European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2002
Thyroid hormone metabolism in pediatric cardiac patients treated by continuous povidone-iodine irrigation for deep sternal wound infection.
The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of povidone-iodine mediastinal irrigation used for the treatment of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) on thyroid function. ⋯ Our data showed that the use of povidone-iodine irrigation in the patients with DSWI has not lead to any significant alteration in thyroid function within the study period.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIs intercostal block for pain management in thoracic surgery more successful than epidural anaesthesia?
Currently epidural anesthesia is the gold standard for postoperative pain management in thoracic surgery. In a prospective randomised study, the effect of an intercostal nerve block applied at the end of the operation was compared to that of epidural anesthesia. ⋯ Pain management by intercostal block was superior during the first 24h after surgery whereas on the second day after surgery pain control was significantly better achieved by the epidural catheter in relaxed position. A combination of both forms of anaesthesia seems to be an ideal pain management in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
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Prospective evaluation of early stent-graft repair of acute traumatic aortic rupture. ⋯ Non-delayed or early stent-grafting in acute traumatic rupture of the descending aorta is feasible. This technique seems to be a valuable option, in particular when associated lesions may interfere with the surgical outcome. Immediate post-procedural CT scanning and/or echography should be performed, in order to rule out residual leakage.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2002
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialEarly extubation does not increase complication rates after coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
With the evolution of anesthesia and surgical procedures, fast track extubation has gained an increased interest, mainly based on the possibility of reducing health costs seemingly without compromising patient care. ⋯ The study shows that a very fast track extubation protocol may be safely implemented in patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2002
Biventricular repair of double outlet right ventricle with non-committed ventricular septal defect (VSD) by VSD rerouting to the pulmonary artery and arterial switch.
Biventricular repair of double outlet right ventricle non-committed ventricular septal defect (DORVncVSD) is usually achieved by a VSD rerouting to the aorta. This technique can be limited by the presence of tricuspid chordae and by the pulmonary artery to tricuspid valve distance. Furthermore, there is an important risk of late subaortic obstruction related to the long patch required that creates a potential akinetic septal area. Presented here is another technique; by VSD rerouting to the pulmonary infundibulum and arterial switch. ⋯ This technique of VSD rerouting to the pulmonary artery and arterial switch limits greatly the size of the rerouting patch, respects the tricuspid chordae and is independent of the pulmonary artery-tricuspid valve distance. In this early series of biventricular repair of DORVncVSD, the VSDs were always found close to the pulmonary artery, allowing this new type of repair.