Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Dimethylamines ; analysis ; Methylamines ; analysis ; Workplace

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.
Arsenic ; Ataxia ; Carbon Disulfide ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cerebellar Diseases ; Delivery of Health Care ; Developing Countries ; Dimethylamines ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophysiology ; Gases ; Hexanes ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; Manganese ; Metals, Heavy ; Nervous System ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neuromuscular Junction Diseases ; Neurotoxins ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Organophosphates ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; Semiconductors ; Sodium Fluoride ; Solvents ; Taiwan ; Thallium ; Tin ; Toluene ; Urethane

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.
Arsenic ; Ataxia ; Carbon Disulfide ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cerebellar Diseases ; Delivery of Health Care ; Developing Countries ; Dimethylamines ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophysiology ; Gases ; Hexanes ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; Manganese ; Metals, Heavy ; Nervous System ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neuromuscular Junction Diseases ; Neurotoxins ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Organophosphates ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; Semiconductors ; Sodium Fluoride ; Solvents ; Taiwan ; Thallium ; Tin ; Toluene ; Urethane

The effects of different doses of tramadol on analgesia and electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral parameters were compared in rats. Saline or tramadol 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg was administered. The degree of analgesia was evaluated by tail-flick latency, and the degree of seizure was measured using numerical seizure score (NSS). Additionally, band powers, median power frequency and spectral edge frequency 95 were measured to quantify the EEG response. All doses of tramadol produced spike-wave discharge. Tramadol significantly and dose-dependently increased the analgesia, but these effects did not correspond with the changes in the EEG spectral parameters. NSS significantly increased in the Tramadol 20 and 40 mg/kg treatment groups compared to the Control and TRA5 groups, and two rats given 40 mg/kg had convulsions. In conclusion, tramadol dose-dependently increased the analgesic effect, and the 10 mg/kg dose appears to be a reliable clinical dose for analgesia in rats, but dose-dependent increases in analgesia and seizure severity did not correlate with EEG spectral parameters.
Analgesia ; Animals ; Electroencephalography ; Rats ; Seizures ; Tramadol

BACKGROUND: We wanted to determine the postoperative analgesic efficacy of preincisional caudal epidural block versus instillation (splash block) following inguinal herniorrhaphy in children. METHODS: Thirty children (age range: 1-7 years) who were scheduled to undergo inguinal herniorrhaphy were divided into 2 groups: the caudal block group and the splash block group with 15 children in each group. Tracheal intubation was performed. Fifteen children received caudal block with 1.0 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine (Group 1). Caudal block was performed using the loss of resistance method via the sacral hiatus. Fifteen children in Group 2 received local instillation (splash block) in the surgical site with up to 0.4 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine. The patients were observed for 90 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit and then they were transferred to the ward. The pain scores were taken 4 times. We assessed pain using the Faces pain scores. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the pain scores at 10, 30 and 60 minutes upon entering the postanesthesia care unit. The pain scores of Group 1 were slightly lower at the last evaluation point when compared to that of Group 2. One patient in Group 1 required supplemental postoperative intravenous (IV) tramadol, while all the other patients in both groups did not require supplemental IV tramadol. The intraoperative requirement for sevoflurane was decreased in Group 1 as compared to that of Group 2. There were no major complications related to either type of block. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a splash block can have a similar analgesic effect as that of a caudal block for the postoperative herniorrhaphy pain of children.
Amides ; Analgesia ; Child ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Intubation ; Methyl Ethers ; Tramadol

STUDY DESIGN: A single center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ultracet(TM) compared with a placebo in the treatment of acute pain after spinal surgery. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Ultracet(TM) is a combination drug of Tramadol and Acetaminophen, and the synergistic effect in pain control was demonstrated by animal experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients who satisfied the selection and exclusion criteria after spinal surgery were enrolled in this study. The patients measured perceptible pain relief time and meaningful pain relief time using a two stopwatch technique. The pain intensity (PI) and pain relief (PAR) were recorded at 30 minutes and then hourly over a 4 hour period, and the pain intensity difference (PID), the sum of the pain intensity difference (SPID), and the total pain relief (TOPAR) were also checked. RESULTS: The study and control group comprised of 56 and 20 patients, respectively. The baseline pain intensity was an average of 5.9+/-1.2 in the study group and 6.1+/-1.4 in the control group (p=0.683). The final pain intensity was 2.5+/-2.4 and 4.1+/-2.2 in the study and control group, respectively. The study group was superior to placebo (p=0.008). In addition, the study group was statistically superior in terms of the PID (p=0.025), SPID (p=0.028), and TOPAR (p=0.048), particularly over 2 hours, as well as the overall assessment (p=0.005). The median time of the meaningful pain relief time was 90 and 193 minutes in the study and control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The analgesic efficacy of Ultracet(TM) was superior to the placebo on the SPID, TOPAR, and the subjects' overall assessments over the 4 hour observation period. These results suggest that Ultracet(TM) is an effective therapeutic option for the management of acute pain after spinal surgery without serious complications.
Acetaminophen ; Acute Pain* ; Animal Experimentation ; Humans ; Spinal Diseases ; Tramadol

BACKGROUND: Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic with weak opioid agonist properties and has effect on the spinal inhibition of pain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of tramadol in the treatment of postanesthetic shivering. METHODS: Sixty patients (ASA class I/II) who showed postanesthetic shivering were randomly assigned into three groups (n=20): Normal saline group; normal saline 10 ml, tramadol (TRD) 0.5 mg/kg group; tramadol 0.5 mg/kg, TRD 1.0 mg/kg group; tramadol 1.0 mg/kg. And all patients received standard postoperative management in the recovery room. Evaluation of the grade of shivering was done at 30 seconds, 2, 5 and 10 minutes from the beginning of the treatment by the same investigator who had injected the drug. The age, sex, weight, duration of anesthesia and axillary temperature were recorded. RESULTS: By 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes, 0, 4, 9, 9 patients of the 0.5 mg/kg tramadol group (n=20) and 7, 18, 19, 19 patients of the 1.0 mg/kg tramadol group (n=20) stopped the shivering respectively. But in 3 patients of 0.5 mg/kg tramadol group who stopped shivering by 5 minutes, shivering was recurred within 10 minutes and in 3 patients who had not stopped shivering by 5 minutes, shivering stopped by 10 minutes. In the placebo group, only 1 patient stopped shivering by 5 minutes. CONCLUSION: 1.0 mg/kg of tramadol was effective for the treatment of postanesthetic shivering but 0.5 mg/kg of tramadol was ineffective.
Anesthesia ; Humans ; Recovery Room ; Research Personnel ; Shivering* ; Tramadol*

BACKGROUND: Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic with weak opioid agonist properties and has effect on the spinal inhibition of pain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of tramadol in the treatment of postanesthetic shivering. METHODS: Sixty patients (ASA class I/II) who showed postanesthetic shivering were randomly assigned into three groups (n=20): Normal saline group; normal saline 10 ml, tramadol (TRD) 0.5 mg/kg group; tramadol 0.5 mg/kg, TRD 1.0 mg/kg group; tramadol 1.0 mg/kg. And all patients received standard postoperative management in the recovery room. Evaluation of the grade of shivering was done at 30 seconds, 2, 5 and 10 minutes from the beginning of the treatment by the same investigator who had injected the drug. The age, sex, weight, duration of anesthesia and axillary temperature were recorded. RESULTS: By 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes, 0, 4, 9, 9 patients of the 0.5 mg/kg tramadol group (n=20) and 7, 18, 19, 19 patients of the 1.0 mg/kg tramadol group (n=20) stopped the shivering respectively. But in 3 patients of 0.5 mg/kg tramadol group who stopped shivering by 5 minutes, shivering was recurred within 10 minutes and in 3 patients who had not stopped shivering by 5 minutes, shivering stopped by 10 minutes. In the placebo group, only 1 patient stopped shivering by 5 minutes. CONCLUSION: 1.0 mg/kg of tramadol was effective for the treatment of postanesthetic shivering but 0.5 mg/kg of tramadol was ineffective.
Anesthesia ; Humans ; Recovery Room ; Research Personnel ; Shivering* ; Tramadol*

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of ondemand tramadol for the treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis with metaregression of trials evaluating the use of tramadol to treat premature ejaculation using intravaginal ejaculation latency time as a measure.Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Ebscohost,MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library.

RESULTS: This analysis included 8 publications. Study of the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) among 599 patients showed that tramadol was effective in subjects with premature ejaculation as seen by the significant difference in mean IELT of tramadol treated patients versus those receiving placebo (mean difference 2.43 minutes; 95% CI 0.93-3.93; P=0.002). The effect on IELT between tramadol and paroxetine was not statistically significant (mean difference -0.58; 95% CI -5.81 to 4.65; P=0.83).Meta-regression analysis showed that the lower the dose of tramadol,the higher its benefit in the prolongation of IELT, however, there was no significant difference (95% CI regression coefficient -0.0956 to 0.0322). There was a significant difference in adverse effects profile of tramadol versus placebo (risk ratio 2.48; 95% CI 1.55-3.98; overall effect Z= 3.79; P<0.0002) and overall therapeutic effectiveness between tramadol compared to placebo (risk ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.46-0.67; P<0.00001).

CONCLUSION: On-demand tramadol is an effective treatment for lifelong premature ejaculation. It significantly prolongs the intravaginal ejaculation latency time. The overall adverse events and overall therapeutic effectiveness are significantly greater during treatment with tramadol.

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injection is an established treatment modality for intervertebral disc prolapse leading to radiculopathy. In cases where two levels of radiculopathy are present, two separate injections are warranted. Herein, we present our experience of management of such cases with a single epidural injection of local anaesthetic, tramadol and methylprednisolone, and table tilt for management of both radiculopathies. METHODS: 50 patients of either sex aged between 35-65 years presenting with features of cervical and lumbar radiculopathic pain were included and were subjected to single lumbar epidural injection of local anaesthetic, tramadol and methylprednisolone, in the lateral position. The table was then tilted in the trendelberg position with a tilt of 25 degrees, and patients were maintained for 10 minutes before being turned supine. All patients were administered 3 such injections with an interval of 2 weeks between subsequent injections, and pain relief was assessed with a visual analogue scale. Immediate complications after the block were assessed. RESULTS: Immediate and post procedural complications observed were nausea and vomiting (20%), painful injection site (4%), hypotension (10%) and high block (4%). Pain relief was assessed after the three injections by three grades: 37 (74%) had complete resolution of symptoms; 18% had partial relief and 8% did not benefit from the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This technique may be used as an alternative technique for pain relief in patients with unilateral cervical and lumbar radiculopathies.
Aged ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Injections, Epidural ; Intervertebral Disc ; Methylprednisolone ; Nausea ; Prolapse ; Radiculopathy ; Tramadol ; Vomiting