The value of a pantaloon cast test in surgical decision making for chronic low back pain patients: a systematic review of the literature supplemented with a prospective cohort study

The results of lumbar fusion in chronic low back pain (LBP) patients vary considerably, and there is a need for proper patient selection. Lumbosacral orthoses have been widely used to predict outcome, however, with little scientific support. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of a pantaloon cast test in selecting chronic LBP patients for lumbar fusion or conservative management. First, a systematic review of the literature was carried out in which two independent reviewers identified studies in Medline, Cochrane and Current Contents databases. Three papers met the selection criteria. In the only study with a control group, a significantly better outcome after fusion compared to conservative treatment was found in patients who reported significant pain relief while in a cast (i.e. a positive cast test). The results of lumbar fusion, however, were not significantly different for patients with a positive and those with a negative cast test. In addition to the review, a clinical cohort study of 257 LBP patients, who had been allocated to either lumbar fusion or conservative management by a temporary external transpedicular fixation trial, was performed. Prior to allocation, all had undergone a pantaloon cast test. Patients with no history of prior spine surgery and with a positive pantaloon cast test had a better outcome after lumbar fusion than those treated conservatively (P = 0.002, χ ² test). In patients with previous spine operations the outcomes were poor and the test was of no value. From the literature and the present patient cohort, it was concluded that only in chronic LBP patients without prior spine surgery, a pantaloon cast test with substantial pain relief suggests a favorable outcome of lumbar fusion compared to conservative management. The test has no value in patients who have had previous spine surgery.     

氦氖激光血管内照射配合吗啡控制癌痛的对照观察

目的探讨氦氖激光血液照射辅助治疗控制癌痛的疗效。方法对52例中晚期癌症重度痛患者在使用口服吗啡治疗基础上加用低能量氦氖激光血液照射治疗1周后,对疼痛缓解程度及平均缓解时间进行对照观察。结果加用激光照射组的镇痛疗效优于单用吗啡组,P<0.05,有效率分别为92%和84%,P>0.05,显效率分别为67%和46%,u=2.07,P<0.05,均数缓解时间分别为(8±3)h和(8±4)h,t=0.78,P>0.05,差异无显著性意义。结论氦氖激光血液照射治疗有一定协同镇痛作用。     

外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混和痔800例

目的观察和评价外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混合痔的近期疗效.方法作者采用外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混和痔800例.结果近期治愈788例,治愈率98.5%,好转12例,好转率1.5%.治愈天数10～21天.结论外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混合痔简单实用,手术时间短,术后痛苦小,伤面愈合快,并发症少,无后遗症,复发率低,是治疗混合痔的较好方法.     

Use of paracervical analgesia for outpatient hysteroscopic surgery: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Twenty-five women receiving sedation for outpatient hysteroscopic polypectomy were injected with 0.25% bupivacaine 10 mL (paracervical group) and another 25 received the same volume of saline (control group) at the cervical fornix. Both groups were given target-controlled propofol sedation during the procedure. More propofol (mg/min) was needed for adequate anesthesia in the control group compared to the paracervical group (6.5 versus 4.6). In addition, the postoperative pain scores were lower in the paracervical group than in the control group. Hemodynamic changes and postoperative side effects were similar in the two groups. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study confirmed the effective use of paracervical blocks. This approach has the effect of reducing the amount of intraoperative propofol and decreasing postoperative pain in outpatient hysteroscopic surgery.     

Future perspectives and research initiatives in fast-track surgery

Background and aims Major surgery is still followed by a risk of morbidity, a need for hospitalisation and convalescence. Fast-track surgery has been introduced as a coordinated effort to combine unimodal evidence-based principles of care into a multi-modal effort to enhance recovery. The aim of this article was to update recent data on fast-track abdominal surgery and outline future strategies for research.Results The data from fast-track colonic resection support the validity of the concept because pain, ileus, cardiopulmonary function and muscle function were all improved, compared with traditional treatment and with reduced post-operative fatigue and convalescence. Although less data is available, similar positive results may be achieved in other types of major surgery. Current research initiatives include improved multi-modal non-opioid analgesia, rational principles for perioperative fluid management, pharmacological reduction of surgical stress responses and the role of laparoscopic procedures within the fast-track concept.Conclusions Fast-track surgery has evolved as a valid concept to improve post-operative outcome. Further progress may be expected based upon intensified research within perioperative pathophysiology and a multi-disciplinary collaboration between surgeons, anaesthesiologists and surgical nurses.     

Is herniography useful?

Herniography has been used for 25 years in the diagnosis of occult herniation but has not gained widespread acceptance in the UK, despite studies confirming its high sensitivity and specificity for occult hernias and an excellent record of safety and patient acceptability. The traditional approach in the UK to suspected occult groin herniation has been surgical exploration. This study examined the use of herniography in a single district general hospital to assess its impact in limiting unnecessary groin explorations and allowing discharge of patients without hernias. The case notes of 90 successive patients referred for herniography by the department of general surgery in a single UK district general hospital over an 18-month period were reviewed. Eighty-seven completed examinations were analysed in which 23 hernias were diagnosed in 20 patients. Thirteen patients have undergone hernia repair with resolution of symptoms. There were no false positive examinations, although two inguinal hernias were incorrectly diagnosed radiologically as femoral hernias; there were two false negative examinations where additional hernias were found at laparoscopic repair. There were no reported complications. Twenty-four patients were discharged directly from the surgical clinic after a negative herniogram. Thirty patients were referred to other specialities. No patient had undergone groin exploration after a negative herniogram. Herniography is a useful tool in assessing obscure groin pain and potential occult herniation. It can reliably rule out the presence of a hernia and avoid the need for surgical exploration. Many patients with a negative herniogram can be reassured and discharged, whilst others may be referred on to other specialities safe in the knowledge that an occult hernia has been excluded.     

Intrathecal Ziconotide in the Treatment of Chronic Nonmalignant Pain: A Randomized,Double‐Blind,Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective. The safety and efficacy of intrathecal (IT) ziconotide was studied in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Materials and Methods. Patients (169 ziconotide, 86 placebo) with severe chronic nonmalignant pain unresponsive to conventional therapy and a visual analog scale of pain intensity (VASPI score) ≥ 50 mm were treated over a 6‐day period in an inpatient hospital setting. Initial starting dose was 0.4 µg/hour and was titrated to analgesia or intolerance (maximum dose 7.0 µg/hour). The starting and maximum doses were reduced to 0.1 µg/hour and 2.4 µg/hour, respectively, due to adverse events (AEs). Results. The mean percent reduction in VASPI score from baseline was 31.2% and 6.0% for ziconotide‐ and placebo‐treated patients, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). During the initial titration phase, a significantly greater percentage of patients in the ziconotide group compared to the placebo group reported AEs, including abnormal gait, amblyopia, dizziness, nausea, nystagmus, pain, urinary retention, and vomiting. Conclusion. Ziconotide provided significant analgesia in patients for whom conventional therapy failed. However, there was a considerable incidence of ziconotide‐associated AEs due to the rapid titration and high doses administered.     

一对一责任助产加笑气吸入用于分娩镇痛的疗效观察

目的探讨一对一责任助产加笑气吸入对分娩镇痛的疗效。 方法将576例产妇随机分为观察组和对照组．每组288例，两组均采用一对一责任助产及其他产科处理措施，观察组同时给予笑气吸入．观察两组的产痛程度、产程时间、分娩方式、笑气对新生儿的影响、产后出血及尿潴留等。 结果观察组无痛分娩率达95．8％．而对照组则为0（P〈0．01），观察组的产程时间短于对照组（P〈0．01）。 结论笑气吸入分娩镇痛产程时间短，对母婴均无不良影响，加一对一责任助产．是一种理想的分娩方法，值得产科临床推广使用。     

参麦注射液治疗老年哮喘临床分析

目的探讨参麦注射液治疗老年哮喘的临床价值。方法选择60例老年哮喘，随机分为参麦治疗组和常规对照组进行临床观察。结果参麦组肺功能（FVC、FEVI、VC、FEV％）在治疗后较治疗前明显增加，并有显著差异（p＜0.01）；对照组治疗前后对比差异无显著性（P＞0.05）；两组组间比较有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。参麦组临床疗效及总有效率明显优于对照组（p＜0.01），差异十分显著。结论参麦注射液对改善老年哮喘肺功能及缓解哮喘症状有较好疗效。     

经皮激光椎间盘减压术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛

目的探讨经皮激光椎间盘减压术（percutaneous laser disc decompression，PLDD）治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的疗效。方法2002年6月～2004年12月我院对36例椎间盘源性腰痛，采用英国DIOMED公司半导体激光仪，激光功率15W，每个激光脉冲持续1s，间隔1s，照射能量800～1200J。VAS评分评价治疗效果。结果手术时间15～60min，平均30min。32例出现“疼痛复制效应”。36例随访6～36个月，平均11个月，32例有效（术后VAS评分改善≥3分18例，≥分14例），4例无效，有效率88．9％（32／36）。结论PLDD治疗椎间盘源性腰痛安全、有效、微创。