Orthopaedic manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the most prevalent heritable disorder of connective tissue. Musculoskeletal problems include joint pain, swelling and instability, and spinal deformity. This study was undertaken to assess functional orthopaedic problems of patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Sixty patients with genetically verified Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (range, 8-60 years; mean, 34 years) who attended a National Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Foundation learning conference were evaluated by questionnaire, clinical examination, and when indicated, radiographs. A database of 250 items per patient was constructed and statistically assessed using analysis of variance. Because of rarity of Types VII and VIII, these two patients were dropped from the analysis. Fifty-eight patients had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Types I, II, III, or IV and form the study cohort. Among these four types, there were no significant differences in history of joint dislocation, swelling, or types of orthopaedic surgical procedures experienced. Thirty patients with Type III Ehlers-Danlos syndrome reported joint pain more frequently than did patients with Types I, II, or IV. Ambulation was impaired significantly in patients with Type III disorder as a whole, as was functional hand strength and upper extremity function. Back or neck pain was a common (67.2%) report among patients with all types of disease but did not correlate with the presence or absence of spinal deformity. Contrary to most previous reports, the patients in this study showed that Type III Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was the most debilitating form with respect to musculoskeletal function.     

The association of urolithiasis and androgenetic alopecia

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate whether patients with androgenetic alopecia were at risk in terms of urinary system stone disease. Patients and methods: Patients with no baldness (Hamilton–Norwood Scala [HNS] stage I) were categorized as Group I, those with hair loss in the frontal region (HNS stages II, III, IIIa, and IVa) as Group II, those with hair loss in the vertex region (HNS stage III-vertex, V) as Group III and those with hair loss in both vertex and frontal regions (HNS stages IV, Va, VI, and VII) as Group IV. Patients in all groups were compared in terms of presence of stone, and the presence of any association between alopecia and urolithiasis, with common etiological risk factors, was investigated. Results: Three hundred and two male patients were included in the study. The presence of urolithiasis was detected in 28.9% of patients in Group I; 26.5% of Group II; 36.9% of Group III; and 44.4% of Group IV (p?= 0.085). Among patients aged under 60, urinary stone disease was detected in 30.8% of patients in Group I; 26.4% of Group II; 41.2% of Group III; and 53.8% of Group IV (p?= 0.001). In patients aged over 60, urolithiasis was detected in 12.5% of patients in Group I; 26.9% of Group II; 32.2% of Group III; and 37.8% of Group IV (p?= 0.371). Conclusions: We determined a significant correlation between vertex pattern and total alopecia with urolithiasis in patients younger than 60 years old.     

Longitudinal followup study of ultrasonography in congenital muscular torticollis

High-resolution ultrasonography was used to examine affected sternocleidomastoid muscles in patients with congenital muscular torticollis at different times. Thirty-one female and 42 male patients were recruited and classified as having one of four types of fibrosis based on the sonograms. Compared with initial assessment, 22 (95.6%) patients with Type I fibrosis and 22 (57.9%) patients with Type II fibrosis had a change in classification at the end of the study. Among the patients with Type I fibrosis, the classification of one patient was changed to Type III fibrosis, the classifications of two patients were changed to normal muscle, and the classifications of the other patients were changed to Type II fibrosis. For patients with Type II fibrosis, the classifications of two patients were changed to Type III fibrosis, the classifications of three patients were changed to Type IV fibrosis, and the classifications of the other patients were changed to normal muscle. No changes in classification of patients with Types III and IV fibrosis occurred during followup. Patients with Type IV fibrosis had a significantly high incidence of surgical intervention. Congenital muscular torticollis is a dynamic disease. Ultrasonography can be valuable in observing the alteration. Aggressive management may be necessary for patients with Type IV fibrosis.     

Consideration of management of type B dissecting aneurysms of the thoracic aorta: clinical comparative study between surgical and medical treatments

Between 1970 and 1989, 116 patients with type B dissecting aneurysms of the thoracic aorta were seen in our institution and affiliated hospitals. The patients were classified into 5 groups according to the acuity (acute vs chronic) and modes of therapy (surgical vs medical). Group I: 24 patients with acute B dissection were treated surgically during the acute stage. Group II: 21 patients with acute B dissection were initially treated with intensive medical therapy and followed by elective operation during the subacute stage. Group III: 22 patients with acute B dissection were treated medically. Group IV: 42 patients with chronic dissection were treated surgically. Group V: 7 patients with chronic B dissection were treated medically. The 5-year survival rates including early mortality were 70.5 +/- 9.4% for Group I, 88.9 +/- 7.5% for Group II, 68.3 +/- 11.2% for Group III, 64.6 +/- 8.4% for Group IV and 71.4 +/- 17.1% for Group V. The 5-year survival rates of Group II was significantly better than those of Group I, III and IV, respectively. The present data suggests that acute type B dissection without complications (bleeding, visceral or lower limbs ischemia) should be treated initially with intensive medical therapy and then followed by elective operation during the subacute stage, if the false lumen were not thrombosed.     

The learning curve for reducing complications of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Between December 2005 and January 2010, 200 consecutive patients with prostate cancer received RALP performed by a single surgeon. Only one case with Clavien grade II complication due to gouty arthritis. The complication rate was 1%. We suggested that patient with history of gouty arthritis need to prescribe preventive colchicine. OBJECTIVE

• ? To analyse the learning curve for reducing complications of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) performed by a single surgeon in Taiwan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Complication rates were prospectively assessed in 200 consecutive patients undergoing RALP (Group I: cases 1–50; Group II: cases 51–100; Group III: cases 101–150 and Group IV: cases 151–200).
• ? Complications were classified using the Clavien system: grade I: deviation normal postoperative course without treatment; grade II: drug or bedside treatment; grade III: endoscopic or surgical intervention; grade IV: life‐threatening problem; and grade V: death.
• ? Operative parameters and peri‐operative complications were evaluated, including operative and console time, blood loss and transfusion rate, Gleason scores, positive surgical margin (PSM) rate, specimen volume, tumour size, tumour percentage, node positive rate and intra‐ and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

• ? RALP console time was gradually lowered from Group I to Group IV (P < 0.05). Significantly less blood loss occurred after every 50 cases of RALP (Group I 275 mL, Group II 179 mL, Group III 145 mL, Group IV 102 mL, P < 0.001).
• ? Blood transfusion incidence was 8%, 4%, 2% and 0% in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively.
• ? Complication rates were 18%, 12%, 18% and 0% in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively.
• ? Major complications (grade III–IV) were 6%, 2%, 4% and 0% in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively.
• ? Bowel injury occurred in three cases (Group II: 1; Group III: 2); one received intra‐operative repair without sequelae and two received a transient colostomy and later colostomy closure.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? The learning curve for every 50 cases of RALP showed significantly less blood loss and blood transfusion rate.
• ? The learning curve for significantly decreasing complications is 150 cases.

     

The effect of intravenous pantoprazole and ranitidine for improving preoperative gastric fluid properties in adults undergoing elective surgery

We studied pantoprazole, a new potent and fast-acting proton pump inhibitor. Its effects on preoperative gastric fluid volume and pH have not yet been determined. In this randomized, controlled trial, we examined the effects of preoperative IV pantoprazole or ranitidine on gastric pH and volume. Ninety patients (ASA status I and II, scheduled for elective surgery) were studied. One hour before surgery, patients in Group I (n = 30) were given IV saline 5 mL, those in Group II (n = 30) were given 40 mg of pantoprazole IV, and those in Group III (n = 30) were given 50 mg of ranitidine IV. A nasogastric tube was inserted immediately after anesthesia induction. Gastric contents were aspirated, and volume and pH were recorded. The pH values determined in Group I were 3.73 +/- 0.82; in Group II, they were 5.30 +/- 1.84; and in Group III, they were 4.80 +/- 1.40. There was no statistical difference between Groups 2 and 3, but there was a significant difference between Group I and Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.0005). The volume of the gastric contents was 28.67 +/- 10.98 mL in Group I, 15.20 +/- 15.52 mL in Group II, and 7.77 +/- 11.17 mL in Group III. There was no statistical difference between Groups 2 and 3, but there was a statistically significant difference between Group I and Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.0005). The proportion of patients considered "at risk" of significant lung injury should aspiration occur was 20% of Group I, 10% of Group II, and 3.3% of Group III. When statistically evaluated, there was no difference among groups. We concluded that the administration of IV pantoprazole and ranitidine 1 h before surgery is effective in reducing gastric pH and volume. IMPLICATIONS: This randomized, controlled trial examined the effects of preoperative IV pantoprazole or ranitidine on gastric pH and volume. We concluded that IV pantoprazole and ranitidine, given 1 h before surgery, are effective in reducing gastric pH and volume.     

Multimodality Treatment of Thymoma: A Prospective Study

Background. Thymomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors. Treatment of invasive lesions is not well standardized. The aim of this study is to propose a clinicopathologically based protocol for multimodality therapy.

Methods. Between 1965 and 1988, we operated on 83 patients with thymoma who did not receive standardized adjuvant therapy. In 1989, on the basis of the retrospective analysis of the data, we started a multimodality therapy protocol and used it for 65 patients. Twelve patients had medullary thymoma (11 stage I and 1 stage II), 13 had mixed type (6 stage I and 7 stage II), and 40 had cortical thymoma (4 stage I, 11 stage II, 12 stage III, and 13 stage IV). We considered three groups. Group I (n = 18 patients), benign thymoma, included stage I and II medullary and stage I mixed thymomas; radical resection with no adjuvant therapy was performed. Group II (n = 22), invasive thymoma, included stage I and II cortical and stage II mixed thymomas; postoperative chemotherapy plus radiotherapy was always administered. Group III (n = 25), malignant thymoma, comprised stage III and IV cortical thymomas and stage III mixed thymomas; resectable stage III lesions were removed, and highly invasive stage III and stage IV lesions underwent biopsy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and surgical resection; postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy was administered to all patients.

Results. The 8-year survival rate for patients in stages I, II, III, and IV was 95%, 100%, 92%, and 68%, respectively. Patients with medullary thymoma had a 92% 8-year survival rate; those with mixed type, 100%; and those with cortical thymoma, 85%. Group I had an 8-year survival rate of 94%; group II, 100%; and group III, 76%. Survival was compared with that of patients operated on before 1989: differences were not significant for group I; survival improved in group II (100% versus 81%; p = not significant); and group III showed significant improvement (76% versus 43%; p < 0.049).

Conclusions. Multimodality treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy may improve the results of radical resection and the survival of patients with invasive and malignant thymoma.     

Primary intramedullary nailing of open femoral shaft fractures

The cases of 60 patients with 63 open femoral fractures treated by primary reamed intramedullary nailing were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two were classified as Type I open fractures, 26 as Type II and 15 as Type III open fractures by Gustilo's classification. All fractures were treated by wound debridement followed by immediate reamed intramedullary nailing. There were five early soft-tissue infections and three late deep infections. Of the late infections, only one was osteomyelitis (1.6%). There were three nonunions and seven malunions. All of the complications were dealt with effectively by standard methods. We concluded that primary reamed intramedullary nailing is an effective alternative for the treatment of Type I and II open femur fractures and for Type III open femur fractures associated with multiple trauma.     

Itching after intrathecal morphine. Incidence and treatment

This study was designed to determine whether low doses of intrathecal morphine still result in itching and it evaluates the outcome of a standardized treatment using promethazine and - for intractable itch - naloxone. Patients (n = 143) scheduled for total hip surgery were allocated to four groups (in a double blind manner) with bupivacaine 20 mg in 4 mL but different doses of intrathecal morphine: Group I, 0.025 mg, Group II, 0.05 mg, Group III, 0.1 mg and Group IV, 0.2 mg. The presence or absence of itching was noted every three hours for a 24-h period. When required, standardized treatment was provided. The incidence of itching was: Group I: 14. 3%; Group II: 21.6%; Group III: 48.6%; and, Group IV: 61.7%. Itch was treated by administering promethazine intramuscularly in 2.9% (Group I); 8.1% (Group II); 10.8% (Group III), and 8.9% (Group IV), respectively. Only in group IV there was a single patient who needed naloxone to treat itching. The incidence and severity of itching is a dose-related side-effect in the dose range of 0.025-0.2 mg of intrathecal morphine. Itching still occurs after the low doses of intrathecal morphine, but symptoms vanish after promethazine 25 mg intramuscularly.     

重症胰腺炎急性反应期控制性液体复苏策略

目的探讨重症胰腺炎急性反应期液体治疗策略。方法2001年3月至2006年1月将符合研究标准的83例重症急性胰腺炎（severe acute pancreatitis,SAP）患者纳人研究。根据人院后扩容达标时间分为早期扩容达标组（I组,21例）、中期扩容达标组（Ⅱ组,35例）和晚期扩容达标组（Ⅲ组,27例）。观察人院日至人院后72h内的液体治疗参数、血清乳酸水平、急性和慢性健康状况评分（APACHEⅡ评分）、机械通气率、腹腔间隔室综合征发生率及治愈率等指标。结果I组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组的扩容达标时间分别为（13±6）h,（38±5）h和（614-8）h,且3组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;3组达标时的血清乳酸水平较人院水平差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,且恢复至正常水平。红细胞压积（HCT）：人院后第1天I组（334-6）％,显著低于Ⅱ组（404-6）％和Ⅲ组（424-11）％（P〈0．01）,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组间差异无统计学意义。人院日,I组输注晶体（40144-2887）ml、胶体量（12204-705）ml,显著高于Ⅱ组（23664-1959）m1和（8214-600）ml以及Ⅲ组（26154-1574）m1和（7014-585）m1（P〈0．01）,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组问差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。人院日,III组胶、晶体比值显著低于I组和Ⅱ组（P〈0．05）。4d的液体输注总量3组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。输液速率人院日I组显著高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组（P〈0．05）。4d液体潴留量Ⅱ组显著低于I组和Ⅲ组（P〈0．05）。人院后1～3dI组的APACHEⅡ评分显著高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组（P〈0．05）。I组的机械通气率（85．7％）显著高于Ⅱ组（37．1％）和Ⅲ组（63．0％）（P〈0．05）;Ⅱ组腹腔间隔室综合征发生率（37．1％）最低（P〈0．05）;I组存活率（38．1％）显著低于Ⅱ组（85．7％）和Ⅲ组（66．7％）（P〈0．05）。结论SAP发病72h内控制性血容量扩充和防止体液潴留可显著提高其治愈率。     

Is there a higher risk of dislocation of hip hemiarthroplasty in patients with neuromuscular conditions? A clinical study of 3827 patients

Aim of the studyThe aim of this study is to identify if there is any association between neuromuscular disorders and prosthetic dislocation in patients treated with hip hemiarthroplasty for neck of femur fractures.Patients and methodsOur study is a retrospective analysis of data collected over 34 years for patients with intracapsular neck of femur fracture who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty. Pathological fractures and patients treated with other treatment modalities were excluded. The study population is composed of four groups; patients with no neuromuscular disorders, patients with Parkinson's disease, patients with previous stroke, and patients with mental impairment.ResultsA total of 3827 patients were treated with hip hemiarthroplasty. For the 3371 patients with no neuromuscular condition (Group I) the dislocation rate was 1.1%. 219 patients had Parkinsonism (Group II) with a dislocation rate of 3.2%, 104 patients had a previous stroke with weakness on the fracture side with a dislocation rate of 1.0% (Group III), and 984 patients had severe mental impairment with a dislocation rate of 1.8% (Group IV). The increased dislocation rate for those with Parkinson's disease was statistically significant (p = 0.02) while none of the other neuromuscular conditions were statistically significant.ConclusionOur study demonstrates an increased risk of dislocation after hemiarthroplasty for patients with Parkinson's disease in comparison to other groups. No increase was apparent for those with mental impairment or weakness from a previous stroke.     

The management of tibial fractures in acute spinal cord injury patients

Of 34 tibia fractures in 28 acute spinal cord injuries, 13 patients had complete and 15 had incomplete neurologic lesions. Tibia fractures were divided into three groups: Group I, nonoperative treatment; Group II, early open reduction and internal fixation; and Group III, Type III open injuries. Group I included 17 fractures, of which nine (53%) had delayed union, malunion, or nonunion. The average time to union was 6.5 months. Seven patients had pressure sores and pulmonary emboli. Eleven fractures were noted in Group II. One delayed union (9%), one superficial wound infection that healed uneventfully, and one deep vein thrombosis were noted. The average time to union was 12 weeks. All six Group III tibias had delayed and nonunions, regardless of treatment. Nonoperative fractures healed at a prolonged rate, while open reduction and internal fixation enhanced the rate and time to union. Fractures treated with early open reduction and internal fixation, excluding Group III patients, had the least orthopedic and medical complications. Open reduction and internal fixation is a justifiable alternative to nonoperative treatment in the uncomplicated tibia fracture regardless of neurologic lesion for improved medical and fracture care.     

Fracture of the femoral neck, the risk of serious underlying pathology

Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 2223 patients presented to our hospital with the neck of femur fracture. This retrospective study examines the histological results of 90 patients (4%) suspected of having a fracture associated with serious underlying pathology. The mean age at the time of fracture was 80 years (44-97). The patients were divided into four groups. Group I: 34 patients with fracture without history of fall or trauma. Group II: 21 patients with suspicious lesions on the standard pelvic radiograph taken on admission. Group III: 27 patients with past history of malignancy without known bone metastases. Group IV: 8 patients with past history of malignancy and known bone metastases. None of the patients in groups I and II had significant abnormalities other than osteoporosis. Four patients (15%) in group III and six patients (75%) in group IV had metastases on histological examination. It is concluded that only groups III and IV are likely to have fractures due to metastatic disease.     

纵行及跗骨窦入路治疗跟骨关节内骨折的比较研究

 目的 比较纵行及跗骨窦微创入路治疗跟骨关节内骨折的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2010年4月至2010年9月分别使用纵行及跗骨窦微创入路治疗并获随访的93例跟骨关节内骨折患者资料。按手术入路将患者分为两组：纵行微创入路组(A组)50例(51足),男47例,女3例;平均年龄38.22岁;Sanders Ⅱ型27足,Ⅲ型18足,Ⅳ型6足;术前B?hler角平均-1.1°。跗骨窦微创入路组(B组)43例(45足),男42例,女1例;平均年龄41.40岁;Sanders Ⅱ型23足,Ⅲ型17足,Ⅳ型5足;术前B?hler角平均2.6°。两组患者在年龄、性别、Sanders分型等方面无统计学差异。比较两组患者手术时间、并发症和美国足踝外科协会(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS)踝与后足评分差异。结果 A、B两组患者随访时间分别为平均28.2个月和27.6个月。A组平均手术时间、切口相关并发症发生率及AOFAS踝与后足评分分别为40.78 min、3.92%(2/51)、85.96分,B组分别为60.67 min、8.89%(4/45)、88.60分。A组手术时间较B组更短,两组切口相关并发症发生率及术后AOFAS评分无差异。结论 纵行微创入路与跗骨窦微创入路治疗跟骨关节内骨折疗效无明显差异,但纵行微创入路手术时间更短、并发症少,是治疗跟骨骨折的良好选择。     

Preoperative staging, prognostic factors, and outcome for extremity rhabdomyosarcoma: a preliminary report from the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study IV (1991-1997)

BACKGROUND: During the fourth Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) Study (IRS IV, 1991-97), a preoperative staging system was evaluated prospectively for the first time. The authors evaluated this staging system and the role of surgery in extremity RMS in contemporary multimodal therapy. METHODS: A total of 139 patients (71 girls; median age, 6 years) were entered in IRS IV with extremity-site RMS. Stage was assigned by the IRSG Preoperative Staging System. Postsurgical group was determined by tumor status after initial surgical intervention. Multivariate analysis was performed using all pretreatment factors that were significant by univariate analysis, including clinical Group (i.e., I through IV), tumor invasiveness (T1,T2), nodal status (N0,N1), and tumor size (< or > or =5 cm). Failure-free survival rates (FFS) and survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan and Meier method. RESULTS: Preoperative staging and clinical group distribution were as follows: Stage 2, n = 34; Stage 3, n = 73; Stage 4, n = 32; Group I, n = 31; Group II, n = 21; Group III, n = 54; Group IV, n = 33. Three-year FFS was 55%, and the overall survival rate was 70%. Eighty-seven patients had either unresectable, gross residual disease (Group III) or metastases (Group IV). FFS was significantly worse for these patients with advanced disease, compared with that for patients with complete resection or with only microscopic residual tumor (i.e., Group I or II; Group I, 3-year FFS, 91%; Group II, 72%; Group III, 50%; Group IV, 23%; P<.001). Lymph nodes were evaluated surgically in 76 patients with positive results in 38. Clinically, 13 additional patients had nodal disease. Both stage and group were highly predictive of outcome and were highly correlated. By multivariate analysis, none of the other variables were predictors of FFS. CONCLUSIONS: This review confirms the utility of pretreatment staging for stratification of patients with extremity RMS with widely different risks of relapse, thereby paving the way for development of risk-based therapy. Group (operative staging) remains the most important predictor of FFS, emphasizing the importance of complete gross resection at initial surgical intervention, when feasible without loss of limb function. The high incidence of nodal disease in the patients who had lymph node biopsy confirms the need for surgical evaluation of lymph nodes to ensure accurate staging in children with extremity rhabdomyosarcoma.     

Infra-isthmal fractures of the femur: a review of 82 cases

Eighty-two infra-isthmal fractures of the femur were reviewed in order to develop a fracture classification, to determine the results of treatment, and to define the best treatment methods for certain specific fracture patterns. Type I (transverse or short oblique) fractures were seen in 36 patients (mean age, 33 years). They had a 25% complication rate when treated by open reduction, and a high malunion rate when treated by closed means. Type II (spiral or long oblique) fractures were generally caused by falls, and were seen in 36 patients (mean age, 56 years). Most patients treated by operation had an unsatisfactory result. Malunion was seen in 29% of the patients treated by closed means. The remaining ten patients had either severely comminuted (Type III), or pathological (Type IV) fractures. Intramedullary nail fixation should be used wherever possible in these fractures since many of the complications in the operative group were related to rigid plate fixation. Closed treatment resulted in an unacceptably high incidence of malunion in this study, particularly in Type I fractures. Conventional methods of internal fixation were not successful in dealing with Type II fracture, and alternative methods are proposed.     

Tacrolimus-Basiliximab versus Cyclosporine-Basiliximab in renal transplantation "de novo": acute rejection and complications

BACKGROUND: Optimal immunosuppression is essential to maintain kidney allograft viability but minimizing toxicity is also fundamental. OBJECTIVE: This article compares immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and basiliximab, which are used in the treatment regimens for renal transplantation. The analyses evaluated their effectiveness to prevent acute rejection episodes and to reduce the appearance of other complications, mainly infectious disease complications. METHODS: Ninety-five patients were analysed during the first year after primary renal transplantation. These patients were included in a random way in 3 different groups according to the immunosuppressant drug therapy: Group I (35 patients) received corticosteroids + CsA; Group II (35 patients) received corticosteroids + CsA + Basiliximab; Group III (25 patients) received corticosteroids + Tacrolimus + Basiliximab. RESULTS: Among the 95 patients, 9 presented with an acute rejection episode in Group I. None in Group II, and one in group III. With reference to the infectious disease complications, the incidence of oral herpes was one case in Group I, 4 cases in Group II, and 2 cases in group III. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Basiliximab produced a significantly lower incidence of acute rejection cases and an increase in infectious disease complications, such as lip herpes.     

Clonidine premedication effects on inhaled induction with sevoflurane in adults: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether oral clonidine premedication becomes an alternative to N2O in terms of shortening the induction time and attenuation of the adrenergic response to tracheal intubation during inhalation induction with sevoflurane, and to evaluate the quality of anesthetic induction according to the patient's satisfaction. METHODS: We studied 84 female patients who were randomly allocated into four study groups: Groups I and II received a placebo orally, and Groups III and IV received clonidine at 150 and 300 microg, respectively, 90 min before induction of anaesthesia. Patients were anesthetized using a triple-deep-breath technique with 5% sevoflurane in Groups I, III and IV, and with 60% N2O-5% sevoflurane in group II. RESULTS: Induction time was significantly longer (P < 0.05) in Group I. Increases in mean blood pressure and heart rate after tracheal intubation were significantly suppressed in Groups III and IV but not in Group II compared with Group I. Comfort and impression of anesthesia was better in Groups III and IV than in Groups I and II. CONCLUSION: In volatile anesthetic induction, pre-anesthetic clonidine may become an alternative to N2O and may provide more comfort than with N2O.     

A multicenter study on laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in Japan

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic colectomy for malignant disease technically is feasible but not widely accepted because there are no large-series studies or data on long-term outcomes. A retrospective, multicenter study investigating a large series of patients was conducted in Japan to evaluate preliminary long-term results of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: The study group comprised 2,036 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection April 1993 to August 2002 in 12 participating surgical units (Japanese Laparoscopic Surgery Study Group). RESULTS: Of the 1,495 patients with colon cancer, 781 (59%) had International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage I, 248 (19%) had stage II, and 284 (22%) had stage III disease. Cancer recurred for 61 (4.1%) of 1,367 curatively treated patients (median follow-up period, 32 months; range, 6-125 months). The 5-year survival rate was 96.7% for stage I, 94.8% for stage II, and 79.6% for stage III disease. Of the 541 patients with rectal cancer, 220 (56%) had stage I, 62 had (16%) stage II, and 108 (28%) had stage III disease. Cancer recurred for 30 (5.6%) of 476 curatively treated patients (median follow-up period, 25 months; range 6-102 months). The 5-year survival rate was 95.2% for stage I, 85.2% for stage II, and 80.8% for stage III disease. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer yields an oncological outcome as good as that reported for conventional open surgery in the Japanese Registry for all disease stages.