The Effect of Norepinephrine and Dopamine on Radial Forearm Flap Partial Tissue Oxygen Pressure and Microdialysate Metabolite Measurements: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing ablative and reconstructive head and neck surgery with a microvascular flap have multiple factors that potentially decrease postoperative mean arterial pressure, which may endanger flap survival. The safety of vasopressor use has long been a topic of discussion. The authors analyzed the effect of vasopressors on microvascular flap perfusion after head and neck cancer reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 27 patients were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. A microvascular radial forearm flap was used for reconstruction. Patients were allocated into one of three groups: dopamine, norepinephrine, and control. The intervention groups received the vasoactive drug, aiming to maintain the mean arterial pressure between 80 and 90 mmHg. Normovolemia was maintained according to central venous pressure. Flap perfusion was monitored with continuous tissue partial pressure of oxygen and microdialysate metabolite (lactate-to-pyruvate ratio) measurements. RESULTS: No adverse effects were observed, and postoperative recovery was free of complications in all groups. Neither the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio nor continuous tissue partial pressure of oxygen values differed significantly between groups during the first 24 hours of the vasoactive drug infusion period or during the 72-hour follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Norepinephrine and dopamine are safe and effective vasopressors for use during the postoperative period following head and neck cancer surgery with microvascular reconstruction. Dopamine should be used with caution, however, because of the risk of side effects. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein concentrations are differently associated with markers of autoimmunity in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease in which the concentration of the acute-phase protein serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is low. We investigated whether levels of another acute-phase protein, serum amyloid A (SAA), are increased in patients with pSS and whether the immunological markers in patients with pSS are associated with variation in SAA levels. METHODS: Serum SAA concentrations were measured by ELISA in 74 patients with pSS and in 56 control subjects with sicca symptoms. RESULTS: Median SAA levels did not differ significantly between patients with pSS and subjects with sicca symptoms. In patients with pSS SAA concentrations correlated significantly with age, leukocyte count, CRP, interleukin 6, and C4. Unlike CRP, there was a significant inverse correlation between SAA and serum IgG levels and anti-SSA antibody titers, as well as a trend towards an inverse correlation between SAA and antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor titers. CONCLUSION: Our data imply that high SAA production could constitute a protective element in pSS: high SAA levels inhibit in particular various signs of B cell hyperreactivity, i.e., IgG and autoantibody production.

Randomized study comparing postoperative pain between coblation and bipolar scissor tonsillectomy.

Coblation tonsillectomy has shown promising results with respect to postoperative pain when compared with other techniques. Our study was designed to compare this technique with bipolar scissor tonsillectomy. Forty adult patients with a history of chronic or recurrent tonsillitis referred for standard tonsillectomy were recruited and randomized into two groups. Twenty were operated with Coblator and 20 with bipolar scissors. Exclusion criteria were a history of quinsy, bleeding disorder, or any major health problems. All participants completed the study. Postoperative pain, return to normal diet, and estimated need for sick leave were utilized as parameters. Data on operative time, difficulty of tissue removal, and hemostasis were also analyzed. Operative time was longer (P < 0.001) and tissue removal as well as hemostasis control were more difficult (P = 0.005, P = 0.013) with Coblator than with bipolar scissors. Participants in Coblator group assessed higher pain scores 1 and 3 h postoperatively (P = 0.044, P = 0.036). From the time of extubation, patients had access to an opioid (fentanyl) via a self-controlled analgesia device. The number of doses of analgesics needed during the hospital stay was significantly higher in the Coblator group (P = 0.020). During the 14-day follow-up, no significant differences were found in pain scores, return to solid food or subjective working ability between the groups. Considering the overall outcome of the patients the results did not favor coblation technique over bipolar scissors.