐单切口腹腔镜阑尾切除术的安全性、可行性。方法回顾性分析2009年6月~2014年12月我科经脐单切口(189例)和三孔(123例)腹腔镜阑尾切除术的临床资料,均经临床表现、彩超或CT诊断为阑尾炎,排除病例资料不全、联合其他手术、妊娠期阑尾炎、急性阑尾炎发病超过72小时者。比较2组术中、术后资料。结果 2组均无中转开腹,经脐组与三孔组手术时间、术后排气时间、术后住院日差异无显著性[(45.5±12.7)min vs.(46.3±17.8)min,t=-0.461,P=0.650;(1.4±0.5)d vs.(1.5±0.6)d,t=-1.588,P=0.112;(3.8±1.6)d vs.(4.1±1.9)d,t=-1.554,P=0.121],经脐组术后3个月美容评分高[(4.5±0.6)分vs.(4.2±0.5)分,t=4.585,P=0.000],2组并发症发生率、病理类型等无统计学差异,其中经脐组切口感染3例,三孔组4例。结论经脐单切口腹腔镜阑尾切除术技术上安全可行,且美容效果较好。     

经脐单孔腹腔镜辅助与传统腹腔镜手术治疗小儿复杂性阑尾炎的对比分析

目的:比较经脐单孔腹腔镜辅助与传统腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗小儿复杂性阑尾炎的临床疗效。方法:回顾分析2017年6月至2018年12月手术治疗的82例复杂性阑尾炎患儿的临床资料,其中44例行经脐单孔腹腔镜辅助阑尾切除术(单孔组),38例行传统腹腔镜阑尾切除术(对照组)。对比分析两组手术时间、术中失血量、术后排气时间、术后住院时间、切口感染情况及切口美观满意度评分。结果:82例患儿均顺利完成手术。单孔组与对照组术中出血量[(19.8±5.1)mL vs.(21.6±5.4)mL,P=0.125]差异无统计学意义,单孔组手术时间[(52.8±13.7)min vs.(64.6±16.2)min,P=0.001]、术后排气时间[(30.3±7.6)h vs.(36.4±8.2)h,P=0.001]、术后住院时间[(6.4±1.7)d vs.(7.3±1.8)d,P=0.023]、切口美观满意度评分[(4.0±0.9)分vs.(3.1±0.7)分,P0.001]、切口感染率[6.8%(3/44) vs.23.7%(9/38),P=0.031]优于对照组。两组患儿术后随访12～30个月,无肠瘘、阑尾残株炎及粘连性肠梗阻等并发症发生。结论:经脐单孔腹腔镜辅助阑尾切除术治疗小儿复杂性阑尾炎安全、可行,手术时间短,术后康复快,并发症少,美容效果好。     

单孔与传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术临床疗效的Meta分析

目的 系统评价经脐单孔和传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术的安全性和疗效.方法 按Cochrane系统评价方法,计算机检索1996年1月至2013年1 1月的PubMed、EMBASE、the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register、中国期刊全文数据库、生物医学文献数据库及维普数据库.纳入文献为随机对照试验,经2名研究员独立提取信息并进行交叉比对,比较单孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术与传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术,并观察两组手术时间、术后疼痛评分、术后住院时间、术后并发症、平均住院时间以及医疗费用等临床指标.采用RevMan 4.2软件进行Meta分析.采用I2检验对异质性进行定量分析.二分类变量采用优势比（OR）及95％可信区间（95％CI）表示,连续性变量采用加权均数差（WMD）及95％ CI表示.结果 共有8项试验、1444例患者纳入研究,成人和儿童分别为760例和684例.施行单孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术721例（单孔腹腔镜手术组）,施行传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术723例（传统三孔腹腔镜手术组）.Meta分析结果显示：与传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术比较,单孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术成人组和儿童组的手术时间均有所延长,且差异有统计学意义（WMD=4.40,7.39,95％CI：2.14～6.66,2.16 ～12.61,P＜0.05）;而术后疼痛评分、术后并发症和住院时间等指标比较,差异无统计学意义（WMD=-0.34,95％ CI：-1.02 ～0.33;OR=0.97,95％CI：0.64～1.47;WMD=-0.19,95％ CI：-1.14～0.76,P＞0.05）.单孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术儿童组医疗费用比传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术高,差异有统计学意义（WMD =0.87,95％ CI：0.26～1.48,P＜0.05）.结论 单孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术中及术后各项临床指标与传统三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术比较无明显优势.因此,单孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术只是为阑尾炎患者提供了另一选择,而非首选术式.     

经脐单孔与三孔法腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗结石性胆囊炎的对比分析

目的对比经脐单孔与三孔法腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗结石性胆囊炎的疗效。方法 2010年9月～2011年5月,年龄18～50岁并经B超确诊入院的有症状结石性胆囊炎患者,按患者意愿分成2组(单孔组及三孔组各60例,单孔组应用国产单孔经脐腹腔镜器械),对比2组的手术时间、术后住院时间、切口疼痛评分、术后应用镇痛药、并发症、腹壁美容满意度评分。结果 2组手术均获成功。与三孔组相比,单孔组虽然手术时间长[(61.5±11.4)min vs.(39.5±7.8)min,t=12.238,P=0.000],但术后切口疼痛VAS评分低[(3.4±0.7)分vs.(4.5±0.5)分,t=-8.373,P=0.000],应用镇痛药例数少(11例vs.22例,χ2=5.057,P=0.025),术后2个月腹壁美容满意度评分高[(4.3±0.7)分vs.(3.9±0.6)分,t=3.125,P=0.002]。2组术后住院时间和并发症率差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论 在严格掌握手术适应证的前提下,完全经脐单孔腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗结石性胆囊炎可达到三孔法相近的临床疗效,并且术后切口疼痛明显减轻,腹壁美容效果好。     

单操作孔完全胸腔镜与传统三孔胸腔镜治疗肺癌的疗效比较

目的比较单操作孔完全胸腔镜与传统三孔胸腔镜治疗肺癌的临床疗效。方法选择2012年1月~2016年1月62例肺癌在我院接受肺叶切除术,按患者入院顺序编号采用随机数字表分为单孔组(n=31)与三孔组(n=31)。单孔组采用单操作孔胸腔镜肺叶切除术,三孔组以传统三孔操作行胸腔镜下肺叶切除手术,比较2组术中、术后和随访情况。结果 2组患者手术均顺利完成,手术时间[(182.3±77.9)min vs.(177.6±69.2)min,t=0.251,P=0.803]、术中出血量[(207.3±48.4)ml vs.(226.5±52.3)ml,t=-1.500,P=0.139]、胸管留置时间[(5.5±1.6)d vs.(5.7±2.0)d,t=0.435,P=0.665]、术后住院时间[(8.7±2.7)d vs.(9.0±2.8)d,t=0.925,P=0.0.372]、淋巴结清扫数目[(11.2±2.8)枚vs.(11.7±3.1)枚,t=-0.666,P=0.508]和术后并发症发生率[9.7%(3/31)vs.12.9%(4/31),χ2=0.000,P=1.000]均无显著性差异。单孔组术后第1、5天VAS评分分别为(3.1±1.1)、(1.0±0.7)分,分别显著低于三孔组(3.9±1.4)分(t=-2.502,P=0.015)和(1.5±0.7)分(t=-2.812,P=0.007)。62例随访12~36个月,(18.4±6.4)月,无复发和死亡。结论单操作孔胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗肺癌的疗效和安全性与传统三孔胸腔镜相当,值得在临床上推广应用。     

腹腔镜与开腹阑尾切除术治疗穿孔性阑尾炎的比较

目的 对比分析腹腔镜与开腹阑尾切除术在治疗穿孔性阑尾炎中的手术效果. 方法 回顾性分析比较我院2002年1月～2005年12月20例腹腔镜阑尾切除术(laparoscopic appendectomy, LA)和20例(open appendectomy,OA)的穿孔性阑尾炎手术的临床资料. 结果 LA组手术时间(75.8±11.6)min明显长于OA组(54.8±9.5)min(t=6.264,P=0.000).LA组术后进食时间(1.8±0.5)d明显短于OA组(2.6±0.5)d(t=-5.060,P=0.000).LA组术后抗生素使用时间(3.8±0.7)d显著短于OA组(6.3±1.2)d(t=-8.048,P=0.000).LA组住院时间(5.8±1.1)d显著短于OA组(11.6±1.6)d(t=-13.359,P=0.000).术后切口感染并发症发生率LA组(0/20)与OA组(3/20)无显著差异(Fisher确切概率法,P＝0.115). 结论 LA治疗穿孔性阑尾炎较OA具有创伤小、恢复快、住院时间短、抗生素用量少等特点,可作为穿孔性阑尾炎一种安全、有效的治疗方法.     

经脐腹腔镜与传统三孔腹腔镜手术治疗小儿麦克尔憩室的对比研究

目的比较经脐腹腔镜与传统三孔腹腔镜手术治疗小儿麦克尔憩室的疗效,为临床治疗选择术式提供参考。方法回顾比较我科2010年1月~2015年12月41例麦克尔憩室患儿,按照手术方式分为2组,分别为经脐腹腔镜组18例与传统三孔腹腔镜组23例,比较2组手术时间、术中出血量、术后并发症、术后住院时间、住院费用等。结果 41例患儿均顺利完成手术。经脐腹腔镜组住院费用明显低于传统三孔腹腔镜组[(1.9±0.2)万元vs.(2.2±0.2)万元,t=-4.766,P=0.000],2组手术时间[(90.3±13.0)min vs.(85.7±10.5)min,t=1.254,P=0.217]、术中出血量[(2.8±1.2)ml vs.(2.9±1.3)ml,t=-0.253,P=0.802]、术后住院时间[(4.9±0.6)d vs.(5.1±0.7)d,t=-0.965,P=0.340]均无显著差异。术后均无并发症发生。经脐腹腔镜术后仅留有脐部瘢痕,较传统三孔腹腔镜手术更为美观。结论经脐腹腔镜手术治疗小儿麦克尔憩室较传统三孔腹腔镜手术住院费用低,切口少,更为美观。     

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.