A comparative study of angiogenic and cytokine responses after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed with standard- and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum

Background  Surgical procedures enhance production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors that play a pivotal role in the immunological response to surgical trauma and take part in the pathogenesis of tumor growth and adhesions formation. The purpose of the study was to access the influence of low-pressure CO₂ pneumoperitoneum on the inflammatory and angiogenic responses during the postoperative period after laparoscopy. Methods  The study group consisted of 40 patients, operated on due to cholelithiasis using standard-pressure (n = 20) and low-pressure (n = 20) CO₂ pneumoperitoneum. Serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and endostatin were measured before and at 6, 24, and 48 h after surgery with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results  Concentrations of IL-6 increased significantly after the operations in both groups. No differences were observed between the groups in regards to IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Concentrations of VEGF-A measured at 6 and 48 h were significantly lower in patients who underwent laparoscopies performed with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. No significant variations were observed in endostatin serum concentration. Concentrations of the studied parameters were not influenced by duration of surgery or by age, gender, or body mass index (BMI) of the patients. Conclusions  The results obtained in our study do not show any significant differences between studied operative procedures with regards to systemic inflammatory response. Changes in the concentrations of VEGF-A and endostatin observed in the studied population may suggest this technique is more favorable with regards to angiogenesis process intensity, along with all its consequences and implications.     

Sutureless bowel anastomosis using Nd:YAG laser

Small bowel anastomoses were performed without sutures by using the Nd:YAG laser to produce welded enterotomies. Optimal energy levels for contact and noncontact laser were determined. Anastomoses produced using five target energy levels between 100 and 500 J were examined. Short-term anastomotic strength of these enterotomies was measured 1 min after the welding. Bursting pressure of the laser welded enterotomies was compared to the bursting pressure of traditional two-layer, inverting, interrupted sutured bowel anastomoses. The overall mean bursting pressure of non-contact-welded enterotomies was 50.6 mmHg. Optimal laser settings determined in this initial phase were then used to produce anastomoses in rabbits which are recovered postoperatively for 1 or 2 weeks in order to examine long-term viability and integrity of the anastomoses. All chronic rabbit preparations recovered without complication. The mean bursting pressure was 200 mmHg, not significantly different from that of uncut bowel or two-layer sutured anastomosis.     

持续正压通气辅助治疗高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征的临床研究

目的探讨持续正压通气辅助治疗高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（SAS）对血压的影响。方法41例高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征病人,随机分为常规组（21例）和持续正压通气治疗组（20例）均给予常规降压药物治疗4周,治疗在常规治疗基础上加用气道持续正压通气治疗,观察两组治疗前后24 h血压变化。结果治疗组治疗后24 h平均收缩压、舒张压进一步降低,夜间收缩压及舒张压则显著降低（P〈0.01）。结论高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征病人,在常规应用降压药物同时应用持续正压通气辅助治疗血压下降更理想。     

Noninvasive Intracranial Cerebral Flow Velocity Evaluation in the Emergency Department by Emergency Physicians

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is an accepted modality for the evaluation of cerebral blood flow velocities. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of bedside TCD measurement in the emergency department (ED) with critically ill, intubated patients. METHODS: A prospective convenience sample of patients presenting to a university hospital over a two-month period underwent TCD evaluation of the middle cerebral artery. Intubated patients with head trauma and any patient requiring tracheal intubation were eligible. A 2-MHz Doppler probe was positioned over the temporal bone to acquire blood flow velocities. An emergency medicine resident and research assistant obtained measurements. Continuous TCD tracings were recorded on a video cassette recorder tape for quality assurance review and data collection. Vital signs and therapeutic interventions were also recorded. Flow velocities were measured in cm/s; the peak Resistance Index (RI) was calculated for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study. Adequate tracings were obtained in 25 patients (83%) without a disruption of resuscitation. Tracings could not be obtained in five patients; they were listed as TCD failures. However, in two of these patients, adequate flow velocity tracings were obtained after resuscitation. Four patients were evaluated during tracheal intubation. One patient was monitored successfully during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The median time required for data acquisition was 1.9 minutes. The mean highest RI for those who expired was 0.84. For those who survived, the mean highest RI was 0.52. The difference of 0.32 was statistically significant (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive blood flow velocity monitoring of the middle cerebral artery using TCD is feasible in the ED when performed at the bedside on intubated patients with traumatic brain injury and others during tracheal intubation and resuscitation.     

Paradigm shift in hydrocephalus research in legacy of Dandy’s pioneering work: rationale for third ventriculostomy in communicating hydrocephalus

Objective This study aims to question the generally accepted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bulk flow theory suggesting that the CSF is exclusively absorbed by the arachnoid villi and that the cause of hydrocephalus is a CSF absorption deficit. In addition, this study aims to briefly describe the new hydrodynamic concept of hydrocephalus and the rationale for endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in communicating hydrocephalus. Critique The bulk flow theory has proven incapable of explaining the pivotal mechanisms behind communicating hydrocephalus. Thus, the theory is unable to explain why the ventricles enlarge, why the CSF pressure remains normal and why some patients improve after ETV. Hydrodynamic concept of hydrocephalus Communicating hydrocephalus is caused by decreased intracranial compliance increasing the systolic pressure transmission into the brain parenchyma. The increased systolic pressure in the brain distends the brain towards the skull and simultaneously compresses the periventricular region of the brain against the ventricles. The final result is the predominant enlargement of the ventricles and narrowing of the subarachnoid space. The ETV reduces the increased systolic pressure in the brain simply by venting ventricular CSF through the stoma. The patent aqueduct in communicating hydrocephalus is too narrow to vent the CSF sufficiently.     

Influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation in pigs with intracranial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Moderate hypothermia is one of the effective therapeutic methods for head injury in recent years, there are many mechanisms of moderate hypothermia for brain protection, and its influence on cerebral oxygenation is also one of them. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation of animals with acute intracranial hypertension, and further investigate the protective mechanism of moderate hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. MATERIALS: Twenty healthy little pigs, either male or female, weighing 4.5–5.5 kg, were used. Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system (Diametrics Company, British); CMA/100 micro-injection pump (Carnegie Company, Sweden). METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the Changzheng Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA in November, 2001. The pigs were randomized into two groups: the normothermia group (control group, n =10) and moderate hypothermia group (n =10). ① Bilateral femoral arteries were separated, one was connected to pressometer for monitoring mean arterial pressure (MEP), and the other for analysis of blood gases [including peripheral blood pH value, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), HCO3–]. ② Rectal temperature was monitored with mercurial thermometer. ③ Intracranial pressure was monitored using Camino optic ICP probe placed in the subdural space. ④ Neurotrend multiparameter monitoring sensor was inserted into the white matter for about 4 cm to determine cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP, CPP=MAP(ICP), brain tissue partial oxygen pressure (PO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), HCO3– and brain temperature. The rectal temperature of animals in the moderate hypothermia group was lowered to 34 ℃ using ice bags, and the body temperature was maintained at 33–35 ℃ for 2 hours. The changes of the parameters were observed continuously, and the pigs in the normothermia group were not treated with cooling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP; Indexes of cerebral oxygenation detected with Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system; ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group. RESULTS: All the 20 pigs were involved in the analysis of results. ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP and indexes of cerebral oxygenation: In the moderate hypothermia group, the ICP after cooling was obviously lower than that before cooling [(3.31±1.19), (5.33±0.95) kPa, P < 0.05], CCP was higher, brain tissue PCO2 [(12.03±1.73), (10.59±2.01) kPa, P < 0.05], and brain tissue pH value was higher [(7.03±1.63), (9.40±1.30) kPa, P < 0.05], whereas the brain temperature was decreased as compared with that before cooling [(34.9±0.3), (37.2±0.2) ℃, P < 0.05]. ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group: There were no significant differences in the parameters of peripheral arterial blood gases analysis before and after cooling in the moderate hypothermia group (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: Moderate hypothermia will not impair the cerebral oxygenation, and it can reduce brain tissue CO2 and decrease brain tissue acidosis.     

眼底动脉硬化与血压、血糖、血脂的多元分析与评估

目的探讨眼底动脉硬化与血压、血脂、血糖的相关性，评估中风危险度。方法对2004年5月至2008年10月就诊的患者335例，作为观察组，并与无症状的健康体检者180例作对照，动态检测眼底动脉硬化、血压、血糖、血脂的异常变化，并做综合量化评估。结果脑血管疾病与眼底动脉硬化、血压、血糖、血脂等因素密切相关。结论眼底动脉硬化、血糖、血脂、血压异常的量化评分，能够预估中风，以便采取预防性治疗。     

压膜式间隙保持器的临床应用

目的:观察正压压膜式间隙保持器的临床应用特点和效果.方法:选择60例5.9～10岁的乳牙过早缺失的患儿,随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组用正压压膜式间隙保持器,对照组用带环式丝圈间隙保持器.分别从患者对保持器的接受程度、保持器的制作、椅旁操作时间、固位效果及其保持疗效和因保持器本身问题导致的复诊率进行对比研究,并对测量数据进行统计学处理.结果:两组患者在对保持器的接受程度、保持器的制作、椅旁操作时间、美观、防止对合牙过度伸长方面具有显著的差异,在固位效果及其保持疗效和因保持器本身问题的复诊率上有差异,但是差异没有显著性.结论:正压压膜式间隙保持器是一种美观舒适,制作简单,戴用便捷、固位好,疗效佳,便于观察恒牙萌出程度的间隙保持器,它为口腔医师进行保持缺隙治疗时提供了一种新的选择.     

早期脑室置管行颅内压监护对中型颅脑损伤患者的预后影响

目的　探讨早期脑室置管行颅内压 (ICP)和脑灌注压 (CPP)监护在中型颅脑损伤中的临床应用价值。方法　将 12 5例伤后 2 4h入院无手术指征的中型颅脑损伤 (GCS 9～ 12分 )患者 ,随机分为ICP监护组 :入院后即经恻脑室内穿刺置管行ICP与CPP连续监测 ,根据颅内压变化调整治疗方案 ;对照组 :入院后不做ICP监测 ,依据临床观察的意识及生命体征变化 ,进行治疗。结果　颅内压监护组脱水剂剂量、应用时间均低于对照组 ,疗效优于对照组 ,两组差异有显著意义 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　中型颅脑损伤病情极不稳定 ,早期行ICP监护能及早发现病情变化 ,对及时采取有效治疗措施 ,降低死残率 ,改善预后有重要意义。