Risk of orthopedic surgical site infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with antitumor necrosis factor alfa therapy.

Introduction. International guidelines recommend interruption of anti-TNF medications in the perioperative period, but there are no randomized trials to support such recommendation. Objectives.

Incidence of infectious complications in hip and knee arthroplasties in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the major indications of total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty. International studies have suggested that RA is a risk factor for prosthesis infections.

Objectives: To compare patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of other etiologies with regard to the incidence of prosthesis, incisional, and other systemic postoperative infections in THA and TKA.

Incidence of regional pain syndrome after carpal tunnel release. Is there a correlation with the anesthetic technique?

Background And Objectives: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy refers to a set of signs and symptoms that include pain, increased sweating, and vasomotor instability. Pain is usually triggered by a noxious stimulus in a peripheral nerve, which is disproportionate to the triggering stimulus. Its development after surgery is not uncommon varying with the type of intervention.

Effect of isolated anticonvulsant drug use and associated to midazolam as pre-anesthetic medication on the Bispectral Index (BIS) in patients with cerebral palsy.

Background And Objectives: Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently receive drugs for the treatment of concomitant diseases, such as seizures. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine with hypnotic action most often used as pre-anesthetic medication and its drug interactions in patients with CP are unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of midazolam as pre-anesthetic drug on the BIS of patients with CP undergoing chronic treatment with anticonvulsant agents.

Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on hypotension after anesthetic induction: is the preoperative discontinuation of this drug necessary?

Background And Objectives: The discontinuation of drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) has been suggested based on reports of hypotension during anesthesia. This may imply on a higher risk of intraoperative hypertensive peaks with deleterious consequences for the patient. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the preoperative use of ACE inhibitors on the development of hypotension during anesthesia.

Postoperative analgesia for the surgical correction of congenital clubfoot: comparison between peripheral nerve block and caudal epidural block.

Background And Objectives: Correction of congenital clubfoot (CCF) is associated with severe postoperative pain. Caudal epidural block associated with general anesthesia is the anesthetic technique used more often in children, but it is limited by the short duration of the postoperative analgesia. Peripheral nerve blocks are associated with a low incidence of complications and prolonged analgesia.

[Effects of epidural analgesia and continuous lumbar plexus block on functional rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty].

Unlabelled: BAKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is severe and it is aggravated by movements, which requires an effective analgesic technique that allows early mobilization, participation in rehabilitation activities, and fast functional recovery. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of epidural and perineural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of the lumbar plexus on functional rehabilitation of patients undergoing THA.

Methods: Patients classified as physical status ASA I to III were randomly divided into two groups: Epidural and Lumbar.

[Aetiology of epileptic seizures in a rehabilitation centre].

Introduction: Epileptic seizures are a common complication among patients who are admitted to rehabilitation hospitals. This work examines aspects related to their aetiology and progress.

Patients And Methods: The study involved all the patients with a history of epileptic seizures who had been consecutively admitted for rehabilitation during the second semester of 2008.

[The incidence of postoperative respiratory depression in patients undergoing intravenous or epidural analgesia with opioids].

Background And Objectives: Intravenous or epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of postoperative pain. However, the use of opioids is not devoid of risks,and respiratory depression represents the most feared complication. The objective of the present study was to describe the incidence of respiratory depression associated with postoperative analgesia with the intravenous or epidural administration of opioids and the characteristics of the patients who developed this complication.

Risk factors of heterotopic ossification in traumatic spinal cord injury.

Objective: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a complication of the spinal cord injury (SCI). It can result in anchylosis, harming the rehabilitation and quality of life. Previous publications had not elucidated the relation between possible independent variables, the aim of this study.

[Neurological aspects described in The treasure of medicines for all illnesses by Gregorio López].

Introduction: Latin American medicine in the 16th century produced the first collections of herbs with native plants from the New World. Treatises on popular therapies appeared, which included gallenic remedies as well as incorporating autochthonous plants. We review the main neurological diseases and their treatments described in The Treasure of Medicines for All Illnesses by Gregorio Lopez (1542-1596).

Thoracic epidural block performed safely in anesthetized patients. A study of a series of cases.

Background And Objectives: The development of paraplegia following the insertion of epidural catheter in anesthetized patients raised questions by some authors about the procedure, even without the confirmation that the lesion occurred because the patient was anesthetized. For this reason, we designed this study, with the objective to evaluate the frequency of neurological complications and development of sequelae after thoracic epidural block in patients under general anesthesia.

Methods: Patients undergoing thoracic surgeries from 02/16/2004 to 05/30/2006 participated in the study.

Patients with sequelae of poliomyelitis. Does the anesthetic technique impose risks?

Background And Objectives: Several questions arise before performing neuro-axis block in patients with sequelae of poliomyelitis. Reports in the literature are scarce. The objective of this study was to describe the anesthetic techniques used in patients undergoing surgeries and possible complications.

When the bispectral index (bis) can give false results.

Background And Objectives: The bispectral index (BIS) is a multifactorial parameter derived from the electroencephalogram (EEG), which allows monitoring of the hypnotic component of anesthesia. It was obtained from the algorithm based on the analysis of a large number of EEGs from volunteers and patients undergoing sedation and general anesthesia with different anesthetic agents. The use of BIS to monitor the depth of anesthesia reduces the incidence of intraoperative awakening and recall, among other benefits.

Oral midazolam as pre-anesthetic medication in children and teenagers with cerebral palsy. A comparative study on the variations of the bispectral index.

Background And Objectives: Midazolam is a benzodiazepine with hypnotic action widely used as pre-anesthetic medication in pediatric anesthesia. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) also benefit from the use of midazolam, but its effects on this group of patients, who present several particularities, including changes at the site of action of midazolam, are still unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of midazolam, when used as pre-anesthetic medication, on the bispectral index (EEG-BIS) of patients with cerebral palsy.

[Immunopathogenesis and treatment of the myelopathy associated to the HTLV-I virus].

Introduction: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) causes tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). Immunopathogenesis and available treatments for TSP/HAM are reviewed.

Development: At least 20 million people are infected worldwide and 0.

[Treatment of headaches among the Aborigines of Tierra de Fuego. A comparison with other anthropological studies].

Summary Introduction: Several different indigenous groups (Yamana, Selk'nam, Alacaluf, Haush) used to inhabit the Patagonian region of Tierra de Fuego, but are now extinct.

Aim: To analyse the healing practices that these prehistoric aborigines used to treat headaches and to compare them with those observed in other anthropological studies.

Development: The article reviews the most important manuscripts from the end of the 19th century written by anthropologists and missionaries who were in contact with these peoples (Bridges, Hyades, Gusinde).

[Chronic central nervous system histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient].

Introduction: Histoplasma capsulatum is an endemic fungus in America that may present as a lung self-limiting infection or be asymptomatic. Disseminated histoplasmosis can occur in cell-mediated immunity disorders and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Isolated central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is uncommon, furthermore in immunocompetent patients.

[Neurological symptoms and disability in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy].

Introduction: The human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus that causes tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). Objectives. To describe neurological characteristics and the severity of disability in a sample of patients with TSP/HAM.

[The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the stroke-adapted 30-item Sickness Impact Profile (SIP30-AI)].

Aim: To assess the psychometric attributes of the stroke-adapted 30-item version of the Sickness Impact Profile, Spanish version (SA-SIP30), in stroke survivors.

Patients And Methods: 79 patients were evaluated (mean age: 68.1 years) by means of the modified Rankin Scale (m-RS), Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), Barthel Index (BI), and the modified 23-item Beck-Hamilton's Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).

[Comparison of the bispectral index in awake patients with cerebral palsy].

Background And Objectives: The EEG-BIS was created after studies in healthy adult subjects, and studies in children were first published in 1998. Cerebral palsy (CP) is secondary to a static lesion of the developing brain. The need to perform exams and surgical procedures to correct deformities, under anesthesia or sedation, is common in these patients.

[Ritual use of Anadenanthera seeds among South America natives].

Introduction: Several South-American native societies snuff psychoactive seeds in magic-religious rituals since ancient times.

Objectives: To describe archeological, historical and ethnographical evidences regarding the ritual use of vilca or yopo (Anadenanthera sp).

Development: Anadenanthera seeds were used in South America 3,000 years ago.

Patent foramen ovale and ischemic stroke in young people: statistical association or causal relation?

Objectives: To determine if there are evidences of a causal relation between patent foramen ovale (PFO) x cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) in the young population and to analyze this relation in terms of causal criteria.

Methods: A total of 168 young patients with IS was retrospectively evaluated and divided into two groups: cryptogenic and with a defined cause. As a routine procedure, the patients underwent investigation of the PFO by means of transesophageal echocardiogram and/or transcranial Doppler sonography, both of them associated with the bubble test.

[Strokes caused by infection in the tropics].

Introduction: Almost three out of every four people in the world who suffer a fatal stroke live in developing countries. A number of different tropical diseases may appear in Europe in the coming years as a consequence of the demographic change that is being brought about by migratory flows. We review the main infectious causes of strokes in the tropics.