The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of potential clinical risk factors in the causation of peri-operative stroke associated with carotid endarterectomy. With the change in carotid endarterectomy practice from the use of a shunt to high-dose thiopental for cerebral protection (a previously undocumented method), it was essential to identify accurately the causes of all perioperative strokes. ⋯ Prospective audit is a useful tool for identifying causes of peri-operative stroke and indicating the need for modifications to surgical clinical management which might improve outcomes for carotid endarterectomy.
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Wrinkling of the skin of the palm and sole is considered to be dependent on the presence of intact sympathetic nervous activity. Loss of sympathetic integrity could be simply and usefully assessed by the absence of wrinkling. To test this hypothesis, the skin wrinkle test was compared with the starch-iodine sweat test and sympathetic skin response (SSR) in patients with abnormal sympathetic function. ⋯ The wrinkle test is a reliable test of sympathetic function, is inexpensive and is easy to perform at the bedside. The sweat gland myo-epithelial cells and absence of sebum could play an important role in the wrinkling response. It can be used to select patients who will benefit from sympathectomy, and can adequately evaluate sympathetic blockade.