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New trial have shown that immediate regional lymph node dissection offers increased survival in patients with regional lymph node metastases only. Introduction of isotope technique to identify the first node, the sentinel node (SN), receiving lymph from a tumour area has made it possible to avoid node dissection in SN metastasis negative patients. The feasibility of the technique is illustrated by to examples.

Fifteen patients electively selected for percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy as performed with the Ciaglia Percutaneous Tracheostomy Introducer Set are reported in this preliminary study. The median time for insertion of the tracheostomy tube was 13.1 min. Complications were cuff puncture of the translaryngeal tube at an early stage of the procedure in one case, and minor bleeding controllable by the compressible effect of the dilatational procedure in three cases. During the posttracheostomy period complications included one case of minor bleeding controllable by digital compression and one case of minor infection, i.e. cellulitis in a few millimetres around the stoma without purulent secretion. Our preliminary results indicate that the technique as performed with the Ciaglia Introducer Set is effective and safe with only minor complications. Furthermore, we now use it as a bed-side procedure in the ICU, thus avoiding the transportation of critically ill patients to the operating theatre. A conclusion on the superiority of percutaneous tracheostomy to dissectional tracheostomy has to await clinical randomized studies including more patients.

Ventilatory support to patients suffering from respiratory insufficiency using a non-invasive technique has gained increasing popularity during the last few years. BiPAP (biphasic positive airway pressure) (Respiconics) offers inspiratory support and expiratory resistance to this group of patients both in the hospital and, in particular, in the home. The apparatus has proven to be effective as for instance a long term support device for patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases, sleep apnoeas and during the postoperative period. It works without pressurized air and is portable.

A case of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) was undiagnosed until the girl in question was eight years old. Her development was normal, although with symptoms and signs of nocturnal hypoventilation. At the age of eight, with an interval of eight months, she suffered two attacks of acute respiratory insufficiency necessitating intubation and respiratory treatment. The episodes were considered to be pneumonia/septicaemia, but were in retrospect proven to be lung congestion as a consequence of hypercapnia and hypoxaemia. After the last episode CCHS was confirmed. The difficulties in diagnosing CCHS are discussed. After extubation she has been successfully treated with nocturnal nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) with BiPAP (Respironic), and she has in this way avoided tracheostomy.

Pregnancy and delivery are described in a 22-year-old woman suffering from spinal muscular atrophy. In spite of severe respiratory insufficiency with a vital capacity of 0.6 litre, pregnancy and planned caesarean section in general anaesthesia went without complications. Some explanations for this are presented. Teams involving respiratory centres specialized in the treatment of patients with neuromuscular diseases, obstetricians and neurologists are recommended. These teams may carry out individual counselling, frequent controls, respiratory support and planning of delivery.

A total of 379 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for mechanical ventilation were prospectively investigated for lesions of the nose, nasal cavity, ears and larynx during and after nasotracheal intubation. One to two years later, the surviving patients were questioned to investigate late persisting sequelae. During intubation and up to five days following extubation, inflammatory changes and ulceration of the nostrils or nasal septum were found in respectively 76 (20%) and 110 (29%) patients. There were bleedings from the nasal cavity in 67 (19%) and fractures of the conchae in 40 patients (11%). Hoarseness was noted in 135 patients (42%). Inflammatory changes and ulcerations of the nostril and nasal septum were correlated to the duration of intubation. Among the 281 patients included in the follow-up study, 100 (35%) had symptoms from the nose and nasal cavity. Sixty-five (24%) had symptoms related to the ears, 56 (20%) to the maxillary sinus, 81 (29%) to the voice and 90 (32%) to the throat. Increasing duration of intubation was found to be correlated to persisting symptoms from the larynx. Former ulcerations of the nose were associated with a tendency toward nasal bleeding. To avoid as many complications as possible from the nose and nasal cavity, we recommend orotracheal intubation. As late sequelae from the larynx increase with the duration of intubation, perhaps tracheostomy should be performed earlier than is general practice today, but that has to be proven in forthcoming studies.

In the period 1983 to 1992, 208 patients with bladder dysfunction were introduced to clean intermittent self-catheterization. Through questionnaires and retrospective study of patient records we found that 57% of the patients were very satisfied with this treatment modality. Seventy percent found it easy to learn to catheterize themselves and 39% experienced improval of everyday life. Thirty-five percent never had bacteriuria. No serious complications were seen. Conclusively we found that clean intermittent self-catheterization is a good treatment modality for patients with bladder dysfunction. It is easy to learn, easy to perform and is very well accepted by the patients.

During the last ten years, transesophageal echocardiography has become an important tool for cardiac monitoring. In other countries it is widely applied, especially in cardiac surgery, but the areas of application are still expanding. Transesophageal echocardiography is a non-invasive technique in contrast to most other methods available for monitoring central haemodynamics. The complication frequency is extremely low. However, correct therapeutic decisions depend on profound experience with the equipment and image interpretation. The scope of transoesophageal echocardiography as a new tool in haemodynamic monitoring is described in this paper together with preliminary results.

Based on a case story and having examined the literature, we describe the incidence, symptoms, course, complications and treatment of the kind of pulmonary oedema that may arise in connection with acute heroin intoxication. A possible pathogenesis is also discussed. Heroin-induced pulmonary oedema is rather frequent and the mortality is high. It differs from cardiogenic pulmonary oedema at essential points. It is most likely due to an increased permeability of the lung capillaries. However, it is still unclarified whether this is caused by a toxic or an allergic reaction, or by hypoxia. The treatment is supportive, using a respirator and oxygen enriched breathing air until the hypoxia has been abolished, and support of the circulation with reasonable liquid supply and infusion of inotropic and vasoactive drugs.

In 1990 we examined 25 patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) or Spinal Muscular Atrophy type II (SMA-II). The purpose was to elucidate their general physical capability and find indicators for future need of artificial ventilation. We used interviews and measurements. The interviews were based on classifications described as 1) EAMDA, 2) VIGNOS, 3) BROOKE for use with DMD patients. Our own classification (called EK) is described and used. Moreover, we measured five parameters for the mechanical lung function, the strength of eight great muscle groups, and anthropometrical data. In January 1992, between two and 18 months after our examination, seven of the patients (all DMD) required artificial ventilation. Among the patients who needed artificial ventilation, we found the DMDs to have the lowest physical capability, as measured by the interview (EK and EAMDA) and the smallest values for forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF). All 11 patients with SMA-II could administer their lives without ventilator. Comparing their values with the DMD group, we would expect that several would need artificial ventilation. The reason why the SMA-II patients can manage without artificial ventilation is not clarified. Combining our classification (EK) and the value for FVC, we can predict the need for artificial ventilation among the participating DMD patients.

Long-term respirator treatment in the patients' own home is instituted increasingly frequently in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Positive pressure ventilation via a permanent tracheostomy is employed. Treatment is frequently commenced electively during hospitalization in particularly interested departments. Discharge to the patients' home is undertaken after thorough instruction of the patient himself, the family and the persons who help the patient with his other daily needs. Possible guidelines for establishing this form of treatment are outlined on the basis of literature from abroad.

Sinusitis following nasotracheal intubation (NTI) is an almost overlooked complication. The pathogenesis is believed to be development of oedema of the nasal mucosa due to irritation by the tube in the nasal cavity. The size of the tube is probably not important, whereas the duration of intubation is of major importance. The infection is often caused by Gram-negative microorganisms. The frequency is found to be 0.3% in short term intubation (less than 5 days) and 40.4% in long term intubation (greater than 5 days). In neurosurgical patients treated with NTI sinusitis is found in 52% and 100% of the patients. In adults the indications for prolonged NTI instead of orotracheal intubation and early tracheostomy should be considered carefully. If fever or sepsis develops in patients treated with NTI, investigations for sinusitis should be included in the search for focus. When sinusitis has developed, the tube should be removed, and the patient tracheostomised. If this treatment fails, surgical drainage should be performed.

Avulsion of a nasal concha by a nasotracheal tube obstructed the tube in a valvelike manner. The result was increased intrapulmonary pressure, hemodynamic instability, alveolar rupture, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum without pneumothorax. The case was successfully managed by removal of the nasotracheal tube and immediate oral reintubation.

The effect of paracetamol on the postoperative employment of morphine was investigated in a double-blind clinically controlled investigation with a placebo. The operations concerned were elective gynaecological laparotomies and hip replacements. During the first 60 hours postoperatively, the employment of morphine was reduced significantly in the patients who received paracetamol. Reductions of 16, 22 and 26% were concerned. The differences between the various types of operation were not significant. Patients for joint replacements who had been treated preoperatively with non-steroid anti-inflammatory preparations did not have any significantly greater consumption of morphine postoperatively but the reduction in consumption of morphine in the paracetamol group was significantly greater with a saving of 43%. Patients who had received treatment with morphine preparations preoperatively had significantly greater consumption of morphine postoperatively but the additive analgesic effect of paracetamol remained unchanged at approximately 25%.