PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Gosch

Publications and source records attributed to M Gosch.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Female geriatric patients with urinary incontinence symptoms and their control over pelvic floor muscles].

UNLABELLED: Not only do anatomy and function of the pelvic floor play an important role as possible causes of female urinary incontinence, they are also crucial for its therapy. The aim of this case control study of female geriatric patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence was to determine the knowledge about their pelvic floor and to assess their ability to contract pelvic floor muscles voluntarily and reflexly. METHODS: A total of 377 female geriatric patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence were investigated in a Basis Assessment for Urinary incontinence. The ability to contract their pelvic floor muscles was examined by a digital vaginal palpation. The extent of the registered muscle strength was graded by the Modified Oxford Grading Scale by Laycock (1994). RESULTS: Of the patients, 65.5% were not aware of their pelvic floor and were not able to contract the pelvic floor muscles (Grade 0 to 1 by Laycock), 22% had an inaccurate knowledge and only performed an insufficient pelvic floor muscle contraction (Grade 2 by Laycock). Only 12.5% could contract their pelvic floor muscles properly (Grade 3 to 4 by Laycock). A subgroup of 83 patients had already absolved pelvic floor exercises in the past, 80 patients with conventional instructions, 3 patients with digital vaginal control. In this subgroup 54.2% of the patients were not able to contract the pelvic floor muscles (Grade 0 to 1 by Laycock) 25.3% only performed an insufficient contraction (Grade 2 by Laycock), while 20% were able to perform a sufficient and powerful contraction (Grade 3 to 4 by Laycock). The three patients in the past controlled by a digital vaginal palpation were part of this group and managed a pelvic floor muscle strength Grade 4 by Laycock. A high percentage of female geriatric patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence have a lack of understanding regarding the position and function of their pelvic floor. These results suggest that conventional pelvic floor muscle exercises without specific control are not an appropriate method to improve geriatric patients' ability to contract their pelvic floor muscles and to prevent urine leakage.

Aged↗

Hydrodynamic flow profiling in microchannel structures by single molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

In this paper we demonstrate high spatial resolution hydrodynamic flow profiling in silicon wafer based microchannels using single molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). We have used confocal fluorescence microscopy to detect single tetramethylrhodamine (TMR-4-dUTP) biomolecules traversing a approximately 1 fL volume element defined by an argon laser beam focus. By elevating a (approximately 10(-10) M) reservoir of diluted analyte, a continuous hydrodynamic flow through the microstructure could be accomplished. The microchannel was then scanned with a diffraction-limited focus in approximately 1-microm steps in both the vertical and the horizontal directions to determine the flow profile across a 50 x 50 microm2 channel. The flow profile measured was parabolic in both dimensions, thereby showing a Poiseuille laminar flow profile. Future microstructures can hereby be nondestructively investigated with the use of high spatial resolution confocal correlation microscopy.

Journal Article↗

The role of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of hypertensive elderly patients.

Hypertension has a high prevalence among elderly patients. Randomised trials have already demonstrated that treating healthy older persons with hypertension is highly efficacious. Nevertheless some questions have arisen. On the one hand the generalizability of these trial results, particularly for older persons with serious medical comorbidities and poor functional status, is not clear. On the other hand different antihypertensive drugs have shown to be effective. Which drug for which patient? Even data from randomised intervention trials showing that the treatment affects cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, were missing, ACE inhibitors have been used for more than a decade to treat high blood pressure. For a younger population the captopril prevention project showed no differences between ACE inhibitors and conventional antihypertensive treatment (diuretics, beta-blocker) concerning the primary endpoints (myocardial infarction, stroke and other cardiovascular death). The STOP-2 study also confirmed these results for elderly patients. When treating elderly patients one must be aware of physiological changes with age and the comorbidities. Of significance among this patient group is declining renal function. Admissions for uraemia that are related to the use of ACE inhibitors are still commonplace, although many cases are preventable by monitoring renal function, but guidelines are still missing. Concerning the comorbidities ACE inhibitors have benefits compared to other antihypertensive drugs, especially in cases of heart failure, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Aged↗

[Subdural, extra-arachnoid block as a complication of stellate ganglion block: documentation with ultrasound].

We present a patient who developed a high central neural block after stellate-ganglion-blockade. The underlying pathophysiology was assessed via sonographic imaging. Stellate ganglion block was performed in a 19-year old patient according to the standard technique. Multiple aspiration tests were negative and a test dose of 3 ml bupivacaine 0.25% was injected. After a 3 min interval another 5 ml were injected. Two minutes after the local anaesthetic administration the patient reported nausea and sensations in the upper extremity. Spontaneous respiration efforts stopped, and the patient became unconscious. Tracheal intubation was performed, and the patient was ventilated in a controlled mode for two hours. Heart rate as well as blood pressure remained within the normal range. Neurologic recovery occurred rapidly and extubation was performed about two and a half hours after the event. Our sonographic studies demonstrated a local anaesthetic depot directly at the root of C 6, with a mean diameter of 10 mm and a length of 5 to 6 cm (about a third smaller than expected). Sonographic studies and clinical symptoms of our patient are most likely to occur with a subdural extra-arachnoidal block. Ultrasonographic guided puncture enhances the patient's safety by the opportunity to directly visualise transverse process, nerval root as well as local anaesthetic depot. In case of depot formation directly at the nerval root, injection may be stopped and the needle repositioned. Furthermore, direct visualisation of the great vessels (A. vertebralis) prevents intravascular injection and haematoma formation.

Adult↗

[Urethrovesical morphology in continent women in spinal anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of spinal anesthesia on bladder neck position and a clinical stress test in continent women. METHODS: In a prospective investigation, 14 women underwent urodynamic, sonographic and clinical assessment during spinal anesthesia. Results were compared to those obtained immediately preoperatively in the same patient. RESULTS: During spinal anesthesia, the bladder neck was found to be located significantly lower and more posterior, and in 4/7 parous patients (0/7 nullipara) the clinical stress test was positive. CONCLUSION: These data provide additional evidence for the importance of neuromuscular function in the etiology of pelvic floor dysfunction and genuine stress incontinence.

Adult↗

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular approach for regional anesthesia of the brachial plexus.

We prospectively studied 40 patients (ASA grades I-III) undergoing surgery of the forearm and hand, to investigate the use of ultrasonic cannula guidance for supraclavicular brachial plexus block and its effect on success rate and frequency of complications. Patients were randomized into Group S (supraclavicular paravascular approach; n = 20) and Group A (axillary approach; n = 20). Ultrasonographic study of the plexus sheath was done. After visualization of the anatomy, the plexus sheath was penetrated using a 24-gauge cannula. Plexus block was performed using 30 mL bupivacaine 0.5%. Onset of sensory and motor block of the radial, ulnar, and median nerves was recorded in 10-min intervals for 1 h. Satisfactory surgical anesthesia was attained in 95% of both groups. In Group A, 25% showed an incomplete sensory block of the musculocutaneous nerve, whereas all patients in Group S had a block of this nerve. Complete sensory block of the radial, median, and ulnar nerves was attained after an average of 40 min without a significant difference between the two groups. Because of the direct ultrasonic view of the cervical pleura, we had no cases of pneumothorax. An accidental puncture of subclavian or axillary vessels, as well as neurologic damage, was avoided in all cases. An ultrasonography-guided approach for supraclavicular block combines the safety of axillary block with the larger extent of block of the supraclavicular approach.

Adolescent↗

The level of neuromuscular block needed to suppress diaphragmatic movement during tracheal suction in patients with raised intracranial pressure: a study with vecuronium and atracurium.

The effects of tracheobronchial suction before and after neuromuscular blockade with vecuronium (0.12 mg.kg-1; ED95 x 2; group A) and atracurium (0.4 mg.kg-1; ED95 x 2; group B) on intracranial pressure were studied in 18 neurosurgical patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale < 7. Despite adequate sedation, moderate to severe diaphragmatic movements (bucking and coughing) in response to carinal stimulation with significant increases in intracranial pressure (A: 18 SD 7 to 24 SD 8 mmHg; B: 19 SD 7 to 27 SD 5 mmHg) and subsequent decreases in cerebral perfusion pressure (group A: 69 SD 11 to 63 SD 8 mmHg; group B: 63 SD 11 to 59 SD 17 mmHg) could be observed without muscle relaxation. After a bolus dose of vecuronium or atracurium, profound neuromuscular paralysis quantified by the post-tetanic count, was observed after an onset time of 253 SD 72 s (vecuronium) and 159 SD 54 s (atracurium). Slight diaphragmatic movements could be elicited in only two patients in group A and in two patients in group B during tracheal suction; intracranial pressure (group A: 20 SD 8 to 20 SD 8 mmHg; group B: 19 SD 7 to 19 SD 7 mmHg) and cerebral perfusion pressure (group A: 65 SD 13 to 65 SD 13 mmHg; group B: 66 SD 12 to 65 SD 11 mmHg) remained unchanged. When coordinating respiratory therapy in neurosurgical intensive care patients, profound neuromuscular block, quantified by a post-tetanic count of at least 5 for vecuronium and 1 for atracurium, it is necessary to rule out any impact of diaphragmatic movement on intracranial pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Ultrasound imaging for stellate ganglion block: direct visualization of puncture site and local anesthetic spread. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) inhibits sympathetic innervation and is a common treatment for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. During the positioning of the needle, there is a risk of injury to the adjacent structures. The aim of the study was to develop an ultrasonographic imaging technique for the performance of SGB. METHODS: Twelve patients (ASA I-II) underwent SGB first by using the blind standard technique (group A: 8 mL bupivacaine 0.25%) and a second time by using an ultrasonographic imaging technique (group B: 5 mL bupivacaine 0.25%). In group B a 10 MHz ultrasound scanning probe was used to identify the anatomic structures and to guide the needle toward the transverse process of C6. RESULTS: Stellate ganglion block was satisfactory in 11 of 12 attempts by the blind technique. Ultrasonographic guidance (group B) resulted in a complete block in all patients. Onset of block was observed within 10 minutes in only 10 of 12 group A patients, while all patients in group B exhibited an adequate block after 10 minutes. During the imaging technique, the needle was inserted to an average depth of 22 +/- 3 mm and the injection of 5 mL bupivacaine resulted in an anesthetic depot with a mean diameter of 14 +/- 3 mm. Distance from the depot to the vagal nerve was 5 +/- 3 mm and 5 +/- 4 mm to the root of C6. All patients (n = 4) with a distance of < 1 mm between anesthetic depot and the root of C6 developed paresthesia within the corresponding cutaneous segment. Blind technique resulted in hematoma formation in three study patients, with no hematoma occurring during imaging technique. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic guided SGB may improve safety and allows the visualization of the local anesthetic depot. Studying the local anesthetic spread might allow the avoidance of side effects as well as typical complications of SGB.

Adult↗