Effect of profound normovolemic hypotension and moderate hypothermia on circulating cytokines and adhesion molecules.

Hypotension caused by hypovolemic, hemorrhagic shock induces disturbances in the immune system that may contribute to an increased susceptibility to sepsis. The effect of chemically induced hypotension on circulating cytokines and adhesion molecules has not been investigated yet. In 21 patients scheduled for resection of malignant choroidal melanoma of the eye the perioperative serum levels of the cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and the adhesion molecules sE-Selectin and sICAM-1 were investigated. Moderate hypothermia of 32 degrees C was induced in all patients. In 14 patients profound hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure 35-40 mmHg, hypotension group) was induced by enalapril and nitroglycerin for a mean duration of 71 min. In 7 patients the tumor was not resectable, and hypotension was not induced (controls). We did not detect significant differences in serum levels of cytokines or sE-Selectin perioperatively in patients with profound hypotension compared with controls. In both groups IL-6 serum levels increased significantly and reached a maximum after rewarming (17 +/- 6 and 16 +/- 5 pg/dL, respectively, P < 0.001). IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha did not change perioperatively in both groups. On the first postoperative day sICAM-1 serum levels were significantly increased in both groups (mean increase of 96 and 54 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). We conclude from this study that profound normovolemic arterial hypotension does not seem to have effects on serum levels of circulating IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and sE-Selectin. Perioperative moderate hypothermia may be the reason for the postoperative increase in sICAM-1 levels independent of the blood pressure.

Halothane-propofol anaesthesia for tracheal intubation in young children.

In this double-blind, randomized study, we have investigated 100 healthy children, aged 3-6 yr. We compared intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes during light halothane anaesthesia and propofol 3 mg kg-1 with those during deep halothane anaesthesia. Light halothane anaesthesia was defined as an end-tidal concentration of 1%, deep halothane anaesthesia as 2%. Intubating conditions were graded according to ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position and coughing. There were no statistically significant differences in the assessment of intubating conditions between the two groups; 94% of the children in the 1% halothane-propofol group and 100% of the children in the 2% halothane group had acceptable intubating conditions. Systolic arterial pressure decreased by 13% in the 1% halothane-propofol group compared with 20% in the 2% halothane group (P < 0.01).

Distinct central anticholinergic syndrome following general anaesthesia.

The purpose of this prospective study was to identify the incidence of a distinct central anticholinergic syndrome following routine anaesthesia. For 2 months, all inpatients aged more than 15 years scheduled for elective procedures and cared for in the recovery room were investigated for symptoms of the syndrome. Patients with neuropsychiatric disease or other disorders that could alter consciousness were excluded. Prolonged action of anaesthetics or relaxants, respiratory depression and metabolic disorder were ruled out before making the diagnosis. Out of 962 patients (366 men, 596 women), 18 (4 men, 14 women) developed the syndrome. The difference between men and women was not statistically significant. Six out of 60 women developed the syndrome after a hysterectomy with or without adnectomy/oophorectomy, and this high incidence was significantly different from that observed after all other procedures in women (P = 0.003) or all other gynaecological procedures (P = 0.013). The reason for this is unknown. In six of the 18 cases, untreated prolonged somnolence lasted for more than 2 h. All patients woke up after an injection of physostigmine, but six of them relapsed into somnolence and needed a second, and in one case a third, injection. The findings of the study emphasize that, when there is delayed recovery from anaesthesia, the diagnosis of central anticholinergic syndrome should be considered if other accessible causes for that condition have been excluded.

[Obstruction of a spiral anesthesia tube in a pediatric circuit system]. / Obstruktion von Spiralnarkoseschlüchen im Kinderkreissystem.

A separation of the individual latex layers is a known complication of endotracheal armoured tubes manufactured by immersion technique. This can result in herniation into the lumen with obstruction of the tube. Diffusion of nitrous oxide into the inner hernia considerably intensifies the obstruction. This can lead to life-threatening situations. We observed a similar herniation caused by layer separation with subsequent tube obstruction of silicolatex anaesthesia tubes used in paediatric circuit systems. This is caused by manufacturing defects and above all by damage incurred in reprocessing. Therefore it is important to process the tubes carefully. A too-high drying temperature can cause premature layer separation. The tubes should never be processed more than 80 times. Routine examination of the tubes is imperative, especially at the predilection sites for layer separation.

Self-administered intranasal meperidine for postoperative pain management.

Recent studies have demonstrated that intranasal is comparable to intravenous opioid titration in its pain-relieving effect. In these studies, however, the intranasal opioid titration was performed by the investigator, and the treatment period was two hours or less. The purpose of this randomized, prospective study was to investigate whether intranasal opioid administration by the patients themselves for a prolonged postoperative period may be regarded as a therapeutic alternative for postoperative pain management. Forty-four orthopaedic patients were studied over a 12-hr period on the first day after surgery. Twenty-two had free access to intranasal meperidine (nasal group) and were allowed to administer six intranasal puffs (27 mg per dose). The next self-administration was only permitted after a delay of at least ten minutes. Another 22 patients received intermittent subcutaneous meperidine injections (25 or 50 mg) on request (sc group). Pain intensity was recorded at 30-min intervals with the aid of the 101-point numerical rating scale. The pain score was lower in the nasal than in the sc group at the 30, 150 to 330, 420 to 480 and 540 to 600 min measuring points (P = < 0.05). The meperidine requirement was 112.9 +/- 81.3 mg in the nasal and 103.4 +/- 41.5 mg in the sc group (NS). Two patients in each group complained of nausea and vomiting. Thirteen of the 21 nasal and nine of the 15 sc patients who completed the final questionnaire rated the pain management as excellent or good (NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Knotting of a peridural catheter]. / Verknotung eines Periduralkatheters.

We report a patient who was given continuous epidural anesthesia due to painful contractions during delivery of a child after intrauterine fetal death. Placement of the catheter and repeated reinjections were carried out without problems, however, during withdrawal of the catheter it could only be pulled 1-2 cm until there was enormous resistance. An X-ray film showed knotting of the catheter in the epidural space. Firm pulling finally allowed complete withdrawal of the catheter. Insertion of the catheter too far into the epidural space initially must be considered as a possible cause. As this complication rarely occurs, we consider this case worth reporting.