The severity of structural nerve injury after needle-nerve contact was directly related to force exposure via needle advancement.

This trial showed a significantly greater incidence of phrenic nerve palsy of the interscalene group in PACU, but not on POD1. Post-operative analgesic quality was similar in both groups. Continuous supraclavicular blockade is a suitable alternative to the continuous interscalene technique.

Concerning the mobilisation capability, we did not actually observe a superior effect of CACB compared with CFNB technique in our patients following total knee arthroplasty. Moreover, no difference was observed concerning analgesia quality.

It is still a subject of debate whether hepatocytes have the ability to express TCF-P. Therefore, we investigated in freshly isolated and in monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes the expression of TGF-P isoforms at the RNA and protein level applying RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, immunoblcltting, and functional assays of TGF-P. TCF-PI , -p2, and -p3 transcripts were detected in cultured cells, and the level of mRNA increased up to 48/72 h, but TGF-PI transcripts were absent in freshly isolated cells. Using APAAP staining the proteins of all three TGF-P isoforms were observed in hepatocyte cultures from 5-96 h, but in hepatocytes in the liver in situ and in freshly isolated cell suspensions TGF-P staining was negative. SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions followed by Western blotting detected in cell lysates the subunit of mature TGF-P at about 13 kd. Analysis of TGF-P bioactivity with the mink cell (Mvl Lu) proliferation inhibition assay and competitive radioligand assay confirmed in activated (i.e., acidified and subsequently neutralized) hepatocyte-conditioned media the presence of TGF-P, which, however, is almost entirely in the latent formi. It is concluded that TCF-

Background: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for perioperative pulmonary complications. Anaesthetic drugs and the effect of obesity on respiratory mechanics are responsible for these pathophysiological changes, but tracheal intubation with muscle relaxation may also contribute. This study evaluates the influence of airway management, i.e. intubation vs. laryngeal mask airway (LMA), on postoperative lung volumes and arterial oxygen saturation in the early postoperative period. Methods: We prospectively studied 134 moderately obese patients (BMI 30) undergoing minor peripheral surgery. They were randomly assigned to orotracheal intubation or LMA during general anaesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Premedication, general anaesthesia and respiratory settings were standardized. While breathing air, we measured arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry. Inspiratory and expiratory lung function was measured preoperatively (baseline) and at 10 min, 0.5, 2 and 24 h

We conclude that postoperative lung function and arterial saturation is better preserved by a low-oxygen strategy, although it is not clear whether this has clinical relevance for the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Focused TTE by anesthesiologists can provide new information that may alter the hemodynamic management of unstable high-risk noncardiac surgery patients in the operating room.

Short-term respiratory physiotherapy during the PACU stay promotes more rapid recovery of postoperative lung function in the obese during the first 24 h.