[Elective Surgery was Postponed in a Patient with Hematopoietic Malignancy due to Bleeding from the Insertion Site of an Epidural Catheter: A Case Report].

A 29-year-old man suspected of having a hematopoietic malignancy was scheduled to undergo video- assisted splenectomy. Because of his good general con- dition on a preanesthetic evaluation, combined general and epidural anesthesia was selected. However, after insertion of an epidural catheter in the operating room, surgery had to be postponed due to bleeding from the catheter insertion site. The hematological examination done right after the postponement revealed hemo- phagocytic syndrome and the patient rapidly developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. This case suggested that in a patient with hematopoietic malig- nancy a hematological examination should be carried out on the day of surgery; besides, neuraxial blockade should be avoided because bleeding could be acutely induced due to changes in the patient's condition.

Anti-KANNO: a novel alloantibody against a red cell antigen of high frequency.

We encountered a broadly reactive red cell alloantibody in 1991, reacting unlike any other known antibody, and named it anti-KANNO after the first patient. A total of 28 cases of anti-KANNO in the Japanese literature were reviewed. To distinguish KANNO from other antibodies against high-frequency antigens, including anti-JMH, anti-Ch/Rg, and anti-Jr(a), we conducted serologic studies with proteolytic enzyme and chemical treatments, complement sensitization against red cells, and serum neutralization techniques. Reactivity of anti-KANNO against red cells lacking high-frequency antigens and antisera to high-frequency antigens against KANNO cells were tested. Among the 28 patients, 26 were female, of whom 25 had a history of pregnancy. Red cells from patient KANNO were reactive with antisera against antigens of high frequency. Anti-KANNO reacted weakly with all cells known to lack high-frequency antigens. It reacted with 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide, so it can be distinguished from anti-JMH. Differences among anti-KANNO, anti-Ch/Rg, and anti-Jr(a) emerged with enzyme-treated cells, complement-sensitized cells, and the addition of normal serum. As yet, there are no reports of hemolytic transfusion reaction or hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn attributable to anti-KANNO. It appears that anti-KANNO is a newly characterized antibody more likely stimulated by pregnancy than by transfusion and with little or no clinical significance. Further surveillance and investigation of anti-KANNO, its antigen biochemistry, and its genetics are warranted.

Relationship between vascular reactivity and expression of HMGB1 in a rat model of septic aorta.

INTRUODUCTION: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein, induces several inflammatory diseases and functions as a fatal factor when released extracellularly. The effect of HMGB1 on vascular reactivity during sepsis remains to be clarified. METHODS: A rat model of abdominal sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) under sevoflurane anesthesia (n = 28). Anti-HMGB1 antibody at a dose of 4 or 0.4 mg/kg, or normal saline was injected twice intravenously, i.e., immediately after the CLP surgery and 4 h thereafter. Rats in the sham group underwent laparotomy, and the cecum was manipulated but not ligated or punctured. The descending thoracic aorta was excised 12 h after the CLP surgery and cut into rings of approximately 3 mm in length. Changes in the expression of HMGB1 and vascular reactivity were examined in the rings shortly after harvest and 4 h thereafter. RESULTS: HMGB1 was identified immunohistochemically and by Western blotting in the nuclei of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells in all groups shortly after excision of the aorta, but its expression was augmented only in the CLP groups 4 h thereafter. Degenerated smooth muscle cells were also observed after CLP. Anti-HMGB1 antibody dose-dependently inhibited the augmentation of HMGB1 expression and the morphological changes induced by CLP. The expression of HMGB1 partly correlated with suppression of vascular reactivity. CONCLUSION: The present results strongly suggest that HMGB1 plays an important role in vascular malfunction from an early phase of sepsis.

[Perioperative ß-adrenergic blocking agents and postoperative prognosis].

Perioperative myocardial ischemia occurs frequently within 48 hrs postoperatively, with few characteristic symptoms and its prognosis is known to be poor. Anesthesiologists should carefully monitor these patients with high risk factors for cardiac events until the 2nd postoperative day. Medical treatment should be initiated promptly according to the cause of perioperative increase in sympathetic nervous activity. At present, it is not clear whether beta-adrenergic blocking agents can improve long-term prognosis for patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, it is prudent to continue the medication in patients who are given beta-adrenergic blocking agents preoperatively, and to resume the drug postoperatively as soon as possible. Moreover, since elderly patients are prone to suffer from cerebral infarction, sufficient attention should also be paid to changes in blood pressure.

Vascular perfusion limits mesenteric lymph flow during anaphylactic hypotension in rats.

To determine fluid extravasation in the splanchnic vascular bed during anaphylactic hypotension, the mesenteric lymph flow (Q(lym)) was measured in anesthetized rats sensitized with ovalbumin, along with the systemic arterial pressure (P(sa)) and portal venous pressure (P(pv)). When the antigen was injected into the sensitized rats (n = 10), P(sa) decreased from 125 ± 4 to 37 ± 2 mmHg at 10 min with a gradual recovery, whereas P(pv) increased by 16 mmHg at 2 min and returned to the baseline at 10 min. Q(lym) increased 3.3-fold from the baseline of 0.023 ± 0.002 g/min to the peak levels of 0.075 ± 0.009 g/min at 2 min and returned to the baseline within 12 min. The lymph protein concentrations increased after antigen, a finding indicating increased vascular permeability. To determine the role of the P(pv) increase in the antigen-induced increase in Q(lym), P(pv) of the nonsensitized rats (n = 10) was mechanically elevated in a manner similar to that of the sensitized rats by compressing the portal vein near the hepatic hilus. Unexpectedly, P(pv) elevation alone produced a similar increase in Q(lym), with the peak comparable to that of the sensitized rats. This finding aroused a question why the antigen-induced increase in Q(lym) was limited despite the presence of increased vascular permeability. Thus the changes in splanchnic vascular surface area were assessed by measuring the mesenteric arterial flow. The mesenteric arterial flow was decreased much more in the sensitized rats (75%; n = 5) than the nonsensitized P(pv) elevated rats (50%; n = 5). In conclusion, mesenteric lymph flow increases transiently after antigen presumably due to increased capillary pressure of the splanchnic vascular bed via downstream P(pv) elevation and perfusion and increased vascular permeability in anesthetized rats. However, this increased extravasation is subsequently limited by decreases in vascular surface area and filtration pressure.

Studies on conjugation of Spirogyra using monoclonal culture.

We succeeded in inducing conjugation of Spirogyra castanacea by incubating algal filaments on agar plate. Conjugation could be induced using clone culture. The scalariform conjugation was generally observed, while lateral conjugation was rarely. When two filaments formed scalariform conjugation, all cells of one filament behaved as male and those of other filament did as female. Very rarely, however, zygospores were formed in both of pair filaments. The surface of conjugation tube was stained with fluorescently labeled-lectins, such as Bandeiraea (Griffonia) simplicifolia lectin (BSL-I) and jacalin. BSL-I strongly stained the conjugation tubes, while weakly did the cell surface of female gamete first and then that of male gamete. Jacalin stained mainly the conjugation tubes. Addition of jacalin inhibited the formation of papilla, suggesting some important role of jacalin-binding material at the initial step of formation of the conjugation tubes.

Intravenous landiolol, a novel ß(1)-adrenergic blocker, reduces the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intravenous (IV) landiolol, a novel ß(1)-adrenergic blocker, on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in adult women. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 42 ASA physical status 1 and 2 women, aged 24-57 years, who were scheduled to undergo elective abdominal surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was induced in all patients by vital capacity rapid inhalation induction of sevoflurane. In the landiolol group, administration of landiolol began when patients took a vital-capacity breath: 0.125 mg/kg/min for one minute and then 0.04 mg/kg/min. Normal saline was administered in the control group. MEASUREMENTS: MAC was determined by a technique adapted from the conventional up-down method. MAIN RESULTS: The MAC of sevoflurane was 2.2% ± 0.2% in the control group and 1.7% ± 0.2% in the landiolol group, a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: IV landiolol reduces the MAC of sevoflurane in women by approximately 20%.

[Is the incidence of postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism in Japan lower than that in the western countries?].

BACKGROUND: The Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) has investigated the incidence of postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) for several years. METHODS: According to the JSA project, we surveyed the annual incidence of postoperative PTE in Kanazawa Medical University Hospital in 2008. RESULTS: PTE was diagnosed radiographically in 6 out of 2339 patients, who were > or =15 years of age and had undergone surgical procedures under general anesthesia. The incidence was 0.257% and approximately tenfold that reported by the JSA. All the patients were subjected to lower extremity surgery. Two patients went into shock after they had first walked postoperatively. Symptoms of the other four patients were nonspecific but surgeons in charge suspected PTE. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the actual incidence of postoperative PTE in Japan may be far greater than that reported by the JSA.

[Anesthetic management for posterior spinal fusion in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporosis].

An 83-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with fracture of the T11 vertebral body and paraplegia. Complications included ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporosis. The vertebra was acutely deviated and thus at risk of being crushed had manual correction of the dislocation been attempted. Instead, we predicted that placing the patient in an appropriate posture during surgery would allow the dislocation to correct spontaneously. Three possible postures were proposed by the orthopedic surgeon at a conference that was also attended by operative nurses. A Hastings posture was finally used intraoperatively. No complications arising from the posture itself were noticed during or after surgery. We concluded that a preoperative conference among doctors and nurses can eliminate unnecessary confusion in cases when special postures are utilized during surgery.

The roles of mast cells and Kupffer cells in rat systemic anaphylaxis.

Mast cells and other cells such as macrophages have been shown to mediate systemic anaphylaxis. We determined the roles of mast cells and Kupffer cells in hepatic and systemic anaphylaxis of rats. Roles of mast cells were examined by using the mast cell-deficient white spotting (Ws/Ws) rat; the Ws/Ws and wild type (+/+) rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (1 mg). Roles of Kupffer cells were examined by depleting Kupffer cells using gadolinium chloride or liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate in the Ws/Ws and Sprague-Dawley rats. An intravenous injection of 0.6 mg ovalbumin caused substantial anaphylactic hypotension in both the Ws/Ws and +/+ rats; however, the occurrence was delayed in the Ws/Ws rats. After antigen, portal venous pressure increased by 13.1 cmH2O in the +/+ rats, while it increased only by 5.7 cmH2O in the Ws/Ws rats. In response to antigen, the isolated perfused liver of the Ws/Ws rats also showed weak venoconstriction, the magnitude of which was one tenth as large as that of the +/+ rats, indicating that hepatic anaphylaxis was primarily due to mast cells. In contrast, Kupffer cell depletion did not attenuate anaphylactic hepatic venoconstriction in isolated perfused livers. In conclusion, mast cells are involved mainly in anaphylactic hepatic presinusoidal portal venoconstriction but only in the early stage of anaphylactic systemic hypotension in rats. Macrophages, including Kupffer cells, do not participate in rat hepatic anaphylactic venoconstriction.

[Nationwide questionnaire survey on anesthesiology in undergraduate medical education in Japan].

BACKGROUND: Since the establishment of Model Core-Curriculum for Medical Education in 2001, undergraduate medical education has been progressively renovated in Japan. We conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate how this curriculum changed undergraduate anesthesiology education and how it affected our work load as the teaching staff of medical schools. METHODS: The questionnaire sent to 80 medical universities in Japan, consisted of 4 parts; (1) activity of institution and human resources, (2) lectures, (3) clerkship, and (4) future direction of the lectures and clerkship. RESULTS: The response rate was 59%. The number of staff engaged in undergraduate education was variable; ranging from 4 to 28. The number of lectures was 0 to more than 25 units per year and 6 institutions discontinued conventional didactic lectures. Although clinical clerkship program was being offered to students in most institutions, informed consent for clinical procedures by the students was obtained only in 11 of 47 institutions. CONCLUSIONS: The result shows that there is still room for improvement in educational environment, including manpower or curriculum. A written informed consent should be completed to provide patients' safety and to fulfill the clinical practice by medical students.

The hemodynamic effects of landiolol, an ultra-short-acting beta1-selective blocker, on endotracheal intubation in patients with and without hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The ultra-short-acting beta1-selective blocker, landiolol, is widely used in Japan. We investigated the effects of landiolol on intubation-induced adrenergic response in 88 patients. METHODS: General anesthesia was induced and maintained with target-controlled infusion of propofol at an effect-site concentration of 5 microg/mL. Muscle relaxation was obtained with 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium, and endotracheal intubation was performed 4 min after vecuronium injection. We first investigated the optimal time point for landiolol to be administered before intubation in 43 normotensive patients. Then we examined whether landiolol was as effective as fentanyl to prevent tachycardia after intubation in 45 hypertensive patients. RESULTS: Landiolol at 0.1 mg/kg was most effective against intubation-induced tachycardia when infused 4 min before intubation in normotensive patients. However, 0.2 mg/kg landiolol was necessary to prevent tachycardia after intubation in hypertensive patients. Landiolol had no significant effects on arterial blood pressure or bispectral index at any dose throughout the study period. In contrast, 2 mug/kg fentanyl frequently caused hypotension just before and 5 min after intubation. CONCLUSION: Low doses of landiolol can effectively prevent tachycardia after intubation without significant effects on arterial blood pressure.

N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester potentiates anaphylactic venoconstriction in rat perfused livers.

1. The effects of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on anaphylaxis-induced venoconstriction were examined in rat isolated livers perfused with blood-free solutions in order to clarify the role of NO in anaphylactic venoconstriction. 2. Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (1 mg) and, 2 weeks later, livers were excised and perfused portally in a recirculating manner at a constant flow with Krebs'-Henseleit solution. The antigen (ovalbumin; 0.1 mg) was injected into the reservoir 10 min after pretreatment with L-NAME (100 micromol/L) or D-NAME (100 micromol/L) and changes in portal vein pressure (Ppv), hepatic vein pressure (Phv) and perfusate flow were monitored. In addition, concentrations of the stable metabolites of NO ( and ) were determined in the perfusate using an HPLC-Griess system. 3. The antigen caused hepatic venoconstriction, as evidenced by an increase in Ppv from a mean (SEM) baseline value of 7.7 +/- 0.1 cmH2O to a peak of 21.4 +/- 1.1 cmH2O at 3 min in D-NAME-pretreated livers. Pretreatment with L-NAME augmented anaphylactic venoconstriction, as reflected by a higher Ppv (27.4 +/- 0.8 cmH2O) after antigen than observed following D-NAME pretreatment. The addition of L-arginine, a precursor for the synthesis of NO, reversed the augmentation of anaphylactic venoconstricion by L-NAME. This suggests that hepatic anaphylaxis increased the production of NO, which consequently attenuated anaphylactic venoconstriction. However, perfusate NOx levels did not increase significantly after antigen in livers pretreated with either L-NAME or D-NAME. 4. In conclusion, L-NAME potentiates rat anaphylactic hepatic venoconstriction, suggesting that NO contributes to the attenuation of the venoconstriction. However, this functional evidence was not accompanied by corresponding changes in perfusate NOx concentrations.

[Intraoperative anaphylactic shock induced by methylergometrine and oxytocin].

We report a case of intraoperative anaphylactic shock in a 32-year-old multigravida woman undergoing elective cesarean section for partial placenta previa. Anesthesia was performed using combined spinal and epidural technique. After the baby was born, methylergometrine was administered i.v. simultaneously with oxytocin, the latter injected directly into the uterine muscle by an obstetrician. Several minutes later, she presented with dyspnea and became agitated. Because of the potential risk of pulmonary embolism, the patient was immediately intubated and mechanical ventilation was started. Her systolic blood pressure decreased to 50 mmHg and SpO2 to 87% under 100% oxygen administration. After catecholamine infusion, however, her respiratory condition soon improved. Postoperatively, her conjunctiva and vulva were not edematous. From the clinical course, it was considered that the patient was very likely to have suffered an anaphylactic reaction to oxytocin or methylergometrine. Forty days later, serological examinations as well as skin tests for those two drugs were carried out. While the serological tests were negative, the skin tests indicated the patient was allergic to both drugs. It is concluded that the endogenous peptide oxytocin can induce anaphylactic shock in multiparous women.

[The combined use of laryngoscope and Trachlight: another option for endotracheal intubation in patients with large epiglottic cysts].

Epiglottic cysts often cause difficulty in airway management. A 71-year-old man had extraction for an epiglottic cyst of 4 cm in diameter. Anesthesia was induced with small divided doses of propofol. After verifying that mask ventilation was possible under light anesthesia, vecuronium was used for muscle relaxation. Because of the size of the cyst, it was impossible to observe directly the larynx using a laryngoscope. Therefore, while moving the tongue to the left with the laryngoscope, an endotracheal tube was inserted into the trachea using the Trachlight. The operation was finished in 55-min and the patient was extubated 15 min after the end of the operation. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged from the hospital three days after the operation. The authors conclude that the combined use of the laryngoscope and Trachlight is helpful for endotracheal intubation in patients with large epiglottic cysts.

[Hypoxemia after gastrointestinal endoscopy under general anesthesia in a patient with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis].

A 59-year-old woman with suspected hypopharyngeal cancer was scheduled for biopsy using direct laryngoscopy. Her preoperative chest X-ray showed asymptomatic left unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. The region was difficult to reach during direct laryngoscopy. Therefore, gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. Air was injected through the scope to aid viewing. After tracheal extubation, oxygen saturation as indicated by pulse oximetry (SpO2) decreased to 91% from 97% although oxygen was delivered via a mask at 6 l x min(-1). A chest radiograph showed that the air-filled gastrointestinal tract had elevated the left dome of the diaphragm. After the stomach was suctioned via a nasogastric tube, respiration was assisted via a mask with continuous positive airway pressure. Then, SpO2 returned to 99%. An air-filled dilated stomach may increase the risk of respiratory dysfunction in patients with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.

[Two episodes of cardiac arrest in a boy receiving sclerotherapy with polydocanol--a case report].

A 4-year-old boy, weighing 15.6 kg, experienced two episodes of cardiac arrest during the eight sessions of sclerotherapy under general anesthesia. Although cardiac arrest had been documented after accidental extubation during the seventh procedure, the specific cause had not been identified. For the eighth procedure, anesthesia was again induced and maintained with nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. A total of 10 ml of 3% polydocanol was injected. Approximately five minutes after the injection, his heart rate slowed and asystole developed. External cardiac massage was started immediately and atropine was injected intravenously. His heart started to beat again very soon. From the clinical course, the two episodes of cardiac arrest could be attributable to polydocanol overdose. It was concluded that severe circulatory derangement might follow an injection of polydocanol during sclerotherapy.

[Remaining of a safety clip within the hub of the Surshield Surflow II i.v. catheter].

Terumo's Surshield Surflow II i.v. catheter automatically engages a stainless steel clip to shield its needle tip when the needle goes out from the catheter hub. However, in our experience the safety clip of Surshield Surflow II remains in the catheter hub in a high proportion of cases when the catheter hub is held with a pair of forceps. The hub wall is so thin that the force existed to hold the hub can be easily transmitted to the safety clip. Another factor is the loose attachment of the safety clip to the needle tip. To prevent needle stick injury, further improvement of safety i.v. catheters is necessary to lead their increased use.

[Anesthetic management for laparoscopic repair of Morgagni-Larry hernia in a child].

A 5-year-old asymptomatic boy was shown to have bowel loops in the thoracic cavity incidentally in a chest radiograph. A barium swallow confirmed the diagnosis of Morgagni hernia. Laparoscopic repair under CO2 pneumoperitoneum was performed. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with air, oxygen and sevoflurane. After pulling the transverse colon and the greater omentum into the abdomen, it was found that a part of the liver was also herniated into the right sternocostal hiatus (Larry hernia). The patient showed uneventful recovery. However, we should realize that dissection of adhesions between the viscera and peritoneal sac may be dangerous with possibility of pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax under pneumoperitoneum.