胸椎后路经关节螺钉固定的可行性研究

目的：明确胸椎后路经关节螺钉固定的解剖学可行性和技术参数,为临床应用提供参考。方法：2009年9月至2009年12月,取20具胸椎标本,男12具,女8具,仔细解剖颈部的后侧和前侧方,以清楚地暴露胸椎椎板和椎弓根。以椎板下缘向上,外缘向内各7mm为进钉点,在T1,2,T5,6,T9,10直视下置入经关节螺钉,通过CT重建,测量经关节螺钉内固定进钉角度和钉道长度。结果：胸椎后路经关节螺钉均成功置入,螺钉固定方向在矢状面呈尾倾,冠状面呈外倾。经关节螺钉固定的平均角度在矢状面尾倾（52.6±5.9）°,在冠状面外倾（12.4±2.9）°。螺钉钉道长度（22.5±1.9）mm,各固定节段间角度略有不同,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.5）,但上、中、下不同胸椎节段之间的钉道长度差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论：胸椎后路经关节螺钉具有解剖学可行性,可以作为胸椎椎弓根螺钉固定的一种补充内固定方法,但置钉时要求较高的准确性。     

下颈椎经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉固定的可行性

目的:探讨下颈椎后路经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉固定的可行性和技术参数,为临床应用提供参考。方法:取20具颈椎标本,仔细解剖颈部的后侧和前侧方,清楚显露颈椎侧块和椎弓根。以侧块外下象限的中心点为进钉点,从C3/4～C6/7直视下经关节突关节置入椎弓根螺钉,通过CT重建,测量经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉内固定进钉角度和钉道长度。结果:经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉均成功置入,螺钉固定方向在矢状面呈尾倾,冠状面呈内倾,理想角度为在矢状面尾倾50.3°±4.9°,在冠状面内倾42.8°±4.0°。螺钉钉道长度为(34.1±1.4)mm,各固定节段间略有不同,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:下颈椎后路经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉固定是可行的,但置钉时要求较高的准确性,可以作为颈椎侧块螺钉和椎弓根螺钉固定的一种补充方法。     

下颈椎经关节螺钉固定“两点法”置钉的解剖学研究

【摘要】 目的 通过解剖学研究,获得下颈椎经关节螺钉的安全置钉方法。 方法 取18具颈椎标本,仔细解剖颈部的后方和前侧方,以清楚地暴露颈椎侧块,保护好脊神经前、后支（C2~8）及与周围结构的关系。确定安全进、出钉：以侧块背面中心点内侧1 mm为进钉点;下位椎体上关节突的侧前方,横突与关节突相交处为出钉点。从C2/C3~C5/C6直视下通过以上2点置入克氏针,通过正侧位X线片测量克氏针在矢状面上的尾倾角、在冠状面上的外倾角及进钉深度,以确定经关节螺钉固定的进钉角度和螺钉长度,并测量经关节螺钉出钉点与脊神经前、后支和椎动脉的距离。 结果 实验中所有克氏针均成功置入。经关节螺钉的外倾角度为16.5°±5.1°,尾倾角度为36.6°±5.1°,钉道长度为19.0 mm±1.2 mm。经关节螺钉的外倾角度和尾倾角度在各节段间略有不同,但差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,但钉道长度在C2/C3与C3/C4 /C5 /C6 间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。经关节螺钉出钉点与脊神经前支距离为18.2 mm±2.3 mm,与后支距离为7.3 mm±1.4 mm,与椎动脉距离为5.8 mm±1.5 mm,在各节段间略有不同,但差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论 使用下颈椎经关节螺钉固定技术时建议以侧块背侧中心点内侧1 mm为进钉点,在矢状面上尾倾35°~40°,在冠状面上外倾15°~20°,尽量将螺钉从下位椎体上关节突的侧前方、横突后嵴与关节突连接处出钉。     

后路经寰枕关节螺钉内固定的解剖学研究

目的明确后路经寰枕关节螺钉固定的技术参数,为临床治疗提供参考。方法20具包含完整寰枕关节的干燥骨标本,于直视下经寰枕关节置入克氏针固定后拍摄X线片,在X线片上测量经寰枕关节螺钉固定的螺钉角度和长度。对30名健康成年人的寰枕关节行三维CT重建,测量后路经寰枕关节螺钉内固定螺钉角度的可调范围。对12具新鲜枕颈部标本行后路枕寰枢经关节螺钉内固定,然后拍摄X线片并行三维CT重建,以明确螺钉位置。结果经寰枕关节固定螺钉方向在矢状面呈上倾,冠状面呈内倾,左右两侧略有不同,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。后路经寰枕关节螺钉固定的理想角度在矢状面的上倾角为53.3°±3.4°,在冠状面的内倾角为20.0°±2.6°,钉道长度为(29.28±2.46)mm。三维CT重建显示上倾角的可调范围为24.9°～74.6°,内倾角的可调范围为0.7°～40.5°。在新鲜标本上按照上述角度进行后路枕寰枢经关节螺钉内固定,影像学检查结果显示,螺钉钉道均经过寰枕关节,无进入神经管者。结论后路经寰枕关节螺钉固定时对准确性要求较高,结合后路C1,2经关节螺钉固定可视为能满足当前临床需要的一种较好的枕颈融合方法。     

下颈椎经关节螺钉固定“两点法”置钉的解剖学研究

目的通过解剖学研究,获得下颈椎经关节螺钉的安全置钉方法。方法取18具颈椎标本,仔细解剖颈部的后方和前侧方,以清楚地暴露颈椎侧块,保护好脊神经前、后支（C2～8）及与周围结构的关系。确定安全进、出钉：以侧块背面中心点内侧1mm为进钉点;下位椎体上关节突的侧前方,横突与关节突相交处为出钉点。从C2/C3～C5/C6直视下通过以上2点置入克氏针,通过正侧位X线片测量克氏针在矢状面上的尾倾角、在冠状面上的外倾角及进钉深度,以确定经关节螺钉固定的进钉角度和螺钉长度,并测量经关节螺钉出钉点与脊神经前、后支和椎动脉的距离。结果实验中所有克氏针均成功置入。经关节螺钉的外倾角度为16.5°±5.1°,尾倾角度为36.6°±5.1°,钉道长度为19.0mm±1.2mm。经关节螺钉的外倾角度和尾倾角度在各节段间略有不同,但差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但钉道长度在C2/C3与C3/C4/C5/C6间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。经关节螺钉出钉点与脊神经前支距离为18.2mm±2.3mm,与后支距离为7.3mm±1.4mm,与椎动脉距离为5.8mm±1.5mm,在各节段间略有不同,但差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论使用下颈椎经关节螺钉固定技术时建议以侧块背侧中心点内侧1mm为进钉点,在矢状面上尾倾35°～40°,在冠状面上外倾15°～20°,尽量将螺钉从下位椎体上关节突的侧前方、横突后嵴与关节突连接处出钉。     

下颈椎经关节螺钉钉棒系统形式固定的临床研究

目的：探讨下颈椎经颈后正中入路采用经关节螺钉钉棒形式固定的应用。方法：自2005年7月至2009年7月,在11例下颈椎创伤性骨折脱位,9例颈椎管狭窄的后路固定中应用经关节螺钉以Vertex钉棒系统形式固定。其中男16例,女4例;年龄29～76岁,平均51岁,均行颈椎后路经关节螺钉内固定植骨融合、减压（其中3例结合前路手术）。经关节螺钉置钉方法：以侧块中心点内侧1mm为进钉点,进钉角度在矢状面上尾倾35°～40°,在冠状面上外倾15°～20°。术后摄颈椎X线片,评价螺钉位置和颈椎的序列和植骨融合情况。结果：共置入经关节螺钉88枚,其中10枚于C3,4,20枚于C4,5,32枚于C5,6,26枚于C6,7。术中所有螺钉均成功置入,未出现椎动脉、神经根和脊髓损伤等置钉相关并发症且均获得植骨融合,无内固定断裂失败。JOA评分：术后1周平均改善率55.8%,其中优5例,良7例,可7例,差1例,优良率为60%;术后3个月平均改善率为74.5%,其中优6例,良8例,可6例,优良率75%。术前与术后3个月JOA评分比较有统计学差异。结论：后路经关节螺钉钉棒形式内固定是一种有效的下颈椎固定形式,经过初步临床应用发现具有固定可靠,操作简单等优点。但这一新的固定形式,尚需长期的临床随访和观察。     

下颈椎经关节螺钉固定的生物力学研究

目的比较下颈椎经关节螺钉3层皮质和4层皮质固定的生物力学拔出力的区别。方法10具新鲜尸体颈椎标本（C3-T1），游离成3个颈椎运动节段（C3～C4、C5～C6、C7～T1），在椎体两侧随机进行经关节螺钉3层皮质和4层皮质固定，置入直径为3．5mm的皮质骨螺钉。置入经关节螺钉行拔出力试验，比较经关节螺钉2种固定方式的最大轴向拔出力。结果下颈椎经关节螺钉4层皮质固定的平均拔出力为430N，而3层皮质固定的平均拔出力为412N，但两者间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。经关节螺钉两种固定方式在颈椎各节段间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论下颈椎后路经关节螺钉3层皮质固定的力学性能与4层皮质固定差异并不明显。经关节螺钉3层皮质固定可能在减少和避免置钉相关的神经血管损伤并发症方面有着重要的临床意义。     

胸椎经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉固定的可行性研究

 目的明确胸椎后路经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉固定的解剖学可行性和技术参数.为临床应用提供参考。方法取 20具胸椎标本.仔细解剖胸椎的后侧和前侧方.以清楚地暴露胸椎椎板和椎弓根。以椎板下缘向上、外缘向内各 7 mm为进钉点.在 T_1.2、T_5.6、T_9.10直视下置入经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉.通过直接的置钉和 CT重建.观察胸椎后路经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉实际置钉的可行性.测量经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉内固定进钉角度和钉道长度。结果所有胸椎后路经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉均由上位胸椎下关节突经关节突关节.进入下位胸椎的椎弓根.成功置入下位胸椎的椎体内。重建 CT测量发现螺钉在横断面的外倾角度为 2.1°±0.7°.在矢状面的尾倾角度为 41.4°±3.2°.在各节段间略有不同.但差异无统计学意义。平均的螺钉钉道长度为(40.6±4.9) mm.钉道长度由上胸椎向中、下胸椎呈逐渐增加趋势.差异有统计学意义(F=74.09, P<0.01)。结论胸椎后路经关节突关节椎弓根螺钉具有解剖学可行性.可以作为胸椎椎弓根螺钉固定的一种补充内固定方法.但置钉时要求较高的准确性。     

前路经枕寰枢关节螺钉内固定的临床解剖学研究

[目的]探讨前路经枕寰枢关节螺钉的临床应用解剖学依据。[方法]取30具国人干燥枕颈部标本,测量与经枕寰枢关节螺钉内固定术相关的解剖径线及钉道参数;并以此类数据为依据,在所测量的干燥标本上模拟行经枕寰枢关节螺钉内固定术,经X线摄片检查内固定位置并测量钉道实际角度。[结果]前路经枕寰枢关节螺钉内固定的钉道在矢状面上呈后倾,在冠状面上呈外倾。左右两侧钉道角度大小差异无统计学差异,理想外倾角为(18.15±3.70)°,理想后倾角为(24.20±4.91)°,理想钉道长度为(34.45±2.9)mm;模拟行内固定验证,术后影像学及直视下检查结果显示,螺钉钉道均经过枕寰枢关节,角度均在此范围内,无穿出骨质者。[结论]采用前路经枕寰枢关节螺钉行枕颈融合内固定在解剖上是可行的。     

下颈椎关节突关节的解剖学测量与经关节螺钉固定的关系

目的:测量下颈椎关节突关节的相关数据,探讨其与经关节螺钉固定的关系。方法:41具成人颈椎干燥标本,测量其颈椎关节突关节的上、下关节面的高度、宽度和冠状面角度以及下关节面在侧块后方投影的高度,并对侧块进行形态学评定;根据Dalcanto技术对30具颈椎标本行经关节突关节螺钉固定,以侧块中心点下2mm为进钉点,在矢状面上尾倾40°、在冠状面上外倾20°置入螺钉,测量螺钉的长度,观察螺钉位置。结果:C3～C7下关节面在侧块后方投影的高度为7.4～9.0mm,侧块的中心点约在下关节面后方投影的上界下方2mm。C6和C7上、下关节面的倾斜角度相对更大,侧块厚度相对较薄。采用Dalcanto技术经关节突关节螺钉固定,螺钉长度从C3/4向C7/T1呈下降趋势,由16.9mm降至15.7mm,其中在C7/T1水平螺钉最短。螺钉由头侧向尾侧经关节突关节复合体,大体上从关节面的中心点穿过;在矢状面上几乎与关节面垂直;无一例损伤到横突孔,螺钉从下位椎体的上关节突基底部的侧前方穿出,钉道指向侧前下方。结论:下颈椎关节突关节复合体可为经此关节螺钉固定提供足够的皮质骨。Dalcanto技术经关节突关节螺钉不仅具有可行性,而且可以避开横突孔,钉道方向几乎与横突沟平行,安全空间较大。由于C6、C7侧块的厚度较薄,在C6/7和C7/T1行经关节固定时不宜使用16mm以上长度的螺钉。     

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.