Epidural anesthesia: step by step to success

Besides pain management in obstetric patients epidural anaesthesia plays a major role in the perioperative setting. Especially the technique of thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) provides better postoperative analgesia when compared with systemic pain therapy. TEA is associated with improved outcome in high-risk patients and patients undergoing extensive surgery. An acute pain management service is required to guarantee high effectiveness and a low complication rate. TEA is an important part of a multimodal perioperative concept, especially in fast-track surgery, which means advantages for patients outcome and hospitals economics.     

Bipolar enucleation of the prostate—step by step

Bipolar enucleation of prostate (BipolEP) is a useful method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Compared with conventional transurethral resection, the enucleation technique has several advantages. However, since the cost of laser equipment used for enucleation is relatively high, enucleation using bipolar devices has been attempted by many previous surgeons. We consider bipolar enucleation is an effective and safe procedure, and we would like to share our experience of equipment settings and procedures through this article. We will introduce the equipment and settings of BipolEP and then present the actual step-by-step procedures and surgical tips. First, circular incisions are made on bladder neck and mucosa at the level of verumontanum. Then, enucleation is performed in the order of median and lateral lobes as in laser enucleation. Haemostasis should be done throughout the procedure. After enucleation and haemostasis, prostatic tissue is evacuated by morcellator. Currently, there are several types of electrode and morcellator systems. In our experience, BipolEP has a steep learning curve but it is safe and effective procedure for managing BPH. In particular, effective haemostasis is the greatest advantage of BipolEP when compared to traditional TUR or laser enucleation.     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation transapical: step by step

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (T-AVI) has been introduced into clinical practice to treat high-risk elderly patients with aortic stenosis. T-AVI can be performed by using a retrograde transfemoral (TF), transsubclavian, transaortic, and/or antegrade transapical (TA) approach. For TA-AVI, CE mark approval was granted in 2008 for the Edwards SAPIEN (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) prosthesis with the Ascendra delivery system and in 2010 for the second-generation Edwards SAPIEN XT prosthesis and the Ascendra II delivery system, with 23-mm and 26-mm valves. In 2011, CE mark approval has been granted for TA-AVI by using the SAPIEN XT 29-mm prosthesis. Several other devices from different companies (Jenavalve, Jena Valve Inc, Munich, Germany; Embracer, Medtronic Inc, Guilford, CT; Accurate, Symetis Inc, Geneva, Switzerland) have passed "first in man trials" successfully and are being evaluated within multicenter pivotal studies. In this article we will focus on specific aspects of the TA technique for AVI.     

Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy: a technique illustrated step by step

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic surgery is expanding among urologists as a minimally invasive treatment and may now be applied to treat neoplasms of the pelvic organs. Laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy has still not been well codified and illustrated. We describe a technique of laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy that we have developed in 10 patients after practicing in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Between June 2001 and July 2002, 10 men with bladder cancer underwent laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion. This report details step by step our 5-port transperitoneal technique with primary access to the seminal vesicles and Denonvillier's fascia, ureters detection after umbilical arteries incision, endopelvic fascia incision and dorsal vein complex control before division of the vesical and prostatic fibrovascular pedicles with a harmonic scalpel. RESULTS: We performed 6 orthotopic ileal neobladders, 2 sigmoid ureterostomies and 2 cutaneous ureterostomies. In all cases no conversion to open surgery was necessary. The mean time to perform the laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy, including the lymph node dissection, was 166 minutes (range 150-180). Mean estimated blood loss was 310 ml (range 220-440). Mean hospital stay was 8.1 days (range 7-9) for ileal orthotopic neobladder, 8 days (range 7-9) for sigmoid ureterostomy and 5 days for cutaneous ureterostomy. The mean follow up is 12.3 months (range 5-18). Two patients respectively with stage T2bN0 G2-3 and stage pT1N0 (plus carcinoma in situ) G3 transitional cell carcinoma and surgical margins tumor free had diffusive metastatic disease after 6 months. The other 8 patients are free from disease. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is still an operation for pioneers but this procedure may be not strictly relegated to a few academic centers. In our opinion laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy is a feasible, fast, safe and easy procedure and urinary diversion may be performed with a laparoscopic, open or combined approach without reducing the advantages of laparoscopy.     

分步筑墙PKP治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性骨折骨不连

目的探讨经皮椎体后凸成形(PKP)术中使用分步筑墙法注入骨水泥治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折骨不连的临床疗效及并发症。方法回顾性分析自2012-01—2014-03采用分步筑墙法PKP手术治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折骨不连26例(28椎),术中使用分步调制骨水泥及分次推注骨水泥的方法。比较术前、术后3 d、术后1年的伤椎前、中柱高度、Cobb角、VAS评分、ODI指数。结果术中每个椎体推注骨水泥(5.3±1.6)ml。术后X线片显示骨水泥填充良好,2例发生骨水泥侧方渗漏,1例椎间隙渗漏,早期1例前方渗漏,未出现骨水泥渗漏进入椎管。病检结果:增生的纤维结缔组织及骨、死骨组织、骨组织伴钙化。本组26例术后均获随访8~28个月,平均17.9个月。术后3 d及术后1年时伤椎前、中柱高度、Cobb角、VAS评分、ODI指数均较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);但术后3 d与术后1年随访时,观察指标差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 PKP术中采用分步筑墙法注入骨水泥治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折骨不连能明显缓解疼痛和恢复伤椎高度,减少骨水泥渗漏。     

X线分步监测胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉植入的实验研究

[目的]探讨X线分步监测胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉准确置入的可行性。[方法]选8具T9～L5脊柱标本，随机分A、B两组，每组4具。A组按X线分步监测方法置入椎弓根螺钉。CT扫描测量椎弓根一半长、全长及螺钉通道长度和椎弓根e角及f角。当导针进至深度为椎弓根一半时，标准正位片导针远端到达椎弓根投影中线为符合标准；当导针进至深度为椎弓根全长时，腰椎到达椎弓根投影3／4处为符合标准，而胸椎到达椎弓根投影的1／2与3／4的中线处为符合标准；导针进入椎体，调整X线机臂，侧位片观察导针深度及f角。按照导针轨道植入椎弓根螺钉。B组为对照组，按传统X线监测方法置入椎弓根螺钉。通过观察两组螺钉的位置，评估A组方法的准确性。[结果]A组植入螺钉72枚：68枚位于椎弓根内，左右螺钉基本对称；4枚穿破椎弓根，穿破率为5．56％。B组亦为72枚：53枚位于椎弓根内；19枚穿破椎弓根，穿破率为26．38％。A组优于B组（P〈0．001）。[结论]X线分步监测胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉的置入，可克服传统X线平片的局限性及减少置钉过程中的人为因素干扰，在一定程度上可使两侧椎弓根螺钉对称植入，提高了螺钉置入的准确性。     

On-line continuing education--another step forward

From the start of 2007, both the British Journal of Anaesthesiaand our continuing medical education (CME) journal ContinuingEducation in Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain (CEACCP) willbe making multiple choice questions (MCQs) for CME availableon-line through the journals' websites. The BJA has a commitmentto providing continuing medical education and we have been atthe forefront of the