Changes in anal sphincter tone at induction of anaesthesia

Changes in anal pressure have been monitored during the induction of anaesthesia. Falls in pressure accompany loss of consciousness following bolus doses of commonly used intravenous and inhalational anaesthetic agents. Subsequent rises in pressure towards pre-anaesthetic levels are usually associated with the time taken to correct responses and initial recovery. Premedication, including anticholinergic drugs in conventional dosage, does not affect anal pressure.     

Effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function: a controlled study

There has been little systematic study of the types of sexual dysfunction produced by antidepressant medication or of the frequency with which this type of adverse effect occurs. The authors report results of a double-blind study in which the effects of imipramine, phenelzine, and placebo on specific aspects of sexual function were assessed in depressed outpatients before and after 6 weeks of treatment. Both active treatments were associated with a high incidence of adverse changes in sexual function and produced significantly more adverse effects on sexual function than placebo. Orgasm and ejaculation were impaired to a greater extent than erection. Adverse sexual function changes secondary to antidepressant medication occurred frequently in both men and women, although men reported a higher incidence. Antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction may be of clinical importance for medication compliance in view of current recommendations that antidepressants be administered for longer periods as maintenance therapy or for prophylaxis.     

Fluoroscopic peroperative cholangiography: technique and associated radiation hazards

The techniques specific to peroperative fluorocholangiography are discussed based on an experience of 632 cholangiograms and an estimation has been made of the associated radiation doses to staff and patients. Rapid and accurate information can be obtained during fluorocholangiography using appropriate techniques with acceptably low radiation hazards.     

Hepatitis A antibody in blood donors in North East Thames region: implications to prevention policies

A total of 1786 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-hepatitis A antibody (anti HAV). 64.5% of the donors were found to be positive. The prevalence of the antibody was found to be age-related, 55% at 18 years and 75% at 65 years. No relationship was noted between the presence of antibody, foreign travel or a specific destination. Assay of antibody levels in selected seropositive individuals gave a mean level of 5.0 IU/ml. The prevalence of infection in this selected population is important in the context of passive immunization with normal human immunoglobulin and for defining a policy of immunization with hepatitis A vaccines, which are currently undergoing clinical trials.