罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定肋间神经阻滞用于胸腔镜术后镇痛的效果

目的 探讨罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定行肋间神经阻滞对胸腔镜手术患者术后的镇痛效果.方法 拟行胸腔镜手术患者50例,随机均分为两组:右美托咪定组(DEX组),右美托咪定1μg/kg+0.375％罗哌卡因至30 ml;对照组(C组),0.375％罗哌卡因30 ml.观察两组患者术后4、8、12、24和48 h静息状态和躯体活动(如咳嗽)时的疼痛VAS评分及Ramsay镇静评分,并观察两组患者术后镇痛维持时间及术后不良反应发生情况.结果 术后4、8、12 h DEX组静息状态、躯体活动时的VAS评分均明显低于C组(P＜0.01),术后4、8、12 h Ramsay镇静评分DEX组明显高于C组(P＜0.05).DEX组术后镇痛维持时间明显长于C组(P＜0.01),两组均无肋间神经阻滞的相关并发症.结论 1μg/kg右美托咪定可显著增强0.375％罗哌卡因肋间神经阻滞效果,延长胸腔镜术后镇痛时效.     

右美托咪定或地塞米松复合罗哌卡因对椎旁神经阻滞效果的影响

目的比较右美托咪定或地塞米松复合罗哌卡因对椎旁神经阻滞(PVB)效果的影响。方法择期行胸腔镜肺叶切除术患者128例,男43例,女85例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为三组:对照组(C组)、右美托咪定组(D组)和地塞米松组(S组)。使用0.5%罗哌卡因共15 ml对C组患者行PVB,D组和S组分别使用0.5%罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定100μg共15 ml、0.5%罗哌卡因复合地塞米松10 mg共15 ml行PVB。记录阻滞后20 min的Ramsay镇静评分、口干评分以及术中阿片类药物用量、去氧肾上腺素用量、液体入量和尿量。测定PVB后0.5、1、2、3、24 h罗哌卡因血药浓度。记录术后24、48 h的VAS疼痛评分。记录术后首次镇痛泵按压时间。结果D组PVB阻滞后20 min的Ramsay镇静评分、口干评分明显高于C组,术中尿量明显多于C组(P<0.05)。C组、S组Ramsay镇静评分、口干评分以及术中尿量差异无统计学意义。三组术中舒芬太尼、去氧肾上腺素用量、液体入量差异无统计学意义。PVB后0.5、1、2、3、24 h三组罗哌卡因血药浓度差异无统计学意义。术后24、48 h三组不同状态下VAS疼痛评分差异无统计学意义。D组、S组术后首次镇痛泵按压时间明显长于C组(P<0.05),S组术后首次镇痛泵按压时间明显长于D组(P<0.05)。结论与0.5%罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定100μg比较,0.5%罗哌卡因复合地塞米松10 mg行PVB的镇痛时间更长,且患者无口干、镇静过深等不良反应。     

右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面阻滞对老年患者结直肠癌根治术后早期恢复质量的影响

目的探讨右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面阻滞(TAPB)对老年结直肠癌根治术患者术后早期恢复质量的影响。方法择期全麻下行腹腔镜下结直肠癌根治术患者60例,男33例,女27例,年龄65~85岁,BMI 19~25kg/m^2,ASAⅡ或Ⅲ级,采用随机数字表法分为罗哌卡因组(C组)和右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因组(D组),每组30例。两组于麻醉诱导前在超声引导下行双侧TAPB,C组给予0.375%罗哌卡因,每侧20 ml;D组给予0.375%罗哌卡因+右美托咪定0.5μg/kg,每侧20 ml。术后连接自控静脉镇痛泵(吗啡50 mg稀释至50 ml)作为补救镇痛,PCA剂量1 ml,锁定时间5 min,无背景输注。分别于术前1 d及术后3 d进行40项恢复质量(QoR-40)及匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)评分。记录术后首次补救镇痛时间、吗啡消耗量及不良反应的发生情况。结果与C组比较,D组术后3 d QoR-40量表评分中身体舒适度、情绪状态、心理支持、疼痛及总评分明显升高,PSQI评分和吗啡消耗量明显降低,术后首次补救镇痛时间明显延长(P<0.05)。两组术后不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义。结论右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面阻滞可有效提高老年结直肠癌根治术患者术后早期睡眠及恢复质量,有利于老年患者术后康复。     

七氟醚麻醉下右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因行髂腹下/髂腹股沟神经阻滞的效果

目的观察七氟醚麻醉下右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因行髂腹下/髂腹股沟神经阻滞在老年患者腹股沟疝手术中的效果。方法选择择期行腹股沟无张力疝修补术老年男性患者60例,年龄65~75岁,体重55~75kg,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为右美托咪定组(D组)和对照组(C组),每组30例。患者术中吸入七氟醚,保留自主呼吸,并行超声引导下髂腹下/髂腹股沟神经阻滞,其中D组为右美托咪定1μg/kg+0.375%罗哌卡因20ml,C组为0.375%罗哌卡因20ml。记录感觉阻滞起效时间及镇痛持续时间,观察术后不良反应的发生情况。结果 D组感觉阻滞起效时间明显短于C组[(10.6±4.3)min vs(14.4±5.1)min,P0.05],镇痛持续时间明显长于C组[(832.7±136.6)min vs(669.8±140.1)min,P0.05]。D组术中有2例(6.7%)患者发生心动过缓。术后所有患者均未发生麻醉相关不良反应。结论右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因应用于超声引导下髂腹下/髂腹股沟神经阻滞可缩短感觉阻滞起效时间,延长术后镇痛持续时间。     

右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面阻滞在腹膜透析置管术中的效果

目的探讨右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因行腹横肌平面(transversus abdominis plane,TAP)阻滞在腹膜透析置管术中的安全性和有效性。方法选择在TAP阻滞下行腹膜透析置管手术患者60例,男45例,女15例,年龄35~60岁,ASAⅡ或Ⅲ级,采用随机数字表法,将患者随机分为两组,每组30例:罗哌卡因(R组)和右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因组(DR组)。R组以0.375%罗哌卡因45 ml,DR组以右美托咪定1μg/kg+0.375%罗哌卡因复合液45 ml行腹横肌平面阻滞。记录入室后10 min(T1)、手术开始即刻(T2)、术中分离腹横肌(T3)、术毕(T4)时的MAP、HR、SpO2、Ramsay镇静评分。T1-T4时抽取静脉血样,测定血浆皮质醇(Cor)、血浆肾上腺素(E)和去甲肾上腺素(NE)浓度。记录阻滞起效时间、持续时间、镇痛时间、患者满意度、术中舒芬太尼补救用量及围术期心动过缓、低血压、恶心等不良反应的发生情况。结果与R组比较,T2-T4时DR组MAP明显降低,HR明显减慢,Ramsay评分明显升高,血浆Cor、E、NE浓度明显降低(P<0.05),阻滞持续时间、镇痛时间明显延长(P<0.05),术中舒芬太尼用量明显减少(P<0.05),患者满意度明显升高(P<0.05)。两组阻滞起效时间、SpO2及心动过缓、低血压、恶心发生率差异无统计学意义。结论右美托咪定1μg/kg复合0.375%罗哌卡因行腹横肌平面阻滞用于腹膜透析置管术,可有效减轻应激反应,延长阻滞持续时间和镇痛时间,改善麻醉效果。     

右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面阻滞对亲属活体肾移植供肾患者术后恢复的影响

目的观察右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面(TAP)阻滞对亲属活体肾移植供肾患者术后的镇痛效果及早期恢复的影响。方法选择择期行亲属活体肾移植供肾患者40例,男15例,女25例,年龄20~60岁,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为右美托咪定+罗哌卡因组(D组)和单纯罗哌卡因组(C组),每组20例。所有患者术毕在超声引导下行手术侧TAP阻滞。D组给予右美托咪定1μg/kg+0.375%罗哌卡因20ml,C组给予0.375%罗哌卡因20 ml。记录术后2、4、8、24、48h静息、活动时VAS评分和Ramsay评分,记录手术时间、感觉阻滞维持时间、术后首次镇痛泵按压时间、术后24h内有效按压次数、需使用氟比洛芬酯或咪达唑仑例数、患者术后第1天和第2天的尿量、首次排气时间。测定患者术前、术后第2天和术后第5天血清中尿素氮(BUN)和肌酐(Cr)的浓度。结果术后4、8h静息和活动时D组VAS评分明显低于C组(P0.05);两组Ramsay评分差异无统计学意义。D组术后感觉阻滞维持时间明显长于C组、首次按压镇痛泵时间明显长于C组、术后24h内有效按压次数明显少于C组(P0.05);D组使用氟比洛芬酯、咪达唑仑例数少于C组。术后第1天D组尿量明显多于C组、首次排气时间明显短于C组(P0.05)。术后第2天D组BUN、Cr浓度明显低于C组(P0.05)。结论右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因TAP阻滞能增强罗哌卡因的阻滞效果,延长阻滞时间,促进术后恢复。     

罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定收肌管阻滞对膝关节置换术后镇痛分析

目的探讨罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定收肌管阻滞对膝关节置换患者术后镇痛效果。方法将2018年1月至2019年4月本院收治的72例重度膝骨性关节炎接受全膝关节置换手术的患者作为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将其为联合组与对照组各36例患者。对照组患者仅接受单纯罗哌卡因收肌管阻滞,而联合组患者接受罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定收肌管阻滞,比较两组患者术后12、24、48小时Ramsay镇静评分与VAS疼痛评分,并比较术后不良反应发生率。结果联合组患者术后12、24、48小时Ramsay镇静评分、VAS疼痛评分及术后不良反应均优于对照组(P0.05)。结论罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定收肌管阻滞对全膝关节置换患者的术后镇痛镇静效果明显优于单纯罗哌卡因组,该联合用药方案值得临床推广。     

右美托咪定或羟考酮复合罗哌卡因连续股神经阻滞用于全膝关节置换术后镇痛的效果

目的探讨右美托咪定或羟考酮复合罗哌卡因连续股神经阻滞用于全膝关节置换术后镇痛的效果。方法接受单侧全膝关节置换手术患者90例,男19例,女71例,年龄60～75岁,体重45～80 kg,ASAⅠ—Ⅲ级。所有患者均采用全身麻醉,术后行连续股神经阻滞。将患者随机分为三组:罗哌卡因复合舒芬太尼12μg/ml组(RS组)、罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定2μg/ml组(RD组)和罗哌卡因复合羟考酮0.1 mg/ml组(RO组)。记录术后第1、2、3天及出院当天静息时、运动时VAS评分和患肢股四头肌肌力;记录术后第1、2、3天及出院当天患者运动能力和术后恶心呕吐、心动过缓、下肢麻木、皮肤瘙痒等不良反应及镇痛失败发生情况。结果术后第1、2天和出院当天三组静息VAS评分差异无统计学意义。术后第3天RS组和RO组静息VAS评分明显高于RD组(P0.05)。术后第1天RS组和RO组运动VAS评分明显低于RD组(P0.05),其余时点三组运动VAS评分差异无统计学意义。术后第3天和出院当天三组股四头肌肌力差异无统计学意义。出院当天三组股四头肌肌力均明显高于术后第1、2天(P0.05)。术后第3天和出院当天三组下肢活动能力差异无统计学意义。RD组心动过缓发生率明显高于R组和RO组(P0.05),其他不良反应三组差异无统计学意义。结论罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定连续股神经阻滞术后镇痛,静息痛镇痛效果较好,且持续时间较长。罗哌卡因复合羟考酮连续股神经阻滞术后镇痛与罗哌卡因复合舒芬太尼镇痛效果相当。两种药物复和罗哌卡因连续股神经阻滞均能够有效维持患者的股四头肌肌力和正常活动能力,不良反应发生率低。     

罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定对臂丛神经阻滞的影响

目的观察罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定对行喙突入路臂丛神经阻滞的影响。方法择期上肢手术患者60例,随机分成罗哌卡因组(R组)和右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因组(RD组),每组30例。患者在喙突内下2 cm处,在神经刺激器引导下给予药物,R、RD组分别给予罗哌卡因200 mg及罗哌卡因200 mg复合右美托咪定1 μg/kg,容量均为40 ml。记录患者手术侧臂丛感觉和运动阻滞起效时间、感觉和运动阻滞持续时间。记录患者给药前、给药后15、30、60、90、120 min的HR、SBP、DBP及SpO2。同时记录RD组给药前和给药后30 min非手术上肢的镇痛评分。记录两组患者不良反应发生情况。结果 R组感觉、运动阻滞起效时间明显长于RD组,感觉、运动的阻滞持续时间明显短于RD组(P0.01);R组给药后30、60、90、120 min的HR明显快于、MAP明显高于RD组(P0.05)。RD组给药前和给药后30 min非手术上肢的镇痛评分差异无统计学意义。RD组中有7例患者出现HR减慢,需要阿托品处理。结论罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定行臂丛神经阻滞可缩短臂丛神经的感觉、运动阻滞起效时间,延长感觉、运动阻滞持续时间。     

右美托咪定静脉输注联合罗哌卡因局部浸润在腹腔镜妇科手术镇痛的效果

目的观察右美托咪定静脉输注联合罗哌卡因局部浸润对腹腔镜妇科手术镇痛效果。方法 80例腹腔镜妇科手术患者随机均分为右美托咪定组(D组):静脉右美托咪定;罗哌卡因组(R组):0.5%罗哌卡因局部浸润;右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因组(DR组):静脉右美托咪定联合0.5%罗哌卡因局部浸润;对照组(C组):不用右美托咪定和罗哌卡因。记录术毕苏醒时间、拔管时间及第一次排气时间。记录入PACU、术后6、12、24h时VAS评分,如患者VAS评分6分,则给予哌替啶50mg,并记录24h内使用哌替啶例数。记录术后24h时BCS评分及不良反应发生情况。结果四组患者苏醒时间和拔管时间比较差异无统计学意义。与C组比较,DR组第一次排气时间明显缩短(P0.05)。与C组比较,术后PACU、6hR组、D组、DR组和术后12、24hDR组VAS评分明显降低(P0.05)。与R组和D组比较,DR组术后6、12、24hVAS评分明显降低(P0.05)。24h内使用哌替啶C组8例,其他三组均未使用哌替啶(P0.05)。与DR组比较,术后24hR组、D组和C组BCS评分4分例数明显减少(P0.05)。而DR组无一例患者发生恶心呕吐,C组有9例、R组有3例、D组有2例。此外,C组有1例患者发生苏醒躁动。结论右美托咪定静脉输注联合罗哌卡因局部浸润用于腹腔镜妇科手术比单纯应用罗哌卡因或右美托咪定的镇痛效果好、镇痛时间长。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.