Upper rib fractures following median sternotomy.

First and second rib fractures occurred in 11 (16%) of 69 patients undergoing median sternotomy. Although 6 patients had no symptoms related to the rib fractures, 5 patients had postoperative chest, shoulder, and arm pain suggestive of angina pectoris or postpericardiotomy syndrome. The correct diagnosis of pain related to postoperative upper rib fracture may be made by direct visualization of the fracture on supine anteroposterior radiographs, elicitation of pain by palpation of the rib or motion of the upper extremity, lack of response to nitroglycerin, and negative electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme levels. Upper rib fractures following median sternotomy are usually radiographically detectable within the first three postoperative days. Placement of the Ankeney sternal retractor with the upper blade in a lower position (fourth intercostal space) may reduce the incidence of this postoperative complication.

[Severe paralysis of the upper limb after axillary brachial plexus block]. / Paralysie grave du membre supérieur après bloc plexique axillaire.

A case is reported of a severe neurological deficit occurring after axillary blockade. The 37-year-old ASA I patient underwent an axillary block for hand surgery using 20 ml of lignocaine 1% with adrenaline and 20 ml of lignocaine 2%. In order to elicit paraesthesia, several attempts were required. Injection of the local anaesthetic was not painful. The tourniquet remained at 250 mmHg for only 35 min. The following day, the patient's arm remained numb. As there was no improvement, epineurotomy was carried out on day 19, to liberate the median nerve which was severely stenosed at the axilla. The patient then started to improve slowly, so that he was able to return to part-time work 6 months later. Prevention of such an accident relies on avoiding intraneural injection and repeated punctures when searching for paraesthesia. When using axillary blockade in day-care surgery, the patient's must be informed upon the possibility of persistent paraesthesia. Should such a rare incident occur, rapid consultation with the anaesthesiologist is essential.

[Acute intracranial subdural hematoma of arterial origin after spinal anesthesia]. / Hématome sous-dural aigu intracrânien d'origine artérielle après rachianesthésie.

A case of an acute intracranial subdural haematoma occurring shortly after spinal anaesthesia is reported. A 67 year old poorly controlled hypertensive man, ASA II, underwent removal of a prostatic adenoma under spinal anaesthesia. He complained of postural headache on the third day after surgery. Unresponsive to the usual analgesics, his headache became severe, persistent and non postural on the fifth day. Twenty-four hours later, he suddenly presented with a left hemiplegia and became comatose. Computed axial tomography showed a large left-sided subdural haematoma, lying over the left hemisphere. During the immediate surgical removal, a pulsatile arterial bleeding originating from a small cortical artery was discovered, and stopped. The patient slowly recovered consciousness, but the hemiplegia remained. He finally died six months later of bronchopneumonia. The link between the haematoma and the spinal anaesthetic is not proven; the possible relationship between the two is discussed.

Comparison of nalbuphine and fentanyl as intravenous analgesics for medically compromised patients undergoing oral surgery.

This study compared the efficacy and side effects of equianalgesic doses of nalbuphine and fentanyl as intravenous (IV) analgesics for medically compromised patients undergoing oral surgery with local anesthesia. A total of 24 inpatients scheduled for oral surgery and with an ASA physical status of 3 or 4 were randomly assigned to two treatment groups and received IV analgesia with an injection of either 0.2 mg/kg nalbuphine or 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl. Three minutes later, local anesthesia was administered. Respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) were recorded before and during surgery. After the operation, the patient, surgeon, and anesthesiologist were asked to complete questionnaires regarding drug effects. Analgesia and sedation appeared sufficient and comparable according to the surgeon, anesthesiologists, and patients in the two groups, and there were no significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate. Respiratory rate and SpO2 were lower in patients treated with fentanyl (P < 0.05), and eight patients of this group experienced episodes of oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) compared with only two patients who received nalbuphine (P < 0.05). Nalbuphine produced less respiratory depression and should be considered a suitable alternative to fentanyl for use in medically compromised patients undergoing oral surgery.

Kartagener's syndrome.

Kartagener's syndrome, characterized by situs inversus, paranasal sinusitis, and bronchiectasis, is part of a more generalized syndrome characterized by sterility in men, chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic otitis media; it is referred to as the immotile-cilia syndrome. Those patients with situs inversus will give a typical radiological appearance allowing an early diagnosis; however, in those patients with immotile-cilia syndrome who have normal visceral situs, a high index of suspicion and early electron microscopic examination of respiratory tract cilia will be necessary for early diagnosis and therapy to prevent irreversible bronchiectasis and lung destruction. We describe a young woman with bronchiectasis associated with situs inversus and chronic sinusitis, found to have abnormal respiratory epithelium cilia.