ASIA脊髓损伤分类标准在颈髓损伤患者神经功能评定中的应用

目的：探讨ASIA标准在颈髓损伤患者神经功能评估中的意义。方法：应用ASIA标准对139例急性颈髓损伤患者的神经功能情况进行回顾性评估。结果：82例完全性脊髓损伤患者中5例逆转为不完全性损伤，77例无逆转者随访时ASIA感觉、运动评分有明显增加。57例不完全性颈髓损伤患者感觉、运动功能改善明显优于完全性损伤患者。结论：完全性颈髓损伤患者可能逆转为不完全性颈髓损伤，并且可有明显节段性神经功能恢复。在脊髓损伤神经功能评定中，ASIA感觉、运动评分具有重要意义。     

颈髓损伤康复中呼吸功能训练效果分析

目的：观察呼吸功能训练对颈髓损伤患者肺功能的影响。方法：对85例颈髓损伤患者进行肺功能测定，然后对患者实施8周的呼吸功能训练，观察呼吸功能训练前后患者肺活量（VC）、最大通气量（MVV）、时间肺活量（FVC）、第一秒最大呼气量（FEV1）等肺功能指标的变化，并对结果进行分析。结果：所有患者呼吸功能训练前VC、MVV、FVC、FEV1均较正常值降低．经过8周的训练后，其肺功能指标均较训练前有不同程度改善（P〈0．05）。其中在颈髓损伤后8周内开展呼吸功能训练者的肺功能提高程度明显好于8周后开展呼吸功能训练的患者（P〈0．05）。结论：颈髓损伤后患者肺功能均有不同程度降低，呼吸功能训练可以改善患者肺功能，伤后开展呼吸功能训练的时间越早．其肺功能的改善越明显。     

脊髓损伤后异位骨化的危险因素

[目的]探讨脊髓损伤后发生异位骨化的危险因素.[方法]将510例外伤性脊髓损伤患者根据X线片、CT检查分为异位骨化组(A组,59例)和无异位骨化组(B组,451例).比较两组患者的年龄、性别、脊髓损伤情况、血清钙浓度、痉挛及压疮情况,分析与异位骨化相关的危险因素.[结果]异位骨化发生率为11.6%.A、B组患者的年龄、性别、血清钙浓度、压疮发生率经统计学比较无显著性差异(P>0.05).A组患者中完全性瘫痪者及痉挛性瘫痪者、脊髓损伤位于颈髓及胸髓者,损伤程度为ASIA A、B级者与B组比较差异非常显著(P<0.01).[结论]完全性瘫痪和痉挛性瘫痪、颈髓和胸髓以上损伤及ASIA A、B级者易发生异位骨化.     

急性颈髓损伤并低钠血症的临床分析

目的:探讨急性颈髓损伤并低钠血症患者血钠浓度与颈髓损伤平面、程度的关系,观察低钠血症治疗效果.方法:回顾分析2002年1月～2007年12月我院收治的256例急性颈髓损伤并低钠血症患者资料,伤后第1天入院179例,第2天入院77例.高位颈髓(C4及C4以上)损伤101例,其中完全性颈髓损伤者59例,不完全性颈髓损伤者42例;低位颈髓(C4以下)损伤155例,其中完全性颈髓损伤者67例,不完全性颈髓损伤者88例.均于入院后第1、3、5天清晨空腹抽取静脉血查血钠,取其平均值,统计分析低血钠程度与颈髓损伤平面、程度的关系,观察低钠血症的治疗效果.结果:130mmol/L≤血钠＜135mmol/L者(轻度)96例,120mmol/L≤血钠＜130m01/L者(中度)122例,＜120mmol/L者(重度)38例.高位颈髓损伤者中,完全性损伤者血钠为117.33±4.52mm01/L.不完全性损伤者为125.49±3.74mmol/L;低位颈髓损伤者中,完全性损伤者血钠为123.67±3.81mmol/L,不完全性损伤者为131.9±4.85mmol/L,同一损伤部位完全性损伤者的血钠浓度与不完全性损伤者比较有显著性差异(P＜0.05),同一损伤程度高位损伤者与低位损伤者比较有显著性差异(P＜0.05).218例轻、中度低钠血症患者经治疗血钠完全恢复正常,38例重度低钠血症患者中9例因合并高热、感染、呼吸衰竭死亡.结论:急性颈髓损伤患者低钠血症的程度与颈髓损伤平面、程度有关,且血钠浓度越低,患者预后越差,病死率越高.     

全麻复合硬膜外麻醉对老年胸外科术后肺功能的影响

目的观察全麻符合硬膜外麻醉对老年胸外科手术患者术后肺功能的影响,分析其应用价值。方法采用随机数字表将135例老年胸外科手术患者分为两组,对照组(n=68)采用全麻手术;观察组(n=67)采用全麻符合硬膜外麻醉手术,分别于手术前后测定一秒用力呼气量(FEV1)、FEV1占肺活量百分比(FEV1/FVC)和最大呼气流量(PEF)等肺功能指标水平。结果治疗前,两组患者肺功能指标的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后,观察组FEV1、FEV1/FVC及PEF水平无明显变化,对照组FEV1、FEV1/FVC及PEF水平有所降低,与治疗前和观察组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论全麻符合硬膜外麻醉对患者的肺功能损伤小,较全麻更加适用于老年胸外科手术患者。     

马方及类马方综合征脊柱侧凸与青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者肺功能障碍的差异性比较

目的:比较马方和类马方综合征脊柱侧凸(Marfan syndrome and Marfanoid scoliosis,MMS)患者与青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(adolescent idiopathic scoliosis,AIS)患者肺功能的差异及影响因素。方法:1999年9月~2013年4月我院收治的以胸弯(冠状面)为主的马方及类马方综合征脊柱侧凸患者共85例,其中年龄为11~19岁且临床资料完整的患者共40例(MMS组),男14例,女26例;收集患者术前肺功能指标,包括第1秒最大呼气容积(FEV1)、用力肺活量(FVC)、最大用力呼气峰流量(PEF),数值采用实测值占预计值的百分比,分析肺功能指标与年龄、冠状面Cobb角、胸后凸Cobb角、胸弯柔韧度之间的关系。并与同期住院行脊柱侧凸矫形内固定术的相匹配的80例AIS患者(AIS组)的术前肺功能参数进行比较。采用曼-惠特尼U检验比较两组间的差异,并用Pearson相关性分析对两组患者肺功能指标与患者年龄及相关脊柱侧凸指标进行相关性分析。结果:MMS组患者中肺功能处于中、重度损害的比例(11/40)显著高于AIS组(5/80)(P0.05)。MMS组患者FEV1、FVC均明显小于AIS组患者(P0.05);PEF两组间差异无统计学意义。MMS组患者FEV1、FVC与冠状面Cobb角呈显著性负相关(r=-0.444、-0.524,P0.05);FEV1、FVC、PEF与年龄之间呈正显著性相关(r=0.363,0.326,0.348,P0.05);FVC与胸弯冠状面柔韧度之间呈显著性正相关(r=0.321,P0.05);FEV1、FVC与胸椎后凸角均无显著相关性。AIS组患者FEV1、FVC、PEF等指标与冠状面Cobb角呈显著性负相关(r=-0.338、-0.293、-0.253,P0.05);FEV1、PEF与年龄之间呈显著性正相关(r=0.286、0.341,P0.05);FEV1与胸后凸Cobb角之间呈显著性正相关(r=0.238,P0.05)。两组患者肺功能指标与相关指标间的相关性存在差异。结论:MMS患者肺功能损害较AIS患者严重,其肺功能主要受胸弯冠状面Cobb角、年龄共同影响。     

跳水致颈髓损伤早期综合治疗的疗效评价

[目的]探讨跳水致颈髓损伤早期综合治疗的临床效果。[方法]2001～2005年27例跳水致颈脊髓损伤患者，其中脊髓完全性损伤15例，脊髓不完全性损伤12例。早期综合治疗方案包括：（1）全身治疗：维持呼吸道通畅和有效循环血容量，保证收缩压在90mmHg以上；血氧饱和度在90％以上；（2）早期应用大剂量甲基强的松龙或地塞米松等药物治疗；（3）颅骨牵引制动或颈椎复位；（4）早期进行手术减压植骨融合内固定术；（5）术后早期行高压氧治疗。术后定期复查x线片观察损伤节段的稳定性和植骨融合率以及有无内固定并发症。以ASIA分级标准和感觉、运动评分判定脊髓神经功能恢复情况。[结果]27例患者随访6～36个月，平均28个月；本组病例无术中、术后并发症，切口愈合良好；术后3个月复查x线片，损伤节段稳定，植骨融合良好，无钢板断裂、螺钉松动脱落等现象。13例患者神经功能获得改善，总有效率为48．1％，其中完全性损伤组有效率为20％，不完全性损伤组有效率为83．3％。完全性损伤患者ASIA分级变化不明显，但其评分较入院时可有相应的增加，不完全性损伤患者ASIA分级和感觉运动评分均有明显的提高。[结论]颈髓损伤后早期综合治疗可以促进脊髓神经功能恢复。     

前路椎体次全切除术与后路全椎板切除术治疗颈椎脊髓损伤的疗效对比

目的对比分析前路椎体次全切除术与后路全椎板切除术治疗颈椎脊髓损伤的疗效。方法回顾性分析2015年1月—2016年1月,重庆医科大学附属第二医院秀山分院骨科和第二军医大学附属长征医院闸北分院骨科收治的76例重度颈椎脊髓损伤患者临床资料。术前所有患者均出现完全性或不完全性瘫痪症状,美国脊髓损伤协会(ASIA)分级A级(完全性瘫痪,48例)或B级(不完全性瘫痪,28例),其中34例行前路椎体次全切除减压内固定术(前路组),42例行后路全椎板切除减压内固定术(后路组)。记录所有患者呼吸机使用时间,气管插管时间,术前、术后ASIA运动及感觉评分,术后并发症发生情况。结果所有手术顺利完成,患者随访(12.0±0.7)个月。后路组呼吸机使用时间、气管插管时间均少于前路组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);术后12个月,两组患者ASIA运动及感觉评分均较术前及术后2周显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后12个月,前路和后路组患者ASIA分级A级(12 vs.19)、B级(15 vs.16)例数差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。前路组术后发生血肿1例,感染1例,脑脊液漏3例;后路组出现脑脊液漏1例,深静脉血栓1例。结论前路椎体次全切除术与后路全椎板切除术治疗颈椎脊髓损伤同样可恢复患者神经功能,后路全椎板切除可缩短呼吸机使用时间及气管插管时间。     

胸腔镜下肺叶切除术对早期老年肺癌患者的临床效果

目的探讨胸腔镜下肺叶切除术治疗老年早期肺癌患者临床效果及呼吸功能指标的影响。方法回顾分析2013年12月至2019年12月在本院行肺叶切除术患者86例,分两组各43例。对照组采用开胸手术治疗,观察组则行胸腔镜下肺叶切除术。对比两组患者手术前后的手术指标以及肺功能指标。结果对照组患者术中出血量、手术时间、引流液量、住院总时间均高于观察组(P0.05),术前两组患者肺功能指标用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气量(FEV1)及呼气峰值流速(PEF)比较(P0.05),术后观察组与对照组的FVC、FEV1、PEF同手术前相比降低(P0.05),且观察组FVC、FEV 1、PEF水平高于对照组(P0.05)。结论采用胸腔镜下肺叶切除术治疗老年早期肺癌患者疗效较好,呼吸功能影响较小,无明显不良反应及并发症,利于患者术后康复。     

脊髓损伤后髋关节周围异位骨化的危险因素分析

目的：探讨脊髓损伤后髋关节周围发生异位骨化的危险因素。方法：将1023例外伤性脊髓损伤患者根据X线检查和CT检查分为异位骨化组（A组，121例）和无异位骨化组（B组）。比较两组患者的年龄、性别、脊髓损伤情况、脊髓损伤到瘫痪肢体开始功能训练的时间、血清钙浓度、痉挛及压疮发生情况，分析与异位骨化相关的危险因素。结果：异位骨化发生率为11．8％。A组与B组患者的年龄、性别、脊髓损伤至瘫痪肢体开始功能训练的时间、血清钙浓度及压疮发生率经统计学比较无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。A组患者中完全性瘫痪者及痉挛性瘫痪者比例较高，与B组比较差异非常显著（P〈0．01）。A组患者脊髓损伤主要位于颈段及中胸段，与B组比较有非常显著性差异（P〈0．01）。A组患者脊髓损伤主要为ASIA A级和B级，与B组比较有非常显著性差异（P〈0．01）。痉挛性瘫痪改良Ashworth Ⅱ级以上者异位骨化发生率较高，统计学比较差异非常显著（P〈0．01）。结论：完全性脊髓损伤及痉挛性瘫痪是脊髓损伤后异位骨化发生的主要危险因素。脊髓损伤神经功能分级为ASIA A级和B级者、颈段或中胸段脊髓损伤者及痉挛性瘫痪改良Ashworth Ⅱ级以上者易发生异位骨化。     

下颈椎损伤改良Moore分类的临床应用研究

目的：探讨改良Moore分类法在下颈椎损伤中的临床应用。方法：2006年8月至2010年3月收治下颈椎损伤患者200例,男165例,女35例;年龄19-88岁,平均52岁。应用下颈椎损伤改良Moore分类全面地描述下颈椎损伤的状态,颈椎损伤严重程度（稳定性）量化评分与有否神经症状表现相结合,根据骨折类型和稳定性、脊髓或神经根受压损伤情况、韧带损伤后的稳定程度及其他参考因素进行分类诊治,选择治疗方法。其中伴有脊髓神经损伤者130例（ASIA评分：A级6例,B级13例,C级43例,D级68例）,不伴有脊髓神经损伤者70例。对伴有脊髓神经损伤的下颈椎损伤患者,根据ASIA评分进行疗效评定;对不伴有脊髓神经损伤的患者,根据影像学检查对颈椎的序列和高度进行观察。结果：前、左、右侧和后柱均损伤35例;前柱损伤33例;前、后柱均损伤90例;前、左侧和后柱均损伤5例;前、右侧和后柱均损伤3例;前、左侧和右侧柱均损伤3例;前、右侧柱损伤2例;前、左侧柱损伤5例;后柱损伤12例;左侧柱损伤7例;右侧柱损伤5例。200例患者中手术治疗98例,非手术治疗102例（其中可以手术而患者家属要求非手术治疗39例）。完全性脊髓损伤患者中3例行手术后脊髓功能无恢复迹象,ASIA分级无变化,但其肢体麻木、疼痛等症状有不同程度的缓解,另3例未手术患者脊髓功能及肢体症状均无变化。不完全性脊髓损伤患者手术后脊髓功能均有一定程度恢复,ASIA评分平均提高1．2级。未手术的不完全性脊髓损伤患者非手术治疗后ASIA评分平均提高0.3级。不伴有脊髓神经损伤者手术后经影像学检查显示均恢复了颈椎的正常序列和高度。结论：根据改良Moore分类法,稳定性量化评分值大于等于4分有下颈椎不稳可能,需要手术治疗,分值越大,手术指征越明显,若伴有脊髓或神经根受压损伤表现者则有绝对手术指征。稳定性量化评分为3分且伴有脊髓或神经根受压损伤表现者一般也有手术指征。稳定性量化评分为3分不伴有脊髓或神经根受压损伤表现者或3分以下者均不需要手术治疗。应用改良Moore分类法有利于下颈椎损伤患者的临床规范化、标准化诊治,以获得较满意的疗效。     

Pulmonary function testing in quadriplegic subjects

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary functional capacity in 23 Brazilian quadriplegic subjects (ASIA A), aged 30 (9.5) years, weight 66 (10.75) kg, height 176 (7) cm, was investigated at 42 (64) months postinjury. SETTING: University Hospital--UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil. METHOD: Subjects performed forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) tests while seated in their standard wheelchairs. Forced Expired Volume after 1 s (FEV1) and FVC/FEV1 ratio were calculated from these tests. Values obtained were compared to three prediction equations from the literature that are used specifically for spinal cord subjects and include different variables in their formulae, such as age, gender, height, postinjury time and injury level. Data are expressed as median (interquartile interval). Differences between values were demonstrated by median confidence interval with significance level set at alpha=0.05. RESULTS: Obtained data were statistically different from prediction equation results, with FVC 3.11 (0.81), 4.46 (0.28), 4.16 (0.33), 4.26 (0.42); FEV1 2.77 (1.03), 3.67 (0.21), 3.66 (0.30), 3.45 (0.39) and MVV 92 (27), 154.2 (11.9), 156.6 (14), 157.3 (16.8), where the first value is obtained experimentally and the second, third and fourth values correspond to predicted values. The results obtained from spirometry test in this study differed significantly from the results obtained when prediction equations were used. CONCLUSION: The use of prediction equations developed to estimate pulmonary function in wheelchair users significantly overestimates pulmonary function of quadriplegic individuals with complete lesions (ASIA group A), in comparison to measured values.     

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.     

颈椎颈髓损伤早期手术治疗疗效评价（附37例报告）

目的：探讨早期手术对颈脊髓神经功能恢复方面的作用。方法：通过脊髓神经功能评价方法,分析总结一组伤后3d内实施手术减压和／或固定的颈椎脊髓损伤患者的预后。结果：术后第15d,23例脊髓不完全性损伤者运动和感觉神经功能分别改善（ASIA神经功能评分法）9．12和9．30分,相差显著,14例脊髓完全性损伤者运动和感觉功能分别改善0．43和1．43分,有改善。术后12个月随访,9例脊髓不完全性损伤者运动和感觉神经功能分别改善4．00和18．33分,相差显著,6例脊髓完全性损伤运动和感觉神经功能分别改善0．50和1．00分,无显著改善。结论：伤后3d内实施手术脊髓减压和颈椎内固定术,可促进不完全性颈髓损伤神经功能恢复。     

The effect of renal transplantation on pulmonary function.

In patients with chronic renal failure, mechanical and hemodynamic changes could occur in the lungs without obvious pulmonary symptoms and findings and their effects could pave the way to pulmonary functional disorders. In this study, pulmonary functional disorders and especially alveolocapillary defects, which are frequently seen in uremia, were determined in renal transplanted patients. Pulmonary functions and diffusion capacity were assessed in uremic patients (n = 20) and in successfully transplanted patients (n = 20) without any lung disease or pulmonary edema symptoms and findings. Patients were selected randomly among outpatients who were followed up in a Nephrology and Transplantation Unit. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF25-75) were measured. Single breath carbon monoxide diffusion test and diffusion lung capacity adjusted for hemoglobin concentration (DLAdj) were done. The means of the spirometric values such as FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were normal in the nondialyzed uremic group, but the PEF25-75 value (68.7%) and diffusion capacity (DLAdj 72.7%) were found to be slightly low. There were 2 patients with normal values and 18 patients with some functional abnormalities in this nondialyzed uremic group. The means of all spirometric parameters and diffusion capacities were found to be normal in the transplanted group. There were 7 patients with normal function and 13 patients with some functional abnormalities in this transplanted group. When the nondialyzed uremic group and the transplanted group were compared statistically, significant differences were found between their spirometric values (except for FVC) and their diffusion capacities. Even though the uremic patients did not show any symptoms, their pulmonary function tests, especially diffusion capacity, were found to be disturbed. Although the transplanted patients as a group had normal mean spirometric values and diffusion capacity there were nevertheless many individual transplanted patients with defective diffusion capacity and abnormal spirometric values.     

急性脊髓损伤后手术减压时限的临床研究

目的探讨急性脊髓损伤后在不同时间点行手术减压对患者神经功能恢复的影响。方法回顾2005年1月~2009年12月收治的胸椎骨折合并脊髓不完全损伤的89例,按照手术减压时限分为3组:A组,伤后24 h内手术减压(25例);B组,伤后1～3 d内手术减压(47例);C组,伤后3～7 d内手术减压(17例)。根据ASIA残损分级比较术前和术后1年的神经功能情况,比较3组的神经功能恢复情况,分析不同的减压时间疗效有无统计学差异。结果治疗前3组的ASIA残损分级,差异无统计学意义。治疗后3组ASIA残损分级较治疗前提高,A组高于B组和C组(P<0.05),B组高于C组(P<0.05)。结论脊髓不完全损伤后手术减压可以改善神经功能,且手术越早,神经功能恢复越好。     

下颈椎椎弓根螺钉内固定技术在临床中的应用

目的 :探讨下颈椎椎弓根螺钉内固定技术的临床应用。方法 :对2011年9月至2013年7月行下颈椎椎弓根螺钉内固定的32例患者进行回顾性分析,男20例,女12例;年龄21~78岁,平均56.4岁。其中10例为创伤性颈髓损伤,9例为颈椎管内肿瘤,7例颈椎后纵韧带骨化症,6例多节段颈椎病。所有患者术前行X线、CT、MRI及椎动脉MRA等影像学检查,术后及随访时行X线片及CT平扫明确螺钉的位置情况。根据Lee等4级分类法评价置钉的准确性,创伤性患者行ASIA分级评价脊髓功能变化,非创伤性患者采用JOA评分评价神经功能改善情况。结果:32例患者成功置入144枚下颈椎椎弓根螺钉,术后CT显示,0级132枚,1级5枚,2级5枚,3级2枚。有12枚螺钉穿破椎弓根,其中8枚螺钉穿破椎弓根外侧皮质,2枚螺钉穿破椎弓根下侧皮质,穿破椎弓根内侧、上侧皮质螺钉各1枚。术后随访12~33个月,平均(21.0±1.5)个月,6例完全性颈髓损伤患者术后神经功能虽无恢复,但截瘫平面下降1~3个脊髓节段。4例不完全性颈髓损伤患者术后按ASIA损伤分级提高1~2级。22例非创伤性患者术后6个月JOA评分平均(15.9±0.6)分,较术前(11.5±0.8)分明显提高(P<0.01)。所有患者未发现钉棒系统松动、断裂情况。结论:下颈椎椎弓根螺钉固定能提供优秀的三维稳定性。合理选择适应证,术前充分准备以及根据椎弓根形态个体化置钉可以最大限度的降低手术风险及手术并发症,值得临床应用推广。     

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.