A new promising indicator in prostate cancer screening: Prostate-specific antigen fluctuation rate.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether PSA fluctuation can be used to predict the risk of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1244 patients who underwent prostate biopsy at Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital between 2013 and 2021 (848 in non-cancer; 396 in cancer). The patient's age, last two PSA values (PSA1 and PSA2) within three months before the biopsy, the duration between two PSAs (days), prostate size (g) and PSA density (PSAD) were all recorded. PSA fluctuation rate (PSAfr) was defined as the change rate between two PSA values. RESULTS: PSAfr was significantly higher in the non-cancer group than in the prostate cancer group (15.2% (20.5) and 9.6% (14.4), P=.019). A Simple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between PSAfr and other factors such as age, PSA, PSAD, and prostate volume, but it was shown that these had no effect on PSA fluctuations. ROC analysis revealed a relatively low Area Under the Curve (AUC) for PSAfr (AUC, 0.584 (0.515-0.653)). However, the cut-off value of 12.35% was found to be significant, with a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 59% (P:.019, 95%CI). The odds ratio, adjusted for age, PSAD, and PSA2, was calculated as 0.545 (0.33-0.89) using logistic regression analysis to show the relationship between prostate cancer and PSAfr. As a result, those with high PSAfr were found to be 1.83 times less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than those with low fluctuations. CONCLUSION: PSAfr could be used in nomograms to predict prostate cancer risk and reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.

Hemodynamic changes associated with neuraxial anesthesia in pregnant women with covid 19 disease: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Neuraxial blocks is the recommended mode of analgesia and anesthesia in parturients with Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19). There is limited data on the hemodynamic responses to neuraxial blocks in COVID-19 patients. We aim to compare the hemodynamic responses to neuraxial blocks in COVID-19 positive and propensity-matched COVID-19 negative parturients. METHODS: We conducted retrospective, cross-sectional case-control study of hemodynamic changes associated with neuraxial blocks in COVID-19 positive parturients in a Tertiary care academic medical center. Fifty-one COVID-19 positive women confirmed by nasopharyngeal reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were compared with propensity-matched COVID negative controls (n = 51). Hemodynamic changes after neuraxial block were recorded by electronic medical recording system and analyzed using paired and unpaired T- test and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Rank Sum tests. The primary outcome was ≥ 20% change in MAP and HR after neuraxial block placement. RESULTS: In the epidural group, 7% COVID-19 positive parturients had > 20% decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) from baseline compared to 15% COVID-19 negative parturients (P = 0.66). In the spinal group, 83% of COVID-19 positive parturients had a decrease in MAP more than 20% from baseline compared to 71% in control (P = 0.49). MAP drop of more than 40% occurred in 29% COVID positive parturients in the spinal group versus 17% in COVID-19 negative parturients (P = 0.5465). In COVID-19 positive spinal group, 54% required vasopressors whereas 38% in COVID-19 negative spinal group required vasopressors (P = 0.387). We found a significant correlation between body mass index (BMI) > 30 and hypotension in COVID ( +) parturient with odds ratio (8.63; 95% CI-1.93 - 37.21) (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Incidence and severity of hypotension after neuraxial blocks were similar between COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative parturients. BMI > 30 was a significant risk factor for hypotension as described in preexisting literature, this correlation was seen in COVID-19 positive parturients. The likely reason for parturients with BMI > 30 in COVID negative patients not showing similar correlation, is that the sample size was small.

Orexin a levels of adolescents with major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines orexin A levels in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Serum orexin A levels of adolescents with MDD (n = 40) were compared to healthy controls (n = 38) using ANCOVA test. In addition, the relationship between orexin A levels and MDD symptom severity (i.e., child depression inventory) was investigated in the MDD group using correlation and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Orexin A levels of the subjects with MDD were similar to controls while controlling for age, gender, body mass index, and anxiety levels of the subjects. In addition, correlation and regression analyses did not reveal any relationship between orexin A and MDD symptoms. DISCUSSION: Adolescent MDD is not associated with orexin A according to the findings of this study. Future studies considering the effect of stress on this relationship would improve our understanding of this issue.Key PointsAdult studies exploring the relationship between orexin A and major depressive disorder reported contradictory findings.This study showed no relationship between serum orexin A levels and depressive symptom severity among adolescents with major depressive disorder.Orexin A levels of the subjects with major depressive disorder are not significantly different from healthy adolescents.

Clinical and Laboratory Features of Metformin Intoxication in Suicidal Patients Attending an Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: This study has been performed for the purpose of researching the complications occurred at patients who took metformin overdose in an attempt to suicide. None of the patients has the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and never used metformin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 21 patients who has neither diagnosed diabetes mellitus nor taken metformin for suicide before. RESULTS: It was observed that there is a moderate, negative (r = -0.63) statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the time of applying to the hospital and arterial blood pH at the arrival and a statistically significant positive mild correlation (P < 0.041) between applying and blood lactate level (r = 0.45), and a moderate positive (r = 0.63) and statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the total metformin dose and blood lactate level at the arrival and a positive, moderate (r = 0.68) significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the creatinine and metformin dose at the arrival. Lactic acidosis has been detected at 8 of 21 patients, 6 patients were hemodialized, 2 patients needed mechanical ventilation, and 2 patients died. It is observed that there is no mortality for early hemodialized patients. CONCLUSION: The most important reason of the mortality in patients who has metformin intoxication is metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA). It was considered that hemodialysis therapy could be effective in MALA.

Effects of supplemental oxygen and dexamethasone on surgical site infection: a factorial randomized trial‡.

BACKGROUND: Tissue oxygenation is a strong predictor of surgical site infection. Improving tissue oxygenation should thus reduce wound infection risk. Supplemental inspired oxygen can improve tissue oxygenation, but whether it reduces infection risk remains controversial. Low-dose dexamethasone is often given to reduce the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting, but steroid-induced immunosuppression can increase infection risk. We therefore tested the hypotheses that supplemental perioperative oxygen reduces infection risk and that dexamethasone increases it. METHODS: Using a factorial design, patients having colorectal resections expected to last ≥2 h were randomly assigned to 30% (n=270) or 80% (n=285) inspired oxygen during and for 1 h after surgery, and to 4 mg intraoperative dexamethasone (n=283) or placebo (n=272). Physicians blinded to group assignments evaluated wounds postoperatively, using US Centers for Disease Control criteria. RESULTS: Subject and surgical characteristics were similar among study groups. Surgical site infection incidence was similar among groups: 30% oxygen 15.6%, 80% oxygen 15.8% (P=1.00); dexamethasone 15.9%, placebo 15.4%, (P=0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Supplemental oxygen did not reduce surgical site infection risk. The preponderance of clinical evidence suggests that administration of 80% supplemental inspired oxygen does not reduce infection risk. We did not observe an increased risk of surgical site infection with the use of a single low dose of dexamethasone, indicating that it can be used for nausea and vomiting prophylaxis without promoting wound infections. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00273377.

Hypercapnia and surgical site infection: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Tissue oxygenation is a strong predictor of surgical site infection (SSI). Mild intraoperative hypercapnia increases peripheral, gastrointestinal, and splanchnic tissue oxygenation and perfusion. Hypercapnia also has anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unknown whether hypercapnia reduces SSI risk. We tested the hypothesis that mild intraoperative hypercapnia reduces the risk of SSI in patients having colon resection surgery. METHODS: With institutional review board approval and subject consent, patients having elective colon resection (e.g. hemicolectomy and low-anterior resection) expected to last >2 h were randomly assigned to intraoperative normocapnia (PE'CO2 ≈ 35 mm Hg; n=623) or hypercapnia ( PE'CO2 ≈ 50 mm Hg; n=592). Investigators blinded to group assignment evaluated perioperative SSI (Center for Disease Control criteria) for 30 postoperative days. SSI rates were compared. RESULTS: Patient and surgical characteristics were comparable among the groups. The SSI rate for normocapnia was 13.3%, and for hypercapnia, it was 11.2% (P=0.29). The Executive Committee stopped the trial after the first a priori determined statistical assessment point because of much smaller actual effect compared with the projected. However, because the actual difference found in the SSI rates (15-16%) were within the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the projected relative difference of 33% (95% CI -43 to +24%), our results cannot be considered as 'no difference', and cannot exclude a Type II error. Time to first bowel movement was half-a-day shorter in the hypercapnia group. CONCLUSIONS: Mild hypercapnia appears to have little or-possibly-no ability to prevent SSI after colon resection. Other strategies for reducing SSI risk should thus take priority.

Tratamiento de la fístula urogenital en la mujer / Tretament of Urogenital Fistula in Women

Introducción y objetivo: Nos hemos propuesto evaluar los resultados de los casos de fístula genitourinaria intervenidos en nuestro centro en un período de 10 años. Material y métodos: Hemos evaluado la información clínica que respecta a la fístula genitourinaria a partir del historial médico de 42 pacientes femeninas, que se sometieron a cirugía por esta afección entre mayo de 2001 y junio de 2010. La edad, el historial médico, las herramientas de diagnóstico utilizadas, la información quirúrgica y los resultados clínicos de las pacientes fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. Resultados: La media de edad de las pacientes fue de 51 años. De 42 pacientes 28 tenían fístula vesicovaginal, 11 ureterovaginal y tres vesicouterina. La etiología de la fístula vesicovaginal era traumatismo quirúrgico en el 71,5% y traumatismo obstétrico en el 28,5% de las pacientes. La técnica de O’Connor se llevó a cabo como único procedimiento en 12 casos de fístula vesicovaginal, añadiendo la ureteroneocistostomía en tres. La reparación transvesical se llevó a cabo en 9 y la reparación transvaginal en tres de las pacientes. Los 11 casos de fístula ureterovaginal eran de origen yatrogénico. La ureteroneocistostomía se llevó a cabo en 6 de estas pacientes y el flap de Boari en 5. Fundamentalmente se repararon tres fístulas vesicouterinas. El índice de éxito en las fístulas vesicovaginal, ureterovaginal y vesicouterinas fue del 96, 100 y 100% respectivamente. Conclusión: En manos expertas, y de acuerdo con los principios básicos de cirugía, el tratamiento quirúrgico en la fístula genitourinaria representa una modalidad efectiva con un alto índice de éxito (AU)

Introduction and objectives: We aimed to assess the results of the genitourinary fistula cases intervened in our center in a ten year period. Patients and methods: We evaluated the clinical data regarding genitourinary fistula from the medical records of 42 female patients who underwent surgery for this condition between May 2001 and June 2010. Age, previous medical history, diagnostic tools used, operative data and clinical outcomes of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean age of patients was 51 years. Of 42 patients, 28 had vesicovaginal, 11 had ureterovaginal, and 3 had vesicouterine fistulas. Etiology of vesicovaginal fistula was surgical trauma in 71,5% and obstetric trauma in 28,5% of the patients. O’Connor technique was performed as a single procedure in 12 vesicovaginal fistula cases, and ureteroneocystostomy was added in 3. Transvesical repair was performed in 9, and transvaginal repair in 3 of the patients. All of 11 patients with ureterovaginal fistula were of iatrogenic origin; ureteroneocystostomy was performed in 6, and Boari flap was performed in 5 of these patients. Three vesicouterine fistulas were repaired primarily. Success rates in vesicovaginal, ureterovaginal and vesicouterine fistulas were 96, 100 and 100 percent, respectively. Conclusion: In experienced hands and according with the related basic surgical principles, operative treatment in genitourinary fistula represents an effective modality with high success rate (AU)

[Treatment of urogenital fistula in women]. / Tratamiento de la fístula urogenital en la mujer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the results of the genitourinary fistula cases intervened in our center in a ten year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the clinical data regarding genitourinary fistula from the medical records of 42 female patients who underwent surgery for this condition between May 2001 and June 2010. Age, previous medical history, diagnostic tools used, operative data and clinical outcomes of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 51 years. Of 42 patients, 28 had vesicovaginal, 11 had ureterovaginal, and 3 had vesicouterine fistulas. Etiology of vesicovaginal fistula was surgical trauma in 71,5% and obstetric trauma in 28,5% of the patients. O'Connor technique was performed as a single procedure in 12 vesicovaginal fistula cases, and ureteroneocystostomy was added in 3. Transvesical repair was performed in 9, and transvaginal repair in 3 of the patients. All of 11 patients with ureterovaginal fistula were of iatrogenic origin; ureteroneocystostomy was performed in 6, and Boari flap was performed in 5 of these patients. Three vesicouterine fistulas were repaired primarily. Success rates in vesicovaginal, ureterovaginal and vesicouterine fistulas were 96, 100 and 100 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: In experienced hands and according with the related basic surgical principles, operative treatment in genitourinary fistula represents an effective modality with high success rate.

Sexual dysfunction in type III chronic prostatitis (CP) and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) observed in Turkish patients.

AIM: Chronic prostatitis (CP) and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a common disabling condition that is primarily associated with pain in the urogenital region and disturbances in urinary and sexual function. Chronic pelvic pain symptoms are the most common presentation, especially perineal, lower abdominal, testicular, penile as well as ejaculatory pain. Other genitourinary tract complaints include voiding disorders and sexual dysfunction. We aimed in the study at examining the prevalence rates of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and comparing these rates with those of healthy control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2006 and January 2008, 85 patients with the diagnosis of CP/CPPS were chosen for the study; 30 patients without regular sexual activity and 12 patients without inclusion criteria were excluded from the study. A total of 43 patients were included in the study. Twenty healthy volunteers without prostatitis-like syndromes were used as a control group. The sexual function of the patients and the healthy volunteers were evaluated using Arizona Sexual Function Questionary Form and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatio precox (EP) and pain on ejaculation (PEP) were investigated as sexual dysfunction. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 33.7 (22-48) years; the mean symptom period was 37.7 (6-120) months, while the mean age of the control group was 32.4 (24-48) years. The mean NIH-CPSI score of the patient group was 26.1 (16-34). Patient group was classified as CPPS type IIIa and CPPS type IIIb. Mild and moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) was found in [9] 23.2% patients at the patient group and [2] 10% at the control group (P: 0.185). Severe erectile dysfunction was not found in both groups. Ejaculatio Precox (EP) was found at (29) 67.4% of the patient group and [7] 40% of the control group. Pain on ejaculation (PEP) was detected in [15] 37.2% of the patient group, while none of the control group had pain on ejaculation. More than one sexual dysfunction was found in [17] 41.8% of the patient group and none of the control group. Comparing patient group versus control group, ejaculation disorders (EP and PEP) and more than one sexual dysfunction disorder were statistically significant. According to ED, there is no statistical difference between the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sexual function disorders, especially ejaculation disorders (EP and PEP), are frequently seen in CP/CPPS patients versus normal population. Age, symptoms period, symptom score and CP/CPPS subgroups are not risk factors for sexual function disorders. Patients with the diagnosis of CP/CPPS should be evaluated for sexual function disorders.

Icodextrin and Seprafilm do not interfere with colonic anastomosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Physical barriers and instilled solutions have been studied to prevent intra-abdominal adhesions. However, undesirable side effects of these substances on the healing of intestinal anastomoses may limit their use. This study was designed to compare the effects of antiadhesives on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups of 20. The animals received isotonic saline and 7.5% icodextrin, intraperitoneally after standard left colonic anastomosis. In group 3, Seprafilm was wrapped around the anastomosis and also laid over the abdominal viscera. Half of the animals from each group were killed on postoperative day (POD) 4 and the remaining half on POD 21. Adhesion scoring, bursting pressure and tissue hydroxyproline measurements and histopathological assessment were performed. RESULTS: Mean hydroxyproline levels were significantly higher in groups receiving icodextrin and Seprafilm compared with the control group, whereas mean bursting pressures were significantly higher in the group that received icodextrin (p < 0.05). Intraperitoneal administration of icodextrin resulted in significant reduction of adhesion formation on POD 21 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Seprafilm does not prevent formation of adhesions as much as icodextrin does, but its effect on the healing of colonic anastomoses is similar.

Ultrasound quantification of anterior soft tissue thickness fails to predict difficult laryngoscopy in obese patients.

Morbid obesity is associated with difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. In the general population, bedside indices for predicting difficult intubation (i.e. Mallampati classification, thyromental distance, sternomental distance, mouth-opening and Wilson risk score) have poor-to-moderate sensitivity (20-62%) and moderate-to-fair specificity (82-97%). In the obese population, although the risk of difficult intubation after a positive Mallampati test is 34%, it is still not sufficient to be used as a single predictive test. An abundance of pretracheal soft tissue anterior to the vocal cords, as quantified by ultrasound, was a better predictor of difficult laryngoscopy than body mass index (BMI) in Israeli patients. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States: therefore we sought to confirm this finding in the obese population in the United States. We used ultrasound to quantify the neck soft tissue, from the skin to the anterior aspect of the trachea at the vocal cords, in 64 obese patients (BMI > 35). We assessed thyromental distance, mouth-opening, jaw movement, limited neck mobility, modified Mallampati score, abnormal upper teeth, neck circumference, confirmed obstructive sleep apnoea, BMI, age, race and gender as predictors. Twenty patients were classified as difficult laryngoscopy; they were older (47 +/- 9 vs 42 +/- 1 years; P = 0.048; mean +/- SD) and had less soft pretracheal tissue (20.4 +/- 3.0 vs 22.3 +/- 3.8 mm; P = 0.049) than did easy laryngoscopy patients. Multivariate regression indicated that none of the factors was an independent predictor of difficult laryngoscopy. We conclude that the thickness of pretracheal soft tissue at the level of the vocal cords is not a good predictor of difficult laryngoscopy in obese patients in the United States.

Tissue oxygenation response to mild hypercapnia during cardiopulmonary bypass with constant pump output.

BACKGROUND: Tissue oxygenation is the primary determinant of wound infection risk. Mild hypercapnia markedly improves cutaneous, subcutaneous (s.c.), and muscular tissue oxygenation in volunteers and patients. However, relative contributions of increased cardiac output and peripheral vasodilation to this response remains unknown. We thus tested the hypothesis that increased cardiac output is the dominant mechanism. METHODS: We recruited 10 ASA III patients, aged 40-65 yr, undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for this crossover trial. After induction of anaesthesia, a Silastic tonometer was inserted s.c. in the upper arm. S.C. tissue oxygen tension was measured with both polarographic electrode and fluorescence-based systems. Oximeter probes were placed bilaterally on the forehead to monitor cerebral oxygenation. After initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, in random order patients were exposed to two arterial CO(2) partial pressures for 30 min each: 35 (normocapnia) or 50 mm Hg (hypercapnia). Bypass pump flow was kept constant throughout the measurement periods. RESULTS: Hypercapnia during bypass had essentially no effect on Pa(CO(2)) , mean arterial pressure, or tissue temperature. Pa(CO(2)) and pH differed significantly. S.C. tissue oxygenation was virtually identical during the two Pa(CO(2)) periods [139 (50-163) vs 145 (38-158), P=0.335] [median (range)]. In contrast, cerebral oxygen saturation (our positive control measurement) was significantly less during normocapnia [57 (28-67)%] than hypercapnia [64 (37-89)%, P=0.025]. CONCLUSIONS: Mild hypercapnia, which normally markedly increases tissue oxygenation, did not do so during cardiopulmonary bypass with fixed pump output. This suggests that hypercapnia normally increases tissue oxygenation by increasing cardiac output rather than direct dilation of peripheral vessels.

Magnesium sulphate only slightly reduces the shivering threshold in humans.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia may be an effective treatment for stroke or acute myocardial infarction; however, it provokes vigorous shivering, which causes potentially dangerous haemodynamic responses and prevents further hypothermia. Magnesium is an attractive anti-shivering agent because it is used for treatment of postoperative shivering and provides protection against ischaemic injury in animal models. We tested the hypothesis that magnesium reduces the threshold (triggering core temperature) and gain of shivering without substantial sedation or muscle weakness. METHODS: We studied nine healthy male volunteers (18-40 yr) on two randomly assigned treatment days: (1) control and (2) magnesium (80 mg kg(-1) followed by infusion at 2 g h(-1)). Lactated Ringer's solution (4 degrees C) was infused via a central venous catheter over a period of approximately 2 h to decrease tympanic membrane temperature by approximately 1.5 degrees C h(-1). A significant and persistent increase in oxygen consumption identified the threshold. The gain of shivering was determined by the slope of oxygen consumption vs core temperature regression. Sedation was evaluated using a verbal rating score (VRS) from 0 to 10 and bispectral index (BIS) of the EEG. Peripheral muscle strength was evaluated using dynamometry and spirometry. Data were analysed using repeated measures anova; P<0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: Magnesium reduced the shivering threshold (36.3 [SD 0.4] degrees C vs 36.6 [0.3] degrees C, P = 0.040). It did not affect the gain of shivering (control, 437 [289] ml min(-1) degrees C(-1); magnesium, 573 [370] ml min(-1) degrees C(-1); P=0.344). The magnesium bolus did not produce significant sedation or appreciably reduce muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium significantly reduced the shivering threshold. However, in view of the modest absolute reduction, this finding is considered to be clinically unimportant for induction of therapeutic hypothermia.

Use of a new supraglottic airway device--the CobraPLA--in a 'difficult to intubate/difficult to ventilate' scenario.

A 67-year-old male was scheduled for cadaveric renal transplant. Following rapid sequence anaesthesia, only the tip of the epiglottis was visualized. Mask ventilation was difficult, and therefore an alternative airway device was considered. A size 4 CobraPLA (Engineered Medical System, Indianapolis, IN) was inserted into the hypopharynx, and ventilation was easily accomplished. Then, a size 7 endotracheal tube was threaded over a fiberoptic bronchoscope, through the CobraPLA, into the trachea. The description and insertion technique of the CobraPLA, a new supraglottic airway device is shortly discussed. This is the first report of successful management of difficult mask ventilation with the new CobraPLA, supraglottic airway device.

Nitrous oxide increases the incidence of bowel distension in patients undergoing elective colon resection.

BACKGROUND: Nitrous oxide rapidly inflates gas-filled spaces such as the intestines; but whether the resulting bowel distension is clinically important remains unclear. We therefore tested the hypothesis that nitrous oxide produces clinically important bowel distension. METHODS: Patients scheduled for colon resection were anesthetized with isoflurane and 35% oxygen and randomly assigned to 65% nitrous oxide (n = 175) or 65% nitrogen in air (n = 169). At the end of surgery, blinded surgeons rated the degree of bowel distension as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Patients reported pain, and nausea and vomiting (PONV) 2 h after surgery. Data are reported as means (SD). P < 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: Morphometric and demographic data were similar in the groups. The duration of surgery was 3.0 (1.2) h in the nitrous oxide group and 3.4 (1.5) h in the air group (P = 0.017). Postoperative self-reported pain scores (visual analog scale, 0-100 mm) were greater in the nitrous oxide group (43 [30] mm) than in the air group (35 [31] mm, P = 0.018). Although the incidence of PONV was similar in the groups, VAS scores for nausea were significantly greater in the nitrous oxide group (P = 0.040). Moderate-to-severe bowel distension was observed in 23% of nitrous oxide patients, but in only 9% of patients in the air group (P < 0.001). The number-needed-to-harm for moderate or severe bowel distension from nitrous oxide was thus seven. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that avoiding nitrous oxide administration during prolonged bowel operations will minimize bowel distension and possibly reduce postoperative pain related to it.

Effect of intra-operative end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure on tissue oxygenation.

Postsurgical infection risk is correlated with subcutaneous tissue oxygenation. Mild hypercapnia augments cutaneous perfusion. We tested the hypothesis that peripheral tissue oxygenation increases as a function of arterial PCO2 in surgical patients. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to intra-operative end tidal PCO2 of 3.99 (control) or 5.99 kPa (hypercapnia). All other anaesthetic management was per protocol. Tissue oxygen partial pressure, transcutaneous oxygen tension, cerebral oxygen saturation, and cardiac output were measured. Mean (SD) subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension was 8.39 (1.86) kPa in control and 11.84 (2.53) kPa hypercapnia patients (p = 0.014). Cerebral oxygen saturation was 55 (4)% for control vs. 68 (9)% for hypercapnia (p = 0.004). Neither cardiac index nor transcutaneous tissue oxygen tension differed significantly between the groups. Mild intra-operative hypercapnia increased subcutaneous and cerebral oxygenation. Increases in subcutaneous tissue oxygen partial pressure similar to those observed in patients assigned to hypercapnia are associated with substantial reductions in wound infection risk.

Acupuncture. A useful complement of anesthesia?

UNLABELLED: Since acupuncture provides analgesia it might be expected to reduce the need for conventional anaesthetic drugs during general anaesthesia. In this review we discuss four double blind, placebo controlled studies evaluating acupunture's ability to reduce analgesic or anesthetic requirement. Three studies (from Greif et al., Morioka et al. and Taguchi et al.) examined whether transcutaneous electrical stimulation of some acupuncture points reduces anaesthetic requirement. Kotani et al. tested the hypothesis that preoperative insertion of intradermal needles in the bladder meridian reduces postoperative pain and oppioid requirement. CONCLUSIONS: none of the first three studies showed that the stimulation of the acupoints produces clinically important reductions in anaesthetic requirement. In contrast, Kotani et al. showed that at least some acupuncture techniques provide substantial postoperative analgesia and significantly reduce opioid requirement.