Zentralblatt für Chirurgie
-
Minimal invasive, or more specifically laparoscopic surgery is now the standard procedure in an increasing number of surgical specialties. Inflating the abdomen with CO2 for long periods confronts the anesthesiologist with a number of problems that influence the choice of anesthetic and the monitoring deemed necessary. The increased intraabdominal pressure (IAP) and for some operations the extreme Trendelenburg position can disturb alveolar ventilation and compromise oxygenation. ⋯ Balanced anesthesia or total intravenous anesthesia is to be preferred, and the drugs employed should have rapid elimination kinetics with a short recovery time, since wound closure time is drastically reduced. Inhalational anesthesia alone may inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction thereby unduly increasing oxygen desaturation. The necessary degree of muscle relaxation still remains to be defined.
-
The clinical syndrome sepsis has been redefined recently, and the SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) concept has been developed. In the initial phase of sepsis, different mediator systems are activated finally resulting in a generalized endothelial inflammatory reaction. This reaction may lead to a vicious circle with subsequent multiple organ failure. ⋯ Replacement of antithrombin III, continuous venovenous hemofiltration, application of high doses of immunoglobulins and of low doses of hydrocortisone have been used. A monoclonal antibody against endotoxin (Centoxin) was taken from the German market in January 1993. Experimental aspects of treatment include the administration of C1 esterase inhibitor, pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), plasmapheresis, the application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and of high-dose naloxone as well as manipulation of cytokines.
-
Burn treatment is a complex therapeutic regimen, enclosing immediate resuscitation, burn would care and the complete spectrum of surgical intensive care as well as plastic surgical reconstruction. The pathophysiology of a severe burn injury resembles a maximal trauma response by activating a wide variety of mediators, resulting in a generalized tissue edema (capillary leak). ⋯ Sepsis is still the major mortality factor (75%). Besides established methods like skin culturing, future efforts are directed towards the generation of composite skin grafts and an immunological approach to influence or prevent the course of a burn sepsis.
-
Administration of hypertonic solutions is the method of choice for acute treatment of intracranial hypertension. Recording of the intracranial pressure during treatment facilitates adjustment of the dosis to the actual ICP-response, avoiding thereby administration of an excessive osmotic load as a basis to prolong therapeutical efficacy. The mechanisms underlying reduction of the intracranial pressure by hypertonic solutions are still controversially discussed. ⋯ No evidence has been obtained in a variety of experimental studies that hypertonic/hyperoncotic solutions have adverse effects on the brain in the presence of a cerebral lesion. To the contrary, the fluid mixture has been found to lower the increased intracranial pressure. Administration of hypertonic/hyperoncotic solutions appears therefore appropriate in acute cerebral insults from head injury and impending circulatory failure from shock in order to inhibit development of secondary brain damage.
-
The ideal solution for volume therapy is still under discussion. In cardiac surgery, hemodynamic efficacy as well as the influence of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are of major interest when administering volume. Hypertonic sodium (HS) solutions which have been advocated for resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock may also be of benefit in cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ Infusion of HS-HES after weaning from CPB resulted in overall more improved hemodynamics than volume replacement with 6% HES. Rapid infusion of HS-HES during CPB (within 2 min) was followed by a significant, but shortlasting decrease in MAP (-40 mm Hg) and an increase in the oxygenator volume. Preoperative infusion of HS-HES resulted in a significant improvement in skin capillary microcirculation assessed by lased Doppler technique during and after CPB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)