Ⅰ期支气管肺泡细胞癌与肺腺癌外科治疗

目的 比较外科手术治疗的Ⅰ期支气管肺泡细胞癌与同分期肺腺癌在流行病学特点、临床表现、影像学特点、手术疗效以及复发转移方面的差异.方法 选取“肺叶切除手术病例登记统计系统”数据库收集的2006年9月至2011年12月北京大学人民医院胸外科完成的全部Ⅰ期支气管肺泡细胞癌手术病例,与同期同手术方法完成的Ⅰ期肺腺癌病例进行回顾性对比研究.结果 排除病理诊断中支气管肺泡细胞癌与腺癌混杂病例,研究共纳入337例,其中支气管肺泡细胞癌39例,肺腺癌298例.两组比较前者女性多见(69.2％对52.0％,P=0.042),年龄年轻(57.4岁对61.8岁,P=0.014),吸烟者比例较低(12.8％对29.9％,P=0.026);胸部CT上表现为磨玻璃样病变者多(35.9％对9.7％,P＜0.001),肿瘤直径小(1.4 cm对2.3 cm,P＜0.001);但在手术方式(全胸腔镜肺叶切除92.3％对95.0％,P=0.752)、手术时间(182.8 min对182.4 min,P=0.973)、术中出血量(188.2 ml对177.1 ml,P=0.700)和并发症发生率(2.6％对14.1％,P=0.076)方面两组无差异;3年无瘤生存率(100％对76.1％,P=0.030)和总生存率(100％对86.1％,P=0.041),Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示支气管肺泡细胞癌患者均优于肺腺癌患者.结论 Ⅰ期支气管肺泡细胞癌与同分期肺腺癌相比在流行病学特点、临床表现、影像学特点和复发转移方式方面均具有特殊性,胸腔镜肺叶切除加系统淋巴结清扫是其首选合理手术方式,手术治疗预后良好.     

微弹簧圈定位在胸腔镜肺小结节切除术中的应用

目的探讨术前CT引导下微弹簧圈定位在胸腔镜孤立性肺小结节切除术中的应用价值。方法 2014年5月~2016年4月,对21例单发肺部小结节病灶经术前定位后行胸腔镜手术切除。结节直径7~21(10.3±8.0)mm,距离脏层胸膜深度5~23(10.2±4.3)mm。术前1日在CT引导下行"拖尾法"微弹簧圈术前定位,胸腔镜下行病灶楔形切除术,送冰冻病理,如为恶性继续行胸腔镜下肺叶切除加纵隔淋巴结清扫术。结果全组21例肺小结节均成功经皮肺穿刺置入微弹簧圈。定位并发症为无症状气胸3例,均无需处理。胸腔镜术中发现微弹簧圈脱位3例,定位成功率85.7%(18/21)。21例均行胸腔镜手术切除。病理确诊原位癌5例,腺癌11例,非典型腺瘤样增生1例,炎症2例,炎性假瘤1例,肺内转移瘤1例。结论 CT引导下微弹簧圈定位用于肺内小结节术前定位是一种简单、直观、有效、精确的方法,值得推广。     

肺磨玻璃结节患者病理诊断及胸腔镜手术治疗的临床分析

目的探究肺磨玻璃结节患者病理诊断及胸腔镜手术治疗的临床效果。方法回顾性分析2016年1月到2018年1月在本院就诊的100例肺磨玻璃结节患者的诊疗情况,分析其病理诊断结果及胸腔镜手术治疗效果。结果病理诊断显示:100例患者包括28例良性及72例恶性肺磨玻璃结节患者,恶性组病变直径(1.52±0.73)cm明显大于良性组(0.81±0.21)cm,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。恶性组胸部CT边界不清发生率(94.4%)明显高于良性组(10.71%,P0.05)。41例行肺叶切除,恶性组(39例)明显多于良性组2例,具有统计学意义(P0.05)。29例进行肺楔形切除,恶性组7例,明显少于对照组22例,具有统计学意义(P0.05)。恶性组手术时间,术中出血量及住院时间明显多于良性组,两组比较具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者术后6个月均无复发。术后并发症发生率为9.00%,且两组患者并发症发生率比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论磨玻璃样结节患者中恶性病变比例高,可以结合患者病史、身体状况及病理诊断决定是否进行手术切除。胸腔镜手术进行肺叶切除、肺段切除及肺楔形切除均具有较好的治疗效果。     

同侧肺多结节非小细胞肺癌的外科治疗

目的 探讨外科手术对同侧肺多结节型非小细胞肺癌的治疗作用.方法 1999年12月至2006年12月共对68例同侧肺多结节非小细胞肺癌患者进行完全性手术切除.男性44例,女性24例,年龄33～81岁,平均年龄为60.3岁.其中54例为同一肺叶内的多结节病灶(T4),13例为不同肺叶的多结节病灶(M1),还有1例被证实为多原发癌.本组患者采用的手术方法包括:肺叶切除、联合肺叶切除、全肺切除和肺叶切除加楔形切除,所有患者均接受了系统性纵隔淋巴结清扫.结果 本组患者的中位生存时间为30个月,影响患者术后生存的主要因素是纵隔淋巴结转移状态和细支气管肺泡癌组织类型.无纵隔淋巴结转移的患者的中位生存时间为39个月,而有纵隔淋巴结转移的患者的中位生存时间为14个月(P<0.01).伴有细支气管肺泡癌成分的患者的中位生存时间为46个月,好于其他组织类型患者的20个月(P<0.01).结论 外科手术可有效治疗同侧肺多结节型非小细胞肺癌,对含有细支气管肺泡癌成分和无纵隔淋巴结转移的这类患者应积极进行手术治疗.     

胸、腹腔镜联合在结直肠癌同期肺转移治疗中的应用

目的:探讨胸腹腔镜联合切除结直肠癌伴肺转移病灶的可行性与安全性。方法:收集2008年7月至2014年7月同期微创行腔镜下联合切除结直肠癌肺转移瘤根治术的患者,其中胸腔镜联合腹腔镜手术11例,胸腔镜联合达芬奇手术2例,分析患者一般情况、围手术期情况及术后转归。结果:所有腔镜切除术均顺利完成,无术中死亡及中转开胸、开腹。其中直肠癌Dixon术8例,Miles术2例,左半结肠切除3例。胸腔镜下13例切除病灶均为肺转移癌,其中9例为单个楔形切除,2例为多个楔形切除,2例为单叶肺切除。手术均达到R0切除。手术时间平均(270±50)min,术中出血量平均(380±120)ml,均未输血;术后2例患者出现心律失常,1例肺感染,1例肠漏,对症支持治疗后均顺利出院,术后平均住院(11±4)d。随访1、3年生存率分别为86.8%、52.6%。未见切口肿瘤种植。结论:同期腔镜下联合切除结直肠癌肺转移病灶是安全、可行的,多学科协作下患者筛选、加强围手术期管理是关键。     

胸腔镜术前低剂量CT引导下Hook-wire联合亚甲蓝定位肺局灶性磨玻璃样病变

目的探讨低剂量CT(low-dose CT,LDCT)引导下Hook-wire联合亚甲蓝定位在胸腔镜下肺局灶性磨玻璃样病变(focal ground-glass opacity,fGGO)切除术中的临床应用价值。方法 2010年11月～2012年4月对21例单侧fGGO(直径5～17 mm,平均11.5 mm,距壁层胸膜0～28 mm)行胸腔镜肺楔形切除术,术前皆行LDCT引导下Hook-wire定位,并辅以亚甲蓝染色。结果 LDCT引导下Hook-wire联合亚甲蓝定位成功率为100%,定位时间15～28 min,平均21 min。1例术中金属钩脱落,胸腔镜下观察肺组织表面血肿和亚甲蓝染色而成功手术切除;1例亚甲蓝染色失败,但Hook-wire锚定病灶亦成功手术切除。6例(28.6%)发生并发症,其中无症状气胸4例,无症状左上叶出血1例,无症状气胸和右下叶出血1例。VATS手术时间15～43 min,平均22 min;术中出血量23～38 ml,平均31 ml。术后住院5～12 d,平均7 d。fGGO术后病理:原位癌4例,微浸润腺癌3例,肺腺癌1例,不典型腺瘤样增生5例,错构瘤1例,间质性肺炎3例,肺内淋巴结增生2例,炎性肉芽肿2例。结论 LDCT引导下Hook-wire联合亚甲蓝定位fGGO的准确率高,并发症轻微。     

儿童甲状腺乳头状癌临床分析及肺转移风险因素讨论

目的 探讨分析儿童甲状腺乳头状癌临床特征及肺转移风险因素以指导临床工作.方法 收集2005-2016年郑州大学第一附属医院甲状腺外科收治的14岁以下首次行手术治疗并经过术后常规病理证实为甲状腺乳头状癌患者资料40例,将有关头颈部恶性肿瘤或淋巴瘤病史、继发性甲状腺癌、甲状腺功能亢进合并甲状腺乳头状癌,病例资料不完整的病例排除.40例患儿年龄3 ～ 14岁,其中男12例,女28例.最大肿瘤直径7.5 cm,最小肿瘤直径0.3 cm.肿瘤病灶单发22例,多发18例.肿瘤合并颈部淋巴结转移33例,无颈部淋巴结转移7例.肿瘤合并肺转移10例,无肺转移30例.采用x2检验和Logistic回归分析儿童甲状腺乳头状癌患者年龄、性别、肿瘤直径、病灶数、手术方式、颈部淋巴结转移等临床特征及肺转移相关风险因素.结果 儿童甲状腺乳头状癌肺转移的阳性率为25.0％(10/40),统计分析发现:肿瘤合并肺转移患儿阳性率在多发病灶数(x2=8.620,P=0.003)、肿瘤直径≥2 cm(x2=5.763,P=0.016)中较高且差异有统计学意义,经Logistic回归分析示:多病灶数是儿童甲状腺乳头状癌肺转移的危险因素(OR:13.058,P=0.028).结论 较高的肺转移率为儿童甲状腺乳头状癌的临床特征,对于多病灶的甲状腺乳头状癌患儿,肺转移风险明显增高.     

术前CT引导下亚甲蓝与Hookwire联合定位肺小结节临床应用价值

目的 探讨CT引导下亚甲蓝与Hookwire联合定位在胸腔镜下孤立性肺小结节(SPN)切除术中的临床应用价值.方法 对56例患者的60枚SPN术前行CT引导下亚甲蓝与Hookwire联合定位后行胸腔镜(VATS)肺楔形切除术.全组患者男19例,女37例;年龄35～81岁,平均(61.1±8.9)岁.结果 56例60枚SPN直径为(6.80±4.12) mm,距壁层胸膜(15.38±4.63) mm.CT引导下定位成功率100％,定位时间(10.76±8.17) min.定位后5例(8.9％)发生局部少量气胸,4例(7.1％)发生肺出血,均无需治疗.60枚肺小结节病灶均准确定位,VATS楔形切除术成功率100％.术后病理显示,肺泡细胞癌(BAC)33枚(55.0％),肺泡细胞癌伴腺癌(BAC+ AC) 11枚(18.3％),肺泡细胞不典型增生(AAH)7枚(ll.8％),炎性肉芽肿4枚(6.7％),错构瘤3枚(5.0％),结核性肉芽肿2枚(3.3％).结论 胸腔镜术前CT引导下亚甲蓝与Hookwire联合定位准确率高,对胸腔镜手术(VATS)楔形切除病灶有极大的帮助作用,具有良好的临床应用价值.     

亚厘米肺结节的外科诊疗分析

目的探讨亚厘米(10 mm)孤立性肺结节(solitary pulmonary nodule,SPN)的临床诊断和外科治疗方法。方法对我院2006年1月~2015年12月手术治疗62例亚厘米SPN进行回顾性分析。术前均行多次胸部CT扫描随访,随访观察时间3~72个月(平均6.8月)。术前胸部CT肺窗测定病变大小,直径≤5 mm 28例,6~9 mm 34例。实性结节17例,半实性结节36例,纯磨玻璃样病变9例。其中56例行术前病变定位。术式包括胸腔镜单纯病变切除或剔除术2例,肺楔形切除术47例,肺段切除术8例,肺叶切除术5例。结果术后病理证实恶性结节54例(87.1%),包括非典型性腺瘤样增生(atypical adenomatous hyperplasia,AAH)和原发恶性肿瘤共49例,转移瘤5例;良性结节8例(12.9%)。结论亚厘米SPN影像学静态特征相对缺乏,需要通过其实质变化及动态观察确定诊疗策略。影像学定位技术有助于胸腔镜术中准确定位,肺叶和亚肺叶切除对亚厘米SPN的诊疗安全有效。     

同期手术切除肺多发磨玻璃影的临床分析

目的总结多发肺磨玻璃影(ground-glass opacity,GGO)患者同期手术切除的技术要点。方法回顾性分析2015年11月至2019年5月65例在武汉同济医院胸外科同期行多发肺GGO切除患者的临床资料,其中男13例、女52例,平均年龄(56.0±9.4)岁,分析患者手术情况及肺GGO相关信息。结果患者发现GGO至手术时间间隔8～1 447(236.5±362.4)d。同期单侧手术48例,同期双侧手术17例,除2例患者因全胸腔粘连中转开胸外,其余均为胸腔镜手术,无围手术期严重并发症及死亡病例,术后平均住院时间(12.2±4.3)d。共切除GGO病灶156个,纯GGO 80个,其中恶性58个(72.5%),平均直径(7.7±3.3)mm,良性22个(27.5%),平均直径(5.5±2.6)mm;混合GGO 76个,其中恶性69个(90.8%),平均直径(13.6±6.6)mm,良性7个(9.2%),平均直径(7.7±3.5)mm。结论患者发现肺多发GGO时应进行规范抗炎治疗,当保守治疗无效且经观察后无良性转归者应考虑外科手术治疗。此类患者病灶为恶性可能性大,在肺功能允许时可考虑同期单侧或双侧胸腔镜多病灶切除,根据病灶临床特征及术中快速病理结果可灵活采取亚肺叶及(或)肺叶切除方法,不会增加患者术后并发症风险;如评估患者无法耐受同期多病灶切除,直径7.7 mm的GGO病灶应优先考虑手术切除。     

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.