远距离激光引导进针角度装置用于CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检

目的观察远距离激光引导进针角度装置辅助CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检的临床应用价值。方法选取100例接受CT引导下经皮肺结节穿刺术患者,其中50例接受远距离激光引导进针角度装置辅助CT引导下穿刺(观察组),50例接受常规CT引导下穿刺(对照组),比较2组进针深度、CT扫描次数、单次穿刺成功率、诊断准确率、穿刺时间以及气胸、针道出血等并发症。结果观察组CT扫描次数、穿刺时间及气胸发生率低于对照组(P均0.05),单次穿刺成功率、诊断准确率高于对照组(P均0.05)。无论进针深度如何,观察组对直径1 cm病灶的CT扫描次数、穿刺时间均低于对照组(P均0.05),针道出血和气胸发生率组间差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05);观察组中直径≤1 cm病灶CT扫描次数、穿刺操作时间及针道出血、气胸发生率亦均低于对照组(P均0.05)。结论远距离激光引导进针角度装置辅助CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检可提高穿刺准确率,缩短操作时间,减少并发症,尤其适用于直径≤1.0 cm结节。     

电视胸腔镜手术前SPECT/CT引导Sens-cure针穿刺定位肺小结节

目的观察电视胸腔镜手术(VATS)前SPECT/CT引导Sens-cure针穿刺定位肺小结节(直径≤10 mm)的价值。方法对19例肺小结节患者行SPECT/CT引导下经皮穿刺定位,共定位21个肺小结节;之后行VATS,根据定位器位置寻找靶病灶,并予以局部楔形切除。观察定位成功率、穿刺定位时间、肺结节大小、胸膜下距离、并发症及病理类型等。结果经皮穿刺定位肺小结节成功率100%,平均定位时间(15.0±3.1)min;病灶最大径(7.1±1.8)mm,胸膜下距离(17.8±5.8)mm;而后均成功完成VATS,完整切除靶病灶,无脱靶。术后病理诊断其中16个(16/21,76.19%)为病变恶性。穿刺后并发症包括少量出血2例、少量气胸3例。结论VATS术前SPECT/CT引导Sens-cure针穿刺定位肺小结节安全有效,可提高VATS成功率。     

小视野扫描方法在肺小结节CT引导下经皮穿刺活检中的应用

目的探讨小FOV扫描方法在CT引导下经皮穿刺活检肺小结节(长径≤20 mm)中的应用价值。方法对104例肺小结节患者分别采用小FOV(n=38,A组)和常规FOV(n=66,B组)行CT引导下经皮穿刺活检,记录病变沿针道距胸膜距离、肺内调整进针次数、手术时间,进针胸膜角等,比较2组肺内出血、气胸的发生率。结果 A组肺内出血总体发生率31.58%(12/38),≥2级肺内出血发生率2.63%(1/38),B组分别为66.67%(44/66)、22.73%(15/66);A组出血发生率明显低于B组(χ~2=14.172,P=0.001)。2组肺气肿、病变沿针道距胸膜的距离、手术时间、肺内调整进针次数差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论采用小FOV扫描方法行肺小结节CT引导下经皮穿刺活检可明显降低肺内出血、尤其是≥2级肺内出血发生率。     

CT引导下射频消融肺结节联合术中穿刺活检的临床应用及预防出血措施

目的观察CT引导下射频消融(RFA)肺结节联合术中穿刺活检的应用效果,讨论预防出血措施。方法回顾性分析75例接受CT引导下RFA联合经皮穿刺活检肺结节患者,共75个病灶,直径均≤3 cm,包括实性结节46个、磨玻璃结节(GGN)29个;其中55例接受RFA术前活检(术前活检组)、20例接受术中活检(术中活检组),比较2组活检后即刻CT所示出血面积最大径增加值及术后24 h内咳血、气胸发生率。结果2组均顺利完成病理取材及RFA治疗。术前活检组、术中活检组术后即刻CT示出血面积最大径增加值分别为(1.56±1.30)cm及(0.56±0.50)cm(P<0.01),其中的GGN病灶分别为(1.49±1.33)cm和(0.56±0.43)cm(P=0.02)。术后24 h内术前活检组9例出现咳血、6例气胸;术中活检组无咳血,3例发生气胸。结论CT引导下RFA治疗肺结节联合术中穿刺活检安全、可行。     

对比CT引导下不同进针路径经皮肺穿刺活检效果

目的对比观察不同进针路径CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检效果。方法回顾性分析86例接受CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检的肺部病变患者,根据规划进针路径是否与床面垂直分为垂直床面(PT)组与非垂直床面(NPT)组,是否与体表垂直分为垂直体表(PB)组与非垂直体表(NPB)组,测量各组实际进针路径与规划路径间的偏移角度、针尖偏移距离及进针深度,统计穿刺次数、穿刺时间及术后气胸、针道出血例数。结果 86例中,83例(83/86,96.51%)获得、3例未获明确病理诊断。术后气胸发生率12.79%(11/86),针道出血发生率33.72%(29/86)。实际进针时,各组角度均有不同程度偏移,PT组偏移角度小于NPT、PB、NPB组,针尖偏移距离小于NPT及PB组(P均0.05);各组穿刺时间、进针深度、穿刺次数及术后气胸、针道出血差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。术后发生气胸与未发生气胸者之间,进针深度差异有统计学意义(P0.05);术后针道出血与未出血者间进针深度、穿刺时间及穿刺次数差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05)。偏移角度与进针深度呈负相关(r=-0.37,P0.01),针尖偏移距离与进针深度呈正相关(r=0.45,P0.01)。结论行CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检时,使患者处于倾斜位,选择垂直于床面且进针较短的穿刺路径有助于减少偏移及并发症。     

CT引导下经皮穿刺活检肺内小结节

目的评价CT引导下经皮穿刺活检肺内小结节（≤2.0 cm）的价值。方法采用18～20G自动活检针对60例64个肺小结节（5个直径0.7～1.0 cm,59个直径1.1～2.0 cm）进行经皮穿刺活检。结果对92.19%（59/64）结节取得足够量组织,经病理检查获得定性诊断,其中恶性结节占66.10%（39/59）,良性病灶33.90%（20/59）。气胸发生率为32.81%（21/64）,2例次（2/64,3.13%）须行闭式胸腔引流。结论 CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检术对≤2.0 cm肺结节的诊断准确率高,并发症少,是一种安全有效、准确率高的诊断方法。     

快速现场细胞学在CT引导下经皮穿刺活检肺外周结节中的应用

目的评估快速现场细胞学(ROSE)在CT引导下经皮穿刺活检肺外周结节(直径≤2.0 cm)中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析108例接受CT引导下经皮穿刺活检术的肺结节(直径≤2.0 cm)患者,包括ROSE组(58例)和常规组(50例),比较2组取材充分性、诊断准确率、二次活检率及并发症,并统计ROSE与HE染色的一致性。结果 ROSE组取材充分性(54/58,93.10%)和诊断准确率(52/58,89.66%)均高于常规组[78.00%(39/50),74.00%(37/50);P均0.05)],二次活检率(4/58,6.90%)低于常规组(11/50,22.00%,P0.05)。2组气胸、出血发生率差异均无统计学意义[13.79%(8/58) vs 18.00%(9/50),39.66%(23/58) vs 40.00%(20/50),P均0.05]。ROSE与组织病理对良恶性病变的一致性分别为91.30%(21/23)和93.33%(28/30)。结论 ROSE可在不延长手术时间、不增加并发症的前提下指导CT引导下经皮穿刺取材,可保证取材的充分性并提高诊断准确率,降低二次穿刺活检率,与组织病理一致性好,可获得即刻诊断。     

胸腔镜术前CT引导下新型肺结节定位针定位肺小结节

目的 观察胸腔镜术前CT引导下新型肺结节定位针定位肺小结节的效果。方法 回顾性分析50例肺结节患者共53枚肺小结节,直径5.0~15.0 mm,均于CT引导下以新型肺结节定位针定位病灶后接受电视辅助胸腔镜手术（VATS）,观察定位效果及并发症。结果 对50例53个病灶均成功植入锚定定位针,定位成功率为100%（53/53）。穿刺过程中9例（9/50,18.00%）穿刺针道附近轻微出血;定位术中14例（14/50,28.00%）出现轻度气胸,1例（1/50,2.00%）发生胸膜反应。8例于定位当日、42例于次日接受VATS;术中按定位针指导均成功找到并切除病灶。结论 CT引导下新型肺结节定位针VATS术前定位肺小结节效果佳且安全。     

CT引导经同轴套管微波消融同步穿刺活检肺高度可疑恶性磨玻璃结节

目的探讨CT引导经同轴套管对肺高度可疑恶性磨玻璃结节(GGN)行微波消融同步活检的可行性。方法回顾性分析54例肺单发高度可疑恶性GGN(直径10～25 mm)患者,其中26例接受CT引导同轴微波消融同步活检(消融同步活检组),28例接受单纯CT引导穿刺活检(单纯活检组);对比2组病理诊断率及出血、气胸发生率。结果 2组均顺利完成操作,技术成功率均为100%。消融同步活检组病理诊断率88.46%(23/26),气胸率26.92%(7/26);单纯活检组病理诊断率92.86%(26/28),气胸率32.14%(9/28),差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05);但消融同步活检组出血率30.77%(8/26),低于单纯活检组[42.86%(12/28),χ~2=5.962,P=0.028]。结论 CT引导经同轴套管对肺高度可疑恶性磨玻璃结节行微波消融同步活检安全、有效,出血风险低于单纯CT引导穿刺活检。     

CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检在肺部疾病诊断中的应用

目的探讨CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检术的临床应用价值。方法连续收集105例肺部病变患者,分为局灶结节组（直径≤3cm）、局灶团块组（直径〉3cm）及弥漫性病变组。在CT引导下行活检针穿刺活检,穿刺活检病理结果与手术病理或临床随访结果对照。结果对101例患者完成活检,穿刺活检成功率为96.19%（101/105）;其中局灶结节组33例,局灶团块组59例,弥漫性病变组9例。与手术病理或临床随访结果对照,总诊断符合率为92.08%（93/101）,3组的诊断符合率分别为87.88%（29/33）,93.22%（55/59）及100%（9/9）,各组间诊断符合率差异均无统计学意义（P均〉0.05）;总并发症发生率为12.38%（13/105）。Logistic回归分析显示,病灶大小是出血的影响因素（χ2=7.77,P=0.005）,病灶大小和病灶周围有无肺气肿是气胸的影响因素（P〈0.001）。结论 CT引导下经皮肺穿刺成功率及诊断符合率较高,并发症少,是一种具有较高实用性和安全性的活检取材方法。病灶直径≤3cm及病灶周围广泛肺气肿可增大并发症风险。     

Anterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy After Shoulder Arthroscopy Treated With Surgical Decompression: A Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: Anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) palsy is a very uncommon cause of upper extremity pain and weakness that comprises less than 1% of all upper extremity nerve palsies. Rarely reported but also mentioned in the literature is AIN palsy after shoulder arthroscopy. Methods: A systematic review of the literature to date using PubMed was conducted to identify patients who suffered AIN palsy after shoulder arthroscopy procedures. Articles included met the following criteria: (1) published in English; (2) primary presentation of the data; (3) patients had undergone shoulder arthroscopy before developing symptoms of AIN palsy; and (4) diagnosis was confirmed with clinical symptoms of AIN palsy. Measured outcomes included patient demographics, specific shoulder procedure, anesthesia procedure, intra-operative patient positioning, intra-operative compressive dressing, intra-operative traction, surgical versus conservative treatment, abnormal findings during decompression procedure, proposed mechanism of injury, and follow-up. Results: The search yielded 6 articles, of which 4 (13 cases) met inclusion criteria. An additional 2 cases were included in this report totaling 15 cases. The average patient age was 49 years (range: 31-64) with 73% males. At average follow-up of 24 months, 67% of patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms—more than half of which underwent surgical decompression. Patients who failed to progress experienced weakness of the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus muscles. Conclusions: Proposed injury mechanisms for AIN palsy after shoulder arthroscopy range from mechanical trauma, compressive hematoma, and direct anesthetic neurotoxicity. Management should be directed by clinical symptoms, imaging, and patient factors with majority of patients expected to have excellent clinical outcomes.     

维生素D受体在糖尿病肾病足细胞损伤及蛋白尿缓解中的作用

目的探讨维生素D受体(VDR)在糖尿病肾病(DKD)足细胞中的表达水平及在足细胞损伤及蛋白尿缓解中的作用。方法(1)本研究纳入了65例诊断患有2型糖尿病(伴或不伴蛋白尿)的患者,并纳入了25例年龄和性别相匹配的健康体检者为对照组。根据白蛋白/肌酐(ACR)的尿排泄比例对2型糖尿病患者进行分组,分别为无蛋白尿(ACR<30 mg/g,n=24)、微量白蛋白尿(ACR 30~300 mg/g,n=18)和临床蛋白尿(ACR>300 mg/g,n=23)。另选择25例经肾活检确诊的DKD患者作为DKD组。正常肾脏组织标本均取自泌尿外科同一时期肾脏肿瘤切除患者10例。将各组检测指标进行对比,同时采用实时定量PCR、ELISA法和免疫组化法检测VDR在各组患者的血液、尿液样本和肾脏组织中的表达情况,以及使用Pearson相关分析分析VDR与尿蛋白的相关性。(2)在2型糖尿病肾病小鼠模型中对上述结果进行验证,将遗传背景均为C57BLKs/J的雄性db/db小鼠及同窝出生的db/m小鼠,随机分为正常对照组(A组)、DKD对照组(B组)、DKD二甲基亚砜处理组(C组)、DKD帕立骨化醇(VDR激动剂)处理组(D组),C、D组连续腹腔注射处理8周,对照组不做任何处理。小鼠10周龄时开始连续干预8周,在小鼠22周龄(开始干预后12周)检测各组小鼠体重、血、尿生化指标对比;Western印迹法检测β⁃catenin、VDR的变化;免疫荧光观察足细胞标志蛋白podocin及足细胞损伤蛋白α⁃SMA的表达变化。结果(1)与正常健康对照组相比,无蛋白尿组、微量白蛋白尿组和临床蛋白尿组的糖尿病患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平均较低(均P<0.05);与无蛋白尿组的糖尿病患者相比,微量白蛋白尿组和临床蛋白尿组的糖尿病患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平均较低(均P<0.05)。(2)与正常健康对照组相比,无蛋白尿糖尿病组和DKD组患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平均较低(均P<0.05);与无蛋白尿糖尿病组患者相比,DKD组患者血浆中VDR的mRNA和蛋白水平亦较低(均P<0.05)。(3)免疫组化结果显示,DKD组肾组织中VDR的表达明显少于正常对照组。(4)DKD患者血浆中VDR mRNA相对水平与ACR呈负相关(r=-0.342,P<0.05)。(5)各组尿液上清液中VDR的水平与血浆中的水平呈相反趋势。(6)Western印迹结果显示,B组、C组肾小球足细胞β⁃catenin蛋白表达高于D组(均P<0.05),VDR蛋白的表达低于D组(均P<0.05);免疫荧光结果显示,B组、C组肾小球足细胞podocin的表达低于D组(均P<0.05),α⁃SMA的表达高于D组(均P<0.05)。结论VDR高表达缓解DKD足细胞损伤及蛋白尿。     

不同尿钙水平的Gitelman综合征患者临床特点比较

目的观察不同尿钙水平Gitelman综合征(GS)患者的临床特点,探讨尿钙在GS疾病临床分型中的价值。方法收集2016—2018年来自中国国家罕见病注册系统(NRSC)、在北京协和医院行SLC12A3基因检测诊断为GS患者的临床资料,分析其尿钙特点,比较不同尿钙水平患者的临床和实验室检查指标。氢氯噻嗪试验按照标准操作流程进行,测定患者基线和用药后3 h内氯离子排泄分数改变量的最大值(ΔFECl)。结果共有83例GS患者被纳入研究,其中低尿钙患者53例(63.86%)。低尿钙组尿钙/肌酐比明显低于非低尿钙组[(0.085±0.058)mmol/mmol比(0.471±0.284)mmol/mmol,t=7.349,P<0.001]。两组患者在年龄、性别、估算肾小球滤过率、血压、血尿电解质水平、代谢性碱中毒方面差异均无统计学意义。低尿钙组患者乏力(χ2=4.595,P=0.032)及多尿(χ2=5.778,P=0.016)发生比例低于非低尿钙组,两组患者在其他临床症状方面差异无统计学意义。低尿钙和非低尿钙组各有16例患者行氢氯噻嗪试验,中位ΔFECl结果分别为0.539%(0.430%,1.283%)和0.829%(0.119%,1.298%),均提示对氢氯噻嗪无反应,组间差异无统计学意义(U=130.000,P=0.956)。结论GS患者中低尿钙比例为63.86%,尿钙水平与疾病临床表型、NCC功能损伤严重程度之间均无明确相关性。     

Fibrinogen-thrombin collagen patch reinforcement of highrisk colonic anastomoses in rats

AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of human fibrinogenthrombin collagen patch(TachoSil~?) in the reinforcement of high-risk colon anastomoses.METHODS A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Wistar rats(n = 56) that all underwent high-risk anastomoses(anastomosis with only two sutures) after colectomies. The rats were divided into two randomized groups: Control group(24 rats) and treatment group(24 rats). In the treatment group, high-risk anastomosis was reinforced with TachoSil~? (a piece of Tacho Sil? was applied over this high-risk anastomosis, covering the gap). Leak incidence, overall survival, intra-abdominal adhesions, and histologic healing of anastomoses were analyzed. Survivors were divided into two subgroups and euthanized at 15 and 30 d after intervention in order to analyze the adhesions and histologic changes. RESULTS Overall survival was 71.4% and 57.14% in the TachoSil~? group and control group, respectively(P = 0.29); four rats died from other causes and six rats in the treatment group and 10 in the control group experienced colonic leakage(P 0.05). The intra-abdominal adhesion score was similar in both groups, with no differences between subgroups. We found non-significant differences in the healing process according to the histologic score used in both groups(P = 0.066).CONCLUSION In our study, the use of TachoSil~? was associated with a non-statistically significant reduction in the rate of leakage in high-risk anastomoses. TachoSil~? has been shown to be a safe product because it does not affect the histologic healing process or increase intra-abdominal adhesions.     

血浆凝血因子VIII水平与IgA肾病患者临床病理改变及预后的关系

目的探讨血浆凝血因子VIII(factor VIII,FVIII)水平与IgA肾病(IgAN)患者临床参数及预后的关系。方法收集2016年1月至2016年12月中南大学湘雅二医院确诊的IgAN患者的临床资料。按照时间依赖的受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)得出的血浆FVIII预测IgAN预后的临界值,将患者分为高FVIII组(FVIII>140.50%)和低FVIII组(FVIII≤140.50%),比较两组患者肾活检时基线临床参数的差异。以估算肾小球滤过率(eGFR)下降≥30%或进入终末期肾脏病(ESRD)为终点事件,采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线及Cox回归方程法分析血浆FVIII水平对IgAN患者预后的影响。结果共93例IgAN患者纳入本研究,中位随访时间为35.15(33.77,36.76)个月,12例(12.90%)患者发生终点事件。高FVIII组患者年龄、血肌酐、尿素氮、血三酰甘油、血总胆固醇、血浆纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体、24 h尿蛋白量、蛋白C、蛋白S和eGFR下降速率高于低FVIII组(均P<0.05);eGFR、血白蛋白、中位随访时间低于低FVIII组(均P<0.05)。Kaplan-Meier生存分析结果显示,与低FVIII组比较,高FVIII组患者肾脏累积生存率降低(χ2=5.635,P=0.018)。在校正收缩压、eGFR、尿蛋白、肾小管萎缩/间质纤维化程度等因素后,多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,高血浆FVIII水平是IgAN患者肾脏预后不良的独立危险因素(HR=4.147,95%CI 1.055~16.308,P=0.042)。结论血浆FVIII水平与IgAN患者临床指标及预后相关,高血浆FVIII水平是IgAN患者肾脏预后不良的独立危险因素。     

罗伊适应模式对腹股沟疝无张力疝修补术后恢复情况的影响

目的探讨罗伊适应模式对患者腹股沟疝无张力疝修补术后恢复情况的影响。 方法将2016年1月至2019年5月在秦皇岛市第二医院择期进行无张力修补术治疗的120例腹股沟疝患者，按照随机数字法分为对照组和观察组，每组各60例。对照组采用常规护理治疗，观察组在对照组的基础上采用罗伊适应模式。比较2组患者的术后临床指标、心理状态、围手术期并发症发生情况及满意度。 结果术后观察组患者的首次排气时间、恢复正常饮食时间、离床活动时间和术后住院时间均低于对照组（P<0.05）；术后观察组患者的抑郁自评量表（SDS）和焦虑自评量表（SAS）评分显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；术后2组患者均无切口感染发生，2组患者尿潴留、急性疼痛、认知功能障碍、发热、血肿等发生率相比无统计学差异（P>0.05）；术后观察组患者护理满意度为96.67%，显著高于对照组的83.33%（P<0.05）。 结论在常规护理的基础上，罗伊适应模式用于患者腹股沟疝无张力修补围手术期，能有效改善术后患者的焦虑/抑郁情绪，不增加围手术期并发症，促进术后患者的恢复及提高治疗满意度。     

Role of Conventional and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spinal Treatment Protocol for Hydatid Disease

Objective:

To demonstrate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the treatment protocol for hydatid disease of the spine.

Design:

Case report; literature review.

Findings:

Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate complicated infected hydatidosis from abscesses, epidermoid cysts from arachnoid cysts, and benign from malignant vertebral compression fractures. It is also helpful in differentiating between abscesses and necrotic tumors.

Conclusion:

Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate between infections requiring immediate surgery and those that can be treated medically with antihelmintic treatment.     

Safety and tolerability of single intravenous doses of sugammadex administered simultaneously with rocuronium or vecuronium in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex rapidly reverses rocuronium- and vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block. To investigate the effect of combination of sugammadex and rocuronium or vecuronium on QT interval, it would be preferable to avoid the interference of anaesthesia. Therefore, this pilot study was performed to investigate the safety, tolerability, and plasma pharmacokinetics of single i.v. doses of sugammadex administered simultaneously with rocuronium or vecuronium to anaesthetized and non-anaesthetized healthy volunteers. METHODS: In this phase I study, 12 subjects were anaesthetized with propofol/remifentanil and received sugammadex 16, 20, or 32 mg kg(-1) combined with rocuronium 1.2 mg kg(-1) or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1); four subjects were not anaesthetized and received sugammadex 32 mg kg(-1) with rocuronium 1.2 mg kg(-1) or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1) (n=2 per treatment). Neuromuscular function was assessed by TOF-Watch SX monitoring in anaesthetized subjects and by clinical tests in non-anaesthetized volunteers. Sugammadex, rocuronium, and vecuronium plasma concentrations were measured at several time points. RESULTS: No serious adverse events (AEs) were reported. Fourteen subjects reported 23 AEs after study drug administration. Episodes of mild headache, tiredness, cold feeling (application site), dry mouth, oral discomfort, nausea, increased aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, and moderate injection site irritation were considered as possibly related to the study drug. The ECG and vital signs showed no clinically relevant changes. Rocuronium/vecuronium plasma concentrations declined faster than those of sugammadex. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose administration of sugammadex 16, 20, or 32 mg kg(-1) in combination with rocuronium 1.2 mg kg(-1) or vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1) was well tolerated with no clinical evidence of residual neuromuscular block, confirming that these combinations can safely be administered simultaneously to non-anaesthetized subjects. Rocuronium and vecuronium plasma concentrations decreased faster than those of sugammadex, reducing the theoretical risk of neuromuscular block developing over time.     

Effect of the implementation of NICE guidelines for ultrasound guidance on the complication rates associated with central venous catheter placement in patients presenting for routine surgery in a tertiary referral centre

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines of 2002 recommended the use of ultrasound (US) for central venous catheterization in order to minimize complications associated with central line placement. An ongoing audit of line placement by anaesthetists in the theatre complex of a tertiary referral centre looked at the associated complication rates. The objective of the study was to compare complication rates pre- and post-implementation of NICE guidelines. METHODS: This prospective, single centre audit looked at all patients in whom a central venous catheter was placed for surgery. Complication rates were assessed for procedures that were performed pre- and post-implementation of NICE guidelines. In total, 438 patients were identified for the study, and the procedures were performed either by trainee or by consultant anaesthetists. RESULTS: The pre- and post-implementation complication rates were 10.5% (16/152) and 4.6% (13/284), respectively, representing an absolute risk reduction of 5.9% (95% CI 0.5-11.3%). Comparison of those procedures in which US was used when compared with the landmark technique after implementation found a reduction of 6.9% in complications (95% CI 1.4-12.4%). The reduction in complication rates was larger for specialist registrars than for consultants (11.2% vs 1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of NICE guidelines has been associated with a significant reduction in complication rates in our tertiary referral centre. In the light of the cross-speciality evidence of US superiority and our results, it is imperative that routine use of US guidance becomes more widespread.