Influence of forward leaning and incentive spirometry on inspired volumes and inspiratory electromyographic activity during breathing exercises in healthy subjects

Breathing exercises (BE), incentive spirometry and positioning are considered treatment modalities to achieve lung re-expansion. This study evaluated the influence of incentive spirometry and forward leaning on inspired tidal volumes (V_T) and electromyographic activity of inspiratory muscles during BE. Four modalities of exercises were investigated: deep breathing, spirometry using both flow and volume-oriented devices, and volume-oriented spirometry after modified verbal instruction. Twelve healthy subjects aged 22.7 ± 2.1 years were studied. Surface electromyography activity of diaphragm, external intercostals, sternocleidomastoid and scalenes was recorded. Comparisons among the three types of exercises, without considering spirometry after modified instruction, showed that electromyographic activity and V_T were lower during volume-oriented spirometry (p = 0.000, p = 0.054, respectively). Forward leaning resulted in a lower V_T when compared to upright sitting (p = 0.000), but electromyographic activity was not different (p = 0.606). Inspired V_T and electromyographic activity were higher during volume-oriented spirometry performed after modified instruction when compared with the flow-oriented device (p = 0.027, p = 0.052, respectively). In conclusion BE using volume-oriented spirometry before modified instruction resulted in a lower work of breathing as a result of a lower V_T and was not a consequence of the device type used. Forward leaning might not be assumed by healthy subjects during situations of augmented respiratory demand.     

Severe progressive scoliosis in an adult female possibly secondary thoracic surgery in childhood treated with scoliosis specific Schroth physiotherapy: Case presentation

Background

Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional (3D) spinal deformity. Acquired scoliosis in early childhood may progress into adulthood and pose an increased risk of health problems and reduction in quality of life. In Canada, patients with scoliosis are not referred for physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) despite the fact that Schroth physiotherapy, a scoliosis-specific 3D posture training and exercise program, can be effective in reducing pain and improving scoliosis curves, vital capacity, and overall quality of life in scoliosis patients. This case presentation shows that indeed adult curve progression can be stopped and even reversed with scoliosis specific Schroth physiotherapy (SSSPT) in an adult patient with scoliosis.

Methods

This is a retrospective case presentation involving a 23-year-old female scoliosis patient who began an outpatient Schroth physiotherapy exercise program and was initially monitored monthly and then annually for improvement in measurements of angle of trunk rotation (ATR) and chest expansion and improvement in vital capacity measured with incentive spirometry. Photos were taken to document body image periodically throughout Schroth physiotherapy treatment. Additionally, the patient completed SRS-22 quality of life questionnaires every 2 years to evaluate daily function, pain, self-imagine, mental health, and scoliosis management satisfaction.

Results

Within one month of beginning SSSPT, the patient reported no more back pain and within 2 months, reported improved breathing. The patient also benefitted from improved chest expansion, reduced scoliosis curve angles (measured in Cobb degrees), increased vital capacity, decreased ATR, and higher SRS-22 scores. She became more active and resumed all athletic activity within 8 months of beginning Schroth physiotherapy.

Conclusions

Adult scoliosis patients are not routinely referred for PSSE in Canada, even though Schroth physiotherapy, a form of PSSE, is shown to be effective in this case presentation. The patient in this case presentation was successfully treated with Schroth physiotherapy. Long-term comprehensive Schroth physiotherapy, to help correct and maintain proper posture in all aspects of daily living, should be part of scoliosis management for adult scoliosis patients in Canada to stop and reverse curve progression and to improve overall quality of life.

     

The Use of Physiotherapy among Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Impact of Sex,Socio-Demographic and Clinical Factors

Background

Physiotherapy with exercises is generally recommended in the treatment of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

Objective

We aimed to investigate the use of physiotherapy in patients with SIS in Danish hospital settings as part of initial non-surgical treatment and after SIS-related surgery and to evaluate to which extent sex, socio-demographic and clinical factors predict the use of physiotherapy.

Methods

Using national health registers, we identified 57,311 patients who had a first hospital contact with a diagnosis of ICD-10, groups M75.1–75.9, 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2011. Records of physiotherapy were extracted within 52 weeks after first contact (or until surgery), and for surgically treated patients within 26 weeks after surgery. Predictors of the use of physiotherapy after first contact and after surgery were analysed as time-to-event.

Results

Within 52 weeks after first contact, 43% of the patients had physiotherapy and 30% underwent surgery. Within 26 weeks after surgery, 80% had a record of physiotherapy. After first contact and after surgery, exercise was part of physiotherapy in 65% and 84% of the patients, respectively. A public hospital contact, physiotherapy before hospital contact, administrative region, female sex, a diagnosis of other or unspecified disorders (M75.8-M75.9), and surgical procedure predicted higher use of physiotherapy. Low education level predicted slightly lower use of physiotherapy after first contact, but not after surgery.

Conclusion

In patients with SIS in Danish hospital settings, physiotherapy was more often used after surgery than as part of initial non-surgical treatment. The use of physiotherapy was less common among men than women, whereas unequal use of physiotherapy in relation to education level was not noticeable. The use of physiotherapy with exercises in initial non-surgical treatment was relatively limited.     

A rehabilitation program for improving exercise tolerance of patients with chronic lung disease

A Chronic Chest Disease Rehabilitation Program has been developed in the Toronto General Hospital to improve exercise tolerance in very disabled patients. The most important part of the program is physical conditioning using mainly a motor-driven treadmill. The treadmill exercise is done breathing room air or, in the case of the most disabled patients, an oxygen-enriched gas mixture. Other exercise includes riding a stationary bicycle, going up and down stairs, and turning a wheel by hand. Other aspects of the program are breathing exercises, inhalation therapy using an ultrasonic nebulizer, chest physiotherapy, and patient education. The importance of a team approach with encouragement, enthusiasm and demonstration of steady progress is emphasized.     

缩唇腹式呼吸联合呼吸操训练对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者血气分析指标、肺功能和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨缩唇腹式呼吸联合呼吸操训练对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者血气分析指标、肺功能和生活质量的影响。方法:选取2020年1月-2021年4月期间就诊于我院的82例COPD患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(缩唇腹式呼吸训练,41例)和研究组(缩唇腹式呼吸结合呼吸操训练,41例),对比两组疗效、血气分析指标[动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO₂)、血氧分压(PaO₂)、血氧饱和度(SaO₂)]、肺功能[用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV₁)、第1秒用力呼气容积所占FVC的比例(FEV₁/FVC)]、生活质量[圣乔治呼吸问卷(SGRQ)评分]、6分钟步行试验(6MWT)距离、BODE指数。结果:研究组的临床总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗3个月后PaO₂、SaO₂高于对照组,PaCO₂低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗3个月后FEV₁、FVC、FEV₁/FVC高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗3个月后6MWT距离长于对照组,SGRQ评分、BODE指数低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:缩唇腹式呼吸联合呼吸操训练可改善COPD患者血气分析指标,提高肺功能和运动耐力,改善生活质量,疗效显著。     

Collaborative overview of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy--III: Reduction in venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism by antiplatelet prophylaxis among surgical and medical patients. Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy as prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in surgical and high risk medical patients. DESIGN--Overviews of all randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy that could have been available by March 1990 and in which deep venous thrombosis was assessed systematically. SETTING--53 trials (total 8400 patients) of an average of two weeks of antiplatelet therapy versus control in general or orthopaedic surgery; nine trials (600 patients) of antiplatelet therapy versus control in other types of immobility; 18 trials (1000 patients) of one antiplatelet regimen versus another. RESULTS--Overall, a few weeks of antiplatelet therapy produced a highly significant (2P < 0.00001) reduction in deep venous thrombosis. 25% of patients allocated antiplatelet therapy versus 34% of appropriately adjusted controls had deep venous thrombosis detected by systematic fibrinogen scanning or venography, representing prevention in about 90 patients per 1000 allocated antiplatelet therapy. There was an even greater proportional reduction in pulmonary embolism: such emboli were detected among 47 (1.0%) antiplatelet allocated patients versus an adjusted control total of 129 (2.7%), representing prevention among about 17 patients per 1000 treated (2P < 0.00001). In analyses confined to surgical trials, the proportional reductions were similar and separately significant for nonfatal pulmonary embolism (0.7% antiplatelet therapy v 1.8% control; 2P < 0.00001) and for deaths attributed to pulmonary embolism (0.2% v 0.9%; 2P = 0.0001). There was a slight but non-significant excess of deaths from other causes (1.0% v 0.7%), which made the difference in total mortality nonsignificant, though still favourable (1.2% v 1.5%). Information on adding antiplatelet therapy to heparin was limited but, at least for pulmonary embolism, suggested more protection from the combination than from heparin alone. The proportional reduction in the odds of suffering a deep venous thrombosis was roughly the same in patients having general surgery, traumatic orthopaedic surgery, and elective orthopaedic surgery (and in medical patients who were at increased risk of thromboembolism). For pulmonary embolism the numbers affected were smaller, but again the reductions were highly significant both in general surgery (16 (0.5%) v 58 (1.7%) pulmonary emboli; 2P < 0.0001) and in orthopaedic surgery (28 (2.7%) v 63 (6.1%) pulmonary emboli; 2P < 0.0002). CONCLUSION--It had previously been supposed that antiplatelet therapy did not influence venous thromboembolism, and many surgeons and physicians do not use it routinely for thromboprophylaxis, even for patients who are at substantial risk of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. These results indicate that antiplatelet therapy--either alone or, for greater effect, in addition to other proved forms of thromboprophylaxis (such as subcutaneous heparin)--should be considered.     

Chest physiotherapy in primary pneumonia.

One hundred and seventy one patients with primary pneumonia entered a single blind, placebo controlled trial of physiotherapy. Treatment was allocated at random, physiotherapy consisting of postural drainage, external help with breathing, percussion, and vibration and the controls receiving advice on expectoration, deep breathing, and how to exercise to avoid thrombosis. Principles of pharmaceutical management were the same in the two groups. There was no objective evidence that daily physiotherapy helped during the acute phase of the disease. On the contrary, in younger patients, smokers, and patients with interstitial pneumonia physiotherapy appeared to prolong the duration of fever as well as the hospital stay. It is concluded that chest physiotherapy is at best useless in patients with primary infectious pneumonia.     

Changes in endogenous microflora among febrile granulocytopenic patients receiving empiric antibiotic therapy: implications for fungal superinfection.

The ecologic effect of empiric systemic antibiotic therapy on the endogenous microflora was evaluated in 83 febrile granulocytopenic patients with cancer who were randomly allocated to receive moxalactam plus ticarcillin (45 patients) or tobramycin plus ticarcillin (38 patients) for suspected infection. Serial surveillance cultures of the nasal passages, oropharynx and feces performed twice a week showed that patients who received the former regimen had higher elimination rates and significantly lower acquisition rates (p = 0.027) for aerobic gram-negative bacilli than did patients who received the latter regimen. However, therapy with moxalactam plus ticarcillin also resulted in significantly higher acquisition rates for yeasts (p = 0.004). This was associated with a significantly higher fungal superinfection rate among these patients than among those who received tobramycin plus ticarcillin (40% v. 16%) (p less than 0.05). Moxalactam plus ticarcillin therapy created a greater microbial ecologic vacuum by the elimination of intestinal anaerobes, which, in turn, permitted fungal colonization and an increased risk of superinfection. Our results support the recommendation that an antipseudomonal penicillin plus an aminoglycoside be selected as empiric therapy for suspected infection in febrile granulocytopenic patients with cancer. Such a regimen would spare the anaerobic intestinal microflora, thereby reducing the risk of fungal colonization and infection.     

Postoperative Pulmonary Atelectasis and Collapse,and its Prophylaxis with Intravenous Bicarbonate

Of 181 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery 116 developed chest complications associated with a metabolic acidosis, low Pco2, depressed tidal volume, increased respiratory rate, but no increase in minute volume. In a matched group of 116 patients given intravenous bicarbonate postoperatively only 15 developed chest complications. This suggests that respiratory physiological dead space decreases in patients with pulmonary collapse and atelectasis following surgery. Acidotic respiration proved inefficient in the postoperative period, and intravenous bicarbonate had a very pronounced effect on the tidal and minute volumes of acidotic patients with pulmonary collapse and atelectasis.     

微波理疗对阑尾炎术后切口康复效果及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨微波理疗对阑尾炎患者术后切口康复效果及生活质量的影响。方法:选取2017年8月到2018年12月期间在秦皇岛市第一医院进行阑尾炎手术治疗的患者120例,按数表法将患者随机分为对照组(n=60)和研究组(n=60)。对照组患者术后接受常规换药治疗,研究组患者术后给予微波理疗。比较两组患者的术后恢复指标[肠鸣音恢复时间、切口愈合时间、肛门排气时间、住院时间、视觉模拟评分(VAS)]、并发症发生情况[切口感染、切口脂肪液化、腹胀、切口疼痛]以及生活质量。结果:研究组患者的肠鸣音恢复时间、切口愈合时间、肛门排气时间、住院时间分别为(18.19±3.57)h、(7.12±1.03)d、(21.42±3.54)h、(12.17±4.03)d,均短于对照组的(21.36±4.26)h、(8.09±1.36)d、(23.19±4.63)h、(14.39±4.62)d,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组的VAS评分为(3.56±1.05)分,低于对照组的(4.78±1.24)分,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组患者的切口感染、切口脂肪液化、腹胀、切口疼痛等并发症发生率为3.33%、8.33%、10.00%、16.67%,均低于对照组的16.67%、28.33%、23.33%、36.67%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组患者的肠道症状、全身症状、情感功能的得分以及总分为(48.31±5.03)分、(46.39±4.87)分、(49.33±4.42)分、(187.97±12.21)分,均高于对照组的(44.15±4.26)分、(42.17±5.02)分、(45.02±3.94)分、(174.02±10.32)分,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),两组患者的社会功能得分比较无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:微波理疗可有效促进阑尾炎患者术后康复,减轻患者术后疼痛程度,降低术后并发症的发生率,并可有效改善患者术后的生活质量。     

Randomised clinical trial of manipulative therapy and physiotherapy for persistent back and neck complaints: results of one year follow up.

OBJECTIVE--To compare the effectiveness of manipulative therapy, physiotherapy, treatment by the general practitioner, and placebo therapy in patients with persistent non-specific back and neck complaints. DESIGN--Randomised clinical trial. SETTING--Primary health care in the Netherlands. PATIENTS--256 patients with non-specific back and neck complaints of at least six weeks'' duration who had not received physiotherapy or manipulative therapy in the past two years. INTERVENTIONS--At the discretion of the manipulative therapists, physiotherapists, and general practitioners. Physiotherapy consisted of exercises, massage, and physical therapy (heat, electrotherapy, ultrasound, shortwave diathermy). Manipulative therapy consisted of manipulation and mobilisation of the spine. Treatment by general practitioners consisted of drugs (for example, analgesics), advice about posture, home exercises, and (bed)rest. Placebo treatment consisted of detuned shortwave diathermy (10 minutes) and detuned ultrasound (10 minutes). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Changes in severity of the main complaint and limitation of physical functioning measured on 10 point scales by a blinded research assistant and global perceived effect measured on a 6 point scale by the patients. RESULTS--Many patients in the general practitioner and placebo groups received other treatment during follow up. Improvement in the main complaint was larger with manipulative therapy (4.5) than with physiotherapy (3.8) after 12 months'' follow up (difference 0.9; 95% confidence interval 0.1 to 1.7). Manipulative therapy also gave larger improvements in physical functioning (difference 0.6; -0.1 to 1.3). The global perceived effect after six and 12 months'' follow up was similar for both treatments. CONCLUSIONS--Manipulative therapy and physiotherapy are better than general practitioner and placebo treatment. Furthermore, manipulative therapy is slightly better than physiotherapy after 12 months.     

肝部分切除治疗肝内胆管结石患者术后并发症及影响因素分析

目的:分析肝部分切除术治疗肝内胆管结石患者术后并发症及影响因素。方法:选取我院收治的肝内胆管结石患者117例,均采取肝部分切除术治疗,对其临床资料进行回顾性分析,研究术后并发症的发生情况,并对影响因素进行分析。结果:本组117例患者,并发症发生率35.04%,其中肝功能衰竭1例,胆道出血2例,消化道出血6例,腹腔感染6例,胆瘘6例,胸腔积液8例,切口感染12例。并发症组患者术前白蛋白、手术时间、既往胆道手术史水平与非并发症组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。肝部分切除术后的并发症多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,手术时间、既往胆道手术史均是术后并发症独立风险因素。结论:肝部分切除术治疗肝内胆管结石患者术后并发症发生率较高,以切口感染和胸腔积液为最,患者的既往手术史以及手术时间均是影响并发症发生的重要危险因素,做好针对性预防可预防并发症的发生。     

Pre-operative respiratory evaluation and management of patients for upper abdominal surgery.

Patients presenting for surgery, be it on an elective or emergency basis, do so in the hope that the anesthetic will be without risk. Yet complications which arise are not always due to anesthesia. More often, the surgical process and factors intrinsic to the patient are major determinants of outcome. Pre-operative assessment allows review of the patient and the proposed surgery, and formation of a plan of management for the pre-, intra-, and post-operative anesthetic care. This paper provides an overview of the pre-operative assessment and management of patients who are to undergo upper abdominal surgery, with the aim of minimizing their risk of post-operative pulmonary complications. In particular, factors which contribute to the development of post-operative respiratory problems are described.     

Inhibition of breathing associated with gallbladder stimulation in dogs

The effect of mechanical stimulation of the gallbladder on breathing was studied in anesthetized spontaneously breathing dogs. Measurements of tidal volume, breathing frequency, rib cage and abdominal diameter, transdiaphragmatic pressure, and electrical activity of the diaphragm were made while traction or compression was applied to the gallbladder for periods of 30 s. Both forms of mechanical stimulation produced similar changes, including large decreases in tidal volume, respiratory rate, electrical activity of the diaphragm, and transdiaphragmatic pressure swings. Inspiratory rib cage expansion was little affected, but abdominal expansion was greatly reduced, and swings in gastric pressure were reduced more than swings in pleural pressure, indicating a selective decrease in diaphragmatic activity. Recovery of all measured parameters returned toward control values, despite continued traction or compression. Some inhibition persisted after the stimulus was withdrawn. The very brief interval between stimulus and response suggested that the mechanism was a neural reflex. The afferents involved are unknown but are not purely vagal in nature, since qualitatively similar results were seen in animals after vagotomy. The alteration in breathing frequency indicates that at least part of the reflex is supraspinally mediated. The change in pattern of breathing closely resembles that seen in subjects after abdominal surgery and supports the theory that reflex inhibition of breathing contributes to postoperative pulmonary complications seen in those subjects.     

Relative contributions of rib cage and abdomen to breathing in normal subjects.

By use of the method of Konno and Mead and the respiratory magnetometer, the partition of respired gas volumes into rib cage and diaphragm-abdomen components was accomplished in 81 normal subjects including 32 young and middle-aged men, 29 young and middle-aged women, and 20 elderly men. Studied were isovolume maneuvers and the relaxation configuration over the inspiratory capacity range, quiet tidal breathing, increased amplitudes of slow breathing, rapid inspirations and expirations, and both quiet and forceful phonation. No major differences were noted between men and women or between the young and the elderly during any respiratory acts. During quiet breathing most normal subjects are abdominal breathers when supine and thoracic breathers when upright. Rapid respiratory maneuvers were accomplished mostly through rib cage displacement suggesting that rib cage muscles are capable of more rapid action than diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Data from deep breathing and rapid maneuvers supported the view that abdominal and rib cage muscles often act to optimize the mechanical (length-tension) advantage of the diaphragm.     

Effects of aesthetic abdominoplasty on abdominal wall perfusion: a quantitative evaluation

Abdominoplasty procedures involve a high risk of early complications, including hematomas, seromas, necrosis, and wound-healing problems. Their rationale is evident from the vascular anatomy of the abdominal wall, as traditional abdominoplasty includes a division of the main perforating vessels. No studies exist to quantitatively assess the consequences of abdominoplasty on the perfusion of the random pattern abdominal flap. To address this issue and quantify the influence of classic abdominoplasty on the perfusion of the abdominal skin, the authors performed a prospective clinical trial including 15 low-risk patients undergoing abdominoplasty for aesthetic purposes. Perfusion of the abdominal flap was measured intraoperatively using the technique of dynamic laser-fluorescence-videoangiography. In the region between the umbilicus and the transverse scar (zone 1), the increment of fluorescence (the slope of the intensity curve during inflow of the indocyanine green) was recorded and compared with the intensity curve of normal tissue that was not involved in surgery (thoracic wall). The results of the intraoperative indocyanine green perfusography showed a significant impairment of the vascular supply of zone 1 in all patients. The mean perfusion index in this region was 17.2 percent (range, 5 to 32 percent) of the perfusion of the surrounding skin that was not involved in surgery. The complication rate was 33 percent (five patients) and included two cases of hematoma and three cases of scar dehiscence with skin and/or fat necrosis. These data indicate that conventional abdominoplasty including extended undermining and division of the superficial and the deep arterial systems causes profound devascularization of the abdominal flap. This might explain the high incidence of complications following this procedure.     

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis after hip replacement: randomised comparison between unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two subcutaneous prophylactic regimens for postoperative deep vein thrombosis after total hip replacement. DESIGN--Prospective open randomised multicentre trial. SETTING--28 European departments of orthopaedic surgery. INTERVENTION--All patients had bilateral phlebography 10 days after surgery. 31 patients receiving low molecular weight heparin and 29 receiving unfractionated heparin were excluded from the efficacy analysis for various reasons. PATIENTS--349 patients undergoing total hip replacement between September 1988 and May 1989. 174 patients received subcutaneously a low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine) with anti-factor Xa activity of 41 IU/kg/day for three days, then 62 IU/kg/day from day 4 to day 10. 175 patients received subcutaneous unfractionated heparin at intervals of eight hours; doses were adjusted to maintain the activated thromboplastin time at two to five seconds above control values. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Total incidence of deep vein thrombosis and incidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis on bilateral phlebography. RESULTS--The total incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 16% in patients receiving unfractionated heparin and 12.6% in patients receiving low molecular weight heparin (p = 0.45), and the incidence of thrombosis of the proximal veins was 13.1% and 2.9% respectively (p less than 0.001). Four patients receiving unfractionated heparin and one receiving low molecular weight heparin developed pulmonary embolism. The incidence of bleeding complications was low and comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSION--Low molecular weight heparin is at least as effective as unfractionated heparin in preventing deep vein thrombosis and is more effective at preventing thrombosis of the proximal veins in patients undergoing hip replacement. Low molecular weight heparin is not more likely to cause bleeding complications and is simpler to give than unfractionated heparin.     

Modulation of upper airway collapsibility during sleep: influence of respiratory phase and flow regimen.

We hypothesized that upper airway collapsibility is modulated dynamically throughout the respiratory cycle in sleeping humans by alterations in respiratory phase and/or airflow regimen. To test this hypothesis, critical pressures were derived from upper airway pressure-flow relationships in six tracheostomized patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Pressure-flow relationships were generated by varying the pressure at the trachea and nose during tracheostomy (inspiration and expiration) (comparison A) and nasal (inspiration only) breathing (comparison B), respectively. When a constant airflow regimen was maintained throughout the respiratory cycle (tracheostomy breathing), a small yet significant decrease in critical pressure was found at the inspiratory vs. end- and peak-expiratory time point [7.1 +/- 1.6 (SE) to 6.6 +/- 1.9 to 6.1 +/- 1.9 cmH(2)O, respectively; P < 0.05], indicating that phasic factors exerted only a modest influence on upper airway collapsibility. In contrast, we found that the inspiratory critical pressure fell markedly during nasal vs. tracheostomy breathing [1.1 +/- 1.5 (SE) vs. 6.1 +/- 1.9 cmH(2)O; P < 0.01], indicating that upper airway collapsibility is markedly influenced by differences in airflow regimen. Tracheostomy breathing was also associated with a reduction in both phasic and tonic genioglossal muscle activity during sleep. Our findings indicate that both phasic factors and airflow regimen modulate upper airway collapsibility dynamically and suggest that neuromuscular responses to alterations in airflow regimen can markedly lower upper airway collapsibility during inspiration.     

腹部手术伴COPD病人围手术期处理体会（附35例临床报告）

目的：探讨伴有COPD病人行腹部手术时的危险性、手术耐受力评估以及围手术期的处理。方法：主要分析35例COPD病人行上腹部手术的临床资料。结果：35例病人中术后有发生肺部感染、腹部创口破裂等并发症,无一例发生呼衰,术后均治愈出院。结论：COPD病人手术有一定危险性,主要在术后,但术前与术中应进行适当的准备与处理,能降低术后并发症发生。不能过分强调其危险性而丧失手术时机。     

A new modified concomitant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Turkey

Background: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates have tended to decrease recently, mostly due to antibiotic resistance. In the present study, our aim was to determine Hp eradication rate with the LAC plus tid metronidazole regimen and the secondary objective of this study was to identify an effective regimen for our population. Methods: Eighty‐four Hp‐positive patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia were assigned into the same group. Patients were administered the classical LAC protocole (lansoprazole 30 mg bid, amoxicillin 1 g bid and claritromycin 500 mg bid for 14 days) plus metronidazole 500 mg tid for 14 days. Gastroscopy and histopathological assessment were performed before enrollment and C¹⁴ urea breath test and stool antigen test were performed 6 weeks after treatment. Results: All 84 patients completed the study. No patient left the study because of drug side effect. Total eradication rate was 75% (63/84). Conclusion: Although LAC plus tid metronidazole regimen achieved a much better eradication rate compared with the standard LAC regimen; this is the first study that has a relatively low success with a concomitant therapy. So in areas of high resistance like Turkey, one cannot expect a high success with any clarithromycin containing regimen and those should be avoided.