The effect of methadone on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective, randomized, double blinded, controlled clinical trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of recovery from anesthesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) under total intravenous anesthesia, who received either methadone or morphine for post-surgical analgesia by means of questionnaire Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40). DESIGN: Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial. SETTING: The setting was at an operating room, postoperative recovery area and hospital ward. PATIENTS: Seventy patients who underwent LC under remifentanil-based anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive methadone 0.1 mg kg-1 or morphine 0.1 mg kg-1. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the quality of recovery, using the Quality of Recovery Questionnaire (QoR-40). Secondary outcomes included time to eye opening, the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, pain score, use of supplemental analgesics, and PACU length of stay. MAIN RESULTS: No differences were observed in the total or individual QoR-40 dimension scores. During the PACU stay, the occurrence of PONV and pain scores were similar between groups. Opioid consumption (p < 0.02) and the level of sedation (p < 0.01) were higher in the morphine group. There were no differences in the amount of time required to achieve PACU discharge criteria. The frequency of nausea or emesis, the severity of pain, and tramadol consumption were comparable between both groups while on the ward. CONCLUSIONS: Pain scores and the Quality of Recovery did not differ between patients who underwent LC under total intravenous anesthesia, who received either methadone or morphine for post-surgical analgesia.

Respiratory tract pathology and cytokine imbalance in clinically healthy children chronically and sequentially exposed to air pollutants.

Chronic exposure of children to a complex mixture of air pollutants leads to recurrent episodes of upper and lower respiratory tract injury. An altered nasal mucociliary apparatus leaves the distal acinar airways more vulnerable to reactive gases and particulate matter (PM). The heterogeneity of structure in the human lung can impart significant variability in the distribution of ozone dose and particle deposition; this, in turn, influences the extent of epithelial injury and repair in chronically exposed children. Cytokines are low-molecular-weight proteins that act as intercellular mediators of inflammatory reactions, including lung injury of various etiologies. Cytokines are involved in generating inflammatory responses that contribute to injury at the lung epithelial and endothelial barriers. Mexico City is a 20-million-person megacity with severe air pollution problems. Southwest Metropolitan Mexico City (SWMMC) atmosphere is characterized by a complex mixture of air pollutants, including ozone, PM, and aldehydes. There is radiological evidence that significant lower respiratory tract damage is taking place in clinically healthy children chronically and sequentially exposed to air pollutants while growing up in SWMMC. We hypothesize that there is an imbalanced and dysregulated cytokine network in SWMMC children with overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and cytokines involved in lung tissue repair and fibrosis. The nature of the sustained imbalance among the different cytokines ultimately determines the final lung histopathology, which would include subchronic inflammation, emphysema, and fibrosis. Cytokines likely would reach the systemic circulation and produce systemic effects. Individuals with an underlying respiratory or cardiovascular disease are less able to maintain equilibrium of the precarious cytokine networks.

[Comparative study of the use of sennoside A and B vs polyethylene glycol and electrolytes in anterograde preparation of the colon]. / Estudio comparativo del uso de senósidos A y B vs solución de polietilenglicol y electrólitos en la preparación anterógrada de colon.

OBJECTIVE: Compare effectiveness of antegrade bowel preparation by liquid diet, polyethylenglycol (PEG) and electrolytes solution plus sennosides A and B, vs. liquid diet plus sennosides A and B only. BACKGROUND DATA: Preparation for colonoscopy with a balanced solution (PEG and electrolytes) has some physiological advantages. Nonetheless, drawbacks of such preparation include nasty flavor, large volumes and low availability in our country. METHOD: A randomized, comparative, prospective, transversal and blind trial that included 200 patients scheduled for colonoscopy were randomly assigned (one hundred each group) to receive: group 1: liquid diet, sennosides A and B and a two litter of solution with PEG and electrolytes; and group 2: liquid diet plus sennosides A and B. Compliance, tolerance and effectiveness of both preparations were evaluated blindly. The results were assessed by Student's T test. RESULTS: The effectiveness of group 2 preparation proved superior (p < 0.05) to group 1. Tolerance and side effects were similar for both groups with no related complications.

Novel gastrointestinal tract manifestations in juvenile dermatomyositis.

We report a case of juvenile dermatomyositis in which a dilated atonic esophagus was associated with delayed gastric emptying and intestinal mucosal thickening, resulting in a radiographic "stacked coin" appearance. These findings, which can also occur in infectious, neoplastic, or other immune-mediated diseases, broaden the spectrum of gastrointestinal tract manifestations in juvenile dermatomyositis. Physicians should be alert for these treatable manifestations in children with myositis who present with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, which are reversible with immunosuppressive therapy.

[Long-term usefulness and late complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy]. / Utilidad a largo plazo y complicaciones tardías de la gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of endoscopic gastrostomy and long-term complications. BACKGROUND DATA: Endoscopic gastrostomy is well established as the procedure of choice for long-term feeding, given the low morbidity-mortality and ease of placement. METHOD: We evaluated retrospectively one hundred endoscopically placed gastrostomy feeding tubes and complications occurring more than 30 days after placement were recorded. RESULTS: Gastrostomy feeding tubes remained in place for a mean of 92 days (range 30-547 days). Fifteen percent developed evident gastroesophageal reflux, two patients developed aspiration pneumonia and one presented with infection at the site of gastrostomy. Our long-term complications rate thus was 3.0% and 0% mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that endoscopic gastrostomy is a relatively simple procedure, associated with very low morbidity and mortality. It is the procedure of choice in patients requiring long-term enteral nutrition.

[Early detection of adenomas in asymptomatic subjects: flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy]. / Detección temprana de adenomas en sujetos asintomáticos: sigmoidoscopia flexible o colonoscopia?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of adenomas as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FS for polyp screening in two groups of asymptomatic individuals using colonoscopy (CP) as the gold standard. BACKGROUND: Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) is the screening procedure of choice for polyps and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in asymptomatic individuals. However, the validity of this approach has been questioned, specially in subjects with a family history of CRC. METHODS: A total of 92 asymptomatic individuals were included in two groups: group A: with a family history (1st or 2nd degree relatives) of polyps or CRC (fifty-eight), and group B: without a family history and > 50 years (thirty-four). FS was simulated with the videocolonoscope until 60 cm, and was continued into the cecum. The number, type and localization of polyps were noted for each, FS and CP. The values mentioned previously were calculated according to established formulas. Comparisons were performed using Chi square test. RESULTS: Adenomas were found in twenty individuals in group A (34.4%) and 7 in group B (20.5%), p = NS. Sensitivity for FS in group A was 42% vs 71% in group B, with a negative predictive value of 44.5 and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy is probably the screening procedure of choice in individuals with a family history of polyps or CRC. The utility of FS for screening purposes in asymptomatic individuals without a family history seems adequate, although more studies are required in different populations in our country.