Selective non-antibiotic treatment in sigmoid diverticulitis: is it time to change the traditional approach?

BACKGROUND: A growing body of knowledge is calling into question the use of antibiotics in acute diverticulitis (AD). Moreover, recent studies provide evidence regarding the security of treating patients with AD as outpatients. The aim of this study was to evaluate a restrictive antibiotic outpatient protocol for the treatment of mild-to-moderate episodes of AD. METHODS: All patients with symptoms of AD presenting to our emergency department were assigned a modified Neff stage. Patients with mild AD received outpatient treatment without antibiotics. Patients with mild AD and comorbidities were admitted to receive the same treatment. Patients with moderate AD were admitted for 48 h and were then managed as outpatients until they had completed 10 days of antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: Between April 2013 and November 2014, we attended 110 patients with a diagnosis of AD, 77 of whom we included in the study: 45 patients with mild AD and 32 with moderate AD. Of the patients with mild AD, 88.8 % successfully completed the non-antibiotic, non-admission treatment regime and 95.5 % benefited from a non-antibiotic regime, whether as outpatients or inpatients. A total of 88 % of patients with mild AD and 87.5 % of patients with moderate AD who met the inclusion criteria completed treatment as outpatients without incident. No major complications (abscess, emergency surgery) or deaths were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient treatment without antibiotics for patients with mild AD is safe and effective. Patients with moderate AD can be safely treated with antibiotics in a mixed regime as inpatients and outpatients.

Does stapled anopexy for bleeding haemorrhoids cure associated anaemia?

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of stapled anopexy (SA) in patients with chronic bleeding haemorrhoids and secondary anaemia. METHOD: Our department performed 340 SA procedure per patient for haemorrhoids between January 1999 and December 2011. Fifty (14.7%) of these patients (25 male patients and 25 female patients) had anaemia (haemoglobin concentration < 13 g/dl in male patients and < 12 g/dl in female patients) secondary to chronic haemorrhoidal bleeding. Patients with colorectal bleeding and anaemia not caused by haemorrhoids were excluded. The mean (SD) age was 56.4 (13.9) years and the mean (SD) haemoglobin concentration was 9.2 (1.6) g/dl for male patients and 10.4 (1.2) g/dl for female patients. Five (10%) patients with anaemia had Grade II, 22 (44%) had Grade III and 23 (46%) had Grade IV haemorrhoids. The median (range) duration of postoperative follow-up was six (1-12) years. RESULTS: None of the patients required early postoperative admission or experienced early or late complications related to SA. The procedure was successful (normal haemoglobin concentration and no bleeding at 6 months postsurgery) in 45 (90%) patients. Of the five (10%) patients in whom SA was ineffective, one had Grade II, three had Grade III and one had Grade IV haemorrhoids. All these patients underwent Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy 3 months after SA. CONCLUSION: SA is an effective treatment for patients with bleeding haemorrhoids and subsequent anaemia. In our experience, the success rate was satisfactory and there were no serious complications.

Day case stapled anopexy for the treatment of haemorrhoids and rectal mucosal prolapse.

AIM: Stapled anopexy (SA) gives better early postoperative results than classical haemorrhoidectomy. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that SA is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of haemorrhoids and rectal mucose prolapse in a day-case surgery programme. METHOD: From January 2000 to December 2008, 297 SA procedures were performed; 230 (77.4%) were performed in the Day Surgery Unit (DSU). Third- and fourth-degree haemorrhoids, second-degree haemorrhoids with no response to conservative treatment and several cases of rectal prolapse were included. The mean age of the patients in the series was 48.1 years (range 21-85). Preoperative preparation included phosphate enemas and antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients were operated on mainly under spinal anaesthesia. Day-case rate, postoperative pain (measured by a visual analogic scale, 1-10), admissions, re-admissions, early postoperative situation and recurrence were evaluated in the study. RESULTS: The overall DSU rate was 78%, with a progressive increase from 46% to 99% in 2008. One hundred and eighty-five patients (80%) had pain scores under 2; no patient had a pain score over 7. Eighteen (8%) patients required admission on the day of surgery. Late admission was needed for 3 (3%) patients. Thirty-three patients reported their situation as excellent, 174 as good, 20 as acceptable and three as bad when they answered a phone questionnaire 24 h after surgery. Overall, 20 (9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSION: SA is a safe and effective procedure for prolapsing haemorrhoids in the day case setting. The recurrence rate is higher than that observed in classical haemorrhoidectomy. Most patients can be managed as day-cases.

[Comparison of 3 combinations of 0.5% levobupivacaine and 1% mepivacaine in popliteal sciatic block in hallux valgus outpatient surgery]. / Comparación de 3 combinaciones de levobupivacaína al 0,5% y de mepivacaína al 1% en el bloqueo del nervio ciático poplíteo, en la cirugía ambulatoria del hallux valgus.

BACKGROUND: To compare 3 combinations of 0.5% levobupivacaine (L) and 1% mepivacaine (M) for popliteal block for hallux valgus surgery. METHODS: Prospective, double blind study of 120 patients undergoing unilateral hallux valgus outpatient surgery with posterior popliteal block with ultrasound-guided single injection. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: G1: 20mL L+10mL M; G2: 10mL L+20mL M; and G3: 15mL L+15mL M. Recorded variables were: time of block, onset and reversal times for tibial and peroneal nerves block; postoperative pain until the 7(th) day by means of visual analogue scale (VAS), simple descriptive scale and the quality of nocturnal rest, complications, and patient satisfaction. ANOVA and chi2 were applied in the statistical analysis, with a P<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous for demographic and surgical characteristics. None of the patients required intraoperative complementary analgesia or anaesthesia. Block onset was significantly longer in G1 than in G2 and G3 (39.4±14.7 versus 32.2±16.5 and 33.2±12minutes). Recovery time from sensory and motor block was significantly longer in G1 than in G2 and G3 (29.5±9.3 versus 22.2±8.2 and 24.8±7.9hours). Postoperative pain level was below VAS 30 (1-100) in the three groups; none of the patients experienced severe pain. Maximum pain level appeared at 24h postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was high and there were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Block onset time and anaesthetic efficacy was adequate in the three groups. The combination of 20mL levobupivacaine 0.5% with 10mL mepivacaine 1% provide a good alternative for a lasting postoperative analgesia.

[Postoperative unilateral acute glaucoma after abdominal surgery]. / Glaucoma agudo unilateral en el postoperatorio de cirugía abdominal.

An early and correct diagnosis substantially improves the post-operative prognosis of acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG). A 90 year-old woman was operated on for a right colon tumour by laparotomy, under combined anaesthesia without any adverse events. Twelve hours after the operation, the patient described recurrent periorbital pain in her right eye, with ocular hyperaemia, blurred vision, and unresponsive mydriasis. A diagnosis of AACG was made, but although conservative treatment was started YAG laser iridotomies were required to reduce the intraocular pressure. In the AACG postoperative period, as well as with an eye with several predisposed local factors including genetic predisposition, female gender, hypermetropia, increased lens thickness and small corneal diameter, can be added a pupillary block induced by adrenergic and anticholinergic drugs used in anaesthetic procedures. An acute and intensive periorbital or ocular pain, with or without visual disturbance, must aware the doctor. A differential diagnosis with other postoperative ocular diseases and cranial pain causes must be done.

Drug-related problems in patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Drug-related problems (DRP) are events or circumstances in which drug therapy does or could interfere with desired health outcomes. In December 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, appeared. Little knowledge about this type of infection resulted in the administration of various drugs with limited use in other pathologies. Evidence about DRP in patients with COVID-19 is lacking. Objective: The aim of the present study is to describe identified cases of DRP and those drugs involved in the first wave of patients with COVID-19, and evaluate associated risk factors. Material and methods: Observational, retrospective study performed in a tertiary university hospital between 14th March 2020 and 31 May 2020 (corresponding to the first COVID-19 wave). We recruited patients admitted during the study period. Exclusion criteria included age < 18 years; admission to critically ill units; and care received either in the emergency room, at-home hospitalization or a healthcare center. Results: A total of 817 patients were included. The mean age was 62.5 years (SD 16.4) (range 18-97), and 453 (55.4%) were male. A total of 516 DRP were detected. Among the patients, 271 (33.2%) presented at least one DRP. The mean DRP per patient with an identified case was 1.9. The prevailing DRPs among those observed were: incorrect dosage (over or underdosage) in 145 patients (28.2%); wrong drug combination in 131 (25.5%); prescriptions not in adherence to the then COVID-19 treatment protocol in 73 (14.1%); prescription errors due to the wrong use of the computerized physician order entry in 47 (9.2%); and incorrect dosage due to renal function in 36 (7%). The logistic regression analysis showed that patients who received only prescriptions of antibacterials for systemic use (J01 ATC group) faced a higher likelihood of experiencing a DRP (OR 2.408 (1.071-5.411), p = 0.033). Conclusion: We identified several factors associated with an increased risk of DRPs, similar to those reported in other pre-pandemic studies, including a prolonged length of stay, higher number of prescribed drugs and antimicrobial administration. The relevance of pharmacists and tools like pharmacy warning systems can help prevent, identify and resolve DRP efficiently.

Infectious postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery performed over 7 years. The role of azithromycin versus ciprofloxacin eye drops.

OBJECTIVE: Although topical antibiotics have been used as antimicrobial prophylaxis after ocular surgery, recent studies have determined that intracameral cefuroxime at the end of surgery significantly reduce the risk to suffer an infection and suggest that the use of topical antibiotics in the prophylaxis of infectious postoperative endophthalmitis (IPOE) is controversial. Moreover, there is no evidence to confirm the higher effectiveness of topical ciprofloxacin, considered the standard of care, or topical azithromycin in preventing IPOE of cataract surgeries. METHODS: IPOE topical prophylaxis was performed with two different strategies: with azithromycin from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2014 (group I) and with ciprofloxacin from January 1st, 2015 to January 31st, 2017 (group II). Patient characteristics and clinical signs and symptoms of IPOE from all consecutive cataract surgeries performed over a 7-year period were collected. RESULTS: A total of 15,146 cataract surgeries were conducted; 10,756 in group I and 4,390 in group II. Two cases of IPOE in each group were diagnosed, showing a 0.019% and 0.046% rate respectively, with no statistically significance. IPOE cases were related with aging, systemic and ocular comorbidities or with a complicated cataract surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of the application of topical antibiotics after cataract surgery is questionable when intracameral cefuroxime prophylaxis is performed and no better effectiveness with ciprofloxacin or azithromycin was observed.

A porous Ru nanomaterial as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction under acidic and neutral conditions.

A porous Ru nanomaterial exhibits high electrocatalytic performance and excellent durability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under both acidic and neutral conditions. It displays a low overpotential of 83 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and an excellent durability up to 12 h in 0.5 M H2SO4.

Cystic pyeloureteritis: review of 34 cases. Radiologic aspects and differential diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: To refine the clinical and radiologic description of an unusual benign disease, cystic pyeloureteritis (CPU), consisting of the appearance of suburothelial cysts that raise the mucosa layer of the urothelium. We also studied its relationship with various types of inflammation, including chronic infection, that may be the stimulus for the appearance of CPU. METHODS: We compiled 34 cases of CPU covering the period 1976 to 1994, analyzing the clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures, differential diagnosis, and evolution. RESULTS: There are no specific symptoms associated with the presence of cysts. The average age of the patients was 59 years (range 30 to 77). Urinary tract infection was detected in 18 (53%). The pyeloureteritis was unilateral in 27 (79%) and bilateral in 7 (21%) of the patients. The location of the cysts was as follows: 1 pyelic (3%); 6 pyeloureteral (18%); and 27 (79%) ureteral. Resolution of the radiologic alterations depends on the resolution of the associated pathology: infections, lithiasis, and obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CPU is a benign pathology with indolent evolution and variable duration; it is not associated with sequelae. Diagnosis is made on the basis of radiologic findings, mainly intravenous urography; in view of the minor entity of the pathology, biopsy is not advisable if the radiologic findings are conclusive.

Maternal primary pulmonary hypertension associated with pregnancy.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a very uncommon clinical entity, with a high mortality when associated with pregnancy. Three cases of PPH associated with gestation and different outcomes are reported, and a literature review concerning its management and outcome is made. We emphasize the importance of a strict control of such patients, with the supportive cardiovascular measures and surveillance of fetal well-being. The peculiar handling of the course of delivery and the type of anaesthesia is discussed.

Effects of anesthetic technique on the hemodynamic response to microlaryngeal surgery.

Our aim was to study the attenuation of the hemodynamic response to microlaryngeal surgery by beta-blocking agents used as support drugs to the anesthetic technique. The study was carried out in 30 patients randomly allocated to one of three groups. The control group received only anesthetic drugs. The second group received labetalol hydrochloride 0.3 mg/kg 3 minutes before induction and 0.15 mg/ kg 2 minutes prior to the start of suspension of the larynx. The third group received esmolol hydrochloride 500 micrograms/kg 3 minutes prior to induction and a continuous infusion of 300 micrograms/kg during the surgical procedure. Hemodynamic data in the three groups were compared by analysis of variance. A statistically significant difference (p < .05) was found in hemodynamic data among the two groups treated with blocking agents and the control group. The addition of beta-blocking agents to the anesthetic technique attenuates the hemodynamic response to suspension laryngoscopy.

[Anthropometric changes and nitrogen balance in patients with morbid obesity treated with very low calorie diet]. / Modificaciones antropométricas y balance de nitrógeno en pacientes con obesidad mórbida tratados con dieta muy baja en calorías.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In these patients, weight reduction reduces associated morbidity and increases life expectancy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anthropometric changes in a group of patients treated with a very low caloric diet and to assess nitrogen balance and clinical and biological tolerance. METHODS: Overall 65 patients were prospectively evaluated (12 males and 53 females with a mean age of 45 +/- 7 years. Mean initial weight was 110 +/- 21 kg, with a Quetelet index of 43 +/- 7 kg/m2. They were treated as inpatients during 42 days exclusively with a very low caloric diet. They also followed a physical exercise program during one hour daily. RESULTS: The weight reduction was 15 +/- 4 kg (p less than 0.0001) with a reduction in fat mass of 9 +/- 2 kg (p less than 0.0001) and a reduction in fat-free mass of 6 +/- 3 kg (p less than 0.0001). The Quetelet index was reduced in 5 +/- 1 points (p less than 0.0001). There was also a reduction in the muscle adipose index from 1 +/- 0.2 to 0.7 +/- 0.2. The nitrogen balance remained negative throughout the 42 study days, although with a clear trend towards equilibrium. There were significant reductions in blood glucose, proteinemia, total cholesterol and subfractions. Triglycerides did not show significant changes. Clinical tolerance was excellent in all cases except 4 who withdraw from treatment because of nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, very low caloric diet achieved satisfactory weight reduction, basically at the expense of adipose tissue, reflected in a reduction of the muscle adipose index. Nitrogen balance remained negative throughout the treatment but with a trend towards normalization. Tolerance was excellent in 61 of the 65 cases (94%).

[Inflammatory response, cholesterol metabolism, and arteriosclerosis]. / Respuesta inflamatoria, metabolismo del colesterol y arteriosclerosis.

The goal of the present review consists on the relationship between inflammatory disorders, such as that represented by systemic granulomatous diseases like sarcoidosis, and the cholesterol metabolism and its implication in the atherosclerosis process. Serum amyloid A is an acute phase reactant that transiently binds to the high density lipoproteins during an inflammatory response. Serum amyloid A may act either displacing apo A-I, which in turn result in increased catabolism of high density lipoproteins, or inhibiting lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity which leads to low levels of esterified serum cholesterol. This lipoprotein alteration together with a direct effect of the serum amyloid A on the endothelium of the atheromatous plaque suggest a potential pathophysiological link between the inflammatory responses expressed by the serum concentrations of amyloid A and the development of the atherosclerotic process.

[Peridural anesthesia for subcostal cholecystectomy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Anestesia peridural para colecistectomía subcostal en pacientes con miocardiopatía dilatada. A propósito de dos casos.

Two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were considered to be at high risk for anesthesia and surgery due to possible complications during and after surgery. The anesthetic technique used in such cases must be selected based on the type of surgery and the severity of heart disease. We describe the cases of 2 patients with histories of DCM, arising in a context of alcohol use in one case and of ischemia in the other. The patients were scheduled for uncomplicated cholecystectomy by subcostal approach under epidural anesthesia. The patients remained hemodynamically stable during surgery and there were no complications. They were released 26 and 13 days after surgery, respectively. We conclude that epidural anesthesia is a valid alternative to general anesthesia in DCM patients undergoing subcostal cholecystectomy.

[Incidence of pain upon injection of a new formula of propofol in a fat emulsion of medium- and long-chain triglycerides]. / Estudio de la incidencia de dolor a la inyección de una nueva preparación de propofol en emulsión grasa conteniendo triglicéridos de cadena media y larga.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of pain upon injection of 1% propofol (Propofol-Lipuro 1%, B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) in a 10% fat emulsion containing equal proportions (50:50) of medium- and long-chain triglycerides. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 600 adult patients scheduled for elective surgery. The use of premedication was left to the discretion of the anesthesiologist. All patients received the study anesthetic injected slowly (20-40 mg per 10 seconds) at a dose of 1.5 to 2.5 mg/Kg. Variables recorded were incidence and type of pain upon administering the anesthetic, the patients' clinical characteristics, premedication administered, and method of venous puncture. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine factors associated with the appearance of pain. RESULTS: The overall incidence of pain upon administration of propofol-lipuro was 27%. Pain was moderate to intense in 9%. Premedication did not affect the incidence of pain with injection. The risk factors that predicted the appearance of pain were injection through a small-caliber catheter (> 18 G) and injection on the dorsal hand (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pain upon injection of propofol-lipuro is low in comparison with incidence rates reported in the literature for the traditional formula, but administration of the fat emulsion formula through a vein on the dorsal side of the hand or through a venous catheter smaller than 18 G should be avoided. Double-blind randomized controlled trials should be conducted to clarify the advantages that propofol-lipuro seems to offer.

[Cardiac arrest in newborn of mother treated with labetalol]. / Paro cardíaco en neonato de madre tratada con labetalol.

The use of beta-adrenergic antagonists for the control of high blood pressure associated to pregnancy is frequent. Their use is related with the appearance of undesirable effects of the fetus. The case of neonatal cardiac arrest attributed, to the administration of labetalol to the mother is presented. The high transplacentary passage, the different pharmacokinetics of the drug in the newborn and the clinical evolution of the patient suggests its involvement. It is concluded that labetalol may cause severe undesirable effects in newborns and fetal heart rate of the mother and neonate should be monitored upon use of this drug.

[Epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine vs. bupivacaine in continuous perfusion for the treatment of labor pains]. / Analgesia epidural con ropivacaína frente a bupivacaína en perfusión continua para tratamiento del dolor del parto.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the analgesic efficacy and extent of motor block when 0.125% ropivacaine or 0.125% bupivacaine were given in continuous perfusion through an epidural catheter during labor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 60 ASA I-II women, each carrying a single fetus at full term and in spontaneous labor. The patients were distributed in 2 groups. Women in the ropivacaine group (R) (n = 30) received 8 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine for analgesic induction, followed by a continuous perfusion of 10 mL/h at 0.125%. The bupivacaine group (B) (n = 30) received bupivacaine at the same concentration and infusion rate. The objective of analgesia was to achieve a score less than 3 on a visual analog pain scale. If analgesia was inadequate, a 5 mL bolus of 0.2% ropivacaine or bupivacaine, depending on group, was administered. The motor block was evaluated on an abbreviated Bromage scale and we recorded hemodynamic stability, fetal status, type of delivery and the total dose of local anesthetic. RESULTS: Analgesia and hemodynamics were similar in both groups. Group R required a larger number of additional boluses, although the difference was not statistically significant. A motor block was observed in 8 patients in group B and 1 in group R (p < 0.05). Fetal status was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both drugs were equally effective for controlling the pain accompanying labor, such that ropivacaine offered no advantage over bupivacaine in that regard. Ropivacaine's reduced motor block effect at the doses administered may offer an advantage in some situations, such as when a walking epidural is provided.

[Comparative study of high-frequency jet ventilation in 4 types of patients undergoing laryngeal microsurgery]. / Estudio comparativo de la ventilación con jet a alta frecuencia en cuatro tipos de pacientes sometidos a microcirugía laríngea.

OBJECTIVE: To study high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are obese or who have tracheal or laryngeal stenosis, conditions which are often found in patients undergoing microsurgery of the larynx (MSL), comparing the results with those for a group of controls, patients with no stenosis who were also undergoing MSL. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Eighty patients were distributed in four groups as follows: those meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of COPD (n = 20), those who were overweight (n = 24), those with stenosis over 50% of the laryngeal opening (stenosis group, n = 10) and those with no associated pathology (control group, n = 26). HFJV was administered through a 2.2 mm internal diameter orotracheal injection catheter, using an Ergojet CVT (Temel, S.A.). The ventilatory protocol was as follows: rate 100 breaths/min, inspiratory time 30%, generator pressure (GP) 2.2 to 3.3 kg/cm2 and FiO2 70% to 90%. We analyzed the GP administered, jet volume (Vjet) delivered, maximum (PAWmax) and minimum (PAWmin) airway pressures, oxygen hemoglobin saturation (SpO2), partial pressures of O2 (pO2) and CO2 (pCO2) in arterial blood, and end-tidal pressure of CO2 (PETCO2) at baseline and 10 and 20 min after the start of HFJV. Because monitoring was invasive, the study was designed for a small series of patients and we believe it should not be generalized to include all patients undergoing MSL under normal conditions. RESULTS: HFJV had to be abandoned and conventional ventilation used in 4 patients (2 in the COPD group and 2 in the obese group). Ventilation was judged adequate in the remaining patients, with the observations that in the COPD group, pO2 levels were lower than in the control group at the 10 min readings and pCO2 levels were higher at both the 10 and 20 min readings. PAW levels were higher throughout the procedure in both the COPD and stenosis groups. In the obese patients, pCO2 was higher at both the 10 and 20 min recordings. CONCLUSION: HFJV provides effective ventilation for most patients undergoing MSL, even if they are obese or have COPD or laryngeal stenosis.

[Comparative study between anesthesia by continuous perfusion with propofol or thiopental-isoflurane in laryngeal surgery]. / Estudio comparativo entre la anestesia con perfusión continua de propofol o tiopental-isoflurano en cirugía de laringe.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two anesthetic protocols for maintenance of anesthesia during laryngectomy (propofol vs thiopental-isoflurane), assessing its effects on intraoperative hemodynamic stability and recovery time after withdrawal of anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Thirty-one patients undergoing laryngectomy. Anesthetic technique was the same except for the maintenance anesthetic used (isoflurane in group I [n = 16]; propofol in group P [n = 15]). We recorded heart rate and systolic/diastolic arterial pressure before surgery, 10 minutes after induction, at 10, 60 and 120 min after start of surgery and at the end of the procedure. Postanesthesia recovery time was measured by the Steward test (recovery of consciousness, control of voluntary movement and of breathing) applied at 3, 5, 10, 30 and 60 min after withdrawal of anesthesia. RESULTS: There were no demographic differences between the two groups and heart rate and systolic/diastolic pressures were comparable. Postanesthetic recovery time was shorter in group P than in group I, with a statistically significant difference 5 min after withdrawal of drug (p < 0.05) owing to the item recovery of consciousness in the Steward test (p < 0.05 at times 5 and 10 min for this item). There were no significant differences in control of breathing or movement. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol for anesthetic maintenance is effective and safe. There are no differences in hemodynamic changes produced by propofol and isoflurane. Time until recovery of consciousness is longer with isoflurane, although we believe that this is not clinically relevant in this type of procedure.

[External laryngeal injuries. Study of 12 cases]. / Traumatimos laríngeos externos. Estudio de 12 casos.

Laryngeal trauma can cause severe, life-threatening damage in the upper respiratory tract. Management of trauma presents difficulties with respect to airway control and the procedural decisions are challenging. We studied 12 patients treated at our hospital after laryngeal trauma of various degrees of severity. Respiratory failure detected in some cases was critical from the moment of trauma, whereas other patients were asymptomatic at first but experienced progressive respiratory failure over the next few hours. We looked at the method applied to gain initial control of the upper airway and also considered the laryngeal lesions themselves, associated lesions and established treatment. We then looked for relationships between these and evolution and laryngeal sequelae 6 months after trauma. In agreement with other studies we found that the severity of sequelae depends on the severity of the lesion incurred and on how early treatment is established. The choice of whether to use orotracheal intubation or tracheotomy to control the upper airway was less important, as that decision would depend largely on severity of the lesion, although orotracheal intubation is recommended whenever possible.