The effects of pre-emptive epidural sufentanil on human immune function.

BACKGROUND: Surgical stress and general anaesthesia suppress immune functions, including natural killer cell (NK) activity. This suppression could be attributed, at least in part, to the effect of opiates. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy received epidural sufentanil (50 microg) either before (pre-emptive) or at the end (control group) of surgery. Post-operative pain relief was provided using sufentanil from a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) system. Systemic immunity was assessed by determining leucocyte counts, NK cell counts and activity, lymphocyte response to mitogen stimulation, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: In the pre-emptive group there was a significant decrease in NK activity on the first and third post-operative day (P < 0.05) compared with baseline values and on the third postoperative day (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. The number of total leucocytes and neutrophiles increased in both groups post-operatively, but no differences were found in the levels of mononuclear lymphocyte populations or in their mitogen responses. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration increased in both groups after the operation. In addition, at the end of the surgery the IL-6 level was greater in the control group than in the pre-emptive group. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels had decreased significantly at the end of surgery and 4 h later compared with baseline levels in the pre-emptive, but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-emptive epidural sufentanil during combined propofol and isoflurane anaesthesia had minor effects on the immune response after hysterectomy. The lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6) in the pre-emptive group compared with the control group is beneficial, but its clinical importance remains to be determined.

Pre-emptive effect of epidural sufentanil in abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies suggest pre-emptive administration of analgesics is effective but clinical evidence is less convincing. METHODS: Forty-one patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were allocated randomly in a double-blind fashion to receive sufentanil 50 micrograms via a lumbar epidural catheter before or at the end of surgery. RESULTS: Sufentanil consumption from a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) system and numerical pain scores at rest and during movement over the initial 72 h were similar in the two groups. When the study period was divided into five time intervals, sufentanil consumption in the pre-emptive group was significantly less than in the control group between 8 and 16 h after surgery (P = 0.04). Furthermore, the number of failed bolus attempts from the PCEA device was significantly lower and patient satisfaction was significantly better in the pre-emptive group during the 72 h of PCEA treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, the median decrease in ACTH and cortisol on the first postoperative morning relative to baseline values was greater in the pre-emptive group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In subjects who had a Pfannenstiel incision, touch and pain sensitivity in the wound area were less in the pre-emptive group over the first 4 postoperative days (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that pre-emptive analgesia with epidural sufentanil was associated with a short-term sufentanil-sparing effect, and could have reduced stress hormone responses and wound sensitization after abdominal hysterectomy.

Post-tonsillectomy pain: a prospective, randomised and double-blinded study to compare an ultrasonically activated scalpel technique with the blunt dissection technique.

Thirty-two patients participated in a study to compare the use of an ultrasonically activated scalpel (Harmonic scalpel) for tonsillectomy on one side and a blunt dissection tonsillectomy on the other. Pain scores at rest and on swallowing expressed as the area under curves (AUC) during the 10 h after surgery, intra-operative blood loss and the need for electrocoagulation for haemostasis were significantly higher on the blunt dissection side than on the Harmonic scalpel side (p < 0.05). However, pain scores expressed as AUC at rest, on swallowing, the day's least, average and worst levels of pain, and the day's worst otalgia during the second week after surgery were significantly higher on the Harmonic scalpel side than on the blunt dissection side. In conclusion, we found that Harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy was associated with decreased severity in pharyngeal pain on the day of the operation but increased pharyngeal pain and otalgia during the second postoperative week.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting after sevoflurane with or without ondansetron compared with propofol in female patients undergoing breast surgery.

IMPLICATIONS: We studied 180 female patients undergoing breast surgery. The patients were randomly allocated to receive one of three anesthetic techniques. Compared with either propofol or sevoflurane alone, sevoflurane with ondansetron resulted in a decreased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Sevoflurane with ondansetron prophylaxis is a good alternative to propofol with respect to avoiding postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Nutrition during ten-week life support with successful fetal outcome in a case with fatal maternal brain damage.

A 31-year-old woman had fatal intracerebral bleeding at the beginning of the 21st week of gestation. After several days, there was evidence that the brain was dead. Combined enteral and parenteral nutrition was continued until the 32nd week of gestation when cesarean section was performed because of drug-resistant hypotension. A full-term normal 1600-g male was delivered and the later development of the child was normal. This case report demonstrates the possibility of providing nutritional requirements to the fetus even if the mother has had a fatal injury.

Life support for 10 weeks with successful fetal outcome after fatal maternal brain damage.

A 31 year old woman in whom subarachnoid and intracerebral haemorrhage occurred during the second trimester of pregnancy was sustained in intensive care with a respirator for 10 weeks. Computed tomography of the brain showed bilateral intraventricular haemorrhages. Because of drug resistant hypotonic episodes at 31 weeks' gestation caesarean section was performed, and a boy was delivered. The woman died of spontaneous cardiac arrest two days after caesarean section, and the boy showed normal development. Life support can be continued for several weeks in a modern intensive care unit after fatal insult to the brain even in a pregnant woman without affecting the fetus.