Lumbar Spinal Cord Stimulation Can Improve Muscle Strength and Gait Independently of the Analgesic Effect: A Case Report

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is widely used for pain relief in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and muscle weakness is a common finding in patients with chronic pain. We present here a single case report of a 47‐year‐old woman, who, after SCS for FBSS, had continuous improvement in lower leg muscle strength and gait, but only transient and minimal pain relief. To the authors’ knowledge, this is only the second published case report of significant improvement in “motor” function, independent of the analgesic effect following SCS in FBSS. If SCS, in fact, does improve muscle strength, new strategies for the management of patients with chronic pain might be opened up. Further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.     

透析液钙离子浓度对肾功能衰竭血液透析患者血清钙离子水平及血压的影响

目的 观察不同钙离子浓度的透析液对血液透析患者透析后血清钙离子水平及血压变化的影响，为肾功能衰竭血液透析患者的高钙血症及高血压的防治提供依据。方法 选择不同钙离子浓度的透析液，将维持性血液透析患者分为高钙组（1．75mmol／L）和低钙组（1．25mmol／L），比较患者每次透析前后脉搏、血压，同时抽查患者透析前后血钙及血肌酐浓度的变化。结果透析后两组患者血肌酐浓度均显著下降，透析前后差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；高钙组患者透析后血钙较透析前升高，差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01），而低钙组患者血钙比透析前略降低，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。高钙组患者透析后较透析前收缩压、舒张压及平均动脉压都升高，差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05），而低钙组患者透析后较透析前收缩压、舒张压及平均动脉压都降低，差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。透析后两组血钙比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；透析后低钙组较高钙组患者的收缩压、舒张压及平均动脉压都降低，三者差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论透析液钙离子浓度与血液透析患者血清钙离子水平及血压呈正相关，低钙透析液透析有助于维持性血液透析患者高血压的控制。     

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。     

癫痫手术后短期内癫痫发作病因分析及临床意义

目的:研究癫痫手术后短期癫痫发作的原因以及对预后的判断价值。方法:回顾性分析73例患者资料,将抗癫痫药物使用情况、以及是否颞叶癫痫、是否由肿瘤引起的癫痫、是否外伤性癫痫发作作为危险因素与术后短期癫痫发作进行Logistic回归模型分析。并对所有患者进行了12个月以上的随访。手术后短期癫痫发作与患者术后长期控制结果进行χ2检验。结果:19例患者发生APOSs。手术后抗癫痫药物使用不合理可能是APOSs独立的危险因素。癫痫手术患者出现APOSs组与未出现APOSs组在术后随访的癫痫Enge分级评分中无统计学差异。结论:抗癫痫药物的使用不当可能是手术后短期癫痫发作的主要原因之一。癫痫手术后APOSs的出现不能预测患者的长期预后情况。     

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.     

严重慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者食管切除术围手术期并发症及处理

目的 探讨重度慢性阻塞性肺疾病简称慢阻肺病人食管切除术围手术期常见并发症及其处理。方法 45例重度慢阻肺的病人在全麻联合硬膜外阻滞下进行开胸食管切除手术，围手术期处理包括术前戒烟、胸部理疗、预防和控制呼吸道感染、解痉化痰、呼吸功能锻炼、营养支持和氧疗；术后硬膜外镇痛、早期锻炼、保持呼吸道通畅，部分病人予以呼吸支持。结果 术中3例出现低氧血症。术后所有病人PaO2均有不同程度的下降，6例出现肺部感染，6例行纤维支气管镜吸痰，2例通过气管插管给予呼吸机支持，2例行气管切开术，1例酸碱平衡紊乱使用盐酸精氨酸治疗。所有病人均痊愈出院。结论 重度慢阻肺病人并非开胸食管切除手术的绝对禁忌证，积极的术前准备和严格的术后管理可减少和控制术后急性发作，有助于确保此类病人的围手术期安全和康复。