Laser Doppler perfusion imaging of the radial forearm flap: a clinical study.

Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) allows non-invasive assessment of blood flow in a predefined area of skin rather than at one single point. We have used LDPI to study the pattern of skin blood flow in the radial forearm flap before and after the flap has been raised. The data were collected from a consecutive series of 11 patients with cancer of the oral cavity or oropharynx in whom the radial forearm flap had been used during the reconstructive procedure. Reperfusion leads to an immediate hyperaemic response both in the flap and the surrounding skin. This hyperaemia remains for at least the first 30 minutes after reperfusion. The perfusion of the radial side of the forearm skin distal to the flap is significantly lower than that on the ulnar side after the skin island has been raised and the distal artery divided. We suggest that LDPI is useful for monitoring the perfusion of free skin flaps.     

An evaluation of the effect of a gastric ischemia–reperfusion model with laser Doppler blood perfusion imaging

The objectives of this study are to establish a gastric ischemia–reperfusion model and test it using the laser Doppler blood perfusion imaging (LDPI) method and to evaluate the role of the LDPI technique in the measure of gastric blood circulation. The right gastric artery of the rat was clamped for 30 min and then reperfused. The LDPI was used to display the blood circulation of the whole gastric surface during this process. The blood flow perfusion image of the gastric surface was displayed clearly. After the right gastric artery was clamped, the blood flow perfusion on the gastric surface decreased very significantly until the clamp was loosed. Following reperfusion, the blood flow suddenly increased. Within the first 10 min, the blood-flow perfusion exceeded the level before the clamping and then gradually became smooth and steady. The right gastric artery is a main pathway for gastric blood supply. LDPI can display successfully the blood circulation state of the stomach and the course of ischemia–reperfusion of a large area with an image.     

Antiemetic studies with traditional Chinese acupuncture

The application of low frequency (10 Hz) electrical current for 5 minutes to an acupuncture needle placed at the P6 (Neiguan) point is as effective as manual needling in the reduction of emetic sequelae in women premedicated with nalbuphine 10 mg for a minor gynaecological operation carried out under a standard anaesthetic. Both were slightly, but not significantly, better than the antiemetic properties of cyclizine 50 mg.     

穴位按压腕带缓解术后恶心呕吐随机对照试验的Meta分析

目的评价穴位按压腕带作用于内关穴缓解成人术后恶心呕吐的效果。方法检索MEDLINE、CNKI等数据库,纳入所有相关的随机对照试验(RCT),采用RevMan5.0分析数据。结果共纳入9个RCT。相对于安慰剂对照组,试验组即穴位按压腕带作用于内关穴可以有效减少术后呕吐的发生率(RR=0.50,95%CI:0.37~0.66,P<0.01)。而对于术后恶心的发生率,试验组和安慰剂对照组的差异无统计学意义(RR=0.85,95%CI:0.72~1.00,P>0.05)。结论术后护理中应用穴位按压腕带作用于内关穴可以有效缓解术后呕吐,而缓解术后恶心作用不显著,需要今后的研究者进行更加可靠的RCT试验进一步研究和探讨。护理人员可以引进穴位按压腕带进行有效性和适用性的研究。     

High-intensity laser for acupuncture-like stimulation

The insertion of needles into specific parts of the body was shown to provide analgesic and therapeutic effects. In this study, we tested the analgesic effects of high-intensity infrared laser for acupuncture-like stimulation. Twelve adult Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 230 to 250 g were randomly assigned to laser, needle, or restraint groups. Stimulation was directed to the meridian point Taixi (KI 3) for 10 min. For laser stimulation, a pulsed Er:YAG system was used. The laser settings were adjusted to provide a focal raise in the skin temperature to about 45°C. The anti-nociceptive effect was evaluated by the tail-flick test. Both needling and laser stimulation significantly increased the tail-flick latency. Peak needling effect was observed immediately after treatment, while laser stimulation was effective both immediately and 45 min after treatment. High-intensity laser stimulation may be used alternatively or in combination with conventional acupuncture needling for pain relief.     

Acupuncture of LI-4 in anesthetized healthy humans decreases cerebral blood flow in the putamen measured with positron emission tomography

To minimize the influence of exogenous factors, 13 volunteers were anesthetized with sevoflurane 1 MAC while exposed to manual acupuncture stimulation of LI-4 (Group 1, n = 7) or a placebo point in the space between the third and fourth metacarpals (Group II, n = 6). During anesthesia (baseline) and anesthesia + acupuncture, one H2(15)O scan was performed, respectively. Group I demonstrated a significant decrease in regional cerebral blood flow in the right medial frontal gyrus (20%) and in the left putamen (17%). In Group II regional cerebral blood flow was decreased in the right medial frontal gyrus (22%); in the putamen no significant changes were observed. These data suggest that needle penetration of the skin affects the medial frontal gyrus, whereas acupuncture of LI-4 influences the putamen.     

Controlled Oxygenated Rewarming of Cold Stored Liver Grafts by Thermally Graduated Machine Perfusion Prior to Reperfusion

The quality of cold‐stored livers declines with the extension of ischemic time, increasing the risk of primary dys or nonfunction. A new concept to rescue preserved marginal liver grafts by gentle oxygenated warming‐up prior to blood reperfusion was investigated. Porcine livers were preserved by cold storage (CS) in modified HTK‐solution for 18 h. Some grafts were subsequently subjected to 90 min of controlled oxygenated rewarming (COR) by machine perfusion with gradual increase of perfusate temperature up to 20°C or simple oxygenated machine perfusion in hypothermia (HMP) or subnormothermia (SNP). Graft viability was assessed thereafter by 4 h of normothermic blood reperfusion ex vivo. Endischemic tissue energetics were significantly improved by COR or SNP and to a notably lesser extent by HMP. COR significantly reduced cellular enzyme loss, gene expression and perfusate activities of TNF‐alpha, radical mediated lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increase of portal vascular perfusion resistance upon reperfusion, while HMP or SNP were less protective. Only COR resulted in significantly more bile production than after CS. Histological injury score and caspase 3‐activation were significantly lower after COR than after CS. Oxygenated rewarming prior to reperfusion seems to be a promising technique to improve subsequent organ recovery upon reperfusion of long preserved liver grafts.     

Laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) - for the assessment of skin blood flow changes following sympathetic blocks

A laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) for evaluation of skin blood flow is presented and its use illustrated in two cases with a presumptive diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) treated with local anesthetic sympathetic blocks. Among the advantages are the good spatial resolution over the area measured (12 times 12 cm) and that measurements can be done without contact with the skin. Generating a complete image takes 4.5 min but if higher temporal resolution is needed continuous measurements at one point are possible by use of another software routine.     

Perfusion of buttock skin in healthy volunteers after long and short repetitive loading evaluated by laser Doppler perfusion imager

Frequent unloading is vital to avoid pressure ulcers of the seat area in patients with injuries to the spinal cord. The duration of unloading is probably as important as that of the sitting period in the prophylaxis of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the microcirculatory reactions after occlusion of the buttock skin after repeated ischaemic provocation. The perfusion of buttock skin was studied with a laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) in healthy people after short and long periods of sitting (repeated four times). The perfusion increased significantly during the consecutive loadings compared with the first loading, and this effect was more profound after the long load. Repeated periods of ischaemia of the buttock skin without allowing the tissues to recover resulted in increasing reactive hyperaemia, and are therefore probably more damaging than single loadings. This is important when establishing clinical guidelines for the prophylaxis of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries.     

Perfusion of buttock skin in healthy volunteers after long and short repetitive loading evaluated by laser Doppler perfusion imager.

Frequent unloading is vital to avoid pressure ulcers of the seat area in patients with injuries to the spinal cord. The duration of unloading is probably as important as that of the sitting period in the prophylaxis of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the microcirculatory reactions after occlusion of the buttock skin after repeated ischaemic provocation. The perfusion of buttock skin was studied with a laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) in healthy people after short and long periods of sitting (repeated four times). The perfusion increased significantly during the consecutive loadings compared with the first loading, and this effect was more profound after the long load. Repeated periods of ischaemia of the buttock skin without allowing the tissues to recover resulted in increasing reactive hyperaemia, and are therefore probably more damaging than single loadings. This is important when establishing clinical guidelines for the prophylaxis of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries.     

Methodologies,Devices, and New Surgical Concepts: A Device for Noninvasive Assessment of Perfusion Pressure in the Skin of Healthy Volunteers

A device allowing pressure to be applied to a local skin site where the skin blood flow is followed using laser Doppler flowmetry is described. The blood flow was studied on the buck of the hand in eight volunteers before and during brachial arterial occlusion and while the external pressure was increased step by step. The flowmetry value during arterial occlusion was 0.3 ± 0.1 AU. and when the external pressure was increased to 120 mm Hg the values was similar (p =. 44). The shin perfusion pressure, defined as the least external pressure needed to achieve flow cessation, was found to be 92 ± 16 mm Hg (range 70–111 mm Hg), and the mean arterial pressure was 90 ± 9 mm Hg (NS). The skin perfusion value is in agreement with that found by others using other techniques for measuring blood flow and a circumferent cuff for applying pressure.     

Measurement of depth of burns by laser Doppler perfusion imaging

Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), is a further development in laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Its advantage is that it enables assessment of microvascular blood flow in a predefined skin area rather than, as for LDF, in one place. In many ways this method seems to be more promising than LDF in the assessment of burn wounds. However, several methodological issues that are inherent in the LDPI technique, and are relevant for the assessment of burn depth, must be clarified. These include the effect of scanning distance, curvature of the tissue, thickness of topical wound dressings, and pathophysiological effects of skin colour, blisters, and wound fluids. Furthermore, we soon realised that to examine the perfusion image generated by LDPI adequately the process of analysis was appreciably improved by the simultaneous use of digital photography. In the present investigation we used both in vitro and in vivo models and also examined burned patients, and found that the listed factors all significantly affected the LDPI output signal. However, if these factors are known to the examiner, most of them can be adjusted for. If the technique is further improved by minimizing such effects and by reducing the practical difficulties of applying it to a burned patient in the burns unit, the technique may find uses in everyday clinical decision-making.     

Advantages of Continuous Noncardioplegic Warm Blood Retrograde Perfusion Over Antegrade Perfusion During Proximal Coronary Anastomoses

Retrograde perfusion via the coronary sinus supplies vascular beds distal to coronary stenoses and has been used for administration of cardioplegia. An additional application is to supply noncardioplegic retrograde perfusion while performing proximal anastomoses (a time when cardiac arrest is not critical). The aim of this study was to determine the safety of this technique and to study the metabolic changes with antegrade versus retrograde warm blood perfusion. Sixty-six patients, with good left ventricular function, underwent distal coronary bypass in a similar fashion. Proximal anastomoses were done with 1) partial occlusion clamp (n = 29) or 2) cross-clamp on and continuous, warm, noncardioplegic retrograde blood perfusion (n = 37). In an additional 10 patients, metabolism was assessed with antegrade and retrograde perfusion during proximal anastomoses. Despite longer cross-clamp times (96.4 ± 6.2 vs 80.8 ± 3.1 min, p < 0.05) with retrograde perfusion, the total duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was significantly less (119.6 ± 6.2 vs 136.6 ± 4.6 min, p < 0.05). There was superior postbypass, intraoperative hemodynamics (cardiac index) with retrograde perfusion (4.0 ± 0.2 vs 3.6 ± 0.1 L/min/m²). The incidence of postoperative dysrhythmia was not significantly different between groups. Oxygen and glucose utilization was more efficient with retrograde perfusion. Retrograde perfusion during proximal anastomoses is a safe technique. There is diminished risk of aortic dissection, atheroembolism, delayed aneurysm formation, or rupture due to avoidance of application of partial occlusion clamps. There is evidence of superior substrate utilization.     

长圆针针刺结筋病灶点（阿是穴）结合毫针疗法治疗斑秃35例临床观察

目的：探讨斑秃的发病机理及治疗方法。方法：用长圆针针刺结筋病灶点结合毫针在病变局部围刺及枕骨上下项线阿是穴排刺法,对35例斑秃患者进行治疗。结果：所有患者症状均有明显改善（脱发区生长〉70%）,总有效率为100%。结论：长圆针针刺结筋病灶点（阿是穴）结合毫针疗法治疗斑秃效果显著。     

芒针透刺秩边-水道穴对脊髓损伤后尿潴留膀胱尿动力学的影响

目的:探讨芒针透刺秩边-水道穴治疗脊髓损伤后尿潴留的机制。方法:选择健康日本大耳兔35只,体质量(2.50±0.25)kg,3月龄,雌雄不拘。随机将其分为空白组、模型组、针灸对照组、芒针透刺组4组(空白组5只,其他每组10只)。以改良式Allen’s脊髓损伤造模法对模型组、针灸对照组、芒针透刺组动物进行造模(空白组只行假手术,不造模)。模型建立后芒针组立即给予芒针双侧穴位透刺,并进行电针刺激,电刺激15min,刺激频率20～40次/min,强度1.5～3V;针灸对照组立即给予普通电针针刺,其他处置同芒针组;模型组不予电针,静待15min,开始与芒针组同样的方法检测和记录各项观察指标;空白组只做假手术,其他不予处理。以Tarlov评分、排尿点膀胱内压、排尿阈值、排尿量为观察指标,探讨芒针透刺秩边-水道穴对膀胱尿动力学的影响。结果:造模的3组动物脊髓损伤后均出现尿潴留,术后5d芒针组、针灸对照组、模型组Tarlov评分较术后1d明显改善(P<0.05),而术后5d芒针组与针灸对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。芒针组、针灸对照组较模型组在术后5d排尿点膀胱内压值有不同程度下降,相对于针灸对照组,芒针组排尿点膀胱内压下降更为明显(P<0.05);术后5d芒针组和针灸对照组较模型组排尿阈值有明显改善(P<0.05),相对于针灸对照组,芒针组改善更为明显(P<0.05);术后5d芒针组和针灸对照组较模型组排尿量有明显增加(P<0.05),相对于针灸对照组,芒针组尿量增加更为明显(P<0.05)。结论:芒针透刺秩边-水道穴治疗脊髓损伤后尿潴留治疗效果优于一般针灸方法,其治疗机制与刺激膀胱周围神经,纠正逼尿肌-括约肌紊乱有关。     

Laser doppler flowmetry in combined needle acupuncture and moxibustion: a pilot study in healthy adults

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) (DRT 4/Moor Instruments Ltd, Devon, UK) was used in this pilot study for monitoring the effects of an invariable acupuncture pattern on microcirculation of the skin before, during, and after combined needle acupuncture and moxibustion in 12 healthy volunteers (mean age 35.2±4.4 years, range 26–41 years, four female and eight male). According to the standards of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this acupuncture pattern is assumed to be unspecific and non-therapeutic. Flux decreased during the treatment period (p<0.05) compared to the control phase before combined needle acupuncture and moxibustion. After the removal of the needles, flux did not return to the initial control value. No significant differences between mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature or gender were detected. A prediction of individual incidences and kinds of acupuncture effects in our healthy volunteers was not possible. Modern monitoring techniques like LDF could be a method to separate responders from non-responders to acupuncture in peripheral microcirculatory disorders. Further studies on patients with peripheral microcirculatory disorders are necessary in order to demonstrate the value of LDF in detecting responders/non-responders in combination with therapeutic acupuncture patterns according to TCM. Paper received 13 September 2000; accepted after revision 2 October 2000.     

Effects of thermoregulatory vasoconstriction on pulse hemoglobin measurements using a co-oximeter in patients undergoing surgery

Study ObjectiveTo validate intraoperative pulse hemoglobin (SpHb) measurements in anesthetized patients with large forearm temperature – fingertip temperature gradients.Designprospective and observational study.SettingOperating room of a university hospital.Patients28 patients undergoing surgery during general anesthesia, requiring arterial blood withdrawal.InterventionsRadial arterial blood pressure, forearm and fingertip skin surface temperatures, and SpHb were monitored.MeasurementsPaired SpHb and arterial hemoglobin (Hb) measurements at different skin-surface temperature gradients.Main ResultsA total of 175 paired SpHb and arterial Hb measurements were analyzed. The mean SpHb to arterial Hb differences in each group were 0.33 ± 1.41 g/dL in the < 1°C group of the forearm temperature – fingertip temperature gradient, -0.31 ± 1.24 g/dL in the 1 - 2°C group, - 0.59 ± 1.11 g/dL in the 2 - 3°C group, and - 0.53 ± 0.87 g/dL in the > 3°C group (P < 0.05). The percentage of nonmeasurable SpHb due to low perfusion state was 0% (0 of 115 paired measurements) in the < 1°C group, 6.7% (2 of 30 pairs) in the 1 - 2°C group, 16.7% (3 of 18 pairs) in the 2 - 3°C group, and 66.7% (8 of 12 pairs) in the > 3°C group.ConclusionSpHb measured at fingertip was significantly affected by the perfusion state, with lower perfusion associated with lower SpHb. Thermoregulatory vasoconstriction affects measurement of SpHb.     

Effect of α-tocopherol,taurine and selenium on the attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion injury of splanchnic organs

Background: Splanchnic artery occlusion shock is caused by increased capillary permeability and cellular injury precipitated by oxygen derived free radicals following ischemia and reperfusion of splanchnic organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of several wellknown oxygen-derived free radical scavengers in ameliorating or preventing this syndrome. Study design: Anesthetized rats were subjected to periods of occlusion of the visceral arteries and reperfusion. Tocopherol, taurine, selenium or a ‘cocktail’ of these three agents was injected subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days prior to operation. Mean arterial blood pressure was measured throughout the experimental period. Fluorometry and technetium-99m pyrophosphate counting of the visceral organs were performed as well as a histologic grading system for intestinal viability. Results: Final mean arterial blood pressure associated with the ‘cocktail’ and selenium groups was 79.1 ± 27.4 mmHg and 83.6 ± 17.8 mmHg, respectively. These values were significantly higher than the control group, 40.8 ± 11.4 mmHg (P < 0.05). Similar patterns of the benefit of selenium in contrast with the other groups were obtained with fluorescein perfusion, radioisotopic activity and histologie analysis. Conclusion: Pretreatment with selenium of splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion in the rat improves mean arterial blood pressure and microcirculatory visceral perfusion. Further analysis of the precise protective mechanism of selenium for reperfusion injury will enable visceral organs to withstand the consequences of increased capillary leakage and oxidant injury.     

两种不同的温针方法治疗早期腰椎间盘突出症

目的 观察艾条温针及酒精温针用于腰椎间盘突出症早期治疗的临床疗效.方法 79例腰椎间盘突出症患者随机分为三组,分别采用毫针针刺、艾条温针及酒精温针治疗2个疗程,分析治疗前后的疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)评分及综合临床疗效.结果 三组治疗前后疼痛VAS及功能ODI积分比较均有显著性差异(P＜0.01),三组总有效率相比无显著性差异(P＞0.05),但艾条温针组及酒精温针组的愈显率均显著高于毫针针刺组(P＜0.017).结论 毫针针刺、艾条温针和酒精温针均能有效减轻腰椎间盘突出所致的疼痛,一定程度上恢复日常生活功能障碍;温针疗法的临床综合疗效优于单纯针刺,且酒精温针的近期疗效接近艾条温针.     

Nonparallel cutaneous microcirculatory responses to pharmacologic alterations of systemic arterial pressure in rats

Both hypotension and hypertension aggravate the damage of reperfusion injury after reconstructive microsurgery. The purpose of this study is to establish a theoretical guide for postoperative blood pressure control in optimizing the cutaneous perfusion and flap survival. Systemic arterial pressure was altered by the intravenous infusion of saline, sodium nitroprusside, phentolamine, and phenylephrine in thirty‐two 280–350 g anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. Power spectral analysis of systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and laser Doppler flowmetry (flux) of epigastric skin were used to reveal the blood pressure and cutaneous blood flow variabilities. Nonparallel responses of cutaneous perfusion and blood pressure were found. The baseline SAP and flux were 126.0 ± 1.4 mmHg and 57.2 ± 1.8 au, respectively. Sodium nitroprusside and phentolamine significantly decreased the SAP (71.1 ± 2.7 and 70.5 ± 1.5 mmHg, P < 0.0001). However, the corresponding responses in cutaneous perfusion were opposite (56.2 ± 3.1 au, P = 0.7389 and 36.2 ± 2.3 au, P < 0.0001). Phenylephrine significantly increased the SAP (171.7 ± 3.0 mmHg, P < 0.0001) but the flux of epigastric skin was decreased (44.4 ± 2.6 au, P < 0.0001). Phentolamine and phenylephrine showed negative effects on the systemic cardiac and vascular sympathetic modulations. Sodium nitroprusside had a trend in increasing systemic vasomotor activity. We suggested not using vasoconstrictors in treating intra and postoperative hypotension associated with free flap transfer. Nitric oxide donors are superior to α‐adrenoceptor antagonists in preserving the cutaneous flap perfusion when treating postoperative hypertension. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.