Impact of COVID-19 on hand surgery in Italy: A comparison between the Northern and the Southern regions.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency and elective hand surgery in four Italian regions that had either a high (Lombardy and Piemonte) or a low (Sicilia and Puglia) COVID-19 case load to discuss problems and to elaborate strategies to improve treatment pathways. A panel of hand surgeons from these different regions compared and discussed data from the centers they work in. The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on both elective and emergency surgery in Italy, not only in highly affected regions but also - and paradoxically even at a higher extent - in regions with a low COVID-19 case load. A durable and flexible redesign of hand surgery activities should be promoted, while changing and hopefully increasing human resources and enhancing administrative support. Telematics must also be implemented, especially for delivering rehabilitation therapy.

Which distal anastomosis should be used in PTFE femoro-tibial bypass?

AIM: The PTFE prosthesis represents an alternative to the autologous saphenous vein in femoro-tibial revascularization for limb salvage in the absence of venous material in the patient. The aim of our study is to confirm the validity of PTFE revascularization and determine the best distal anastomosis in terms of patency using 3 different techniques. We carried out a retrospective analysis, evaluating patients who underwent PTFE femoro-tibial revascularization for critical ischemia. METHODS: Between January 1998 and June 2002 we performed 46 femoro-tibial revascularizations at the Vascular Surgery Division of the Poliambulanza Hospital in Brescia using a PTFE prosthesis, from a total of 192 infrainguinal revascularizations (24%). All patients presented a critical ischemia, with trophic lesions or gangrene in 76% of the cases (35/46) and who were previously treated unsuccessfully with medical therapy. Seventeen cases (36%) were a redo bypass due to previously failed revascularization. In all cases the saphenous vein was not available due to past peripheral or coronary revascularization (45%), saphenectomy (20%) or inadequate diameter (35%). The distal anastomoses were performed on the peroneal artery in 29 cases, on the anterior tibial artery in 14 cases and on the posterior tibial artery in 3 cases. The distal anastomosis was performed by interposing a segment of vein between the prosthesis and the tibial artery in 12 cases; in 22 cases the interposition was performed using a vein patch, and in the remaining 12 cases a PTFE prosthesis provided with a premanufactured expanded anastomosis (Distaflo(c)) was used. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 22.5 months (range: 3-48 months). The primary and secondary patency rate at 48 months, calculated with the Life table method, was 35% and 47%, respectively. Limb salvage in the same time period was 56%. Depending on the anastomosis performed (Distaflo(c), vein patch, distal vein) we obtained a secondary patency rate of 31%, 62%, and 44% respectively after 48 months with a significant difference between distal vein patch and the other two anastomoses (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PTFE bypass on the tibial artery performed for limb salvage in the absence of a saphenous vein represents a valid alternative to other types of prostheses with a patency percentage that is acceptable in the medium term. Within our study population, anastomosis by vein patch interposition gave better results than other types of tibial anastomosis.

Superior mesenteric and renal artery embolism during PTA and re-stenting of infrarenal abdominal aorta. Report of a case and review of the literature.

The authors report a case of acute superior mesenteric and right renal artery embolism that occurred during an interventional radiological procedure on the abdominal aorta of a young diabetic woman. The onset of a severe abdominal pain during the procedure evoked the clinical suspicion of intestinal ischemia related to the dislodgement of atheroembolic material into the mesenteric artery; the event was correctly diagnosed, but the surgical therapy was delayed by many hours because of the fact that the patient was in a peripheral hospital of the region and had to be transferred to our institution. Fortunately in spite of the considerable delay, the operation was fully successful, probably because of the favourable location of the embolus, which allowed collateral splanchnic circulation to maintain a good metabolic balance.

Left-sided inferior vena cava in patients submitted to aorto iliac surgery. Our experience and review of the literature.

We present two cases of left sided inferior vena cava, one unexpectedly observed during an operation of aorto bifemoral bypass in a patient with severe Leriche syndrome and almost complete obstruction of the infrarenal aorta, the second in a patient with an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta, in whom the anomaly was recognized before the operation. This very rare congenital malformation (0.2-0.5%) was not recognized in the first patient by the duplex scanner performed preoperatively, probably because of the low level of suspicion carried on by an experienced operator. Computer tomography angiography or magnetic resonance angiography, which would have surely shown us the anomaly, were not done in the first patient because, in the lack of an aneurysmal disease or other abdominal pathological situations, these investigations were not required before operation. The possible hazards of such an unrecognized malformation are great, mostly in terms of uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhages, but the final outcome of this case was positive.

Post stenotic aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery: case report and discussion.

A case of post stenotic aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is reported. This case underlines the importance of a correct diagnosis by instrumental methods such as Duplex Scanner, CT and Arteriography, mainly when the first diagnosis is aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (AAA). Our patient showed, furthermore, the occlusion of the celic axis, of the superior mesenteric artery and of both hypogastric arteries; thus his intestinal vascularization was represented, from the gastric fundus until the rectum, only by the inferior mesenteric artery and its collateral network. The operation consisted in the resection and reimplantation of the vessel on the left side of the terminal abdominal aorta, after removal of the dilated segment. This location was chosen because of the coexistence of a mild dilatation of the aorta of 2.8 cm and considering possible aortic surgery for AAA in the future.

[Effectiveness of mesoglycan therapy in patients with ischemia of the lower limbs. Preliminary results of a new therapeutic protocol]. / Efficacia del trattamento con mesoglicano in pazienti con ischemia relativa degli arti inferiori. Risultati preliminari di un nuovo protocollo terapeutico.

BACKGROUND: Mesoglycan is a natural glycosaminoglycans preparation, with antithrombotic and pro-fibrinolytic activities, which has been shown to be clinically effective in a number of vascular atherosclerotic disorders with thrombotic risk. METHODS: In the present investigation we studied the effect of mesoglycan in patients with acute episodes of relative lower limb ischemia (Stage IIb according to Leriche-Fontaine classification) coming to our observation. Mesoglycan was administered according to the following schedule: a 10-days period of endovenous mesoglycan (90 mg/day), given in day-hospital regimen, followed by a 20-days period of oral mesoglycan (100 mg/day). The treatment schedule was repeated for two months and then patient continued with oral mesoglycan. We present the preliminary results obtained on 36 patients which were followed for a mean period of 12 months. RESULTS: From February 1995 thirty-six patients, 24 males and 12 females, aged between 45 and 83 years (mean +/- SD: 69.8 +/- 7.5) coming to our observation for acute relative lower limb ischemia were enrolled. At baseline, the diagnosis was Fontaine's IIb stage (walking distance < or = 200 m) in all patients, 17 patients presenting walking distance < 100 m. After 3 and 6 months of mesoglycan treatment a significant improvement of symptoms and signs was observed in all patients but one. At the end of the 6-months period, 29 patients (81% of the study population) became to a Fontaine's IIa degree, with a significant increase in walking distance (in 70% three times their basal value) and improvement of symptoms and recovery time. After treatment, Winsor Index was not significantly modified. Similar results were obtained after 12 months of follow-up. During the study period only one patient included in the trial needed surgical revascularisation. The administration of mesoglycan was well tolerated, with only minor complaints in two patients (one case of headache and one of diarrhea). During the endovenous administration of mesoglycan most patients (81%) presented values of aPTT almost double than baseline, which returned to normal values at the end of the administration. CONCLUSIONS: The present preliminary results show that, in patients with acute episodes of relative lower limb ischemia, mesoglycan (administered according to the described protocol) is an effective and safe agent able to improve symptoms (walking distance, pain, leg appearance) and to possibly delay the need of surgical interventions.

[Education of the hypertensive patient: are educational booklets useful?]. / L'educazione del paziente iperteso: sono utili gli opuscoli informativi?

A good level of knowledge about hypertension can improve patients' compliance to treatment so achieve better therapeutic results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the degree of knowledge about their disease in hypertensives followed in a hospital out-patient unit; and whether an informative booklet could increase this awareness. The patients were presented a questionnaire on the following items: 1. their interest in health news as presented by the mass-media and their judgement on physicians' willingness to provide information about hypertension; 2. the health hazards of being hypertensive; 3. the importance of a family history of hypertension; 4. life style and blood pressure; 5. the reasons for treating hypertension and the length of treatment. Upon completion of the questionnaire, the patients were handed out a booklet in which these same topics were analyzed. At the next follow-up visit, they were invited to answer a set of questions quite similar to the first ones, but presented in a different verbal form. 200 patients completed the first questionnaire; 159, both of them. Basically, they show a high degree of correct knowledge about their disease, giving between 77% and 94% of correct answers to the different questions. After the booklet, for most of the questions the percentage of correct answers remains the same; when it does change, this is usually for the worse. Simply handing out a booklet doesn't help patients to better understand their disease. On the contrary it may have an opposite effect, inducing some degree of confusion.

Use of opportunistic clinical data and a population pharmacokinetic model to support dosing of clindamycin for premature infants to adolescents.

Clindamycin is commonly prescribed to treat children with skin and skin-structure infections (including those caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)), yet little is known about its pharmacokinetics (PK) across pediatric age groups. A population PK analysis was performed in NONMEM using samples collected in an opportunistic study from children receiving i.v. clindamycin per standard of care. The final model was used to optimize pediatric dosing to match adult exposure proven effective against CA-MRSA. A total of 194 plasma PK samples collected from 125 children were included in the analysis. A one-compartment model described the data well. The final model included body weight and a sigmoidal maturation relationship between postmenstrual age (PMA) and clearance (CL): CL (l/h) = 13.7 × (weight/70)(0.75) × (PMA(3.1)/(43.6(3.1) + PMA(3.1))); V (l) = 61.8 × (weight/70). Maturation reached 50% of adult CL values at ~44 weeks PMA. Our findings support age-based dosing.

Cisatracurium versus vecuronium: a comparative, double blind, randomized, multicenter study in adult patients under propofol/fentanyl/N2O anesthesia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the time course characteristics of cisatracurium (C) and vecuronium (V) induced neuromuscular block (NMB) following multiple doses, allowing spontaneous complete recovery (SCRT) and evaluating the influence of age. METHODS: Following institutional approval and signed informed consent, 177 adult ASA 1-2 patients were included in a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study under N20/02/fentanyl/propofol anesthesia. Muscle relaxation was induced with 0.15 mg/kg C or 0.l mg/kg V and was maintained with 0.03 mg/kg of C or 0.02 mg/kg of V injected at T1 25% recovery. Intubating conditions were assessed at 2 min after the initial dose. Time course of NMB was monitored using accelerography (Tofguard) of the adductor pollicis with train-of-four (TOF). Data were analyzed with parametric (Anova) and non parametric statistics (c2, Kruskal Wallis). RESULTS: Both drugs offered good/excellent intubating conditions: duration of action of NMB (mean values +/- SD, minutes) were: dur25 first dose: V 38.20+/-13.2 vs C 51.5+/-11.3 (P<0.02 ); dur25 following repeated boluses (average): V 23.2+/- 8.6 vs C 28.2+/-9.5, ns; dur25 last dose: V 25.1+/-11.5 vs C 31.5+/-11.4, ns: SCRT following last dose: V 50.2+/-23.2 vs C 46.4+/-17.5, ns: t125% to t4/T1 0.80:V 27.1+/-18.7 vs C 18.8+/-10.2, ns. Stratifying for age >or< 65 no differences were noted in the intervals studied following C, while all were longer following V. The duration of block of C was longer than V; the SCRT after the final dose of C was shorter than V albeit not significant. There was a clinically significant increase in duration of block and recovery time in elderly patients for V but not for C. CONCLUSIONS: C and V allow predictable NMB duration and spontaneous recovery even if administered in multiple repeated doses; but in elderly patients duration of block and recovery time is longer following V.

Morbidity and mortality related to anesthesia outside the operating room.

Morbidity and mortality related to sedation or anesthesia outside the operating room has not been investigated so far, but it is assumed to be a relevant problem because the increasing needs for sedation/analgesia in remote locations for a wide range of diagnostic and operative procedures (endoscopy, radiology, magnetic resonance...) and the lack of monitoring, inadequate training of personnel,insufficient staffing. Many complications could occur to patients, like anaphylactic shock,accidental hypothermia,difficult airway maintenance, aspiration,nausea and vomiting, and anesthesiologists, like exposure to pollution, radiation, electromagnetic fields, falls and trauma. Recent guidelines and personal experience are presented and discussed.

Periodontal health improves systemic inflammatory and haemostatic status in subjects with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: A relationship between poor oral health and coronary heart disease (CHD) and systemic inflammatory and haemostatic factors has been recently documented in an Italian population. The present study was performed to assess whether intensive dental care may produce a periodontal improvement along with a change in systemic inflammatory and haemostatic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 18 males aged 40-65 years with proven CHD and elevated values of systemic inflammatory and haemostatic factors. A detailed description of their oral status was given by using two different dental indices (clinical periodontal sum score and clinical and radiographic sum score). Blood samples were taken for measurement of the following systemic markers of inflammation [(C-reactive protein (CRP), leucocytes, fibrinogen)] and haemostatic factors [(von Willebrand factor, fibrin D-dimer and oxidized-low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)]. All parameters were determined in each subject at baseline, after 4 months as a control and 3 months after an intensive protocol of scaling and root planing. anova for repeated measures was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found between values at baseline and at the 4-month-control. All oral indexes showed a significant decrease (p< .01) 3 months after periodontal treatment. All systemic inflammatory indexes decreased but only the decrease in CRP reached statistical significance (p< .05). A significant decrease (p< .01) was also found as regards Ox-LDL among haemostatic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results from the present study suggest an association between poor oral status and CHD, and provide evidence that the improvement of periodontal status may influence the systemic inflammatory and haemostatic situation.

[A new instrument for neuromuscular transmission monitoring: the accelerometer Tofguard. Comparative study of isometric force transduction in the assessment of pipecuronium dose-response relationship]. / Un nuovo strumento per il monitoraggio della trasmissione neuromuscolare: l'accelerometro Tofguard. Studio comparativo nei confronti della trasduzione isometrica di forza nella valutazione della relazione dose effetto per il pipecuronium.

Pipecuronium effective doses 50,90,95 (ED50, ED90, ED95) have been obtained with the cumulative dosage method studying the influences of two different anesthetic techniques (TIVA vs isoflurane), of the patients age, of two different monitoring techniques, force transduction vs accelerometry, both evaluated by T1/TC ratio, ratio between Ist muscular response following the muscle relaxant and the values obtained before its injection, and TOFR, ratio between 4th and Ist response of every train. 33 patients, 55 years average age, 66 kgs average weight, ASA 1&2, scheduled for elective operations were anesthetized with propofol-fentanyl-N2O; tracheas were intubate under topical analgesia; maintenance of anesthesia included propofol and fentanyl or isoflurane 1 MAC. Neuromuscular monitoring included the simultaneous measurement of force of thumb adduction (FT 10 Grass) and its acceleration (Tofguard); neuromuscular blockade was evaluated by T1/TC and TOFR. Pipecuronium was administered in small decreasing boluses until 95% of T1/TC depression. Under force monitoring, ED50, ED90, ED95 values were 19, 28, 33 micrograms/kg respectively with T1/TC, being slightly lower with TOF stimulation (15, 24, 26 micrograms/kg); ED's were not influenced by anesthesia and were inversely related to age. Under accelerometry, EDs were always lower (16,27 e 27 micrograms/kg) under T1/TC, while with tof their values were similar to those derived from force measurements. ED's values obtained with T1/TC, either with force than accelerometry, while accelerometry was more sensitive than force for all ED's. EDs values, both under T1/TC than TOF, either with force transduction than accelerometry, resulted highly correlated each other, indicating a substantial agreement between the two mechanical methods of monitoring. It is concluded that the new instrument Tofguard offers the same reliability than force transduction, with the advantages of being smaller, portable and able to calculate directly the depth of neuromuscular blockade.

[Clinical pharmacology of pipecuronium; a comparative study of its duration of action in balanced anesthesia (propofol/fentanyl) vs isoflurane]. / Farmacologia clinica del pipecuronium; studio comparativo della sua durata clinica in anestesia bilanciata (propofol/fentanyl) vs isoflurano.

Clinical pharmacology of pipecuronium; a comparative study of its duration of action between balanced (propofol/fentanyl) and isoflurane anesthesia. Pipecuronium duration of action has been compared between patients under balanced (propofol/fentanyl) or 0.8-1 Mac isoflurane anesthesia. T1/TC 10-25-50-75-90% (T1/TC, 10, T1/TC, 25, T1/TC, 50 TOF, 75T1/TC 90) and TOF 10-25-50-75% (TOF 10%, TOF 25%, TOF 50%, TOF 75%) ratios were studied; T1/TC 10-75% (T1/TC 10/75) and TOF 10-75% (TOF 10-75%) recovery times were also derived. The muscle relaxant has been utilized in 55 patients divided into groups according to the method of its administration: in group I (33 patients) the drug was injected in small divided doses until ED95% was reached, according to the cumulative dosage method; in group II (8 patients) and III (12) the drug was injected at 0.35 micrograms/kg and 50 micrograms/kg respectively. Neuromuscular function was monitored by isometric force transduction, stimulating the adductor pollicis by tof every 12 sec. Pipecuronium duration of action (min) following single doses was longer than following the cumulative dosage method (TOF 25% vs 61%, TOF 50% 103 vs 76, TOF 75% 136 vs 102). The presence of isoflurane significantly prolonged recovery times (TOF 10%, from 55 to 70, TOF 25% from 61 to 88, TOF 50% from 75 to 120) in group I (cumulative doses) patients. Recovery times were dose related, while age did influence recovery only at the earlier intervals (T1/TC 10 and 25%). Keeping in mind the limited range of age and dosages, advantages and disadvantages of the drug are discussed, comparing the experimental results with those derived from the literature.

Effective doses of cisatracurium. Potentiation by sevoflurane and increasing requirements with age.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate whether or not sevoflurane at different concentrations influenced the ED(effective dose) 50, 90 and 95 of cisatracurium and whether there is any relationship with age. METHODS: Individual dose response curves for cisatracurium were constructed in 80 consecutive patients randomly assigned to four groups: group 1 TIVA with fentanyl and propofol; group 2, 3 and 4 sevoflurane 1, 1.5, 2 MAC respectively, MAC age adjusted and with N2O 65%. Patients were premedicated with diazepam and induction accomplished with fentanyl (1.5-2 micrograms/kg) and propofol (1.5-2 mg/kg); following intubation with succinylcholine (0.4 mg/kg), TIVA or sevoflurane at the desired MAC was maintained until equilibration occurred and then cisatracurium administered in 8-10 micrograms/kg boluses until the attainment of ED95. Neuromuscular monitoring utilized TOF stimulation and ratio evaluation between Ist twitch of the train and basal twitch (T1/Tc) and continuous recording of accelerometry (Tof-guard). Single dose response curves were analyzed with sigmoid equations; the Eds and other parameter means were subjected to analysis of variance for parametric and non parametric data. RESULTS: More boluses were required under TIVA and sevo 1 MAC anesthesia (8.3 and 7.1 vs 4.9 of sevo 1.5 and 2 MAC); maximal depression (94.95%) was reached more frequently with sevo, while under TIVA an average 90% depression only was obtained. Mean ED50 (microgram/kg) where 22 (sevo) vs 34 (TIVA): ED90 averaged 36 (sevo) vs 53 (TIVA); ED95 averaged 39 (sevo) vs 56 (TIVA), with significant differences (p < 0.05) between Eds obtained from TIVA group in comparison with sevoflurane groups, but without differences between averaged EDs obtained with different MAC values among sevoflurane groups. The investigation of the relationship between age and Eds demonstrated a linear regression for all groups considered together (p = 0.000) for all Eds (50, 90, 95). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the presence of MAC multiples of sevoflurane potentiated only slightly the dosages of cisatracurium and EDs linearly increase with age, particularly under sevoflurane anesthesia.

[Isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase. Possible use as tumor markers]. / Isoenzimi della lattato deidrogenasi, fosfatasi alcalina, creatin-chinasi. Possibilità di impiego come markers tumorali.

The electrophoresis of serum isoenzymes in cancer pathology at different stages has enabled us to recognise for LDH4 and LDH5, characteristics of sensitivity in all stages, with positivity greater than 60% in the advanced and multiply metastasized stages or with interference from other pathologies; to reveal portions pathologically heavy like FAST (46%); to reveal atypical bands (BB and MIT), as well as the values for normal or really low enzymatic activity. Through the elevated sensitivity and the high percentage of positivity, the isoenzymes LDH4 and LDH5 can be considered tumour markers and superior in validity to the conventional markers.

Clinical experience with ORG NC45 (norcuron) as the sole muscle relaxant.

The neuromuscular effects of ORG NC45, used as the sole muscle relaxant, were compared with a succinylcholine-pancuronium sequence in patients during nitrous oxide-fentanyl anaesthesia. The subjects were divided into four groups with ten in each group. After induction of anaesthesia they received either succinylcholine, 1 mg . kg-1 or ORG NC45 in doses of 50, 70 or 90 micrograms . kg-1 and tracheal intubation was done 90 seconds later. Neuromuscular transmission was monitored using train-of-four stimulation. Succinylcholine produced 100 per cent block with uniformly excellent intubating conditions whereas the three doses of ORG NC45 were associated with blocks of 7.5, 18.7 and 30.7 per cent and acceptable conditions in only 30 per cent of subjects. Muscle relaxation was maintained in the NC45 groups with increments of 10 micrograms . kg-1 and in the succinylcholine group with pancuronium, initially as a bolus of 40 micrograms . kg-1, followed by increments of 5 mg . kg-1. All increments were given at 10 per cent recovery of twitch height. The overall requirement to maintain 90 per cent block with pancuronium was 1.1 microgram/kg-1 . min-1 compared with 1.28 microgram . kg-1 . min-1 with ORG NC45. No cumulative effects were seen with either drug during the first hour of neuromuscular blockade. At the end of the operation the neuromuscular block was antagonized with atropine 18 micrograms . kg-1, and neostigmine 36 micrograms . kg-1 and recovery was significantly more rapid with NC45 than pancuronium. We conclude that the lack of cumulation, easy reversibility and lack of cardiovascular effects suggest that NC45 has advantages over currently available non-depolarizing muscle relaxants but that its onset of action is too slow for rapid intubation.

[Problems with anesthesia and intensive therapy in pheochromocytoma. A review of 25 cases]. / Problemi di anestesia e terapia intensiva nel feocromocitoma.

A retrospective assessment is made of 25 cases of pheochromocytoma operated between 1970 and 1979. Three of the more complicated cases are discussed in detail. Actual and potential complications are described and a form of monitoring is proposed. The conclusion is expressed that correction of the pathological haemodynamic situation by expansion of the blood volume and the administration of alpha and beta blocking agents is of greater consequence in successful management than the anaesthesiological technique employed.