影响脊柱术后感染内固定移除的因素分析

[目的]分析脊柱内固定术后感染治疗疗效,对影响脊柱内固定术后感染内固定移除的因素进行评估。[方法]2004年7月²012年12月共收治脊柱术后手术部位感染患者65例,男38例,女27例,平均(51.1±15.0)岁。手术部位:颈椎14例,胸椎5例,腰椎46例。所有脊柱术后感染患者均使用抗生素抗感染治疗,在静脉使用广谱抗生素前留取切口分泌物送检细菌培养和药敏试验,待细菌培养和药敏结果明确后调整抗生素。必要时联合彻底清创冲洗、对口置管冲洗引流,根据引流液培养结果决定冲洗量及拔除冲洗管和引流管。采用卡方检验分别分析内固定移除与性别、年龄、手术部位、术前住院时间、感染发生时间、感染部位、体温、切口渗液、切口红肿、切口疼痛、神经体征、病原菌种类和清创次数等因素的关系。采用Logistic回归对内固定移除的相关因素进行多因素分析。[结果]单因素卡方分析显示术前住院时间、感染发生时间、清创次数等因素与内固定移除有关;多因素Logistic回归分析显示清创次数是影响内固定移除的最重要因素。[结论]对于脊柱内固定术后感染,当清创次数达到2次时应考虑移除内固定,以利于有效地控制感染。     

VSD治疗胸腰椎后路内固定术后切口深部感染的应用

目的通过比较封闭负压引流装置(VSD)和常规闭式引流治疗胸腰椎后路内固定术后切口深部感染的效果。观察VSD治疗胸腰椎后路内固定术后切口深部感染的可行性。方法回顾性分析郑州大学第一附属医院骨一科2014-06—2017-06间收治的53例胸腰椎后路融合术后切口深部感染患者资料,均经保守治疗无效后行清创冲洗引流。根据引流方式不同分为2组,将行常规闭式引流的25例纳入对照组,将行VSD负压引流的28例纳入观察组。比较2组患者的清创次数及切口愈合时间,并观察血常规、血沉(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)及微生物培养结果。结果单因素分析结果表明,2组患者首次清创术前性别、年龄、体质指数(BMI)、合并症、ASA评分、ESR、CRP等基线资料无显著性差异(P0.05)。所有患者切口最终均完全愈合。观察组患者清创次数及切口愈合时间均少(短)于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组中无患者因VSD使用出现脑脊液漏等相关并发症。细菌培养结果革兰氏阳性球菌者43例(包含7例多重耐药菌),革兰氏阴性杆菌者10例。经过早期清创、彻底引流及全身应用敏感抗生素后均获得满意治疗效果,且随访期间无感染复发病例。结论 VSD应用于切口深部感染可显著降低患者住院时间,减少治疗期间清创次数和抗生素应用周期,加速切口愈合。对于切口感染严重的患者将VSD埋入切口深部进行引流,取得了满意的临床效果。     

腰椎后路融合术后急性手术部位感染的危险因素分析

目的探讨腰椎后路融合术后发生急性手术部位感染的相关危险因素。方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年12月于我院脊柱外科行腰椎后路融合手术的330例病人的临床资料。病人主要诊断包括腰椎椎管狭窄、腰椎间盘突出症、腰椎骨折、肿瘤等。根据术后是否发生急性手术部位感染将病人分为感染组和非感染组,选择年龄、性别、身体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)、吸烟、高血压、糖尿病、骨质疏松症、手术节段数、手术时间、出血量、切口长度、术后引流时间、尿路感染和脑脊液漏等可能影响术后急性手术部位感染的因素,先后应用单因素分析和二元Logistic回归分析腰椎后路融合术后急性手术部位感染的危险因素。结果共有19例术后发生了急性手术部位感染,发生率为5.76%(19/330)。单因素分析结果显示:两组病人的年龄、BMI、糖尿病、骨质疏松、手术节段、手术时间、出血量、脑脊液漏、尿路感染以及切口长度的差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。二元Logistic回归分析结果显示:BMI[OR=1.429,95%CI(1.059,1.929),P=0.020]、合并糖尿病[OR=9.568,95%CI(2.183,41.935),P=0.003]、手术时间[OR=8.868,95%CI(1.992,39.482),P=0.004]、切口长度[OR=7.257,95%CI(2.937,16.719),P<0.001]为腰椎后路融合术后急性手术部位感染的独立危险因素。结论为了降低腰椎术后急性手术部位感染的发生率,围术期应合理评估控制相关危险因素,以获得更好的治疗效果和病人满意度。     

后路长节段固定融合术治疗腰椎退行性疾病术后近端交界性后凸的相关因素分析

目的对后路长节段固定融合术治疗腰椎退行性疾病(lumbar degenerative diseases,LDD)术后近端交界性后凸(proximal junctional kyphosis,PJK)的相关因素进行分析,为其预防提供理论依据。方法纳入后路长节段固定融合术治疗的105例腰椎退行性疾病患者,随访18个月,将PJK患者设为观察组,非PJK患者设为对照组,调查两组患者一般资料以及影像学资料,采用单因素与多因素Logistic回归分析确定术后PJK的独立危险因素。结果 105例患者术后发生PJK 20例,发生率19.05%。两组上端固定椎(upper instrumented vertebra,UIV)位于胸腰段、身体质量指数(Body Mass Index,BMI)、近端交界性后凸角(proximal junctional kyphosis angle,PJKA)、合并骨质疏松、骶骨倾斜角(sacral slope,SS)差异有统计学意义(P0.05); Logistic回归分析结果显示:PJKA10°(OR=2.435)、UIV位于胸腰段(OR=1.764)、合并骨质疏松(OR=2.215)、SS25°(OR=1.976),均是术后发生PJK的独立危险因素。结论 PJK发生率较高,UIV位于胸腰段、PJKA10°、合并骨质疏松、SS25°,均会增加后路长节段固定融合术治疗LDD术后PJK发生的风险。     

胸腰椎后路内固定术后深部感染的治疗

目的 探讨胸腰椎后路内固定术后深部感染的特点与治疗方法。方法对36例胸腰椎内固定术后感染患者的临床表现、生化和细菌学检查及治疗进行分析。根据发生感染时间的不同分为早期感染14例,迟发性感染22例。结果早期感染一般伴有全身症状,白细胞计数及红细胞沉降率（ESR）升高,脓液培养主要为金色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌等致病力强的细菌,迟发性感染一般无全身症状,白细胞计数不升高,ESR升高,脓液培养主要为类白喉杆菌、表皮葡萄球菌等致病菌力较弱的皮肤正常菌群。早期感染患者予以清创、持续冲洗引流。除3例反复清创无效,将内固定取出以外,其余内固定均予保留。迟发性感染者予以内固定取出、清创、持续冲洗引流。33例平均随访2．6年,经上述治疗后仅1例患者早期深部感染迁延不愈致椎体骨髓炎,术后3个月伤口再次出现流脓,其余均愈合。结论胸腰椎固定后早期感染及迟发性感染的发生机理可能存在差异。早期感染由致病力强的细菌引起,累及范围广。而迟发性感染由致病菌弱细菌引起,发展慢且较局限。对早期深部感染可以保留内固定行病灶清除,持续冲洗引流,多次清创无效,感染控制不佳则需要早日将内固定取出,以免炎症扩散。而迟发性感染则需取出内固定,否则难以消除炎症。     

后路腰椎内固定术后手术部位感染的危险因素分析

目的:探讨后路腰椎内固定术后手术部位感染的危险因素,为降低手术部位感染的发生率提供参考依据。方法:回顾我科2016年1月1日～2018年12月31日实施后路腰椎内固定手术的1073例患者,男516例,女557例,年龄18～84岁(54.67±13.23岁),将术后手术部位感染的患者纳入感染组,其余患者纳入非感染组。收集两组患者的性别、年龄、诊断、体重指数(BMI)、合并糖尿病和高血压情况、手术时间、术中出血量、是否输血、吸烟史、术前美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)分级、术前使用激素情况、内固定节段数、是否固定至慨骨或骨盆、是否为翻修手术、手术开始时段等资料,进行单因素分析,对阳性结果进行多因素Logistic回归分析。结果:1073例患者中发生手术部位感染19例,感染发生率为1.77%,其中男11例,女8例,年龄18～77岁(54.89±16.67岁)。单因素分析显示两组肥胖(BMI≥28kg/m~2)、合并糖尿病、手术时间、手术开始时段等因素存在统计学差异(P0.05);性别、年龄、疾病种类、合并高血压、出血量、是否输血、吸烟史、术前ASA分级、术前使用激素、内固定节段数、是否固定至慨骨或骨盆、是否为翻修手术等因素无统计学差异(P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归结果显示肥胖(OR=6.704,P=0.005)、合并糖尿病(OR=4.071,P=0.008)、较长手术时间(OR=7.102,P=0.000)、手术开始时段为晚间(OR=3.981,P=0.018)是术后手术部位感染的独立危险因素。结论:肥胖、合并糖尿病、较长手术时间、手术开始时段为晚间的患者后路腰椎内固定术后发生手术部位感染的风险较高,应采取有针对性的预防措施,以期最大限度降低术后手术部位感染的发生。     

腰椎后路内固定术后深部感染21例治疗体会

目的探讨腰椎后路内固定术后深部感染行清创闭式冲洗引流术的临床效果。方法回顾性分析自2009-01—2013-11因腰椎后路内固定术后出现深部感染而接受清创闭式引流术21例,所有患者均行保留内固定材料的腰椎清创闭式冲洗引流术,根据体温、冲洗引流情况、炎症指标变化趋势确定感染控制情况。结果 19例(90.5%)经清创闭式冲洗引流术成功控制感染并保留内固定材料,其中1例行2次清创冲洗引流术,18例均行1次冲洗引流术即控制感染。2例MRSA感染患者中,1例经1次清创闭式冲洗引流术及1例经3次手术治疗后细菌培养仍有MRSA感染,后行内固定材料取出并继续行闭式冲洗引流治疗,最终感染控制。保留内固定材料的19例术后短期复查均未见螺钉松动情况;9例随访9个月以上,均获得植骨融合。结论清创闭式冲洗引流术能有效控制腰椎后路内固定术后感染并保留腰椎内固定材料。MRSA感染患者能否能通过清创闭式冲洗引流术保留内固定材料还需要进一步研究。     

彻底清创保留钉棒系统治疗腰椎内固定术后早期感染的临床观察

目的探讨彻底清创保留钉棒系统治疗腰椎内固定术后早期感染的临床效果。方法回顾性分析自2011-05—2018-12采用彻底清创保留钉棒系统治疗的32例腰椎内固定术后感染,出院后口服抗生素左氧氟沙星及利福平3个月。结果 32例均顺利经过清创保留钉棒内固定并完成手术,随访时间9~26个月,平均13.9个月。4例清创术后切口未愈合,再次出现感染症状,二次手术后治愈。结论腰椎内固定术后早期感染以金黄色葡萄球菌感染最多,混合感染有上升趋势,彻底清创保留钉棒系统可以有效治疗腰椎术后早期感染。     

腰椎融合术后早期下肢深静脉血栓形成的相关危险因素分析

目的 :探讨腰椎融合术后早期下肢深静脉血栓(deep venous thrombosis,DVT)形成的危险因素。方法:选取于2015年7月~2017年5月在广西壮族自治区人民医院骨科接受腰椎后路椎间融合术治疗的患者共165例,依据术后早期超声检查结果双下肢有无血栓形成,分为DVT组和非DVT组。对比两组患者的性别、年龄、体重指数、糖尿病、高血压病、术前凝血四项、D-二聚体、融合节段数、手术时间、术中输血、术后使用抗凝药、术后卧床时间等指标,再采用Logistic多因素回归分析进行统计学分析。结果:共纳入165例患者,术后并发下肢DVT者24例,发生率为14.5%。与非DVT组相比较,单因素χ~2检验显示两组在年龄、体重指数、手术时间、术中输血、术后卧床时间等指标差异具有统计学意义。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,年龄≥60岁(OR=6.444,95%CI=2.116~19.628)、体重指数≥24kg/m~2(OR=4.463,95%CI=1.603~12.426)、术中输血(OR=3.484,95%CI=1.110~10.932)、术后卧床天数≥5d(OR=3.155,95%CI=1.027~9.695)是腰椎融合术后早期并发下肢DVT的独立危险因素。结论:年龄≥60岁、体重指数≥24kg/m2、术中输血、术后卧床天数≥5d的患者腰椎融合术后早期易出现下肢DVT形成。     

单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧经椎板关节突螺钉内固定与双侧椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗腰椎退行性疾病疗效的Meta分析

目的 :通过Meta分析评价后路减压融合单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧经椎板关节突螺钉(unilateral pedicle screws plus contralateral translaminar facet screws,UPSFS)内固定与双侧椎弓根螺钉(bilateral pedicle screws,BPS)内固定治疗腰椎退行性疾病的疗效。方法:检索PubMed、Cochrane、Embase、CNKI、万方、维普数据库自建库至2021年1月发表的关于后路减压融合UPSFS内固定与BPS内固定治疗腰椎退行性疾病的病例对照研究,按照纳入排除标准进行文献筛选,采用纽卡斯尔-渥太华量表(Newcastle-Ottawa scale,NOS)对纳入研究进行质量评价,提取纳入研究结局指标数据,包括术前与末次随访腰痛和腿痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、日本骨科协会(JOA)评分、Owestry功能障碍指数(ODI)、手术节段椎间隙高度的改变值,手术切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、住院费用,末次随访时手术节段融合率以及并发症发生率,提取数据后通过Review Manager 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入10篇文献,所有研究NOS评价均符合要求。总计有588例患者接受了内固定手术,其中UPSFS固定291例,BPS固定297例,随访时间12～60个月。Meta分析结果显示,术前与末次随访时腿痛VAS评分改变值[加权均数差(weighted mean difference,WMD)=-0.30,95%置信区间(confidence interval,CI)(-0.57,-0.03)]、切口长度[WMD=-4.49,95%CI(-6.64,2.55)]、手术时间[WMD=-32.61,95%CI (-45.23,19.99)]、术中出血量[WMD=-152.63,95%CI (-208.91,-96.35)]、术后引流量[WMD=著性差异,UPSFS组优于BPS组(P0.05);而术前与末次随访腰痛VAS评分[WMD=-0.00,95%CI(-0.26,0.27)]、JOA评分[WMD=0.26,95%CI(-1.59,2.11)]、ODI[WMD=0.26,95%CI(-1.59,2.11)]、手术节段椎间隙高度[WMD=0.01,95%CI(-0.61,0.63)]的改变值,末次随访时的融合率[OR=0.31,95%CI(0.10,1.03)]以及并发症发生率[OR=1.43,95%CI(0.60,3.40)],两组之间均无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:在后路减压融合手术治疗腰椎退行性疾病时,UPSFS固定具有和BPS固定相当的临床疗效和安全性,且前者对患者腿痛程度的改善更加显著,同时可以缩小手术切口,减少手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量以及住院费用。     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.     

Adrenaline markedly improves thoracic epidural analgesia produced by a low-dose infusion of bupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline after major surgery: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study with and without adrenaline

Background: Basic pharmacological research indicates that there are synergistic antinociceptive effects at the spinal cord level between adrenaline, fentanyl and bupivacaine. Our clinical experience with such a mixture in a thoracic epidural infusion after major surgery confirms this. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects on postoperative pain intensity, pain relief and side effects when removing adrenaline from this triple epidural mixture. Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in 24 patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Patients with only mild pain when coughing during a titrated thoracic epidural infusion of about 10 ml · h^?1 of bupivacaine 1 mg · ml^?1, fentanyl 2 μg · ml^?1, and adrenaline 2 μg · ml^?1 were included. On the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days each patient was given a double-blind epidural infusion, at the same rate, with or without adrenaline. The effect was observed for 4 h or until pain when coughing became unacceptable in spite of a rescue analgesic procedure. Rescue analgesia consisted of up to two epidural bolus injections per hour and i.v. morphine if necessary. All patients received rectal paracetamol 1 g, every 8 h. Fentanyl serum concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay technique at the start and end of each study period. Main outcome measures were extent of sensory blockade and pain intensity at rest and when coughing, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, a verbal categorical rating scale, the Prince Henry Hospital pain score, and an overall quality of pain relief score. Results: The number of hypaesthetic dermatomal segments decreased (P <0.001) and pain intensity at rest and when coughing increased (P <0.001) when adrenaline was omitted from the triple epidural mixture. This change started within the first hour after removing adrenaline. After 3 h pain intensity when coughing had increased to unacceptable levels in spite of rescue analgesia (epidural bolus injections and i.v. morphine). Within 15–20 min after restarting the triple epidural mixture with adrenaline, pain intensity was again reduced to mild pain when coughing. Serum concentration of fentanyl doubled from 0.22 to 0.45 ng · ml^?1 (P <0.01), and there was more sedation during the period without adrenaline. Conclusions: Adrenaline increases sensory block and improves the pain-relieving effect of a mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl infused epidurally at a thoracic level after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Serum fentanyl concentrations doubled and sedation increased when adrenaline was removed from the epidural infusion, indicating more rapid vascular absorption and systemic effects of fentanyl.     

Reduction of Plasma Fibrinogen, Immunoglobulin G, and Immunoglobulin M Concentrations by Immunoadsorption Therapy with Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Adsorbents

Abstract Immunoadsorption (1A) therapy with tryptophan (TR-350) or phenylalanine (PH-350) adsorbents has been used to reduce the concentration of serum antibodies in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-immunized patients. Other forms of plasma purification have been reported to reduce the level of fibrinogen, which affects the blood properties. In this study we investigated the effects of IA therapy using both adsorbents on plasma fibrinogen and immunoglobulins G and M in 13 patients (8 patients were treated with TR-350, and 5 patients were treated with PH-350). During each session 1 plasma volume (2.8 ± 0.4 L of plasma) was processed through the immunocolumn and then returned to the patient together with the blood cells. Compared with the pretreatment values, the plasma fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM concentrations were significantly reduced after IA therapy (p < 0.01 for TR-350; p < 0.04 for PH-350). There was a positive correlation between the degree of reduction of plasma proteins and the number of IA treatments given. A nonpara-metric test (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test or the Mann-Whitney test) was used for statistical analysis. We conclude from our study that IA therapy effectively lowers the plasma levels of fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM and thus can be considered a valuable alternative to other blood purification methods.     

Utilisation des médicaments prokinétiques en réanimation : indications et limites ?

Enteral feeding is often limited by gastric and intestinal motility disturbances in critically ill patients, particularly in patients with shock. So, promotility agents are frequently used to improve tolerance to enteral nutrition. This review summaries the pathophysiology, presents the available pharmacological strategies, the clinical data, the counter-indications and the principal limits. The clinical data are poor. No study demonstrates a positive effect on clinical outcomes. Metoclopramide and erythromycin seems to be the more effective. Considering the risk of antibiotic resistance, the first line use of erythromycin should be avoided in favor of metoclopramide.     

Anesthésie générale chez l’enfant : quid des pratiques en 2010 ?

Introduction

The practice of pediatric anesthesia requires a regular update of scientific knowledge and technical skills. To provide the most adequate Continuing Medical Education programs, it is necessary to assess the practices of pediatric anesthesiologists. Thus, the objective of this survey was to draw a picture of the current clinical practices of general anesthesia in children, in France.

Material and methods

One thousand one hundred and fifty questionnaires were given to anesthesiologists involved in pediatric cases. These questionnaires collected information on various aspects of clinical practice relative to induction, maintenance, recovery from general anaesthesia and also classical debated points such as children with Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), emergence agitation, epileptoid signs or anaesthetic management of adenoidectomy. Differences in practices between CHG (general hospital), CHU (teaching hospital), LIBERAL (private) and PSPH (semi-private) hospitals were investigated.

Results

There were 1025 questionnaires completed. Fifty-five percent of responders worked in public hospitals (CHG and CHU); 77% had a practice that was 25% or less of pediatric cases. In children from 3 to 10 years: 72% of respondents used always premedication and two thirds performed inhalation induction in more than 50% of cases. For induction, 53% used sevoflurane (SEVO) at 7 or 8%. Respondents from LIBERAL used higher SEVO concentrations. Tracheal intubation was performed with SEVO alone (37%), SEVO and propofol (55%) and SEVO with myorelaxant (8%), 93% of respondents used a bolus of opioid. For maintenance, the majority of respondents used SEVO associated with sufentanil; desflurane and remifentanil were more frequently used in CHU. Two thirds of respondents used N₂O. Depth of anesthesia was commonly assessed by hemodynamic changes (52%), end tidal concentration of halogenated (38%) or automated devices based on EEG (7%). In children with URI, 98% of respondents used SEVO for anesthesia. To control the airway 42% used a tracheal tube, 30% a laryngeal mask and 20% a facial mask. Emergence agitation was an important concern for two thirds of respondents, while epileptoid signs were considered as important by only 20%. Eighty-nine percent of respondents practiced anesthesia for adenoidectomy. Anesthesia was induced by inhalation of SEVO 7–8% (41%), 6% (39%) or 4% (12%), 66% put an intravenous line (less frequently in LIBERAL). 67% of the responders managed adenoidectomy without any device to control the airway (more frequently in LIBERAL), 32% administrated a bolus of opioid (less frequently in LIBERAL).

Discussion

This survey demonstrated that the practices regarding general anesthesia in children are relatively homogenous. Most of the differences appeared between LIBERAL and the others structures; the anaesthetic management for adenoidectomy illustrates these findings.     

Intérêt d’une rééducation précoce pour les patients neurologiques

Rehabilitation improves the functional prognosis of patients after a neurologic lesion, and tendency is to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. This review focuses on the interest and the feasibility of very early rehabilitation, initiated from critical care units. It is necessary to precisely assess patients’ impairments and disabilities in order to define rehabilitation objectives. Valid and simple tools must support this evaluation. Rehabilitation will be directed to preventing decubitus complications and active rehabilitation. The sooner rehabilitation is started; the better functional prognosis seems to be.