Anesthesia for Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Comparison between Combined Spinal Epidural Anesthesia and Combined General Epidural Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Several anesthesiologic regimens can be used for open radical retropubic prostatectomy. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the combined general epidural anesthesia and the combined spinal epidural anesthesia with regard to availability, efficacy, side effects, and perioperative time consumption in a high-volume center. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed by querying the electronic medical records of 1207 consecutive patients from the database of our online documentation software. All patients underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy from 01/2008 to 08/2011 and met the study criteria. Linear and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify differences in parameters such as time consumption in the operating unit, hemodynamic parameters, volume replacement, and catecholamine therapy. RESULTS: 698 (57.8%) patients have been undergoing open radical retropubic prostatectomy under combined spinal epidural anesthesia and 509 (42.2%) patients by combined general epidural anesthesia. Operating unit (p <0.0001) and post-anesthesia care unit stay (p <0.0001) as well as total hospital stay (p <0.0001) were significantly shorter in the combined spinal epidural anesthesia group. In addition, this group had reduced intraoperative volume need (p <0.0001) as well as lower need of catecholamines (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study suggests that the combined spinal epidural anesthesia seems to be a suitable and efficient anesthesia technique for patients undergoing open radical retropubic prostatectomy. This specific approach reduces time in the operation unit and length of hospital stay.

A new concept for early recovery after surgery for patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: results of a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: Early recovery after surgery concepts have gained wide acceptance in various surgical specialties. However, limited data are available for radical cystectomy. A new early recovery after surgery concept was compared to a more conservative regimen in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 consecutive patients were prospectively randomized to early recovery after surgery (62) or a conservative regimen (39) (intended randomization ratio was 2 early recovery after surgery-to-1 conservative regimen). Primary end points were differences in quality of life, and secondary end points included postoperative morbidity, demand for analgesics, time spent in the intermediate care unit, mobility and number of gastrointestinal events during hospital stay. RESULTS: Quality of life parameters, as measured by the EORTC (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer) Quality of Life questionnaire QLQ-30 did not change significantly between postoperative days 3 and 7 and at discharge from hospital in the conservative regimen group, whereas a significant improvement was observed in the early recovery after surgery group. Postoperative morbidity was lower in the early recovery after surgery group in terms of wound healing disorders (p = 0.006), fever (p = 0.004) and thrombosis (p = 0.027). The demand for analgesics was significantly lower in the early recovery after surgery group. The amount of food consumed in relation to the amount of food offered was significantly higher for the early recovery after surgery group as early as day 3 (p = 0.02). Time spent in the intermediate care unit was significantly shorter for the early recovery after surgery group (p <0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to gastrointestinal events. The main limitations of this study were the lack of long-term data as well as the single center approach. CONCLUSIONS: Early recovery after surgery of patients who underwent radical cystectomy appears to have significant benefits compared to a conservative regimen in terms of postoperative morbidity, quality of life, use of analgesics and time spent in the intermediate care unit.

Feasibility of radical cystectomy in exclusive spinal and/or epidural anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: Muscle invasive bladder cancer can be found predominantly in elderly people with a high likelihood of suffering from concomitant diseases; especially in these patients, the risks associated with general anaesthesia during radical cystectomy can be the limiting factor of performing an otherwise indicated radical operation. To overcome this limitation, we analysed the feasibility of performing radical cystectomy in exclusive spinal and/or epidural anaesthesia. METHODS: Between March and June 2010, nine patients underwent radical cystectomy in exclusive spinal and/or epidural anaesthesia. These patients were either not willing or unfit to undergo radical cystectomy in general anaesthesia. A continent urinary diversion (ileum neobladder) and an ileum-conduit were performed in five patients and four patients, respectively. The feasibility of radical cystectomy in regional anaesthesia was tested using a variety of parameters. RESULTS: All nine procedures could be performed under strict regional anaesthesia. Mean operation time was 206 min (range 146-265 min), mean intraoperative blood loss was 622 ml (range 200-1,500 ml), mean postoperative time at intermediate care was 1 day (range 0-3 days) and mean length of hospital stay was 21.8 days (range 17-26 days). Analgesics of the WHO class I, II and III were applied for 5.7, 1.2 and 2.8 days mean, respectively. CONCLUSION: Performance of radical cystectomy in exclusive spinal and/or epidural anaesthesia is feasible and can be considered particularly in those patients who would be otherwise unfit to undergo radical cystectomy in general anaesthesia. This new operative and anaesthesiological concept could also play an important role in new fast track regimens.

[Fast track approach in radical cystectomy]. / "Fast track" bei der radikalen Zystektomie.

The origins of the fast track concept in the field of elective colon surgery can be traced back to the beginning of the 1990s. The first studies performed by Kehlet et al. sparked interest in this new form of patient management among physicians and hospital administrators. Different fast track programs for patients undergoing radical cystectomy can be found in the current literature. The goal of the prevailing fast track concepts is to reduce the perioperative burden, optimize postoperative convalescence, decrease the postoperative need for analgesics, lower the postoperative morbidity rate, and shorten hospital stays.

[Peridural anaesthesia with ropivacaine for a patient with Friedrich's ataxia. Caesarean section after dorsal stabilisation of the spinal column (Th5-L1)]. / Periduralanästhesie mit Ropivacain bei Friedreich-Ataxie. Sectio bei einer Patientin nach dorsaler Stabilisierung der Wirbelsäule (Th5-L1).

Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a hereditary disease, which leads to degenerative changes in the spinal cord and cerebellum (incidence 1:50,000). These changes are caused by a defect in the gene that encodes a mitochondrial gene called frataxin and causes muscle weakness, scoliosis, cardiomyopathy and impaired glucose tolerance. Therefore, these patients require special care during anaesthesia. We report the case of a 25-year-old primigravida with a history of FA and dorsal stabilisation of the vertebral column, who was admitted to our hospital for elective caesarean section. Due to increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants, peridural anaesthesia with 8 ml 0.75% ropivacaine and 10 microg sufentanil was used in this case. The perioperative neurological consultation revealed no undue exacerbation of symptoms.

[Perioperative patient management. Evaluation of subjective stress and demands of patients undergoing elective gynaecological surgery]. / Perioperatives Patientenmanagement. Evaluation von subjektiver Beanspruchung bei Patientinnen mit elektiven gynäkologischen Operationen.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this investigation was to assess the extent of stress and demands in patients during preparation for general anesthesia for elective surgical procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 52 female patients scheduled for elective gynecological surgery under general anesthesia were included in this prospective study. The extent and time course of actual demands describing perceived emotional stress was assessed at close intervals using the German version of the Questionnaire for Actual Demands (KAB). Pre-operative and postoperative anxiety was assessed using part one of Spielberger's state-trait-anxiety inventory (STAI-X1). This was compared to hemodynamic (heart rate und blood pressure) and endocrinal stress parameters [cortisol concentration in serum and saliva, prolactin and dehydroepiandrosteronesulfate (DHEA-S) in serum]. Postoperatively, all patients were asked to rate the quality of care during preparation for general anesthesia. RESULTS: The extent of patients' demands and stress during preparation for general anesthesia could be quantified by the short questionnaire for the actual demands (KAB). So-called objective stress parameters like hemodynamic and endocrinal data alone did not correlate with perceived stress. However, the subjective information correlated with the nature of the underlying diagnosis. The postoperative assessment of quality of care during preparation for general anesthesia did not correlate with the course of actual demands and stress. CONCLUSION: In future studies assessing the perioperative management of patients and quality of care, standardized testing questionnaires should be preferred, instead of vegetative parameters alone, to reliably evaluate perioperative demands and stress in surgical patients.

Crash emergency cesarean section: decision-to-delivery interval under 30 min and its effect on Apgar and umbilical artery pH.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of decision-to-delivery interval of crash emergency cesarean section on Apgar and umbilical artery pH in a level-3 university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, all women undergoing "crash" emergency cesarean section were evaluated. Emergency cesarean sections were performed in the delivery room. Data relating to indication, Apgar score, arterial cord pH, and time intervals between decision-to-deliver and actual delivery were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: All 109 crash emergency cesarean sections were performed within a decision-to-delivery time of 30 min. The median (with 10-90th percentile) time was 10 min (5-19). Thirty-three (30.3%) of the emergency cesarean sections had a gestational age below 32 weeks and 60 (55%) below 37 weeks. An abnormal fetal heart rate pattern was noted in most of the cases (91%). Prolapsed cord (21%) and placental abruption (20%) were the most frequent reasons for emergency cesarean section but in one-fourth (25.7%) no morphological reason could be identified. Very short decision-to-delivery times below 20 min were inversely correlated to fetal outcome, i.e., lower umbilical blood pH and Apgar scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The 30-min standard for the decision-to-delivery time interval set by Anglo-American countries may be a feasible guideline at least for level-3 hospitals. The 20-min interval set by the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics could not be achieved in all cases. The positive effect of very short intervals on neonatal outcome still needs to be proven.

[Comparison between TCI-TIVA, manual TIVA and balanced anaesthesia for stereotactic biopsy of the brain]. / Vergleich zwischen TCI-TIVA, manueller TIVA und balanzierter Anästhesie während stereotaktischer Gewebsentnahme in der Neurochirurgie.

PURPOSE: Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) is increasingly used in diagnostic surgery such as stereotactic biopsy of the brain. TIVA could lead to a faster recovery of cerebral function, which may lead to a better behavior and advantages in the postoperative management. The aim of this prospective, single-blind study was to compare the hemodynamics, the postoperative recovery period, the side-effects and the need for additional cardiovascular medication during and after the operation between the three study groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After giving informed consent and approval by the ethical committee of our hospital, 51 patients (ASA I and II) undergoing stereotactic biopsy of a brain tumor were randomized to receive either propofol via the TCI-system (group 1: TCI-TIVA), propofol by a manual technique (group 2: MAN-TIVA) or methohexitone-sevoflurane (group 3: BAL-SEVO). Remifentanil was used as the analgetic component in all groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate und transcutaneous oxygen saturation were noted before and after induction and before and after the end of anaesthesia. The time until return of complete orientation relative to person, location and time were measured. The patients' ranking of their satisfaction with the anaesthesia was questioned 60 min and 24 hours after the end of the procedure (VAS). Undesirable side-effects (i. e. PONV, shivering, pain, dysphoria, tiredness) were noted, whenever they occurred. The number of hemodynamic interventions by the anaesthesiologist was counted, and the total doses of remifentanil and propofol were quoted. Depth of anaesthesia was monitored by using a BIS-system, a range between 40 and 50 was thought to be adequate. Besides this, the total doses of remifentanil, propofol and sevoflurane were ruled out and the costs of the three regimens were ranked. RESULTS: Heart rate dropped markedly in all groups with a maximum in the TIVA-collective. Systolic and diastolic pressure also fell in the groups. In the SEVO-group, the difference was statistically significant only at the end of anaesthesia. After extubation, the three groups reached their hemodynamic starting-point with a slight overshoot in the SEVO-group. The number of required hemodynamic interventions was two (TCI-TIVA) vs. 7 (MAN-TIVA) vs. 8 (BAL-SEVO) in each group, respectively. The difference scarcely failed to get significance. The remifentanil requirements were similar between the collectives, group 1 needed more propofol per time than group 2. The number of side-effects was very little after the different regimens. There were no differences with regard to the other measured parameters between the groups. The use of TCI-TIVA was more expensive than manual TIVA (18,85 euro vs. 12,50 euro). Surprisingly, balanced anaesthesia using Sevoflurane was the most expensive method during the first hour, mainly due to the use of methohexitone as the induction agent (23,90 euro). CONCLUSIONS: Each of the three techniques compared in our study is suitable for anaesthesia in diagnostic neurosurgery. Since fast recovery of vigilance is important to justify the neurological outcome, none of the methods seems to be superior to the others. The hemodynamics were largely stable with a strong trend towards minor necessity for hemodynamic intervention in the TCI-TIVA group. This is also the best method from the subjective point of view of the anaesthesiologist due to the easy handling and the low number of interventions. The use of newer TCI-systems (e. g. fm-controller, Braun, Melsungen) not operating with special application syringes will cheapen TCI-TIVA.

[Exact measurement of the volume effect of 6% hydoxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) during acute preoperative normovolemic hemodilution]. / Exakte Messung des Volumeneffektes von 6%iger Hydroxyethylstärke 130/0.4 (Voluven) während präoperativer akuter normovolämer Hämodilution.

BACKGROUND: What is the effect of preoperative acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) with 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 (Voluven) on blood volume? METHODS: In 10 patients undergoing radical hysterectomy, ANH was performed to a hematocrit of 21% using 6% HES 130/0.4 (Voluven) whereby a replacement of blood with 115% of colloid was planned. Plasma volume (indocyanine green dilution technique) and hematocrit were determined before, 30 and 60 min after ANH. Red cell volume (labelling erythrocytes with fluorescein) was determined before and 30 min after ANH. RESULTS: After removal of 1,431+/-388 ml of blood and simultaneous replacement with 1,686+/-437 ml of colloid, blood volumes were 218+/-174 ml higher than before (at 105+/-4%). The volume effect was 98+/-12%, 30 min after ANH. Even 60 min after ANH, mean blood volumes were with 4,228+/-986 ml slightly higher than before ANH (102+/-5%). The hematocrit decreased disproportionally in relation to the residual intravascular volume. Consequently, estimating the volume effect from the changes in hematocrit led to an overestimation (about +30%). CONCLUSION: Double label measurements of blood volume demonstrated that the volume effect of 6% HES 130/0.4 (Voluven) is about 100% in the course of ANH. The reason for the disproportionally large decrease in hematocrits could be the mobilization of a fraction of the plasma volume which was retained within the endothelial glycocalyx.

[Anaesthesia for primary cesarean section in a patient with an extensive cerebral arteriovenous malformation]. / Primäre Sectio caesarea. Anästhesie bei einer Patientin mit ausgedehnter zerebraler arteriovenöser Malformation.

We report the case of a 37-year-old primigravida with an extreme cerebral arteriovenous malformation which displaced almost the complete left hemisphere and was inoperable. The woman had already suffered an intracerebral bleeding from this malformation many years previously. In the 26th gestational week the perfusion of the umbilical artery decreased and therefore a cesarean section became necessary. During direct measurement of arterial blood pressure an epidural catheter was inserted. Mean blood pressure always remained between 90 and 110 mmHg, the neurologic state did not deteriorate perioperatively. The mother was monitored in the intensive care unit for 24 h and was then sent back to the maternity ward in a good condition. Two months later she came back to hospital with an acute severe headache. After CT-diagnosis of an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage she underwent an emergency craniotomy.

[Acute "normovolemic" hemodilution with 3.5% polygel (Haemaccel) for patients in the Wertheim-Meigs-operation. Blood loss of 87% blood volume without perioperative blood transfusion]. / Akute "normovoläme" Hämodilution mit 3,5% Polygelin (Haemaccel) bei einer Patientin vor Wertheim-Meigs-Operation. Blutverlust von 87% des Blutvolumens ohne perioperative Fremdbluttransfusion.

QUESTION: Is polygeline (Haemaccel) a suitable colloid to perform preoperative acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) and to replace a large intraoperative blood loss? METHODS: In a sixty-eight-year-old patient undergoing radical hysterectomy preoperative ANH was performed to a hematocrit of 23% using 3.5% polygeline (Haemaccel). Intraoperative retransfusion of ANH blood was started at a hematocrit of 13%. Plasma volume (indocyanine green-dilution technique) and hematocrit were measured before and after ANH, 3 times intraoperatively (once before retransfusion) and postoperatively. Red cell volume (by labelling erythrocytes with fluorescein) was determined before and after ANH, before retransfusion, and postoperatively. RESULTS: After removal of 1,940 ml of blood and replacement with 15% more of colloid, blood volume decreased by 760 ml. After a mean blood loss of 4,600 ml, 290 ml and 260 ml of red cells were saved due to ANH and use of a cell saver, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The exact double label measurements of blood volume demonstrated that polygeline, which has a volume effect of only 50%, cannot be considered to be a suitable colloidal substitute during ANH.

Clinical experience with 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy for refractory superficial bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: We determined whether photodynamic therapy after the oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid in patients with superficial bladder cancer that cannot be controlled by transurethral resection and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy would preserve the bladder, while stopping tumor progression. Side effects of treatment were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed photodynamic therapy after the oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid in 24 patients with rapidly recurring, multifocal, BCG refractory superficial pTa-pT1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and carcinoma in situ. RESULTS: At a median followup of 36 months (range 12 to 51) 3 of the 5 patients with carcinoma in situ and 4 of the 19 with papillary tumors were free of recurrence. Three patients were rendered disease-free by repeat photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and 3 underwent cystectomy. Tumor progression was stopped in 20 of our 24 cases. Immediately after the oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid hypotension and tachycardia occurred in 19 and 10 patients, respectively, with previously known severe cardiovascular disease. No phototoxic skin reaction or decreased bladder capacity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These initial clinical results suggest that photodynamic therapy with orally administered 5-aminolevulinic acid is effective as an organ preserving procedure for treating superficial bladder cancer even in patients with bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory carcinoma. One should be aware of hemodynamic instability after the oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid, particularly in patients with cardiovascular co-morbidity.

Coagulative interstitial laser-induced thermotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia: online imaging with a T2-weighted fast spin-echo MR sequence--experience in six patients.

PURPOSE: To determine if hypointense lesions clearly outline on T2-weighted fast spin-echo (SE) magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained during coagulative interstitial laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of a prostate with benign hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 12 LITT treatments were followed online with repetitive axial T2-weighted fast SE imaging (repetition time, 3,700 msec; echo time, 138 msec; acquisition time, 19 seconds). Development, time course, correlation with interstitial tissue temperature, and diameters of hypointense lesions around the laser diffusor tip were investigated. Lesion diameters on T2-weighted images acquired during LITT were compared with diameters of final lesions on T2-weighted images and unperfused lesions on enhanced T1-weighted SE images obtained at the end of therapy. RESULTS: Hypointense lesions developed within 20-40 seconds of LITT. Average correlation coefficients between interstitial temperature development and signal intensity development were 0.92 during LITT and 0.90 after LITT. Regression slopes were significantly steeper during LITT (0.67% signal intensity change per degree Celsius) than after LITT (0.47% per degree Celsius; P = .038). Lesions remained visible after LITT for all procedures. Average maximum diameters of lesions were 1-3 mm larger during LITT than after LITT (P = .0006-.019). CONCLUSION: Repetitive T2-weighted fast SE MR imaging during interstitial coagulative LITT of BPH demonstrates the development of permanent hypointense prostate lesions. However, posttherapeutic lesion diameters tend to be overestimated during LITT.

Early clinical experience with 5-aminolevulinic acid for the photodynamic therapy of upper tract urothelial tumors.

PURPOSE: Photodynamic therapy is effective in the treatment of superficial urothelial cancer of the bladder. We report our experience with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Photodynamic therapy after oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid was performed in 4 patients with widespread superficial papillary tumors of the upper urinary tract. RESULTS: Complete remission occurred in 2 patients who remained free of local recurrence at 7 and 17 months of followup. In the other 2 patients residual tiny papillary tumors were found in the distal ureter after photodynamic therapy. These tumors were coagulated with neodymium:YAG laser irradiation. Both patients are disease-free at 24-month followup. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid is a minimally invasive approach for organ preserving treatment of multifocal superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Predictability of the size of laser-induced lesions in T1-Weighted MR images obtained during interstitial laser-induced thermotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The purpose of this study was to predict diameters of lesions induced by laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from MRI signal/tissue temperature correlations during on-line monitoring with a temperature-sensitive fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence. Twenty LITT procedures with Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) and diode (830 nm) lasers were monitored on line with a T1-weighted FLASH sequence at 1.5 Tesla. Interstitial prostate temperature (T) was measured on line in 10 LITT procedures and laser energy deposition in 12. Slopes of linear regression curves for signal intensity (SI) over T were applied to determine SI at 60 degrees C to estimate diameters of intraprostatic LITT lesions. Diameters of unperfused LITT lesion cores in contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images served as gold standards. Linear regression curves with an average slope of -.54% SI/degrees C were obtained in 17 LITT procedures. Correlation coefficients were r = .92-.95 for SI/T and SI/energy deposition. Baseline variation of SI at body temperature was +/-3.9%, corresponding to +/-7 degrees C. Prediction of size (13 lesions) from on-line FLASH imaging was correct in 10 of 13, whereas 3 lesions were overestimated. Prediction of LITT lesion diameters from on-line MRI monitoring is possible with a temperature-sensitive FLASH sequence in the prostate. Accuracy may suffice to assign target regions of interest to tissue locations to be protected from coagulation.

[Prolonged post-anesthesia recovery in hemodialysis-induced hypothyroidism]. / Prolongierte Aufwachphase bei dialyseinduzierter Hypothyreose.

We report about a 30-year-old female patient with terminal renal failure, undergoing allogenic renal-transplantation after two and a half years on hemodialysis. Besides, the preoperative examination seemed normal. The intraoperative phase was uneventful, except a transfusion-requiring blood-loss of 2000 ml, and the graft started diuresis immediately after reperfusion. Postoperatively the duration of the non-depolarising muscle-relaxant atracurium was prolonged for more than one hour and a deep sedation, caused by the premedication-benzodiazepine Dipotassiumchlorazepat, was seen. Unless antagonisation, the patient was unconscious for some hours. Laboratory evaluation showed peripheral hypothyroidism with normal pituitary activity: T(3)0.8 ng/ml, T(4)3.9 micrograms/dl und TSH 0.67 microU/ml. Under temporary substitution with L-Thyroxine 50 micrograms, the patient recovered quickly an could be demitted after 10 days. Further controls showed euthyroidism. 14 month later, she underwent an antirefluxive surgical procedure, at excellent graft-function. Anesthesia was uneventful that time.

[The Munich intensive care transport system. Patient transport and intensive care conditions]. / Das Münchner Intensiv-Transport-System. Patiententransport und Intensivbedingungen.

In November 1990 a new program for transporting critically ill patients by a 24-h specialized intensive care transportation system at the Munich Hospital Grosshadern was established. All medical equipment similar to that in the ICU allows invasive and non-invasive monitoring, drug administration, and a sophisticated respiratory therapy, provided by a Siemens Servo 300 ventilator. Even extracorporal lung augmentation (ECLA) and cardiac pump assistance by special mobile devices are possible during the transport.

[Early detection of TUR(transurethral resection) syndrome--ethanol measurement in ventilated patients]. / Die Früherkennung des TUR-Syndroms--Ethanolmessung bei beatmeten Patienten.

A major complication of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the excessive absorption of irrigation solution resulting in hypervolemia and dilutional hyponatremia. Marking the irrigation fluid with ethanol is a method for the early detection of fluid absorption. Currently this method is being used in spontaneously breathing patients undergoing regional anaesthesia. The goal of this study was to determine whether this method is also reliable for patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Fifty-nine patients underwent TURP in either spinal anaesthesia (SPA), or general anaesthesia with semi-open (ITNO) and semi-closed (ITNC) systems. Plasma alcohol concentrations ([Eth]p), exhaled ethanol ([Eth]e), plasma sodium concentration ([Na+]), and central venous pressure (CVP) were measured. The irrigation fluid contained ethanol in an concentration of approx. 1%. We assumed that significant fluid absorption took place when [Eth]p exceeded 0.1/1000. Measurements were performed immediately prior to and during surgery at 10-minute intervals. [Eth]p correlated directly with [Eth]e for both forms of anaesthesia. [Eth]p and [Na+] correlated inversely both for SPA and ITNC. Changes in [Eth]p did not parallel changes in CVP. Clinically relevant episodes of fluid absorption were accompanied by the detection of exhaled ethanol in all groups. We conclude that measuring exhaled ethanol is a minimal invasive monitoring technique that allows the detection of significant fluid absorption in both spontaneously breathing as well as ventilated patients with sufficient sensitivity. The ethanol levels are not predictive of the sodium concentration both in SPA and general anaesthesia. Thus, additional determinations of [Na+] is recommended whenever [Eth]e exceeds 0.2/1000.

[A comparative study of intravenous opioid analgesia. Sufentanil and alfentanil for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy in urologic patients]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur intravenösen Opioidanalgesie. Sufentanil und Alfentanil zur extrakorporalen Stosswellenlithotripsie bei urologischen Patienten.

UNLABELLED: Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the method of choice for the treatment of solitary stones in the kidney or ureter. Early lithotripters required prolonged immobility of the patient and caused considerable pain, necessitating general or epidural anaesthesia during the procedure. Modern lithotripters are quicker, but still require analgesia. Intravenous opioids are currently the drugs in favour. The opioids most commonly used are fentanyl and its shorter-acting analogue, alfentanil. The latter has a more rapid onset and, because of its reduced lipid solubility, is less cumulative. Sufentanil is a new opioid that is also of the phenylpiperidone group and has been recently licensed and introduced in Germany. Its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties suggest an intermediate duration of action, high analgesic potency, and cardiovascular stability with diminished respiratory depression. In this prospective double-blind study, the effects of alfentanil and sufentanil on cardiovascular and respiratory parameters, the quality of analgesia, degree of sedation and the number and type of side-effects were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After giving informed consent and with the approval of the hospital ethics committee, 62 patients (ASA I or II) were investigated. They were randomly allocated to two groups, either receiving sufentanil (n = 32) or alfentanil (n = 30) during ESWL. No premedication was given. Excluded were patients with pain prior to treatment, patients treated with a spasmolytic or analgesic drug and those who had undergone ESWL within the last 6 months. The loading dose was given as a 5-min infusion to each group. The heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), and the transcutaneous capillary carbon dioxide tension (PicCO2) were recorded prior to the procedure (i.e. before administration of opioid), after 1000 and after 2000 shock waves and then 1 and 2 h after the end of lithotripsy. After 1000 and 2000 shock waves, and 1 an 2 h after the treatment, the patients were asked to express their degree of tiredness and pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The occurrence of side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus or other unpleasant sensations were noted by an anaesthesia nurse. Simultaneously, the anaesthetist recorded his/her impression of the patient's tiredness and degree of pain, both by using the VAS. He was not allowed to question the patient, nor was he aware of the patient's own scores. At the end of the observation period both the patient and the anaesthetist related their overall satisfaction with the anaesthetic procedure, again by using the VAS. Data were analysed with the Mann-Whitney-U for comparisons between groups and with the Wilcoxon test within each group. The side-effects were analysed with the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained stable in both groups during and after treatment. The mean heart rate was different between the two groups at the beginning, and after the end of the treatment it dropped in both groups, but no significant difference was seen between groups. The PicCO2 rose from an initial mean of 36.8 mm Hg to a maximum of 44.6 mm Hg after 1000 shock waves in the sufentanil group, and from 37.8 mm Hg to 46.0 mm Hg after 2000 shock waves in the alfentanil group. The differences were significant within groups until 1 h after the end of the treatment, but there was no significant difference between groups. The oxygen saturation SpO2 dropped slightly in both groups. The differences were not significant between groups. In the alfentanil group, one patient had a maximum carbon dioxide tension of 83 mm Hg after 2000 shock waves, whereas in the sufentanil treated group the oxygen saturation fell to 72% in one case. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)