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Z Zupan

Publications and source records attributed to Z Zupan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: a safe method to avoid cranial misplacement of the tracheostomy tube.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in avoiding cranial misplacement of the tracheostomy tube and tracheal ring fractures during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). The tracheas of 26 consecutive ICU patients who had undergone PDT but who later died were removed en bloc at autopsy. The tracheas were opened along the membranous portion and the condition of tracheal rings and the site of tracheostomy macroscopically evaluated. The patients were divided in two groups: group A with 15 patients who underwent "blind" PDT and group B with 11 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided PDT. In five (33%) patients from group A, autopsy revealed that the tracheostomy tube was placed between the cricoid cartilage and the first tracheal ring (cranial misplacement) and in six (43%) patients a fracture of one tracheal ring was found. Cranial misplacement of the tracheostomy tube in patients from group B was not found (P < 0.05) and four (36%) patients had a broken tracheal ring (P = NS). The authors maintain that by using ultrasound-guided PDT cranial misplacement of the tracheostomy tube may be entirely avoided.

Autopsy↗

Influence on gallbladder volume of early postoperative gastric supply of nutrients.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The gallbladder volume is a predictor of biliary stasis and the formation of biliary sludge. Biliary stasis and sludge have been recently recognized as the precursors of acute acalculous cholecystitis, as well as 'idiopathic' postoperative pancreatitis, rare but very serious complications after surgery. The aim of the study was to establish how early postoperative gastric supply of nutrients affects the gallbladder volume in patients after noncardiac and cardiac surgery. METHODS: In the two prospective, randomized studies 40 patients (study I-noncardiac surgery) treated at surgical ICU after major elective extrahepatobiliary and extragastrointestinal surgeries (7 thoracic, 19 vascular, 14 urological) and 40 patients (study II-cardiac surgery) treated at cardiosurgical ICU after CABG surgery were analyzed. In both studies the patients were divided into two groups: control group C (study I: 20 patients, age 45+/-18 yrs, male 65%; study II: 20 patients age 58+/-7 yrs, male 60%) and group E (group of early postoperative gastric supply of nutrients) (study I: 20 patients, age 52+/-17 yrs, male 50%; study II: 20 patients; age 59+/-8 yrs, male 65%). For the first 24 hours the patients in group C received only crystalloid solutions and the gallbladder volume was verified 24 hours after the surgery. In group E, postoperative gastric supply of nutrients began 18 hours after surgery (Osmolite, Ross; first 3 hours 30 ml/h and second 3 hours 50 ml/h; total 240 ml after 6 hours). In all patients sonographic measurement of gallbladder volume was performed immediately before surgery and 6 hours after the start of feeding (24 hours after surgery). The measurement was done with ultrasonographic scanner Hitachi 405 EUB (convex probe 3.5-5MHz) by the same specialist, and the volume was calculated using the ellipsoid method. RESULTS: The gallbladder volume measured by ultrasonography 24 hours after surgery in study I (noncardiac surgery) in group E amounted to 43+/-25 ml while in control group C it was significantly higher, i.e. 67+/-30 ml (P<0.05). In study II (cardiac surgery) in group E gallbladder volume amounted to 59+/-15 ml while in control group C it was also significantly higher, i.e. 71+/-11 ml (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: An early postoperative gastric supply of nutrients after both noncardiac and cardiac adult surgery diminishes the volume and probably stimulates the motility of the gallbladder, thus preventing biliary stasis and the formation of biliary sludge.

Adult↗

Ultrasonographically guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy after anterior cervical spine fixation.

Patients with anterior cervical spine fixation (ACSF) after acute spinal cord injury often require tracheostomy for prolonged ventilatory support and upper respiratory tract clearance. The authors report two patients with ACSF who underwent a successful ultrasonographically guided percutaneous tracheostomy with dilatation forceps technique. Possible advantages of the ultrasonographically guided method with dilatation forceps in patients with ACSF are discussed.

Adult↗

[Percutaneous tracheostomy].

In the last few years numerous reports from intensive care units confirm that a nonsurgical percutaneous tracheostomy has successfully replaced elective conventional (surgical) tracheostomy. The majority of authors point out the advantages over surgical technique such as: the speed of procedure, the possibility of doing it at bedside thus excluding transport and the need for operating theatre, less infections around stoma, minor cosmetic defects and finally, more economical price. The article describes three, according to pertinent literature most often utilized techniques, i.e. percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy with dilators, percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy with forceps, and translaryngeal tracheostomy. Main differences, advantages and defects of each method are presented. Contraindications and eventual complications are discussed, as well as the utility of supporting methods for safer placement of tracheostomy tubes, such as endoscopy and ultrasonography.

Humans↗