Remifentanil with thiopental for tracheal intubation without muscle relaxants

Tracheal intubation may be accomplished with remifentanil and a non-opioid IV anesthetic without a muscle relaxant. In this study, we evaluated in double-blinded, prospective, randomized manner the dose requirements for remifentanil with thiopental without muscle relaxant administration to obtain clinically acceptable intubation conditions and cardiovascular responses. After premedication with midazolam 0.03 mg/kg IV, 105 patients were randomized equally to one of three study groups, each receiving the following: remifentanil 2 micro g/kg (Group I), 3 micro g/kg (Group II), and 4 micro g/kg (Group III). Remifentanil was administered over 30 s, and anesthesia was induced with thiopental 5 mg/kg. Tracheal intubation conditions were assessed by the anesthesiologist performing the intubation as: (a) excellent, (b) satisfactory, (c) fair, and (d) unsatisfactory. There were no statistically significant differences among groups regarding to demographic data. Blood pressure and heart rate did not increase in any group after accomplishing intubation. There was a significant improvement in intubation conditions between Groups I and II, I and III, and II and III (P < 0.001). We conclude that remifentanil 4 micro g/kg administered before thiopental 5 mg/kg provided excellent or satisfactory intubation conditions in 94% of patients and prevented cardiovascular responses to intubation. IMPLICATIONS: We evaluated in a double-blinded manner the dose requirements for remifentanil with thiopental without muscle relaxants for obtaining acceptable intubation condition. Our results show that remifentanil 4 micro g/kg administered before thiopental provided excellent or satisfactory intubation condition in 94% of patients.     

The relationship between the MEFV genotype, clinical features, and cytokine-inflammatory activities in patients with familial mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by periodic attacks of fever and polyserositis. The effects of the MEFV genotype differences on clinical picture and inflammatory activity have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate levels of conventional inflammation markers, procalcitonin, interleukin levels, TNF-alpha, and C5a levels in patients with FMF who had different MEFV genotypes and compare them with those of healthy subjects. The study consisted of 41 patients with FMF (F/M: 23/18), and 31 healthy subjects (F/M: 18/13). Tests were performed during the attack-free period. White-blood cell count, CRP and IL-8 levels were higher in patients with FMF than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05) and also higher in M680I carriers than in the patients with M694V allele carriers. However, ESR, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, IL-6, C5a, TNF-alpha, and IgD levels were not significantly different between patients and healthy subjects (p > 0.05). Arthralgia or arthritis was significantly higher in M694V carriers than in non-M694V carriers (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the clinical features and inflammatory-cytokine activities were higher in patients with FMF during the attack-free period than in healthy subjects, and the different genotype might be related to different clinical pictures.     

Coccygectomy in the surgical treatment of traumatic coccygodynia

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Direct or indirect trauma to the coccygeal bone can induce chronic coccygodynia. The aim of this study is a retrospective analysis of our patients surgically managed for traumatic coccygodynia and a critical review of the results obtained in comparison to the literature. BASIC PROCEDURES: We have retrospectively investigated patients with traumatic coccygodynia referred to our centre after a failure of conservative treatment. Surgery (coccygectomy) was performed in 74 patients (64 women, 10 men) suffering from coccygodynia resistant to conservative treatment, all without serious complications, between the years 1998 and 2004. The mean follow up was 4.1 years (range, 2-8 years). The mean age of patients on the date of surgery was 43.4 years (range, 16-65 years). The average duration of pain prior to surgery was 7 months (range, 3 months to one year). MAIN FINDINGS: All but three patients had either good or excellent results after surgery. Three patients reported postoperative pain lasting 3-6 months. All three had good results after re-operation of a proximal segment without excision. Five postoperative complications, four superficial and one deep infection were observed. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: In patients with posttraumatic, conservative therapy-resistant coccygodynia, operative treatment with coccygectomy is a feasible management option. We recommend total or partial coccygectomy using a longitudinal incision in carefully selected and well-informed patients.     

Effect of trapidil in ischemia/reperfusion injury of peripheral nerves

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia plays an important role in the development of pathological changes in nerve tissue, and restoration of blood flow results in injury (ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] injury) mediated by toxic oxygen free radicals. Trapidil is currently used as a coronary artery vasodilating agent and is also used for the prevention of ischemic symptoms of cerebral vasospasm. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of trapidil on I/R injury and the ischemic tolerance of rat peripheral nerves. METHODS: Preischemia or prereperfusion administration of trapidil (8 mg/kg) was evaluated in the rat sciatic nerve I/R injury model. Nerve tissue samples from the I/R injury site were assayed for malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrites, and nitrates, as markers of I/R injury, and pathological changes were evaluated by electron microscopy. RESULTS: I/R resulted in an increase in MDA levels, which remained elevated for 2 weeks in control nerves. Rats that received trapidil before ischemia exhibited decreased MDA levels, and rats that received trapidil after the standard 3 hours of ischemia demonstrated increased tolerance to reperfusion, as reflected in significantly decreased MDA levels. Nitrite and nitrate levels in trapidil-treated rats were significantly higher than those in control animals. Histological evaluations of the sciatic nerve segments demonstrated that preischemia and postischemia trapidil treatments had a sparing effect against the myelin damage and axonal edema that are consistently noted in untreated ischemic reperfused nerves. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that pretreatment with trapidil before the ischemic insult or before reperfusion provides marked protection against I/R injury in peripheral nerves.     

Bilateral immediate two-stage breast reconstruction in patients with unilateral breast cancer: Outcomes analysis and risk assessment

IntroductionContralateral prophylactic mastectomy has the potential to decrease the occurrence of cancer and reduce psychological burden. However, it is known that complications after bilateral mastectomy are higher compared with unilateral mastectomy. Our goal was to evaluate outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction in patients undergoing bilateral mastectomy and to compare complication rates between therapeutic and prophylactic sides.Patients and MethodsElectronic medical records of patients with unilateral breast cancer who underwent bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with expanders were reviewed. Postoperative complications were compared between therapeutic and prophylactic mastectomy sides.ResultsSixty-two patients were analyzed. The overall complication rate after both stages was 23.9% on the therapeutic side and 16.5% on the prophylactic side. Infection was the most common complication on both sides. All infections on the prophylactic mastectomy side were successfully treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics (salvage rate of 100%), whereas 35.7% of infected tissue expander/implants on the therapeutic mastectomy side were explanted despite treatment.ConclusionCareful counselling of patients undergoing elective contralateral prophylactic mastectomy is essential as complications can develop in either breast after reconstruction.     

Severe erosion of lumbar vertebral body because of a chronic ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Erosion of vertebral bodies because of abdominal aortic aneurysm is an extremely rare condition. This vertebral destruction is usually seen after aortic graft surgery; nevertheless, it is not expected in primary aortic aneurysms. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to present a patient who suffers from back and hip pain because of a chronic ruptured primary aortic aneurysm. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHOD: A 51-year-old patient had complaints of back pain. Physical examination revealed a pulsatile mass in the periumblical region. By using conventional radiographies, vertebral erosion was detected at the anterior part of L3-L4-L5 vertebrae. A chronic ruptured thrombosed aortic aneurysm was identified by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: After resection of the aneurysm, it was possible that the lack of anterior column support could result in future instability. Therefore, an L4-L5 anterior partial corpectomy and reconstruction of the anterior defect with titanium mesh cage with posterior instrumentation and fusion were performed. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that back pain caused by chronic aortic aneurysms is a rare condition and may be one of the possible etiologies in differential diagnosis of low back pain and/or sciatica in some patients.     

Effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy to treat residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) to treat residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTINGS: Isik Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This retrospective study included 24 eyes of 15 patients who had retreatment by LASEK for residual refractive errors after myopic LASIK. All patients had examinations that included slitlamp biomicroscopy, subjective and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity, corneal topography, and pachymetry preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative examinations were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: The patient cohort comprised 9 men and 6 women. The median spherical equivalent (SE) of attempted correction for retreatment with LASEK was -1.25 diopters (D). The median follow-up after LASEK was 11.5 months (range 6 to 16 months). At the end of the follow-up, the median SE of the refractive error was -0.38 D. The median UCVA increased from 20/45 before LASEK to 20/25 at the last follow-up visit, which was statistically significant (P<.001). After LASEK, significant postoperative haze developed in 5 eyes. In all 5 eyes, the estimated ablation depth was more than 40 mum and the SE of attempted correction was -2.00 D or greater. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy retreatment in eyes with myopic regression after LASIK resulted in a significant improvement in UCVA that was comparable to the improvement after flap lifting. An SE of attempted correction greater than -2.00 D was associated with a significant rate of haze.     

Recurrent herpes labialis among health school students in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey: A cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic characteristics of, and the treatments used for, recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) in health students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 333 nursing and midwifery students. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their history of RHL, and the treatments were collected by means of a standard self-reported questionnaire form.ResultsThe point prevalence of RHL was 3.9%, the annual prevalence was 44.7%, and the lifetime prevalence was 52.5%. These prevalences were not related to the participants' place of residence, level of income, school, gender, marital status, or smoking status (p > 0.05). RHL was frequently seen on the right side of the lower lip (17.9%). One third of the students who experienced RHL stated that they had applied treatment to the lesion. However, only 20.1% stated that they had used antiviral therapy. Treatment was recommended by a physician for only 16.1% of the subjects.ConclusionsThe prevalence of RHL was high among the health students, who were considered to represent young adults. Although they were students in a school of health, they lacked knowledge about RHL.     

Comparison of the ocular hypotensive effects of bimatoprost and timolol-dorzolamide combination in patients with elevated intraocular pressure: a 6-month study

PURPOSE: To compare the ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety of topical bimatoprost and timolol-dorzolamide combination in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension during 6 months of treatment. METHODS: A sample of 65 patients with a diagnosis of POAG or ocular hypertension were randomized to receive either bimatoprost 0.03% once daily or timolol-dorzolamide combination twice daily. Study visits occurred at baseline and after 2 weeks and 1, 3 and 6 months of therapy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were performed at 12.00 hours at all study visits and also at 08.00 hours and 16.00 hours at baseline and 6-month visits. At each visit, local and systemic side-effects that occurred during the treatment period were recorded. Student's t-test was used to compare the differences between IOP values. RESULTS: Differences in IOP between the bimatoprost and timolol-dorzolamide groups were statistically insignificant at all study visits (p > 0.05). In the bimatoprost-treated group, the IOP reduction was 6.2 +/- 1.8 mmHg, whereas it was 6.5 +/- 2.3 mmHg in the timolol-dorzolamide group after 6 months of treatment. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The IOP-lowering efficacies of bimatoprost and timolol-dorzolamide combination were similar over a 6-month follow-up. Both bimatoprost and the timolol-dorzolamide combination were well tolerated. Bimatoprost can be used as a longterm monotherapy agent in the treatment of POAG and ocular hypertension.     

Measuring the correlation between adenoidal-nasopharyngeal ratio (AN ratio) and tympanogram in children

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between adenoidal-nasopharyngeal ratio (AN ratio) and tympanogram in children. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study from June 2002 to May 2003. METHOD: A total of 64 children, aged 6-9 years who presented with nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, and hyponasal speech were examined and AN ratio was calculated by using the lateral neck radiograms and compared with the tympanometric values. The relationship between AN ratio and middle-ear pressure was evaluated, regarding the AN ratio of 0.71. The chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between AN ratio and middle ear pressures and Wilcoxon test was used to compare the changes between the mean AN ratio values, and mean middle ear pressures (including A and C type tympanograms) before and after medical therapy. RESULTS: Middle-ear effusions and C type tympanograms in impedance audiometry were both related to eustachian tube dysfunction resulting from enlargement of the adenoids with AN ratios higher than 0.71. Middle ear pressures were found lower in children with AN ratio greater than 0.71 than in children AN ratio less than 0.71 and the difference was highly significant (p<0.001). Although medical treatment of large adenoids was rather effective to shrink the adenoid tissue (p<0.001), it did not cause a statistically significant change in tympanometric values (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotherapy is effective in reducing adenoid size without signs and symptoms of infection. The reduction of the adenoids in size after 3 weeks of antibiotherapy has an positive effect on recovery of eustachian tube function but is not sufficient in patients with middle ear effusion. Early ventilation tube insertion may be an alternative therapy for the middle ear effusions not improving by 3 weeks medical therapy.