Pregnancy-related increases in sensory perception thresholds are not correlated with serum progesterone levels.

Background: Why pregnant women require smaller doses of anesthetic agents still remains speculative. One hypothesis proposes that pregnancy raises sensory perception thresholds, perhaps through a progesterone-mediated effect. This study was undertaken in order to quantify any changes in sensory perception thresholds after parturition and to correlate these changes with the expected decrease in postpartum serum progesterone levels.

[Effects of methylergometrine and oxytocin on blood loss and uterine contraction during cesarean section].

Background: The effects of intravenous oxytocics on blood loss and uterine contraction during cesarean section were studied in 136 parturients.

Methods: The subjects were randomized to receive either methylergometrine 0.2 mg bolus (MEM group; n = 34), oxytocin 10 IU over 30 seconds (OX 30 s group; n = 34), oxytocin 10 IU over 5 minutes (OX 5 m group; n = 34) or oxytocin 10 IU over 15 minutes (OX 15 m group; n = 34).

Metastatic chest wall tumor suspected to be of lung origin by immunoreactivity for cytokeratin 7 and 20.

We report a rare case of unknown primary carcinoma. A 36-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of a chest wall tumor. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen level was 160 ng/ml.

Resection of sternal tumors and reconstruction of the thorax: a review of 15 patients.

Purpose: We report our experience of resecting sternal tumors, followed by reconstruction of the skeletal and soft-tissue defects, and discuss the usefulness of sandwiched Marlex and stainless-steel mesh.

Methods: Fifteen patients underwent resection of a sternal tumor and chest wall reconstruction with autologous bone grafts, sandwiched Marlex and stainless-steel mesh or a titanium plate, and musculocutaneous flaps. The sternal tumors were from locally recurrent breast carcinoma in ten patients, metastasis from other organs in three, and primary chondrosarcoma in two.

Resection of sternal metastasis from endometrial carcinoma followed by reconstruction with sandwiched marlex and stainless steel mesh: report of a case.

We report the successful resection of sternal metastasis from endometrial carcinoma, followed by reconstruction of the chest defect, in an 87-year-old woman. We performed subtotal sternectomy and concurrent resection of the ribs and overlying soft tissue. The skeletal defect was then reconstructed with sandwiched Marlex and stainless steel mesh, and soft tissue coverage was accomplished by using a pectoralis major advancement flap.

Effect of bicarbonated Ringer's solution on the acid-base balance in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Aim: The present study was designed to assess whether prophylactic use of bicarbonated Ringer's solution ameliorates metabolic acidosis in patients undergoing aortic surgery.

Methods: Twenty patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair were randomly assigned to receive either bicarbonated Ringer's solution or acetated Ringer's solution. The pH, PaCO(2), and base excess (BE) were measured before surgical incision (T0), 5 min before reperfusion (T1), 5 min after reperfusion (T2), and 30 min after reperfusion (T3).

Blood concentration of propofol in a patient with delayed emergence from propofol-nitrous oxide anesthesia.

We measured the blood concentration of propofol in a patient with delayed emergence from propofol-nitrous oxide anesthesia. A 78-year-old man underwent subtotal gastrectomy under both epidural and propofol-nitrous oxide anesthesia and did not regain consciousness soon after termination of propofol infusion. Preoperative laboratory examination revealed anemia and a low blood total protein concentration, but there was no evidence of impaired liver function.

A case of cervical spondylitis during stellate ganglion block.

We report a case of cervical spondylitis that developed during treatment with a series of stellate ganglion blocks. A 65-year-old man was scheduled for 10 sessions of stellate ganglion block for treatment of right-sided deafness of sudden onset due to Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Administration of betamethasone was started 5 days before the first block and was continued for 6 weeks.

Blood loss estimation during laparoscopic myomectomy using HemoCue.

During laparoscopic myomectomy, it is difficult to determine the actual blood loss volume because physiological saline is used for lavaging to detect the bleeding point or to ensure no active bleeding site. We attempted to estimate blood loss by measuring the waste irrigation fluid's hemoglobin (Hb) concentration using HemoCue (HemoCue, Angelholm, Sweden). Twenty-three women enrolled in our study.

Urethral stent (Angiomed-Memotherm) implantation in high-risk patients with urinary retention.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) has been established as the golden standard for the treatment of urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, TUR-P is not performed on patients with certain high-risk complications. We have obtained favorable results using urethral stent (Angiomed-Memotherm) implantation to treat high-risk urinary retention patients.

Fetal and neonatal thermoregulation.

The metabolic rate of the fetus per tissue weight is relatively high when compared to that of an adult. Moreover, heat is transferred to the fetus via the placenta and the uterus, resulting in a 0.3 degrees C to 0.

Analysis of antimicrobial drug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus strains by WHONET 5: microbiology laboratory database software.

Objectives: To analyze our hospital laboratory microbiological data by using WHONET 5-Microbiology laboratory database software-, and to acquire information about antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus strains among every ward.

Materials And Methods: The database of Staphylococcus aureus strains had been brought to our hospital microbiology laboratory from every ward in our hospital from September 2001 till December 2002. Analysis was performed under the condition as one isolate per one patient.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma in patients with anorexia nervosa.

We report a case of pulmonary aspergilloma in a 27-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa who underwent a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. On admission, she had lost 38% of her original weight but the laboratory data were normal. She had refused treatment for anorexia nervosa for nine years ago and may have been predisposed to opportunistic conditions.

Large anomalous systemic arterial supply to basal segments of the left lung.

A 29-year-old man with a large anomalous systemic arterial supply to basal segments of the lower lobe was reported here. Pulmonary arteriography showed the absence of blood flow to basal segments. Aortography verified the anomalous artery from the descending thoracic aorta.

Metastasis to the thyroid from lung adenocarcinoma mimicking thyroid carcinoma.

We herein report a case of metastasis to the thyroid from lung adenocarcinoma mimicking thyroid carcinoma. The thyroid tumor was palpated in the left lobe of the thyroid and diagnosed as primary thyroid carcinoma by fine-needle aspiration cytology. The patient also had a large pulmonary tumor and tiny pulmonary nodules, which were respectively diagnosed as moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung and intrapulmonary metastases from the main large lung carcinoma by the pathological examination of the biopsy specimens obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Effect of low-dose ketamine on redistribution hypothermia during spinal anesthesia sedated by propofol.

Mild hypothermia is a common complication during spinal anesthesia and may induce a serious adverse outcome. We investigated the effect of low-dose ketamine infusion on the core temperature during spinal anesthesia sedated by propofol infusion. Twenty patients who were scheduled to undergo spinal anesthesia were assigned to one of two groups: after intrathecal injection of bupivacaine, patients who received infusion of ketamine (0.

Sternal resection for metastasis from thyroid carcinoma and reconstruction with the sandwiched Marlex and stainless steel mesh.

A case of 69-year-old woman with a solitary sternal bone metastasis from thyroid carcinoma undergoing surgical therapy was reported here. On admission, most part of the body of the sternum was destroyed by tumor. Subtotal sternectomy was performed and a part of the major pectoral muscles adherent to the sternal tumor was also resected.

A case report: change in fetal heart rate pattern on spontaneous uterine rupture at 35 weeks gestation after laparoscopically assisted myomectomy.

A 31-year-old nulligravid woman who underwent laparoscopically assisted myomectomy 5 months before becoming pregnant suffered uterine rupture at 35 weeks gestation. A 50 g intramuscular myomatous node had been removed laparoscopically. Early signs of rupture included sudden onset of severe abdominal tenderness and frequent uterine contractions despite reassuring FHR tracing.

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries among wakeboarders: a case report.

No previous cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries sustained during wake-boarding have been reported. We report on a case involving an ACL injury sustained during wakeboarding. A 27-year-old man sustained an injury while attempting a wakeboarding maneuver(a heel-side back roll, consisting of a jump and simultaneous roll toward the heel side).

Usefulness of posturography after epidural block.

After a nerve block, observation of the course of effects is necessary until discharge of patients. Particularly epidural block in the lumbar region markedly affects ambulation and postural stability. Although there are few methods of objective evaluation of the postural stability, safe and early discharge is desired.

Postoperative respiratory complications of video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer.

Purpose: We analyzed the risk factors predisposing patients to develop postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs) in VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy for lung cancer, retrospectively.

Methods: Both univariate and multivariate analyses of PRCs were performed in seventy-five patients who had undergone VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy for lung cancer from November 1994 to December 2000.

Results: Univariate analysis of the development of PRCs revealed that the significant risk factors were age, ppo%VC, ppo%FEV, ppoFEV, poor pulmonary function, and duration of surgery.

Changes in plasma endothelin-1 after elective cesarean section in women with preeclampsia and the relationship to thrombocytopenia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the time course of plasma endothelin-1 levels and platelet counts after elective cesarean section in women with preeclampsia, and to investigate the relationship between them postoperatively.

Methods: We studied 20 patients with preeclampsia and 25 healthy pregnant women without preeclampsia who underwent cesarean section and 20 women without preeclampsia who had vaginal deliveries. The plasma endothelin-1 and platelet counts were measured serially after cesarean section.

Effects of intravenous infusion rate of oxytocin on thoracic epidural pressure in parturients undregoing elective cesarean section.

The effects of intravenous oxytocin on thoracic epidural pressure during cesarean section were studied in 90 parturients (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical atatus class I or II) after obtaining informed consent. The subjects were randomized to either a control (control group; n=30), bolus (bolus group; n=30) or drip treatment group (drip group; n=30). The subjects were anesthetized with 11 approximately 12 mg of intrathecal isobaric bupivacaine (0.