后外侧入路支撑钢板内固定治疗后Pilon骨折的疗效分析

目的探讨后外侧入路支撑钢板内固定治疗后Pilon骨折的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2014-01—2017-08采用后外侧入路支撑钢板内固定治疗21例后Pilon骨折。骨折复位情况采用Burwell-Charnley标准评定,末次随访时疗效采用踝关节功能AOFAS评分标准评定。结果 21例均获得随访,随访时间平均16.5(6~24)个月。术后骨折复位情况采用Burwell-Charnley标准评定:17例解剖复位,4例复位尚可。骨折临床愈合时间平均2.1(2~3)个月。末次随访时踝关节功能AOFAS评分平均84.5(58~94)分,其中优13例,良6例,可2例。术后1例出现切口感染,经积极换药后愈合。1例术后出现切口周围和足背麻木感,应用神经营养药物治疗,术后4个月症状逐渐消失。3例术后持续疼痛不适,取出内固定物后恢复良好。结论后Pilon骨折采用后外侧切口支撑钢板内固定可取得满意疗效,手术入路清晰,能够充分显露骨折并复位,创伤小;支撑钢板固定能够较好地维持骨折复位,有利于患者早期功能锻炼。     

经改良后内侧入路支撑钢板内固定治疗后Pilon骨折

目的:探讨采用改良后内侧入路支撑钢板固定治疗后Pilon骨折的临床疗效。方法:自2014年7月至2015年1月手术治疗10例后Pilon骨折患者,其中男3例,女7例,年龄31～54岁。根据俞光荣等提出的后Pilon骨折分型,Ⅰ型1例,Ⅱ型3例,Ⅲ型6例。所有患者采用改良后内侧入路支撑钢板内固定治疗。记录患者术后并发症、骨愈合及复位情况,并予术后1年采用美国足踝外科协会(American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS)踝与后足功能评分评价临床疗效。结果:10例患者均获随访,时间12～18(14.1±3.2)个月。患者术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合,无切口感染、血管神经损伤及屈肌腱挛缩发生。术后根据Burwell-Charnley影像学评价标准判定骨折复位,后踝解剖复位8例,复位良好2例。所有骨折均获得愈合,时间12～16(13.2±1.8)周。术后1年根据AOFAS评分评定临床疗效,优8例,良2例。患者术后3～6(4.7±1.4)个月重返原工作岗位。结论 :改良后内侧入路支撑钢板固定治疗后Pilon骨折临床疗效肯定,并发症少,患者可以早期负重功能锻炼。     

经前外侧改良型切口治疗Pilon骨折

目的 :观察经前外侧改良型切口在Pilon骨折治疗中疗效及并发症。方法 :2012年3月至2014年12月13例Pilon骨折患者采用前外侧改良型切口治疗,男12例,女1例;年龄28~58岁,平均46.3岁;病程18~47 d。按Rüedi-Allg觟wer分型:Ⅰ型4例,Ⅱ型7例,Ⅲ型2例;其中开放性1例,闭合性12例。患者皆因小腿外伤入院,影像学检查显示Pilon骨折,闭合性Pilon骨折均延期手术,跟骨牵引及消肿处理后行前外侧改良型切口治疗Pilon骨折,按Burwell-Charnley放射学复位标准评定手术复位质量,按照AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale标准分别在入院时及末次随访中评定踝关节功能。结果:所有患者术后获得随访,时间6~12个月,平均11.5个月。Burwell-Charnley放射学复位评价:解剖复位11例,尚可复位2例。切口Ⅰ期愈合11例,延期愈合2例(1例为双侧Pilon骨折发生延期愈合)。踝关节功能AOFAS评分由术前的(42.15±17.11)分提高到末次随访的(79.15±11.31)分;优3例,良7例,可3例。结论:经前外侧改良型切口治疗Pilon骨折具有骨折愈合率高、切口感染率低、术后并发症少、踝关节功能恢复满意等优点。     

改良前后联合入路手术治疗AO/OTA C型Pilon骨折疗效观察

目的探讨改良前内侧入路联合后外侧入路手术治疗AO/OTA C型Pilon骨折的近期疗效。方法笔者自2012-08—2015-06采用改良前内侧入路联合后外侧入路手术治疗26例Pilon骨折,观察手术时间、切口并发症、骨折复位满意度等指标。结果本组均获平均18.4(12~23)个月随访。手术时间平均108(84~132)min。术后发生3例切口延迟愈合,经换药后愈合;骨折解剖复位16例,复位可8例,差2例,优良率92.3%。骨折愈合时间平均18.4(11.2~25.6)周,未发生内固定失效及骨不连等并发症;末次随访踝关节AOFAS踝与后足评分平均83.6(69.4~97.8)分;优10例,良12例,可2例,差2例,优良率84.6%。结论改良前内侧入路联合后外侧入路手术治疗AO/OTA C型Pilon骨折,具有显露充分、切口并发症少、术后踝关节功能恢复满意等优点。     

后外侧入路在Pilon骨折治疗中的应用

目的:评价在Pilon骨折治疗中后外侧入路的作用和并发症。方法:2009年8月至2011年3月,分期手术治疗15例Pilon骨折,AO/OTA分类B3型2例,其余均为C型骨折,均合并明显移位的后踝骨折。其中男12例,女3例,平均年龄37.9岁(21～51岁)。所有患者I期急诊手术使用超关节外固定架固定,Ⅱ期固定时首先通过后外侧入路固定腓骨,同时辅助复位和固定胫骨远端的后方骨折块,通过前内侧或前外侧入路复位和固定胫骨远端。结果:15例患者均获随访,平均随访时间14.2个月(12～17个月),13例骨折顺利愈合,2例需Ⅱ期自体髂骨植骨。后外侧伤口均未出现软组织并发症。术后影像学检查,14例关节面残留移位小于2mm。根据Baird-Jackson评价,优2例,良7例,可4例,差2例。结论:作为Pilon骨折前方入路的辅助切口,通过后外侧入路可以有效显露及固定后踝骨块及腓骨骨折,为前方骨折块的复位提供了标志,操作安全、简单、有效。     

联合入路治疗Pilon骨折

目的探讨联合入路手术治疗Pilon骨折的临床疗效。方法采用联合入路治疗17例Pilon骨折患者。根据不同骨折类型选择手术入路和固定方式。应用Burwell-Charnley影像学评估标准评定骨折复位情况,按AOFAS评分评定临床疗效。结果 17例均获得随访,时间6~21个月。解剖复位13例,一般复位4例。15例切口一期愈合;1例切口皮缘少许坏死,经换药后愈合;1例钢板及螺钉外露行皮瓣覆盖创面。患者骨折均在术后16~18周愈合。末次随访时AOFAS评分标准评定临床疗效:优10例,良2例,可3例,差2例。结论联合入路手术治疗Pilon骨折,可使骨折得到满意的复位和可靠的内固定,防止复位丢失。     

前外侧入路必要时联合后内侧辅助小切口在Pilon骨折手术中的应用

目的探讨前外侧入路必要时联合后内侧辅助小切口在Pilon骨折切开复位内固定术中应用的效果。方法回顾性分析自2016-01—2018-11诊治的24例Pilon骨折,采用前外侧入路复位固定骨折,根据术前计划及术中骨折端稳定及复位情况必要时作内踝后内侧辅助小切口,内踝处皮下逆行置入钢板辅助固定。结果 24例获得随访,随访时间平均13.6(12~18)个月。术后1例出现切口边缘皮肤坏死,1例出现皮缘感染,换药后均痊愈。术后1例出现腓浅神经麻痹,术后3个月恢复。1例出现创伤性关节炎,未特殊处理。所有患者骨折均愈合,骨折愈合时间14~23(15.2±2.8)周。术后12个月足踝功能AOFAS评分平均84.2(62~95)分,其中优6例,良15例,可3例。结论踝关节前外侧入路必要时联合后内侧辅助小切口在Pilon骨折切开复位内固定手术中应用可取得满意效果,避免前内侧广泛软组织剥离,具有骨折复位满意、创伤小、切口并发症少、踝关节功能恢复满意等优点。     

改良后内侧切口联合前外侧切口内固定治疗Klammer Ⅱ、Ⅲ型后Pilon骨折

目的探讨改良后内侧切口联合外前外侧切口内固定治疗KlammerⅡ、Ⅲ型后Pilon骨折的可行性与临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2018-01—2019-07诊治的31例KlammerⅡ、Ⅲ型后Pilon骨折,取患肢腓骨下段外侧切口显露外踝骨折端,复位骨折后固定外踝。切口向近端延伸,同时远端向内踝"弧形"延伸,将跟腱向外侧拉开显露后方骨块,将足拇长屈肌腱与血管神经束向内侧牵拉,充分显露后内侧骨块和后外侧骨块,以此同时内踝弧形延伸切口可显露并复位内踝骨块。结果 31例均获得随访,随访时间平均12(10~15)个月。术后1例切口浅表感染,对症治疗后愈合。随访期间未出现下肢深静脉血栓形成、骨折不愈合、内固定失败等并发症。骨折愈合时间为(4.1±0.9)个月。末次随访时踝-足功能AOFAS评分为(91.7±12.1)分。结论改良后内侧切口联合前外侧切口可作为临床治疗KlammerⅡ、Ⅲ型后Pilon骨折的有效手术入路,具有创伤小、骨折端显露清晰、骨折复位方便、内固定可靠等优点。     

后外侧入路钢板和拉力螺钉内固定治疗踝部皮肤损伤Pilon骨折

目的:探讨后外侧入路钢板和拉力螺钉内固定治疗踝部皮肤损伤Pilon骨折的临床疗效。方法:选取2013年5月至2016年6月行后外侧入路手术治疗踝部皮肤有损伤的Pilon骨折患者25例,其中男15例,女10例;年龄25~61(39.6±0.2)岁;采用后外侧为主的手术入路使用钢板固定,并辅助使用空心钉三维固定手术治疗。观察并记录踝部伤口及受伤时软组织挫擦伤愈合情况,采用Burwell-Charnley标准和美国足踝外科协会AOFAS踝-足评分系统进行功能评价。结果:25例患者获得随访,时间6~24个月,平均12个月。患者手术伤口及皮肤挤压擦伤均愈合。按照Burwell-Charnley标准,解剖复位22例,不满意2例,差1例。AOFAS踝-足评分为90.2±7.5,结果优20例,良3例,可2例。结论:后外侧入路钢板和拉力螺钉内固定治疗踝部皮肤损伤Pilon骨折可以完全避开前内侧损伤的皮肤及软组织,骨折固定牢固,有效地避免了软组织的进一步损伤坏死。     

后外侧入路手术治疗三踝关节骨折

目的探讨采用侧卧位经后外侧入路钢板螺钉内固定治疗三踝关节骨折的手术方法及疗效。方法自2009-01—2011-09对20例三踝关节骨折采用后外侧入路显露,采用拇长屈肌-腓骨长短肌腱同一间隙处理后踝与外踝骨折,最后作内踝前缘纵形切口复位内踝并以半螺纹松质骨螺钉固定。结果除1例切口延迟愈合外,其他患者切口一期愈合,无切口感染。本组均获随访12~20个月,平均15个月,骨折均愈合,平均愈合时间为12周,无畸形愈合及断钉等并发症发生。采用AOFAS评分进行疗效评定：优11例,良4例,可4例,差1例,优良率75.0%。结论侧卧位经后外侧入路为三踝关节骨折提供了良好的手术视野,可在同一体位直视下完成骨折复位固定,是值得选择的手术入路。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Intraoperative autotransfusion is associated with modest reduction of allogeneic transfusion in prosthetic hip surgery

Background: The efficacy of intraoperative salvage and washing of wound blood and the predictors of allogeneic red cell transfusions in prosthetic hip surgery are insufficiently known.
Methods: In 96 patients, undergoing primary or revision surgery, salvaged and washed red cells and, if necessary, allogeneic blood were used to keep haematocrit not lower than 33%. The bleeding of red cells during hospital stay was calculated from the red cell balance. The preoperative red cell reserve (millilitres of red cells in excess of a haematocrit of 33%) was estimated and the difference between this volume and the total bleeding of red cells was retrospectively used to classify patients with regard to the need for red cells. Stepwise regression analysis was used to define patient-related variables associated with allogeneic blood transfusion.
Results: Preoperative knowledge of the type of operation (primary, revision), the preoperative red cell reserve, and the body mass could predict roughly half of the need for banked blood (r²=0.45). Only one-third of the total bleeding of red cells was retransfused. For complete avoidance of allogeneic blood, autotransfusion was most effective in patients with a moderate need (0–4 u). However, 32% of such patients required allogeneic blood.
Conclusions: Autotransfusion has a limited efficacy to decrease the need for allogeneic blood, and other blood-saving methods should be added for this purpose. It is difficult to predict the need for allogeneic blood preoperatively.     

缺氧对肾小管上皮细胞分泌外泌体的影响

目的    观察缺氧对肾小管上皮细胞分泌外泌体的影响,探讨外泌体在缺氧致肾脏损伤中的作用及机制。 方法    （1）常氧（21% O₂）及缺氧（1% O₂）分别处理大鼠肾小管上皮细胞（NRK-52E）48 h,收集细胞上清液并使用高速梯度离心法分离外泌体。采用透射电镜、纳米示踪分析、Western印迹、蛋白浓度定量鉴定并比较两组外泌体的基本特性。（2）在共培养实验中,以不同浓度（1、10、50、100、300 mg/L）的常氧外泌体、缺氧外泌体分别干预脂多糖（LPS）诱导的大鼠原代腹腔巨噬细胞,使用实时荧光定量PCR与酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法分别检测巨噬细胞白细胞介素6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、诱导型氮氧化物合酶（iNOS）水平;使用Western印迹法检测巨噬细胞磷酸化（p）STAT/STAT及细胞因子信号传导抑制蛋白1（SOCS1）的蛋白表达;最后,使用实时荧光定量PCR法检测常氧外泌体与缺氧外泌体中炎性反应相关微RNA（microRNA,miR）的表达差异。 结果    （1）离心得到的囊泡具有外泌体典型的结构,粒径小于150 nm,表达外泌体标志蛋白CD63,说明分离得到外泌体。缺氧对肾小管上皮细胞分泌的外泌体形态、粒径分布比例无明显影响,但提高了外泌体的分泌量。（2）缺氧外泌体相比于常氧外泌体促进了LPS诱导的M1型巨噬细胞IL-6、TNF-α、iNOS 的表达和分泌（均P＜0.01）,同时提高STAT的磷酸化水平并减少SOCS1的蛋白表达（均P＜0.01）;对炎性反应相关microRNA检测发现缺氧外泌体中miR-155、miR-27a表达量较常氧外泌体明显升高（P＜0.05）。 结论    缺氧可改变外泌体的生物学功能,表现为协同促进LPS诱导的M1型巨噬细胞的表型转化,这可能是慢性肾脏病微炎性反应状态持续的原因之一。     

In Vitro Function and Durability Assessment of a Novel Polyurethane Heart Valve Prosthesis

Abstract While flexible-leaflet, central-flow prosthetic heart valves promise relief from anticoagulation therapy, they continue to be restricted by inadequate durability. In consequence, a novel trileaflet valve, made entirely from polyurethane, has been developed. A batch of 6 consecutively manufactured polyurethane valves was subjected to hydrodynamic function and accelerated fatigue testing. Computerized data acquisition and control systems have been introduced to improve valve testing methodologies. In terms of hydrodynamic function, the polyurethane valve demonstrates transvalvular pressure gradients similar to those for a bioprosthetic valve (Carpentier-Edwards) and levels of retrograde flow significantly less than those for either the bioprosthetic valve or a bileaflet mechanical valve (St Jude Medical). The equivalent of 10 years of cycling without failure has been exceeded by all 6 polyurethane valves in accelerated fatigue tests with 2 valves remaining intact after 674 million cycles (equivalent to approximately 17 years) in continuing tests. Highspeed photography revealed considerable differences in leaflet motion between valves cycled at accelerated and physiological rates.     

Negative pressure ventilation vs. spontaneous assisted ventilation during rigid bronchoscopy: A controlled randomised trial

Background: Ventilation during interventional rigid bronchoscopy (IRB) under general anaesthesia (jet ventilation, positive pressure ventilation and spontaneous assisted ventilation) may offer some difficulties. This study compares the effectiveness during IRB of intermittent negative pressure ventilation (INPV) and spontaneous assisted ventilation (SAV). Methods: Thirty-eight patients submitted to IRB were randomised into two groups: SAV or INPV. All patients received a total intravenous anaesthesia; INPV patients were paralysed. Pre-and intra-operative arterial blood gases and O₂ flow through a rigid bronchoscope were assessed. The endoscopist applying a subjective score evaluated the operating conditions. Results: Patients of the INPV group, as compared to the SAV group, required a lower dosage of fentanyl (2.6 ± 1.8 (μg · kg^?1· h^?1 vs. 6.6 ± 4.8 μg · kg^?1· h^?1), a lower O₂ supply (3.3 ± 2.8 1/min vs. 11.6 ± 3.4 1/min), a shorter recovery time (5.4 ± 2.9 min vs. 9.8 ± 7.1 min) and no manually assisted ventilation (0 ± 0 vs. 1 ± 1.1 nd?/procedure). Intraoperative PaCO₂ was higher in the SAV (8.1 ± 1.3 kPa) than in the INPV group (5.0 ± 1.6 kPa) and intraoperative pH differed in the two groups (7.26 ± 0.05, SAV vs. 7.47 ± 0.08, INPV). Operating conditions, as assessed by a subjective score, were considered better with INPV than with SAV (4.9 vs. 4.3). Conclusions: As compared to SAV, INPV in paralysed patients during IRB reduces administration of opioids, shortens recovery time, prevents respiratory acidosis, excludes the need for manually assisted ventilation, reduces 02 need and affords optimal surgical conditions. INPV appears a safe, non-invasive and effective ventilatory management during IRB.