成人右半肝活体肝移植切取肝中静脉对供者早期残肝功能和再生的影响

目的 探讨带与不带肝中静脉对活体右半肝移植供者早期残肝功能和再生的影响.方法 连续观察本中心2007年8月至2008年8月实施的活体右半肝移植供者66例,其中不带肝中静脉右半肝切取的供体36例(A组),带肝中静脉右半肝切取的供体30例(B组).所有供者均详细记录手术时间、术中失血以及术后住院期间胆红素、凝血功能(国际标准化比值,INR)、丙氨酸转氨酶、白蛋白变化情况.术后2周行CT检查测量残肝的体积.比较两组供者术后早期残肝功能和再生情况.结果 术后两周A组残肝体积为(959.3±195.2)ml,B组为(883.7±155.5)ml,两组之间无显著差异(P=0.16).A组残肝再生比例为78.2％±29.1％,B组为82.7％±40.4％,两组之间无显著差异(P=0.62).残肝体积与术前全肝体积的比值(RV)在两组之间也无显著差异(P=0.56).B组术后早期INR、胆红素及丙氨酸转氨酶均高于A组,但术后1周时两组比较无明显差异.结论 与不切除肝中静脉比较,成人右半肝活体肝移植切取肝中静脉对供者早期肝功能和残肝的再生无明显影响,行含肝中静脉的扩大右半肝切除对于供者来说是安全可行的.     

活体右半肝移植的流出道重建21例

目的 探讨活体右半肝移植中的流出道重建技术,预防肝静脉淤血的发生.方法 回顾分析21例成人活体右半肝移植的临床资料.供者标准肝体积为1150.1～1629.8 cm3,供肝重量为585～920 g,与受者标准肝体积比为43%～67%,与受者重量比为0.82%～1.59%,供者残肝体积百分比为32%～55%,供肝大泡脂肪变性均＜10%.对于含肝中静脉的供肝,将肝中静脉和肝右静脉开口修整成尽可能大的三角形开口,供肝植入时,与受者肝右静脉扩大的三角形开口行端侧吻合.不含肝中静脉的供肝,如存在粗大的肝中静脉属支(直径超过5 mm),则用自体或异体血管搭桥(无粗大的肝中静脉属支者采用肝右静脉)与受者腔静脉直接吻合.供肝门静脉右支直接与受者门静脉主干吻合,供肝动脉与受者肝动脉行端端吻合,供肝右肝管与受者肝管行端端吻合.结果 21例供肝中,4例含肝中静脉,17例不含肝中静脉,其中有2例采用自体大隐静脉搭桥,5例采用冷冻的异体髂动脉搭桥,10例采用肝右静脉直接与受者腔静脉吻合.术后1个月,重建肝中静脉属支的7例受者流出道均通畅.含肝中静脉者、不含肝中静脉的血管搭桥者及不含肝中静脉且未使用血管搭桥者术后1年存活率分别为75%、85.7%和70%,三者间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).术后受者发生胆道并发症7例;发生小肝综合征1例,经脾动脉栓塞治疗后痊愈.术后供者未发生严重并发症,随访6～31个月,均恢复正常工作生活,无一例死亡.结论 含肝中静脉与不含肝中静脉的右半供肝植入后均可取得良好的临床效果.如果右半供肝不含肝中静脉,采用自体或异体血管重建肝中静脉属支是预防肝淤血和保证移植肝功能的有效方法.     

活体肝移植不同供肝切取方式对残肝再生的影响

目的 探讨活体肝移植不同方式供肝切取术后供者康复及肝脏再生情况.方法 回顾性分析2006年5月至2011年5月13例活体肝移植供者临床资料.对不同方式供肝切取手术方法、供者术后肝功能指标变化及残肝再生情况进行比较.结果 供者手术分为不包含肝中静脉右半肝切除8例,包含肝中静脉右半肝切除2例,左半肝切除3例.供者肝功能及凝血指标均于术后两周恢复正常,术后未见严重并发症,随访情况良好,无供者死亡.术前CT估算供肝体积与术中实际切取供肝重量呈正相关(r＝0.838,P＜0.01).术后复查CT测残肝体积示:右半肝供者残肝较左半肝供者残肝再生速度快,不带肝中静脉右半肝供者较带肝中静脉右半肝供者残肝再生速度略高,但供者肝脏功能恢复无明显差异.结论 不同术式活体肝移植供者在规范化围手术期处理、精细手术操作后肝功能均能得到较好的康复,而供肝切取术后残肝再生速度则受切取比例、残肝供血情况、细胞因子调控等多因素影响.     

活体肝移植中IQQA法与手工描记法对供肝体积评估的比较研究

目的 评估IQQA肝脏影像解读分析系统在活体肝移植术前评估供者肝脏的安全性和准确性,并探讨其临床意义.方法 2007年6月至2010年7月间共有123例活体供者接受供肝手术,供肝均为右半肝,其中56例含肝中静脉.首先采用16层螺旋CT对供者肝脏进行扫描,然后分别采用MSCT手工描记法和IQQA法测量肝脏体积,分别记录两种方法测量供肝体积的耗时,并以术中实际测量的供肝重量作为参照标准,采用Pearson相关系数行IQQA法和MSCT手工描记法测量值与实测值间的相关分析,并进行线性回归分析.结果 IQQA法和MSCT手工描记法测量供肝的体积分别为(856.76±162.18)cm3和(870.64±172.54)cm3,二者比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);测量耗时分别为(16.9±1.4)min和(39.3±2.1)min,二者比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);术中实际测量的供肝体积为(632.59±131.73)cm3,两种术前评估方法均与实测肝重呈显著正相关性(r值分别为0.896和0.921,P＜0.01);回归方程:术中实测重量=- 150.303+1.025× IQQA法测得值,术中实测重量=-94.397+ 0.955× MSCT手工描记法测得值.结论 与临床常用的MSCT手工描记法相比较,IQQA肝脏影像解读分析系统评估活体肝移植供肝体积具有相同的安全性、准确性和稳定性,著且测量耗时明显缩短;IQQA系统提供的三维血管重建和模拟肝脏切割功能能够更好的促进临床医生对供者肝脏解剖结构的了解.     

成人右半肝活体肝移植供者的处理

目的 探讨成人右半肝活体肝移植供者处理的技术问题.方法 对我院2007年4月至2009年2月完成的19例成人右半肝活体肝移植供者资料进行回顾性分析.结果 19例右半肝移植物中带肝中静脉者4例,不带肝中静脉者15例;供肝重量为585～920 g,平均(727.32±117.01)g,与受者标准肝体积比为43%～67%(53.69%±1.77%),与受者重量比为0.82%～1.46%(1.10%±0.04%),供者残肝百分比为32%～55%(47%±2%),供者术中失血量400～1000 ml,平均(660±39.11)ml,输自体血0～735 ml,平均(216.37±62.28)ml,输新鲜冰冻血浆600～2000 ml,平均(789.47±75.66)ml,手术时间480～930min,平均(695.53±26.57)min.供者术后无死亡,发生并发症23例次,按照Clavien分级,Ⅰ级为15例次,Ⅱ级为8例次,经对症处理后均痊愈.住院时间13～58 d,平均(25.42±2.67)d.随访时间6～28月,全部供者均恢复正常工作生活.受者术后1年存活率为78.95%.结论 仔细术前评估,精细手术操作,合理地分配并保证移植物和残肝的功能性体积,术后密切监护、妥善处理并发症是供受者安全的重要保证.     

精准肝脏外科理念在儿童活体肝移植供肝切取术中的临床价值

目的 探讨精准肝脏外科理念在儿童活体肝移植供肝切取术中的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析2012年12月至2014年1月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院收治的58例儿童活体肝移植供者的临床资料.术前对供者行CT等检查,将二维影像学数据进行三维重建,评估供者肝内胆管和血管情况,并对肝左动脉和肝左静脉解剖结构进行分型,测算供者标准肝脏体积、拟切取肝脏体积和受者标准肝脏体积,模拟手术操作,制订手术方案.采取精准肝切除切取供肝.采用门诊和电话方式进行随访,随访时间截至2014年4月.结果 58例儿童活体肝移植供者术前CT血管造影检查示肝左动脉Ⅰ型28例、Ⅱ型10例、Ⅲ型20例、无Ⅳ型供者;肝左静脉Ⅰ型35例、Ⅱ型23例.三维重建预测拟切取肝脏体积为(243±65) mL.58例供者均成功完成供肝切取术,其中7例为左半肝切取,51例为肝左外叶切取.2例供者行胆囊切除.术中实际切取肝脏体积为(255±59) mL,拟切取肝脏体积平均误差率为4.94％.移植物质量与受者体质量比为3.3％±1.0％.手术时间为(260±89)min,术中出血量为(181±35)mL,仅1例供者术中输RBC 2 U.供者术后胃肠功能恢复时间为(2.0±1.1)d,术后拔除引流管时间为(3.0±1.2)d,术后住院时间为(7±3)d,出院时所有供者血清WBC、Hb、ALT、AST、TBil、DBil、AIb等指标水平正常.2例供者术后发生并发症,分别为切口少量渗血和脂肪液化,均经对症治疗后痊愈.58例儿童活体肝移植供者术后均获得随访,中位随访时间为8.7个月.供者恢复良好,随访期间无并发症发生.结论 精准肝脏外科理念应用于儿童活体肝移植供肝切取术,切取准确率高、供者肝功能损害小、术后并发症少、恢复快.     

成人间活体右半肝移植术中变异门静脉右支切取与重建技术

目的 探讨成人间活体右半肝移植术中变异门静脉支(APVB)切取与重建的技巧.方法 2002年1月至2007年4月,共实施70例成人间活体右半肝移植.术前肝脏血管三维CT成像显示供肝动脉及静脉走向,70例右半供肝中有9例门静脉分支变异,其中7例为Ⅱ型变异,2例为Ⅲ型变异.除1例供者行狭窄桥状连接单口切取APVB外,其余8例均采用供者优先的原则即距门静脉主干2～3mm处双口切断APVB.Ⅱ型变异中有2例双口切取其右前、右后支成形为一个开口后与受者门静脉主干吻合,4例右前、右后支分别与受者门静脉左、右支吻合,1例行右前、右后支间狭窄桥状组织连接单口切取后与受者门静脉主干单口吻合.Ⅲ型变异中有1例双口切取其右前、右后支分别与受者门静脉支双口吻合,1例双口切取后行新型的U形血管移植物间置与受者门静脉主干单口吻合.结果 9例受者均无门静脉狭窄或血栓、肝动脉狭窄或血栓以及肝静脉流出道狭窄等血管并发症发生.1例供者术后3 d并发门静脉血栓,手术取栓及门静脉壁修补成形后痊愈.新型的U形血管移植物间置重建术后通畅,无并发症发生.结论 成人间活体右半肝移植术中采用供者优先的原则双口切取APVB、双口吻合重建以及新型的U形血管间置等门静脉重建技术是安全可行的,未增加手术难度,且临床效果良好.     

成人间活体肝移植94例报告

目的 探讨成人间活体肝移植供者评估、手术方式的选择及术后并发症分析.方法 收集2007年1月至2010年8月同一外科组施行的94例成人间活体肝移植的临床资料.受者年龄18 ～76岁,供者年龄19 ～60岁.94例活体肝移植手术方案包括:左半肝供肝移植2例,右半肝供肝移植92例,44例切取肝中静脉例,48例不切取肝中静脉.分析供受者术前评估、术后并发症及存活情况.结果 所有供者均恢复良好出院,供者并发症发生率为7.4％.随访截止于2011年5月31日,中位随访时间为37个月,死亡8例.供者1年存活率为95.7％,移植物存活率为94.7％.1例发生小肝综合征;1例因急性肝坏死行再次肝移植;24例(25.5％)经胆道造影或磁共振胰胆管成像检查发现胆道吻合口狭窄,但其中9例(9.6％)表现为肝功能异常.结论 活体肝移植是治疗终末期肝病的有效方法,精确的术前评估、合理手术方式选择,采用左半肝或右半肝供肝、含或不含肝中静脉的活体肝移植,在成人间活体肝移植中均能有效的保证供受者安全.     

带肝中静脉的活体右半肝移植供者Ⅳ段肝静脉分型对术后残肝淤血和再生的影响

目的 了解带肝中静脉活体右半肝移植供者Ⅳ段肝静脉分型对术后残肝淤血和肝脏再生的影响.方法 回顾性分析44例带肝中静脉活体右半肝供者临床资料.依据Nakamura分型于术前应用IQQA-MSCT对Ⅳ段静脉分型,术中验证分型.术后2周行CT检查判断Ⅳ段淤血情况,应用IQQA-MSCT测量残肝体积. 结果 IQQA-MSCT可对Ⅳ段肝静脉进行三维重建并分型,其分型结果得到术中证实.Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ型Ⅳ段严重淤血的发生率分别为3.8％,40.0％和37.5％,三型比较差异有统计学意义(x2 =9.004,P=0.007).术后两周左外叶体积Ⅰ型(599 ±78) ml显著小于Ⅱ型(698±40) ml(F=7.977,P=0.0l)和Ⅲ型(675 ±67) ml(F =7.977,P=0.032);而左内叶体积Ⅰ型(357±69) ml显著大于Ⅱ型(262 ±39) ml(F =6.541,P=0.005)和Ⅲ型(273 ±33) ml(F =6.541,P=0.014).Ⅰ型Ⅳ段再生比例显著大于Ⅱ型(F=4.14,P=0.027)和Ⅲ型(F=4.14,P=0.04);与之相反Ⅰ～Ⅲ段的再生比例则是Ⅰ型显著小于Ⅱ型(F =5.577,P=0.005)和Ⅲ型(F=5.577,P=0.047);而3组残肝的再生比例差异无统计学意义(F=1.831,P=0.173).残肝体积与术前全肝体积的比值比较差异无统计学意义(F=2.37,P=0.561).结论 IQQA-MSCT是良好的活体肝移植供体评估方法.Ⅳ段肝静脉解剖分型与带肝中静脉活体右半肝移植残肝淤血相关,Ⅰ型淤血程度最轻.残肝淤血对所累及肝段再生有不利影响,但不影响残肝总体再生.     

活体右半供肝Ⅴ和Ⅷ段静脉回流的重建方法

目的 总结活体右半供肝移植中,不含肝中静脉的右半供肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段静脉回流的重建方法.方法 回顾性分析55例活体右半供肝移植中,不含肝中静脉的右半供肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段静脉回流重建的临床资料.所有供者均通过了受者标准肝体积、供肝与受者体重比(GRWR)、供肝与受者标准肝体积比及供肝内血管解剖等指标的综合评估.供肝在切取、灌注及修整后,51例采用尸体髂静脉作为重建材料,其他4例分别采用受者的大隐静脉、曲张的脐静脉、肝内门静脉和肝静脉作为重建材料,以串联的方式重建供肝断面Ⅴ、Ⅷ段静脉回流.肝移植时,供肝肝右静脉与受者肝右静脉开口吻合,重建的Ⅴ、Ⅷ段静脉与受者肝中、肝左静脉汇合部吻合,供肝门静脉与受者门静脉右支或主干吻合.门静脉开放血流后依次重建肝动脉及胆道.术后对供、受者进行常规监测.结果 1例受者术后发生流出道梗阻,术后第43天死亡;1例受者术后第7天出现不明原因的急性重型肝组织坏死,行尸体供肝肝移植后痊愈.其余53例受者恢复顺利,术后4周时腹部CT检查显示重建的移植肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段静脉回流通畅.55例供者术后均恢复顺利,术后2周出院.结论 不含肝中静脉的活体右半供肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段静脉回流的重建在活体肝移植中是可行的,应选择合适的重建材料及手术方式.受者肝移植后临床效果良好.     

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.