退变性腰椎侧凸患者腹主动脉与腰椎椎体相对位置的影像学测量

目的:探讨退变性腰椎侧凸(degenerative lumbar scoliosis,DLS)患者腰椎左侧凸和右侧凸情况下,腹主动脉与腰椎椎体的解剖关系。方法:回顾性分析我院2015年1月～2018年6月142例DLS患者和132例无脊柱侧凸的正常人群(对照组),DLS患者包含80例左侧凸患者(左侧凸组)和62例右侧凸患者(右侧凸组),观察对象均处于矢状位平衡,两组在性别、年龄和体重指数(body mass index,BMI)上与对照组匹配。通过X线片测量DLS患者腰椎侧凸方向、Cobb角、顶椎位置及冠状位偏移距离;通过MRI T1加权像建立笛卡尔坐标系,测量主动脉-椎体角度(α)、旋转角度(γ)、主动脉-椎体距离(d)及主动脉后壁-椎体前缘间隙(Int)。α、γ、d和Int分别在左侧凸组与对照组、右侧凸组与对照组的组间对比采用独立样本t检验;Cobb角及冠状位偏移距离与α、γ、d和Int的相关性检验采用Pearson相关分析。结果:左侧凸组Cobb角为23.7°±12.7°(10.4°～42.5°),冠状位偏移距离为45.2±10.7mm(25.5～77.7mm);右侧凸组Cobb角为20.8°±10.4°(11.0°～48.4°),冠状位偏移距离为47.8±15.1mm(25.4～77.5mm),两侧凸组的顶椎分布(P=0.280)、Cobb角(P=0.311)和冠状位偏移距离(P=0.394)均无统计学差异。对照组α平均为-2.96°±6.40°,从T12～L4逐渐减小,而左侧凸组α(-2.57°±6.14°)无该规律,两组α比较无统计学差异(P=0.554);左侧凸组γ平均为5.57°±5.32°;左侧凸组d(4.62±0.57cm)自T12～L4逐渐增大,且与对照组(4.44±0.43cm)比较有统计学差异(P0.001);左侧凸组Int与对照组比较无统计学差异(P=0.832),即相对于正常人群,DLS左侧凸患者腹主动脉相对于椎体角度无改变,但距离稍远离左侧椎体。右侧凸组α(-3.41°±9.44°)自T12～L4逐渐减小,与对照组比较无统计学差异(P=0.762);γ为-9.02°±6.71°;d为4.54±1.84cm,与对照组比较无统计学差异(P=0.530);Int与对照组比较无统计学差异(P=0.807),即相对于对照组,DLS右侧凸患者腹主动脉与椎体的角度和距离无明显变化。Pearson相关分析显示,左侧凸组和右侧凸组Cobb角和冠状位偏倚距离与γ均存在相关性(均为P0.001),而与α、d和Int无明确相关性。结论:DLS右侧凸患者腹主动脉与椎体相对位置维持正常的解剖关系,左侧凸患者腹主动脉稍远离左侧椎弓根。DLS患者腹主动脉与腰椎相对解剖关系较正常人变化不大,但腰椎手术尤其是侧凸矫形过程中仍需要警惕腹主动脉损伤。     

Chiari畸形伴胸椎侧凸患者两侧肋骨长度差异及其与剃刀背畸形的相关性

目的:评估Chiari畸形伴胸椎侧凸患者两侧肋骨长度的差异及其与剃刀背畸形的相关性,探讨两侧肋骨生长的差异性是否为继发性改变。方法:选取Chiari畸形伴脊柱侧凸(scoliosis secondary to Chiarimalformation,SSCM)患者38例(SSCM组),年龄9~17岁(12.3±3.6岁),身高155.4±10.8cm,Cobb角26°~108°(44.9°±23.5°);顶椎位于T7~T9。另选58例青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(AIS)患者作为对照,均为右胸弯,年龄10~18岁(13.7±2.6岁),身高157.6±11.5cm,Cobb角28°~102°(43.9°±17.2°),顶椎位于T7~T9。剃刀背畸形角(ribhump,RH)均使用Scoliometer测量,采用螺旋CT三维重建的方法(volume viewer workstation)测量所有患者凹凸侧12对肋骨的长度,比较两组患者顶椎区、上下端椎及非侧凸区两侧肋骨的长度,分析顶椎区肋骨的对称性及其与Cobb角和RH的相关性。结果:SSCM组患者顶椎区(顶椎、顶椎上一椎体及顶椎下一椎体)凹侧肋骨长度显著大于凸侧(P<0.01),而上下端椎及非侧凸区两侧肋骨长度无显著性差异(P>0.05),RH为12.7°±4.0°;AIS组患者顶椎区(顶椎上一椎体、顶椎及顶椎下一椎体)凹侧肋骨长度也显著大于凸侧(P<0.01),其程度与Chiari畸形组无显著性差异(P>0.05),RH为11.9°±3.5°。顶椎区肋骨的不对称性与Cobb角大小呈显著性正相关关系(SSCM组:r=0.562,P=0.001;AIS组:r=0.463,P=0.003);与RH亦呈显著相关性(SSCM组:r=0.373,P=0.01;AIS组:r=0.328,P=0.02)。结论:SSCM患者主胸弯顶椎区两侧肋骨长度不对称,且不对称程度和剃刀背畸形相关,其不对称性特征与AIS患者一致,其可能是脊柱侧凸在生长期发病后的继发性改变。     

不同手术入路对青少年特发性胸腰段/腰段脊柱侧凸矫形术后椎间角变化的影响

目的 分析比较青少年特发性胸腰段/腰段脊柱侧凸前路或后路矫形固定融合术后椎间角的变化.方法 回顾性分析此类患者接受前路(组A)或后路(组B)矫形固定融合手术前后侧凸Cobb角及椎间角的变化.结果 组A共30例患者,组B共12例患者.组A与组B术前、术后主弯冠状面Cobb角分别为48.9°和11.7°,44.3°和5.3°,矫形率分别为76.1%和87.7%.随访时冠状面Cobb角分别为18.1°和7.7°.术前、术后及随访时椎间角组A分别为3.2°、5.6°和8.2°,组B分别为3.3°、3.6°和3.2°.二组间比较,术后侧凸冠状面Cobb角、侧凸矫形率、随访时侧凸冠状面Cobb角、冠状面Cobb角丢失组B均优于组A(P=0.022,P:0.022,P=0.005,P=0.019);术后椎间角组A与组B比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.068),随访时椎间角组A较组B大(P=0.001),随访时椎间角丢失组A较组B多(P=0.043).结论 对于青少年特发性脊柱胸腰段/腰段侧凸,采用后路全椎弓根螺钉矫形固定融合手术随访时椎间角及椎间角丢失优于前路手术.     

退行性脊柱侧凸患者冠状面和矢状面影像学参数分析

目的 :分析退行性脊柱侧凸(DS)患者的影像学特征,探讨与DS患者冠状面影像学参数与矢状面平衡之间的关系。方法:回顾性分析99例DS患者的人口统计学资料和影像学资料,包括年龄、性别、冠状位Cobb角、顶椎椎体/椎间盘的位置、侧凸的方向、顶椎旋转度、侧凸节段、胸椎后凸角(TK)、腰椎前凸角(LL)、胸腰椎后凸角(TL)、骶骨角(SS)、骨盆倾斜角(PT)、骨盆入射角(PI)、矢状位垂直轴(SVA)和PI-LL。根据矢状面平衡情况将患者分为两组:失平衡组(A组),SVA5cm;平衡组(B组),SVA≤5cm,比较两组患者的人口学和影像学参数。结果:99例患者中女83例,男16例;年龄41~92岁(中位数为67岁);冠状位Cobb角10°~75°(中位数为23°);侧凸长度3~7个椎体(中位数为5个椎体)。顶椎最常见的位置在L2/3(81%),顶椎椎体旋转程度的中位数为Ⅱ度(Ⅰ~Ⅲ度)。冠状位Cobb角和侧凸节段相关(r=0.23,P0.005),和顶椎旋转亦相关(r=0.53,P0.005)。A组33例,B组66例;两组间年龄、LL、PT、冠状位Cobb角、顶椎旋转度和PI-LL均有显著性差异(P0.05),两组间性别、TK、TL、SS和PI无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:DS患者冠状位Cobb角与侧凸节段和顶椎旋转间有相关关系;矢状位平衡和失衡患者的年龄、冠状位Cobb角、LL、PT和PI-LL均不同。     

退行性腰椎侧凸椎旁肌横截面积和脂肪化程度的变化及临床意义

目的 探讨退行性腰椎侧凸(DLS)椎旁肌横截面积和脂肪化程度的变化及其临床意义.方法 纳入2018年9月—2020年3月遂宁市第一人民医院收治的70例DLS患者作为研究组,同期70名健康体检者作为对照组,均进行腰椎X线片、MRI检查.比较2组患者的腰椎前凸角(LL)、腰椎冠状位侧凸Cobb角、腰椎顶锥旋转畸形分级、椎旁肌横截面积(CSA)及脂肪化程度、椎体CSA,并比较研究组患者腰椎凸侧和凹侧椎旁肌CSA及脂肪化程度.结果 研究组LL低于对照组,腰椎冠状位侧凸Cobb角高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).研究组腰椎顶锥旋转畸形分级1级33例,2级25例,3级10例,4级2例;对照组患者均无腰椎顶锥旋转畸形.研究组竖脊肌CSA、多裂肌CSA、腰大肌CSA低于对照组,椎体CSA、椎旁肌脂肪化程度高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).研究组腰椎凸侧竖脊肌CSA、多裂肌CSA、腰大肌CSA高于腰椎凹侧,腰椎凸侧椎旁肌脂肪化程度低于凹侧,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 DLS患者椎旁肌CSA及脂肪化程度高于无DLS者,且腰椎凸侧和凹侧椎旁肌CSA及脂肪化程度亦有明显差异,临床上可根据患者椎旁肌群退行性变程度了解腰椎退行性变情况.     

选择性椎弓根置钉矫形治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧凸

[目的]回顾性观察分析后路选择性椎弓根置钉矫形治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(AIS)的临床疗效。[方法]2005年1月～2009年6月采用后路选择性椎弓根置钉矫形手术治疗AIS,测量术前和术后胸侧凸冠状面Cobb角、矢状面Cobb角,腰侧凸冠状面Cobb角,顶椎椎体旋转和身高变化。分析临床疗效。[结果]手术时间平均186min;术中失血量平均800 ml。术中无脊髓、神经及血管损伤,术后无胸腔积液及切口感染。随访2.1～6.4年,平均3.6年。胸侧凸冠状面Cobb角、胸侧凸矢状面Cobb角和冠状腰弯Cobb角分别由术前57.38°±10.93°、29.3°±7.8°、33.03°±7.75°矫正为12.88°±8.79°、17.9°±10.3°和8.85°±3.65°,手术前后有显著性差异(P<0.01),末次随访分别为:13.89°±9.36°、19.3°±5.4°和9.06°±3.78°,与术后比较无显著性差异(P>0.01)。顶椎椎体旋转由术前2.83°±1.25°矫正为1.37°±1.13°(P<0.01),末次随访(1.32°±1.04°)与术后比较无显著性差异(P>0.05);身高平均增长4.45 c...     

退变性腰椎侧凸脊柱-骨盆矢状位影像学特点

目的 :观察退变性腰椎侧凸(DLS)患者脊柱-骨盆矢状位影像学特点,探讨脊柱-骨盆矢状位参数变化对DLS发生的影响。方法:回顾性分析103例DLS患者术前资料,男36例,女67例,年龄62.6±7.4(43~78)岁,并选取139例正常青年人群作为正常青年对照组,145例单纯颈椎病患者作为成年对照组,在脊柱全长正侧位X线片上测量各组冠状位、矢状位参数,包括L3倾斜角、侧凸Cobb角、冠状位平衡(CVA)、腰椎前凸角(LL)、矢状位平衡(SVA)、胸椎后凸角(TK)、骨盆入射角(PI)、骨盆倾斜角(PT)、骶骨倾斜角(SS)等,采用独立样本t检验比较DLS组与两对照组的各矢状位参数,并用Pearson相关分析DLS组各参数间相关性。结果:DLS组PI为50.4°±10.2°,显著高于正常青年对照组(45.1°±9.6°,P0.01)和成年对照组(46.9°±9.1°,P0.01)。与青年及成年对照组相比,DLS组LL、SS较小(P0.01),PT、SVA较大(P0.01);TK小于成年对照组(P0.01)。DLS组中合并退变性腰椎滑脱者37例(占35.9%),PI为53.1°±8.8°;无退变性腰椎滑脱者66例,PI为48.9°±10.6°,二者相比有统计学差异且均显著高于正常青年对照组(P0.05)。DLS组侧凸Cobb角与PT显著相关(P0.05),余冠状位参数与矢状位参数间未发现相关性;LL、PI、SS、PT两两之间显著相关(P0.01),LL、PT与TK显著相关(P0.01),SS与TK显著相关(P0.05),LL与SVA显著相关(P0.01)。结论 :DLS患者PI高于正常青年及颈椎病患者,高PI可能参与了DLS的发病机制;DLS患者退变、侧凸的腰椎仍存在调节矢状位平衡的能力。     

脊柱侧凸顶椎椎体及附件旋转角测量及其临床意义

[目的]评估特发性脊柱侧凸患者术前椎体、椎板、棘突旋转角及椎体相对棘突偏移的距离,为指导术中轴状面去旋转及冠状面侧凸矫形提供影像学基础.[方法]选取本院脊柱外科2008年1月～2010年1月收治的30例特发性脊柱侧凸患者,男11例,女19例;平均年龄17.0岁,Cobb角51.9°,术前皆行平卧位顶椎区域CT平扫.测量顶椎椎体、椎板及棘突的旋转角度,然后将椎体、椎板及棘突的旋转角度利用SPSS13.0进行三组定量资料的两两比较,分析三者间的旋转角差异.同时测量椎体相对椎板的偏移距离,计算出其平均值.[结果]顶椎旋转角:椎体平均为17.3°±8.67°,椎板平均为17.6°±11.14°,棘突平均为11.3°±10.51°.经统计分析椎体、椎板与棘突间的旋转角差异具有统计学意义(P=0.017,P=0.013),而椎体与椎板间的旋转角度无明显统计学差异(P =0.906).椎体相对椎板偏移的距离平均为(0.19 ±0.12) cm.[结论]测量脊柱侧凸患者术前CT顶椎椎体、椎板及棘突的旋转度和椎体相对棘突的偏移距离,对术中指导脊柱侧凸的轴状面和冠状面矫形具有一定临床意义.     

特发性脊柱侧凸患者两侧椎旁肌横截面积的CT测量

目的:观察特发性脊柱侧凸(IS)患者凸、凹侧椎旁肌横截面积是否存在差异,探讨椎旁肌改变与脊柱侧凸的关系.方法:IS患者31例,女20例,男11例,年龄12～18岁,Cobb角范围28°～76°,平均53°±12°,在CT片上测量上终椎、顶椎、下终椎双侧椎旁肌横截面积.同龄非脊柱畸形患者(对照组)20例,女8例,男12例,年龄5～15岁,在CT片上测量T8、T10双侧椎旁肌横截面积.比较两组双侧椎旁肌的横截面积.结果:IS患者上终椎、顶椎、下终椎凸侧椎旁肌横截面积均大于凹侧,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);凸/凹侧椎旁肌横截面积比值顶椎>上终椎>下终椎;Cobb角>50°和<50°患者顶椎水平凸,凹侧椎旁肌横截面积比值无统计学意义(P>0.05),顶椎水平凸/凹侧椎旁肌横截面积比值与Cobb角无显著相关性.对照组双侧椎旁肌横截面积差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),左/右侧椎旁肌横截面积比值亦无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:特发性脊柱侧凸患者双侧椎旁肌发育不对称,凸侧椎旁肌横截面积大于凹侧,且在顶椎水平差异最大,但顶椎水平椎旁肌横截面积凸,凹侧比值与Cobb角无明显相关性.     

脊柱侧凸前路矫形固定术后椎间角的变化及下融合椎后滑移

目的探讨特发性脊柱侧凸前路矫形内固定术后椎间角的变化及下融合椎后滑移的发生情况。方法回顾性分析近4年来我院青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者接受前路矫形内固定手术前后及随访时的X线片,对侧凸Cobb角、侧凸矫形率、躯干偏移、下融合椎旋转度、下融合椎相对于骨盆的倾斜度、椎间角及下融合椎后滑移等参数进行测量分析。结果50例患者符合入选标准,主侧凸位于胸腰段或腰段。手术前后主弯冠状面Cobb角分别为47.78°±9.39°和10.32°±8.50°,侧凸矫形率平均79.05%。手术前后下融合椎旋转度分别为1.54°±0.58°及1.06°±0.47°。手术前后下融合椎相对于骨盆的倾斜度分别为23.80°±7.91°和9.16°±9.46°。椎间角术前平均为3.72°±3.05°,Bending相上为-2.22°±5.85°,术后即刻为1.56°±5.97°,较术前明显改善(P=0.029);末次随访时为4.87°±7.95°,与术后即刻相比差异有统计学意义(P=0.038)。术后19例(38%)患者发生下融合椎后滑移,平均滑移距离(4.79±1.75)mm。发生与未发生后滑移的患者在术前顶椎旋转度及Bending相椎间角的差异均有统计学意义(P=0.047,0.033)。结论特发性脊柱侧凸前路矫形内固定术后椎间角较术前明显改善,但在随访时椎间角又逐渐增大。下融合椎后滑移的发生可能与术前顶椎旋转度及B     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Anesthésie générale chez l’enfant : quid des pratiques en 2010 ?

Introduction

The practice of pediatric anesthesia requires a regular update of scientific knowledge and technical skills. To provide the most adequate Continuing Medical Education programs, it is necessary to assess the practices of pediatric anesthesiologists. Thus, the objective of this survey was to draw a picture of the current clinical practices of general anesthesia in children, in France.

Material and methods

One thousand one hundred and fifty questionnaires were given to anesthesiologists involved in pediatric cases. These questionnaires collected information on various aspects of clinical practice relative to induction, maintenance, recovery from general anaesthesia and also classical debated points such as children with Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), emergence agitation, epileptoid signs or anaesthetic management of adenoidectomy. Differences in practices between CHG (general hospital), CHU (teaching hospital), LIBERAL (private) and PSPH (semi-private) hospitals were investigated.

Results

There were 1025 questionnaires completed. Fifty-five percent of responders worked in public hospitals (CHG and CHU); 77% had a practice that was 25% or less of pediatric cases. In children from 3 to 10 years: 72% of respondents used always premedication and two thirds performed inhalation induction in more than 50% of cases. For induction, 53% used sevoflurane (SEVO) at 7 or 8%. Respondents from LIBERAL used higher SEVO concentrations. Tracheal intubation was performed with SEVO alone (37%), SEVO and propofol (55%) and SEVO with myorelaxant (8%), 93% of respondents used a bolus of opioid. For maintenance, the majority of respondents used SEVO associated with sufentanil; desflurane and remifentanil were more frequently used in CHU. Two thirds of respondents used N₂O. Depth of anesthesia was commonly assessed by hemodynamic changes (52%), end tidal concentration of halogenated (38%) or automated devices based on EEG (7%). In children with URI, 98% of respondents used SEVO for anesthesia. To control the airway 42% used a tracheal tube, 30% a laryngeal mask and 20% a facial mask. Emergence agitation was an important concern for two thirds of respondents, while epileptoid signs were considered as important by only 20%. Eighty-nine percent of respondents practiced anesthesia for adenoidectomy. Anesthesia was induced by inhalation of SEVO 7–8% (41%), 6% (39%) or 4% (12%), 66% put an intravenous line (less frequently in LIBERAL). 67% of the responders managed adenoidectomy without any device to control the airway (more frequently in LIBERAL), 32% administrated a bolus of opioid (less frequently in LIBERAL).

Discussion

This survey demonstrated that the practices regarding general anesthesia in children are relatively homogenous. Most of the differences appeared between LIBERAL and the others structures; the anaesthetic management for adenoidectomy illustrates these findings.     

Intérêt d’une rééducation précoce pour les patients neurologiques

Rehabilitation improves the functional prognosis of patients after a neurologic lesion, and tendency is to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. This review focuses on the interest and the feasibility of very early rehabilitation, initiated from critical care units. It is necessary to precisely assess patients’ impairments and disabilities in order to define rehabilitation objectives. Valid and simple tools must support this evaluation. Rehabilitation will be directed to preventing decubitus complications and active rehabilitation. The sooner rehabilitation is started; the better functional prognosis seems to be.     

Risiko Schlaganfall — Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Aufklärung dringend erforderlich

Zusammenfassung Das wesentliche — und zugleich noch wenig ausgeschöpfte — Potenzial der Schlaganfallmedizin liegt in der langfristigen Prophylaxe. Durch Beeinflussung von Lifestylefaktoren wie Ernährungsgewohnheiten, Zigarettenkonsum und körperlichem Training durch entsprechende Aufklärung ließe sich ein erheblicher Teil an zerebralen Ereignissen vermeiden. Ein weiterer in Deutschland noch zu wenig beachteter Faktor ist die konsequente Blutdruckeinstellung. Breitgestreute Aufklärung könnte außerdem potenziellen Patienten helfen, bereits auftretende Warnsymptome wie die transiente ischämische Attacke richtig einzuschätzen, um eine rechtzeitige Behandlung zu ermöglichen.