动态稳定系统治疗腰椎退行性疾病初期疗效报道

[目的]评价Dynesys动态稳定系统的临床效果.[方法]本研究共纳入在2008年12月～2010年3月期间行Dynesys系统治疗的患者21例,评价指标主要包括VAS,JOA与ODI评分,以及对术前、末次随访时的腰椎正侧位、动力位X线片进行椎间角度测量,并计算椎间角度位移(ROM).[结果]末次随访时的VAS评分及ODI均较术前显著降低(P<0.01),JOA评分则显著升高(P<0.01).各疗效指标(VAS,JOA及ODI改善率)与所研究的影响因素间无明显相关性(P>0.05).不同体位、不同节段的椎间角度在术前与末次随访时无明显差异(P>0.05),末次随访时手术节段ROM较术前显著减少(P<0.01),上位及下位节段的术前ROM与末次随访ROM比较,均无显著差异(P>0.05).[结论]随访的结果显示Dynesys的疗效较佳,且疗效没有受到所研究因素的影响.Dynesys对于手术节段起到了应有的固定作用,节段的活动度受到了部分限制,但保持了一定程度的可活动性.另一方面,仅就椎间活动度变化的现状来看,Dynesys在保持了手术节段一定活动度的同时,又没有增加手术节段及邻近节段的退变.     

双节段BRYAN人工颈间盘置换的中期疗效分析

[目的]观察相邻双节段BRYAN人工颈椎间盘置换术治疗相邻节段颈椎病的临床疗效与影像学结果.[方法]回顾2006年1月～ 2009年2月在本院行相邻双节段BRYAN人工颈椎间盘置换术并获得随访的颈椎病患者19例.术前及术后1周,术后3、6、12、24、36个月进行JOA评分、NDI评分及颈痛VAS评分,评估手术临床疗效;术前及术后3、6、12、24、36个月通过颈椎动力位X线片评定置换节段、上下相邻节段和C2-7颈椎活动度;术后12、24、36个月,通过X线椎间盘退变评分系统评估手术相邻节段退变.[结果]所有患者术后神经症状均明显好转,各随访点JOA评分、NDI评分、颈痛VAS评分较术前显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),3个月后各随访时点两两比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两置换节段活动度术后各随访点与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);3个月后随访,上下相邻节段活动度与术前相比略减小,C2-7活动度较术前略增加,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).至末次随访时,手术未导致相邻节段椎间盘退变加剧,无严重并发症发生.[结论]BRYAN人工颈椎间盘置换治疗相邻双节段颈椎间盘退变性疾病临床疗效良好,不仅保留了颈椎的运动学特性,防止置换节段与相邻节段退变,而且术后近中期无严重并发症.     

腰椎融合辅以邻近节段动态固定治疗腰椎退行性疾病的早期临床疗效观察

目的 评价腰椎融合辅以邻近节段K-Rod动态固定治疗腰椎退行性疾病的临床疗效及对腰椎运动功能的影响,探讨K-Rod动态固定对邻近节段保护的优劣.方法 回顾性分析2010年4月~2011年9月采用椎间融合辅以邻近节段K-Rod 动态固定及单节段椎间植骨融合内固定术的51例患者.A组（K-Rod组）24例患者术前邻近节段存在退变,行单节段融合辅以邻近节段K-Rod动态固定;B组（单节段融合组）27例患者术前邻近节段无不稳或退变,行单节段椎间植骨融合内固定术.对比评价2组腰腿痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分、Oswestry 功能障碍指数（ Oswestry disability Index,ODI） 、椎间隙高度、腰椎总活动度（range of motion,ROM）及头侧邻近第一节段活动度（ROM1）、头侧邻近第二节段或尾侧第一邻近节段活动度（ROM2）、保护节段及邻近节段退变（adjacent segment degeneration,ASD）发生率.结果随访 24~37个月.2组患者术后VAS评分及ODI均显著改善,且2组间差异无统计学意义.2组间腰椎总ROM术前及末次随访之间均无差异.A组保护节段末次随访时椎间隙高度与术前无差异.2组ROM1及ROM2术前术后相比差异均有显著统计学意义,2组间相比差异无统计学意义.A组末次随访时8例患者出现11（11/138,8%）枚螺钉松动;B组无螺钉松动.结论 腰椎融合辅以邻近节段动态固定具有较好的临床疗效,增加的动态固定保护了术前已存在退变的节段,避免了多节段融合,降低了单节段融合邻椎病的风险,因此适应证选择合适,具有较好的临床应用价值.     

Wallis棘突间动态稳定系统治疗单纯腰椎间盘突出症的中长期疗效分析

[目的]评价Wallis棘突间动态稳定系统治疗单纯腰椎间盘突出症的中长期临床效果。[方法]回顾性分析2012年1月~2013年1月,应用Wallis棘突间动态稳定系统治疗的单纯腰椎间盘突出症并获得2年以上随访的患者共25例,男10例,女15例;年龄30~59岁,平均42.5岁。25例均行腰椎开窗髓核摘除并置入Wallis系统。连续性随访获得术前、术后3个月及末次随访时的腰痛VAS评分、下腰痛JOA评分、ODI评分。X线片上测量术前、术后3个月及末次随访病变节段及相邻节段活动范围(range of motion,ROM)及椎间盘高度(disc height,DH)的变化。随访有无Wallis系统相关并发症,末次随访行MRI检查分析Wallis置入节段椎间盘影像学变化。[结果]25例患者均得到随访,随访时间30~45个月,平均38个月。影像学显示内置物无松动、移位或断裂,椎板或棘突无骨折。术后患者的症状和体征均有不同程度改善。3例腰椎间盘突出复发。术后3个月及末次随访VAS评分、下腰痛JOA评分及ODI评分与术前相比均明显改善(P0.01),且末次随访时上述评分均较术后3个月明显改善(P0.01)。术后3月及末次随访手术节段及邻近节段活动度较术前均减小(P0.05),其中手术节段明显减小(P0.001)。术后3个月及末次随访手术节段椎间盘高度较术前均减小(P0.05),而邻近节段较术前未有明显变化(P0.05)。MRI检查未发现椎间盘退变加速、部分患者可见椎间盘水化。围手术期及随访期间未发生严重并发症。[结论]Wallis棘突间动态稳定系统治疗单纯腰腰椎间盘突出症有较好的中长期疗效,但不能降低手术节段椎间盘突出的复发率。     

Dynesys非融合术后腰椎节段放射学改变及椎间盘再水化

[目的]分析Dynesys动态固定术后腰椎节段的放射学变化和残留椎间盘的再水化现象。[方法]回顾性分析2011年12月~2013年10月在本院接受Dynesys动态固定的38例腰椎间盘退行性疾病患者资料,记录患者术前,术后10 d,末次随访时VAS、ODI评分,采用腰椎X线片测量椎间隙前后缘高度、腰椎前凸角及屈伸活动度(range of motion,ROM),利用腰椎MRI计算手术节段椎间盘平均标准椎间盘信号(calibrated disc signal,CDS)。[结果]38例患者术后平均随访(25.11±6.96)个月。末次随访时,患者腰腿痛VAS评分和ODI指数较手术前后明显改善(P0.05)。手术节段椎间隙前、后缘高度较手术前后均明显降低(P0.05)。上位邻近节段椎间隙前缘高度与术前比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.47),后缘高度较手术前均显著下降(P0.05),平均丢失(10.34±9.81)%。下位邻近节段椎间隙前后缘高度及腰椎前凸角均无显著变化。手术节段屈伸ROM比术前明显减少(P0.05),但仍保留术前ROM的64.11%;相邻节段及腰椎整体ROM较术前差异无统计学意义。23例患者接受腰椎MRI复查,平均CDS由术前(42.74±13.15)%改善至(47.69±14.38)%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.004)。[结论]Dynesys非融合术后残留椎间盘出现再水化,表明其可能具有促进退变椎间盘修复的作用。该系统保留了固定节段一定ROM,不引起邻近节段过度活动。但是术后存在手术节段椎间隙高度丢失以及上位邻近节段代偿性前凸等问题。     

应用棘突间动态稳定系统治疗腰椎退变性疾病的疗效观察

目的:探讨应用Wallis棘突问动态稳定系统治疗腰椎退变性疾病术后平均3.5年的临床效果.方法:回顾性分析2008年7 月～2010年7月在我院行单节段椎板间开窗减压伴或不伴髓核摘除后棘突问置入Wallis系统治疗的79例腰椎退变性疾病患者.连续性随访获得术前、术后3个月及末次随访时的腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分、JOA评分、ODI评分,X线片上测量术前、末次随访时的手术及上下邻近节段(即为手术节段、手术节段的上一位及下一位邻近节段)前凸角(Cobb角)及其屈伸活动度(ROM),MRI随访获得术前、末次随访时的手术及上下邻近节段椎问盘高度,并对椎问盘行改良Pfirrmann's分级,计算其改善率 记录所有患者术中、术后手术相关并发症.结果:79例患者均为单节段置入Wallis系统,其中75例获得连续性随访,平均随访42.97±2.74个月(28～49个月),4例失访,未纳入本研究.所有患者术后症状明显改善,术后3个月及末次随访时的腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分、JOA评分及ODI评分均较术前明显改善(P＜0.001),且末次随访时上述评分均较术后3个月明显改善(P＜0.001);末次随访时手术节段过伸位Cobb角、ROM均较术前明显减小(P＜0.001),而上下邻近节段均较术前明显增大(P＜0.001),手术及上下邻近节段侧位和过屈位Cobb角与术前比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);末次随访时手术节段椎间盘高度与术前比较稍增加(P＜0.001),而上下邻近节段椎问盘高度与术前比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).术前与末次随访改良Pfirrmann's分级对比显示:手术节段椎间盘总的改善率为45.3％,无明显改变的比率为52.1％,退变加重率为2.6％;而上下邻近节段无明显改善或加重,部分患者由Ⅲ级转为Ⅱ级.结论:应用Wallis棘突问动态稳定系统治疗腰椎退行性疾病术后平均3.5年随访效果满意.     

Dynesys动态内固定与融合术治疗腰椎退变疾病的对比研究

目的 比较Dynesys动态内固定与腰椎后路椎间融合术（posterior lumbar interbody fusion,PLIF）治疗腰椎退变疾病的临床疗效和影像学结果.方法回顾分析2008年7月-2011年3月采用Dynesys 动态固定治疗且随访时间＞2年的腰椎退变患者46例（Dynesys组）,以同期行PLIF的50例患者作为对照（PLIF组）.记录2组手术前后Oswestry 功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index,ODI）和疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS） 评分,摄腰椎正侧位和前屈后伸位X线片,测量手术节段椎间高度、活动度（range of motion,ROM）以及近侧邻近节段的椎间ROM,评估2组影像学和症状学邻近节段退变的发生情况.结果 2组患者术前资料差异无统计学意义,末次随访时的ODI及VAS评分均较术前明显改善（P＜0.05）,组间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.末次随访时Dynesys组手术节段椎间高度较术前轻度升高（P＞0.05）,而PLIF组显著升高（P＜0.05）且大于Dynesys组,组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.Dynesys组手术节段ROM由术前的7.1°降至末次随访时的4.9°（P＜0.05）,而PLIF组手术节段ROM由术前的7.3°降至末次随访时的0°（P＜0.05）.2组近侧邻近节段椎间高度变化差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,ROM在末次随访时均较术前有所增加（P＜0.05）,且PLIF组大于Dynesys组（P＜0.05）.Dynesys组有6例患者出现影像学邻近节段退变,PLIF组患者有15例出现影像学邻近节段退变,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,仅PLIF组有1例出现症状学邻近节段退变,行二次手术治疗.结论 Dynesys动态内固定与融合术均获得良好临床疗效.与融合术相比,Dynesys动态内固定能够保留手术节段部分ROM,邻近节段椎间ROM的增幅及邻近节段退变发生数均较低.     

Wallis治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床对比研究

[目的]探讨Wallis棘突间动态稳定系统治疗腰椎间盘突出症的近期疗效.[方法]回顾性分析2008年7月～2010年7月本院骨科收治的腰椎间盘突出症患者共70例,其中40例行髓核摘除+Wallis棘突间固定(Wallis 组),30例行单纯髓核摘除(单纯组).观察两组患者病变节段术前术后椎间盘平均高度(disc height,DH)及活动范围(range of motion,ROM)的变化、术前术后的疼痛视觉模糊评分法(visual analogue scale,VAS)、下腰痛疾患疗效评分(Japanese Orthopedics Association,JOA)、Oswestry功能残障指数(Oswestry Disability Index,ODI).术后随访9～34个月,平均(18.24±5.15)个月.[结果]Wallis组术后1周DH值较术前显著增高,且术后末次随访时(平均18.2个月)较术前无显著变化;而单纯组术后1周DH值较术前无显著变化,术后末次随访时较术前减小.Wallis组术后ROM值比术前显著减小(P＜0.05),而单纯组则与术前无显著差异(P＞0.05).术后1周两组间的VAS评分、JOA评分及ODI评分无显著差异(P＞0.05),术后末次随访时Wallis组优于单纯组(P＜0.05).[结论]Wallis 棘突间动态稳定系统与单纯髓核摘除术相比,具有满意的近期影像学及临床效果.     

Dynesys动态内固定与融合术治疗L4/5单节段退变疾病的疗效对比

目的:评估Dynesys内固定或融合术治疗L4/5单节段腰椎退变疾病的临床疗效.方法:回顾分析2008年7月～2012年7月收治的L4/5单节段退变疾病患者76例,其中采用Dynesys动态固定35例(Dynesys组),融合术41例(融合组),随访时间均大于2年.评价指标采用Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI),疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS),手术节段及上端、下端邻近节段椎间高度及活动度(ROM),邻近节段椎间盘Pfirmman分级,并应用UCLA系统来评价邻近节段退变情况.结果:两组末次随访时的ODI及VAS评分均较术前明显改善(P＜0.05),两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两组手术节段椎间高度术前无显著性差异,末次随访时Dynesys组较术前无明显变化,融合组明显增高(P＜0.05),两组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).邻近节段椎间高度术前及末次随访时两组间比较差异均无显著性(P＞0.05).术前上端邻近节段ROM在Dynesys组为8.3°±2.1°,融合组为8.4°±1.5°,末次随访时Dynesys组为10.2°±2.2°,融合组为12.9°±2.1°,均较术前增加(P＜0.05),组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).术前下端邻近节段ROM两组间差异无显著性,末次随访时融合组较术前明显增加(P＜0.05),但组间差异无显著性(P＞0.05).两组术前Pfirrmann分级无统计学差异,末次随访时Pfirrmann分级变化组内有统计学差异(P＜0.05),但组间仅上端邻近节段差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).根据UCLA系统评分标准,Dynesys组8个节段出现影像学邻近节段退变,融合术组为22个节段,两组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).仅融合术组有1例患者出现症状学邻近节段退变,行二次手术治疗.结论:Dynesys动态固定或融合术治疗单节段腰椎退变疾病均可取得满意临床疗效,前者在预防邻近节段退变方面更有优势.     

Prodisc-C人工颈椎椎间盘置换的临床疗效观察和运动功能评估

目的通过术后随访评价Prodisc-C人工颈椎椎间盘置换术（artificial cervical disc replacement,ACDR）治疗颈椎病的临床疗效及其对颈椎置换节段、邻近节段运动功能的影响。方法回顾性分析2009年8月～2011年2月行Prodisc-C ACDR治疗20例颈椎病患者,其中脊髓型9例、神经根型8例、混合型3例,单椎间盘置换17例、双椎间盘置换3例。患者术前行CT、MRI检查明确诊断,术前和术后定期行疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）和日本骨科学会（Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA）及摄颈椎X线片。结果 13例患者获得6～18个月随访。患者术前颈肩背疼痛、上下肢麻木、肌力减弱等不适症状均明显改善。术后VAS及JOA评分均较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;置换节段椎间活动度（range of motion,ROM）在术后1、3、6个月显著增大,与术前相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;在末次随访时仍大于术前,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;上下位邻近节段椎间隙高度和椎间ROM与术前相比,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。所有病例未见假体松动、移位和异位骨化。结论 Prodisc-C ACDR短期随访疗效优良,置换节段ROM增大,邻近节段椎间隙高度和椎间ROM维持在正常水平,但远期疗效还有待进一步随访观察。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.