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Biomedical subjects

Kathrine Holte

Publications and source records attributed to Kathrine Holte.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

[Penetrated IUD as the cause of stricture in the sigmoid colon].

A 42-year-old woman became pregnant for the second and third times following insertion of an IUD in the puerperium of her first pregnancy. The IUD was thought to have been expelled. Nineteen years after insertion, the woman developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea. A sigmoid stricture was diagnosed by endoscopy. Laparotomy showed that the IUD had perforated the uterus and penetrated the sigmoid colon. Resection was performed. This case demonstrates the need to investigate every case of a missing IUD.

Adult↗

Influence of "liberal" versus "restrictive" intraoperative fluid administration on elimination of a postoperative fluid load.

BACKGROUND: Previously, the authors found "liberal" fluid administration (approximately 3 l Ringer's lactate [RL]) to improve early rehabilitation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, suggesting functional hypovolemia to be present in patients receiving "restrictive" fluid administration (approximately 1 l RL). Because volume kinetic analysis after a volume load may distinguish between hypovolemic versus normovolemic states, the authors applied volume kinetic analysis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy to explain the difference in outcome between 3 and 1 l RL. METHODS: In a prospective, nonrandomized trial, the authors studied 20 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ten patients received 15 ml/kg RL (group 1) and 10 patients received 40 ml/kg RL (group 2) intraoperatively. All other aspects of perioperative management were standardized. A 12.5-ml/kg RL volume load was infused preoperatively and 4 h postoperatively. The distribution and elimination of the fluid load was estimated using volume kinetic analysis. RESULTS: Patient baseline demographics and intraoperative data did not differ between groups, except for intraoperative RL, having a median of 1,118 ml (range, 900-1,400 ml) in group 1 compared with a median of 2,960 ml (range, 2,000-3,960 ml) in group 2 (P<0.01). There were no significant preoperative versus postoperative differences in the size of the body fluid space expanded by infused fluid (V), whereas the clearance constant kr was higher postoperatively versus preoperatively (P=0.03). The preoperative versus postoperative changes in volume kinetics including V were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elimination of an intravenous fluid load was increased after laparoscopic cholecystectomy per se but not influenced by the amount of intraoperative fluid administration.

Adult↗

Treatment of anastomotic leakage after rectal resection with transrectal vacuum-assisted drainage (VAC). A method for rapid control of pelvic sepsis and healing.

OBJECTIVE: Anastomotic leakage after rectal resection is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Patients without peritonitis can be treated conservatively by transrectal rinsing and drainage. However, healing is often very slow, and formation of abundant scar tissue resulting in a poor functional result is not uncommon. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been shown to accelerate wound healing by increasing local blood flow, reducing bacterial load and stimulating growth of granulation tissue. In this paper, we describe VAC as a method for treating anastomotic leakage after rectal resection. METHODS: Four patients with anastomotic leakage after rectal resections were treated with VAC. RESULTS: Healing time for these patients was median 51 days (43-195). The control group consisted of patients treated conservatively in the previous 5-year period. Ten patients were identified with median healing time 336 days (52-1434). CONCLUSION: VAC treatment may possibly shorten healing time of anastomotic leakages after rectal resection. However, the presented results are preliminary, with only few patients included, and obviously, larger, randomized, clinical trials are needed to confirm these results and establish the indication for VAC treatment in clinical practice. We believe VAC therapy is a promising treatment of anastomotic leakage after rectal resection.

Aged↗

Physiologic effects of bowel preparation.

PURPOSE: Despite the universal use of bowel preparation before colonoscopy and colorectal surgery, the physiologic effects have not been described in a standardized setting. This study was designed to investigate the physiologic effects of bowel preparation. METHODS: In a prospective study, 12 healthy volunteers (median age, 63 years) underwent bowel preparation with bisacodyl and sodium phosphate. Fluid and food intake were standardized according to weight, providing adequate calorie and oral fluid intake. Before and after bowel preparation, weight, exercise capacity, orthostatic tolerance, plasma and extracellular volume, balance function, and biochemical parameters were measured. RESULTS: Bowel preparation led to a significant decrease in exercise capacity (median, 9 percent) and weight (median, 1.2 kg). Plasma osmolality was significantly increased from 287 to 290 mmol kg(-1), as well as increased phosphate and urea concentrations, whereas calcium and potassium concentrations decreased significantly after bowel preparation. No differences in plasma or extracellular volumes were seen. Orthostatic tolerance and balance function did not change after bowel preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Bowel preparation has significant adverse physiologic effects, which may be attributed to dehydration. The majority of these findings is small and may not be of clinical relevance in otherwise healthy patients undergoing bowel preparation and following recommendations for oral fluid intake.

Aged↗

Epidural anesthesia, hypotension, and changes in intravascular volume.

BACKGROUND: The most common side effect of epidural or spinal anesthesia is hypotension with functional hypovolemia prompting fluid infusions or administration of vasopressors. Short-term studies (20 min) in patients undergoing lumbar epidural anesthesia suggest that plasma volume may increase when hypotension is present, which may have implications for the choice of treatment of hypotension. However, no long-term information or measurements of plasma volumes with or without hypotension after epidural anesthesia are available. METHODS: In 12 healthy volunteers, the authors assessed plasma (125I-albumin) and erythrocyte (51Cr-EDTA) volumes before and 90 min after administration of 10 ml bupivacaine, 0.5%, via a thoracic epidural catheter (T7-T10). After 90 min (t = 90), subjects were randomized to administration of fluid (7 ml/kg hydroxyethyl starch) or a vasopressor (0.2 mg/kg ephedrine), and 40 min later (t = 130), plasma and erythrocyte volumes were measured. At the same time points, mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit were measured. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and hemoglobin were measured every 5 min throughout the study. Volume kinetic analysis was performed for the volunteers receiving hydroxyethyl starch. RESULTS: Plasma volume did not change per se after thoracic epidural anesthesia despite a decrease in blood pressure. Plasma volume increased with fluid administration but remained unchanged with vasopressors despite that both treatments had similar hemodynamic effects. Hemoglobin concentrations were not significantly altered by the epidural blockade or ephedrine administration but decreased significantly after hydroxyethyl starch administration. Volume kinetic analysis showed that the infused fluid expanded a rather small volume, approximately 1.5 l. The elimination constant was 56 ml/min. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural anesthesia per se does not lead to changes in blood volumes despite a reduction in blood pressure. When fluid is infused, there is a dilution, and the fluid initially seems to be located centrally. Because administration of hydroxyethyl starch and ephedrine has similar hemodynamic effects, the latter may be preferred in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases in which perioperative fluid overload is undesirable.

Adult↗

Liberal versus restrictive fluid administration to improve recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 levels of intraoperative fluid administration on perioperative physiology and outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Intraoperative fluid administration is variable as a result of limited knowledge of physiological and clinical effects of different fluid substitution regimens. METHODS: In a double-blind study, 48 ASA I-II patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to 15 mL/kg (group 1) or 40 mL/kg (group 2) intraoperative administration of lactated Ringer's solution (LR). All other aspects of perioperative management as well as preoperative fluid status were standardized. Primary outcome parameters were assessed repeatedly for the first 24 postoperative hours and included pulmonary function (spirometry), exercise capacity (submaximal treadmill test), cardiovascular hormonal responses, balance function, pain, nausea and vomiting, recovery, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Intraoperative administration of 40 mL/kg compared with 15 mL/kg LR led to significant improvements in postoperative pulmonary function and exercise capacity and a reduced stress response (aldosterone, antidiuretic hormone, and angiotensin II). Nausea, general well-being, thirst, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and balance function were also significantly improved, as well as significantly more patients fulfilled discharge criteria and were discharged on the day of surgery with the high-volume fluid substitution. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative administration of 40 mL/kg compared with 15 mL/kg LR improves postoperative organ functions and recovery and shortens hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

Thiopental and propofol affect different regions of the brain at similar pharmacologic effects.

Propofol has a greater amnesic effect than thiopental. In this study we tested whether different brain regions were affected by propofol and thiopental at similar drug effects. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were identified by using SPM99 analysis of images obtained with positron emission tomography with (15)O water. Ten right-handed male volunteers (age, 35 +/- 10 yr; weight, 74.1 +/- 7.5 kg; mean +/- sd) were randomized to receive thiopental (n = 4) or propofol (n = 6) to target sedative and hypnotic concentrations with bispectral index (BIS) monitoring. Four positron emission tomography images were obtained during various tasks at baseline and with sedative and hypnotic effects. Two participants receiving propofol were unresponsive at sedative concentrations and were not included in the final analyses. Median serum concentrations were 1.2 and 2.7 microg/mL for sedative and hypnotic propofol effects, respectively. Similarly, thiopental concentrations were 4.8 and 10.6 microg/mL. BIS decreased similarly in both groups. The pattern of rCBF change was markedly different for propofol and thiopental. Propofol decreased rCBF in the anterior (right-sided during sedation) brain regions, whereas thiopental decreased rCBF primarily in the cerebellar and posterior brain regions. At similar levels of drug effect, propofol and thiopental affect different regions of the brain. These differences may help to identify the loci of action for the nonsedative effects of propofol, such as amnesia.

Adult↗

Bupivacaine in microcapsules prolongs analgesia after subcutaneous infiltration in humans: a dose-finding study.

In this study, we examined the onset and duration of local analgesic effects of bupivacaine incorporated into biodegradable microcapsules (extended-duration local anesthetic; EDLA) administered as subcutaneous infiltrations in different doses in humans. In 18 volunteers, the skin on the medial calf was infiltrated with 10 mL of EDLA, and the opposite calf was infiltrated with 10 mL of aqueous bupivacaine (5.0 mg/mL) in a double-blinded, randomized manner. Three different concentrations of EDLA were tested (6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/mL), with 6 subjects in each group. Pain responses to mechanical and heat stimuli and sensory thresholds (touch, warm, and cold detection thresholds) were examined by von Frey hairs and contact thermodes. Assessments were made before and 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 h after the injections. Safety evaluations were performed daily for the first week and at 2 wk, 6 wk, and 6 mo after the injections. The time to maximum effects was significantly shorter for aqueous bupivacaine (2-6 h) than for EDLA (4-24 h), but there were no significant differences between the maximum effects of EDLA and aqueous bupivacaine. From 24 to 96 h after the injections, EDLA was significantly more efficient than aqueous bupivacaine for all variables, and significant effects of EDLA were demonstrated for at least 96 h for all variables. In general, a dose-response gradient was seen in the EDLA group for 5 of 7 variables when the curves expressing effect over time for the different concentrations were evaluated. No serious side effects were observed for up to 6 mo after administration. In conclusion, bupivacaine incorporated in microcapsules provided analgesia for 96 h after subcutaneous infiltration.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Physiologic effects of intravenous fluid administration in healthy volunteers.

UNLABELLED: Dose regimens in perioperative fluid management are rarely evidence based. Therefore, we investigated responses to an IV fluid infusion in healthy volunteers to assess basic physiologic effects of a fluid infusion per se. In a prospective, double-blinded, cross-randomized study, 12 healthy volunteers with a median age of 63 yr (range, 59-67 yr) received an infusion of lactated Ringer's solution 40 mL/kg (median, 2820 mL) or 5 mL/kg (median, 353 mL; background infusion) in random order on two separate occasions. The study was designed to mimic the perioperative course with preoperative fasting, infusion of the fluid over 3 h in the morning, and additionally 24-h hospitalization under standardized conditions. Primary outcome assessments were pulmonary function (spirometry), exercise capacity (submaximal treadmill test), balance function (BalanceMaster), and weight. Infusion of 40 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution compared with the background infusion (5 mL/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in pulmonary function and a significant weight gain of median 0.85 kg (range, -0.2-1.6 kg; P = 0.003) persisting 24 h after the infusion. Exercise capacity and balance function were not influenced by fluid administration. These findings may serve as a basis for clinical studies applying the same type of fluid in different amounts to determine the optimal amount of perioperative fluid in various surgical procedures. IMPLICATIONS: Infusion of 40 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution in volunteers led to a significant decrease in pulmonary function and a significant weight gain for 24 h but without effects on exercise capacity. These findings may serve as basis information for clinical studies of perioperative fluid management.

Aged↗

Dexamethasone prolongs local analgesia after subcutaneous infiltration of bupivacaine microcapsules in human volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The addition of small amounts of dexamethasone to extended-release formulations of bupivacaine in microcapsules has been found to prolong local analgesia in experimental studies, but no clinical data are available. METHODS: In a double-blinded study, 12 healthy male volunteers were randomized to receive simultaneous subcutaneous injections of bupivacaine microcapsules with dexamethasone and bupivacaine microcapsules without dexamethasone in each calf. Local analgesia was assessed with a validated human pain model; main parameters evaluated were thermal, mechanical, and pain detection thresholds and suprathreshold responses to heat and mechanical stimulation. Measurements were performed every 2 h for the first 8 h and daily for the week after injection. Primary endpoints were evaluation of maximal analgesic effect, time of onset, and duration of analgesia. Summary measures (area under curve [AUC]) were considered best estimate of analgesia. Safety evaluations were performed daily for the first week and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months after injection. RESULTS: The addition of dexamethasone significantly prolonged local analgesia of bupivacaine microcapsules without influence on maximal analgesic effect. AUC in all thermal measurements and the sensory mechanical threshold were significantly increased between 1-7 days after drug injection in the group given dexamethasone compared with the group not given dexamethasone. No serious side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of small amounts of dexamethasone to bupivacaine incorporated in microcapsules prolonged local analgesia compared with microcapsules with plain bupivacaine after subcutaneous administration in humans.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Postoperative ileus: progress towards effective management.

The pathogenesis of postoperative ileus (PI) is multifactorial, and includes activation of inhibitory reflexes, inflammatory mediators and opioids (endogenous and exogenous). Accordingly, various strategies have been employed to prevent PI. As single-modality treatment, continuous postoperative epidural analgesia including local anaesthetics has been most effective in the prevention of PI. Choice of anaesthetic technique has no major impact on PI. Minimally invasive surgery reduces PI, in accordance with the sustained reduction in the inflammatory responses, while the effects of early institution of oral nutrition on PI per se are minor. Several pharmacological agents have been employed to resolve PI (propranolol, dihydroergotamine, neostigmine, erythromycin, cisapride, metoclopramide, cholecystokinin, ceruletide and vasopressin), most with either limited effect or limited applicability because of adverse effects. The development of new peripheral selective opioid antagonists is promising and has been demonstrated to shorten PI significantly. A multi-modal rehabilitation programme including continuous epidural analgesia with local anaesthetics, enforced nutrition and mobilisation may reduce PI to 1-2 days after colonic surgery.

Analgesia↗