A Test to Detect Chest Tube Kinking

Objectives: To determine whether the Mac‐technique test can detect kinking of the chest tube upon thoracostomy tube placement. Methods: This was a prospective observational study that was conducted October 2000 through October 2001 in an urban Level 1 trauma center. There were 103 consecutive nonrandomized adult trauma patients who required immediate tube thoracostomy during their initial resuscitation who were entered into the study. The Mac‐technique test was performed during standard tube thoracostomy insertion to the appropriate depth. The test involved grasping the external portion of the thoracostomy tube, turning it clockwise 180°, and then releasing the tube. If the tube spontaneously spun back to its original position, the test was considered positive, and the tube was considered kinked. If the tube did not spontaneously spin back and stayed in position upon release, the test was considered negative. Regardless of the results of this test, the tube was secured, and a postprocedure chest radiograph was obtained. The criterion standard for determining a kinked chest tube was its appearance on this chest radiograph. Results: A total of 103 chest tubes were placed by using the Mac‐technique test. The test was positive in eight placements; four tubes were kinked on chest radiograph. The Mac‐technique test was negative in 95 placements; four tubes were kinked on chest radiograph. The Mac technique had a sensitivity of 50% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.7% to 84.3%), a specificity of 95.8% (95% CI = 89.6% to 98.8%), a positive likelihood ratio of 11.9, a negative likelihood ratio of 0.52, and an odds ratio using Yates correction of 20.3 (95% CI = 4.1 to 102.1). Conclusions: On the basis of this study, a positive Mac‐technique test is useful to detect chest tubes that are likely to be kinked after insertion and before securing.     

Segmental Uterine Horn Replacement in the Rat Using a Biodegradable Microporous Synthetic Tube

To investigate the possible use of a biodegradable microporous synthetic tube for fallopian tube replacement, polyetherurethane/poly-L-lactide (PU/PLLA) grafts in the uterine horn of the rat were studied and their patency and healing characteristics compared with those of nonbiodegradable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon) grafts as well as with those of reanastomosed uterine horns. Regarding the healing characteristics, the PU/PLLA grafts were superior to the PTFE graft, as was indicated by the regeneration of endometrium and the extensive perigraft tissue ingrowth. However, the graft/uterine anastomoses of the PU/PLLA and PTFE grafts became obstructed by a plug of mucosal folds, all reanastomosed, uterine horns in the control experiments remaining open. In conclusion, although biodegradable microporous PU/PLLA uterine horn grafts have better healing characteristics than PTFE grafts, they easily obstruct at the graft/uterine junction. Mucosal suturing and/or the use of splints may contribute to the feasibility of biodegradable microporous artificial fallopian tubes in tubal surgery.     

An armoured endotracheal tube obstruction in a child

The case of a child whose tracheal tube became obstructed intraoperatively 30 minutes after intubation is reported. It appears that this obstruction was related to the development of bubbles within the walls which expanded upon exposure to nitrous oxide and diffusion of that gas into the bubbles. The authors want to point out the risk of gas diffusion into the walls of the tube and the possibility that repeated sterilization may enhance the development of bubbles. Les auteurs rapportent l’observation d’un enfant de sept mois dont la sonde tracheale s’est obstruée 30 minutes après l’intubation. Cette obstruction était due à l’expansion de bulles incluses dans la paroi du tube après exposition au N₂O et diffusion de celui-ci à l’interieur des bulles. Ils accusent également la stérilisation répétée de la sonde armée (contre l’avis du constructeur) d’avoir favorisé le développement de ces inclusions bulleuses.     

L-吡咯烷酮肽酶纸片快速筛检沙门菌的现场实验研究

[目的 ]　寻求快速筛选疑似沙门菌的新方法。　 [方法 ]　应用双糖管法和L -吡咯烷酮肽酶 (L -PYRase)纸片法对高桥地区 5 0 0 0份体检肛拭标本经增菌、培养后的可疑沙门菌 ( 4 84份 )进行筛检。　 [结果 ]　L -吡咯烷酮肽酶纸片法检出确切沙门菌的阳性率为 2 .0 7% ,双糖管法检出确切沙门菌的阳性率为 1.86% ,两种方法检出确切沙门菌的阳性率差异无显著性 ;双糖管法可疑阳性筛检率为 88.64 % ( 4 2 9/4 84) ,其中经证实的确切阳性率仅为 2 .10 % ( 9/4 2 9) ,即其假阳性率高达 97.90 % ;L -吡咯烷酮肽酶纸片法可疑阳性筛检率仅为 2 .0 7% ( 10 /4 84) ,但经证实的确切阳性率为10 0 .0 0 % ( 10 /10 ) ,无假阳性现象发生 ,两种方法可疑阳性筛检率差异有极显著性 ;纸片法灵敏度和特异性皆为 10 0 .0 0 %( 10 /10、474/4 74) ,而双糖管法的灵敏度为 90 .0 0 % ( 9/10 ) ,特异性仅为 11.60 % ( 5 5 /4 74)。　 [结论 ]　L -吡咯烷酮肽酶纸片法是一种准确、简便、快速的筛检沙门菌方法。     

The use of perioperative Sofradex® eardrops in preventing tympanostomy tube blockage: a prospective double‐blinded randomized‐controlled trial

Around 11–12% of tympanostomy tubes are reported to become blocked by middle ear secretions or blood immediately following surgery, and so no longer function. Many otologists routinely instil an antibiotic and steroid‐containing solution at the time of surgery in the belief that this may reduce this complication. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of instilling the antibiotic and steroid‐containing solution Sofradex^® at the time of grommet insertion in preventing grommet blockage. Double‐blind randomized‐controlled trial, comparing rates of grommet blockage in ears treated with Sofradex^® drops against control (no drops) in patients undergoing bilateral grommet insertion. Sixty‐one pairs of results were obtained. There was a significant difference between the rates of grommet blockage in the two groups. Grommets with Sofradex^® drops instilled perioperatively were nine times less likely to be blocked than controls [1.6%versus 13.1%, odds ratio (Sofradex^®/control) = 9.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–78.82, P = 0.05]. There was no association between grommet blockage and perioperative bleeding or the nature and presence of middle ear secretions. Sofradex^® eardrops are effective in reducing the rate of grommet blockage when instilled perioperatively.     

引线硅胶管植入术治疗单纯泪小点狭窄或闭锁的疗效观察

目的:观察引线硅胶管植入术治疗单纯泪小点狭窄或闭锁的临床疗效。方法:单纯泪小点狭窄或闭锁患者42例72眼,按照年龄分成60岁以上及以下两组。局部麻醉下行引线硅胶管植入术,术后给予局部消炎抗感染治疗。术后冲洗泪道1次/wk,共4次,1～3mo后拔管,计算治愈率,并行卡方检验。结果:所有患者术中均成功植入引线硅胶管。平均观察14mo。治愈59眼(82%),好转8眼(11%),无效5眼(7%)。60岁以上组治愈率、有效率均较60岁以下组低。结论:引线硅胶管植入术治疗单纯泪小点狭窄或闭锁,操作简便、创伤小、效果好、值得临床推广。     

Coaxial Drainage versus Standard Chest Tube after Pulmonary Lobectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Chest tubes are routinely inserted after thoracic surgery procedures in different sizes and numbers. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Smart Drain Coaxial drainage compared with two standard chest tubes in patients undergoing thoracotomy for pulmonary lobectomy. Ninety-eight patients (57 males and 41 females, mean age 68.3 ± 7.4 years) with lung cancer undergoing open pulmonary lobectomy were randomized in two groups: 50 received one upper 28-Fr and one lower 32-Fr standard chest tube (ST group) and 48 received one 28-Fr Smart Drain Coaxial tube (SDC group). Hospitalization, quantity of fluid output, air leaks, radiograph findings, pain control and costs were assessed. SDC group showed shorter hospitalization (7.3 vs. 6.1 days, p = 0.02), lower pain in postoperative day-1 (p = 0.02) and a lower use of analgesic drugs (p = 0.04). Pleural effusion drainage was lower in SDC group in the first postoperative day (median 400.0 ± 200.0 mL vs. 450.0 ± 193.8 mL, p = 0.04) and as a mean of first three PODs (median 325.0 ± 137.5 mL vs. 362.5 ± 96.7 mL, p = 0.01). No difference in terms of fluid retention, residual pleural space, subcutaneous emphysema and complications after chest tubes removal was found. In conclusion, Smart Drain Coaxial chest tube seems a feasible option after thoracotomy for pulmonary lobectomy. The SDC group showed a shorter hospitalization and decreased analgesic drugs use and, thus, a reduction of costs.     

Airway management in infants and children

Airway management in children and infants, especially in those with a difficult airway, presents a major challenge for every anaesthesiologist, paediatrician, paediatric intensivist and emergency physician. The most important differences, as compared to adult airway management, result from the specific aspects of paediatric anatomy and physiology, which are more important to consider the younger the child is. A number of inherited and acquired pathological syndromes have significant impact on the airway management in this age group. During past years several new devices have been introduced into clinical practice, intended to improve airway management in this age group. Important new studies have gathered evidence about risks and benefits of certain confounding variables for airway problems and specific techniques for solving them.Several risk factors for airway-related problems during anaesthesia in children having a ‘cold’ have been identified, and the use of propofol in combination with the LMA is suggested if anaesthesia cannot be postponed in children with a recent upper airway infection. The use of cuffed endotracheal tubes appears to be advantageous in certain clinical situations, and may be safe in infants if the appropriate tube size is carefully determined and continuous monitoring of the cuff pressure is performed to avoid post-intubation tracheal stenosis. Promising novel video-assisted systems comprising appropriately sized and redesigned fibre-optic endoscopes have been introduced for the management of the difficult airway in small children, infants and even premature newborns. Today, the laryngeal mask airway is a well-accepted extra-tracheal airway device in paediatric anaesthesia, and the flexible LMA allows for its use during ENT and dental surgery procedures. However, LMA-associated partial obstruction of the airway in infants requires great caution when these devices are used in this age group. The recently introduced Proseal LMA for children may allow higher airway pressures and improved protection from gastric inflation, e.g. in paediatric ambulatory anaesthesia. The LMA may also serve well to guide the endoscope during fibre-optic intubation in children and infants.Prediction of the unexpected difficult airway in infants and children remains really difficult, as the respective screening systems have been developed in adults and are, for a variety of reasons, not applicable to young children and infants. A thorough determination of the individual risk of developing airway complications, as well as continuous attention to airway patency during the procedure, are prerequisites for reducing airway-related morbidity and mortality in children and infants during anaesthesia. Appropriate preparation of the available equipment and frequent training in management algorithms for all personnel involved appear to be very important.     

T管拔除后胆漏的预防

目的　探讨拔T管后出现胆漏并发症的预防。方法　胆总管探查、T管引流术的连续病例 2 4 3例。A组 114例术后 3周拔T管 ,若出现有症状胆漏和 /或胆汁性腹膜炎 ,立即用红橡皮导尿管置入窦道作引流 1～ 6d(平均 3.5d)。B组 12 9例术后 2周拔T管后常规立即用红橡皮导尿管置入窦道作引流 1～ 4d(平均 1.5d)。结果　A组拔T管后发生胆漏 9例 ,B组无胆漏发生。所有病例均获治愈出院。两组胆漏发生率有显著性差异 (χ2 =8.4 9,P <0 .0 0 5 )。结论　拔管后再引流法可有效预防拔T管后胆漏的发生。对已发生的局限性胆汁性腹膜炎 ,及时用导尿管置入窦道作引流 ,亦是有效的处理方法     

双J管内引流在上尿路手术中的应用

目的探讨双J管在上尿路手术中的应用效果.方法对104例肾结石、输尿管结石、肾盂输尿管交界处梗阻、膀胱肿瘤、巨输尿管症者在上尿路手术中应用双J管行内引流,置管时间1～2个月.结果术后无漏尿、感染等并发症.结论双J管具有内引流和内支架的双重作用,且具有操作简便、引流效果好、并发症少等优点,在上尿路手术中值得推广使用.