Nalline: an aid in detecting narcotic users

By using-with the permission of the subject-a simple test entailing injection of Nalline(R) (N-allylnormorphine) and noting the reaction in the pupils of the eyes of the subject, it is possible to determine whether a patient is addicted to a narcotic, is an occasional user or is a nonuser.     

Craniofacial infection in 10 years of transcranial surgery

Infection following transcranial surgery may be devastating. A review of 170 transcranial operations is presented with a focus on postoperative infection and its relationship to patient age, preoperative microbiology, pattern of operation, length of operation, and the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. The overall postoperative infection rate was 6.5 percent, but the infection rate in adults (23.5 percent) was much higher than in children (2.2 percent). Higher infection rates were found in adults with craniofacial dysostoses undergoing lengthy frontofacial advancements which required tracheostomy airway management. The residual frontal extradural dead space following advancement in adults is a sanctuary to infecting organisms from the respiratory tract--especially Pseudomonas transferred from the tracheostomy site into the upper airway and intracranial dead space by ventilation forces. Operating times for patients who became infected were 2 1/2 hours longer than average operating times for transcranial operations. Preoperative microbiology of the craniofacial region was not a good predictor of subsequent infection. Recommendations include operative intervention at an early age, short preoperative hospital stay, antibiotic prophylaxis to include gram-negative cover, surgical measures to either fill or isolate the dead space, and strict tracheostomy care--preferably with the patient being barrier-nursed.     

The application of intraoperative ultrasound during partial hepatectomy for the accurate detection and removal of intrahepatic bile duct stones

To evaluate the application of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) during partial hepatectomy to accurately detect and remove intrahepatic bile duct stones. Intrahepatic bile duct stones were precisely localized during surgery by using IOUS. Furthermore, guiding stone extraction, and determining the scope of liver resection and choice of surgical procedures were also evaluated using this technique. Of the 25 patients used in this study, 16 patients received a left lateral liver resection, 7 patients received a left liver resection, 1 patient had a liver resection of segments V and VI, 9 patients had common bile duct stones, and 6 patients had bile duct stones that underwent jejunal Roux-en-y anastomosis. In addition, IOUS exploration after liver resection and post-operative T-tube cholangiography showed one case with residual stones. The use of IOUS showed high diagnostic accuracy, while also rectifying the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of bile stones in preoperative imaging. IOUS also assisted with positioning accuracy, which is very important in determining the extent of surgical resection and choice of surgical procedure. Thus, IOUS can dynamically monitor the surgical procedure, guide the operation, and inspect the outcome of operations, therefore, effectively improving the quality of operation.     

GENERAL ANESTHESIA FOR EYE OPERATIONS—A Consideration of Some Pertinent Factors Involved in Administration

In the administration of general anesthesia for surgical operations on the eye, care must be taken to consider the patient''s total physiological condition. A patient with eye problems may have generalized changes of more than moderate extent. Most patients are in the age group in which the incidence of cardiovascular and pulmonary problems is relatively high. If the patient is in a younger age group, perhaps diabetes or the collagen diseases must be suspected. Care must be taken to prevent undue strains to the eye during and immediately after the operation.Constant care and an awareness of possible complication is necessary for successful management in these cases.     

Operations upon the aged

From the point of view of the surgeon, as repeatedly emphasized in the surgical literature, the mortality rate for operations upon old persons is only slightly higher for elective surgical operations than for the same operations on younger persons when proper preoperative and postoperative precautions are taken. However, the mortality rate for emergency operations is much higher in old persons than in younger ones. Many surgeons believe, therefore, that disease for which operation is otherwise indicated should be treated surgically irrespective of the age of the patient per se. The authors' experience with operations upon old persons at the San Francisco Hospital accords with these conclusions.     

The use of antithyroid drugs

The preoperative use of antithyroid drugs is mandatory if surgical treatment of complicated hyperthyroidism is contemplated. Six months to a year may be required for suitable preparation. The long-term use of antithyroid drugs is less effective for the "cure" of hyperthyroidism than is operation or the use of radioactive iodine. Propyl and methyl thiouracil are the antithyroid drugs of choice. Either of these thiouracil derivatives is capable of producing leukopenia. The antithyroid drugs exert no favorable effect on exophthalmos. The antithyroid drugs are suitable for the control of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. The patient probably should not be kept hypothyroid during pregnancy but rather in a state of mild hyperthyroidism.     

OPERATIONS UPON THE AGED

From the point of view of the surgeon, as repeatedly emphasized in the surgical literature, the mortality rate for operations upon old persons is only slightly higher for elective surgical operations than for the same operations on younger persons when proper preoperative and postoperative precautions are taken. However, the mortality rate for emergency operations is much higher in old persons than in younger ones. Many surgeons believe, therefore, that disease for which operation is otherwise indicated should be treated surgically irrespective of the age of the patient per se.The authors'' experience with operations upon old persons at the San Francisco Hospital accords with these conclusions.     

THE USE OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS

The preoperative use of antithyroid drugs is mandatory if surgical treatment of complicated hyperthyroidism is contemplated. Six months to a year may be required for suitable preparation.The long-term use of antithyroid drugs is less effective for the “cure” of hyperthyroidism than is operation or the use of radioactive iodine.Propyl and methyl thiouracil are the antithyroid drugs of choice.Either of these thiouracil derivatives is capable of producing leukopenia.The antithyroid drugs exert no favorable effect on exophthalmos.The antithyroid drugs are suitable for the control of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. The patient probably should not be kept hypothyroid during pregnancy but rather in a state of mild hyperthyroidism.     

Effect of preoperative suggestion on postoperative gastrointestinal motility.

Autonomic behavior is subject to direct suggestion. We found that patients undergoing major operations benefit more from instruction than from information and reassurance. We compared the return of intestinal function after intra-abdominal operations in 2 groups of patients: the suggestion group received specific instructions for the early return of gastrointestinal motility, and the control group received an equal-length interview offering reassurance and nonspecific instructions. The suggestion group had a significantly shorter average time to the return of intestinal motility, 2.6 versus 4.1 days. Time to discharge was 6.5 versus 8.1 days. Covariates including duration of operation, amount of intraoperative bowel manipulation, and amount of postoperative narcotics were also examined using the statistical model analysis of covariance. An average savings of $1,200 per patient resulted from this simple 5-minute intervention. In summary, the use of specific physiologically active suggestions given preoperatively in a beleivable manner can reduce the morbidity associated with an intra-abdominal operation by reducing the duration of ileus.     

Short-term Evaluation of Synovectomy in Haemophilia

Twenty-three operations of synovectomy (15 on the knee, 5 on the ankle, and 3 on the elbow) were carried out over a three-year period in 19 patients with severe haemophilia A and B who were followed for an average period of 15 months postoperatively. Short-term evaluation of the results was mainly based on the postoperative incidence of haemarthrosis and on the range of joint motion, which were compared with the preoperative findings. Synovectomy reduced, but did not abolish, the occurrence of haemarthrosis; however, after the operation bleeding episodes were usually less severe and incapacitating. Joint mobility was often reduced despite an intensive and prolonged programme of physiotherapy. Nevertheless, most of the patients were pleased with the results of the operation as they could lead a more active life because of the decreased risk of joint bleeding.In the light of these findings we conclude that synovectomy is not the elective treatment of choice for haemophilic arthropathy. It may be indicated in a few selected cases when conservative treatment has failed to control repeated haemarthrosis and synovitis. Controlled clinical trials and long-term evaluation are needed to establish its effect on the final outcome of haemophilic arthropathy.     

Surgical treatment of impending myocardial infarction: Report of two cases

Two men, aged 29 and 44, presented with clinical and electrocardiographic evidence suggesting impending myocardial infarction. Selective coronary angiography revealed serious obstructive coronary atherosclerosis including gross stenosis of the main left coronary artery in both. Emergency surgical operations were performed, a double aorto-coronary venous bypass in one and a single venous bypass combined with a Vineberg operation in the other. Neither patient sustained myocardial infarction. Both patients are very well more than six months after operation. Clinical, electrocardiographic and angiographic evidence of the effectiveness of these operations is presented.     

Myocardial Infarction following Surgical Operations

One hundred and forty-one randomly selected surgical patients, aged 35 years or over, were studied preoperatively, followed through their operative procedures, and reassessed during the first post-operative week for evidence of myocardial ischaemia associated with surgical operations under general anaesthesia. Of these patients 38% were found to have preoperative clinical evidence of heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes; 45% had abnormal preoperative E.C.G. patterns.Three patients experienced myocardial infarction during or within 36 hours of operation, all of the occult type; all were in the preoperative abnormal groups. Non-specific postoperative E.C.G. changes were equally common in the groups of patients with normal or abnormal preoperative electrocardiograms.A relationship existed between a rise in serum lactic dehydrogenase (L.D.H.) concentration and the field of the operation, but the diagnosis of infarction was not confused provided serum L.D.H. isoenzyme patterns and a rise in serum aspartate aminotransferase (S.G.O.T.) levels were consistent with the diagnosis.     

Expert systems in histopathology. II. Knowledge representation and rule-based systems

Two aspects of expert systems for use in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology are examined: knowledge representation and the structure and operation of rule-based systems. Knowledge may be represented, e.g., in semantic networks, frames, multiple contexts and model-based structures; the choice of structure should be matched to the type of information to create an efficient and logically adequate expert system. In a rule-based system, knowledge is represented as "rules," often in the form of "IF (condition)-THEN (conclusion)" rules. The anatomy of such rules and their operation is explored via the use of examples. Uncertainty in rules is briefly addressed, and their processing by the symbolic reasoning of the "inference engine" of the expert system is described, including both "forward-chaining" ("data-driven") operations and "backward-chaining" ("goal-driven") operations.     

粘弹剂在不同眼球破裂伤手术中的应用

目的：分析粘弹剂在不同眼球破裂伤手术中的有效作用。方法：回顾并分析27例不同程度眼球破裂伤患者的治疗,其中包括复杂角膜裂口并虹膜脱出修复术、摘出前房异物、瞳孔区非磁性异物、虹膜根部断离,晶体损伤或脱位等。术中应用粘弹剂固定异物、充填前房及玻璃体腔。观察术后6个月的眼球形态、视力等指标。结果：术后观察最少6个月。27例眼球全部保留,24例有视力。3例因继发视网膜脱离复住2次手术失败而失明,后眼球萎缩,植入义眼。11例白内障现代囊外摘除或PHACO术后植入人工晶体,3例晶体脱位者摘除晶体后缝线植入人工晶体。11眼视力在0．5以上。无眼内炎及交感性眼炎发生。单纯前节手术10人中均有术后轻度眼压增高,但很快恢复正常。3例因伴有视网膜脱离患者术后眼压低,术后失明。结论：不同重度眼外伤后眼内容大量丢失。眼球形态政变。应用粘弹刑可为手术提供方便,也能为保全眼球并恢复视能提供机会。在前房异物取出时能有效固定异物,为异物的取出创造是好的基础。     

Interactions of morphine with putative neurotransmitters in the mesencephalic reticular formation

Acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) have been identified previously as putative nociceptive neurotransmitters in the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) of the rat because they frequently mimic the change in neuronal firing (usually an increase) evoked by a noxious stimulus (NS). The purpose of this study was to determine if 1.) morphine (M) acts to prevent the increase in firing evoked by a NS by blocking the effects of either of these two neurotransmitters and 2.) if this effect is a specific narcotic effect. Using the technique of microiontophoresis in conjunction with extracellular recording, we located single units in the MRF in which 1.) neuronal firing was accelerated by a NS: 2.) M blocked this response; and 3.) either ACh or NE mimicked the effect of the NS. Neurons meeting these three criteria were studied further to determined if morphine would also block the response to either of the neurotransmitters and if this was a specific narcotic effect. We found that morphine blocked the increase in neuronal firing evoked by the NS and ACh or the NS and NE in over 50% of the cells meeting the above criteria. Some neurons were found in which both ACh and NE mimicked the NS and M blocked all three responses. This blockade of these neurotransmitters was a specific narcotic effect because it could be reversed by the systematic administration of naloxone. These data lead to the tentative hypothesis that M, acting via an opiate receptor, blocks the increase in neuronal firing evoked by a NS by blocking the postsynaptic effects of either ACh or NE. This may be one of the mechanisms by which morphine acts to produce analgesia.     

En bloc cervical lipectomy for treatment of the problem neck in facial rejuvenation surgery

The treatment of cervical fat in facial aesthetic surgery has received much attention in recent years. Suction lipectomy has become a very popular technique for removing cervical fat because it is easy to perform and results in few complications. This paper describes the en bloc excision of cervical fat in conjunction with rhytidectomy. The senior author has treated 1,000 patients over 17 years using this technique with a high degree of patient satisfaction and minimal morbidity. Although suction lipectomy alone may be indicated for the younger patient, our experience suggests that the en bloc excisional technique is the treatment of choice in the older patient in whom a rhytidectomy is also indicated. In contrast with suction lipectomy, we have found that the en bloc excision of cervical fat allows for more anatomic dissection and facilitates removal of greater amounts of fat and better redraping of the cervical skin.     

Nonspecific arousal with noloxone.

The use of naloxone, the first narcotic antagonist devoid of agonist properties, has become the standard way of treating narcotic-induced coma and respiratory depression. This report concerns a patient in whom a narcotic effect was unlikely, but who nevetheless showed arousal after naloxone administration.     

The value of tear film breakup and Schirmer's tests in preoperative blepharoplasty evaluation

The results of tear film breakup (BUT) and Schirmer's I and II tests were retrospectively analyzed on 146 patients undergoing elective blepharoplasty over a 41-month period. These tests were evaluated in conjunction with ocular history, orbital and periorbital anatomy, and Bell's phenomenon in order to determine their value, if any, in identifying patients at risk of developing a post-blepharoplasty dry eye complication. One-hundred and six patients (73 percent) had test results that were within normal limits, and two of these patients (1.9 percent) complained postoperatively of a transient gritty or burning sensation. Forty patients (27 percent) had abnormal results to one, two, or all three tests, and two of these patients (5 percent) also complained postoperatively of a transient gritty or burning sensation. These four symptomatic patients all had preoperative dry eye histories and abnormal orbital and periorbital anatomy. When analyzed alone, an abnormal tear film breakup (BUT) or Schirmer's test was not a good predictor of possible postblepharoplasty dry eye complications. An abnormal preoperative ocular history or abnormal orbital and periorbital anatomy proved to be the best predictor for the possible development of a postblepharoplasty dry eye complication.     

温敏性几丁糖填充兔眼玻璃体两种手术方式对比研究

目的:通过两种手术方式对兔眼玻璃体进行温敏性几丁糖填充,比较其眼压及并发症差异。方法:将18只白兔随机分为实验组和对照组,每组各9只,右眼均为手术眼,实验组白兔行玻璃体切割术并注入温敏性几丁糖,对照组通过1 m L注射器抽取玻璃体并填充温敏性几丁糖,术后随访1月,对比两组白兔术后眼压及手术并发症的差异性。结果:实验组手术前眼压(7.76±2.21)mm Hg与术后眼压(7.49±2.98)mm Hg无明显差异(P0.05),对照组手术前眼压(7.80±2.04)mm Hg与手术后眼压(5.17±0.96)mm Hg有统计学意义(P0.05)。对照组术后并发症发生率为44.4%(4/9),明显高于实验组22.2%(2/9)。结论:玻璃体腔注射温敏性几丁糖操作简单,但并发症较多,且易造成眼压改变;而玻璃体切割术后填充温敏性几丁糖并发症相对较少,眼压波动较小,但应注意并发性白内障的发生。     

A new system of infiltration anesthesia and sedation for plastic surgery

This technique produces patient cooperation during the phase of local anesthetic injection by judicious use of intravenous ketamine. The addition of diazepam and a narcotic drug to low-dose ketamine may account for a low incidence of hallucinations and psychic sensations. The use of a dilute solution of lidocaine and a very low concentration of epinephrine allows large areas to be anesthetized. The ultralow concentration of epinephrine provides effective vasoconstriction. The result is good patient acceptance, a stable blood pressure and heart rate, and a low incidence of complications classically associated with local anesthetic toxicity.