Medicina
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This article presents a review of current literature on impact of thoracic epidural anesthesia on functions of organs and systems. Its role in anesthetic management of pulmonary resection is discussed. Thoracotomy is one of the most painful surgical procedures followed by intense, acute, and chronic pain associated with post-thoracotomy. ⋯ Sympathetic blockade during thoracic epidural anesthesia reduces the rate of perioperative myocardial ischemia and cardiac mortality. It also reduces the number of thromboembolic and gastrointestinal complications and has a positive effect on immune function. Due to numerous benefits, thoracic epidural anesthesia can be recommended as a standard in pulmonary resection surgery.
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Radical cystectomy is the standard of treatment for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in European Union and in United States. During the last few decades, several clinical trials were performed with the aim to evaluate new treatment methods as an alternative to radical cystectomy for selected patient groups. ⋯ Incorporation of chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine or taxanes in bladder-sparing protocols improves the results of conservative treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer. Pretreatment selection criteria and the most important prognostic factors are macroscopically complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor, absence of hydronephrosis, and lower T stage.
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Breastfeeding is the most healthful method of feeding neonates and infants. In 2001 about 98% of new mothers in Lithuania started breastfeeding their neonates. One-third of nursing women (34%) discontinued breastfeeding at the time when infant reached the age of 3 months. ⋯ Such data suggest that there is a lack of information often leading physicians to advise mothers to discontinue breastfeeding because of medication use. The aim of this article was to survey the situation about classification of drugs used during breastfeeding and factors influencing drug transfer into milk in order to give more information for physician concerning the use of medication during breastfeeding. In this review, a short description of main pharmacokinetic characteristics, influencing drug transfer into milk; information on the classification of drugs used during breastfeeding; some considerations on drug safety and possible adverse effects of medications on breastfed infant; the list of drugs preferred for nursing women are presented.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
[Effect of combined treatment methods on quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer].
In Lithuania, about 400 cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year, and more than 50% of patients are diagnosed with stage IV disease. Quality of life is an important issue in pancreatic cancer patients. A prospective randomized clinical study on the treatment of patients with resectable and unresectable pancreatic cancer was conducted at the Department of Oncology of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, and in this study, quality of life was analyzed. ⋯ The analysis of quality of live assessment showed a statistically significant decrease in quality of life after treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer and treated with radiotherapy and gemcitabine. Decreased quality of life later after treatment was also observed in patients diagnosed with unresectable pancreatic cancer and treated with the same regimen. Treatment with radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil changed only some aspects of quality of life and did not have a significant impact on quality of life.
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Review Comparative Study
[An update on multiple insulin injection therapy in type 1 and 2 diabetes].
Achieving and maintaining glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin--HbA(1c)< or =7.0% according to American Diabetes Association and < or =6.5% according to International Diabetes Federation) is the primary goal in treating diabetes, which lowers the risk for diabetes-related complications. Insulin therapy is essential for type 1 diabetes treatment. Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes is initiated when glycemic control is inadequate despite the combination of antihyperglycemic drugs. ⋯ Basal insulins include intermediate-acting human insulins (neutral protamine Hagedorn) and long-acting insulin analogs (insulin glargine, insulin detemir). The latter are the optimal choice covering basal insulin requirement. Compared to neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin, long-acting insulin analogs have no pronounced concentration peak and reduce nocturnal hypoglycemia risk and weight gain.