[The Influence of Tourniquet during Total Knee Arthroplasty on Perioperative Blood Loss and Postoperative Complications].

Background: Previous studies have shown that tourniquet (TQ) during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with nerve injury and deep vein thrombosis. However, it is still not clear whether TQ which is effective in decreasing intraoperative blood loss and creating a bloodless surgical fields, is beneficial in management during and after TKA.

Methods: We compared intra- and postoperative management of patients undergoing TKA with (Group T, n = 41) and that without a TQ (Group N, n = 40) at Toyama Prefectural Central Hospital.

[Anesthetic Management for a Patient with Fibromyalgia].

A 22-year-old female with fibromyalgia (FM) was scheduled for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. Her medication included pregabalin 300 mg x day(-1) and dantrolene 50 mg x day(-1). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane-remifentanil-fentanyl.

Impact of preoperative and postoperative atrial fibrillation on outcome after mitral valvuloplasty for nonischemic mitral regurgitation.

Objective: We sought to determine the impact of preoperative or postoperative atrial fibrillation on survival, stroke, and cardiac function after mitral valvuloplasty for mitral regurgitation.

Methods: Between 1991 and 2003, 1026 patients with nonischemic/noncardiomyopathy mitral valve regurgitation underwent mitral valve plasty in 3 centers; 663 patients remained in sinus rhythm (group A), and 363 patients had atrial fibrillation or flutter preoperatively (group B) with concomitant maze procedures (group BM, n = 163) or without maze procedures (group BN, n = 200).

Results: Eight-year freedom from cardiovascular-related death was better in group A (99.