Hepatic Artery Anatomic Variations and Reconstruction in Liver Grafts Procured in Greece: The Effect on Hepatic Artery Thrombosis

Aims

Variations of the anatomy of donor hepatic arteries increase the number of arterial anastomoses during liver transplantation and, possibly, the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). In this study, we describe the arterial anatomic variations in liver grafts procured and transplanted by a single center in Greece, the techniques of arterial anastomosis, and their effect on the incidence of early HAT.

安亭地区3199名妇女妇科普查分析

目的了解安亭地区已婚妇女健康状况，并进行分析，提出相应干预措施。方法2005年10月，按上海市妇女所制定的妇科病体检标准，开展普查普治工作，由区妇幼所承担普查任务。检查项目包括妇科、乳房、阴道分泌物、宫颈脱落细胞及B超检查等。结果妇科常见病主要为慢性宫颈炎，其次为阴道炎。慢性宫颈炎中宫颈糜烂占首位，宫颈脱落细胞检查发现50岁组巴氏Ⅱ级发生率占第1位。结论保障妇女身心健康，建议定期开展妇女病普查，普及防病知识，增强妇女自我保健意识，加强更年期保健，倡导健康生活方式。     

Comparison of local and general anesthesia in tension-free (Lichtenstein) hernioplasty: a prospective randomized trial

To compare pulmonary effects, postoperative pain and fatigue, morbidity, patient satisfaction, and cost of different anesthetic techniques for inguinal hernia repair, 50 patients were randomized to local and general anesthesia groups (LA and GA). All patients received the same premedications and the same postoperative analgesic regimen. The standardized postoperative analgesic, intramuscular pyroxicam 20 mg, was given to all patients in the recovery room and an additional 20 mg on the same day was given as requested by each patient. Pulmonary function studies and arterial blood gas analysis were performed 1 h prior to the operation and at the postoperative 8th and 24th hours. All patients underwent Lichtenstein's tension-free hernioplasty. Postoperative pain and fatigue were registered 8 h and 24 h after the operation. A questionnaire was filled out by the patients, and they were asked to give grades for the general comfort of the anesthesia and the surgical procedure (1=worst, 10=best). Postoperative pulmonary function tests were significantly poorer in the GA group both on 8th- and 24th-hour measurements (P<0.05). Patients who underwent LA had significantly lower PCO₂ and higher PO₂ at the postoperative 8th hour (P<0.05). Mean postoperative pain and fatigue scores revealed a significant difference in favor of local anesthesia at only the 8th hour (P<0.05). There were two complications, one in each group (a hematoma in LA and a urinary retention in GA). Patient satisfaction grades were not different in the two groups. We conclude that LA in inguinal hernia repair does not adversely affect pulmonary functions, patients feel less pain, and patient satisfaction is comparable to that with GA. Electronic Publication     

Choice of general practice for postgraduate training among medical graduates and undergraduates in Nigeria

A questionnaire survey of career choices was carried out among 112 medical graduates, after one year's internship (group I), during their National Youth Corps programme in Kaduna, Lagos, Cross River and Oyo states of Nigeria, and 365 final-year medical undergraduates (group 2) in the colleges of medicine in the corresponding states. A total of 13% in group I and 40% in group 2 were undecided as regards their first choice. Obstetrics and gynaecology was the most popular first choice in both groups. General practice ranked fifth among group I, but displaced surgery to rank second among group 2. The differences were statistically significant. A total of 41% of group I and 46% of group 2 preferred to work in a teaching hospital, reflecting the high preference for surgical specialties. Twenty-six per cent and 33.7% of respondents in groups 1 and 2 respectively wished to own their own practice or work in the private sector. General practice is a new specialty and its growth is supported by a national postgraduate training programme. A shift towards general practice is seen compared with previous studies of career preference among Nigerian medical graduates and students. This may be due to a changing balance of supply and demand in the medical work-force, or a better assessment of the nation's health problems and manpower needs.     

Postoperative pain management—clinical practice is still not optimal

Major progress in clinical pain assessment and management has been achieved in the last decade. More effective analgesic drugs and improved techniques for pain management have been introduced. However, medical reports published during the last few years on postoperative pain management (POPM) indicate that moderate or even severe pain is still rather commonly experienced by surgical patients in the early postoperative period and that worst-pain-episodes may occur even in the late postoperative phase. Insufficient relief of postoperative pain seems a more common problem on surgical wards than on a postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). The aims of POPM are to inhibit autonomic trauma-induced nociceptive impulses that may result in functional disturbances of vital organs and thereby affect the incidence of potentially severe complications influencing clinical outcome. Considering that recent studies continue to show sub-optimal pain management despite the availability of effective drugs and analgesic techniques it must be considered essential to identify possible barriers to effective pain management in clinical practice so that necessary improvements in POPM routines can be carried out.     

大学生一般自我效能感与防御方式的相关研究

目的 探讨大学生一般自我效能感与防御方式之间的关系。方法 采用“一般自我效能感量表”及“防御方式问卷”，对390名大学生的一般自我效能感和防御方式进行了测量。结果 大学生一般自我效能感性别差异非常显著（P〈0．01），而城乡差异不显著（P〉0．05）；大学生防御方式的性别差异显著（P〈0．05），而城乡差异不显著（P〉0．05）；大学生的一般自我效能感与防御方式有显著相关。结论 一般自我效能感是影响大学生防御方式的重要因素。     

Pharmacokinetics of two per cent rectal methohexitone in children

Plasma methohexitone concentrations were determined in 60 children, aged one to six years, following administration of 15 mg.kg-1, 20 mg.kg-1, 25 mg.kg-1 or 30 mg.kg-1 two per cent rectal methohexitone. Time to the onset of sleep was determined by a blinded observer and venous blood samples obtained 15, 30, 45 and 120 minutes following drug administration. Fifty of 60 children were asleep within 15 minutes. Nine of the ten children that did not fall asleep were sedate and could be separated easily from their parents to undergo inhalational induction of anesthesia. Time to the onset of sleep was inversely related to the dose of rectal methohexitone administered. Sleep was achieved more reliably following the use of 25 to 30 mg.kg-1 rectal methohexitone. In addition, plasma methohexitone concentrations following 30 mg.kg-1 rectal methohexitone were significantly higher for up to 120 minutes following drug administration than the plasma concentrations achieved after 15 mg.kg-1 or 20 mg.kg-1 methohexitone. There was no difference in the incidence of complications. The authors recommend that clinical circumstances be carefully considered and the dose of rectal methohexitone administered be individualized to meet the specific anaesthetic requirements of each child.     

Clinical office anesthesia: The use of propofol for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia

Ambulatory surgery has become routine for many plastic surgery procedures. Anesthesia techniques including general anesthesia by inhalation and intravenous infusion and the dissociative technique have all been used successfully for outpatient anesthesia. Propofol (Diprivan), a relatively new agent, has proven to be a safe and effective general anesthesia agent for outpatient surgery. We report on our experience with propofol as an induction agent and continuous drip for general anesthesia maintenance in 100 consecutive outpatient, plastic surgery procedures performed in an office facility. Assessment factors were recovery-room time, nausea and vomiting in the recovery room and at home, hallucinations, patients' recollection of anesthesia experience, and overall patient satisfaction.     

Hernia repair in elderly patients under unmonitored local anaesthesia is feasible

Background: There is a growing interest in the use of local anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair. It certainly seems to be an acceptable alternative for the elderly. Supporting intravenous sedation, however, still requires monitoring, anaesthetic personnel and some preparations for the patient. Therefore we set up a feasibility study of hernia repair under local anaesthesia without intravenous sedation or monitoring in elderly patients. Method: A total of 62 patients (aged 65 years or more) with unilateral inguinal hernia received a Mesh Plug Repair. Prospectively collected data included procedure-related complications and information on pain and quality of life as measured by Short Form 36. Results: No procedure-related complications were noted. Comparing the preoperative scores, the SF-36 on day 14 (n=61) did not differ significantly. After a median follow-up of ten months (n=54), significantly higher scores were found for scales of physical and emotional role and pain (all p<0.05). Twenty-two patients reported some form of pain (40.7%). 94.4% of the patients would recommend the procedure when asked. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that Mesh Plug Repair performed under unmonitored local anaesthesia with no intravenous sedation is a feasible alternative for elderly patients. It has advantages for the medical organization without disadvantages for the patient.