Perioperative epidural analgesia and outcome after major abdominal surgery in high-risk patients

Reliability and validity of the pressure algometer in predicting gynecological surgery pain

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the pressure algometer in predicting gynecological surgery pain. We looked into the predictive value of preoperative pain sensitivity to gynecological pain and the relationship between preoperative pressure pain threshold (PPT), pressure pain tolerance (PTO), and postoperative pain outcomes.

METHODS

Reliability test: We recruited 60 volunteers at Nantong University. For three consecutive days, two examiners measured the pain sensitivity of each participant using a pressure algometer. Its test-retest and intra-rater reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity test: We selected patients who underwent gynecological surgery in a hospital for the validity test. Before surgery, we assessed the patient's pain sensitivity to various stimuli. To determine the relationship between preoperative pain sensitivity and postoperative pain, we collected postoperative Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and sufentanil consumption data.

RESULTS

The algometer revealed a high test-retest and intra-rater reliability. According to the calculation of Youden's index, there was a 73.1% chance of patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain having a PTO <6.22 N, and patients with PTO <6.22 N had an 87.5% probability of moderate to severe postoperative pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The pressure algometer has a high degree of accuracy in measuring the PPT and PTO of normal healthy individuals, making it a reliable tool for quantifying pain sensitivity. PTO can be used to predict the occurrence of moderate to severe postoperative pain.

American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2021 John J. Bonica Award Lecture

I am as deeply inspired and humbled to receive this prestigious award, as I am profoundly indebted to the Bonica Award selection committee and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Board of Directors for recognizing my contributions to the development, teaching, and practice of pain medicine in the tradition of Dr John J Bonica. I would also like to recognize my parents, Aura and Tito for providing me with the support and the environment to fulfill my professional goals. Moreover, the support that I have gotten from my team at the hospital, and the Chair of my Department, Dr Mark Lema needs to be underscored.

Clinical Utility of Urinary Biomarkers for Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Renal Dysfunction After Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Purpose

We examined the clinical utility of perioperative monitoring of urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and albumin, for prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) and prediction of chronic renal dysfunction in patients undergoing open surgical repair (OSR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Patients and Methods

Urine and serum samples were obtained perioperatively from 64 such patients (n=64). Patients in whom OSR-related AKI (defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria) occurred were identified. Renal function was evaluated 3 years after OSR in patients with OSR-related AKI.

Results

The urinary biomarkers examined increased to maximum levels by 2 hours after aortic cross-clamping (AXC), regardless of whether AKI occurred. Notably, the serum creatinine (Cr) levels increased significantly immediately after OSR in patients with AKI (n=19) (vs that in patients without AKI). In patients with AKI, the increased serum Cr elevation rate, the urinary L-FABP levels 2 hours after AXC and immediately after OSR, and a reduction in eGFR documented 3 years after OSR were significantly greater in patients who underwent suprarenal AXC (n=11) than in those who underwent infrarenal AXC (n=8). Furthermore, urinary L-FABP levels 2 hours after AXC correlated significantly with the reductions in eGFR 3 years after OSR in patients with AKI.

Conclusion

Urinary L-FABP, NGAL and albumin concentrations 2 hours after AXC may be useful for early detection of OSR-related AKI. Furthermore, the increase in urinary L-FABP 2 hours after AXC may be predictive of chronic renal dysfunction in patients with OSR-related AKI.

Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Management in Liver Transplantation: A 10-year Study on 685 Liver Transplant Recipients

Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is not widely used for postoperative pain management in liver transplantation due to hepatic coagulopathy-related increased risk of inducing an epidural hematoma. However, an increasing number of patients are transplanted for other indications than the end-stage liver disease and without coagulopathy allowing insertion of an epidural catheter.

Effect of Neuraxial Analgesic Procedures on Intraoperative Hemodynamics During Routine Clinical Care of Gynecological and General Surgeries: A Case-Control Query of Electronic Data

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine whether neuraxial analgesic procedures affect intraoperative hemodynamics and/or postoperative outcomes. Previous studies have examined effects in small samples of patients in highly controlled research environments. This study examined “real-world” data from a large sample of subjects receiving routine clinical cares.

Methods

A matched case–control analysis of electronic medical records from a large, academic hospital was performed. Patients who underwent neuraxial procedures preoperatively for postoperative analgesia for abdominal surgery (n=1570) were compared with control patients matched according to age, sex, ASA class and type of surgical procedure. Intraoperative hemodynamic measures, fluids and pressor utilization were quantified. Postoperative outcomes were determined based on the changes in laboratory values, the ordering of imaging studies and admission to an intensive care unit during the seven days following surgery as well as 30-day mortality.

Results

Medical records of 1082 patients who received an epidural catheter placement and 488 patients who received a lumbar intrathecal morphine injection were compared with an equal number of matched control patients. Preoperative placement of an epidural catheter for the management of postoperative pain was demonstrated to be associated with significant reductions in mean arterial pressure intraoperatively and poorer postoperative outcomes (more intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, more myocardial injuries) when compared with controls. A similar analysis of preoperatively administered intrathecal morphine injections was not associated with intraoperative alterations in blood pressure and had improved outcomes (less ICU admissions) in comparison with controls.

Conclusion

In a “real-world” sample, intrathecal morphine administration proved to be highly beneficial as a neuraxial analgesic procedure as it was not associated with intraoperative hypotension and was associated with improved clinical outcomes, in contrast to opposite findings associated with epidural catheter placement. There should be a careful consideration of elective neuraxial method utilized for postoperative pain control, with the present study raising significant concerns related to the use of epidural analgesia and its potential effect on clinical outcomes.

Does a pulmonary rehabilitation based ERAS program (PREP) affect pulmonary complication incidence, pulmonary function and quality of life after lung cancer surgery? Study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Preliminary evidence suggests that ERAS processes can reduce overall incidence of PPCs as short- and long-term recovery improved by supporting units to adopt evidence-based care. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to insufficient high-level studies in this research field. No well-designed, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation based ERAS program (PREP) on post-operative pulmonary complications, pulmonary function, and health related quality of life following lung cancer surgery.

METHODS

The PREP trial is a pragmatic, investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized controlled, parallel group, clinical trial. Five hundred patients scheduled for minimally invasive pulmonary resection at six hospitals in China will be randomized with concealed allocation to receive either i) a pre-operative assessment and an information booklet or ii) a pre-operative assessment, an information booklet, plus an additional education, a 30-min pulmonary rehabilitation training session and the post-operative pulmonary rehabilitation program. The primary outcome is incidence of PPCs defined with the Melbourne Group Scale diagnostic scoring tool. Secondary outcomes include incidence of cardiopulmonary and other complications, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary endurance, muscle strength, activity level, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pre- and post-operative hospital length of stay (LOS), and total hospital LOS.

DISCUSSION

The PREP trial is designed to verify the hypothesis that pulmonary rehabilitation based ERAS program reduces incidence of PPCs and improves pulmonary function and HRQoL in patients following lung cancer surgery. This trial will furthermore contribute significantly to the limited knowledge about the pulmonary rehabilitation based ERAS program following lung cancer surgery, and may thereby form the basis of future recommendations in the surgical community.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900024646, 21 July 2019.

Transversus Thoracis Muscle Plane Block

The transversus thoracis muscle plane block (TTP) block is a newly developed regional anesthesia technique which provides analgesia to the anterior chest wall. Since its introduction, this technique has been utilized for a wide range of surgical procedures as well as nonsurgical indications. Current evidence suggests that the TTP block provides effective analgesia for breast and cardiac surgeries, cardiac device implantation, pericardiocentesis, and acute and chronic pain management. To date, no major complications have been reported. Currently there is an urgent need to standardize the nomenclature of this technique to facilitate accurate communication amongst care providers, researchers, and authors. In this review, we describe the TTP block technique, review the indications and available evidence in clinical practice, and discuss alternative blocks and future prospects.

Lower rate of delayed graft function is observed when epidural analgesia for living donor nephrectomy is administered

Background

The beneficial effects of epidural analgesia (EDA) in terms of pain control and postoperative convalescence are widely known and led to a frequent use for patients who underwent living donor kidney nephrectomy. The objective of this study was to determine whether general anesthesia (GA) plus EDA compared to GA only, administered for living donor nephrectomy has effects on postoperative graft function in recipients.

Methods

In this monocentric, retrospective cohort analysis we analyzed the closed files of all consecutive donor- recipient pairs who underwent living donor kidney transplantations from 2008 to 2017. The outcome variable was delayed graft function (DGF), defined as at least one hemodialysis within seven days postoperatively, once hyperacute rejection, vascular or urinary tract complications were ruled out. Statistical analyses of continuous variables were calculated using the two-tail Student’s t test and Fisher exact test for categorical variables with a significance level of p < 0.05, respectively.

Results

The study enclosed 291 consecutive living donor kidney transplantations. 99 kidney donors received epidural analgesia whereas 192 had no epidural analgesia. The groups showed balanced pretransplantational characteristics and comparable donors´ and recipients’ risk factors. 9 out of all 291 recipients needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) during the first 7 days due to delayed graft function; none of these donors received EDA. The observed rate of DGF in recipients whose kidney donors received epidural analgesia was significantly lower (0% vs. 4.6%; p = 0.031).

Conclusions

In our cohort we observed a significantly lower rate of DGF when epidural analgesia for donor nephrectomy was administered. Due to restrictions of the study design this observation needs further confirmation by prospective studies.

Non-Invasive Positive airway Pressure thErapy to Reduce Postoperative Lung complications following Upper abdominal Surgery (NIPPER PLUS): protocol for a single-centre, pilot, randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a common serious complication following upper abdominal surgery leading to significant consequences including increased mortality, hospital costs and prolonged hospitalisation. The primary objective of this study is to detect whether there is a possible signal towards PPC reduction with the use of additional intermittent non-invasive ventilation (NIV) compared with continuous high-flow nasal oxygen therapy alone following high-risk elective upper abdominal surgery. Secondary objectives are to measure feasibility of: (1) trial conduct and design and (2) physiotherapy-led NIV and a high-flow nasal oxygen therapy protocol, safety of NIV and to provide preliminary costs of care information of NIV and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a single-centre, parallel group, assessor blinded, pilot, randomised trial, with 130 high-risk upper abdominal surgery patients randomly assigned via concealed allocation to either (1) usual care of continuous high-flow nasal oxygen therapy for 48 hours following extubation or (2) usual care plus five additional 30 min physiotherapy-led NIV sessions within the first two postoperative days. Both groups receive standardised preoperative physiotherapy and postoperative early ambulation. No additional respiratory physiotherapy is provided to either group. Outcome measures will assess incidence of PPC within the first 14 postoperative days, recruitment ability, physiotherapy-led NIV and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy protocol adherence, adverse events relating to NIV delivery and costs of providing a physiotherapy-led NIV and a high-flow nasal oxygen therapy service following upper abdominal surgery.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been obtained from the relevant institution and results will be published to inform future multicentre trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12617000269336; Pre-results.

The impact of fluoroscopic confirmation of thoracic imaging on accuracy of thoracic epidural catheter placement on postoperative pain control

Background

Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) provides superior postoperative pain control compared to parenteral opioids after major thoracic and abdominal surgeries. However, some studies with respect to benefits of continuous TEA have shown mixed results. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of successful TEA catheter insertion into the epidural space using contrast fluoroscopy and the impact of placement location on postoperative analgesia and opioid use.

Patients and methods

After Advocate health care institutional review board approval, we conducted a prospective, open-label, single intervention study on patients undergoing thoracic or upper abdominal surgery. A thoracic paramedian epidural approach and a loss of resistance to saline technique were used to place an epidural catheter above the T11 level and fluoroscopic images with injected contrast were taken to locate the catheter tip in the epidural space.

Results

Twenty-five subjects were included in the study, of which 3 catheters (12%) were not identified as being in the epidural space. We found an average difference of 1.5 vertebral levels between clinical and radiological assessments of catheter tips. Thirteen catheters (52%) were more than 1 vertebral level away from the clinically assessed level. No significant difference was found in the pain scores at 1, 24, and 48 hours after surgery between patients with correct versus incorrect catheter placement. Less opioids were used in the correct catheter placement group at 24 hours (256 morphine milligram equivalent [MME] vs 201 MME) and at 48 hours after surgery (250 MME vs 173 MME), but it was not statistically significant (p=0.149 and p=0.068, respectively).

Conclusion

Improvement in assuring success in the technique for TEA catheter placement following major thoracic or upper abdominal surgery exists, for which contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy might be a promising solution.

Epidural local anaesthetics versus opioid-based analgesic regimens for postoperative gastrointestinal paralysis, vomiting and pain after abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal paralysis, nausea and vomiting and pain are major clinical problems following abdominal surgery. Anaesthetic and analgesic techniques that reduce pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), while preventing or reducing postoperative ileus, may reduce postoperative morbidity, duration of hospitalization and hospital costs. This review was first published in 2001 and was updated by new review authors in 2016.

OBJECTIVES

To compare effects of postoperative epidural analgesia with local anaesthetics versus postoperative systemic or epidural opioids in terms of return of gastrointestinal transit, postoperative pain control, postoperative vomiting, incidence of anastomotic leak, length of hospital stay and costs after abdominal surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

We identified trials by conducting computerized searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2014, Issue 12), MEDLINE (from 1950 to December 2014) and EMBASE (from 1974 to December 2014) and by checking the reference lists of trials retained. When we reran the search in February 2016, we added 16 potential new studies of interest to the list of 'Studies awaiting classification' and will incorporate these studies into formal review findings during the next review update.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included parallel randomized controlled trials comparing effects of postoperative epidural local anaesthetic versus regimens based on systemic or epidural opioids.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We rated the quality of studies by using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. Two review authors independently extracted data and judged the quality of evidence according to the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group) scale.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 128 trials with 8754 participants in the review, and 94 trials with 5846 participants in the analysis. Trials included in the review were funded as follows: charity (n = 19), departmental resources (n = 8), governmental sources (n = 15) and industry (in part or in total) (n = 15). The source of funding was not specified for the other studies.Results of 22 trials including 1138 participants show that an epidural containing a local anaesthetic will decrease the time required for return of gastrointestinal transit as measured by time to first flatus after an abdominal surgery (standardized mean difference (SMD) -1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.71 to -0.86; high quality of evidence; equivalent to 17.5 hours). The effect is proportionate to the concentration of local anaesthetic used. A total of 28 trials including 1559 participants reported a decrease in time to first faeces (stool) (SMD -0.67, 95% CI -0.86 to -0.47; low quality of evidence; equivalent to 22 hours). Thirty-five trials including 2731 participants found that pain on movement at 24 hours after surgery was also reduced (SMD -0.89, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.70; moderate quality of evidence; equivalent to 2.5 on scale from 0 to 10). From findings of 22 trials including 1154 participants we did not find a difference in the incidence of vomiting within 24 hours (risk ratio (RR) 0.84, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.23; low quality of evidence). From investigators in 17 trials including 848 participants we did not find a difference in the incidence of gastrointestinal anastomotic leak (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.32; low quality of evidence). Researchers in 30 trials including 2598 participants noted that epidural analgesia reduced length of hospital stay for an open surgery (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.04; very low quality of evidence; equivalent to one day). Data on costs were very limited.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

An epidural containing a local anaesthetic, with or without the addition of an opioid, accelerates the return of gastrointestinal transit (high quality of evidence). An epidural containing a local anaesthetic with an opioid decreases pain after abdominal surgery (moderate quality of evidence). We did not find a difference in the incidence of vomiting or anastomotic leak (low quality of evidence). For open surgery, an epidural containing a local anaesthetic would reduce the length of hospital stay (very low quality of evidence).

Epidural pain relief versus systemic opioid-based pain relief for abdominal aortic surgery

BACKGROUND

Epidural analgesia offers greater pain relief compared to systemic opioid-based medications, but its effect on morbidity and mortality is unclear. This review was originally published in 2006 and was updated in 2012 and again in 2016.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of postoperative epidural analgesia in comparison with postoperative systemic opioid-based analgesia for adults undergoing elective abdominal aortic surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

In the updated review, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and five trial registers in November 2014, together with reference checking to identify additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomized controlled trials comparing postoperative epidural analgesia and postoperative systemic opioid-based analgesia for adults who underwent elective open abdominal aortic surgery.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We contacted study authors for additional information and data when required. We assessed the level of evidence according to the scale provided by the GRADE working group.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 15 trials published from 1987 to 2009 with 1498 participants in this updated review. Participants had a mean age between 60.5 and 71.3 years. The percentage of women in the included studies varied from 0% to 28.1%. Adding an epidural to general anaesthesia for people undergoing abdominal aortic repair reduced myocardial infarction (risk ratio (RR) 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30 to 0.97); I(2) statistic = 0%; number needed to treat for one additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 28 (95% CI 19 to 1423), visual or verbal analogical scale (VAS) scores up to three days after the surgery (mean difference (MD) -1.78 (95% CI -2.32 to -1.25); I(2) statistic = 0% for VAS scores on movement at postoperative day one), time to tracheal extubation (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.42 (95% CI -0.70 to -0.15); I(2) statistic = 83%; equivalent to a mean reduction of 36 hours), postoperative respiratory failure (RR 0.69 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.85); I(2) statistic = 0%; NNTB 8 (95% CI 6 to 16)), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.65); I(2) statistic = 0%; NNTB 32 (95% CI 27 to 74)) and time spent in the intensive care unit (SMD -0.23 (95% CI -0.41 to -0.06); I(2) statistic = 0%; equivalent to a mean reduction of six hours). We did not demonstrate a reduction in the mortality rate up to 30 days (RR 1.06 (95% CI 0.60 to 1.86); I(2) statistic = 0%). The level of evidence was low for mortality and time before tracheal extubation; moderate for myocardial infarction, respiratory failure and intensive care unit length of stay; and high for gastrointestinal bleeding and VAS scores.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Epidural analgesia provided better pain management, reduced myocardial infarction, time to tracheal extubation, postoperative respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intensive care unit length of stay compared with systemic opioid-based drugs. For mortality, we did not find a difference at 30 days.

Thoracic combined spinal epidural anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a geriatric patient with ischemic heart disease and renal insufficiency

Older people undergoing any surgery have a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality, resulting from a decline in physiological reserves, associated comorbidities, polypharmacy, cognitive dysfunction, and frailty. Most of the clinical trials comparing regional versus general anesthesia in elderly have failed to establish superiority of any single technique. However, the ideal approach in elderly is to be least invasive, thus minimizing alterations in homeostasis. The goal of anesthetic management in laparoscopic procedures includes management of pneumoperitoneum, achieving an adequate level of sensory blockade without any respiratory compromise, management of shoulder tip pain, provision of adequate postoperative pain relief, and early ambulation. Regional anesthesia fulfills all the aforementioned criteria and aids in quick recovery and thus has been suggested to be a suitable alternative to general anesthesia for laparoscopic surgeries, particularly in patients who are at high risk while under general anesthesia or for patients unwilling to undergo general anesthesia. In conclusion, we report results of successful management with thoracic combined spinal epidural for laparoscopic cholecystectomy of a geriatric patient with ischemic heart disease with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and renal insufficiency.

The LIPPSMAck POP (Lung Infection Prevention Post Surgery - Major Abdominal - with Pre-Operative Physiotherapy) trial: study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

Background

Post-operative pulmonary complications are a significant problem following open upper abdominal surgery. Preliminary evidence suggests that a single pre-operative physiotherapy education and preparatory lung expansion training session alone may prevent respiratory complications more effectively than supervised post-operative breathing and coughing exercises. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to methodological limitations. No well-designed, adequately powered, randomised controlled trial has investigated the effect of pre-operative education and training on post-operative respiratory complications, hospital length of stay, and health-related quality of life following upper abdominal surgery.

Methods/design

The Lung Infection Prevention Post Surgery - Major Abdominal- with Pre-Operative Physiotherapy (LIPPSMAck POP) trial is a pragmatic, investigator-initiated, bi-national, multi-centre, patient- and assessor-blinded, parallel group, randomised controlled trial, powered for superiority. Four hundred and forty-one patients scheduled for elective open upper abdominal surgery at two Australian and one New Zealand hospital will be randomised using concealed allocation to receive either i) an information booklet or ii) an information booklet, plus one additional pre-operative physiotherapy education and training session. The primary outcome is respiratory complication incidence using standardised diagnostic criteria. Secondary outcomes include hospital length of stay and costs, pneumonia diagnosis, intensive care unit readmission and length of stay, days/h to mobilise >1 min and >10 min, and, at 6 weeks post-surgery, patient reported complications, health-related quality of life, and physical capacity.

Discussion

The LIPPSMAck POP trial is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial powered and designed to investigate whether a single pre-operative physiotherapy session prevents post-operative respiratory complications. This trial standardises post-operative assisted ambulation and physiotherapy, measures many known confounders, and includes a post-discharge follow-up of complication rates, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life. This trial is currently recruiting.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12613000664741, 19 June 2013.

Clinical usefulness of urinary liver-type fatty-acid-binding protein as a perioperative marker of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing endovascular or open-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Purpose

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after cardiovascular surgery and is usually diagnosed on the basis of the serum creatinine (SCr) level and urinary output. However, SCr is of low sensitivity in patients with poor renal function. Because urinary liver-type fatty-acid-binding protein (L-FABP) reflects renal tubular injury, we evaluated whether perioperative changes in urinary L-FABP predict AKI in the context of abdominal aortic repair.

Methods

Study participants were 95 patients who underwent endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and 42 who underwent open repair. We obtained urine samples before surgery, after anesthesia induction, upon stent placement, before aortic cross-clamping (AXC), 1 and 2 h after AXC, at the end of surgery, 4 h after surgery, and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 3, for measurement of L-FABP. We obtained serum samples before surgery, immediately after surgery, and on PODs 1, 2, and 3, for measurement of SCr. We also plotted receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves to identify cutoff laboratory values for predicting the onset of AKI.

Results

With EVAR, urinary L-FABP was significantly increased 4 h after the procedure (P = 0.014). With open repair, urinary L-FABP increased significantly to its maximum by 2 h after AXC (P = 0.007). With AKI, SCr significantly increased (P < 0.001, P = 0.001) by POD 2. ROC analysis showed urinary L-FABP to be more sensitive than SCr for early detection of AKI.

Conclusion

Urinary L-FABP appears to be a sensitive biomarker of AKI in patients undergoing abdominal aortic repair.

Effect of differences in extubation timing on postoperative care following abdominal aortic replacement surgery: a comparison study

Background

Abdominal aortic replacement requires an extensive incision and strict blood pressure control, making rapid extubation of the tracheal tube and pain management difficult. The effects of extubation timing on the postoperative course and medical costs in the intensive care unit (ICU) were analyzed.

Methods

Patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic replacement were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into those extubated on the day of surgery (Group A) and those extubated later (Group B). Group A was subdivided into extubation in the operating room (Group A1) or in the ICU (Group A2). Intubation time in the ICU, postoperative ICU stay, hospital stay, and total ICU expenses were compared among the four groups.

Results

Of the 191 patients, 95 were extubated on the day of surgery (Group A) and 96 later (Group B). The two groups differed in age and percutaneous coronary intervention history. Surgery and anesthesia durations, intraoperative infusion volume, and intraoperative bleeding amounts differed significantly in the two groups. Epidural anesthesia was given more frequently in Group A. Mean intubation time in the ICU (2.6 ± 2.8 vs 17.4 ± 5.1 hours, P < 0.01), the ICU stay (2.1 ± 0.3 vs 2.4 ± 0.8 days, P < 0.01), and the hospital stay (16.4 ± 5.2 vs 20.2 ± 12.5 days, P = 0.02) were significantly shorter, and total ICU expenses were significantly lower (1,036 ± 307 vs 1,565 ± 1,072 dollars, P < 0.01), in Group A than in Group B. Of the 95 patients in Group A, 34 were extubated in the operating room (Group A1) and 61 in the ICU (Group A2). Arrhythmia, epidural anesthesia, and the amount of intraoperative infusion amount were significantly higher, and the percentage of women significantly lower, in Group A1 (vs Group A2). Postoperative ICU and hospital stays and the ICU costs were not significantly different.

Conclusion

Tracheal tube extubation on the day of abdominal aortic replacement surgery resulted in better postoperative course and lower costs than when extubation occurred later. Patients extubated in the operating room or the ICU on the day of surgery had similar postoperative courses and costs.

The effect of anaesthetist grade and frequency of insertion on epidural failure: a service evaluation in a United Kingdom teaching hospital

Background

Despite being a commonly performed procedure, epidural catheter insertion has a significant failure rate. There is a lack of guidance as to how regularly the procedure should be performed in order to maintain competence. This study aimed to quantify whether increasing frequency of practice is associated with a reduction in failure rates.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively on all patients undergoing intra-abdominal or thoraco-abdominal surgery who received epidural analgesia as part of their post-operative analgesic regimen over a 36 month period. Records were examined to identify the reason for epidural catheter removal, classified according to standardised definitions, the seniority of the inserting anaesthetist, and whether or not they were a permanent member of the anaesthetic department. Data were analysed using independent t tests, Mann–Whitney tests and Fisher’s test.

Results

881 epidurals were inserted during the study period. 48 hour failure rate was 27.2%, whilst by 96 hours 33.9% of epidurals had failed. Increasing frequency of epidural insertion did not show a significant decrease in failure rate at either 48 (p = 0.36) or 96 hours (p = 0.28). However, long-term survival of epidurals at 96 hours was greater if inserted by permanent rather than temporary members of staff (non-permanent 60/141, 42.6% vs permanent 228/715, 31.9%, OR 1.58 (CI 1.09-2.29) p = 0.02).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that failure rates for postoperative epidural analgesia in major surgery are not dependent upon the frequency with which practitioners insert epidural catheters. However, failure rates are dependent on permanency of anaesthetic staff. These findings are significant when placed in the context of the General Medical Council’s requirements for clinicians to maintain competence in their clinical practice, suggesting that institutional factors may have greater bearing on epidural success or failure than frequency of task performance.

Addition of transversus abdominis plane block to patient controlled analgesia for laparoscopic high anterior resection improves analgesia, reduces opioid requirement and expedites recovery of bowel function

INTRODUCTION

Opioid sparing in postoperative pain management appears key in colorectal enhanced recovery. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks offer such an effect. This study aimed to quantify this effect on pain, opioid use and recovery of bowel function after laparoscopic high anterior resection.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of prospective data on 68 patients. Patients received an epidural (n=24), intravenous morphine patient controlled analgesia (PCA, n=22) or TAP blocks plus PCA (n=22) determined by anaesthetist preference. Outcome measures were numerical pain scores (0-3), cumulative intravenous morphine dose and time to recovery of bowel function (passage of flatus or stool).

RESULTS

There were no differences in patient characteristics, complications or extraction site. The TAP block group had lower pain scores (0.7 vs 1.36, p<0.001) and morphine requirements (8 mg vs 15 mg, p=0.01) than the group receiving PCA alone at 12 hours and 24 hours. Earlier passage of flatus (2.0 vs 2.7 vs 3.4 days, p=0.002), stool (3.1 vs 4.1 vs 5.5 days, p=0.04) and earlier discharge (4 vs 5 vs 6 days, p=0.02) were also seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of TAP blocks was found to reduce pain and morphine use compared with PCA, expedite recovery of bowel function compared with PCA and epidural, and expedite hospital discharge compared with epidural.

Thoracic Epidural analgesia versus Rectus Sheath Catheters for open midline incisions in major abdominal surgery within an enhanced recovery programme (TERSC): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is recommended for post-operative pain relief in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery via a midline incision. However, the effectiveness of TEA is variable with high failure rates reported post-operatively. Common side effects such as low blood pressure and motor block can reduce mobility and hinder recovery, and a number of rare but serious complications can also occur following their use.Rectus sheath catheters (RSC) may provide a novel alternative approach to somatic analgesia without the associated adverse effects of TEA. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of both techniques in terms of pain relief, patient experience, post-operative functional recovery, safety and cost-effectiveness.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a single-centre randomised controlled non-blinded trial, which also includes a nested qualitative study. Over a two-year period, 132 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery via a midline incision will be randomised to receive either TEA or RSC for post-operative analgesia. The primary outcome measures pain scores on moving from a supine to a sitting position at 24 hours post wound closure, and the patient experience between groups evaluated through in-depth interviews. Secondary outcomes include pain scores at rest and on movement at other time points, opiate consumption, functional recovery, morbidity and cost-effectiveness.

DISCUSSION

This will be the first randomised controlled trial comparing thoracic epidurals to ultrasound-guided rectus sheath catheters in adults undergoing elective midline laparotomy. The standardised care provided by an Enhanced Recovery Programme makes this a comparison between two complex pain packages and not simply two analgesic techniques, in order to ascertain if RSC is a viable alternative to TEA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN81223298 (16 January 2014).

Neuraxial blockade for the prevention of postoperative mortality and major morbidity: an overview of Cochrane systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Various beneficial effects derived from neuraxial blocks have been reported. However, it is unclear whether these effects have an influence on perioperative mortality and major pulmonary/cardiovascular complications.

OBJECTIVES

Our primary objective was to summarize Cochrane systematic reviews that assess the effects of neuraxial blockade on perioperative rates of death, chest infection and myocardial infarction by integrating the evidence from all such reviews that have compared neuraxial blockade with or without general anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia alone for different types of surgery in various populations. Our secondary objective was to summarize the evidence on adverse effects (an adverse event for which a causal relation between the intervention and the event is at least a reasonable possibility) of neuraxial blockade. Within the reviews, studies were selected using the same criteria.

METHODS

A search was performed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on July 13, 2012. We have (1) included all Cochrane systematic reviews that examined participants of any age undergoing any type of surgical (open or endoscopic) procedure, (2) compared neuraxial blockade versus general anaesthesia alone for surgical anaesthesia or neuraxial blockade plus general anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia alone for surgical anaesthesia and (3) included death, chest infection, myocardial infarction and/or serious adverse events as outcomes. Neuraxial blockade could consist of epidural, caudal, spinal or combined spinal-epidural techniques administered as a bolus or by continuous infusion. Studies included in these reviews were selected on the basis of the same criteria. Reviews and studies were selected independently by two review authors, who independently performed data extraction when data differed from one of the selected reviews. Data were analysed by using Review Manager Version 5.1 and Comprehensive Meta Analysis Version 2.2.044.

MAIN RESULTS

Nine Cochrane reviews were selected for this overview. Their scores on the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire varied from four to six of a maximal possible score of seven. Compared with general anaesthesia, neuraxial blockade reduced the zero to 30-day mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53 to 0.94; I(2) = 0%) based on 20 studies that included 3006 participants. Neuraxial blockade also decreased the risk of pneumonia (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.79; I(2) = 0%) based on five studies that included 400 participants. No difference was detected in the risk of myocardial infarction between the two techniques (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.57 to 2.37; I(2) = 0%) based on six studies with 849 participants. Compared with general anaesthesia alone, the addition of a neuraxial block to general anaesthesia did not affect the zero to 30-day mortality (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.51; I(2) = 0%) based on 18 studies with 3228 participants. No difference was detected in the risk of myocardial infarction between combined neuraxial blockade-general anaesthesia and general anaesthesia alone (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.09; I(2) = 0%) based on eight studies that included 1580 participants. The addition of a neuraxial block to general anaesthesia reduced the risk of pneumonia (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.98; I(2) = 9%) after adjustment for publication bias and based on nine studies that included 2433 participants. The quality of the evidence was judged as moderate for all six comparisons.No serious adverse events (seizure or cardiac arrest related to local anaesthetic toxicity, prolonged central or peripheral neurological injury lasting longer than one month or infection secondary to neuraxial blockade) were reported. The quality of the reporting score of complications related to neuraxial blocks was nine (four to 12 (median range)) of a possible maximum score of 14.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Compared with general anaesthesia, a central neuraxial block may reduce the zero to 30-day mortality for patients undergoing surgery with intermediate to high cardiac risk (level of evidence, moderate). Further research is required.

Effectiveness of epidural versus alternate analgesia for pain relief after radical prostatectomy and correlation with biochemical recurrence in men with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were to analyze the effectiveness of epidural anesthesia in patients who underwent open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) at our institution over the past decade, and to examine subsequent oncologic outcomes, comparing those receiving with those not receiving epidural anesthesia.

METHODS

A comprehensive database of all patients undergoing RRP from November 1996 to December 2006 was analyzed; 354 patients underwent RRP at our institution and were divided into those receiving or not receiving an epidural. An independent pain management team scoring technical success found epidural technique to be consistent. Oncological outcome was an endpoint of our study, comparing both analysis groups. We classed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after RRP as a serum PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL at any stage of postoperative follow-up. Complications were recorded to 30 days using the modified Clavien system, and full statistical analyses were undertaken.

RESULTS

Records were available for 239 men; we observed a decreased trend in the use of epidural for pain management, along with a decrease in average hospital stay and an overall epidural success rate of 64%. When dividing data into RRP with and without epidural, we found a median hospital stay of 7 days for patients receiving an epidural compared with 6 days for those not receiving an epidural. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.048) and remained so after adjusting for complications (P < 0.0001). Regarding oncological outcome, PSA recurrence was further analyzed in this cohort. Percentage of recurrence was higher (14.8%) for patients receiving an epidural than for the non-epidural group (4.8%). The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Epidural analgesia increased length of hospital stay and technical problems related to the epidural. Furthermore, men receiving an epidural showed an increased recurrence of PSA. In light of our findings, epidurals are probably not indicated for men undergoing RRP. However, as minimally invasive techniques are becoming more widespread, and epidural analgesia is being used less frequently, large randomized controlled trials to definitively support our hypotheses are unlikely to be undertaken.

[Epidemiology and risk factors for major respiratory complications after aortic surgery]

Introduction

L'incidence des complications respiratoires postopératoires (CRPO) reste très diversement appréciées selon les critères diagnostiques retenues dans les différentes études, ce qui la fait varier de 5 à plus de 50%. Les CRPO majeurs après chirurgie de l'aorte abdominale sont responsables d'une grande morbi-mortalité pouvant aller jusqu’à 36%, d'une durée d'hospitalisation et d'un coût plus importants. Ainsi dans l'optique d'améliorer notre prise en charge périopératoire de la chirurgie de l'aorte, nous avons décidé de mener une étude pour dresser le profil épidémiologique et déterminer les facteurs de risque des complications respiratoires dans notre contexte

Méthodes

Il s'agit d'une étude de cohorte rétrospective du mois de Janvier 2007 au mois de décembre 2011 portant sur l'ensemble des patients opérés pour pathologie aortique au bloc opératoire central de l'hôpital Ibn Sina de Rabat, Maroc.

Résultats

Cent vingt cinq patients ont été inclus dans notre étude, 24 patients ont été opérés pour anévrysme de l'aorte abdominale et 101 patients pour lésion occlusive aortoiliaque. Dans notre série 22 malades soit 17,6% ont présenté une complication respiratoire majeure avec, une reventilation dans 4,8% des cas, une difficulté de sevrage de la ventilation artificielle dans 3,2% des cas, une pneumopathie dans 4% des cas, un syndrome de détresse respiratoire aigue (SDRA) dans 4% des cas et une nécessité de fibroaspiration bronchique dans 1,6% des cas. En analyse univariée: l’âge, la présence d'une BPCO avec dyspnée stade 3 ou 4, la présence d'une anomalie à l'EFR préopératoire, la présence d'un stade avancé (III ou IV) de LOAI et la reprise chirurgicale étaient statistiquement associés à la survenue d'une complication respiratoire postopératoire. En analyse multivariée, seule une anomalie à l'EFR en préopératoire constituait un facteur de risque indépendant de survenue d'une complication respiratoire postopératoire dans notre série avec un Odds Ratio (OR): 11,5; un Intervalle de Confiance (IC) à 95% de (1,6 - 85,2) et un p = 0,016.

Conclusion

Au terme de notre étude, il nous parait donc nécessaire pour diminuer l'incidence des CRPO majeurs dans notre population, d'agir sur les facteurs que nous jugeons modifiables tel l'amélioration de l’état respiratoire basal moyennant une préparation respiratoire préopératoire, s'intégrant dans un véritable programme de réhabilitation et associant une rééducation à l'effort, une kinésithérapie incitative ainsi qu'une optimisation des thérapeutiques habituelles.

[Cardioprotection by thoracic epidural anesthesia? : meta-analysis]

BACKGROUND

Thoracic epidural analgesia (EDA) is thought to provide cardioprotective effects in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The results of two previous meta-analysis showed controversial conclusions regarding the impact of EDA on perioperative survival. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate, whether thoracic EDA has the potential to reduce perioperative cardiac morbidity or mortality on the basis of available randomized controlled trials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in medical databases (Med-Line, EBM-Reviews, Embase, Biosis and Biological Abstracts) and relevant clinical trials including patients undergoing noncardiac surgery were evaluated by two independent investigators. All randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of thoracic EDA on perioperative outcome, published from 1980 up to the end of 2008 were included into this quantitative systematic review. Calculations were performed using the statistics program Review Manager 4.1 using a fixed-effects model.

RESULTS

Nine studies with a total of 2,768 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Thoracic EDA did not reduce perioperative mortality [odds ratio (Peto OR): 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.58]. Patients receiving thoracic EDA demonstrated a tendency to a lower rate of perioperative myocardial infarction. However, this effect of thoracic EDA did not reach statistical significance (Peto OR: 0.65; 95% CI 0.4-1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis did not prove any positive influence of thoracic EDA on perioperative in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Furthermore, it remains questionable if thoracic EDA has the potential to reduce the rate of perioperative myocardial infarction.

Discontinuation of warfarin is unnecessary in total knee arthroplasty

Patients with medical comorbidities that necessitate chronic anticoagulation therapy frequently present as candidates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We asked whether it was necessary to stop warfarin preoperatively to avoid postoperative bleeding complications. We retrospectively reviewed 77 preoperatively anticoagulated patients undergoing TKA. Thirty-eight of these 77 patients were maintained on their routine therapeutic warfarin regimen throughout the perioperative period. The remaining 39 patients had their routine preoperative warfarin regimen discontinued preoperatively and then restarted after surgery. We compared rates of comorbid illness, blood transfusions, wound complications, and reoperations. The demographic data and the ratio of primary to revision arthroplasties were similar in the two groups. The age-adjusted risk ratios for blood transfusions, wound complications, and reoperations were 0.61, 0.29, and 0.43, respectively. The data presented suggest maintaining a therapeutic warfarin regimen throughout the perioperative period for high-risk patients is not associated with an increase risk of complications after TKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[Therapy of mediastinitis in patients with esophageal cancer]

Mediastinitis caused by anastomotic leaks is the most severe complication after esophagectomy and the major source of morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by local intrathoracic reactions (mediastinitis) and systemic extrathoracic reactions (sepsis). Consequently the therapeutic concepts are clearly defined. To achieve successful management, early diagnostic work-up is mandatory in every disturbance of the normal postoperative course. This includes direct endoscopic inspection of the anastomosis to evaluate the vitality of the anastomosed organs and the size of the leak. According to location and clinical classifications of the leak, the spectrum of therapeutic options ranges from simple drainage procedures, endoscopic interventions, and stent implantation to reoperation or discontinuity resection. In any case the treatment goals must be immediate and sufficient drainage of the leakage and hindrance of further contamination across the leakage by gastrointestinal content. Also mandatory is the early initiation of supportive systemic strategies according to pathophysiologic principles of sepsis. The fundamental requirements for successful management are therefore aggressive local intervention and application of new concepts in sepsis therapy.

The effect of epidural analgesia on postoperative outcome after colorectal surgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to determine the effects of epidural analgesia as it relates to outcome after colorectal surgery.

METHOD

We searched and reviewed studies that included colorectal surgery and epidural method of analgesia listed on the Pubmed, Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library database.

RESULTS

The majority of data demonstrate a superior effect of epidural analgesia on pain control after colorectal surgery. Well designed randomized controlled trials (RCT's) have also shown that epidural analgesia reduces the duration of ileus after colorectal surgery. Limited data suggest the additional benefit may be minimal after laparoscopic surgery or when epidural analgesia is used as part of a multimodal regime. Data does not convincingly show either a clear harmful or beneficial effect of epidural analgesia on rates of anastomotic leakage. Epidural analgesia may have beneficial effects on postoperative lung function, however due to low numbers, the effects on cardiovascular and thromboembolic complications are indeterminate. Length of hospital stay has not been shown to be shortened by sole use of an epidural and, although epidural analgesia may be apparently more costly, alternatives may incur higher indirect costs and decreased patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Randomized controlled trials have shown a benefit for epidurals on postoperative pain relief, and ileus, and possibly respiratory complications. There is no proven benefit with regard to length of stay. There are a number of unresolved issues which further focussed RCT's may help clarify such as effects of epidural on complication rates after colorectal surgery.

Risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications in upper abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary complications are the most frequent cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in upper abdominal surgery (UAS). We aimed to examine the influence of possible preoperative, operative and postoperative risk factors on the development of early postoperative pulmonary complications (POPC) after UAS.

METHODS

A prospective study of 60 consecutive patients was conducted who underwent elective UAS in general surgical unit. Each patient's preoperative respiratory status was assessed by an experienced chest physician using clinical examination, chest radiographs, spirometry and blood gas analysis . Anaesthetical risks, surgical indications, operation time, incision type, duration of nasogastric catheter and mobilization time were noted. Forty-eight hours after the operation, pulmonary examinations of the patients were repeated.

RESULTS

Postoperative pulmonary complications were observed in 35 patients (58.3%). The most common complication was pneumonia, followed by pneumonitis, atelectasis, bronchitis, pulmonary emboli and acute respiratory failure. The presence of preoperative respiratory symptoms and the spirometric parameter of forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity were the most valuable risk factors for early prediction of POPC. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency of the presence of preoperative respiratory symptoms in the POPC prediction were 70, 61 and 66%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We recommend a detailed pulmonary examination and spirometry in patients who will undergo UAS by chest physicians to identify the patients at high risk for POPC, to manage respiratory problems of the patients before surgery and also to help surgeons to take early measures in such patients before a most likely POPC occurrence. Improvement of lung function in those patients at risk for POPC before operation may decrease morbidity in surgical patients.

Does epidural anaesthesia and analgesia really improves surgical outcome after colorectal cancer surgery?

Lithuanian Cancer Register has registered 1443 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2004 and this value constantly increases about 200 cases per year. Colorectal cancer is on the third place among all cancer patients in our country. Colorectal cancer surgery is associated with a major surgical trauma. Majority of recent randomized clinical trials (RCT) has shown that combined general--epidural anaesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia has demonstrated some beneficial effects and improved surgical outcome in various fields of surgery. However controversies still exist about epidural anaesthesia and analgesia effects on colorectal anastomosis and it's influence on patients' outcome.

A comparison of intravenous-based and epidural-based techniques for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

PURPOSE

We wished to compare the effectiveness of intravenous-based (IV) and epidural-based (EPI) techniques for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Effectiveness was compared in terms of reduction of postoperative pain and adverse events, and achieving a high level of patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Thirty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II patients aged more than 65 years, scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were enrolled in this study. The patients in the IV group (n = 15) received modified neurolept anesthesia with droperidol 0.2 mgxkg(-1) and pentazocine 0.15-0.3 mgxkg(-1) (maximum dose of 1.0 mgxkg(-1)) and 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen, followed by postoperative intravenous infusion of 20 microgxml(-1) buprenorphine, provided with a patient-controlled analgesia pump programmed to deliver a bolus of 0.5 ml with a lockout interval of 15 min and a background infusion of 0.5 mlxh(-1). The patients in the EPI group (n = 15) had combined epidural analgesia and general anesthesia with sevoflurane and 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen, followed by the epidural infusion of a 0.125% bupivacaine and 5 microg x ml(-1) buprenorphine mixture by means of an on-demand analgesic system (bolus of 2 ml, lockout interval of 60 min, and background infusion of 2 mlxh(-1)).

RESULTS

The quality of postoperative analgesia was similar in the two groups. The incidences of intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia and postoperative hypotension were significantly lower in the IV group than in the EPI group (P < 0.05). A significantly higher level of patient satisfaction was found in the IV group compared with that in the EPI group (P < 0.05). The major contributor to dissatisfaction in the EPI group was anxiety or discomfort associated with the epidural procedures.

CONCLUSION

Modified neurolept anesthesia with pentazocine and postoperative i.v. analgesia with buprenorphine were superior to epidural-based techniques, in terms of hemodynamic stability and patient satisfaction, in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

[Strategies for perioperative sympatho-modulation]

Despite the growing evidence for the efficacy of different sympatho-modulatory therapies to lower perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality, such therapeutic strategies are rather infrequently used in daily clinical practice. Most physicians involved in perioperative medicine are aware of the increasing literature related to this topic, but only few comply with current clinical practice guidelines even in the absence of contraindications. This review discusses possible explanations for this reluctance and again summarizes the basic and clinical principles of current sympatho-modulatory therapies including alpha(2)-agonism, beta-adrenergic antagonism, and regional anesthetic techniques in modern anesthetic practice. In addition, the emerging perioperative concept of a patient-tailored individualized pharmacotherapy based on "gene profiling", particularly the adrenergic polymorphisms, is discussed.