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PubMed2006

Effectiveness of posterior decompression for patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the thoracic spine: usefulness of the ossification-kyphosis angle on MRI.

STUDY DESIGN: A reliability study was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To report the utility of the ossification- kyphosis angle of a decompression site in the sagittal view of MRI in the preoperative evaluation of the effectiveness of posterior decompression for patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the thoracic spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, in the thoracic spine, posterior decompression may not always be effective for those with physiologic kyphosis; however, posterior decompression is sometimes useful for patients with multilevel lesions or with ossification of the ligamentum flavum. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the indications or limitations of posterior decompression before surgery. METHODS: The indications or limitations of posterior decompression for this disease were reviewed from the findings of intraoperative ultrasonography and various parameters on preoperative imaging in 22 patients with thoracic myelopathy. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had echo-free space and 9 patients had no echo-free space in intraoperative ultrasonography after posterior decompression. In the kyphosis angle of the decompression site and the configuration of the maximal prominent OPLL, there was no significant difference between the group with echo-free space and the group without echo-free space (P = 0.49, P = 0.55). On the other hand, the ossification-kyphosis angle of the decompression site was more than 23 degrees in all patients with no echo-free space (23 degrees -34 degrees , 28.2 degrees +/- 3.6 degrees ), and it was less than 23 degrees in all patients with echo-free space (10 degrees -23 degrees , 17.4 degrees +/- 4.1 degrees ). There was also significant difference between the groups statistically (P < 0.01, P = 1.50789E-06). In addition, in the occupation rate of the greatest prominence of the OPLL, there was statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The ossification-kyphosis angle in the sagittal view of MRI has potential as an indicator of the effectiveness of posterior decompression in this disease. It is thought that there is a critical point of posterior decompression at nearly 23 degrees of the ossification-kyphosis angle of the decompression site. When the ossification-kyphosis angle is more than 20 degrees , the presence of echo free space should be carefully confirmed in intraoperative ultrasonography.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Clinical results of surgery for thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: operative indication of posterior decompression with instrumented fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical outcomes of several surgical procedures for thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of myelopathy treatment and safety of posterior decompression with instrumented fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Many different surgical procedures have been used for the treatment of thoracic OPLL. However, the possibility of postoperative paraplegia remains a major risk, and consistent protocols and procedures for surgical treatment of thoracic OPLL have also not been established. METHODS: A total of 51 patients who underwent surgery for thoracic OPLL were classified into 3 groups: (1) posterior decompression group (18 patients), which included 12 who underwent laminectomy and 6 who underwent cervicothoracic laminoplasty; (2) OPLL extirpation group (16 patients), which included 4 who underwent anterior decompression through thoracotomy and 12 who underwent anterior decompression through the posterior approach; and (3) posterior decompression and fusion group (17 patients), all of whom underwent laminectomy with posterior instrumented fusion. In each group, the Japanese Orthopedic Association score was used to evaluate thoracic myelopathy, and the recovery rate calculated 1 year after surgery and at final examination. RESULTS: Mean recovery rate at final follow-up was 41.9% in the posterior decompression group, 62.1% in the OPLL extirpation group, and 59.3% in the posterior decompression and fusion group. Postoperative paralysis occurred in 3 patients in the posterior decompression group and in 3 in the OPLL extirpation group. In the OPLL extirpation group, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid occurred in 8 patients and hydrothorax in 2. Late neurologic deterioration occurred in 7 patients in the posterior decompression group. There were no cases of postoperative paralysis or late neurologic deterioration in the posterior decompression and fusion group. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable degree of neurologic recovery was obtained by posterior decompression with instrumented fusion, despite the anterior impingement of the spinal cord by OPLL remaining. In addition, the rate of postoperative complications was extremely low with this procedure. We recommend that 1-stage posterior decompression and instrumented fusion be selected for patients in whom the spinal cord is severely damaged before surgery and/or when extirpation of OPLL is associated with increased risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

The detection of gas bubbles in guinea-pigs after decompression from air saturation dives using ultrasonic imaging.

1. Bubble formation in the hind limb of anaesthetized guinea-pigs, after decompression from two different saturation exposures to air, 0.69 and 0.83 MPa gauge, has been studied using an ultrasonic pulse--echo imaging technique. 2. A qualitative analysis of the bubble formation, observed over a 30 min period after decompression, showed that profuse, largely stationary bubble formation occurred within 3 min of the decompression from 0.83 MPa gauge but that extensive stationary bubble formation was not observed until 17 min after decompression from 0.69 MPa gauge. Electrocardiogram changes appeared coincidently with the appearance of major bubble formation after the 0.83 MPa decompression but after the 0.69 MPa decompression changes were not observed until the end of the 30 min surveillance period, considerably later than the occurrence of a large number of bubbles. 3. A quantitative analysis of the echo patterns recorded during the 60 sec decompression and for 60 sec after the decompression demonstrated that the increase in severity of the decompression corresponded to an increase of 152% in the number of bubbles observed. The echoes observed during this period have been identified as either transient or persistent and their distribution of size, location and times of appearance and duration have been described. 4. From the quantitative analysis approximate estimates of the contribution by mobile, intravascular gas bubbles to the elimination of the excess gas have been made. These estimates range from 0.01 to 0.9% after the 0.69 MPa decompression and from 0.06 to 6% after the 0.83 MPa decompression. 5. It is concluded that the pulse--echo ultrasonic imaging technique provides a powerful means of analysing the distributions of bubble formation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, after decompression; it has the important attribute of being able to monitor both moving and stationary bubbles simultaneously in a variety of tissue types.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome--a critical analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is increasingly recognized in critically ill patients, and the deleterious effects of increased intraabdominal pressure (IAP) are well documented. Surgical decompression through a midline laparotomy or decompressive laparotomy remains the sole definite therapy for ACS, but the effect of decompressive laparotomy has not been studied in large patient series. METHODS: We reviewed English literature from 1972 to 2004 for studies reporting the effects of decompressive laparotomy in patients with ACS. The effect of decompressive laparotomy on IAP, patient outcome and physiology were analysed. RESULTS: Eighteen studies including 250 patients who underwent decompressive laparotomy could be included in the analysis. IAP was significantly lower after decompression (15.5 mmHg versus 34.6 mmHg before, p < 0.001), but intraabdominal hypertension persisted in the majority of the patients. Mortality in the whole group was 49.2% (123/250). The effect of decompressive laparotomy on organ function was not uniform, and in some studies no effect on organ function was found. Increased PaO2/FIO2 ratio (PaO2 = partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, FiO2 = fraction of inspired oxygen) and urinary output were the most pronounced effects of decompressive laparotomy. CONCLUSION: The effects of decompressive laparotomy have been poorly investigated, and only a small number of studies report its effect on parameters of organ function. Although IAP is consistently lower after decompression, mortality remains considerable. Recuperation of organ dysfunction after decompressive laparotomy for ACS is variable.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1997

Single-level posterolateral arthrodesis, with or without posterior decompression, for the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis in adults. A prospective, randomized study.

Forty-two neurologically intact adults in whom non-operative treatment of grade-I or grade-II isthmic spondylolisthesis of the most caudad lumbar segment had failed were entered into a prospective study of the results of operative treatment. Twenty patients who smoked were managed with a posterolateral arthrodesis with instrumentation (transpedicular fixation), and twenty-two patients who did not smoke were managed with a posterolateral arthrodesis without instrumentation. Of the patients who were managed with instrumentation, eight were randomized to treatment with a decompressive laminectomy and twelve, to treatment without it; in the group that was managed without instrumentation, the distribution was ten and twelve patients, respectively. The patients were followed clinically for a mean of 4.5 years (range, 3.5 to six years). Of the eighteen patients who had been managed with decompression, four had a pseudarthrosis and six had an unsatisfactory result compared with none and one of the twenty-four who had been managed without decompression (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). In the group of twenty patients (smokers) who had been managed with instrumentation, none of the twelve managed without decompression had a pseudarthrosis compared with one of the eight managed with decompression (p = 0.2). In the group of twenty-two patients (non-smokers) who had been managed without instrumentation, none of the twelve managed without decompression had a pseudarthrosis compared with three of the ten managed with decompression (p = 0.04). In the group managed with instrumentation, two of the eight who had had decompression had an unsatisfactory result compared with none of the twelve who had not had decompression. In the group managed without instrumentation, four of the ten who had had decompression had an unsatisfactory result compared with one of the twelve who had not had decompression. The addition of decompression to arthrodesis, performed with or without instrumentation, for the treatment of low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis in patients who do not have a serious neurological deficit does not appear to improve the result and may significantly increase the rates of pseudarthrosis and unsatisfactory results.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Serial measurement of portal hemodynamics after partial portal decompression.

In a serial analysis of splanchnic hemodynamics, we compared partial with total portal decompression in 16 alcoholic cirrhotic patients who underwent portacaval shunts for variceal hemorrhage. Partial decompression was achieved with 8 or 10 mm polytetrafluorethylene portacaval H grafts and aggressive collateral ligation. Total decompression was achieved with larger diameter H grafts (12 or 14 mm). Early and follow-up (mean interval, 18 months) postoperative studies of portal hemodynamics included: direct measurement of shunt gradients, scintigraphic quantitation of portal and mesenteric flow distribution to the liver, and a portal and splenic collateral scoring system developed from standardized splenic venography. Partial portal decompression reduced portal pressure by 43% +/- 8% compared with 81% +/- 5% after total decompression (p less than 0.01). Scintigraphy demonstrated that partial decompression provided a greater fraction of portal flow to the liver than did total decompression (57% +/- 9% versus 2% +/- 1% intrahepatic radioactivity) and mesenteric flow distribution (14.5% +/- 5.4% versus 1.2% +/- 0.7%). Only one patient with partial decompression had a significant loss of portal perfusion during the interval studies. Significantly more residual collaterals were visualized in patients with partial decompression than in those with total decompression, and interval studies showed no significant changes from early studies. We conclude that partial decompression maintains higher portal pressures, more residual collaterals, and a greater fraction of portal and mesenteric flow to the liver than does total decompression. A modest but uniform reduction of portal pressure minimizes stimulus for new collateral formation and further shunting of portal flow.

Collateral Circulation↗

PubMed1981

Orbital decompression for Graves' disease. Exposure through lateral canthal and inferior fornix incision.

A surgical procedure is described to perform orbital decompression in patients suffering from orbitopathy in Graves' Disease. The decompression technique employs exposure of the orbit through a lateral incision and an inferior fornix incision. These combined incisions with exposure can be used to perform an antral-ethmoidal decompression (two-wall decompression) or an antral-ethmoidal-lateral wall decompression (three-wall decompression). This present series contains 34 patients who underwent decompression through a 2 1/2-year period ending October 1980. The results of decompression were quantitated by measuring the retroplacement of the globe and in patients with compressive optic neuropathy by improvement in vision. The retroplacement of the globe with the antral-ethmoidal (two-wall decompression) was 4 to 7 mm (average 6 mm), and the retroplacement was 6 to 8 mm in four patients who underwent antral-ethmoidal-lateral decompression (three-wall decompression). All patients with compressive optic neuropathy improved to a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Five of 11 patients, with compressive optic neuropathy required postoperative super-voltage irradiation to reach this acuity. Fifty percent of the patients undergoing antral-ethmoidal decompression for proptosis required additional eyelid surgery with recession of upper lid retractors.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The role and timing of early decompression for cervical spinal cord injury: update with a review of recent clinical evidence.

It remains controversial whether early decompression following spinal cord injury conveys a benefit in neurological outcome. The goal of this paper is to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding spinal cord decompression in patients with acute spinal cord injury. We performed a Medline search of experimental and clinical studies reporting on the effect of decompression on neurological outcome following spinal cord injury. Animal studies consistently show that neurological recovery is enhanced by early decompression. One randomized controlled trial showed no benefit to early (<72 h) decompression, however, several recent prospective series suggest that early decompression (<12 h) can be performed safely and may improve neurological outcomes. A recent meta-analysis showed that early decompression (<24 h) resulted in statistically better outcomes compared to both delayed decompression and conservative management. Currently, there are no standards regarding the role and timing of decompression in acute spinal cord injury. We recommend urgent decompression of bilateral locked facets in patients with incomplete tetraplegia or in patients with spinal cord injury experiencing neurological deterioration. Urgent decompression in acute cervical spinal cord injury remains a reasonable practice option and can be performed safely.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Right-to-left shunt and risk of decompression illness with cochleovestibular and cerebral symptoms in divers: case control study in 101 consecutive dive accidents.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of right-to-left shunt with standardized transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in a large population of divers referred for symptoms of decompression illness. DESIGN: Case series compared with a control group. SETTING: Military teaching hospital, hyperbaric unit. PATIENTS: Patients were 101 consecutive divers with clinical evidence of decompression illness and a control group of 101 healthy divers. INTERVENTION: Specification of the type of decompression illness involved and detection/evaluation of right-to-left shunt by standardized transcranial Doppler. The degree of right-to-left shunt was defined as major if the number of high-intensity transient signals in the middle cerebral artery was >20. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We evaluated the odds ratios by logistic regression analysis with vs. without right-to-left shunt for subjects with cochleovestibular symptoms, cerebral decompression illness, spinal decompression illness, and Caisson sickness. Of the 101 divers presenting with decompression illness, transcranial Doppler detected a right-to-left shunt in 59 (58.4%), whereas control subjects demonstrated a right-to-left shunt in 25 cases (24.8%; odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-7.8; p=.09). When a right-to-left shunt was detected, the right-to-left shunt was major in 12 of 25 patients in the control group and in 49 of 59 patients in the decompression illness group (odds ratio, 8.7; 95% confidence interval, 4.2-18.0; p<.001). Within the decompression illness group, the proportion of major right-to-left shunt was 24 of 34 (odds ratio, 29.7; 95% confidence interval, 10.0-87.2; p<.0001) in the cochleovestibular subgroup, 13 of 21 (odds ratio, 24.1, 95% confidence interval, 6.8-86.0, p< 0.0001) in the cerebral decompression illness subgroup, ten of 31 (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-10.3; p<.01) in the spinal decompression illness subgroup, and two of two (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-5.7; p=.9) in the subgroup of divers with Caisson sickness. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we conclude that major right-to-left shunt was associated with an increased incidence of cochleovestibular and cerebral decompression illness, suggesting paradoxical embolism as a potential mechanism.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Role of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging after microvascular decompression of the facial nerve for the treatment of hemifacial spasm.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the role of postoperative three-dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography in the prediction of clinical outcomes after microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of hemifacial spasm. METHODS: We examined pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained between March 1999 and May 2000 for 122 patients with hemifacial spasm, to evaluate the degree of detachment of the vascular contact and changes in the positions of offending vessels. The degree of vascular decompression of the facial nerve root was classified into three groups, i.e., contact, partial decompression, or complete decompression. Contact was defined as unresolved compression, as indicated by postoperative three-dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography. Partial decompression was defined as incompletely resolved compression; vascular indentation of the facial nerve was improved, but contact with the facial nerve remained. Complete decompression was defined as completely resolved compression. These findings were compared with the surgical findings and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of 122 patients with MVD, complete decompression of offending vessels at the root entry zone of the facial nerve was observed for 106 patients (86.9%), partial decompression was observed for 10 patients (8.2%), and contact with offending vessels was observed for 6 patients (4.9%) by using postoperative three-dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography. Our study demonstrated that the types of offending vessels affected neither the degree of decompression of the root entry zone of the facial nerve nor surgical outcomes (P > 0.05). Also, there was no significant relationship between the degree of decompression and improvement of symptoms (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between the degree of decompression and the timing of symptomatic improvement (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MVD of the facial nerve alone may not be sufficient to resolve symptoms for all patients with hemifacial spasm. Therefore, unknown factors in addition to vascular compression may cause symptoms in certain cases, and it may be necessary to remove those factors, simultaneously with MVD, to obtain symptom resolution.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Scoliosis associated with Chiari 1 malformations: the effect of suboccipital decompression on scoliosis curve progression: a preliminary study.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of the effect of suboccipital decompression and duraplasty on curve progression in 22 patients who presented with scoliosis, syringomyelia, and a Chiari 1 malformation. OBJECTIVES: To document the clinical characteristics of scoliosis in association with a Chiari 1 malformation, determine the effects of suboccipital decompression and duraplasty on scoliosis curve progression over time, and identify the clinical factors (age, gender, and curve characteristics) that may be associated with a clinical improvement in the scoliotic deformity after suboccipital decompression. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Prior publications have documented the clinical characteristics, signs, and symptoms of the Chiari 1 malformation. An association between Chiari 1 malformations, syringomyelia, and scoliosis has been recognized and reported. Several authors have also reported on the response of the scoliotic curve to Chiari 1 decompression, but the number of patients in these reports has been small. This cohort represents the largest number of patients to date (21) with Chiari 1 malformations, syringomyelia, and scoliosis who have been treated and followed over time in order to determine the effect of decompression on curve progression. METHODS: A retrospective case review of 85 patients, age 16 years or less, who underwent posterior fossa decompression for a Chiari 1 malformation between 1990 and November 2000. A subset of 7 males and 15 females (22 of 85 total patients) who initially presented with scoliosis and were then found to have a Chiari 1 malformation was selected from this larger cohort for further review. The orthopedic and neurosurgical charts, spinal radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were then reviewed for each of these patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the 22 patients who presented with scoliosis met the inclusion criteria of having a Chiari 1 malformation, scoliosis, and an unfused spine during the follow-up period after suboccipital decompression. One patient had a posterior spinal fusion before suboccipital decompression and was excluded from further review. CONCLUSIONS: Thirteen patients of the 21 study patients (62%) had curve improvement or stabilization during the follow-up period. Eight of 21 patients (38%) had curve progression. Closer analysis reveals that the age, gender, and initial size of the scoliotic curve influenced the results of suboccipital decompression on the behavior of the scoliosis. Specifically, 10 of 11 patients (91%) who were less than 10 years of age at the time of suboccipital decompression have had their curves improve or stay the same during follow-up. In contrast, 5 of 7 female patients (72%) older than 10 years old with a curve greater than 40 degrees before suboccipital decompression have either been fused or are awaiting fusion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury: Evaluation of the effects at one year.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect on outcome (1 yr) of decompressive craniectomy performed within or after the first 24 hrs post-trauma in severely head-injured trauma patients with intractable cerebral hypertension. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Among 816 patients with severe head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale < or =8), 40 underwent decompressive craniectomy. After data collection, patients were divided into two groups: early and late decompressive craniectomy. An early decompressive craniectomy was performed within the first 24 hrs in patients according to the following criteria: a Glasgow Coma Scale score <6 and the existence of clinical signs of cerebral herniation (absence of pupillary reflexes), correlated with abnormalities in computed tomography scan including hematoma, appearance of diffuse or unilateral brain swelling, and/or cerebral herniation. The intracranial pressure in these patients was not measured before the decompressive craniectomy was performed. A late decompressive craniectomy (>24 hrs) was performed according to following criteria: an intractable intracranial hypertension with intracranial pressure >35 mm Hg, a unilateral or bilateral absence of pupillary reflexes, and the same abnormalities in computed tomography scan as previously described. INTERVENTION: Twenty-seven patients with signs of cerebral herniation required the procedure at the time of initial evacuation of a mass lesion. In 13 patients, decompressive craniectomy was performed because of elevated intracranial pressure refractory to medical treatment consisting of cerebrospinal fluid derivation, deep sedation, osmotherapy, hyperventilation, and nesdonal or propofol. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five patients (19%) in whom an early decompressive craniectomy was performed had good recoveries (social rehabilitation), eight patients (30%) remained in a persistent vegetative state or with a severe disability, and 14 died (52%). On the other hand, the performance of late decompressive craniectomy in case of medical treatment failure was followed by social rehabilitation in five patients (38%) and death in three patients (23%). A persistent vegetative state or a severe disability was observed in five patients (38%). Meningitis or cerebral abscess occurred in six patients after decompressive craniectomy and were easily cured by antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In 40 patients with intractable intracranial hypertension and at very high risk of brain death, decompressive craniectomy allowed 25% of patients to attain social rehabilitation at 1 yr.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Gastrointestinal decompression after excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract.

AIM: To discuss the clinical significance of postoperative gastrointestinal decompression in operation on lower digestive tract. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-eight patients with excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract were divided into two groups, i.e. the group with postoperative gastrointestinal decompression and the group without postoperative gastrointestinal decompression. Clinical therapeutic outcome and incidence of complication were compared between two groups. Furthermore, an investigation on application of gastrointestinal decompression was carried out among 200 general surgeons. RESULTS: The volume of gastric juice in decompression group was about 200 mL every day after operation. Both groups had a lower girth before operation than every day after operation. No difference in length of the first passage of gas by anus and defecation after operation was found between two groups. The overall incidence of complications was obviously higher in decompression group than in non-decompression group (28% vs 8.2%, P<0.001). The incidence of pharyngolaryngitis was up to 23.1%. There was also no difference between two groups regarding the length of hospitalization after operation. The majority (97.5%) of general surgeons held that gastrointestinal decompression should be placed till passage of gas by anus, and only 2.5% of surgeons thought that gastrointestinal decompression should be placed for 2-3 d before passage of gas by anus. Nobody (0%) deemed it unnecessary for placing gastrointestinal compression after operation. CONCLUSION: Application of gastrointestinal decompression after excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract cannot effectively reduce gastrointestinal tract pressure and has no obvious effect on preventing postoperative complications. On the contrary, it may increase the incidence of pharyngolaryngitis and other complications. Therefore, it is more beneficial to the recovery of patients without undergoing gastrointestinal decompression.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Relationship between right-to-left shunts and cutaneous decompression illness.

The presence of a large right-to-left shunt is associated with neurological decompression illness after non-provocative dives, as a result of paradoxical gas embolism. A small number of observations suggest that cutaneous decompression illness is also associated with a right-to-left shunt, although an embolic aetiology of a diffuse rash is more difficult to explain. We performed a retrospective case--control comparison of the prevalence and sizes of right-to-left shunts determined by contrast echocardiography performed blind to history in 60 divers and one caisson worker with a history of cutaneous decompression illness, and 123 historical control divers. We found that 47 (77.0%) of the 61 cases with cutaneous decompression illness had a shunt, compared with 34 (27.6%) of 123 control divers (P<0.001). The size of the shunts in the divers with cutaneous decompression illness was significantly greater than in the controls. Thus 30 (49.2%) of the 61 cases with cutaneous decompression illness had a large shunt at rest, compared with six (4.9%) of the 123 controls (P<0.001). During closure procedures in 17 divers who had cutaneous decompression illness, the mean diameter of the foramen ovale was 10.9 mm. Cutaneous decompression illness occurred after dives that were provocative or deep in subjects without shunts, but after shallower and non-provocative dives in those with shunts. The latter individuals are at increased risk of neurological decompression illness. We conclude that cutaneous decompression illness has two pathophysiological mechanisms. It is usually associated with a large right-to-left shunt, when the mechanism is likely to be paradoxical gas embolism with peripheral amplification when bubble emboli invade tissues supersaturated with nitrogen. Cutaneous decompression illness can also occur in individuals without a shunt. In these subjects, the mechanism might be bubble emboli passing through an 'overloaded' lung filter or autochthonous bubble formation.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2006

[Recurrent laryngeal nerve decompression].

OBJECTIVE: To study the result of recurrent laryngeal nerve decompression in the treatment of functional disturbance of recurrent laryngeal nerve caused by thyroid surgery or thyroid benign tumors. METHODS: From October 2002 to June 2005, 9 cases of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and 4 cases of glottic insufficiency were treated with recurrent laryngeal nerve decompression. Seven cases of the nerve paralysis were caused by the surgery of benign thyroid tumors resection which were done by general surgeons. The paralysis nerve were found ligated in 6 of the 7 cases, and nerve-scar adhesion was found in the other case. Beside nerve decompression, type I thyroplasty have been undertaken in the same time to 2 of the 7 cases with severe hoarseness. One case of thyroid adenoma and 1 case of nodular goiter with unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis were treated with tumor resection and nerve decompression respectively. Four cases of glottic insufficiency, 3 cases of nodular goiter were treated with tumor resection and nerve decompression, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in the other case was treated with partial lobe resection and nerve decompression. The recovery of function of recurrent laryngeal nerve were detected to the recovery of vocal cord mobility through electrolaryngoscope postoperatively. RESULTS: For the 7 cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroid surgery, the motion of the paralysed vocal cord restored within 3 months in 6 cases with the interval of 1 week to 3 months between the two operations, no restoration was found in the other patient with an interval above 4 months between the two operations after 1 year follow-up. For the thyroid adenoma and nodular goiter with unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, the motion of paralysed vocal cord restored within 3 months respectively after decompression. The glottic closure recovered within 1 week after decompression in the 4 cases of the glottic insufficiency patient. CONCLUSIONS: Exploration and decompression as soon as possible to the paralysed recurrent laryngeal nerve because of thyroid surgery are very important for the restoration of the function of the nerve. For the patient with serve hoarseness, nerve decompression and type I thyroplasty at the same time is recommended in an effort to relieve hoarseness as soon as possible. For the functional disturbance of recurrent laryngeal nerve with thyroid neoplasm patient, early exploration and decompression of the nerve is imperative.

Decompression, Surgical↗

PubMed1990

Nitrogen partial pressures in man after decompression from simulated scuba dives at rest and during exercise.

In 5 subjects arterial and central venous nitrogen partial pressures (PN2) were measured after decompression from a chamber dive following a decompression schedule for scuba diving. The simulated dives consisted of exposure to air at 6 bar for 30 min corresponding to a depth of 50 m. Afterward the subjects were decompressed with decompression stops at 2.5, 2.2, 1.9, 1.6, and 1.3 bar with a total decompression time of 67 min. In 3 of the subjects the measurements were repeated after they had exercised (workload 75 W) during bottom time. Immediately after decompression and every 40 min until Minute 240 arterial and central venous blood samples were analyzed for PN2 using a manometric Van Slyke apparatus. Venous PN2 remained elevated until 160 min after decompression, indicating still incomplete nitrogen washout for at least 2 h after decompression had been accomplished. We did not find any difference in PN2 values after decompression from dives at rest and after exercise. Applying a computer program based on a wide range of theoretical tissue half-times nitrogen elimination proved to be consistent with Haldanian theories when using our decompression profile. Our data confirm that nitrogen elimination is prolonged after decompression from simulated dives at rest and after exercise.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Endoscopic decompression for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is often treated by colonoscopic decompression. Efficacy, safety, and outcome of endoscopic decompression was assessed. METHODS: Colonoscopic decompressions from 1988 to 1994 were reviewed. Resolution without further endoscopic intervention was defined as clinical success. RESULTS: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction was diagnosed in 50 patients. Thirty-three cases followed surgery or trauma and 17 developed during severe medical illness. Orthopedic joint surgery was most common. Nineteen of 50 patients (38%) had severe underlying medical disease. Forty-one patients (82%) had one colonoscopic decompression with clinical success in 39 (95%). Nine patients (18%) required multiple (2 to 4) colonoscopic decompressions with clinical success in 5 (56%). A decompression tube positioned in the right colon (57%) and in the transverse colon (33%) had similar clinical success. In 8 procedures a decompression tube was not placed, with poor clinical success (25%). The overall clinical success of colonoscopic decompression was 88% (44 of 50). An endoscopic perforation occurred in 1 patient (2%). Overall hospital mortality was 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopic decompression is effective and safe for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction that does not respond to conservative therapy. Most patients will respond to one colonoscopic decompression with decompression tube placement. Complete colonoscopy and cecal tube placement is unnecessary.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1985

Current trends in orbital decompression.

A questionnaire was sent to members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and the Orbital Society in regard to indications, surgical techniques and results of orbital decompression for Graves' disease. It was found that more than 60% of orbital decompressions were performed for mild to severe exophthalmos to correct corneal exposure or disfigurement. A total of 3.9% of these procedures were performed to relieve visual loss in compressive neuropathy. The large majority of decompressions were performed using antral-ethmoidal decompression via a translid or fornix approach. The amount of retrodisplacement was greatest with Kennerdell-Maroon or four-wall decompression and the least with lateral wall decompression. The antral-ethmoidal and three-wall decompression techniques gave an average of 4 to 6 mm of retrodisplacement. It was determined from the survey that antral-ethmoidal decompressions performed through the transantral approach were more likely to relieve the pressure in compressive neuropathy and also more likely to induce a worsening of muscle balance. In contrast, antral-ethmoidal decompressions performed via the translid approach were not as effective in relieving compressive neuropathy but had a much lower incidence of worsened muscle balance, and in fact, resulted in a higher incidence of improved muscle balance. The same trends were confirmed in the author's surgical practice, and an anatomic explanation is offered. The importance of creating nasoantral windows following decompression is emphasized. The risks of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and changes in eyelid positioning following decompression are described.

Combined Modality Therapy↗