A rare massive presentation of catamenial hemothorax

Catamenial hemothorax is a rare manifestation of thoracic endometriosis syndrome. It is commonly seen associated with pelvic endometriosis in nulliparous reproductive-age women. Most cases are minor and self-limiting. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with prolonged worsening dyspnea and was found to have a massive hemothorax on evaluation.     

A study exploring the role of intercostal nerve damage in chronic pain after thoracic surgery

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of intra-operative nerve damage and its association with chronic pain. Methods: Our prospective study of 33 patients used nerve conduction studies to assess intercostal nerve function during elective thoracic surgical procedures. We used two methods to study nerve conduction: pre-operative magnetic stimulation (in 10 patients) and intra-operative nerve conduction studies (in all patients) We correlated these findings with specific intra-operative parameters, pain and psychological questionnaires pre-op and 3 month post-op and altered cutaneous sensation. Results: Magstim (magnetic stimulation) assessments were not reliable and were therefore abandoned. Intraoperative intercostal nerve studies revealed two distinct patterns of nerve injury and also that nerve injury was less in those cases where a rib was not resected. However, intercostal nerve damage detected at the time of operation is not associated with chronic pain or altered cutaneous sensation at 3 months post-op. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that either the amount of intra-operative intercostal nerve damage is not indicative of long-term nerve damage or that there is a more significant cause for chronic pain other than intercostal nerve injury.     

One stage surgical management of hydatid cyst of lung &; liver—by right thoracotomy &; phrenotomy

Introduction Hydatid cysts of the lung are quite frequent in our country. Some patients have additional cysts in the liver. Though most of the liver cysts remain asymptomatic for long time, but may be symptomatic with increasing size. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for both lung & liver cysts. Aim of the study was to establish suitability of one stage surgery for pulmonary & hepatic hydatid cysts. Methods From 1996 through 2003 we operated on 216 pulmonary hydatid cysts, out of which 42 patients had hydatid cysts in the right lung as well as in the right lobe of liver. Right thoracotomy was done to remove the lung hydatids followed by phrenotomy to remove the liver cysts. Results Right thoracotomy was done in 42 patients having hydatid cysts of lung & liver. In 36 patients, cysts were removed, bronchial leaks were sutured & residual cavities were obliterated. Out of rest 6 patients, having dense adhesions or destruction of pulmonary parenchyma, 4 had segmentectomy & 2 had lobectomy. Right phrenotomy was then done with radial incision above the palpated liver cysts. Hydatid cyst was removed from liver. Cavity and remaining pericystic liver tissue was inverted with sutures. Water seal chest drain & subdiaphragmatic drain were placed. Post operative albendazole was continued for 3 months in the dose of 10–20 mg/kg with a gap of 2 weeks after each month. Post operative recovery was uneventful in most of the cases. However, air leak continued for almost 3 weeks in 4 patients & 3 months in one patient. There was no death. Conclusion Surgical management of pulmonary and hepatic hydatids with one stage right thoracotomy & phrenotomy is a suitable option. It avoids additional laparotomy and thereby additional cost & hospital stay. Results are quite satisfactory.     

术中输注氨基酸对硬膜外阻滞复合全麻开胸手术患者围术期体温的影响

目的评价术中输注氨基酸对硬膜外阻滞复合全麻食管癌和贲门癌手术患者围术期深部体温和代谢的影响。方法择期食管癌和贲门癌手术患者21例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为3组(n =7):从麻醉诱导开始至手术结束,分别静脉输注氨基酸混合液240kJ·h-1(AA组)、等容量乳酸钠林格氏液(LR组)、葡萄糖溶液240kJ·h-1(GLU组)。麻醉诱导前至术后2h每5分钟测定鼓膜温度,于麻醉诱导前即刻、手术开始后1h和术后1h检测指尖血糖,采用4分表法评价术后2h内寒战的发生情况,采用间接测热仪测定术前与术后氧耗。结果与麻醉诱导前即刻比较,术后30min LR组和GLU组氧耗降低,AA组氧耗升高(P<0.01),术后2h LR组、GLU组鼓膜温度降低(P<0.05),AA组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与LR组和GLU组比较,AA组术后2h内寒战发生例数减少(P< 0.05),术后30min氧耗增多(P<0.05),LR组与GLU组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论硬膜外阻滞复合全麻开胸手术患者术中静脉输注氨基酸可通过提高基础代谢率,缓解围术期深部体温降低,减少术后寒战发生,而输注葡萄糖不产生此效应。     

Thoracotomy in the acute phase of staphylococcal lung disease

Two cases of staphylococcal lung disease in young infants are described. In each instance a life-threatening bronchopleural fistula in the acute phase was successfully managed by thoracotomy and suture repair. Offprint requests to: A. W. Auldist     

胸腔镜与开胸手术治疗胸腺瘤合并重症肌无力的临床疗效对比研究

目的比较胸腔镜与开胸手术治疗胸腺瘤合并重症肌无力的效果。方法将我院收治的60例胸腺瘤合并重症肌无力患者随机分为实验组与对照组各30例。对照组采用常规开胸手术治疗,实验组采用胸腔镜手术治疗,比较两组患者的围术期指标及术后并发症发生情况。结果实验组手术时间与术后住院时间明显短于对照组,术中出血量与术后引流量明显少于对照组(P<0.05)。实验组重症肌无力治疗总有效率为93.33%,明显高于对照组的73.33%(P <0.05)。实验组术后并发症发生率为3.33%,明显低于对照组的20.00%(P <0.05)。结论胸腔镜手术治疗胸腺瘤合并重症肌无力患者具有创伤小、恢复快、疗效好及并发症发生率低等优势,值得推广。     

Paraplegia after thoracotomy--not caused by the epidural catheter

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia and peripheral nerve injuries may arise after general anaesthesia from many causes but are easily ascribed to central block if the latter has been used. CASE REPORT: A 56-yr-old woman, with Bechterev disease but otherwise healthy, was operated with left-sided thoracotomy to remove a tumour in the left lower lobe. She had an epidural catheter inserted in the mid-thoracic area before general anaesthesia was started. Bupivacaine 0.5% 5 ml was injected once and the infusion of bupivacaine 0.1% with 2 micrograms/ml fentanyl and 2 micrograms/ml adrenaline (5 ml/h) started at the end of surgery. The patient woke up with total paralysis in the lower limb and sensory analgesia at the level of T8, which remained unchanged at several observations. Laminectomy, performed 17 h after the primary operation, showed a large piece of a haemostatic sponge (Surgicel) compressing the spinal cord, which was then decompressed but the motor and sensory deficit remained virtually unchanged both then and a year later. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows--once again--that although central blocks may cause serious neurological complications and paraplegia, other causes are possible and have to be considered. However, all patients with an epidural catheter must be monitored for early signs and symptoms of an intraspinal process and the appropriate treatment has to be instituted instantly.     

芬太尼用于开胸术后硬膜外患者自控镇痛的研究

目的：研究不同配伍的芬太尼用于开胸术后PCEA的镇痛效果。方法：75例（ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级）择期剖胸患者随机分为三组,各25例,F组单用芬太尼;FB组用芬太尼＋布比卡因;FBM组用芬太尼＋布比卡因＋吗啡。观察用药总量,D／D比值,VAS评分,整体满意度,并发症。结果：用药总量F组显著大于FB及FBM组（P＜0．05）;D／D比值＜2、VAS＜3、整体满意度为优的病例数FB组及FBM组显著多于F组（P＜0．05）;恶心、皮肤瘙痒患者以FBM组最多（P＜0．05,P＜0．005）。结论：开胸术后患者使用IPCEA时以小剂量芬太尼合用低浓度布比卡因的给药模式为宜。     

Transthoracic Repair of Asymptomatic Morgagni Hernia in an Adult

Morgagni hernia represents a rare type of diaphragmatic hernia which usually occurs on the right side, in the anterior mediastinum. Predisposing factors of Morgagni hernia include pregnancy, obesity or other causes of increased intraabdominal pressure, and a history of trauma. Most of adults diagnosed with a foramen of Morgagni are asymptomatic. We report a case of an overweight 23-year-old asymptomatic patient with a Morgagni hernia incidentally diagnosed on chest x-ray. There was a satisfactory result after the repair by a transthoracic approach.