Minimum Effective Anaesthetic Volume of 0.5% Ropivacaine for Ultrasound-Guided Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block in Patients Undergoing Foot and Ankle Surgery: Determination of ED50 and ED95

Compared to nerve stimulation or classic paraesthesia techniques, ultrasound (US)-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block requires a smaller volume of local anaesthetic. The up-and-down method was used to determine the minimum effective anaesthetic volume of 0.5% ropivacaine necessary for US-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block to achieve successful surgical anaesthesia for foot and ankle surgery. The study included 32 patients receiving an US-guided popliteal sciatic nerve bock. The starting dose of 0.5% ropivacaine was set at 30 ml, which was decreased by 3 ml if the block succeeded and increased by 3 ml if the block failed. After the injection of local anaesthetic, the degree of sensory and motor blockade of the tibial and common peroneal nerves was assessed every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. The ED50 and ED95 volumes of local anaesthetic were 6 ml and 16 ml, respectively. The success rates of sensory blockade of the tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve were 69% and 88%, respectively. The success rates of motor blockade of these nerves were 75% and 90%, respectively. The ED50 and ED95 of 0.5% ropivacaine for US-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block were 6 ml and 16 ml, respectively.

Association between CYP2D6 genotype and tardive dyskinesia in Korean schizophrenics

The CYP2D6 gene codes for human cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme, which is responsible for the metabolism of many psychiatric drugs. In schizophrenic patients treated with neuroleptics, decreased or loss of function CYP2D6 alleles may contribute to the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder that frequently occurs with chronic neuroleptic treatment. The goal of this study was to determine whether the occurrence of TD is associated with CYP2D6 genotype in a cohort of Korean schizophrenics by employing a CYP450 GeneChip((R)) oligonucleotide microarray and PCR assays to screen for 19 CYP2D6 alleles. Our results revealed that males with at least one decreased or loss of function allele have a moderately greater chance of developing TD than males with only wild-type alleles. Female schizophrenics did not have a significantly greater chance of developing TD. Our results demonstrate the utility of CYP2D6 microarrays to assess genotype status in this Korean cohort.

Long-term results of Charnley low-friction arthroplasty in tuberculosis of the hip

We reported 8 to 13 years of follow-up of cases of tuberculosis of the hip previously. Now we report on 60 cases of hip tuberculosis treated with total hip arthroplasty. The results have been reasonably acceptable, with the longest follow-up >28 years. Prosthetic life was limited to at most 20 years in our longest cases mainly because of loss of fixation of the acetabular component. There were recurrences of tuberculosis in 5 hips. We confirmed that antituberculous chemotherapy is crucial in total hip arthroplasty reconstruction. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using polymerase chain reaction may provide rapid diagnosis and follow-up for treatment response.

CT features of torsion of benign cystic teratoma of the ovary

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of CT scans for distinguishing torsed from uncomplicated benign cystic teratoma (BCT).

METHOD

Retrospective analysis was performed in 14 torsed BCTs (14 patients) and in 23 uncomplicated BCTs (20 patients) for comparison. The features on CT scans were compared to the pathologic findings.

RESULTS

CT findings indicating torsed BCT were the presence of eccentric wall thickening of >1 cm, peritumoral infiltration, and presence of enlarged solid tubal mass adjacent to the uterus (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that CT is useful in differentiating torsed from uncomplicated BCT. Although CT findings are not specific for some patients, detection of certain CT findings could increase the diagnostic accuracy.

CT features of intraperitoneal manifestations of parasitic infestation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT features of intraperitoneal manifestations with parasitic infestation in nine patients.

CONCLUSION

The CT features of intraperitoneal manifestations of parasitic infestation were single or multiple multiseptated cystic masses in the peritoneal cavity, hazy omental infiltration, or both. Recognizing these features is important to establish an early diagnosis that leads to rapid treatment and helps avoid unnecessary surgery.

Rabbits treated with chronic isepamicin are resistant to mivacurium and rocuronium

We compared the dose-response relationships and the neuromuscular blocking effects of mivacurium and rocuronium after chronic isepamicin therapy for 7 days in 56 anesthetized rabbits. Train-of-four stimuli were applied every 10 s to the common peroneal nerve, and the force of contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle was measured. Chronic isepamicin therapy is associated with a rightward shift of the mivacurium and rocuronium dose-response curves. The effective dose for 50% twitch depression of mivacurium and rocuronium increased significantly, from 16.9 +/- 4.8 and 56.5 +/- 5.3 microg/kg, respectively, with placebo to 30.6 +/- 5.3 and 75.6 +/- 4.7 microg/kg, respectively, during isepamicin therapy. The isepamicin rabbits receiving mivacurium 0.18 mg/kg or rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg had an accelerated recovery from neuromuscular blockade compared with those receiving placebo. The results of this study show that mivacurium and rocuronium have both a decreased effect and a shorter duration of action in rabbits when used during concurrent isepamicin therapy.

IMPLICATIONS

We studied the dose-response relationships and the neuromuscular blocking effects of mivacurium and rocuronium during chronic isepamicin therapy in rabbits. Mivacurium and rocuronium have both a decreased effect and a shorter duration of action during chronic aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy in rabbits.

Total hip reconstruction in the anatomically distorted hip. Cemented versus hybrid total hip arthroplasty

Recent reports in the literature strongly support the idea that cement is the optimum form of fixation of the femoral component in total hip replacement. For hybrid total hip arthroplasty, we used a cemented cup instead of an uncemented cup since this was inevitable in cases of poorly developed acetabulum. The uncemented cone femoral component is also beneficial in cases of extremely narrow and cylindrical configuration of the medullary cavity of untreated congenital dislocation of the hips (CDH) and tuberculosis or septic arthritis in childhood. We reviewed the clinical result of a consecutive series of patients with cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared with recent studies on hybrid reconstruction using survivorship analysis. This subsequent study involved a hybrid uncemented Wagner cone femoral component and a cemented acetabular component with roof reinforcement by additional impacted cancellous allograft with hydroxyapatite (HA). We believe that early failure of the cemented components was due to an adverse effect of thin cement mantles around cemented femoral stems as well as the cemented cup in THA. In addition, 8 patients who received our modification of the Charnley CDH component had poor results even though we reduced the stem geometry and thickness. Furthermore, intraoperative fracture and splitting of the proximal femur was a major complication during implantation. Contrary to expectations, the results of these hybrid reconstructions were extremely encouraging (average follow-up period of 2-4.5 years). In addition to our experience of the cemented versus hybrid THA involving the uncemented Wagner femoral component, we have determined positive indications for the untreated and severely distorted anatomy of bilateral CDH for which surgical interventions for reconstruction were not recommended before.

Interactions between mivacurium and pancuronium

We have compared the dose-response relationships of mivacurium, pancuronium and their combination, and examined the interactions by isobolographic and fractional analyses. We studied 70 adult patients during nitrous oxide-fentanyl-propofol anaesthesia. The dose-response curves were determined by probit analysis. The ED95 and ED50 values for mivacurium were 84.2 (95% confidence interval 80.2-88.1) micrograms kg-1 and 46.2 (40.2-52.1) micrograms kg-1, respectively. Corresponding values for pancuronium were 68.5 (63.7-73.2) micrograms kg-1 and 40.7 (35.5-45.9) micrograms kg-1, respectively. Isobolographic and fractional analyses of the mivacurium-pancuronium combination demonstrated a synergistic interaction. An additional 30 patients were allocated randomly to receive either mivacurium 84.2 micrograms kg-1 (n = 15) or pancuronium 68.5 micrograms kg-1 (n = 15). When the first twitch (T1) of TOF recovered to 25%, each patient received mivacurium 46.2 micrograms kg-1. The times after administration of mivacurium until T1 25% in the mivacurium-pancuronium group were 6.4 (3.5-9.4) min and 49.8 (44.7-54.9) min, respectively (P < 0.0001). We conclude that the combination of mivacurium and pancuronium was synergistic and after pancuronium-induced neuromuscular block, mivacurium became a longer acting agent than the shorter agent.

Effect of rifampin on the plasma concentration and the clinical effect of haloperidol concomitantly administered to schizophrenic patients

We assessed the changes of plasma haloperidol concentrations and clinical responses repeatedly up to 4 weeks after coadministration or discontinuation of rifampin in 12 schizophrenic patients taking haloperidol alone (group I) and 5 patients taking haloperidol and antituberculotic drugs (group II). After coadministration of rifampin in group I, daily trough haloperidol concentrations rapidly decreased and reached 63% of baseline level by day 3, 41.3% by day 7, and 30% by day 28. On the other hand, after discontinuation of rifampin in group II, plasma haloperidol concentration increased to 140.7% of baseline level by day 3, 228.7% by day 7, and 329% by day 28. In this study, a 30% or greater change in the clinical rating scale was considered a positive clinical response of the drug interaction. Using this criterion, 50% of the group I subjects responded according to the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total score, and 25% responded according to the BPRS subscale for psychiatric symptoms. No positive responses were observed in group II patients. These results strongly suggest that rifampin interacts with the clinical effects as well as the plasma concentrations of coadministered haloperidol, and careful monitoring should be considered when coadministration or discontinuation of rifampin is needed in a schizophrenic patient taking haloperidol.

Two vivax malaria cases detected in Korea

On June and July 1994, two cases of vivax malaria were consecutively diagnosed at the Yongsan Hospital, Chung-Ang University in Seoul. The first patient was a soldier serving in western parts of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) while the second case was a resident of a village near DMZ. Neither patients had history of being abroad. Republic of Korea (ROK) has been free of malaria since the mid-1970s except for imported cases. The two vivax malaria cases, together with an additional patient detected in 1993, occurred in relatively small areas near DMZ. This necessitated an epidemiologic surveillance. When medical records and blood smears in the areas were examined, no other cases were found. Of 7,723 mosquitoes collected by a black light trap for two nights in June, 7,066 (91.5%) were Anopheles sinensis. In order to evaluate a significance of the recent malaria occurrence, a surveillance system should be operated in the areas.

Malaria in Korea

Malaria was steadily decreasing in Korea except in certain counties of the mountainous and hilly areas, in the 1960s. Judging from the present epidemiological, social and economic conditions, it can be said with confidence that malaria with "unstable" characteristic in the Republic of Korea has already been disappeared. No doubt, the causes of the disappearance of malaria are complex. Certainly improved living conditions and life style; better medical and educational facilities in the wake of a rapid economic development could all have some role. On the other hand, the disappearance of malaria without large scale control operations could be ascribed to the two main factors: one is malaria case detection and simultaneous drug therapy available through the nation-wide passive case detection network during the 1960s and the other is rapidly improved farming practices begun in 1970s, which resulted in the use of a huge quantity of pesticides and other chemicals for agriculture, which, in turn, might affect local anopheline vectors which were originally not effective ones any way.

Aerial applications of ultra-low-volume insecticides to control the vector of Japanese encephalitis in Korea

As a suitable emergency measure to arrest epidemics of Japanese encephalitis in Korea, the ultra-low-volume method of spraying insecticide to control the mosquito vector Culex tritaeniorhynchus has been tested in 2 successive years over a 16-km (2) area, utilizing a large fixed-wing aircraft. Malathion concentrate applied at 0.36 litres/ha gave insufficient control of the parous (infective) females, and no reduction in total numbers of this species. Fenitrothion concentrate applied at 0.45 litres/ha resulted in a 77-87% reduction in total numbers and an 87-98% reduction in parous females over a 4-day period.