The impact of glycaemic variability on the surgical patient. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2016;29:430-437. [PMID: 26910050 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000000326]

The EUropean PErioperative MEdical Networking (EUPEMEN) project and recommendations for perioperative care in colorectal surgery: a quality improvement study

BACKGROUND

Despite consensus supporting enhanced recovery programs, their full implementation in such a context is difficult due to conventional practices within various groups of professionals. The goal of the EUropean PErioperative MEdical Networking (EUPEMEN) project was to bring together the expertise and experience of national clinical professionals who have previously helped deliver major change programs in their countries and to use them to spread enhanced recovery after surgery protocols (ERAS) in Europe. The specific aim of this study is to present and discuss the key points of the proposed recommendations for colorectal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five partners from university hospitals in four European countries developed the project as partners. Following a non-systematic review of the literature, the European consensus panel generated a list of recommendations for perioperative care in colorectal surgery. A list of recommendations was formulated and distributed to collaborators at each center to allow modifications or additional statements. These recommendations were then discussed in three consecutive meetings to share uniform ERAS protocols to be disseminated.

RESULT

The working group developed (1) the EUPEMEN online platform to offer, free of charge, evidence-based standardized perioperative care protocols, learning activities, and assistance to health professionals interested in enhancing the recovery of their patients; (2) the preparation of the EUPEMEN Multimodal Rehabilitation manuals; (3) the training of the trainers to teach future teachers; and (4) the dissemination of the results in five multiplier events, one for each partner, to promote and disseminate the protocols.

CONCLUSION

The EUPEMEN project allowed the sharing of the expertise of many professionals from four different European countries with the objective of training the new generations in the dissemination of ERAS protocols in daily clinical practice through a new learning system. This project was proposed as an additional training tool for all the enhanced recovery program teams.

The EUPEMEN (EUropean PErioperative MEdical Networking) Protocol for Bowel Obstruction: Recommendations for Perioperative Care

Mechanical bowel obstruction is a common symptom for admission to emergency services, diagnosed annually in more than 300,000 patients in the States, from whom 51% will undergo emergency laparotomy. This condition is associated with serious morbidity and mortality, but it also causes a high financial burden due to long hospital stay. The EUPEMEN project aims to incorporate the expertise and clinical experience of national clinical specialists into development of perioperative rehabilitation protocols. Providing special recommendations for all aspects of patient perioperative care and the participation of diverse specialists, the EUPEMEN protocol for bowel obstruction, as presented in the current paper, aims to provide faster postoperative recovery and reduce length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and mortality rate.

Effectiveness of a novel 1% glucose isotonic electrolyte solution for intraoperative fluid therapy in children: a randomized controlled trial

Background

An appropriate electrolyte solution is important for safe intraoperative anesthesia management in children. This trial assessed the effectiveness of a novel 1% glucose isotonic electrolyte solution in intraoperative fluid therapy in children.

Methods

This trial analyzed data from 100 patients aged older than 1 month with an ASA score of I to II who received general anesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the novel electrolyte solution (containing glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate) or lactated Ringer’s solution intraoperatively as a maintenance fluid. Patient demographics and the results of blood gas analysis at 1, 2, and 3 hours were documented, and changes in glucose and electrolyte concentrations and the acid–base status were analyzed.

Results

During infusion of the novel solution, the glucose and potassium concentrations were stable. Conversely, the solution was linked to increased sodium levels but decreased bicarbonate levels, although both changes were within the physiological ranges. In addition, pH remained stable during the intraoperative period. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, or hypernatremia was not detected.

Conclusions

The novel 1% glucose isotonic electrolyte solution helped to maintain glucose and electrolyte concentrations and acid–base stability, and it may therefore improve children’s safety during the intraoperative period.

The relationship between diabetes and surgical site infection following coronary artery bypass graft surgery in current-era models of care

BACKGROUND

Although diabetes is a recognized risk factor for postoperative infections, the seminal Portland Diabetic Project studies in cardiac surgery demonstrated intravenous insulin infusions following open-cardiac surgery achieved near normal glycaemia and decreased deep sternal wound infection to similar rates to those without diabetes.

AIM

We sought to examine a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) to evaluate the relationship between diabetes, hyperglycaemia and risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in current-era models of care.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent CABGS between 2016 and 2018 were identified through a state-wide data repository for healthcare-associated infections. Clinical characteristics and records of postoperative SSIs were obtained from individual chart review. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), perioperative glycaemia and other clinical characteristics were analysed in relation to the development of SSI.

FINDINGS

Of the 953 patients evaluated, 11% developed SSIs a median eight days post CABGS, with few cases of deep SSIs (<1%). T2D was evident in 41% and more prevalent in those who developed SSIs (51%). On multivariate analysis T2D was not significantly associated with development of SSI (odds ratio (OR) 1.35; P=0.174) but body mass index (BMI) remained a significant risk factor (OR 1.07, P<0.001). In patients with T2D, perioperative glycaemia was not significantly associated with SSI.

CONCLUSION

In a specialist cardiac surgery centre using perioperative intravenous insulin infusions and antibiotic prophylaxis, deep SSIs were uncommon; however, approximately one in 10 patients developed superficial SSIs. T2D was not independently associated with SSI yet BMI was independently associated with SSI post CABGS.

Surgical Outcomes in Urogynecology-Assessment of Perioperative and Postoperative Complications Relative to Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c-A Fellow's Pelvic Research Network Study

OBJECTIVES

Poor control of diabetes mellitus is a known predictor of perioperative and postoperative complications. No literature to date has established a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) cutoff for risk stratification in the urogynecology population. We sought to identify an HbA1c threshold predictive of increased risk for perioperative and postoperative complications after pelvic reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 10 geographically diverse U.S. female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery programs identified women with diabetes who underwent prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence surgery from September 1, 2013, to August 31, 2018. We collected information on demographics, preoperative HbA1c levels, surgery type, complications, and outcomes. Sensitivity analyses identified thresholds of complications stratified by HbA1c. Multivariate logistic regression further evaluated the association between HbA1c and complications after adjustments.

RESULTS

Eight hundred seven charts were identified. In this diabetic cohort, the rate of overall complications was 44.1%, and severe complications were 14.9%. Patients with an AM HbA1c value of 8% or greater (reference HbA1c, <8%) had an increased rate of both severe (27.1% vs 12.8%, P < 0.001) and overall complications (57.6% vs 41.8%, P = 0.002) that persisted after multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio, 2.618; 95% confidence interval, 1.560-4.393 and odds ratio, 1.931; 95% confidence interval, 1.264-2.949, respectively). Mesh complications occurred in 4.6% of sacrocolpopexies and 1.7% of slings. The average HbA1c in those with mesh exposures was 7.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative HbA1c of 8% or higher was associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of overall and severe complications in diabetic patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery that persisted after adjustments.

Hysterectomy Complications Relative to HbA1c Levels: Identifying a Threshold for Surgical Planning

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether diabetes diagnosis and level of diabetes control as reflected by higher preoperative glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels are associated with increased complication rates after hysterectomy and to identify a threshold of preoperative HbA_1c level past which we should consider delaying surgery owing to increased risk of complications.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Hospitals in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative between June 4, 2012, and October 17, 2017.

PATIENTS

Women with and without a diabetes diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Hysterectomy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Data on demographics, preoperative HbA_1c values, surgical approach, composite postoperative complications, readmissions, emergency department visits, and reoperations were abstracted. The risk of a postoperative complication when diabetes was stratified by preoperative HbA_1c level was evaluated in a sensitivity analysis, and independent associations were identified in a mixed, multivariate logistic regression model. We identified 41 286 hysterectomies performed at 70 hospitals to be included for analysis. The sensitivity analysis identified 4 groups of risk for postoperative complications: group 1: no diabetes diagnosis and no HbA_1c value; group 2: no diabetes diagnosis, with HbA_1c levels between 4% and 6.5%; group 3: diabetes diagnosis and no HbA_1c value or HbA_1c levels <9%; and group 4: diabetes diagnosis with HbA_1c levels ≥9%. In the adjusted model, there were significant 32% and 34% increased odds of postoperative complications for groups 2 and 3, respectively, compared with group 1. There were more than 2-fold increased odds of complications for women with diabetes and a preoperative HbA_1c level ≥9% (group 4) compared with the women in group 1. Diabetes diagnosis with preoperative HbA_1c levels ≥9% had increased odds of complications compared with diabetes diagnosis with preoperative HbA_1c levels <9%. Patients with well-controlled diabetes seemed to have increased odds of complications with laparoscopic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes diagnosis and measurement of preoperative HbA_1c levels provide risk stratification for postoperative complications after hysterectomy, with the highest observed effect among patients with diabetes with a preoperative HbA_1c level ≥9%.

[Diabetes mellitus in Anaesthesia - Optimal Blood Sugar Control in the Perioperative Phase]

Uncontrolled high blood sugar can be dangerous for diabetics throughout the perioperative period - in particular, when blood glucose levels exceed a threshold of 250 mg/dl or HbA_1c levels are higher than 8.5 - 9%. In such cases, all elective surgery should be withheld to minimize the risk of severe complications. Due to their cardiovascular comorbidities, diabetics are commonly overrepresented in hospitals, tend to require inpatient care for an extended period of time, and suffer from higher mortality rates. In order to reduce negative outcomes, blood glucose levels should be targeted to 140 - 180 mg/dl on intensive care units or during surgery. Current literature suggests that non-critically ill diabetics should be treated with rapid-acting insulin analogues subcutaneously in operating theatres, whereas critically ill patients should receive continuous intravenous insulin infusions using a standardized protocol. In summary, this review can give a hand in dealing with diabetics during the perioperative period and offers guidance in controlling blood sugar levels with the help of oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin.

Perioperative anesthetic management of patients with diabetes mellitus: focused on blood glucose control

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose, which results in damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidney, and nervous system. The incidence of diabetes mellitus has increased in Korea due to longer life expectancy or lifestyle improvement. Since diabetes affects multiple organs including the cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and autonomic nervous systems, the risk of postoperative complications such as wound infection and cardiovascular events might be increased in patients with diabetes. In addition to postoperative complications, hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in diabetes may also cause serious problems during surgery. Preoperative fasting and surgical stress may contribute to the derangement of the patient’s physiological status. For appropriate management of diabetic patients in the perioperative period, patients should be evaluated in detail preoperatively and their blood glucose levels should be checked repeatedly during the surgery and even after surgery. The present paper reviews preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of patients with diabetes.

Intraoperative glycemic control in patients undergoing Orthotopic liver transplant: a single center prospective randomized study

Background

Perioperative hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcomes yet evidence to guide intraoperative goals and treatment modalities during non-cardiac surgery are lacking. End-stage liver disease is associated with altered glucose homeostasis; patients undergoing liver transplantation display huge fluctuations in blood glucose (BG) and represent a population of great interest. Here, we conduct a randomized trial to compare the effects of strict versus conventional glycemic control during orthotopic liver transplant (OLT).

Methods

Following approval by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Michigan Medical School and informed consent, 100 adult patients undergoing OLT were recruited. Patients were randomized to either strict (target BG 80–120 mg/dL) or conventional (target BG 180–200 mg/dL) BG control with block randomization for diabetic and nondiabetic patients. The primary outcomes measured were 1-year patient and graft survival assessed on an intention to treat basis. Graft survival is defined as death or needing re-transplant (www.unos.org). Three and 5-year patient and graft survival, infectious and biliary complications were measured as secondary outcomes. Data were examined using univariate methods and Kaplan-Meir survival analysis. A sensitivity analysis was performed to compare patients with a mean BG of ≤120 mg/dL and those > 120 mg/dL regardless of treatment group.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in patient survival between conventional and strict control respectively;1 year, 88% vs 88% (p-0.99), 3 years, 86% vs 84% (p- 0.77), 5 years, 82% vs 78. % (p-0.36). Graft survival was not different between conventional and strict control groups at 1 year, 88% vs 84% (p-0.56), 3 years 82% vs 76% (p-0.46), 5 years 78% vs 70% (p-0.362).

Conclusion

There was no difference in patient or graft survival between intraoperative strict and conventional glycemic control during OLT.

Trial registration

Clinical trial number and registry: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00780026. This trial was retrospectively registered on 10/22/2008.

Operating department practitioners care of the patient with diabetes in the perioperative period

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a of group metabolic diseases which are defined by hyperglycaemia affecting multiple organs. The condition is found in people of all ages and ethnicities. Diabetes mellitus affects 180 million people worldwide and increasing numbers of patients are presenting with diabetic complications and the need for surgical intervention. This article describes the pathophysiology of DM and the management of the condition, particularly type I and type 2, in the perioperative phase of the surgical patient journey.

Therapeutic experience of 289 elderly patients with biliary diseases

AIM

To present clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment strategies in elderly patients with biliary diseases.

METHODS

A total of 289 elderly patients with biliary diseases were enrolled in this study. The clinical data relating to these patients were collected in our hospital from June 2013 to May 2016. Patient age, disease type, coexisting diseases, laboratory examinations, surgical methods, postoperative complications and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The average age of the 289 patients with biliary diseases was 73.9 ± 8.5 years (range, 60-102 years). One hundred and thirty-one patients (45.3%) had one of 10 different biliary diseases, such as gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones, and cholangiocarcinoma. The remaining patients (54.7%) had two types of biliary diseases. One hundred and seventy-nine patients underwent 9 different surgical treatments, including pancreaticoduodenectomy, radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ten postoperative complications occurred with an incidence of 39.3% (68/173), and hypopotassemia showed the highest incidence (33.8%, 23/68). One hundred and sixteen patients underwent non-surgical treatments, including anti-infection, symptomatic and supportive treatments. The cure rate was 97.1% (168/173) in the surgical group and 87.1% (101/116) in the non-surgical group. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant (χ² = 17.227, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Active treatment of coexisting diseases, management of indications and surgical opportunities, appropriate selection of surgical procedures, improvements in perioperative therapy, and timely management of postoperative complications are key factors in enhancing therapeutic efficacy in elderly patients with biliary diseases.