Acute phase vascular endothelial injury: a comparison of temporary arterial occlusion using an endovascular occlusive balloon catheter versus a temporary aneurysm clip in a pig model.

We compared the degree of acute endothelial injury after temporary vessel occlusion using two different occlusion modalities--external clipping and endovascular balloon occlusion. The common carotid and subclavian arteries in eight weanling pigs were temporarily occluded with either a 5 Fr occlusion balloon catheter or a temporary microvascular clip for 0 (control), 5, 10, and 30 minutes. Two animals (eight vessels; four clip and four balloon occluded) were used at each time interval. Segments of each experimental vessel were harvested and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Each vessel specimen was graded on the following scale: Grade 1 showed no evidence of injury; Grade 2 showed minimal evidence of endothelial cell injury; Grade 3 showed moderate evidence of endothelial cell injury; Grade 4 showed marked evidence of endothelial cell injury; Grade 5 showed severe endothelial and subendothelial injury. Control vessels showed no evidence of injury. Grade 2 injuries were seen in both clip- and balloon-occluded vessels at 5 minutes. At 10 minutes, focal Grade 2 and 3 injuries were appreciated in the clip group, with diffuse Grade 2 and 3 injuries in the balloon group. After the 30-minute occlusion, the balloon group showed Grade 2, 3, and 4 injuries, whereas the clip group showed entirely Grade 2 injuries. The degree of injury with either occlusion modality was equivalent and worsened with time. However, clip-occluded vessels displayed injury that was confined to an area closely adjacent to the clip site, whereas balloon-occluded vessels demonstrated a more widespread injury centered around the balloon site.

Fentanyl and sufentanil increase intracranial pressure in head trauma patients.

Although opioids frequently are administered to patients with severe head trauma, the effects of such drugs on intracranial pressure are controversial. Nine patients with severe head trauma were studied for the effects of fentanyl and sufentanil on intracranial pressure (ICP). In all patients, ICP monitoring was instituted before the study. Full neuromuscular blockade was achieved with vecuronium bromide before the administration of either fentanyl (3 micrograms.kg-1) or sufentanil (0.6 microgram.kg-1) as an intravenous bolus over a 1-min period in a masked and random fashion. Patients received the other opioid in the same fashion 24 h later. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and ICP were recorded continuously for the 1 h after drug administration. Fentanyl was associated with an average ICP increase of 8 +/- 2 mmHg, and sufentanil with an increase of 6 +/- 1 mmHg. These increases were statistically significant. Both drugs produced clinically mild decreases in mean arterial blood pressure (fentanyl, 11 +/- 6 mmHg; sufentanil, 10 +/- 5 mmHg) that nevertheless were statistically significant. No significant changes in heart rate occurred. These results indicate that modest doses of potent opioids can significantly increase ICP in patients with severe head trauma.

Preservation of the frontotemporal branch of the facial nerve using the interfascial temporalis flap for pterional craniotomy. Technical article.

The pterional craniotomy as described previously by the first author requires creation of a special flap over the temporalis muscle for increased visibility. Topographical variations of the course taken by the frontal branches of the facial nerve were studied and are described in this report.