恶性梗阻性黄疸患者血清内毒素和肿瘤坏死因子的检测

目的 探讨恶性梗阻性黄疸病人不同引流术式对血清内毒素（ET）及肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）水平的影响。方法 测量36例恶性梗阻性黄疸病人内外引流术的手术前术后血清ET和NTF水平。结果 胆肠吻合内引流术10d后ET和TNF较术前明显降低（P＜0．01），而外引流组则术前术后无显著变化（P＞0．05）。术前两组差异无显著性（P＞0．05），手术10d后内引流组显著低于外引流组（P＜0．01）。结论 尽管内外引流均可使黄疸减退，但内引流术能更有效地降低因清ET和TNF水平，因此，在肿瘤无法切除时应尽量采取内引流术。     

恶性梗阻性黄疸根治性切除术后急性肾功能衰竭的预防

目的探讨恶性梗阻性黄疸根治性切除术围手术期肾功能的保护及急性肾功能衰竭（ARF）的预防。方法为降低ARF的发生率，从2004年起本治疗小组在ARF的预防方面采取了一系列措施，包括预防内毒素血症，术前减黄，充分扩容，营养支持，甘露醇、速尿的使用，预防弥散性血管内凝血等。分2个阶段回顾性分析从2000～2007年8年间（第1阶段：2000年1月至2003年12月；第2阶段：2004年1月至2007年12月）本治疗小组行根治性切除术的恶性梗阻性黄疸患者206例围手术期ARF的发生率，并引入了最新的ARF分级标准（RIFLE标准）对ARF进行分级。结果第2阶段恶性梗阻性黄疸的根治性切除率从第1阶段的44．8％提高到57．1％（P〈0．05），围手术期ARF的发生率从15．1％下降至6．7％（P〈0．05），其中ARF危险及损害阶段的发生率在第1阶段与第2阶段比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），而ARF衰竭阶段发生率则由10．5％降至2．5％（P〈0．05），因此ARF发生率的降低主要是通过将急性肾功能损害控制在早期阶段而避免其向衰竭阶段发展，从而使围手术期的死亡率从16．3％降至5．8％（P〈0．05）。结论通过最新的RIFLE标准对ARF进行分级统计，说明我们在围手术期所采取的预防措施有效地控制了恶性梗阻性黄疸患者围手术期ARF的发生和发展。     

梗阻性黄疸术后早期肠内营养对全身炎症反应综合征的影响

目的观察早期肠内营养对梗阻性黄疸术后全身炎症反应综合征（SIRS）的影响。方法60例梗阻性黄疸患者,随机分为肠内营养（EN）组、肠外营养（PN）组和对照组,术后第1天开始分别接受肠内、肠外营养及普通输液治疗,测定3组患者术前和术后1、3、5、7、9d血清C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）和肿瘤坏死因子仪（TNF-α）含量变化,观察术后全身炎症反应综合征（SIRS）及多器官功能不全综合征（MODS）的发生率,以及其他各种并发症发生率。结果EN组术后第3、5、7、9天的CRP、IL-6、TNF-α血清水平较PN组和对照组下降显著（P〈0．05）,PN组与对照组比较无显著性差异;EN组SIRS持续时问（3．26±1．27）d明显短于PN组的（5．314-1．47）d和对照组的（5．69±1．58）d（P〈0．05）;EN组MODS发病率为9．52％,明显低于PN组（23．81％）和对照组（27．78％）（P〈0．05）;EN组术后并发症发生率为19．0％,明显低于PN组（38．1％）和对照组（55．6％）（P〈0．05）,而PN组又低于对照组（P〈0．05）;在感染性并发症方面,EN组明显低于PN组和对照组（P〈0．05）。结论梗阻性黄疸术后早期肠内营养能有效地减轻SIRS,降低MODS发病率,减少术后并发症的发生,促进患者康复。     

保留迷走神经主干的门奇断流术治疗门静脉高压症32例报告

探讨保留迷走神经主干门奇断流术（VPPD）的手术方法及治疗效果。方法：通过尸体解剖，了解食管下端迷走神经前后主干走行，设计出该术式的游离曲线，在临床上应用32例，并与同期施行的，资料比较完整的门奇断流术（PD）32例和门奇断流术加幽门成形术（PD加PP）16例进行比较。结果：手术死亡率和术后再出血率VPPD组分别为3．1％和6．3％，PD组分别为6．3％和9．4％，PD加PP组均为6．3％，3组无明显差异（P＞0．05）。胃肠功能恢复时间VPPD组平均3．5d，较PD组平均5.7d和PD加PP组平均4.2d明显快（P＜0．02），食后饱胀率和肠胃反流发生率在VPPD组均为6．3％，PD组分别为46．9％和18．8％；PD加PP组分别为12．5％和100％，3组有极显著性差异（P＜0．05）。胃液滞留，突发性腹泻和远期胆囊结石发生率PD组分别为25％，15．6％和7．1％，PD加PP组分别为12．5％，18．8％和6．3％，而VPPD组无一例发生。结论：VPPD能较好地维持胃的正常动力学及肝胆，肠道系统的生理功能，最大限度地减少术后并发症的发生，疗效优于PD和PD加PP。     

胰十二指肠切除术患者围手术期状况与预后的关系

目的 探讨胰十二指肠切除术（PD）后并发症及死亡率发生、预防及处理的相关问题。方法 回顾分析1985年7月至2002年12月期间我院106例施行PD患者的临床资料。结果 本组术后共发生并发症37例（34．91％），其中严重并发症发生率为19．81％（21／106），死亡11例（10．38％）。术前总胆红素〉342μmol／L组与总胆红素4342μmol／L组相比，总并发症和严重并发症发生率显著增高（P〈0．05）；出现并发症或死亡患者的术中出血量、术中输血量及手术时间均明显高于无并发症患者（P〈0．05）。结论 PD近年来的安全性和可切除性已明显提高，但需要有良好的技术、精细的操作、手术经验及围手术期的精心治疗和护理，是减少并发症和死亡率的关键。     

梗阻性黄疸病人术后早期肠内营养的临床研究

目的探讨梗阻性黄疸病人术后早期肠内营养疗效及安全性。方法梗阻性黄疸病人60例,随机分成肠内营养组（30例）及肠外营养组（30例）。术前及术后第1、4,7天监测谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、胆红素及营养代谢指标。记录并发症、术后肠道恢复通气时间和营养治疗费用。结果两组谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶变化差异无显著性（P〉0．05）;肠内营养组胆红素下降速度较肠外营养组快;胃肠道功能恢复时间肠内营养组明显早于肠外营养组（P〈0．01）;两组住院时间差异无显著性（P〉O．05）;肠内营养组治疗费用约为肠外营养组的1／4。结论梗阻性黄疸病人术后早期肠内营养是安全而有效的,可有效改善病人的营养状况;减少并发症的发生;可加快降低高胆红素血症者的胆红素水平。具有促进胃肠道功能恢复和降低治疗费用的优势。     

分期微创手术方式在重症急性胰腺炎外科治疗中的应用

目的 探讨重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）的手术时机及手术方式。方法 对广东省人民医院2000年1月至2004年12月收治的62例SAP病人进行回顾性分析。结果 在早期手术组中，总手术死亡率57．1％，其中开腹手术组和CT引导下穿刺引流组（穿刺引流组）手术死亡率分别为75％和33．3％，两组差异无显著性（P=0．274）。总并发症发生率为57．1％，其中开腹手术组和穿刺引流组并发症分别为100％和0。在延期手术组中，总手术死亡率18．5％，与早期手术组相比差异有显著性（P=0．039），其中开腹手术组和分期微创手术组手术死亡率分别为71．4％和0，两组相比差异有显著意义（P=0．01）；总并发症发生率为25．9％，与早期手术组相比差异具显著性（P=0．01）；开腹手术组和分期微创手术组并发症发生率分别为100％和0，两组相比差异具显著性（P=0．000）。结论 分期微创手术治疗是重症急性胰腺炎外科治疗中一个较好的手术方式。     

呼气氢试验对恶性梗阻性黄疸患者围手术期小肠细菌移位的判断价值

目的:研究恶性梗阻性黄疸患者围手术期血浆内毒素（PE）的动态变化，应用呼气氢试验（HBT）判断小肠细菌的移位及其意义。方法:选择38例可行手术治疗的恶性梗阻性黄疸患者为试验组（A组），健康受试者30例为对照组（B组）。观察A组患者术前、术后PE的变化及HBT的结果，并与B组进行比较。结果:入院时A组PE水平为(0.69±0.22)EU/mL（Endotoxin Unit per mL），与B组（0.17±0.05）EU/ mL相比差异有显著性（P＜0.01）；A组术前1d PE下降不明显（P＞0.05），术后下降显著（P＜0.05）。A组入院时，术前1 d，术后3， 7，14 d HBT阳性率分别为86.8 %，73.7 %，39.5 %，21.1 %和7.9 %；B组阳性率为6.7 %。A组入院时与B组相比差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。A组术后3，7 d与术前1d相比较差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。结论:恶性梗阻性黄疸患者存在肠道细菌移位，合并不同程度的内毒素血症。呼气氢试验是判断恶性黄疸患者围手术期小肠细菌移位的较好指标。     

基于临床随机对照试验的胰十二指肠切除术后消化道重建方式的系统评价

目的：系统评价胰十二指肠切除术（PD术）后不同的消化道吻合方式及相关辅助方法。方法检索万方数据库和PubMed、The Cochrane Library、Web of Science以及EMBASE等数据库中,关于PD手术后消化道吻合方式的临床随机对照试验（RCT）,采用Jadad量表对纳入文献进行质量分析,提取围手术期情况：包括手术时间、术中出血量、术后发生胰漏、胆漏、出血、胃排空延迟、死亡率、再次手术以及伤口愈合不良等并发症指标,采用RevMan 5．2软件进行Meta分析。结果17篇RCT研究共计2504例病例纳入分析,Meta分析结果显示,胰胃吻合组术后胰漏和胆漏的发生率明显低于胰肠吻合组（OR＝0．60,95％ CI：0．44～0．82,P＝0．00; OR＝0．33,95％ CI：0．13～0．82, P＝0．02）。胰肠吻合组中,胰管-黏膜吻合术与传统端端吻合术后总体并发症发生率以及术后胰漏、再次手术和围手术期死亡的发生率差异均无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。外支架管引流组的术后总体并发症发生率及胰漏、尤其是Ⅱ～Ⅲ级胰漏的发生率和住院时间均明显低于无支架管引流组（均P＜0．05）。结论 PD术后消化道重建方式,推荐采用胰胃吻合,辅以外支架管引流。     

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目的 提高恶性梗阻性黄疸病人全身炎症反应综合征（SIRS）与多器官功能障碍综合征（MODS）关系的认识，探讨MODS的防治策略。方法 分析152例恶性梗阻性黄疸病人SIRS的临床资料，病人至少符合2项SIRS诊断标准，包括发热、体温过低、心动过速、呼吸急促或白细胞计数异常。结果 术前出现SIRS者58例，发生率38．1％，其后MODS发生率36．2％，病死率为13．8％。MODS中胃肠功能衰竭最常见，随着SIRS标准项目的增加，MODS的比例也增加，但差异不显著（P＞0．05）。结论 早期诊断SIRS，积极调控机体炎症反应，是改善恶性梗阻性黄疸病人预后的关键。     

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.