462例中下段直肠癌淋巴转移规律与淋巴清扫范围的分析

目的 探讨中下段直肠癌的淋巴转移规律和淋巴清扫范围。方法 对1990－1999年行传统直肠癌根治术的373例和行传统直肠癌根治术加盆腔侧方淋巴清扫术（简称侧方清扫术）的89例中下段直肠癌患者进行回顾性分析。结果 全组淋巴转移率为41．8％,患者年龄、癌灶浸润深度、大体分型、癌灶大小是影响淋巴转移率的重要因素（P＜0．05）。89例侧方清扫术的盆腔侧方淋巴转移率为15．7％,其中85．7％位于癌灶同侧。有盆腔侧方淋巴结转移者均为浸润深度T3、T4者;癌灶＞3cm、溃疡型或浸润型、年龄＜60岁者盆腔侧方淋巴结转移较高。侧方清扫术组的盆腔复发率为5．6％,明显低于传统直肠癌根治术组的17．7％（P＜0．05）;侧方清扫术组和传统直肠癌根治术组的5年生存率分别为46．7％和47．9％（P＞0．05）。结论 应提高对中下段直肠癌淋巴转移规律的认识,对怀疑或证实有淋巴结转移、癌灶侵犯浆膜或穿透肠壁、癌灶＞3cm、溃疡型或浸润型、年龄＜60岁者建议行侧方清扫术。     

低位直肠癌保留神经的腹膜外侧方扩大清扫的效果分析

目的 探讨低位直肠癌保留神经的腹膜外侧方扩大清扫对患者术后生存率、排尿功能和性功能的影响。方法 回顾性分析我院1996年1月至2000年6月期间收治的392例进展期低位直肠癌实施保留神经的根治性切除术患者的临床资料，其中行腹腔内清扫173例，腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫219例，2组患者在年龄、性别、浸润肠壁深度及肿瘤病理组织学类型方面差异无统计学意义。结果 腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组侧方淋巴结转移率为17．8％（39／219），侧方盆壁非连续性癌灶转移率为5，9％（13／219）。术后发生排尿功能障碍：腹腔内清扫组7例（4．0％），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组113例（51．6％），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；性功能障碍：腹腔内清扫组93例男性患者中有12例（12．9％），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组119例男性患者中有62例（52．1％），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；局部复发率：腹腔内清扫组为16．2％（28／173），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组为9．6％（21／219），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；5年生存率：腹腔内清扫组为49．1％（85／173），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组为59．4％（130／219），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论 低位直肠癌保留神经的腹膜外侧方扩大清扫，可以减少局部复发，提高患者5年生存率，但也会影响患者术后排尿和男性性机能。     

肠系膜下动脉不同处理方式对直肠癌根治术影响的对比研究

目的探讨肠系膜下动脉（IMA）低位结扎与高位结扎并根部淋巴结廓清对直肠癌根治术的意义。方法对2007年5月—2008年5月收治的156例直肠癌患者进行回顾性分析,低位结扎组80例,高位结扎组76例。低位结扎组采用肠系膜下动脉低化结扎并根部淋巴结廓清,高位结扎组采用肠系膜下动脉高位结扎斤根部淋巴结廓清。比较两组IMA根部淋巴结转移率、淋巴结清扫数量、复发率、5年生存牢及并发症发病率,并进行统计学分析。结果低位结扎组IMA根部淋巴结转移率为15．0％,高位结扎组IMA根部淋巴结转移率为14．5％,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;对比两组术后复发率、5年生存率、吻合口瘘、性功能障碍和尿潴留的发病率,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;低位结扎组肠道功能恢复时间、低位直肠前切除综合征的发病率低于高位结扎组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论肠系膜下动脉低位结扎并根部淋巴结廓清可达到直肠癌根治。与传统IMA高位结扎相比,对患苦的复发率、5年生存率及并发症发病率无影响。     

直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫与预后关系的META分析

目的探讨直肠癌根治术后进行侧方淋巴结清扫对患者局部复发率、5年生存率的影响，从而为临床直肠癌根治性手术中是否应常规进行淋巴结清扫提供依据。方法利用META分析的方法综合国内外1994至2006年关于直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫与患者预后关系的文献。结果符合要求纳入分析的文献共8篇，累计病例2669例，其中行侧方淋巴结清扫1324例。直肠癌根治术后行侧方淋巴结清扫患者与未行侧方淋巴结清扫的局部复发率比较，其合并ORs值分别为0．52（95％CI=0．39～0．68，P〈0．01）；患者5年生存率合并ORs值分别为1．99（95％CI=1．78～2．12，P〈0．01）。结论直肠癌根治术后进行侧方淋巴结清扫可降低患者局部复发率，提高5年生存率。     

侧方淋巴结清扫在低位直肠癌手术中的应用研究

目的探讨低位直肠癌手术中侧方淋巴结清扫的临床价值。方法将112例在我院施行直肠癌根治术的低位直肠癌患者随机分为两组,观察组(n=54)行全直肠系膜切除(total mesorectalexcision,TME) 侧方淋巴结清扫,对照组(n=58)单纯行TME,比较两组的平均手术时间、术中失血量、局部复发率、远处转移率及生存率等指标。结果两组平均手术时间、失血量比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组局部复发率、远处转移率及3年生存率分别为6.1%、8.2%、87.8%,对照组分别为19.2%、23.1%、71.2%,两组比较有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论低位直肠癌手术时施行侧方淋巴结清扫可有效降低局部复发率及远处转移率,提高患者的生存率,改善生存质量,值得提倡。     

低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫的临床意义

目的：探讨侧方淋巴结清扫在低位直肠癌治疗中的意义。方法：回顾性分析782例低位直肠癌以扩大淋巴结清扫的方法清扫直肠癌上方、侧方及部分下方的淋巴结。应用常规病理学的方法观察其侧方淋巴结转移的规律，并以直接方法统计侧方转移阳性病例的生存率。结果：①侧方淋巴结转移是腹膜返折以下直肠癌的转移途径，约占该部位直肠癌的12．5％；②侧方淋巴结转移易发生在低分化腺癌及粘液腺癌。肉眼见有浸润倾向者，侧方淋巴结转移与浸润深度有关；③侧方转移者5年生存率为42．2％。结论：腹膜返折以下的进展期直肠癌应该在上方淋巴结清扫的同时行侧方淋巴结清扫，可以避免转移淋巴结的残留，提高生存率。     

中低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

目的探讨影响中低位直肠癌患者侧方淋巴结转移的相关因素。方法回顾性分析新疆医科大学附属肿瘤医院2004年6月至2010年6月间行根治性切除并侧方淋巴结清扫的203例中低位直肠癌（距肛缘10cm以内）患者的临床资料,采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析侧方淋巴结转移的危险因素。结果203例中低位直肠癌患者共清扫侧方淋巴结3349枚,平均清扫17枚／例,阳性淋巴结数221枚。侧方淋巴结转移度为6．6％（221／3349）。单因素分析显示,年龄、家族史、肿瘤长度、大体类型、组织类型、分化程度、浸润深度、侵犯周径、术前CEA、脉管癌栓、上方淋巴结转移与中低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结转移有关（均P〈0．05）。多因素分析显示,低龄、低分化、浸润型、T4期及存在上方淋巴结转移是中低位直肠癌患者侧方淋巴结转移的独立高危因素（均P〈0．05）。结论对于低龄、低分化、浸润型、T4期及存在上方淋巴结转移等中低位直肠癌患者,由于具有较高的侧方淋巴结转移概率．采用选择性侧方淋巴清扫的手术方案更为合理。     

低位直肠癌保肛手术中扩大根治术的临床意义

低位直肠癌中选择部分病例实施保肛手术是可行的。报道了选择６２例低位直肠癌在扩大根治术基础上，保留肛门括约肌，术式为经肛门环扎式结肠－直肠（肛管）吻合术。术后上方淋巴结转移率５３．４％，侧方淋巴结转移率１７．２％，下方淋巴结转移率０％，转移率９．１％。随访１￣３年，未见盆腔软组织、淋巴结、吻合口复发。因肝转移死亡５例。影响低位直肠癌保肛术后生存率主要原因是血行转移，不是局部复发。低位直肠癌中合理选择     

直肠癌根治术肠系膜下动脉根部淋巴结的清扫与预后

目的探讨术中进行肠系膜下动脉根部淋巴结清扫对直肠癌预后的影响。方法对临床病理资料完整的260例直肠癌根治术患者的资料进行分析，将是否清扫肠系膜下动脉根部淋巴结（第3站淋巴结）的患者分为非清扫组（D2组，188例）和清扫组（D3组，72例），随访并比较两组患者的预后情况。结果D2组1、3、5年总生存率分别为97．3％、87．2％和77．1％，无瘤生存率分别为93．1％、83．0％和76．8％；D3组1、3、5年总生存率分别为94．4％、79．2％和73．6％，无瘤生存率分别为86．1％、76．4％和71．0％。Kaplan—Meier分析显示，两组总生存率及无瘤生存率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。多元相关分析显示，肠系膜下动脉根部淋巴结清扫与术后复发、转移及总生存时问均无统计学相关性。结论直肠癌根治术中对患者肠系膜下动脉根部进行常规淋巴结清扫并非必要，对预后无显著影响。     

低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫术的Meta分析

目的:探讨低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫的意义。方法:计算机检索The Cochrane library、Pubm e d、EMbas e、CBM、维普数据库、中国知网、万方数据库,检索时间为2000年1月—2015年10月,纳入低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫术的对比研究,用revman5.2处理数据,评价低位直肠癌侧方淋巴结清扫术的意义。结果:纳入公开发表的9篇临床对比研究,以低位直肠癌行侧方淋巴结清扫术患者为观察组,传统手术患者为对照组进行Meta分析。观察组手术时间长于对照组,差异有统计学意义[MD=-42.48,95%CI(32.92,-52.04),P0.00001];观察组术中出血量大于对照组,差异有统计学意义[MD=-18.72,95%CI(5.60,31.83),P0.005];观察组局部复发率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义[OR=-0.52,95%CI(0.38,0.71),P0.0001];观察组3年生存率、5年生存率均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义,其合并OR和95%CI分别为OR=2.65,95%CI(1.76,3.99)(P0.00001)和OR=3.57,95%CI(2.05,6.22)(P0.00001)。结论:低位直肠癌行侧方淋巴结清扫术增加患者手术时间、出血量及术后并发症发生风险,但提高患者生存率。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.     

Systemic analgesia adapted to the children's condition

A concept of balanced analgesia using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol (acetaminophen), opioids, and corticosteroids can also be used in patients with pre-existing illnesses. NSAIDs are the most effective treatment for acute pain of moderate intensity in children; however, these drugs should be avoided in patients at increased risk for serious side effects, e.g. patients with renal impairment, bleeding tendency, or extreme prematurity. NSAIDs can be given with minimal risks to the younger child with mild to moderate asthma, and, in these patients, the use of steroids can be encouraged; in addition to their antiemetic and analgesic action, a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms can be expected. In the non-intubated child with cerebral trauma, exaggerated sedation caused by opioids and increased bleeding tendency caused by NSAIDs must be avoided. In neonates and small infants, the oral administration of sucrose or glucose is helpful to minimize pain reaction during short uncomfortable interventions.