Anaesthetic anagement of Miller’s syndrome

Miller's syndrome is a rare congenital disorder with facial features similar to that of Treacher-Collins syndrome. This report details the anaesthetic management of an infant during multiple surgical procedures, beginning with pylormyotomy at one month of age. Airway management was difficult because of severe micrognathia and was accomplished using an awake intubation with a conventional straight blade modified for continuous administration of oxygen ("oxyscope"). Due to recurrent upper airway obstruction and the anticipated need for multiple surgical procedures in the first years of life, a tracheostomy was placed. Because of the multiple airway, orthopaedic, and nutritional difficulties, it is important that a prospective, multidisciplinary approach be used in these patients' care. Consideration should be given to early tracheostomy for airway maintenance.     

In vitro measurements of aerodynamic characteristics of an improved tracheostoma valve for laryngectomees

Tracheostoma valves are often required in the rehabilitation process of speech after total laryngectomy. Patients are thus able to speak without using their hands to close the tracheostoma. The improved Groningen tracheostoma valve consists of a “cough” valve with an integrated (“speech”) valve, which closes for phonation. The cough valve opens as the result of pressure produced by the lungs during a cough. The speech valve closes by the airflow produced by the lungs, thus directing air from the lungs into the esophagus at a deliberately chosen moment. An experimental setup with a computer-based acquisition program was developed to measure the pressure at which the cough valve opened and the flow at which the speech valve closed. In addition, the airflow resistance coefficient of the tracheostoma valve was defined and measured with an open speech valve. Both dry air from a cylinder and humid expired air were used. Results showed a pressure range of 1–7 kPa to open the cough valve and a flow range of 1.2–2.7 l/s to close the speech valve. These values were readily attained during speech, while the flow range occurred above values reached in quiet breathing. The device appeared to function well in physiological ranges and was optimally adjustable to an individual setting. No significant differences were measured between air from a cylinder and humid expired air. Findings showed that methods used to obtain results could be employed as a reference method for comparing aerodynamic characteristics of tracheostoma valves. Received: 13 February 1997 / Accepted: 16 September 1997     

Comparison of remifentanil versus regional anaesthesia in children anaesthetised with isoflurane/nitrous oxide. International Remifentanil Paediatric Anaesthesia Study group

We compared the efficacy and safety of a remifentanil (0.25 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)-based balanced anaesthetic technique with a bupivacaine-based regional anaesthetic technique in an open label, multicentre study in 271 ASA physical status 1 or 2 children aged 1-12 years. Subjects requiring major intra-abdominal, urological or orthopaedic surgery were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous remifentanil (group R; n = 185) or epidural bupivacaine (group B; n = 86) with isoflurane/nitrous oxide for their anaesthesia. The majority of children in both groups (85% in group R, 78% in group B) showed no defined response to skin incision, and although the mean increase in systolic blood pressure (+11 mm Hg) was significantly greater in group R than in group B, this change did not represent a serious haemodynamic disturbance. More children in group R (31%) required interventions to treat hypotension and/or bradycardia than those in group B (12%), but these were easily managed by administration of fluids or anticholinergic drugs. Adverse events, mainly nausea and/or vomiting, occurred in 45% of group R and 42% of group B (NS). The adverse event profile of remifentanil in this study was typical of a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist. Remifentanil was as effective as epidural or caudal block in providing analgesia and suppressing physiological responses to surgical stimuli in children aged between 1 and 12 years undergoing major abdominal, urological, or orthopaedic surgery under isoflurane/nitrous oxide anaesthesia.     

Rehabilitation in Charles Bonnet syndrome: a review of treatment options

People with vision loss sometimes experience visual hallucinations associated with Charles Bonnet syndrome. The appearance of these hallucinations often causes anxiety for the sufferer and can be difficult for the attending eye care professional to manage. A review of the literature highlighted a range of visual, pharmacological and social management regimes that may alleviate these hallucinations, albeit using small samples in uncontrolled trials. Eye care practitioners should be aware of methods of rehabilitation in Charles Bonnet syndrome that may lead to resolution of the visual hallucinations.     

针刺配合康复训练治疗脑卒中后吞咽障碍的疗效观察

目的观察对比脑卒中后吞咽障碍的疗效；方法针刺配合康复训练；结果治疗组与对照组相比有非常显著的差异；结论针灸配合康复训练治疗脑卒中后的吞咽障碍有显著疗效。     

对男性海洛因依赖者康复训练效果的随访

目的:探索社区康复训练与劳动教养相结合的康复模式对男性海洛因依赖者的治疗效果。方法:以湖南省新开铺劳教大队的50名劳教吸毒人员为对照,对戒毒中心的50名劳教吸毒人员进行为期至少4个月的康复训练。康复训练以海洛因依赖者的需求、所处的康复阶段及接受能力为中心,包括强化戒毒治疗动机、减少吸毒造成的危害、复吸预防等各种技能训练。用成瘾严重度指数和应付方式问卷评估康复训练的疗效,并随访两组在解教后1 a的康复情况。结果:康复训练后海洛因依赖者幻想、退避、自责等不成熟型应付方式分值下降(P<0.01),求助的分值增加(P<0.01)。解教后1 a康复组与劳动教养组的戒断率差异无显著性,但康复训练组在海洛因滥用严重程度、违法犯罪行为和精神健康方面损害显著低于劳动教养组(P<0.05)。结论:劳动教养和社区康复训练都是对吸毒者有效的康复措施,康复训练的作用更大。     

高压氧治疗小儿病毒性脑炎肢体运动障碍42例疗效分析

目的观察高压氧综合治疗对小儿病毒性脑炎肢体运动障碍恢复的临床效果。方法将82例小儿病毒性脑炎肢体运动障碍患儿随机分为治疗组42例和对照组40例,进行比较观察。采用Fugl—Meye积分评价运动功能,Ashworth痉挛等级评价肌痉挛。结果治疗组有效率95．2％,对照组有效率67．5％,两组疗效差异有统计学意义,治疗组治疗后患儿肢体运动障碍恢复率明显提高。结论高压氧综合治疗对小儿病毒性脑炎肢体运动障碍恢复疗效优于单纯药物治疗。     

强化康复指导对脑卒中患者日常生活活动能力恢复的影响

目的探讨康复教育干预方式对脑卒中患者日常生活活动能力的影响。方法64例急性脑卒中患者随机分成个体化教育组31例和对照组33例。个体化教育组护士每日至少2次康复指导,对患者本人及家属进行康复教育及康复活动指导并随时检查其依从性;对照组进行集体康复指导授课,两组病人康复指导的总时间一致,内容一致。随访3个月。用Barthel指数评价日常生活活动能力。结果个体化教育组Barthel指数变化与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论康复教育干预个体化,可明显改善患者的日常生活活动能力。