Effects of different lipid emulsions on serum adipokines, inflammatory markers and mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis: A prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intravenous lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition may cause different metabolic responses and immune effects in critically ill patients with sepsis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different lipid emulsions on changes in concentrations of adipokine and cytokine and their relationship with mortality in patients. METHODS: Patients enrolled in this prospective, single-center, observational cohort study, were estimated to require more than ten days of parenteral nutrition. They were treated with soybean oil-based or olive oil-based parenteral lipid emulsions. Adipokine and cytokine concentrations of septic patients were determined at enrollment and ten days after, in accordance with the diagnostic criteria of SEPSIS-3. The concentrations levels were measured in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mortality was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regressions. RESULTS: Over a 25-month period, 145 patients were assessed for eligibility and consequently, 40 patients were analyzed. On admission, both groups had comparable physiological scores, comorbidities, malnutrition risk, anthropometric measurements, metabolic/hematologic biomarkers and concentrations of adipokines and cytokines (p > .05). Serum leptin, resistin, and cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ß and TNF-α) decreased significantly in the entire cohort over ten days following sepsis (p < .05). Serum resistin decreased in both olive oil-based and soybean oil-based lipid emulsions groups. Serum adiponectin only decreased in soybean oil-based lipid emulsions group (p < .05). There was association between survival and percentage changes in adiponectin, resistin and visfatin concentrations (log rank test: p < .05). CONCLUSION: Adipokine and cytokine responses are affected by medical nutritional therapy in the sepsis process and adipokines may represent functional prognostic biomarkers in critically ill patients with sepsis.

One-lung ventilation duration-dependent stress response in thoracotomies and the effect of a low-volume, high-frequency differentiated ventilation strategy on this response.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effect of ventilation of the non-ventilated lung in patients undergoing one-lung ventilation by a separate low-tidal-volume (1 mL/kg) ventilator at high frequency (30/min) on preventing the effect of one-lung ventilation-associated oxidative damage. METHODS: The study included 45 patients (24 males, 21 females; mean age 54.6±7.7 years; range, 18 to 65 years) with an American Society of Anesthesiologists risk group of 1 to 2 and scheduled for elective thoracotomy. Patients were randomly divided into three groups as those due for thoracotomy without one-lung ventilation (group 1, n=15), those due for thoracotomy with one-lung ventilation (group 2, n=15), and those due for thoracotomy in whom both lungs were ventilated (group 3, n=15). Blood specimens were collected for ischemia-modified albumin, malondialdehyde, and lactate measurements one minute before one-lung ventilation (t0), 30 minutes after one-lung ventilation (t1), 60 minutes after one-lung ventilation (t2), and at postoperative 24th hour (t3). For group 1, t0 was defined as the time at which the thorax was opened. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in ischemia-modified albumin, malondialdehyde, and lactate levels occurred in group 2 as the duration of one-lung ventilation increased (p<0.01). Plasma ischemia-modified albumin and malondialdehyde levels in group 3 were statistically significantly lower at t1, t2, and t3 compared with group 2 (p<0.01). Plasma lactate levels were significantly lower in group 3 at t1 (p<0.05) and t3 compared with group 2 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Separate ventilation of the non-ventilated lung with low tidal volume and high frequency reduces the response to one-lung ventilation-associated oxidative stress in thoracic surgery.

Effects of local anesthetics on wound healing / Efeitos dos anestésicos locais na cicatrização de feridas

Abstract Introduction Local anesthetic infiltration is used widely for post-operative analgesia in many situations. However the effects of local anesthetics on wound healing are not demonstrated clearly. This study planned to evaluate the effects of lidocaine, prilocaine, bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on wound healing, primarily on wound tensile strength and on collagen ultrastructure. Methods This study was conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats. On days 0, 8th, 15th, and 21st, all animals were weighed and received a preincisional subcutaneous infiltration of 3 mL of a solution according the group. Control saline (C), lidocaine (L) 7 mg.kg-1, prilocaine (P) 2 mg.kg-1, bupivacaine (B) 2 mg.kg-1 and levobupivacaine (LVB) 2.5 mg.kg-1. The infiltrations were done at the back region 1.5 cm where incision would be performed at the upper, middle and lower part along the midline, under general anesthesia. Wound tensile strengths were measured after 0.7 cm × 2 cm of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue samples were obtained vertical to incision from infiltrated regions. Tissue samples were also obtained for electron microscopic examination. Evaluations were on the 8th, 15th and 21st days after infiltration. Results There was no difference between groups in the weights of the rats at the 0th, 8th, 15th and 21st days. The collagen maturation was no statistically different between groups at the 8th and 15th days. The maturation scores of the B and L groups at the 21st day was significantly lower than the Group C (1.40, 1.64 and 3.56; respectively). The wound tensile strength was no statistically different between groups at the 8th and 15th days but at the 21st day the Groups B and LVB had significantly lower value than Group C (5.42, 5.54 and 6.75; respectively). Conclusion Lidocaine and prilocaine do not affect wound healing and, bupivacaine and levobupivacaine affect negatively especially at the late period.

Resumo Introdução A infiltração de anestésico local é amplamente usada para analgesia pós-operatória em muitas situações. No entanto, os efeitos dos anestésicos locais na cicatrização de feridas não foram demonstrados claramente. Neste estudo planejamos avaliar os efeitos de lidocaína, prilocaína, bupivacaína e levobupivacaína sobre a cicatrização de feridas, principalmente sobre a força tênsil da ferida e a ultraestrutura do colágeno. Métodos Este estudo foi feito em ratos machos da linhagem Sprague Dawley. Nos dias 0, 8, 15 e 21, todos os animais foram pesados e receberam uma infiltração subcutânea pré-incisional de 3 mL de uma solução, de acordo com a designação dos grupos: Grupo C recebeu salina (controle); Grupo L recebeu lidocaína (7 mg.kg-1); Grupo P recebeu prilocaína (2 mg.kg-1); Grupo B recebeu bupivacaína (2 mg.kg-1); Grupo LVB recebeu levobupivacaína (2,5 mg.kg-1). As infiltrações foram feitas na região posterior a 1,5 cm de onde a incisão seria feita na parte superior, média e inferior ao longo da linha média, sob anestesia geral. A força tênsil da ferida foi medida após amostras de 0,7 × 2 cm de tecido cutâneo e subcutâneo serem obtidas das regiões infiltradas, verticalmente à incisão. Amostras de tecido também foram obtidas para exame microscópico eletrônico. As avaliações foram feitas nos dias 8, 15 e 21 após a infiltração. Resultados Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação ao peso dos ratos nos dias 0, 8, 15 e 21. A maturação do colágeno não foi estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos nos dias 8 e 15. Os escores de maturação dos grupos B e L no dia 21 foram significativamente inferiores aos do Grupo C (1,40, 1,64 e 3,56, respectivamente). A força tênsil da ferida não foi estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos nos dias 8 e 15, mas no dia 21 os grupos B e LVB apresentaram valores significativamente menores que o Grupo C (5,42, 5,54 e 6,75, respectivamente). Conclusão Lidocaína e prilocaína não afetam a cicatrização de feridas, enquanto bupivacaína e levobupivacaína afetam negativamente, especialmente no período tardio.

Staff education aimed at reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving invasive procedure performed in intensive care units (ICUs) where critical patients are given advanced support. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of personnel training on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The study, performed prospectively in the ICU, was planned in two periods. In both periods, patient characteristics were recorded on patient data forms. In the second period, ICU physicians and assistant health personnel were given regular theoretical and practical training. Twenty-two cases of VAP developed in the pre-training period, an incidence of 31.2. Nineteen cases of VAP developed in the post-training period, an incidence of 21.0 (P<0.001). Training reduced development of VAP by 31.7 %. Crude VAP mortality was 69 % in the first period and 26 % in the second (P<0.001). Statistically significant risk factors for VAP in both periods were prolonged hospitalization, increased number of days on mechanical ventilation, and enteral nutrition; risk factors determined in the first period were re-intubation, central venous catheter use and heart failure and, in the second period, erythrocyte transfusion >5 units (P<0.05). Prior to training, compliance with hand washing (before and after procedure), appropriate aseptic endotracheal aspiration and adequate oral hygiene in particular were very low. An improvement was observed after training (P<0.001). The training of personnel who will apply infection control procedures for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections is highly important. Hand hygiene and other infection control measures must be emphasized in training programmes, and standard procedures in patient interventions must be revised.

Paresia transitória unilateral combinada do nervo hipoglosso e do nervo lingual após intubação para anestesia / Transient unilateral combined paresis of the hypoglossal nerve and lingual nerve following intubation anesthesia / Paresia transitoria unilateral combinada del nervio hipoglosoy del nervio lingual después de la intubación para anestesia

Lesões de nervos podem ocorrer na região faringolaríngea durante a anestesia geral. Os nervos mais comumente lesionados são o hipoglosso, lingual e laríngeo recorrente. As lesões podem surgir em decorrência de vários fatores, como, por exemplo, durante a laringoscopia, intubação endotraqueal e inserção de tubo e por pressão do balão, ventilação com máscara, manobra aérea tripla, via aérea orofaríngea, modo de inserção do tubo, posição da cabeça e do pescoço e aspiração. As lesões nervosas nessa região podem acometer um único nervo isolado ou causar a paralisia de dois nervos em conjunto, como a do nervo laríngeo recorrente e hipoglosso (síndrome de Tapia). No entanto, a lesão combinada dos nervos lingual e hipoglosso após intubação para anestesia é uma condição muito mais rara. O risco dessa lesão pode ser reduzido por meio de medidas preventivas. Descrevemos um caso de paresia unilateral combinada dos nervos hipoglosso e lingual após intubação para anestesia.

Nerve damage may occur in the pharyngolaryngeal region during general anesthesia. The most frequently injured nerves are the hypoglossal, lingual and recurrent laryngeal. These injuries may arise in association with several factors, such as laryngoscopy, endotracheal intubation and tube insertion, cuff pressure, mask ventilation, the triple airway maneuver, the oropharyngeal airway, manner of intubation tube insertion, head and neck position and aspiration. Nerve injuries in this region may take the form of an isolated single nerve or of paresis of two nerves together in the form of hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (Tapia's syndrome). However, combined injury of the lingual and hypoglossal nerves following intubation anesthesia is a much rarer condition. The risk of this damage can be reduced with precautionary measures. We describe a case of combined unilateral nervus hypoglossus and nervus lingualis paresis developing after intubation anesthesia.

Durante la anestesia general pueden lesionarse los nervios en la región faringolaríngea. Los nervios más a menudo lesionados son el hipogloso, lingual y laríngeo recurrente. Las lesiones pueden surgir como resultado de varios factores que pueden ser, durante la laringoscopia, intubación endotraqueal e inserción del tubo y por presión del balón, ventilación con mascarilla, maniobra aérea triple, vía aérea orofaríngea, modo de inserción del tubo, posición de la cabeza y del cuello, y aspiración. Las lesiones nerviosas en esa región pueden comprometer un solo nervio aislado o causar la parálisis de 2 nervios en conjunto, como la del nervio laríngeo recurrente hipogloso (síndrome de Tapia). Sin embargo, la lesión combinada de los nervios lingual e hipogloso, después de la intubación para la anestesia, es una condición mucho más rara. El riesgo de una lesión se puede reducir con medidas preventivas. A continuación describimos un caso de paresia unilateral combinada de los nervios hipogloso y lingual después de la intubación para la anestesia.

Effects of levobupivacaine on wound healing.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthetic infiltration along the incision may be used to provide surgical anesthesia or postoperative analgesia. However, the effect of local anesthetics on wound healing remains controversial. In this investigation, we evaluated the effects of levobupivacaine on wound healing. METHODS: Sixty Wistar albino female rats weighing 230±20 g were included, with 10 rats in each group: group early c (early control): 3 mL isotonic saline; group early l1.25 (early levobupivacaine 1.25): 1.25 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine; group early l2.5 (early levobupivacaine 2.5): 2.5 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine; group late c (late control): 3 mL isotonic saline; group late l1.25 (late levobupivacaine 1.25): 1.25 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine; and group late l2.5 (late levobupivacaine 2.5): 2.5 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine. Rats in groups early c to early l2.5 were euthanized on the 8th day. Rats in groups late c to late l2.5 were euthanized on the 21st day. Wound tension strength, tissue hydroxyproline, and fibrotic index levels of the tissue samples from the early c and early l2.5 and late c and late l2.5 groups, respectively, on the 8th and 21st days were examined. RESULTS: Levobupivacaine decreased wound tension strength on the 8th day, especially a 2.5 mg/kg dose (P<0.001), and increased it on the 21st day (P<0.001). It also increased the inflammatory response (P<0.001) and collagen synthesis (8th day, P=0.109; 21st day, P=0.103) on both the 8th and 21st days. CONCLUSIONS: While levobupivacaine had a positive effect on wound healing during the early period, negative effects were observed thereafter. Additional studies at the molecular level are necessary to determine the cause of these apparently opposite effects.

Primary cyst hydatid in the neck; report of one case.

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease that has been recognized endemically in many countries. Although the liver and lung are the most common organs involved by the disease, it may appear rarely in other tissues as a primary disease. In the ultrasonography of the neck taken from a 17 year old case who attended with a complaint of swelling in the neck, a partly regular, bounded cystic lesion of 33x28 mm in size was reported. When the cyst was thought to be hydatid during surgical exploration, this diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological verification of the specimen obtained. Whole abdomen ultrasonography and PA Chest Radiography were taken in order to determine whether there was another focus during the postoperative period. The Echinococcus ELISA test was performed as an immunological parameter. Treatment with Albendazole began after diagnosis during the postoperative period. Although hydatid cyst most commonly involves the liver and lung, it may be detected in all body tissues. Therefore hydatid cyst must be considered in the differential diagnosis in cystic lesions that are rarely encountered in body localizations in human, living in endemic regions.

Comparison of the effect of propofol and N-acetyl cysteine in preventing ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of propofol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on tourniquet-induced ischaemia-reperfusion injury by determining malonyldialdehyde, ischaemia-modified albumin, lactate, blood gas and haemodynamic levels in arthroscopic knee surgery. METHODS: Sixty ASA I or II patients were randomized into three groups. Intrathecal anaesthesia was administered using 0.5% heavy bupivacaine in all patients. In group P, propofol was administered in a 0.2 mg kg(-1) bolus, followed by infusion at a rate of 2 mg kg(-1) h(-1); in group NAC, NAC was administered as an infusion at a rate of 5 mg kg(-1) h(-1), and, in group C (the control group), an equal volume of isotonic saline was administered to patients until 30 min after reperfusion. Blood samplings were obtained immediately before intrathecal anaesthesia (t1), 1 min before tourniquet release (t2), 5 min after tourniquet release (t3) and 30 min after tourniquet release (t4). RESULTS: Plasma malonyldialdehyde, ischaemia-modified albumin and lactate levels increased significantly in group C at t3 and t4 compared with the baseline values. Plasma concentrations of malonyldialdehyde, ischaemia-modified albumin and lactate in groups P and NAC were significantly lower than those in group C at t3 and t4. In blood gas analyses, pH, HCO3 and base excess were found to be significantly lower at t3 and t4 compared with t1 and t2 in group C. Comparisons between groups P and NAC revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Small-dose infusions of both propofol and NAC appear to provide similar protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury in arthroscopic knee surgery.

One-lung ventilation: for how long?

OBJECTIVE: Lung injury induced by one-lung ventilation is rare, but it is a condition that may result in high mortality. This study evaluates the effects of one-lung ventilation and occlusion time on collapsed and contralateral lungs. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated randomly into 7 groups consisting of 6 animals each: sham; O1, 1 hour of occlusion/2 hours of re-expansion; C1, 3 hours of mechanical ventilation control; O2, 2 hours of occlusion/2 hours of re-expansion; C2, 4 hours of mechanical ventilation control; O3, 3 hours of occlusion/2 hours of re-expansion; and C3, 5 hours of mechanical ventilation control groups. In the occlusion groups, the left lung was collapsed by bronchial occlusion. Malondialdehyde activity was determined in the blood, and myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde activity was determined in the collapsed and contralateral lungs. Lung tissues were also examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels rose as occlusion duration increased. This increase was greater in the occlusion groups than that in their own control groups. Increases were significant in the O2 compared with the O1 groups (P < .005). Histologically, tissue damage increased as occlusion time rose injury in collapsed and contralateral lungs. Injury was greater in the occlusion groups than injury in their own control groups (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that biochemical and histopathologic injury occur in collapsed and contralateral lungs in one-lung ventilation, and this injury increases as occlusion time rises. We believe that occlusion and occlusion time-related injury should be borne in mind in the clinic under conditions requiring the application of one-lung ventilation.

Amikacin-induced nephropathy: is there any protective way?

Amikacin is a commonly used antibacterial drug that can cause significant nephrotoxic effects in both humans and experimental animals. It has been reported that one mechanism of the toxic effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics are the result of oxidative reactions. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of N-acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing antioxidant, on renal function (serum creatinine) and morphology (renal tubular damage) in mice subjected to amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 32 mice were equally divided into four groups that were injected with either saline, amikacin (1.2 g/kg intraperitoneally), N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg intraperitoneally for three days) plus amikacin (1.2 g/kg intraperitoneally on the third day as a single dose), or N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Amikacin administration led to granulovacuolar tubular degeneration in light microscopic examination and myeloid bodies, mitochondrial electron-dense material deposition, and mitochondrial swelling in the proximal tubule epithelium in the electron microscopic evaluation. N-acetylcysteine administration before amikacin injection caused significant decreases in myeloid body and mitochondrial swelling and granulovacuolar tubular degeneration formation. Serum creatinine levels did not change as a result of any treatment. The results show that N-acetylcysteine has a protective effect on nephrotoxicity induced by amikacin. Higher doses of amikacin should be tried to observe biochemical effects.

The effects of oxidative stress on the liver and ileum in rats caused by one-lung ventilation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Reactive oxygen radicals that cause remote organ injury are increased after the one-lung ventilation frequently used in thoracic surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of one-lung ventilation on the liver and ileum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into five groups: a sham group; 3- and 4-h mechanical ventilation groups; and 1- and 2-h left lung collapse/2-h re-expansion groups (n = 6 for each group). In the collapse groups, the left lung was collapsed by bronchial occlusion for 1 and 2 h and then re-expanded and ventilated for an additional 2 h. At the end of the study, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were determined to assess liver functions. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity were determined in the liver and ileum tissues. The tissues were also examined by light and electron microscope. Apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: Plasma ALT and AST, tissue MDA, and MPO activities in both tissues were significantly higher in the 2-h collapse/2-h re-expansion group than in the 4-h mechanical ventilation group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels were significantly higher in the 2-h collapse group compared to the 1-h collapse group (P < 0.016). Tissue damage and apoptotic index were most prominent in the 2-h collapse/2-h re-expansion group. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that one-lung ventilation causes tissue damage in the liver and ileum and that this damage increases as occlusion duration rises.

Maternal outcome in HELLP syndrome requiring intensive care management in a Turkish hospital

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Apesar do desenvolvimento de instalações terciárias de cuidado e tratamento intensivo e de técnicas avançadas de transfusão de sangue, desordens hipertensivas da gravidez são a causa principal de mortalidade materna na maioria dos países. Nosso objetivo foi determinar o resultado materno nas gravidezes complicadas pela síndrome HELLP (hemólise, enzimas hepáticas elevadas e contagem de plaquetas baixa) que exigiram cuidados intensivos. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo realizado na Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Trabzon, Turquia. MÉTODOS: 37 pacientes com a síndrome HELLP admitidas à unidade de cuidado intensivo obstétrico foram analisadas retrospectivamente entre 1992 e 2004.RESULTADOS: Todas as pacientes eram hipertensas, com escala Glasgow de coma média de 11 ± 3,96. A idade gestacional média no parto foi de 32 ± 4,09 semanas. O parto foi vaginal em 9 e por cesárea em 27 pacientes. Anestesia geral foi usada em 12 e loco-regional em 25 pacientes. Morbidades maternas incluíram a falência renal aguda (11%), coagulação intravascular disseminada (5%), edema agudo do pulmão (3%), ascite grave (11%), o derrame pleural (3%), síndrome respiratória aguda grave (11%), descolamento prematuro de placenta (11%), edema cerebral (8%) e hemorragia cerebral (40%). Todas as pacientes necessitaram de transfusão de produtos do sangue. Ocorreram 11 (30%) mortes maternas. CONCLUSÕES: Devido à alta morbidade e mortalidade maternas encontradas nas pacientes com síndrome HELLP, protocolos antenatais de acompanhamento devem ser aplicados de modo a se obter diagnóstico precoce e a de apressar a transferência para um departamento obstétrico onde a equipe de profissionais tenha perícia no campo.

Effects of early versus delayed nutrition on intestinal mucosal apoptosis and atrophy after traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: To determine the optimal time to start nutritional support after traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Rats were divided into six groups of seven. All but one of these groups were subjected to moderate closed head trauma under general anesthesia. Groups Ia and Ib were commenced on immunonutrition and standard enteral nutrition, respectively, 8 h later; groups IIa and IIb were commenced on immunonutrition and standard enteral nutrition, respectively, 72 h later; and group III was commenced on a parenteral saline infusion 8 h later. Group IV was a control group fed a laboratory diet and not subjected to trauma. The rats were killed 7 days later, and ileal segments were examined using light and electron microscopy. We used the deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique to detect intestinal mucosal apoptosis. RESULTS: Group III had a lower body weight than the other groups (P < 0.005). The mean villous height was highest in groups Ia and IV and lowest in group III. The villi count was lower in groups Ib, IIa, IIb, and III than in group IV (P < 0.005). The apoptotic index counts were higher in groups IIa, IIb, and III than in group IV (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of enriching immunonutrients to early enteral feeding helps preserve an almost normal gut mucosa.