Collegium antropologicum
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Collegium antropologicum · Jan 2008
Fluid perfusion as a method of cerebrospinal fluid formation rate--critical appraisal.
The aim of the study was to evaluate whether or not cerebrospinal fluid formation rate (Vf) calculated according to the equation of Heisey et al., truly show the produced cerebrospinal fluid. For this reason Vf was simulated (40.6 microL/min) by an infusion pump in a plastic cylinder and the evaluation was done by comparing the results obtained between the calculated Vf and the simulated one. ⋯ If the equation is correct, the calculated Vf for sacrificed animals should be zero, because there is no Vf in dead animals. The fact that the calculated Vf (46.5 microL/min) in the plastic cylinder was different (p < 0.0001) from the simulated one (40.6 microL/min) and that Vf was calculated even for dead animals (3-5 microL/min) clearly shows the that perfusion method may not be an accurate method for determination of Vf.
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Collegium antropologicum · Jan 2008
The effect of repeated daily measurements on paw withdrawal latencies in Hargreaves test.
The hypothesis that repeated measurements during 4 subsequent days affect withdrawal latencies in Hargreaves test was investigated. Paw withdrawal latencies to radiant heat were determined in the control, tramadol or saline group of male Wistar rats. The control group (N=10) had no treatment. ⋯ When compared to the control group, the effect of tramadol, was noted from the second to forth day (p < 0.01 Bonferroni test), but not on the first day. Finally, a tendency to decrement in withdrawal latencies existed on day 1 in the saline group compared with control group, but this difference does not reach significance. We conclude that one day of training affect withdrawal latencies in the Hargreaves test.
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Collegium antropologicum · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of clonidine preemptive analgesia on acute postoperative pain in abdominal surgery.
Preemptive analgesia refers to blockade of afferent nerve fibers before a painful stimulus, which prevents or reduces subsequent pain even beyond the effect of the block. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of clonidine used before and at the end of operation on pain control in abdominal surgery. A total of 77 patients admitted for colorectal surgery were randomly classified into three groups: epidural clonidine before operation, epidural clonidine at the end of operation, and control group. ⋯ Clonidine administered at the end of operation had low pain scores at 1 and 2 h, with a significant pain breakthrough thereafter (6.93 +/- 1.66 at 6 h and 4.04 +/- 2.39 at 24 h) compared with the group administered clonidine before operation (3.60 +/- 2.94 and 3.71 +/- 1.82). Clonidine administered before operation provided less sedation (p < 0.05) and a significantly lower use of analgesics (p < 0.05). Blockade of nociceptive stimulus using the centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist clonidine before the onset of pain stimulus resulted in reduced pain levels, sedation and analgesic requirement.
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Collegium antropologicum · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialAnalysis of preincisional and postincisional treatment with alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine regarding analgesic consumption and hemodynamic stability in surgical patients.
Preemptive analgesia aims to prevent the sensitization of central nervous system, hence the development of pathologic pain after tissular injury. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of preincisional clonidine treatment on analgesic consumption and hemodynamic stability compared to clonidine administered at the end of the operation and control group. Ninety-one patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were randomly assigned to four groups: peroral clonidine before operation, epidural clonidine before operation, epidural clonidine at the end of operation, and epidural saline before operation as a control group. ⋯ In this group of patients we found significant reduction in analgesic consumption during the study period (p < 0.05), compared to other groups. The cumulative consumption of analgesics assessed at the end of the study period was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the group of patients administered epidural clonidine before operation (8.40 +/- 3.74, respectively) as compared with the peroral clonidine before operation (16.79 +/- 5.75, respectively), epidural clonidine at the end of the operation (11.11 +/- 4.24, respectively) and control group of patients (18.00 +/- 6.45, respectively). Preincisional administration of epidural clonidine was associated with a significantly lower analgesic use, lower cumulative analgesic consumption and greater hemodynamic stability, in comparison with other groups.
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Collegium antropologicum · Dec 2007
Case ReportsSelf-inflicted burns in patients with chronic combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder.
This study examined self-inflicted burns in case series of four patients with chronic combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those patients were hospitalized in the Burn Unit of the University Hospital of Traumatology in Zagreb because of severe burns and had a premorbid psychiatric history of PTSD. Demographic data and information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, burn severity, treatment and outcomes of these patients were collected. ⋯ The importance of multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of burn patients is stressed with emphasis on the important role of liaison psychiatrist in treating these patients. It is necessary to educate media people to avoid sensational reporting on this kind of events. Continuous psychiatric treatment of vulnerable individuals could be useful in prevention of self-inflicted burns.