BACKGROUND: The use of anesthesia during assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as TEST (Tubal Embryo Stage Transfer) may expose early embryo to anesthetics in tubal fluid. The effects of anesthetic agents on the development of early embryo in ART are yet unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of narcotics on mouse two-cell embryo development using in vitro growth model of mouse embryo. METHODS: Mouse two-cell embryos were exposed to narcotics, fentanyl (6.0 nM; 30.0 nM) and meperidine (1.0 M; 3.6 M) respectively. Mouse two-cell embryos unexposed to any drugs were served as controls. In vitro developmental patterns were observed on the third and fifth day of culture. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the rates of embryos arrested at 2~8 cell stage on the third day after culture and blastocysts development and their hatching on the fifth day after culture among three groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that fentanyl and meperidine in clinical therapeutic concentration have no detrimental effects on the in vitro two-cell mouse embryo development. But further investigations are required to determine whether narcotics have any adverse toxic effects in human reproductive medicine.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Blastocyst ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Mice* ; Narcotics* ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Medicine ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Mice*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Mice*

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic urologic surgery including transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) requires adequate sacral analgesia for insertion of resectoscope. But epidurally administered local anesthetic does not produce anesthetic effects uniformly. Failure to completely block S1 during epidural anesthesia because of the large size of nerve root has been noted. The purpose of this study to compare the relation between catheter direction and sensory anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty patients scheduled for endoscopic urologic surgery were enrolled. The epidural catheter was inserted at L3-4 using a standard 18 gauge Tuohy needle. In group A (n=15), the Tuohy needle with bevel pointed in a cephalad direction during catheter insertion. In group B (n=15), it pointed caudally. And the catheter was introduced 3 cm into the epidural space. After test dose, 2% lidocaine 5 cc, 0.5% bupivacaine 5 cc and 2% lidocaine 3 cc were administered with fractionate dose through it. The extent of the sensory anesthesia to loss of cold sensation and pin prick test was measured every 5minute for 30 minutes. RESULTS: Analgesia spread to loss of cold sensation and pin prick test was no significant statistical difference between the two groups. In 15 minutes after injection of surgical dose, complete blockade in L5, S1 dermatome was present in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our results conclude that epidural catheter direction is not significantly influence the epidural anesthetic spread including sacral area in continuous lumbar epidural anesthesia in elderly patients.
Aged ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthetics ; Bupivacaine ; Catheters* ; Epidural Space ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Needles ; Sensation ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

The effect of prior administration of d-tubocurarine on the increased intraocular pressure associated with the use of succinylcholine was studied in 30 randomely selected human subjects, who did not have cardiopulmonary or ocular disease preoperatively. Intraocular pressures were measured with Schiotz tonometer. The major findings of this study were as follows: 1) When succinylcholine was given alone, a rise from 15.5mmHg to 18.OmmHg (16.1%) was seen(p<0.05). 2) When d-tubocurarine, 3mg, was given three minutes prior to the administration of succylchin oline, 15 healthy human subjects had no significant increase in intraocular pressure(p>0.05). 3) Intrsocular pressure were significantly increased in both groups after endotracheal intubation, but the d-tubocurarine precurarization group had minimal pressure compured to the succinylcholine alonegroup(p<0.05). An intraocular pressure increase was inhibited in the d-tubocurarine precurarization group. This simple, convenient method prevents the increased intraocular pressure associated with the use of succinylcholine.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Succinylcholine ; Tubocurarine*

Ureteroscopic removal of the stone is now popular for the management of the lower ureteral stone. A clinical study was performed on our 75 patients with lower ureteral stone treated with ureteroscopy. Of the 75 stone manipulations 62 (83%) were immediately successful and the final success rate including spontaneous delivery of stone or fragment after the procedure was 87 percents (65 cases). Of 57 smaller calculi than 1 cm (radiographic largest diameter) 50 (88%) were removed successfully. Mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 5.6 days. There were no interrelations between the success rate and anesthetic methods. Significant complications during or after procedure were not identified. We conclude that ureteroscopic removal of stones under direct vision can be done safely and be the first choice of procedure for the lower ureteral stones.
Calculi ; Clinical Study ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Ureter* ; Ureteroscopy

No abstract available.
Graft vs Host Disease* ; HLA-DR Antigens

It has been Known that silicone intubation may be an effective procedure for total or partial obstruction in infants of age one year or less, and the older the patient, the lower the success rate. We had performed silicone intubation on 40 eyes of 39 patients from january 1995 to May 1996, and they were divided into 3 groups according to age: group 1, 6 months to 6 years: group 2,6 to 16.: group 3, one 16 years. The success rate was 92.4% in groups 1 and 2, respectively: 83.3% ingroup 3. The success rate in patients with partial obstruction in group 3 was 100% In view of the results of the present study, silicone intubation may be in primary procedure for partial obstruction of lacrimal drainage system.
Drainage ; Humans ; Infant ; Intubation* ; Silicones*