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La turbidez (T, FNU), el caudal (Q, l/s) y la precipitación (P, mm) se están midiendo en continuo en la estación de aforo situada en la salida de la cuenca de Aixola (Gipuzkoa, 5 km2) desde octubre 2003. Se han utilizado los datos recogidos en los eventos ocurridos entre octubre 2003 y octubre 2005 para establecer la relación turbidez-concentración de sedimentos en suspensión (CSS), y así, estimar las series continuas de CSS. Además, también se ha medido la conductividad eléctrica en muestras tomadas durante las crecidas. Por otro lado, se cuantificaron varios parámetros del evento (P, Q y CSS) y anteriores al mismo (Q y P) para todos los eventos registrados. Se observa un nivel significativo de correlación entre las variables de precipitación, caudal y sedimentos en suspensión. Sin embargo, las condiciones anteriores al evento no se correlacionan bien con los parámetros calculados para el mismo. En el análisis de la relación entre la concentración de sedimentos en suspensión y el caudal durante los eventos se han observado cuatro tipos diferentes de bucles de histéresis relacionados con diferentes condiciones antecedentes al evento y del propio evento. La evolución de la conductividad eléctrica durante los eventos de crecida indica que la cuenca posee una capacidad de regulación considerable.

Abstract: Objective: In order to reduce the risk of postoperative apnoea, awake spinal anaesthesia or awake caudal anaesthesia are recommended for hernia surgery in newborn babies and former premature infants aged less than 60 weeks of amenorrhoea. However, additional sedation is sometimes necessary. Our working hypothesis was that a general anaesthesia with a face mask (sevoflurane) with no opiates nor neuromuscular blocking agents, maintaining the infant''s spontaneous breathing and combined with a caudal anaesthesia, could provide a safe and effective alternative. Study design: The epidemiological and technical data about the patient and the anaesthesia, as well as any per- and postoperative complications, were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. Patients and methods: Ninety-eight infants undergoing hernia surgery were included during the period from 2003 to 2008. Results: Caudal anaesthesia proved successful at first attempt in 69% of the infants (term or premature). Three attempts were needed in 8% of the infants born at term and 2% of the infants born prematurely. One failure was recorded. Seven patients presented one episode of peroperative apnoea; they were easily taken care of by means of brief face mask ventilation. The follow-up of these seven infants did not reveal any reappearance of postoperative apnoea/bradypnoea. Conclusion: The technique proposed is an effective alternative to the awake locoregional anaesthesia techniques: it provides excellent conditions for surgery and presents similar perioperative morbidity and risk of postoperative apnoea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To describe pharmacology and toxicology of ropivacaine. To assess the clinical efficacy of ropivacaine when used for postoperative epidural analgesia and to provide recommendations for clinical practice.Data sources: Search in the Medline data base of original articles in French and English published since 1995, using the following key words: ropivacaine, postoperative analgesia, epidural, caudal block.Study selection: Prospective randomised studies in adults and children were selected. Letters to editors and editorials were excluded.Data extraction: Articles have been analyzed: to determine the dose of ropivacaine required for postoperative epidural analgesia, to assess the benefits of combination of epidural ropivacaine and additives (opioids or other), to compare epidural ropivacaine and bupivacaine and to assess the use of ropivacaine via caudal route for paediatric postoperative analgesia.Data synthesis: 20 mg h–1 of ropivacaine is required to provide effective analgesia. This dose produces a motor block in a significant number of patients. Combination with an opioid allows for a reduction in ropivacaine requirement and subsequently in the incidence of motor blockade. In adults, equipotency ratio of ropivacaine and bupivacaine varies between 1.5/1 and 1/1 depending upon the concentration used. At equipotent doses, early postoperative mobilisation is facilitated with ropivacaine. In case of paediatric caudal analgesia, this ratio is close to 1.Conclusions: Epidural ropivacaine combined with opioid provide good postoperative pain relief. Reduction in the incidence of motor blockade and safe toxicological profile make this local anaesthetic a suitable alternative of bupivacaine for postoperative epidural analgesia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]