The cervix-ripening effect of the prostaglandin E analogue sulprostone, before vacuum aspiration in first trimester pregnancy.

The cervix-ripening effect of the prostaglandin E analogue 16-phenoxy-tetranor PGE2 methyl- and sulfonylamide, Sulprostone, was examined in 25 primigravidae and 19 women who had earlier been pregnant. Three hours before vacuum aspiration of a 1st trimester conceptus the patients received an i.m. injection of 0.5 mg Sulprostone and the cervical dilatation was assessed under general anesthesia by means of Hegar dilatators immediately prior to vacuum aspiration. In the primigravida group an average cervical dilatation to 7 mm was obtained, compared with 5 mm in a control group. Further dilatation occurred easily in 74% of the patients, compared with 14% in the control group. In the group of previously pregnant women an average cervical dilatation to 8 mm was obtained, compared with 6 mm in the control group. Further dilatation occurred easily in 86% of the patients, compared with 67% in the controls. Routine use of Sulprostone before vacuum aspiration of a 1st trimester conceptus is not recommended because of the rather high frequency of side effects.

A randomized trial of vas occlusion versus vasectomy for male contraception.

PIP: Vas occlusion and vasectomy for contraception were compared in a trial with 79 patients, median age 36. Operation time, consumption of analgesics in the 1st postoperative week, and postoperative complications including wound infection, hematoma, and epididymitis were recorded. Sperm counts were performed monthly and in all patients a final sperm count was requested after 6 months. 77 patients became sterile, 1 failure occurring within 3 months in each group. In 1 vasectomized patient recanalization occurred after development of a sperm granuloma and in 1 vas-occluded patient clips had been placed on nonductal structures. There was no intergroup difference in consumption of analgesics or with regard to postoperative complications. Median operation times for vas occlusion and vasectomy were 11 and 14 minutes, respectively. The material is too small to evaluate rates of operative failures for the 2 methods, but the performance of val occlusion was a little speedier than vasectomy, the need for disection and tissue handling being minimized. It is concluded that vas occlusion by clips without transection deserves further evaluation as an alternative to vasectomy for male contraception.^ieng

Sterilization by vas occlusion without transection does not reduce postvasectomy sperm-agglutinating antibodies in serum. A randomized trial of vas occlusion versus vasectomy.

The influence of transection of the vasa on the increase in sperm-agglutinating activity in serum after vasectomy was investigated in a prospective randomized study. Sixty-eight males requesting vasectomy were allocated to either of two groups: vas occlusion by tantalum clips without transection of the vasa, or conventional vasectomy by transection and ligation. Sperm-agglutinating antibodies were determined by a micro-agglutination test before and 6 months after vasectomy or vas occlusion. A significant increase in sperm-agglutinating activity in serum after sterilization was found in both groups, but there was no intergroup difference.

[Changes of bloodchemical parameters of healthy volunteers under influence of acupuncture (author's transl)]. / Veränderung blutchemischer Parameter bei gesunden Versuchspersonen durch Akupunktur

The influence of acupuncture on some biochemical parameters in blood was investigated in healthy volunteers. These results were compared with two control series. The significant increase especially of free fatty acids concentration must be considered as an effect of acupuncture.

[Electrical stimulation anaesthesia in abdominal surgery in special consideration of selective proximal vagotomie (author's transl)]. / Elektro-Stimulationsanaesthesie in der Abdominalchirurgie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der selektiven proximalen Vagotomie

107 abdominal operations were performed using in a combined electrostimulating anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was indued by etomidate (about 15 mg) and fentanly (about 0,2 mg). After administration of pancuronium (5-7 mg) intubation was performed. During continuous intermittent relaxation anaesthesia was maintained by a mixture of nitrous oxide/oxygen 4:2 (in poor risk patients: 3:3) and electrical stimulation at certain body-and ear-points. Electrical stimulation was done using impulse currents with frequencies of 10 to 15 Hz and a current intensity of about 40 mA. During extremly painful periods of operations 30% of the patients showed maximal heart rates and only in 5% of cases did blood pressure exceed preoperative values by about 50%. Especially in poor risk pateints the results of electro-stimulating anaesthesia are excellent. At this time, however, it should not be recommanded as a routine method for general surgery; questions concerning regulating mechanisms need to be answered first.

[Plasma histamine levels in man following infusion of hydroxyethyl starch: a contribution to the question of allergic or anaphylactoid reactions following administration of a new plasma substitute (author's transl)]. / Plasmahistaminspiegel beim Menschen nach rascher Infusion von Hydroxyäthylstärke: Ein Beitrag zur Frage allergischer oder anaphylaktoider Reaktionen nach Gabe eines neuen Plasmasubstituts

In contrast to the effects of rapid infusion of gelatin and dextran preparations, no histamine release was observed in 10 human subjects (volunteers) following rapid infusion of hydroxyethyl starch. This was measured by fluorometric histamine determination in venous plasma. Furthermore no clinical symptoms of an allergic or anaphylactoid reaction could be detected in any of the volunteers.