Postthoracotomy pain and pulmonary function following epidural and systemic morphine

Thirty patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung resection were entered in a randomized, double-blind trial comparing the effects of epidural (E) versus intravenous (iv) morphine on postoperative pain and pulmonary function. Postoperatively the patients were given repeated doses of either 5.0 mg of morphine epidurally or 0.05-0.07 mg/kg morphine intravenously until there were no further spontaneous complaints of pain. Two, 8, and 24 h postoperatively, the following indices were measured: linear analogue pain score, somnolence score, vital signs, arterial PaO2, PaCO2, and pH, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Patients receiving epidural morphine had significantly less pain at 2 h (P less than 0.01) and 8 h (P less than 0.004) postoperatively. There was no difference in vital signs except for significantly slower respiratory rates at 2 h (P less than 0.04), 8 h (P less than 0.02) and 24 h (P less than 0.01) in the epidural group. No significant differences occurred in the somnolence scores or blood-gas measurements, which were within normal limits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epidural morphine by the thoracic or lumbar routes in cholecystectomy. Effect on postoperative pain and respiratory variables

Thirty-seven women undergoing elective cholecystectomy were randomised into two groups, receiving either lumbar epidural morphine (group L) or epidural morphine via the thoracic route (group T). The effect on pain relief was assessed by a visual analogue scale and included both resting pain and 'provoked' pain. Respiratory parameters (PEF, FEVI and FVC) were also studied. The patients were investigated preoperatively, and 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the start of surgery. No significant difference was observed between the groups concerning pain relief or respiratory performance. We conclude that after cholecystectomy lumbar epidural morphine is as effective as thoracic epidural morphine in relieving postoperative pain.     

The effect of thoracic epidural analgesia on respiratory function after cholecystectomy

To assess the effect of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) on postoperative respiratory function and pulmonary complications, a prospective randomized trial was conducted in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. One hundred patients were allocated to TEA (n = 30), TEA + general anesthesia (TEA + GA) (n = 30), or general anaesthesia (GA) (n = 40) groups. Respiratory function was analysed by measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), functional residual capacity (FRC), total lung capacity (TLC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) in the supine and sitting postures, and arterial blood gases. Postoperative pulmonary complications were carefully documented. TEA significantly prevented the postoperative deterioration of respiratory function as compared with general anaesthesia. FVC, FEV1 and PEF decreased by 20% in patients receiving TEA, in contrast to 55% in patients after GA on the day of operation. This improvement continued until the 2nd day after operation, when FVC, FEV1 and PEF and their recovery rates were equal in all groups. In the sitting posture the preoperative FVC, FEV1 and PEF were about 10% greater than in the supine position. After operation, this difference was further increased. The preoperative difference of 27% in FRC between the sitting and supine postures was maintained after operation. PaO2 decreased by 0.8 kPa after TEA, by 1.5 kPa after TEA + GA with the lowest value on the 2nd postoperative day and by 1.5 kPa after GA, with the lowest value immediately after operation. Simultaneous hypercarbia indicated hypoventilation, which may have contributed to impaired respiratory function on the following days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Post-thoracotomy analgesia--comparison epidural fentanyl to intravenous pethidine

BACKGROUND AND METHODS. To evaluate the efficacy of postthoracotomy analgesia with intermittent epidural fentanyl. 50 patients were allocated randomly into 2 groups. The first group received intermittent epidural fentanyl and the second group received intermittent intravenous analgesia using pethidine. The variables studied were: pain score; total amount of additional intravenous opioid analgesia, and ventilatory function parameters [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC ratio]. RESULTS. In the first postoperative day, pain scores were higher in the epidural group (P = 0.034), but there was no significant difference between mean pain scores in the second and third days (P = 0.61, P = 0.15, respectively). On all three days, significantly more additional analgesics were required in the epidural group. A difference was found between both groups in the post- to pre-operative FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratios, with the better preservation of the ventilatory function in the epidural group (P = 0.001, 0.013, <0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION. The analgesic effect of intermittent epidural fentanyl is not adequate and postoperative pain relief has not any significant advantage over the more easily-applied intravenous analgesia. However, better preservation of ventilatory function makes epidural fentanyl a useful adjunct analgesia in reduction of post-thoracotomy pulmonary complications.     

Lung function and quality of analgesia after lung resection with epidural alfentanyl

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects on postoperative pulmonary function and quality of analgesia of two protocols for epidural infusion of alfentanil after lung resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After informed consent, 30 ASA I-IV patients undergoing chest surgery (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) were randomly assigned to two groups of 15. A catheter was inserted into the epidural space at T5-7 (group T) or L2-3 (group L). After a test dose, an initial bolus of alfentanil (10 micrograms/kg) was administered. After anesthetic induction, epidural analgesia was performed with an infusion of 400 micrograms/h of alfentanil (group L) during and after surgery. Endovenous patent-controlled anesthesia (PCA) was provided with morphine. During the first 24 h after surgery, the following variables were recorded: arterial blood gas concentrations, spirometric parameters, pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) and side effects. ANOVA and Scheffé and chi-square tests were used to analyze the results (p < or = 0.05). RESULTS: In group T, PaO2 was significantly higher at 6 and 18 h (p < or = 0.05), while FEV1 and FVC were significantly higher at 12 and 18 h. Pain assessed by VAS and PCA need for morphine was significantly less in group T. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural analgesia with alfentanil and lidocaine improves postoperative lung function and reduces the need for top-up analgesia in comparison with lumbar epidural infusion of alfentanil.     

Importance of airflow obstruction after thoracoplasty.

Thirty six patients previously treated for pulmonary tuberculosis by thoracoplasty were studied to determine the prevalence and effect of airflow obstruction. The mean (SD) FEV1 was 1.3 (0.65) 1 and the mean forced expiratory ratio (FER) 64% (12%). FEV1 was less than predicted in every patient whereas FER was less than predicted in 30, being below the lower 98th percentile in 15 (42%). In the 18 patients who complained of breathlessness the means of the standardised residuals (SR) for FEV1, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and FER were significantly lower and that for residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) significantly higher than those for the 18 patients who were not breathless (all p less than 0.0001). There was no difference in the smoking history of the two groups. Only three of the 23 patients in whom reversibility of airflow obstruction was assessed showed a greater than 25% increase in PEF. None showed an increase in FEV1 of greater than 15%. The 18 who were breathless had significantly lower values of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and higher values of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) (p less than 0.0001). Thirteen of these patients were in chronic respiratory failure (PaO2 less than 8.0 kPa or PaCO2 greater than 5.9 kPa, or both) compared with only one of the 18 who were not breathless. The indices correlating best with PaO2 and PaCO2 were SR FEV1 and SR PEF respectively. SR FEV1 accounted for 34% of the variance in PaO2 and SR PEF for 29% of the variance in PaCO2. Airflow obstruction has been found to be common in patients with a thoracoplasty and to be associated with hypoxia and hypercapnia.     

Lumbar versus thoracic epidural buprenorphine for postoperative analgesia following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is reported to provide effective analgesia following cardiac surgery. We compared the effect of buprenorphine (BN) through the lumbar and thoracic epidural routes for postoperative analgesia following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: Forty patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction scheduled for CABG were randomly divided into two groups, the TEA group (n = 19) and the lumbar epidural analgesia (LEA) group (n = 20). For postoperative pain relief they received epidural BN 0.15 mg at the first demand for pain relief following extubation. A top-up dose of BN 0.15 mg was administered in cases where visual analogue scale (VAS) score was > 3 at 1 h after first dose. Subsequent breakthrough pain was treated with 30 mg intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine (ketorolac). Pain assessed by VAS score on a 0-10 scale, respiratory rate, FEV1, FVC, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, PaO2 and PaCO2 were measured at frequent intervals. Side effects of epidural opioids were noted. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in demographic characteristics, had similar VAS scores from 1 to 24 h postoperatively, required similar amounts of intramuscular ketorolac for break-through pain and had comparable pulmonary functions and side effects. CONCLUSION: This study shows that BN by the lumbar epidural route for analgesia after CABG compares favourably with the same drug through the thoracic route in terms of quality of analgesia and incidence of side effects.     

Postoperative pain treatment after cholecystectomy with epidural sufentanil at lumbar or thoracic level

The difference in analgesic activity following lumbar (group I) or thoracic (group II) epidural administration of 50 ug sufentanil was studied after cholecystectomy. Fifteen patients in each group were evaluated for pain relief using a linear analog scale (LAS), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV,) and arterial CO₂ tension (Paco₂). In five additional patients in each group 75 μg sufentanil was injected for determination of serum levels. Pain scores were lower than three in both groups after 10 min, while mean pain scores remained below one from 20 min until 2 h following injection in both groups. Satisfactory pain relief lasted for 4 h. RR was significantly decreased from two until 360 min. in the lumbar group and from five until 120 min in the thoracic group. Paco₂ was raised in both groups only during the first hour. PEF and FVC were significantly improved compared to control 1, 2 and 4 h following injection. Serum sufentanil levels reached a maximum of 0.299 ±0.052 ng.ml^-1 in the lumbar group and 0.377 ± 0.076 ng–ml^-1 in the thoracic group after 5 min. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the variables studied.     

Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction after bilateral inguinal hernia repair: a prospective randomized study comparing the Stoppa procedure with laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair (TEPP)

The infraumbilical incision required for open repair of bilateral inguinal hernia with a giant prosthesis is associated with postoperative pain and respiratory impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative respiratory dysfunction after bilateral hernia surgery. Thirty-nine patients were randomized into two groups: open repair according to the Stoppa technique and laparoscopic extraperitoneal repair (TEPP). Respiratory function tests were performed before and 24 hours after surgery. The two groups were well matched for age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk score, type of hernia, and preoperative lung function. The postoperative forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1.0) were significantly altered in both groups. The PEF dropped 15% in both groups. The FVC dropped 22% after Stoppa versus 25% after laparoscopy (P = 0.7). The FEV 1.0 dropped 21% after Stoppa versus 9% after laparoscopy (P = 0.12). We conclude that laparoscopic preperitoneal and open bilateral hernia repair are followed by similar ventilatory dysfunction, although a trend toward better postoperative FEV 1.0 was noted after laparoscopy. This might play a role in selected patients with severe pulmonary limitations. Overall, the limited drop in pulmonary function following bilateral hernia repair under general anesthesia may serve to explain the low pulmonary morbidity that follows these procedures.     

Impact of laryngeal mask airway and tracheal tube on pulmonary function during the early postoperative period

BACKGROUND: The tracheal tube (TT) produces reversible bronchoconstriction and increases pulmonary airway resistance compared to the laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The possible persistence of this effect in the postoperative period has not been studied. The aim of this study was to compare the early postoperative pulmonary function in healthy patients undergoing minor surgical procedures with the LMA or with the TT. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for saphenous vein stripping under general anaesthesia were randomised to receive the LMA or the TT. Before anaesthesia and 20 min after LMA or TT removal, pulse oxymetry values (SpO(2)) were recorded and patients performed forced spirometry in the supine position. RESULTS: Preoperative pulmonary function was normal in both groups. There were no differences between groups in the preoperative respiratory function test and SpO(2). Following surgery SpO(2), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) decreased in both groups. The FEV1/FVC did not change in either of the groups. In the TT group, compared to patients using the LMA, there was a greater relative decrease of SpO(2) (2.7 +/- 2.7% vs. 1.3 +/- 2.2%, P=0.017), FEV1 (17.6 +/- 12.2% vs. 8 +/- 17.4%, P=0.008), FVC (15.8 +/- 12.4% vs. 9 +/- 13.4%, P=0.023) and PEF (20.6% +/- 15.3% vs. 8.1 +/- 33.3%, P=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates greater early postoperative respiratory restrictive syndrome and lower arterial oxygen saturation following tracheal intubation compared to LMA use in patients without respiratory disease.     

The effects of different abdominal pressures on pulmonary function test results in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

This study aimed to examine the effects of differing intra-abdominal pressures on pulmonary function test results in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Forty-five patients were operated on under 3 different intra-abdominal pressures: group A (8 mm Hg), group B (12 mm Hg), and group C (15 mm Hg). On the first day before and after the operation, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC rate, peak expiratory flow speed (PEF), and maximal middle expiration speed (FEF25-75) values were measured using Vmax 229 spirometry. No significant differences were observed among the 3 groups regarding preoperative and postoperative FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and FEF25-75 values (P=0.96, P=0.73, P=0.48, P=0.34, and P=0.33, respectively). When the groups' preoperative and postoperative values were compared, FVC, FEV1, and PEF values significantly decreased in each group. The FEF25-75 values statistically significantly decreased in groups B and C when compared with their preoperative values; however, the decrease in group A was not significant. In conclusion, different intra-abdominal pressures during laparoscopic cholecystectomy had similar effects on pulmonary function test results. However, lower intra-abdominal pressures were associated with slightly more negative effects on FEF25-75 values.     

Comparison of magnesium sulfate with opioid and NSAIDs on postoperative pain management after coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE: This study measured the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate during and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on postoperative pain and respiratory functions, and compared it with 2 other well-known and widely used analgesic agents: codeine and diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). DESIGN: Prospective unblinded study. Setting: Single institution. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing CABG. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 3 groups. In group A (n = 50), intraoperative magnesium sulfate, 2 g/70 kg, was infused intravenously and was continued during the first 3 days postoperatively. In group B (n = 50), codeine, 60 mg/70 kg, was given orally 4 times a day for 3 days. In group C (n = 50), diclofenac sodium, 75 mg, was given orally twice a day for 3 days. MAIN RESULTS: On the first postoperative day the visual analog scale (VAS) score was greater than 5 in all groups. On the second day the VAS score was greater than 5 in groups B and C, and was less than 5 in group A. On the third day the VAS score was less than 5 in all groups. During the first 2 postoperative days the need for morphine was significantly less in group A than in the other 2 groups. Preoperative respiratory function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC) were similar in each group. The FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC values on the postoperative first, second, and third days were significantly higher in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium sulfate can be a beneficial adjuvant therapy for pain after CABG. In this respect, especially in patients with respiratory problems or intolerance to NSAIDs, magnesium sulfate can be a better choice than NSAIDs and opioids.     

Forced expiratory indices in normal black southern African children aged 6-19 years.

Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC x 100), forced mid expiratory flow (FMF), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured in 2000 non-smoking black African schoolchildren aged 6-19 years from Umtata in the Republic of Transkei in Southern Africa. FVC, FEV1, FMF, and PEF were highly correlated with each other and all were highly correlated with age and standing height in both sexes. There was a significant negative correlation between FEV1/FVC and both age and standing height. An increase in the slope of the increase in FVC for both age and height occurred at 11 years and 143 cm in girls and at 13 years and 150 cm in boys. This continued for about two years and 10 cm in both groups before it declined. The mean values of FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEF in the present study were 14% lower than those obtained in black American schoolchildren. The present study is the largest study of urban black African schoolchildren and provides useful reference values.     

Pulmonary function and symptoms in workers exposed to wood dust.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to wood dust can cause a variety of lung problems, including chronic airflow obstruction. METHODS: Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC x 100), forced expiratory flow (FEF), forced mid expiratory flow (FMF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, breathlessness, wheezing, and nasal symptoms) were recorded in 145 non-smoking workers (77 male, 68 female) exposed to wood dust in a furniture factory in Umtata, Republic of Transkei, and 152 non-smoking control subjects (77 male, 75 female) from a bottling factory with a clean environment. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and standing height the forced expiratory indices were significantly lower in the exposed male workers than in the control subjects. FEF and PEF in the exposed men were 81.3% and 89.4% of predicted values and were lower than other indices. FVC in exposed men showed a significant inverse correlation with exposure (expressed in number of years of employment). The FVC was reduced by 26 ml per year of employment. The proportion of men with an FEV1/FVC below 70 was higher in exposed workers than in control subjects and higher in the exposed workers with more years of employment. The exposed workers had more respiratory symptoms than the control subjects, the prevalence, especially of cough and nasal symptoms, increasing with the increase in the number of years of employment. CONCLUSION: Workers exposed to pine and fibre dust have more respiratory symptoms and a greater risk of airflow obstruction.     

Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia versus combined spinal/thoracic epidural analgesia on pain, pulmonary function and the metabolic response following colonic resection

Background: The neuroendocrine response following major surgery has not been previously influenced by either regional anaesthetic techniques or opioid analgesia probably due to insufficient intraoperative afferent neural blockade. In this study we attempted to determine whether significant inhibition of these pathways could be achieved by combining preoperative high spinal anaesthesia with postoperative thoracic epidural anaesthesia. In theory too, there may be additional benefits over perioperative thoracic epidural anaesthesia on pain and pulmonary dysfunction. Methods: 20 ASA 1–3 patients undergoing elective colonic surgery were studied. Gp 1 (n=10) received a high spinal intraoperative block to T4 using 6mls of 0.5% bupivacaine plus continuous epidural 0.125% bupivacaine/0.0025% diamorphine. Gp 2 (n=10) patients received epidural 0.5% bupivacaine block to T4 plus continuous epidural infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine/0.0025% diamorphine. We measured a) plasma glucose and Cortisol at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 h; b) forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and peak flow rate (PFR) preoperatively, at 8 and 24 h; c) visual analogue pain scores (VAS 0–10) at rest, cough and mobilisation at 8 and 24 h; d) block height every hour for 12 hours then 3 hourly; e) 24-hour urine volumes for dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline f) 24-hour PCA morphine requirements. Results: The two groups did not differ in age, sex, height, weight, duration of surgery, blood loss or serum albumin. Pain relief was excellent and similar in both groups. The average 24 hour morphine consumption was 10 mg in both groups with no differences in the block height. All the patients had a 30–50% reduction in FEV1, FVC and PFR (P>0.05). Metabolically, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups except a higher rise in glucose in Gpl at 2 and 3 h (P=0.0312 and 0.014). 24-hour catecholamine studies showed no differences for noradrenaline (P=0.8), adrenaline (P=0.47) and dopamine (P=0.36). Conclusions: Thoracic epidural bupivacaine/diamorphine infusion provided excellent postoperative analgesia following colonic surgery. An intraoperative combined spinal/epidural technique conferred no additional benefit on analgesia, pulmonary function and the neuroendocrine response.     

超声引导下连续胸椎旁神经阻滞对开胸术后肺功能的影响

目的观察超声引导下连续胸椎旁神经阻滞对开胸术后肺功能的影响。方法选择择期开胸手术患者60例,男29例,女31例,年龄18~60岁,BMI 16~28kg/m2,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为两组,每组30例。G组:单纯全身麻醉+术后自控静脉镇痛(PCIA);GP组:全麻复合连续胸椎旁神经阻滞(CTPVB)+术后CTPVB镇痛,诱导前患者清醒时行CTPVB,通过测定阻滞范围判断CTPVB效果。两组均于术毕缝皮时启动镇痛泵行自控镇痛。记录患者拔出气管导管30min(T1)、术后2h(T2)、6h(T3)、24h(T4)、48h(T5)静息和咳嗽时VAS评分。采用肺功能仪测定入室后(T0)、T4、T5时的用力肺活量(FVC)、1秒用力呼气容量(FEV1)、最大呼气中段流量(MMF),记录三次测量的最大值;用血气分析仪测定相应时段的血气分析各一次,抽取桡动脉血标本前停止吸氧30min,记录PaCO2、PaO2、肺泡动脉血氧分压差(PA-aO2)。观察术后不良反应发生情况。结果 T1~T5时GP组静息和咳嗽时VAS评分明显低于G组(P0.05)。与T0时比较,T4、T5时两组FVC、FEV1、MMF明显降低(P0.05),GP组明显高于G组(P0.05)。与T0时比较,T4、T5时两组PaO2明显降低(P0.05)、PA-aO2明显增大(P0.05);T4、T5时GP组的PaO2明显高于G组、PA-a O2明显小于G组(P0.05)。结论超声引导下CTPVB镇痛效果完善,可明显改善开胸术后肺功能,促进肺部氧合。     

The effect of epidural injection with morphine on the post-thoracotomy respiratory function

Patients undergoing thoracotomy experience severe post-operative pain and marked respiratory impairment, which causes pulmonary atelectasis and pneumonia. The effects of epidural injection on postoperative pain and respiratory function were examined in this study. The group undergoing epidural injection of 3 mg morphine (at the end of operation, 09oo and 21oo for the next 3 days) included 37 patients, while the control group involved 16. The number of required analgesics on the operating day and next three days were compared between the two groups. And postoperative vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), maximum mean flow (MMF) were compared with preoperative value. Patients receiving epidural morphine required significantly less analgesics throughout the postoperative periods (p less than 0.01). The morphine injected group had significantly better value in VC and FEV1 in the first two postoperative day (p less than 0.01), while significance were seen only in the first postoperative day in MMF (p less than 0.01). It seems that epidural morphine is highly effective in alleviating pain and improving respiratory function in post-thoracotomy patients. These effects help the expectoration of sputum especially in senile patients. As the side-effects of epidural morphine, urinary retention, nausea, vomiting and itching were seen in few patients. No serious side effect such as hypotension or ventilatory depression were seen.     

Respiratory Performance after Upper Abdominal Surgery. A Comparison of Pain Relief with Intercostal Blocks and Centrally Acting Analgesics

The respiratory capacity was studied during the first 2 days postoperatively in 94 patients, aged 19 to 75 years and undergoing surgery through an upper abdominal incision. Postoperative pain relief was randomly administered, either by intercostal block (i.c.b.) and centrally acting analgesics on demand, or by centrally acting analgesics alone. Respiratory studies comprising forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and analysis of arterial blood gases were made. Bilateral i.c.b. given after surgery performed through a midline incision did not improve the respiratory function, whereas unilateral i.c.b. after surgery through a subcostal incision had positive effects. Thus postoperative i.c.b. following cholecystectomy performed through a subcostal incision resulted in higher FVC, FEV1 and PEF values than without i.c.b. at least during the time of effective nerve block. I.c.b. after subcostal incision also improved arterial oxygen tension. The patients undergoing cholecystectomy and receiving a second i.c.b. 8 h after the first one had better respiratory function than the patients without any block during the first 2 days postoperatively.     

Relationship between exacerbation frequency and lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by both an accelerated decline in lung function and periods of acute deterioration in symptoms termed exacerbations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these are related. METHODS: Over 4 years, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and symptoms were measured at home daily by 109 patients with COPD (81 men; median (IQR) age 68.1 (63-74) years; arterial oxygen tension (PaO(2)) 9.00 (8.3-9.5) kPa, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) 1.00 (0.7-1.3) l, forced vital capacity (FVC) 2.51 (1.9-3.0) l); of these, 32 (29 men) recorded daily FEV(1). Exacerbations were identified from symptoms and the effect of frequent or infrequent exacerbations (> or < 2.92 per year) on lung function decline was examined using cross sectional, random effects models. RESULTS: The 109 patients experienced 757 exacerbations. Patients with frequent exacerbations had a significantly faster decline in FEV(1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) of -40.1 ml/year (n=16) and -2.9 l/min/year (n=46) than infrequent exacerbators in whom FEV(1) changed by -32.1 ml/year (n=16) and PEF by -0.7 l/min/year (n=63). Frequent exacerbators also had a greater decline in FEV(1) if allowance was made for smoking status. Patients with frequent exacerbations were more often admitted to hospital with longer length of stay. Frequent exacerbations were a consistent feature within a patient, with their number positively correlated (between years 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the frequency of exacerbations contributes to long term decline in lung function of patients with moderate to severe COPD.     

Anesthesia for lung volume reduction surgery

Background: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has become a novel palliative procedure for a subgroup of patients with advanced non-bullous emphysema. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with severe emphysema were evaluated: ten patients were considered for lung transplantation and only 24 underwent LVRS. In all patients an epidural catheter was inserted between the T5-T9 space. During one lung ventilation (OLV), ventilatory setting was adjusted to avoid air trapping and/or dynamic hyperinflation and high frequency jet ventilation was used when PaO2/ FiO2 was lower than 60 mmHg in 5 patients. Permissive hypercapnia (PaCO2=53 mmHg) was allowed to avoid hyperinflation and reach hemodynamic stability. RESULTS: During OLV PaO2/FiO2 was 148+/-80 mmHg, PaCO2 53+/-11 mmHg, mPA 27+/-2 mmHg and Qsp/Qt was 38+/-6%. Although the high risk patients, there were no complications due to hypercapnia during surgery. Twenty-three patients were extubated successfully at the end of the surgery (PaO2/FiO2 179+/-34 mmHg and PaCO2 59+/-11 mmHg) and only one patient was not extubated because of air leakage and died for postoperative respiratory failure after 20 days. Another patient died because of sepsis after 15 days. Numeric Ordinal Verbal Scale (by Keele modified) was used for postoperative pain degree at 0, 12th and 24th hours. No patients had pain>2. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a careful anesthesia technique with an accurate intraop monitoring associated with thoracic epidural analgesia even in Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery is suggested in LVRS patients; 12 months postoperative data confirm the validity of the procedure (FEV1 24 AE 36%, FVC 53 AE 70%, RV 265 AE 199% and 6MWT 213 AE 330 m).