Intra-abdominal adhesions after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: an experimental model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of intra-abdominal adherences after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, on the basis of an experimental study in pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 female pigs, mean weight 25 kg, underwent open cholecystectomy by right subcostal laparotomy (group A, n = 22) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a Storz laparoscope (group B, n = 18). After surgery, the abdominal wall was closed with polydioxanone suture and staples (group A) or with staples only (group B). One month later, the pigs underwent medial laparotomy to assess whether intra-abdominal adherences had developed. Incidences were compared between groups by the chi-square test with Yates correction. RESULTS: Five pigs in group A and one pig in group B died within 24 hours of surgery, leaving 17 pigs in each group. Mean operative time was similar for both groups (24.7 minutes in group A, 25.3 minutes in group B). In group A, 16 pigs (94%) developed intra-abdominal adherences, in all cases multiple; in group B, only 9 pigs (53%) developed adherences, and in 8 of these pigs only a single adherence was present (P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the incidence of intra-abdominal adherences is statistical lower after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than after open cholecystectomy.

[Obstetric anesthesia/analgesia in Spain. Study notes on its historical evolution during the 1st half of this century]. / La anestesia-analgesia obstétrica en España. Apuntes para el estudio de su evolución histórica durante la primera mitad de este siglo.

This historical review of obstetric analgesia-anesthesia in Spain covers the first half of the twentieth century. Following usual practice for researching medical history, we have performed an exhaustive review of Spanish medical literature published during the study period, followed by classification, study and critical analysis. We found that the first half of the century saw considerable change in the application of analgesic-anesthetic techniques for childbirth and obstetric procedures, indicating that practitioners were far from apathetic as had been obstetricians of the second half of the nineteenth century, who generally rejected any type of analgesia for use during labor and birth. The numerous techniques in vogue during that period under study are described, although analgesia-anesthesia by inhaled ether and chloroform was undoubtedly the most widely used by obstetricians until well into the 1950's.

Infraclavicular brachial plexus block effects on respiratory function and extent of the block.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Axillary block is devoid of severe respiratory complications. However, incomplete anesthesia of the upper limb is the main disadvantage of the technique. Theoretically, the more proximal infraclavicular approach would produce a more extensive block without the risk of pneumothorax. However, neither its effects on respiratory function nor a detailed characterization of the extent of neural block has been assessed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the possible changes in respiratory function and also the extent of the block after infraclavicular block. METHODS: We performed an infraclavicular block with a mixture of 40 mL 1.5% plain mepivacaine and 4 mL 8.4% sodium bicarbonate in 20 patients. Forced expiratory volumes were measured before and 15 minutes after the injection of local anesthetic, and sensory and motor block were evaluated at 10 and 20 minutes. RESULTS: We did not find significant differences from baseline in the forced expiratory volumes in any of the patients. Axillary and musculocutaneous nerve distributions had the lowest rate of sensory block at 20 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Infraclavicular block does not produce a reduction in respiratory function.