Avoidance of Nitrous Oxide for Patients Undergoing Major Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Nitrous oxide is widely used in anesthesia, often administered at an inspired concentration around 70%. Although nitrous oxide interferes with vitamin B12, folate metabolism, and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and prevents the use of high inspired oxygen concentrations, the consequences of these effects are unclear.

Methods: Patients having major surgery expected to last at least 2 h were randomly assigned to nitrous oxide-free (80% oxygen, 20% nitrogen) or nitrous oxide-based (70% N2O, 30% oxygen) anesthesia. Patients and observers were blind to group identity. The primary endpoint was duration of hospital stay. Secondary endpoints included duration of intensive care stay and postoperative complications; the latter included severe nausea and vomiting, and the following major complications: pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, wound infection, myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, stroke, awareness, and death within 30 days of surgery.

Results: Of 3,187 eligible patients, 2,050 consenting patients were recruited. Patients in the nitrous oxide-free group had significantly lower rates of major complications (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.89; P = 0.003) and severe nausea and vomiting (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.51; P < 0.001), but median duration of hospital stay did not differ substantially between groups (7.0 vs. 7.1 days; P = 0.06). Among patients admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively, those in the nitrous oxide-free group were more likely to be discharged from the unit on any given day than those in the nitrous oxide group (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.73; P = 0.02).     

Prospective Open-Label Study of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Patients with Axillary Hyperhidrosis: Effects on Functional Impairment and Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis experience substantial functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Few studies have comprehensively evaluated the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) on these symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the effects of BoNT-A on functional impairment associated with primary axillary hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Patients treated with BoNT-A 50 U per axilla at baseline were assessed 4 and 12 weeks later. Outcome measures included functional impairment as assessed by the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and the Hyperhidrosis Impact Questionnaire and dermatology-specific HRQOL as assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index. RESULTS: At weeks 4 and 12 after BoNT-A treatment, 85% and 90% of patients achieved the a priori definition of treatment responder. Patients reported less occupational and emotional impairment, spent less time managing their hyperhidrosis, and had fewer difficulties in social situations. Adverse events were uncommon (5.5%), were mild, and did not require treatment. At study end, 53% of patients reported no dermatology-specific HRQOL impairment and 90% were satisfied with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Significant, meaningful, rapid, and durable reductions in disease severity and functional impairment, as well as improvements in HRQOL, were seen following BoNT-A treatment. BoNT-A was safe and well tolerated, producing high levels of patient satisfaction.     

Comment on the 'pilot' GRACIA-2 randomized trial: reply

We thank Dr Villata et al. for their thought-provoking comments.Their concern about the suitableness to choose combined endpointsin clinical trials deserves some comment.     

Human Herpesvirus 6 in Bronchalveolar Lavage Fluid after Lung Transplantation: A Risk Factor for Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome?

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the limiting factor to long-term survival after lung transplantation. Previous studies suggested respiratory viral tract infections are associated with the development of BOS. To identify the impact of virus detection in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, we analyzed BAL samples from 87 consecutive lung transplant recipients for human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes simplex virus 1/2, Cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytical virus and adenovirus by PCR. Acute rejection, BOS and death were recorded for a mean follow-up time of 3.27 +/- 0.47 years. Results of PCR analysis and other potential risk factors were entered into a Cox regression analysis of BOS predictors and death. Only acute rejection was a distinct risk factor for BOS of all stages, death and death from BOS. HHV-6 was detected in 20 patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that HHV-6 was associated with an increased risk to develop BOS > orb = stage 1 and death, separate from the risk attributable to acute rejection. Identification of HHV-6 DNA in BAL fluid is a potential risk factor for BOS. Our results warrant further studies to elucidate a possible causal link between HHV-6 and BOS.     

高危新生儿脑干听觉诱发电位的近期观察

目的 为了解高危新生儿脑干及听觉功能障碍情况.方法 于1995年8月～1996年1月对128例高危新生儿进行脑干听觉诱发电位(Anditory Brainstem Responses—ABR)测定.结果 急性期高危新生儿ABR异常率为51.4%,其中高胆红素血症,低体重儿,窒息和丁胺卡那霉素应用组ABR异常率分别为61.1%、66.7%、53.8%和 2.8%.血清胆红素(Sb)值>290.7μmol/L和重度窒息儿ABR异常率明显高于Sb<290.7μmol/L和轻度窒息儿.早产儿和足月小样儿ABR异常率无明显差异.丁卡组对听阀的近期影响不大.结论 高危新生儿是脑干和听觉功能障碍的高危人群,应当密切随防和早期干预.     

精神分裂症异质性及其中枢五羟色胺功能研究

本文应用高效液相色谱(HPLC)对67例精神分裂症及10例健康对照组脑脊液中色氨酸(TRP)、五羟色胺(5-HT)、五羟吲哚乙酸(5-HIAA)进行测试,同时引入5-HT相对代谢率概念用5-HIAA/5-HT表示,并以Andreasen分型标准划分42例阳性精神分裂症和25例阴性精神分裂症。结果发现,精神分裂症患者脑脊液中TRP明显低于正常对照组,阳性(Ⅰ型)分裂症5-HIAA以及5-HIAA/5-HT明显低于阴性(Ⅱ型)精神分裂症,并对精神分裂症的5-HT代谢障碍假说及其异质性进行了讨论。