Chronic pain after hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Quadratus lumborum block vs. transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative pain control in patients with nephrectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) and quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on nephrectomy.

DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

PATIENTS

Patients undergoing nephrectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

TAPB and QLB for postoperative analgesia.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was 24 h morphine-equivalent consumptions after surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain scores, postoperative opioid consumption, postoperative rescue analgesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), length of hospital stay after surgery, and patient satisfaction.

MAIN RESULTS

Fourteen studies involving 883 patients were included. Seven studies compared TAPB to control, six studies compared QLB to control, and one study compared TAPB to QLB. For direct meta-analysis of the post-surgical 24 h morphine-equivalent consumption, QLB was lower than control (mean difference [95%CI]: -18.16 [-28.96, -7.37]; I2 = 88%; p = 0.001), while there was no difference between TAPB and control (mean difference [95%CI]: -8.34 [-17.84, 1.17]; I2 = 88%; p = 0.09). Network meta-analysis showed similar findings that QLB was ranked as the best anesthetic technique for reducing postoperative 24 h opioid consumption (p-score = 0.854). Moreover, in direct meta-analysis, as compared to control, the time of first postoperative rescue analgesia was prolonged after QLB (mean difference [95%CI]: 165.00 [128.99, 201.01]; p < 0.00001), but not TAPB (mean difference [95%CI]: 296.82 [-91.92, 685.55]; p = 0.13). Meanwhile, QLB can effectively reduce opioid usages at intraoperative period, as well as at postoperative 6 h and 48 h, while TAPB can only reduce opioid consumption at 6 h after surgery. As compared to control, both TAPB and QLB exhibited the reduction in PONV and pain scores at post-surgical some timepoints. Also, QLB (mean difference [95%CI]: -0.29 [-0.49, -0.08]; p = 0.006) but not TAPB (mean difference [95%CI]: 0.60 [-0.25, 1.45]; p = 0.17) exhibited the shorter postoperative length of hospital stay than control.

CONCLUSIONS

QLB is more likely to be effective in reducing postoperative opioid use than TAPB, whereas both of them are superior to control with regard to the reduction in postoperative pain intensity and PONV.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO identifier: CRD42022358464.

Living Kidney Donation: A Narrative Review of Mid- and Long-term Psychosocial Outcomes

Living kidney donors make a significant contribution to alleviating the organ shortage. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of mid- and long-term (≥12 mo) living donor psychosocial outcomes and highlight areas that have been understudied and should be immediately addressed in both research and clinical practice. We conducted a narrative review by searching 3 databases. A total of 206 articles were included. Living donors can be divided into those who donate to an emotionally or genetically related person, the so-called directed donors, or to an emotionally or genetically unrelated recipient, the so-called nondirected donors. The most commonly investigated (bio)psychosocial outcome after living donation was health-related quality of life. Other generic (bio)psychological outcomes include specific aspects of mental health such as depression, and fatigue and pain. Social outcomes include financial and employment burdens and problems with insurance. Donation-specific psychosocial outcomes include regret, satisfaction, feelings of abandonment and unmet needs, and benefits of living kidney donation. The experience of living donation is complex and multifaceted, reflected in the co-occurrence of both benefits and burden after donation. Noticeably, no interventions have been developed to improve mid- or long-term psychosocial outcomes among living donors. We highlight areas for methodological improvement and identified 3 areas requiring immediate attention from the transplant community in both research and clinical care: (1) recognizing and providing care for the minority of donors who have poorer long-term psychosocial outcomes after donation, (2) minimizing donation-related financial burden, and (3) studying interventions to minimize long-term psychosocial problems.

A Comparison of Recalled Pain Memory Following Living Kidney Donation Between Directed and non-Directed, Altruistic Donors

Introduction: Pain following donor nephrectomy for living kidney donation is common. In Israel, non-directed, altruistic donations account for 45% of all kidney transplants. Design: This cross-sectional, retrospective survey included 2 groups of donors derived from the data of Israel Transplant, namely directed and non-directed, altruistic donors, who donated between 2015 to 2018. The degree of recalled pain memory post-surgery was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale at 5 time points: immediately post-surgery, after 1 week, 1 month and 3 months post-surgery and in the month preceding completion of the questionnaire. In addition, continued requirement for analgesics for more than one-month post-surgery, the degree of interference with daily activities in the month preceding the questionnaire and the recalled time to return to full-time employment were also noted. Results: In total, 246 (131 directed and 115 non-directed, altruistic) donors were included in the study. Non-directed, altruistic donors reported statistically significantly lower degrees of recalled pain memory at all time points, a lower requirement for prolonged analgesic use and less recalled interference with daily activities due to pain. In addition, these donors recalled returning significantly earlier to full-time employment. Finally, no significant differences in the degree of recalled pain memory were noted for directed donors according to their relation to the recipient, apart from donation to a spouse. Conclusion: These unique findings, if validated in a prospective study, could provide important information to potential non-directed, altruistic donors regarding the expected level of post-surgical pain and their return to full-time employment.

Comparison of modified hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic nephrectomy and open nephrectomy in patients with benign inflammatory non-functioning kidney diseases

Background

To assess the validity and feasibility of the modified hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic nephrectomy (MHARLN) in patients with benign inflammatory non-functioning kidney diseases.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the data of 223 patients who underwent an MHARLN (n=142) or an open nephrectomy (ON) (n=81) with benign inflammatory non-functioning diseases between January 2014 and October 2019 at our hospital. Patients' demographic data, perioperative outcomes, preoperative and postoperative inflammatory data, and postoperative complications were reviewed.

Results

The basic demographic data of patients were similar between the 2 groups. The mean operative times for the MHARLN and the ON were 135 and 143 minutes (P=0.181), respectively. The first time at which postoperative ambulation occurred, the visual analog pain scale (VAS) score before discharge and the postoperative complication rate were similar in both groups. However, compared to the MHARLN, the ON was associated with a more severe inflammatory response on the first day after surgery (P=0.045), higher estimated blood loss (309.8 vs. 139.6 mL; P=0.036), more peritoneal ruptures (19.8% vs. 9.2%; P=0.024), higher intraoperative transfusion (14.82% vs. 4.93%; P=0.011), higher VAS scores 24 hours after surgery (5.9 vs. 5.2; P=0.002), additional analgesic use (35.8% vs. 21.8%; P=0.024), and longer hospital stays (5.3 vs. 4.6 days; P=0.048). Before a liquid diet was commenced in the MHARLN and ON groups, the mean time was 1.2 and 1.5 days, respectively (P=0.004).

Conclusions

When performed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon, the use of the MHARLN in patients with benign inflammatory non-functioning kidney diseases is reliable and safe. The MHARLN may help to treat challenging cases and result in less trauma successfully.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery: History, Key Advancements and Developments in Transplant Surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) aims to improve patient outcomes by controlling specific aspects of perioperative care. The concept was introduced in 1997 by Henrik Kehlet, who suggested that while minor changes in perioperative practise have no significant impact alone, incorporating multiple changes could drastically improve outcomes. Since 1997, significant advancements have been made through the foundation of the ERAS Society, responsible for creating consensus guidelines on the implementation of enhanced recovery pathways. ERAS reduces length of stay by an average of 2.35 days and healthcare costs by $639.06 per patient, as identified in a 2020 meta-analysis of ERAS across multiple surgical subspecialties. Carbohydrate loading, bowel preparation and patient education in the pre-operative phase, goal-directed fluid therapy in the intra-operative phase, and early mobilisation and enteral nutrition in the post-operative phase are some of the interventions that are commonly implemented in ERAS protocols. While many specialties have been quick to incorporate ERAS, uptake has been slow in the transplantation field, leading to a scarcity of literature. Recent studies reported a 47% reduction in length of hospital stay (LOS) in liver transplantation patients treated with ERAS, while progress in kidney transplantation focuses on pain management and its incorporation into enhanced recovery protocols.

Evaluation of a multimodal analgesic regimen on outcomes following laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy

Postoperative pain is a significant source of morbidity in patients undergoing living donor nephrectomy (LDN) and a deterrent for candidates. We implemented a standardized multimodal analgesic regimen, which consists of pharmacist-led pre-procedure pain management education, a combination transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block performed by the regional anesthesia team, scheduled acetaminophen and gabapentin, and as-needed opioids. This single-center retrospective study evaluated outcomes between patients undergoing LDN who received a multimodal analgesic regimen and a historical cohort. The multimodal cohort had a significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) (days, mean ± SD: 1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 2.6 ± 0.8; p < .001) and a greater proportion who were discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1 (38.6% vs. 1.5%; p < .001). The total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) that patients received during hospitalization were significantly less in the multimodal cohort on POD 0-2. The outpatient MME prescribed through POD 60 was also significantly less in the multimodal cohort (median [IQR]; 180 [150-188] vs. 225 [150-300]; p < .001). The mean patient-reported pain score (PRPS) was significantly lower in the multimodal cohort on POD 0-2. The maximum PRPS was significantly lower on POD 0 (mean ± SD: 7 ± 2 vs. 8 ± 1, respectively; p = .02). This study suggests that our multimodal regimen significantly reduces LOS, PRPS, and opioid requirements and has the potential to improve the donation experience.

The Association between Body Composition Measurements and Surgical Complications after Living Kidney Donation

Obesity is considered a risk factor for peri- and postoperative complications. Little is known about this risk in overweight living kidney donors. The aim of this study was to assess if anthropometric body measures and/or surgical determinants are associated with an increased incidence of peri- and postoperative complications after nephrectomy. We included 776 living kidney donors who donated between 2008 and 2018 at the University Medical Center Groningen. Prenephrectomy measures of body composition were body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), waist circumference, weight, and waist-hip ratio. Incidence and severity of peri- and postoperative complications were assessed using the Comprehensive Complication Index. Mean donor age was 53 ± 11 years; 382 (49%) were male, and mean BMI at donor screening was 26.2 ± 3.41 kg/m2. In total, 77 donors (10%) experienced peri- and postoperative complications following donor nephrectomy. Male sex was significantly associated with fewer surgical complications (OR 0.59, 0.37-0.96 95%CI, p = 0.03) in binomial logistic regression analyses. Older age (OR: 1.03, 1.01-1.05 95%CI, p = 0.02) and a longer duration of surgery (OR: 1.01, 1.00-1.01 95%CI, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with more surgical complications in binomial logistic regression analyses. Multinomial logistic regression analyses did not identify any prenephrectomy measure of body composition associated with a higher risk of surgical complications. This study shows that higher prenephrectomy BMI and other anthropometric measures of body composition are not significantly associated with peri- and postoperative complications following living donor nephrectomy.

Hand-Assisted Retroperitoneoscopic Donor Nephrectomy Compared to Anterior Approach Open Donor Nephrectomy: Improved Long-Term Physical Component Score in Health-Related Quality of Life in Living Kidney Donors

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQL), fatigue, anxiety, and depression are crucial for the living kidney donor (LKD). Follow-up data for HRQL of LKDs comparing surgical techniques, especially regarding hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (HARP), are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of abdominal wall trauma minimized by HARP in comparison to open anterior approach donor nephrectomy (AA) on HRQL and additional psychosocial aspects of LKDs during the long-term follow-up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study comparing psychosocial aspects of LKD between HARP and AA.

RESULTS

This study included 100 LKDs (68 HARP, 28 AA, and 4 were excluded secondary to incomplete data). The time to follow-up was 22.6 ± 11.7 (HARP) vs 58.7 ± 13.9 (AA) months (P < .005). Complications ≥3a° due to Clavien-Dindo classification was 0% in both groups. There were higher scores in all physical aspects for HARP donors vs AA donors at that time (physical function: 89.8 ± 14.6 vs 80.0 ± 19.9, P = .008, and the physical component score: 53.9 ± 7.6 vs 48.6 ± 8.5, P = .006). One year later (follow-up time + 12 months), HRQL for HARP donors was still higher. Mental items showed no significant differences. HARP donors showed better physical scores compared to the age-matched nondonor population (AA donors had lower scores). Neither the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) or the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) showed any differences between the 2 groups. Fatigue scores were higher for HARP and for AA compared to the age-matched population.

CONCLUSIONS

LKDs undergoing HARP showed better physical performance as part of HRQL in the long-term follow-up.

Pain expectancy, prevalence, severity, and patterns following donor nephrectomy: Findings from the KDOC Study

Postoperative pain is an outcome of importance to potential living kidney donors (LKDs). We prospectively characterized the prevalence, severity, and patterns of acute or chronic postoperative pain in 193 LKDs at six transplant programs. Three pain measurements were obtained from donors on postoperative Day (POD) 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 41, 49, and 56. The median pain rating total was highest on POD1 and declined from each assessment to the next until reaching a median pain-free score of 0 on POD49. In generalized linear mixed-model analysis, the mean pain score decreased at each pain assessment compared to the POD3 assessment. Pre-donation history of mood disorder (adjusted ratio of means [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.40 [0.99, 1.98]), reporting "severe" on any POD1 pain descriptors (adjusted ratio of means [95% CI]: 1.47 [1.12, 1.93]) and open nephrectomy (adjusted ratio of means [95% CI]: 2.61 [1.03, 6.62]) were associated with higher pain scores across time. Of the 179 LKDs who completed the final pain assessment, 74 (41%) met criteria for chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), that is, any donation-related pain on POD56. Study findings have potential implications for LKD education, surgical consent, postdonation care, and outcome measurements.

Abdominal Organ Transplantation: Noteworthy Literature in 2019

In the year 2019, we identified and screened over 400 peer-reviewed publications on pancreatic transplantation, over 200 on intestinal transplantation, and over 1900 on kidney transplantation. The liver transplantation section focuses on and features selected articles among 70 clinical trials published in 2019. This review highlights noteworthy literature pertinent to anesthesiologists and critical care physicians caring for patients undergoing abdominal organ transplantation. We explore a broad range of topics, including risks for and prediction of perioperative complications, updated indications for transplantation, recommendations on perioperative management, including Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs, and topics relevant to optimization of patient and graft outcomes and survival.

Living donor hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in a healthy individual with situs inversus totalis: no need to turn down the donor

A 70-year-old healthy male individual offered to undergo a living donor hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy to enable kidney transplantation for a close relative. As required for all living transplant donor candidates, extensive screening was performed to exclude potential contraindications for donation. Tests revealed a situs inversus totalis, meaning a complete transposition of the thoracic and abdominal organs in the sagittal plane. As other contraindications for living kidney donation were absent, the feasibility of this procedure was determined multidisciplinary. A successful donation procedure was performed without surgical complications for the donor and good short-term transplant outcomes. In line with current developments that have resulted in more liberal criteria for potential living kidney donors, major anatomical deviations should not automatically be a contraindication. With multidisciplinary efforts and thorough surgical preparation at a high-volume transplant centre, this procedure is feasible and safe.

Post-donation satisfaction in kidney transplantation: a survey of living donors in Japan

Background

No studies using a valid, standardized method to measure post-donation satisfaction levels among living kidney donors (LKDs) have been published.

Methods

Donor satisfaction levels were measured using the Japanese version of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8), a validated, self-report questionnaire. To identify factors related to post-donation satisfaction levels, we compared donors’ sociodemographic and psychological characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), as well as recipients’ clinical characteristics and SF-36 scores between donors with and without low satisfaction. In addition, donors’ perceptions of the donation results and transplant procedure were assessed using measures that we developed.

Results

The mean (standard deviation [SD]) CSQ-8 score for the 195 participants was 26.9 (3.4). Twenty-nine (14.9%) respondents with total scores < 1 SD below the mean CSQ-8 score were placed into the low satisfaction group. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lower perceptions of receiving adequate information prior to transplantation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.079–0.379; p < 0.001), lower optimism according to the Life Orientation Test (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.045–1.470; p = 0.014), and increased serum creatinine levels in the paired recipient (OR = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.250–1.011; p = 0.054) independently increased the odds of having less satisfaction with donation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that careful pre-donation education and more detailed informed consent may be needed, especially in LKDs with low constitutional optimism.

Kidney temperature during living donor kidney transplantation is associated with short-term measured glomerular filtration rate - a prospective study

The duration of warm ischaemia time is associated with short- and long-term kidney transplant function. A quick rise in graft temperature is reported during the vascular anastomosis. This study was initiated to gain insight into the effect of graft temperature on short-term transplant function. From 2013 to 2015, data of living donor kidney transplant recipients were prospectively collected. At set intraoperative time points, the graft temperature was measured using a noncontact infrared thermometer. Primary endpoint was measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) at 3- and 6-month post-transplantation. Univariable and multivariable associations were identified using linear regression analyses. Multivariable analysis included models with donor, recipient and procedure characteristics. We evaluated 152 patients, 83 (55%) were male, mean ±SD age was 50.3 ± 13.4 years, and 79 (52%) were pre-emptively transplanted. In univariable analysis graft temperature, after 10 min of warm ischaemia was significantly associated with 3- and 6-month mGFR, β -0.22 (95% CI -0.39 to -0.04, P = 0.01) and β-0.22 (95% CI: -0.44 to -0.01, P = 0.04). The association remained significant in multivariable models. An independent association between kidney graft temperature and 3- and 6-month mGFR was identified. This association opens up the opportunity to further investigate the clinical impact of kidney rewarming during transplantation.