[Post-surgical paediatric pain: Nursing- PCA vs continuous I.V. infusion of tramadol ]. / Dolor postoperatorio en lactantes y niños pequeños: nursing-PCA vs perfusión i.v. de tramadol.

AIM: To evaluate the efficiency in the control of the post-surgical paediatric pain of the combination of a weak opioid [tramadol (T)] and an NSAID (paracetamol), comparing its administration through "Nursing-PCA" (NCA) techniques or through continuous i.v. infusion. METHODS: The investigation has been carried out in 30 patients (mean 9.5 months) selected according to their foreseeable degree of moderate-hard pain. All of them consumed in the postoperative period: rectal paracetamol (20 mg/Kg) every 8 hours and tramadol in two groups. Group I: PCA pump with tramadol that was handled by the nurse. Initial dose: 0.5 mg/Kg NCA, bolus injection 0.3 mg/Kg with an interval of 10 minutes for security and a highest dose of 1.2 mg/Kg/4 h every 4 hours. Group II: continuous infusion i.v. of tramadol (6 mg/Kg/24 h). The pain was evaluated, as well as the sedative action, saturation oxygen, respiratory and hemodynamics parameters, adverse effects, and efficiency during the first 24 hours, as well as the number of total dose of drugs asked in the Nursing PCA group. RESULTS: Pain decreased in both groups. There were more sedative effects in group II and the total dose of tramadol was higher. There were no cases of respiratory depression. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of tramadol and paracetamol through "Nursing PCA" has turned out to be an efficient method in the treatment of the post-surgical pain in little children and those whose are in their lacteal period. It is a possible alternative of the continuous infusion of Morphine in these patients.

[Bladder augmentation in children: experience with 15 cases]. / Ampliaciones vesicales en la infancia: nuestra experiencia a propósito de quince casos.

From 1993 to 1995 bladder augmentation was performed in 11 female and 4 male patients from 1 to 13 years old (average age 6.7 years). Indications included neurogenic bladder, extrophy and epispadias with small bladder. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt had been performed in 6 patients for hydrocephalus. We used 22 segments since 5 patients had 2 segments. Segments included sigmoid in 12 cases, stomach in 5, small bowel in 1, cecum and appendix in 2. We have used the AMS-800 artificial urinary sphincter in 7 patients. Upper tracts and renal function have remained stable in these patients. Continence was achieved in 7 of 9 cases with augmentation, and in 6 of those patients with artificial urinary sphincter. The most common complication was leaks and the hematuria-dysuria syndrome when stomach was used.

[Hemi-splenectomy in epidermoid cyst of the spleen. Presentation of a case]. / Hemiesplenectomía en quiste epidermoide de bazo. Presentación de un caso.

We report a case of non-parasitic splenic cyst, diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound scan. These were treated by partial splenectomy. The anatomopathological study indicated the existence of epithelial coating.