Blood lactate and pyruvate levels in the perioperative period of liver resection with Pringle maneuver.

Introduction: Bleeding during liver surgery is often routinely controlled by the Pringle maneuver consisting in the temporary clamping of hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct. This study aimed at investigating a possible influence of the Pringle maneuver on tissue hypoxia during liver resection.

Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing elective liver resection were prospectively randomized either to be treated with the Pringle maneuver (Pringle group, n = 14) or without clamping (Controls, n = 11).

[Intratracheal foreign body caused by a sheared endotracheal intubation stylet].

After orotracheal intubation of a 30-year-old man with a flexible tube, a floating foreign body was noticed inside the tube. The subsequent bronchoscopy revealed a second foreign body near the bifurcation of the trachea. Both foreign bodies were removed successfully and identified as parts of the plastic-sheathed stylet.

Effects of clonidine and superficial cervical plexus block on hemodynamic stability after carotid endarterectomy.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of 2 interventions (intravenous clonidine and superficial cervical block) on hemodynamic stability after carotid endarterectomy and to identify variables associated with hemodynamic instability.

Design: Prospective, observational study, sequential enrollment.

Setting: University hospital.

The unanticipated difficult intubation: rigid or flexible endoscope?

Background: Unanticipated difficult intubation occurs with a frequency between 1.5% and 8.5%.

[Anaesthesiological management in orthotopic liver transplantation -- results of a survey].

Objective: Since there is no therapeutical standard for the anaesthesiological approach during liver transplantation (LTX) in Germany at the moment, we have evaluated the current anaesthesiological procedures during LTX.

Methods: All departments of anaesthesiology (n = 24) cooperating with transplantation centers in Germany received a questionnaire via mail regarding following complexes: anaesthesiological methods, anaesthetics, blood components therapy, perioperative monitoring, supportive cardiovascular therapy and staff.

Results: The answers (n = 16) showed following results: Balanced anaesthesia with continuous application of opioids was the standard method (80 %).