Association between intraoperative hypotension and postoperative nausea and vomiting: a retrospective analysis of 247 thyroidectomy cases

BACKGROUND

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are major complications after general anesthesia. Although various pathways are involved in triggering PONV, hypotension plays an important role. We hypothesized that intraoperative hypotension during general anesthesia might be responsible for the incidence of PONV.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated patients who underwent thyroidectomy. The initial blood pressure measured before induction of anesthesia was used as the baseline value. The systolic blood pressure measured during the operation from the start to the end of anesthesia was extracted from anesthetic records. The time integral value when the measured systolic blood pressure fell below the baseline value was calculated as area under the curve (AUC) of s100%.

RESULTS

There were 247 eligible cases. Eighty-eight patients (35.6%) had PONV. There was no difference in patient background between the patients with or without PONV. Univariate analysis showed that the total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) (p=0.02), smoking history (p=0.02), and AUC-s100% (p=0.006) were significantly associated with PONV. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that TIVA (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29...0.99), smoking history (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37...0.96), and AUC-s100% (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.0...1.01) were significantly associated with PONV.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative hypotension evaluated by AUC-s100% was related to PONV in thyroidectomy.

Anesthetic management of scapular Y-osteotomy using a combination of suprascapular nerve block and erector spinae plane block for Sprengel deformity associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) occurs in 1/40,000 individuals and is characterized by cervical fusion. Thirty percent of patients with KFS present with Sprengel deformity, leading to orthopedic problems and limited shoulder abduction. No reports exist regarding anesthetic procedures for pediatric scapular osteotomies.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 4-year-and-7-month-old boy (95.6 cm, 14.7 kg) who underwent left scapular osteotomy. At the age of 8 months, he also underwent a right lower lobectomy due to a congenital pulmonary airway malformation. We decided to use a combination of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), and general anesthesia. He received regular acetaminophen administration and fentanyl 5-10 μg/hour intravenously until 20 h postoperatively and remained on ≤ 2/10 in the Wong-Baker Face Scale (0: no hurt; 10: hurts worst).

CONCLUSION

The combination of SSNB and ESPB could be an option for perioperative analgesia for scapular osteotomies.

Relationship between estimated and observed heparin sensitivity indices in cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery

BACKGROUND

Little evidence exists on the relationship between the estimated heparin sensitivity index (HSI) based on commonly available clinical and laboratory data and observed HSI in the adult population. This retrospective study assessed the relationship between the observed and estimated HSIs.

METHODS

This study was conducted in an academic, single-institution setting. Patients aged ≥ 20 years who underwent cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery and requiring cardiopulmonary bypass were included. Clinical and laboratory data, including age, sex, and platelet count, were collected. The fibrinogen-albumin ratio index was calculated by dividing the fibrinogen value by the albumin value, multiplied by 10.The HSI was calculated using the formula: (activated clotting time after initial heparin administration-baseline activated clotting time)/initial heparin dose (IU/kg). The estimated HSI was based on the results of multiple regression analysis that included clinically relevant factors. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the observed and estimated HSIs was used to assess.

RESULTS

In total, 560 patients with valid activated clotting time (ACT) values after initial heparin administration were included in the final analysis to explore associated factors using the estimated HSI. Multiple regression analysis revealed that hemodialysis, platelet count, fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio index, baseline activated clotting time, and initial heparin dose were significantly associated with the HSI. The mean (standard deviation) observed and estimated HSIs were 1.38 (0.43) and 1.55 (0.13), respectively, with an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.10.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlation between the observed and estimated HSIs was low, and a formula with high accuracy for estimating the HSI is needed.

Motor-evoked potential monitoring from urinary sphincter muscle during pediatric untethering surgery: a case series

PURPOSE

Postoperative urinary dysfunction following untethering surgery for spinal lipoma is devastating. To assess urinary function, we invented a pediatric urinary catheter equipped with electrodes for the direct transurethral recording of myogenic potential from the external urethral sphincter (EUS). This paper presents two cases in which urinary function was monitored intraoperatively by recording of motor-evoked potential (MEP) from EUS during untethering surgery in children.

METHODS

Two children (aged 2 and 6 years) were included in this study. One patient had no preoperative neurological dysfunction, while the other had frequent urination and urinary incontinence. A pair of surface electrodes was attached to a silicone rubber urethral catheter (6 or 8 Fr; diameter, 2 or 2.6 mm). The MEP from the EUS was recorded to assess the function of the centrifugal tract from the motor cortex to the pudendal nerve.

RESULTS

Baseline MEP waveforms from the EUS were successfully recorded with latency and amplitude of 39.5 ms and 66 µV in patient 1 and 39.0 ms and 113 µV in patient 2, respectively. A significant decrease in amplitude was not observed during surgery in the two cases. No new urinary dysfunction and complications associated with the urinary catheter-equipped electrodes developed postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Using an electrode-equipped urinary catheter, monitoring of MEP from the EUS could be applicable during untethering surgery in pediatric patients.

Correlation between pain catastrophizing in acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: a retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to examine the association between pain catastrophizing in acute phase herpes zoster and the development of postherpetic neuralgia.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients diagnosed with herpes zoster between February 2016 and December 2021 were retrieved. Inclusion criteria were patients aged > 50 years who visited our pain center within 60 days after rash onset and reported a pain intensity of ≥ 3 in a numerical rating scale. Patients with a score of 30 or more in the pain catastrophizing scale at baseline were assigned to the catastrophizer group, and those with a score < 30 were assigned to the non-catastrophizer group. We defined patients with "postherpetic neuralgia" and "severe postherpetic neuralgia" as those with a numerical rating scale score of 3 or more and 7 or more at 3 months after baseline, respectively.

RESULTS

Data of 189 patients were available for complete analysis. Age, baseline numerical rating scale, and prevalence of anxiety and depression were significantly higher in the catastrophizer than those in the non-catastrophizer group. Incidence of postherpetic neuralgia did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.26). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, severe pain at baseline, and immunosuppressive state were the factors which were independently associated with developing postherpetic neuralgia. Severe pain at baseline was the only factor related to developing severe postherpetic neuralgia.

CONCLUSION

Pain catastrophizing in the acute phase of herpes zoster may not be related to the development of postherpetic neuralgia.

Impact of different doses of remifentanil on chronic postsurgical pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery: A propensity score analysis

A remifentanil infusion dose of >0.2 μg/kg/min is associated with hyperalgesia, leading to acute postsurgical pain; however, its contribution to the development of chronic postsurgical pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different remifentanil doses on chronic postsurgical pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery. This study included inpatients aged ≥ 55 years who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery under general anesthesia between April 2016 and December 2018. An inverse probability of treatment weighted using stabilized inverse propensity scores was adopted to minimize bias. After adjustments based on patient data, the outcomes of interest were compared with intraoperative covariates using a generalized estimating equation. The primary study outcome was chronic postsurgical pain 1 year after surgery, defined as a pain score ≥1 on a numerical rating scale. Of the 262 eligible patients, 258 with a mean age of 71.2 years were included in this analysis. Chronic postsurgical pain occurred in 23.6% of patients. The generalized estimating equation revealed that a remifentanil infusion dose >0.2 μg/kg/min was associated with chronic postsurgical pain at 1 year after surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.27), while remifentanil infusion doses >0.15 μg/kg/min (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.79-1.59) and >0.175 μg/kg/min (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.83-1.64) were not associated with our primary outcome. Remifentanil infusions >0.2 μg/kg/min were associated with chronic postsurgical pain 1 year after video-assisted thoracic surgery.

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE HISTONE MODIFICATION ENZYME SETDB2 IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe hypoxemic respiratory failure with a high in-hospital mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ARDS remain unclear. Recent findings have indicated that the onset of severe inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis, is regulated by epigenetic changes. We investigated the role of epigenetic changes in ARDS pathogenesis using mouse models and human samples. Methods: Acute respiratory distress syndrome was induced in a mouse model (C57BL/6 mice, myeloid cell or vascular endothelial cell [VEC]-specific SET domain bifurcated 2 [Setdb2]-deficient mice [Setdb2 ff Lyz2 Cre+ or Setdb2 ff Tie2 Cre+ ], and Cre - littermates) by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Analyses were performed at 6 and 72 h after LPS administration. Sera and lung autopsy specimens from ARDS patients were examined. Results: In the murine ARDS model, we observed high expression of the histone modification enzyme SET domain bifurcated 2 ( Setdb2 ) in the lungs. In situ hybridization examination of the lungs revealed Setdb2 expression in macrophages and VECs. The histological score and albumin level of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly increased in Setdb2 ff Tie2 Cre+ mice following LPS administration compared with Setdb2 ff Tie2 Cre- mice, whereas there was no significant difference between the control and Setdb2 ff Lyz2 Cre+ mice. Apoptosis of VECs was enhanced in Setdb2 ff Tie2 Cre+ mice. Among the 84 apoptosis-related genes, the expression of TNF receptor superfamily member 10b ( Tnfrsf10b ) was significantly higher in Setdb2 ff Tie2 Cre+ mice than in control mice. Acute respiratory distress syndrome patients' serum showed higher SETDB2 levels than those of healthy volunteers. SETDB2 levels were negatively correlated with the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspiratory oxygen concentration ratio. Conclusion: Acute respiratory distress syndrome elevates Setdb2 , apoptosis of VECs, and vascular permeability. Elevation of histone methyltransferase Setdb2 suggests the possibility to histone change and epigenetic modification. Thus, Setdb2 may be a novel therapeutic target for controlling the pathogenesis of ARDS.

Anterior Quadratus Lumborum Block and Quadriceps Strength: A Prospective Cohort Study

The decrease in quadriceps strength after anterior quadratus lumborum block (AQLB) has not been quantified. This prospective cohort study investigated the incidence of quadriceps weakness after AQLB. We enrolled patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, and AQLB was performed at the L2 level with 30 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine. We evaluated each quadriceps' maximal voluntary isometric contraction using a handheld dynamometer preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 and 4 days. The incidence of muscle weakness was defined as a 25% reduction in muscle strength compared with the preoperative baseline, and "muscle weakness possibly caused by nerve block" was defined as a 25% reduction compared with the non-block side. We also assessed the numerical rating scale and quality of recovery-15 scores. Thirty participants were analyzed. The incidence of muscle weakness compared with preoperative baseline and the non-block side was 13.3% and 30.0%, respectively. Patients with a numerical rating scale ≥ 4 or quality of recovery-15 score < 122, which was classified as moderate or poor, had decreased muscle strength with relative risks of 1.75 and 2.33, respectively. All patients ambulated within 24 h after surgery. The incidence of quadriceps weakness possibly caused by nerve block was 13.3%; however, all patients could ambulate after 1 day.

Persistent incisional pain at 1 year after craniotomy: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

There have been few reports on persistent incisional pain at 1 year after craniotomy. Hence, this study aimed to explore the distribution of pain at 1 year after elective craniotomy and its related factors.

METHODS

This retrospective study included data prospectively collected to assess postoperative functional disability. We included patients aged > 55 years at the time of recruitment for our initial study and who had complete data regarding the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score at 1 year post craniotomy. The primary outcome was the pain NRS score, which was assessed at the postanesthetic clinic as well as at 3 months and 1 year after craniotomy. Multivariable negative binomial regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the pain NRS score at 1 postoperative year and 12 clinically meaningful covariates. These included the Short Form-8 scores for bodily pain and mental health, with higher scores indicating better health.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 102 patients. The mean (95% confidence interval) pain NRS scores at the three measurement points were 2.8 (2.3-3.3), 1.2 (0.8-1.6), and 0.6 (0.3-0.8), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative bodily pain (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.98) and the pain NRS score at the postanesthetic clinic (risk ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.52) were associated with the risk of persistent pain at 1 postoperative year.

CONCLUSIONS

The pain score at 1 year after elective craniotomy was minor; however, preoperative bodily pain and postoperative pain scores were significantly related factors.

Association between Preoperative Hand Grip Strength and Postoperative Delirium after Cardiovascular Surgery: A Retrospective Study

The association of frailty with postoperative delirium has not been fully investigated in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether preoperative hand grip strength is associated with postoperative delirium. This retrospective study included patients aged >65 years who had undergone elective cardiovascular surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass at a Japanese university hospital between April 2020 and February 2022. We defined low hand grip strength as hand grip values of <275 n and <177 n for men and women, respectively. Postoperative delirium was assessed using the confusion assessment method during patients’ intensive care unit stay. The odds ratio of low hand grip strength for postoperative delirium was estimated using multiple logistic analysis, which was adjusted for prominent clinical factors. Ninety-five patients with a median age of 74 years were included in the final analysis, and 31.5% of them had low hand grip strength. Postoperative delirium occurred in 37% of patients, and the odds ratio of low preoperative hand grip strength for postoperative delirium was 4.58 (95% confidence interval: 1.57–13.2). Thirty-seven patients experienced postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, and low preoperative hand grip strength was positively associated with its occurrence.

Bolus intertransverse process block and continuous erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesic management of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery - Three cases report

BACKGROUND

Common regional anesthesia approaches for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) include paravertebral block (PVB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB). PVB is considered a deep nerve block which is contraindicated in antithrombotic therapy. ESPB is effective when administered as a bolus, as well as continuously. However, the recently proposed intertransverse process block (ITPB) ensures more effective diffusion of the local anesthetic into the paravertebral space.

CASE

We report cases of three patients who received bolus ITPB (costotransverse foramen block and mid-point transverse process-to-pleura block in one and two cases, respectively) combined with continuous ESPB when a deep nerve block could not be administered. Opioids were not required postoperatively, and all postoperative numerical rating scale scores (0-10) at rest were maintained below 4.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of bolus ITPB and continuous ESPB may be an alternative analgesic method when deep nerve blocks are contraindicated in VATS.

Analgesic efficacy of modified thoracoabdominal nerves block through the perichondrial approach in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A retrospective study with propensity analysis

Modified thoracoabdominal nerves block through the perichondral approach (M-TAPA) was recently reported to provide broad analgesia with only a single injection of local anesthetics (LA) on each side. However, the effectiveness of M-TAPA in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not often reported. We retrospectively evaluated the analgesic efficacy of M-TAPA in patients who underwent LC and compared it with conventional LA infiltration (LAI) by calculating the propensity score. The primary outcome was the frequency of analgesic use after surgery. Although there was no difference in the frequency of analgesic use within 48 hours (P = .063), there was significantly less analgesic use 24-48 hours after surgery in the TAPA group (P = .02). Intraoperative remifentanil administration also significantly decreased in the TAPA group (P < .001). We found that pre-incisional M-TAPA may have an advantage over LAI with respect to analgesia on postoperative day 1.

Effect of cerebrospinal fluid drainage pressure in descending and thoracoabdominal aortic repair: a prospective multicenter observational study

PURPOSE

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) is recommended during open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair. However, the incidence of CSFD complications is still high. Recently, CSF pressure has been kept high to avoid complications, but the efficacy of CSFD at higher pressures has not been confirmed. We hypothesize that CSFD at higher pressures is effective for preventing motor deficits.

METHODS

This prospective observational study included 14 hospitals that are members of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Patients who underwent thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair were divided into four groups: Group 1, CSF pressure around 10 mmHg; Group 2, CSF pressure around 15 mmHg; Group 3, CSFD initiated when motor evoked potential amplitudes decreased; and Group 4, no CSFD. We assessed the association between the CSFD group and motor deficits using mixed-effects logistic regression with a random intercept for the institution.

RESULTS

Of 1072 patients in the study, 84 patients (open surgery, 51; thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 33) had motor deficits at discharge. Groups 1 and 2 were not associated with motor deficits (Group 1, odds ratio (OR): 1.53, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.71-3.29, p = 0.276; Group 2, OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 0.62-4.82) when compared with Group 4. Group 3 was significantly more prone to motor deficits than Group 4 (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.27-5.17, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

CSFD is not associated with motor deficits in thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair with CSF pressure around 10 or 15 mmHg.

Application of laser speckle flowgraphy to evaluate cerebral perfusion after carotid endarterectomy

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is devastating, and postoperative monitoring of cerebral perfusion is essential to prevent CHS. We report two cases of successful measurement of ocular blood flow using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) for bedside assessment of the changes in cerebral perfusion after CEA. An 18.7% (case 1) and 47.7% (case 2) increase in ocular blood flow were measured postoperatively using LSFG compared with the baseline. LSFG might be applicable to evaluate cerebral perfusion after CEA.

Effects of intraoperative motor evoked potential amplification following tetanic stimulation of the pudendal nerve in pediatric craniotomy

OBJECTIVE

Monitoring the intraoperative motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in pediatric craniotomy is challenging because of its low detection rate, which makes it unreliable. Tetanic stimulation of the peripheral nerves of the extremities and pudendal nerves prior to transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) or direct cortical stimulation (DCS) amplifies the MEPs. The authors investigated the effects of MEP amplification following tetanic stimulation of the median and tibial nerve or the pudendal nerve in pediatric patients undergoing craniotomy.

METHODS

This prospective observational study included 15 patients ≤ 15 years of age (mean age 8.9 ± 4.9 years) undergoing craniotomy. MEPs were obtained with TES (15 cases) or DCS (8 cases)-conventional MEP without tetanic stimulation (c-MEP) and MEP following tetanic stimulation of the unilateral median and tibial nerves (mt-MEP) or following tetanic stimulation of the pudendal nerve (p-MEP) were used. Compound muscle action potentials were elicited from the abductor pollicis brevis, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and abductor hallucis longus muscles. The authors compared the identification rate and the rate of amplitude increase of each MEP.

RESULTS

For both TES and DCS, the identification and amplitude increase rates were significantly higher in cases without preoperative hemiparesis for p-MEPs than in those for c-MEPs and mt-MEPs. In comparison to patients with preoperative hemiparesis, p-MEPs displayed a higher identification rate, with fewer false negatives in DCS cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In pediatric craniotomy, the authors observed the amplification effect of MEPs with pudendal nerve tetanic stimulation and the amplification effect of DCS on MEPs without increasing false negatives. These findings suggested the likelihood of more reliable intraoperative MEP monitoring in pediatric cases.

Quality of death after elective surgery: a questionnaire survey for the bereaved family

PURPOSE

Postoperative death is the third leading cause of death in the world, but the quality of death after surgery has been poorly documented. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a questionnaire survey for the bereaved family regarding the postoperative quality of death and the impact of preoperative functional disability on the quality of death.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥55 years who underwent scheduled surgery under general anesthesia in a tertiary-care hospital in Japan between April 2016 and December 2018 were enrolled. Patients' functional disability was assessed using the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) before surgery and scored based on the sum of the 12 items (0-48). Postoperative deaths were detected in medical records 3 months and 1 year after surgery. When death had occurred, a questionnaire on the quality of death using the short version of the Good Death Inventory (GDI) was sent to the bereaved family, which was scored as the sum of the 10 domains (10-70).

RESULTS

Of 4020 eligible patients, 148 patients (3.6 %) died within 1 year after surgery. A hundred and twenty-nine bereaved families were sent the questionnaire, and 83 of them (64.3%) submitted valid responses suggesting the high feasibility of this questionnaire survey. There were no differences between the GDI and WHODAS 2.0 scores (median 49 [interquartile range 41-55] vs. 49 [43-54], respectively, p = 0.90). In addition, multiple regression analysis of related factors using the short version of the GDI as a continuous variable showed that age and death in a facility other than that in which the surgery was performed were associated with lower GDI scores (p = 0.004 and p = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The completion rate was 64.3%. There was no association between the quality of death and preoperative functional disability; however, older age was associated with a higher quality of death, while death in a facility other than that in which the surgery was performed was associated with lower quality of death.

Resection of brachial plexus schwannomas while monitoring transcranial motor evoked potentials: report of two cases

A schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumor treated by enucleation, which carries the risk of intraoperative nerve injury that is observed after awakening. Transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring has been established as an effective method to predict and prevent intraoperative neurological complications during brain and spinal surgery. However, there have been few reports on its application in head and neck surgeries. We performed enucleation to relieve the symptoms due to schwannomas in the neck of two women, aged 25 years and 70 years. Both women presented with a left cervical mass, paresthesia of the left upper limb, and a Tinel-like sign without muscle weakness. TcMEPs were recorded before beginning surgery, during surgery, and immediately before completing surgery. The dissecting lines were decided using the stimulator attached to the dissecting instrument, which helped warn the surgeon regarding risky areas. Histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma. There was no significant difference in the pre- and postoperative TcMEP recordings, and no postoperative motor deficits were identified. Intraoperative TcMEP monitoring is expected to be useful in preventing operative complications while treating head and neck schwannomas.

Prevalence of pre-operative undiagnosed cognitive impairment and its association with handgrip strength, oral hygiene, and nutritional status in older elective surgical patients in Japan

PURPOSE

Preoperative cognitive impairment is a significant factor influencing post-operative delirium. We have been performing routine pre-operative comprehensive assessments, including evaluation of cognitive function, handgrip strength, oral hygiene, and nutritional status, in patients aged ≥ 65 years since April 2021. This study aimed to examine the completion rate of pre-operative comprehensive assessment and assess the prevalence of pre-operative undiagnosed cognitive impairment.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study including patients aged ≥ 65 years scheduled for elective surgery with general or regional anesthesia, cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Cog score ≤ 2, and its associations with handgrip strength, oral hygiene, and nutritional status were evaluated. Oral hygiene and nutritional status were assessed using an oral frailty self-checklist and the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, respectively. The incidence of pre-operative undiagnosed cognitive impairment was estimated, and its associated factors were explored with multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 331 eligible patients, the completion rate was 97.7% (305/312). The mean age was 74.8 years, and 13.1% (40/305) (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.7-17.3%) of the patients had pre-operative undiagnosed cognitive impairment. Multiple logistic regression revealed that handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.89-0.99) and oral frailty self-checklist score (OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.02-1.40) were associated with pre-operative undiagnosed cognitive impairment, while the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form score was not significantly associated (OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.82-1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative comprehensive assessment was feasible. The prevalence of pre-operative undiagnosed cognitive impairment was 13%, and poor handgrip strength and worse oral hygiene were significantly associated factors.

Respiratory depression following cesarean section with single-shot spinal with 100 μg morphine

PURPOSE

Little evidence is available regarding bradypnea measured using continuous monitoring following cesarean section. We aimed to evaluate the rate of cumulative bradypnea time (total bradypnea time/total monitoring time) and its related factors in these parturients.

METHODS

This prospective observational study included women undergoing cesarean section under single-shot spinal anesthesia of 0.1 mg morphine. The Berlin Questionnaire was used to screen for sleep apnea syndrome preoperatively. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were monitored continuously using an adhesive acoustic respiration sensor and pulse oximeter, respectively, at least 6 h after cesarean section. Bradypnea was defined as a respiratory rate < 8 breaths/min lasting at least 25 s (sustained bradypnea) or at least 15 s (immediate bradypnea). Hypoxemia was defined as SpO₂ < 92% lasting at least 25 s (sustained hypoxemia) or at least 15 s (immediate hypoxemia). Multiple regression analysis was applied to assess factors related to the rate of cumulative sustained bradypnea.

RESULTS

Of 159 patients, the Berlin Questionnaire was positive in 16.3%, and 77 (48.4%) experienced sustained bradypnea. The median rate of cumulative sustained bradypnea time was 0.70% (interquartile range 0.35-1.45%) without any related factors. The incidence of immediate bradypnea and sustained and immediate hypoxemia were 58.5%, 24.5%, and 37.7%, respectively. However, none of the factors were significant.

CONCLUSION

After cesarean section was performed with 0.1 mg intrathecal morphine, respiratory depression events were commonly observed. However, the rate of cumulative bradypnea time was very low and there were no related factors.

Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging-guided laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer in a patient with situs inversus totalis: A case report with video

Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital anomaly. Most surgeons have seldom performed laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for situs inversus totalis. Inadequate knowledge regarding the anatomy of situs inversus totalis can result in increased intraoperative bleeding and prolonged operative time. A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with early gastric cancer with situs inversus totalis. We performed laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with D1+ lymphadenectomy and Billroth-I reconstruction by reversing the standard laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy setup. Mirror images of the operative video of the standardized laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy were created using video editing software. Lymphadenectomy was performed by indocyanine green fluorescence imaging of the lymphatic flow with operative time of 220 minutes and 100 mL intraoperative bleeding. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 10, without postoperative complications. Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with indocyanine green navigation is safe and effective in patients with situs inversus totalis and is comparable with standard laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy.

A Survey of the General Hospital Environment: Focusing on Pajama Design in a Japanese University Hospital

This study investigated nurses' and patients' perceptions of hospital room environment and patient pajama design. Nurses working in a Japanese university hospital and patients aged 20 and older were surveyed. Over 75% of patients rated the hospital environment and hospital rooms as "very good" or "good," but less than one in three nurses rated them similarly. Patients were more likely than nurses to rate rental pajamas as "very good" or "good." Contrary to the nurses, only about one in four patients valued wearing well-designed pajamas. Nurses' and patients' perceptions differed regarding hospital pajamas, but not about improving hospital rooms.

Persistent postoperative pain at 1 year after orthopedic surgery and its association with functional disability

PURPOSE

Orthopedic hip, knee, and spinal surgeries have a relatively high incidence of persistent postoperative pain, with the highest risk observed in Asian ethnicity. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of persistent pain at 1 year after surgery and its associated factors and effects on functional disability.

METHODS

This secondary analysis of a prospective observational study included 297 patients aged ≥ 55 years who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and spine and spinal cord surgeries under general anesthesia. Data were collected perioperatively and at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively to assess persistent postoperative pain on a numerical rating scale.

RESULTS

At 1 year postoperatively, 34.6% (103/297) of patients reported pain, with a score of ≥ 1 and a mean score of 1.2. Multivariable negative binomial regression analysis revealed that less preoperative bodily pain (risk ratio [RR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-0.99), preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) level (RR, 1.19; 95% CI 1.01-1.39), and spine and spinal cord surgeries (RR, 2.48; 95% CI 1.30-4.75) increased the risk of persistent pain at 1 year after surgery, which was a significant factor for predicting the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 score (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The mean score for persistent pain at 1 year after surgery on the numerical rating scale was 1.2. Worse preoperative bodily pain, higher preoperative serum CRP level, and spine and spinal cord surgeries increased the persistent pain score at 1 year after surgery, which was associated with functional disability CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective observational study was registered on the University Hospital Medical Information Network (31 December 2015; UMIN000021671).

A case of afterload mismatch associated with shivering leading to fatal hypoxia in a COVID-19 patient

Background

Fever and associated shivering are frequent symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). High body temperature activates the immune system, which might be beneficial. However, shivering leads to high oxygen demand.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old man diagnosed with COVID-19 was transferred to our intensive care unit (ICU). His oxygen saturation (SpO2) level was approximately 92–95% and was managed with a high flow nasal cannula. Six hours after admission to the ICU, he started shivering, and his systolic blood pressure rose above 200 mmHg. Concomitantly, his SpO2 levels decreased rapidly. Mechanical ventilation was started, but oxygenation could not be maintained, requiring the establishment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Conclusions

COVID-19 is known to cause thrombosis in the pulmonary microvasculature at the early stage of the disease. Under these circumstances, caution should be paid since shivering may worsen the patient’s condition.

A case of refractory pneumothorax and contralateral atelectasis after thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy treated with independent lung ventilation

Background

Independent lung ventilation (ILV) allows separate positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) and inspiratory pressures for each lung. However, only a few articles have reported ILV management for lungs affected by different pathologies.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old man underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for esophageal cancer. The right lung was injured during surgery, causing a bronchopleural fistula and necessitating chest drainage. On the third day in the intensive care unit, the patient’s oxygenation worsened during pressure support with continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. ILV was initiated for right-sided severe pneumothorax and left-sided atelectasis and pneumonia. ILV was continued for 2 days, and the patient’s trachea was successfully extubated the following day.

Conclusion

Applying high-level PEEP to the one lung and minimizing the airway pressure on the other lung could be achieved using ILV, which might contribute to successful tracheal extubation.