椎间盘置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症

目的：探讨人工椎间盘置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果。方法：对6例腰椎间盘突出症息者用Link SB ChariteⅢ型人工腰椎间盘行椎间盘置换术，共置换假体6例。手术节段为L4、5 4例，L5S1 2例。结果：随访3～9个月，平均6个月，术中和术后未出现并发症，术后X线片显示人工椎间盘位置正确，椎间隙高度恢复正常，5例患者腰腿痛症状完全消失，直腿抬高试验阴性，1例劳累后仍感腰痛，6例均恢复工作和日常生活能力。临床评价：优5例，良1例。结论：人工椎间盘置换术是治疗椎间盘突出症的有效方法，近期效果满意，但应严格掌握手术适应证。     

人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床初步报告

目的 探讨应用人工髓核(prosthetic disc nucleus，PDN)置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果．方法 自2002年6月～2003年2月，临床应用人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症20例，男12例，女8例，年龄25～68岁．其中L4.5间隙15例，ksl间隙5例，全部采用单枚PDN置入，所选用的假体PR725型11例，PR925型4例．PW725型5例。结果 全部病例术后随访3个月～1年，假体脱位1例，椎间隙感染1例，余病例假体位置理想，临床腰腿痛症状均缓解。术后椎间隙高度较术前平均增加14．9％．结论 人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症近期效果理想，其操作简单，为临床治疗提供一种新方法。     

人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症

[目的]评价人工髓核假体（prosthetic disc nucleus，PDN）治疗腰椎间盘突出症的近期效果。[方法]2003年6—11月，对20例单节段腰椎间盘突出症施行PDN单枚置换术，并获得平均26．4（23—29）个月随访。[结果]1例术后因假体移位再次手术取出。其余19例患者术后临床症状均消失，运动功能明显改善，椎间隙高度较术前平均增加17．2％（P〈0．01）。其中1例手术椎间隙发生自融合。至随访末期Oswestry功能障碍指数及Prolo功能评分均明显改善。椎间隙高度增加值与临床评分改善值无相关性。[结论]PDN置换术能有效地治疗腰椎间盘突出症，并能恢复和维持退变椎间隙高度，近期效果肯定。过分强调术后椎间隙高度增加或许并不合适。     

椎间盘置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症

目的 探讨人工椎间盘置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果。方法 对6例腰椎间盘突出症患者用Link SB Charite Ⅲ型人工腰椎间盘行椎间盘置换术,共置换假体6例。手术节段为L_(4、5)4例,L_5S_12例。结果 随访3～9个月,平均6个月,术中和术后未出现并发症,术后X线片显示人工椎间盘位置正确,椎间隙高度恢复正常,5例患者腰腿痛症状完全消失,直腿抬高试验阴性,1例劳累后仍感腰痛,6例均恢复工作和日常生活能力。临床评价:优5例,良1例。结论 人工椎间盘置换术是治疗椎间盘突出症的有效方法,近期效果满意,但应严格掌握手术适应证。     

人工髓核假体置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症

目的 比较人工髓核假体（PDN）置换术和传统单纯髓核摘除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效,评价人工髓核假体置换术的实用价值。方法 施行人工髓核假体置换术18例,16例为单节段腰椎问盘突出症,2例为两节段腰椎间盘突出,均采用单枚PDN置人单个椎间盘间隙。对照组单纯髓核摘除术30例,22例为单节段腰椎间盘突出,8例为两节段腰椎间盘突出。观察两组病例的临床效果。结果 PDN组术后临床症状均消失,运动功能明显好转。6例获得9～22个月的随访,9例获得3～9个月的随访,椎间隙高度较手术前平均增加10．5％,无髓核假体移位突出,术后疗效明显优于单纯髓核摘除术组,两者相比差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。结论 PDN置换术既能恢复脊柱的节段稳定性,又保持脊柱节段的活动性,适当的假体设计与材料选择也能使椎间盘与椎体后柱的负荷获得再平衡,有广泛的应用前景。     

人工椎间盘置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症

目的 探讨人工腰椎间盘置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果。方法 自1999年12月～2001年12月对22例腰椎间盘突出症患者采用Link SB ChariteⅢ型人工椎间盘行椎间盘置换术,共置换假体30个,随访4～28个月（平均16个月）,分别于手术前后对患者的情况进行JOA评分。结果所有病例无术中并发症发生,术中出血100～800ml（平均320 ml）。术后第2d（早期病例为术后第7d）,患者可佩戴腰围下地,术后6周除去腰围恢复正常活动。术后X线片显示人工椎间盘位置正确,椎间隙高度恢复正常。患者腰腿痛症状消失,直腿抬高试验阴性。3例患者术后出现健侧肢体麻木。JOA评分较术前提高,差异有非常显著性意义（P<0.001）。无椎间盘假体脱落、失效,远期感染等术后并发症发生。结论 人工椎间盘置换术是治疗腰椎间盘突出症的有效方法,但应严格掌握手术适应证。     

人工髓核假体置换的临床疗效

[目的]探讨人工髓核假体置换治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果。[方法]2002年4月至2004年5月，作者采用PDN人工髓核置换术治疗单节段椎间盘突出症25例，男性16例，女性9例；平均年龄28岁。突出节段分布为：L3、4 2例、L4、5 16例、L5S1 7例。所有病人均主诉典型的单侧坐骨神经痛，其中8例伴有腰痛。病人术前均经过3个月以上的保守治疗，且效果不满意。手术采用后正中入路标准髓核摘除术后，按假体植入要求准备椎间隙，植入适当型号的人工髓核假体。[结果]本组所有病例均经过1a以上的随访，平均随访17．7个月。按照MaeNab疗效标准评定，优16例，良7例，可1例，差1例，优良率为92％。[结论]临床随访结果显示了人工髓核假体置换术的短期临床疗效满意。应用时要注意适应证的把握、椎间隙的准备、假体型号的选择等关键问题。长期的临床效果还需进一步观察。     

腰椎间盘人工髓核置换术并发症原因分析及预防策略(附4年随访报告)

[目的]探讨腰椎间盘人工髓核置换术早、中期并发症原因及预防策略。[方法]2002年2月～2004年8月采用单枚人工髓核假体（prosthetic disc nucleus-pulposus，PDN）置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症患者80例，其中65例获得24～48个月随访（平均36个月），男45例，女20例；平均35．2岁。病程6个月～10年。其中L3,4 1例，L4、5 ，35例，L5S1 29例。将术后平均随访时间达24、36、48个月的65例分别分为A组（30例）、B组（23例）、C组（12例）。随访评价包括：临床疗效评分，X线、MRI检查并测量椎间隙高度，观察假体移位，软骨终板变化情况。[结果]主要并发症包括：术后3d内即出现一过性腰痛24例，1—3个月发生假体脱出3例。24个月～48个月随访时观察到软骨终板损伤39例，假体下沉32例。A组术后第24个月椎间高度较术前降低约4％；B组术后第36个月椎间高度较术前降低约12％；C组术后第48个月椎间高度较术前降低约18％。[结论]单枚PDN假体置换治疗腰椎间盘突出症主要并发症：早期假体脱出，中、远期并发症包括软骨终板损伤、假体下沉。因此，应慎重开展此项手术，严格把握手术适应证。     

人工髓核置换治疗腰椎间盘突出症初步报告

目的探讨人工髓核置换治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床应用的初步效果. 方法自2002年5月～2003年8月行单个人工髓核假体(PDN)置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症26例. 结果所有病例均获随访,平均时间10.5(3～18)个月.临床疗效评价:优18例,良4例,尚可2例.1例发生椎间隙感染,保守治疗后好转;1例术后2月出现假体移位、症状复发,行再次手术更换假体后治愈. 结论人工髓核假体置换治疗腰椎间盘突出症能恢复椎间隙高度,操作简单,创伤小,恢复快,近期疗效满意,远期疗效仍需进一步观察.     

腰椎Active-L人工椎间盘置换术与腰椎融合术的临床比较研究

背景：腰椎融合术一直被广大学者认为是治疗腰椎间盘退行性病变的“金标准”,但文献报道腰椎融合术加速相邻节段退变的发生,为保留脊柱功能单位的生理和运动特性,提出人工椎间盘置换术。目的：比较前路Active．L型人工椎间盘假体置换术和后路腰椎融合术治疗单节段腰椎间盘退行性病变患者的疗效和安全性。方法：2009年1月至2010年4月62例因腰椎间盘退行性病变的手术患者,根据手术方式分为试验组和对照组。试验组行腰椎人工椎间盘置换术患者20例,男10例,女10例;年龄36-58岁,平均47．7岁;术前诊断：腰椎间盘突出症16例,腰椎间盘源性下腰痛4例,腰椎间盘后路开窗术后复发1例;手术节段：13-42例,L4-513例,L5-S15例。对照组行腰椎融合术患者42例,男22例,女20例;年龄40-60岁,平均48．5岁;术前诊断：腰椎间盘突出症32例,腰椎间盘源性下腰痛7例,腰椎间盘后路开窗术后复发3例;手术节段：13-44例,L4-526例,15-S112例。随访观察指标包括：（1）临床疗效评定：术后疼痛及功能改善率的评定;手术成功率的评定。（2）影像学评定：腰椎前凸角和手术节段的椎问活动度独立因素t检验进行对比评价。结果：全部获得随访,试验组随访时间为12-27个月,平均19．3个月;对照组随访时间为12-27个月,平均19．8个月。两组患者在治疗下腰痛方面均取得明显疗效。在改善ODI功能评分、VAS疼痛评分、SF-36、椎间隙活动度上,试验组优于对照组,两组间比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）;在恢复腰椎前凸序列上,两组间无显著性差异（P〉0．05）;两组均未出现严重并发症。结论：人工椎间盘置换术和融合术均取得良好的临床效果,但人工椎间盘置换术在掌握严格的手术适应证和禁忌证的条件下,相比腰椎融合术具有更好的临床疗效并保留病变节段的活动度。因此,在合适的手术适应证下,人工间盘置换术是一种更优且可以替代腰椎融合术的有效治疗方法。     

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.