Articles: treatment.
-
There has been a growing interest in elucidating the immune consequences of opioid administration for the management of pain. Several studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated an immunomodulating effect of opioids. The neuro-endocrine interactions observed after opioid application contribute to this effect as well as direct alterations of immune effector cells. Opioid-induced immunomodulation is mediated by opioid receptors found on immunocytes and in the central nervous system. This review will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of central and peripheral immunomodulation by opioids with special emphasis on the clinical significance of these findings. ⋯ Although immunomodulating effects of opioids are well established, a final statement regarding the clinical relevance cannot be made, since the existing clinical and experimental data are preliminary and inconclusive. Therefore, further clinical studies are mandatory to elucidate the influence of opioid treatment on immune regulation in different clinical settings. Further investigations may help to provide sufficient analgesia by application of opioids, as well as assessing the advantages and disadvantages on immune function.
-
Chronic hip pain is often a debilitating problem and many patients are not good surgical candidates. Furthermore, hip replacement surgery has significant associated risks. We offer a conservative approach to hip replacement using radiofrequency lesioning. ⋯ Percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of the sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves appears to be a safe alternative to hip replacement, especially in those patients where surgery is not an option. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.
-
Organizing pneumonia is defined by the presence of buds of granulation tissue (fibroblastic cells and connective matrix) within the alveolar lumen, usually associated with proliferative bronchiolitis obliterans. It may result from several causes, but cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is a distinct clinicopathologic entity with characteristic clinical and imaging features. Typical COP is thus easily recognized by the clinician, and the diagnosis is made by the finding of organizing pneumonia on lung biopsy specimen. The response to corticosteroids is rapid and complete usually without sequelae, but relapses occur frequently and prolonged corticosteroid treatment is often necessary.
-
Naproxen and naproxen sodium are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in a variety of painful conditions, including the treatment of postoperative pain. This review aims to assess the efficacy, safety and duration of action of a single oral dose of naproxen/naproxen sodium for moderate to severe acute postoperative pain in adults, compared with placebo. ⋯ A single oral dose of naproxen sodium 550 mg is an effective analgesic in the treatment of acute postoperative pain. A low incidence of adverse events was found, although these were not reported consistently.
-
To review the human nutrition in the critically ill patient in a three-part presentation. ⋯ Nutritional requirements for the critically ill patient should be delivered enterally in patients who have a normally functioning gastrointestinal system. A standard formulation is usually prescribed and instilled into the stomach using a fine bore tube. If gastric emptying is delayed prokinetic agents are tried before a transpyloric tube or enterostomy tube feeding is considered. Diarrhoea caused by enteral pathogens may require specific treatment. If pathogens are excluded then fibre and probiotics may be considered. Motility reducing agents (e.g. opiates) may cause abdominal bloating.