Scandinavian journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Jan 1988
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialReduction of post-thoracotomy pain by cryotherapy of intercostal nerves.
In a prospective study, 144 patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to two groups: In 71 cases cryoanalgesia was applied intraoperatively to the intercostal nerves above and below the incision to relieve postoperative pain, and 73 (control group) received bupivacaine-adrenaline intercostal blockade at the end of the operation. The amount of administered narcotic and mild analgesics, the visual analogue pain scores, the need for further intercostal blockade and the number of postoperative bronchoscopies to clear retained secretion were significantly less in the cryoanalgesia group than in the controls. There were no late nerve complications after cryoanalgesia, which is recommended for routine use in thoracotomy.
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Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Jan 1988
Case ReportsOpen mitral commissurotomy in pregnancy. A case report.
Correction of severe mitral stenosis by open commissurotomy during the second trimester of pregnancy is reported. The further course of the pregnancy was uneventful and at 34 weeks a healthy boy was vaginally delivered. Mother and child were in good health on discharge from hospital one month later.
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Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Jan 1988
Association between bleeding and reduced red cell deformability following cardiopulmonary bypass.
In 56 patients undergoing open-heart surgery, red cell trauma during and following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was monitored with a microfiltration method that estimated deformability of the cells. Red cell deformability was reduced by 38% during CPB and at a slower rate thereafter. The lowest filterability rate was reached on the second day, after which improvement began. ⋯ Following valve replacement, however, preoperative values were not regained during this period, which was attributed to continuous mechanical trauma by the artificial valves. A 50% reduction of red cell filterability from the end of CPB to 12 and 24 hours from the start of CPB was associated with heavy blood loss (greater than 1,000 ml) from drains. Reduced red cell deformability thus showed relationship with a bleeding tendency following use of CPB.