星状神经节阻滞对老年患者腹腔镜胃肠道恶性肿瘤根治术后睡眠障碍的影响

目的 探讨星状神经节阻滞（SGB）对老年患者腹腔镜胃肠道恶性肿瘤根治术后睡眠障碍（POSD）的影响。
方法 选择择期行腹腔镜胃肠道恶性肿瘤根治术的老年患者40例,男23例,女17例,年龄≥65岁,BMI 18.5～24.0 kg/m²,ASA Ⅰ—Ⅲ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：术前行SGB组（S组）和对照组（C组）,每组20例。使用体动记录仪记录术前1 d、术后1、2、3 d夜间的睡眠质量。采用匹兹堡睡眠指数（PSQI）量表评估术前1 d、术后1、2、3、5、7 d夜间的睡眠情况和POSD的发生情况,PSQI＞7分为睡眠障碍,总分越高表示睡眠质量越差。检测并记录术前1 d、术后1 d及术后3 d时血浆IL-1、IL-6及IL-10浓度。
结果 与C组比较,S组术后1、2 d夜间总睡眠时间（TST）明显延长、睡眠效率及睡眠维持率明显增加、睡眠期变化指数明显降低、清醒次数明显减少（P＜0.05）,术后1 d夜间入睡后清醒时间（WASO）明显缩短、体动次数明显减少（P＜0.05）,术后1、2 d夜间PSQI评分及POSD发生率明显降低（P＜0.05）,术后1 d IL-6浓度明显降低,术后3 d IL-1浓度明显降低,IL-10浓度明显升高（P＜0.05）。
结论 星状神经节阻滞可减轻腹腔镜胃肠道恶性肿瘤根治术后炎症反应,改善患者术后睡眠障碍。     

术前连续髂筋膜间隙阻滞对老年髋部骨折患者围术期睡眠质量及术后谵妄的影响

目的 探讨术前超声引导下连续髂筋膜间隙阻滞对老年髋部骨折患者围术期睡眠质量及术后谵妄的影响。
方法 选择老年髋部骨折患者121例,男55例,女66例,年龄65~90岁, BMI 18.5~25.0 kg/m²,ASA Ⅰ—Ⅲ级,采用随机数字表法分为两组：超声引导下连续髂筋膜间隙阻滞组（F组,n=61）和对照组（C组,n=60）。F组于入院后给予经超声引导下连续髂筋膜间隙阻滞,C组常规术前处理。两组采用相同的椎管内麻醉方案实施侧入路股骨头置换术,术后采用相同的术后镇痛方案。采用简易精神状态检查表（MMSE）评估入院后基础认知状态;采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）评估入院前1个月整体睡眠质量。记录入院时（T1）、髂筋膜间隙阻滞后30 min（C组为入院后相同时间点）（T2）、入室时（T3）、摆放体位时（T4）的疼痛数字评分（NRS）。记录术前及术后7 d每天的里兹睡眠问卷（LSEQ）评分,记录术后7 d内谵妄的发生情况及术后住院时间。记录术后恶心、呕吐、日间嗜睡等不良反应的发生情况。
结果 与C组比较,F组T2—T4时NRS评分明显降低（P<0.05）,术前及术后1~3 d LSEQ评分明显升高（P<0.05）,术后7 d内谵妄发生率明显降低(P<0.05),谵妄持续时间、术后住院时间明显缩短(P<0.05),日间嗜睡发生率明显降低(P<0.05)。
结论 术前超声引导下连续髂筋膜间隙阻滞可改善老年髋部骨折患者围术期睡眠质量,降低术后谵妄发生率及缩短谵妄持续时间。     

围术期经皮穴位电刺激对妇科腹腔镜手术患者术后恢复质量的影响

目的 观察围术期经皮穴位电刺激(TEAS)对行妇科腹腔镜手术患者术后胃肠功能紊乱(PGID)及术后恢复质量的影响。

方法 选择喉罩全麻下行妇科腹腔镜手术患者66例，年龄18～64岁，BMI 18～30 kg/m²，ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：TEAS组(T组)和对照组(C组)，每组33例。T组于麻醉诱导前30 min、术后1、2 d选择双侧足三里穴、上巨虚穴、内关穴、三阴交穴行TEAS，时间持续30 min；C组在相同时点和穴位贴电极片，不进行刺激。术后3 d采用进食-恶心-呕吐-查体-症状持续时间评分系统(I-FEED)进行评分。记录术后首次肛门排气时间、术后首次排便时间和肠鸣音恢复时间。记录术后2、6、12 h恶心呕吐、腹痛腹胀VAS评分。记录术前1 d和术后2 d血浆胃动素和胃泌素浓度。记录术前1 d、术后1、2 d、术后1个月QoR-15评分、失眠严重指数(ISI)评分和术后睡眠障碍（POSD）发生情况。记录手术时间、麻醉时间、拔除喉罩时间、术中输液量、出血量和尿量。

结果 与C组比较，T组I-FEED评分、PGID发生率、术后2、6、12 h恶心呕吐、腹痛腹胀VAS评分、术后2 d血浆胃动素和胃泌素浓度、术后1、2 d ISI评分和POSD发生率明显降低（P＜0.05），术后首次肛门排气时间、术后首次排便时间和肠鸣音恢复时间明显缩短（P＜0.05），术后1、2 d QoR-15评分明显升高(P＜0.05)。

结论 围术期TEAS能降低妇科腹腔镜手术患者PGID发生率，减轻恶心呕吐和腹痛腹胀程度，缩短术后首次肛门排气时间、术后首次排便和肠鸣音恢复时间，升高血浆胃动素和胃泌素浓度，提高术后恢复质量。     

蒙药额尔敦-乌日勒对老年患者胸科手术后睡眠质量的影响

目的 探讨蒙药额尔敦-乌日勒对老年患者胸科手术后睡眠质量的影响。
方法 选择择期行胸科手术的老年患者60例,男31例,女29例,年龄≥65岁,BMI 18~24 kg/m²,ASA Ⅰ—Ⅲ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：对照组(C组)和蒙药额尔敦-乌日勒组(E组),每组30例。C组于术前3 d至术后3 d每日晨起后口服淀粉胶囊;E组在相同时间点口服蒙药额尔敦-乌日勒15粒(每粒2 g)。采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)评估术前3 d和术后1个月患者夜间睡眠质量。采用理查兹-坎贝尔睡眠量表(RCSQ)评估术前3 d和术后第1天夜间睡眠质量。采用ELISA法检测术前3 d服药前、术后第1、4天血浆褪黑素(MT)、γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)浓度。采用术后恢复质量量表(QoR-40)评估患者恢复质量。
结果 与C组比较,E组术后1个月PSQI量表评分明显降低,术后第1天RCSQ量表评分明显增高(P＜0.05),术后第1、4天MT浓度和GABA浓度明显升高,TNF-α浓度明显降低(P＜0.05),术后第1天情绪状态、身体舒适度、自理能力和总分明显升高(P＜0.05)。
结论 围术期服用蒙药额尔敦-乌日勒有助于改善患者术后睡眠质量,促进患者术后快速康复。     

经皮穴位电刺激对双腔支气管插管患者术后咽喉痛的影响

目的 探讨经皮穴位电刺激（TEAS）对双腔支气管插管全麻患者术后咽喉痛（POST）的影响。
方法 选择2021年10月至2022年3月择期行双腔支气管插管全麻的手术患者103例，男45例，女58例，年龄18～64岁，BMI 18～28 kg/m²，ASA Ⅰ—Ⅲ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：TEAS组（n=51）和对照组（n=52）。TEAS组于麻醉诱导前30 min 在天突穴和双侧合谷穴行TEAS，至患者送至恢复室前停止；对照组放置电极片于相同穴位，但不进行电刺激。记录Mallampati分级、气管插管尝试次数、按压环状软骨、插管时阻力和双腔支气管导管（DLT）留置时间。记录拔管后1、6、24 h POST发生情况及严重程度、咽喉VAS疼痛评分和声嘶发生情况。
结果 与对照组比较，TEAS组拔管后1、6、24 h POST总发生率、POST 1级发生率和咽喉VAS疼痛评分明显降低（P<0.05），拔管后6 h POST 2级发生率明显降低（P<0.05）。两组拔管后1、6、24 h声嘶发生率差异均无统计学意义。
结论 经皮穴位电刺激天突穴和双侧合谷穴可明显降低双腔支气管插管患者术后咽喉痛的发生率、严重程度和咽喉VAS疼痛评分。     

围术期经皮穴位电刺激对胸腔镜肺切除术中肺顺应性的影响

目的 观察围术期经皮穴位电刺激（TEAS）对胸腔镜肺切除术中肺顺应性的影响。
方法 选择择期全麻下行胸腔镜肺切除术的患者70例，男31例，女39例，年龄20～64岁，BMI 18～28 kg/m²，ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：TEAS组和对照组，每组35例。TEAS组在双侧内关穴、曲池穴进行电刺激，频率为2/100 Hz，电刺激从术前30 min开始直至手术结束时停止。对照组仅于双侧内关穴、曲池穴连接电极，不予电刺激。所有患者麻醉方法及用药原则一致。记录机械通气(术前双肺通气时、术中单肺通气时、术后双肺通气时)的肺顺应性和气道峰压。记录术后肺部感染、肺不张、胸腔积液和气胸等肺部并发症的发生情况。记录术后气管导管拔除时间、胸腔引流管拔除时间和术后住院时间。
结果 与对照组比较，TEAS组术中单肺通气时肺顺应性明显增高，气道峰压明显降低,术后气管导管拔除时间明显缩短（P<0.05）。两组术后肺部感染、肺不张、胸腔积液和气胸的发生率、术后胸腔引流管拔除时间和术后住院时间差异无统计学意义。
结论 围术期经皮穴位电刺激双侧内关穴和曲池穴可改善胸腔镜肺切除术患者的肺顺应性，降低气道压。     

右美托咪定滴鼻联合髂筋膜间隙阻滞在老年髋部骨折患者围术期的应用效果

目的 探讨右美托咪定滴鼻联合髂筋膜间隙阻滞在老年髋部骨折患者围术期的应用效果。
方法 选择择期行腰-硬联合麻醉下髋部骨折手术的老年患者59例,男14例,女45例,年龄≥65岁,BMI 14.1～30.3 kg/m²,ASA Ⅱ或Ⅲ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：右美托咪定滴鼻联合髂筋膜间隙阻滞组（D组,n=29）和髂筋膜间隙阻滞组（F组,n=30）。术前1 d晚间D组给予右美托咪定滴鼻后在超声引导下行患侧髂筋膜间隙阻滞,F组仅在超声引导下行患侧髂筋膜间隙阻滞。记录右美托咪定滴鼻前（T₁）、髂筋膜间隙阻滞后1 h（T₂）、过转运床即刻（T₃）、过手术床即刻（T₄）、摆体位时（T₅）的HR、MAP、SpO₂和疼痛数字评价量表（NRS）评分。记录术前1 d、手术当日及术后1、2 d的汉密尔顿焦虑（HAM-A）评分和里兹睡眠问卷（LSEQ）评分。记录术后7 d内谵妄发生情况及术后住院时间。记录低血压、心动过缓以及术后48 h内恶心呕吐、头晕、日间嗜睡等不良反应的发生情况。
结果 与T₁时比较,T₃—T₅时F组HR明显增快,MAP明显升高,D组NRS明显降低（P<0.05）;与F组比较,T₃—T₅时D组HR明显减慢,MAP和NRS明显降低（P<0.05）。与术前1 d比较,手术当日及术后1、2 d D组HAM-A评分明显降低,LSEQ评分明显增高,F组LSEQ评分明显增高（P<0.05）。与F组比较,手术当日及术后1、2 d D组LSEQ评分明显增高,HAM-A评分明显降低（P<0.05）。与F组比较,D组术后住院时间明显缩短,术后7 d谵妄总发生率明显降低,日间嗜睡发生率明显降低（P<0.05）。
结论 老年髋部骨折手术患者术前右美托咪定滴鼻联合髂筋膜间隙阻滞可使术前血流动力学更加稳定,同时减轻术前疼痛,降低焦虑及术后谵妄发生率,提高围术期睡眠质量,缩短术后住院时间。     

咪达唑仑对术前中重度焦虑老年患者结直肠癌根治术后谵妄的影响

目的 探讨术前短期口服咪达唑仑对术前合并中重度焦虑老年患者结直肠癌根治术后谵妄的影响。
方法 选择择期行腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术的老年患者80例，男32例，女48例，年龄65～79岁，BMI 21～27 kg/m²，ASA Ⅱ或Ⅲ级，入院时状态特质焦虑量表（STAI-S）评分≥38分。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：对照组和咪达唑仑组，每组40例。咪达唑仑组予咪达唑仑7.5 mg每晚一次，连续服药3～4 d，直到术前1 d；对照组予外观相似的安慰剂半片。记录术前1 d STAI-S评分与术后3 d内谵妄的发生情况，记录入室时、麻醉诱导后30 min、1、2 h、拔管后30 min HR和MAP，记录术中丙泊酚、瑞芬太尼、右美托咪定用量及间羟胺使用情况，记录拔管后30 min、术后24、72 h视觉模拟评分（VAS）、曲马多使用情况以及拔管时间。
结果 与对照组比较，咪达唑仑组术前1 d STAI-S评分、术后谵妄发生率、术中间羟胺使用率、拔管后30 min、术后24 h VAS疼痛评分、曲马多使用率明显降低（P<0.05）。两组术中丙泊酚、瑞芬太尼、右美托咪定用量和拔管时间差异无统计学意义。
结论 术前口服咪达唑仑可有效降低合并术前中重度焦虑老年患者结直肠癌根治术后谵妄的发生。     

双侧头颈半棘肌间平面阻滞对颈椎后路手术患者术后恢复质量的影响

目的 探讨头颈半棘肌间平面阻滞（ISPB）对颈椎后路手术患者术后恢复质量的影响。
方法 选择2023年1—4月择期行颈椎后路手术的患者72例，男41例，女31例，年龄18～64岁，BMI 18～28 kg/m²，ASA Ⅱ或Ⅲ级。采用随机区组设计将患者分为两组：ISPB组（I组）和对照组（C组），每组36例。所有患者在麻醉诱导前使用超声定位于C₅平面，I组在双侧头半棘肌和颈半棘肌之间筋膜平面内注射0.25%罗哌卡因20 ml，C组注射同等体积生理盐水，注射完成后15 min开始麻醉诱导。记录术前1 d、术后1、2 d 40项恢复质量评分（QoR-40）、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）。记录术后1、6、12、24、48 h NRS评分。记录PCIA有效按压次数、PCIA总按压次数、补救镇痛例数，术中舒芬太尼、瑞芬太尼用量和术后喷他佐辛用量。记录术后恶心呕吐（PONV）的发生情况、术后首次独立下地行走时间和首次经口进食时间、血肿、感染或局麻药中毒等穿刺相关并发症的发生情况。
结果 与术前1 d比较，两组术后1、2 d QoR-40各项评分和总分明显降低，PSQI明显升高（P<0.05）。与C组比较，I组术后1、2 d QoR-40情绪状态、身体舒适度、心理支持、疼痛评分和总分均明显升高，PSQI明显降低（P<0.05）；术后1、6、12、24 h NRS评分均明显降低（P<0.05）；术后PICA有效按压次数、PCIA总按压次数、补救镇痛率、术中瑞芬太尼用量、术后喷他佐辛用量、PONV发生率均明显降低，术后首次独立下地行走时间和首次经口进食时间明显缩短（P<0.05）。两组无一例发生穿刺相关并发症。
结论 双侧ISPB可有效改善颈椎后路手术患者术后睡眠，减轻术后疼痛，降低PONV发生率，提高患者术后恢复质量。     

经皮穴位电刺激对胸腔镜肺癌根治术患者术中循环抑制的影响

目的 探讨经皮穴位电刺激（TEAS）对全麻联合胸椎旁神经阻滞（TPVB）下胸腔镜肺癌根治术患者术中循环抑制的影响。
方法 选择2021年10月至2022年5月择期在全麻联合TPVB下行胸腔镜肺癌根治术患者150例，男58例，女92例，年龄19～64岁，BMI 18～30 kg/m²，ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级。采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组：TEAS组和对照组，每组75例。麻醉诱导前30 min,TEAS组于双侧合谷穴、内关穴、足三里穴进行TEAS至手术结束；对照组于相同穴位上贴敷电极片，不进行电刺激。记录穴位刺激前（T₀）、胸椎旁神经阻滞后10 min（T₁）、切皮即刻（T₂）、手术30 min（T₃）、手术60 min（T₄）、手术结束即刻（T₅）和术后30 min（T₆）的HR、SBP、DBP、MAP和BIS。记录术中心动过缓、心动过速、低血压、高血压、循环抑制发生情况及血管活性药物使用情况。记录术中丙泊酚、舒芬太尼、瑞芬太尼用量。记录术后1、2、7 d VAS疼痛评分和术后7 d内镇痛药物用量。记录术后恶心呕吐、头晕、胸闷、气促等不良反应发生情况及术后住院时间。
结果 与对照组比较，TEAS组术中输液量、低血压、高血压、循环抑制发生率、术中去氧肾上腺素、麻黄碱、去甲肾上腺素、乌拉地尔使用率、术后1、2 d VAS疼痛评分、术后7 d内镇痛药使用率明显降低（P<0.05），术后住院时间明显缩短（P<0.05），T₁时SBP、DBP和MAP明显升高（P<0.05），术中丙泊酚、舒芬太尼、瑞芬太尼用量均明显减少（P<0.05）。两组恶心呕吐、头晕、气促发生率差异无统计学意义。
结论 TEAS可以改善全麻联合TPVB下胸腔镜肺癌根治术患者术中循环抑制情况，减少围术期麻醉药物用量和血管活性药物使用，改善术后早期急性疼痛，缩短术后住院时间。     

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.