Feasibility of non-intubated anesthesia and regional block for thoracoscopic surgery under spontaneous respiration: a prospective cohort study

Comparison of postoperative pulmonary complications and intraoperative safety in thoracoscopic surgery under non-intubated versus intubated anesthesia: a randomized, controlled, double-blind non-inferiority trial

PURPOSE

Traditional anesthesia for video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) such as double-lumen tracheal intubation (DLT) and one-lung ventilation (OLV), may lead to post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Non-intubation VATS (NIVATS) is an anesthetic technique that avoided DLT and OLV, maybe avoiding the PPCs. So we hypothesized that NIVATS would non-inferiority to intubation VATS (IVATS) in the risk of developing PPCs and some safety indicators.

METHODS

This study is a randomised, controlled, double-blind, non-inferiority trial, 120 patients were randomly assigned to the NIVATS group and IVATS group according to 1:1. The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs with a pre-defined non-inferiority margin of 10%. The second outcome was the safety indicators, including the incidence of cough/body movement, hypoxemia, malignant arrhythmia, regurgitation and aspiration, and transferring to endobronchial intubation intraoperatively (The malignant arrhythmia was defined as an arrhythmia that caused hemodynamic disturbances in a short period of time, resulting in persistent hypotension or even cardiac arrest in the patient).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in demographic indicators such as gender and age between the two groups. The incidence of PPCs in the NIVATS group was non-inferior to that in the IVATS group (1.67% vs. 3.33%, absolute difference: - 1.67%; 95%CI - 7.25 to 3.91). In additionan, no significant differences were found between the two groups for the incidence of cough/body movement (10.00% vs. 11.67%, p = 0.77), the incidence of hypoxemia (25% vs. 18.33%, p = 0.38), the incidence of malignant arrhythmia (1.67% vs. 6.67%, p = 0.36), the incidence of regurgitation and aspiration (0% vs. 0%, p > 0.999) and the incidence of transferring to endobronchial intubation intraoperatively (0% vs. 0%, p > 0.999).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that when using the non-intubation anesthesia for VATS, the incidence of PPCs was not inferior to intubation anesthesia. Furthermore, NIVATS had little effect on perioperative safety.

Spontaneous Ventilation Combined with Double-Lumen Tube Intubation during Thoracic Surgery: A New Anesthesiologic Method Based on 141 Cases over Three Years

BACKGROUND

Non-intubated thoracic surgery has not achieved widespread acceptance despite its potential to improve postoperative outcomes. To ensure airway safety, our institute has developed a technique combining spontaneous ventilation with double-lumen tube intubation (SVI). This study aimed to verify the feasibility and limitations of this SVI technique.

METHODS

For the SVI method, anesthesia induction involves fentanyl and propofol target-controlled infusion, with mivacurium administration. Bispectral index monitoring was used to ensure the optimal depth of anesthesia. Short-term muscle relaxation facilitated double-lumen tube intubation and early surgical steps. Chest opening preceded local infiltration, followed by a vagal nerve blockade to prevent the cough reflex and a paravertebral blockade for pain relief. Subsequently, the muscle relaxant was ceased. The patient underwent spontaneous breathing without coughing during surgical manipulation.

RESULTS

Between 10 March 2020 and 28 October 2022, 141 SVI surgeries were performed. Spontaneous respiration with positive end-expiratory pressure was sufficient in 65.96% (93/141) of cases, whereas 31.21% (44/141) required pressure support ventilation. Only 2.84% (4/141) of cases reversed to conventional anesthetic management, owing to technical or surgical difficulties. Results of the 141 cases: The mean maximal carbon dioxide pressure was 59.01 (34.4-92.9) mmHg, and the mean lowest oxygen saturation was 93.96% (81-100%). The mean one-lung, mechanical and spontaneous one-lung ventilation time was 74.88 (20-140), 17.55 (0-115) and 57.73 (0-130) min, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Spontaneous ventilation with double-lumen tube intubation is safe and feasible for thoracic surgery. The mechanical one-lung ventilation time was reduced by 76.5%, and the rate of anesthetic conversion to relaxation was low (2.8%).

Effect of Dexmedetomidine and Two Different Doses of Esketamine Combined Infusion on the Quality of Recovery in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy for Breast Cancer - A Randomised Controlled Study

Purpose

This study evaluated the effect of a combined infusion of dexmedetomidine and esketamine on the quality of recovery in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy.

Methods

A total of 135 patients were randomly divided into three groups: dexmedetomidine group (group D) received dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg loading, 0.4 µg/kg/h infusion), dexmedetomidine plus low-dose esketamine group (group DE1) received dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg loading, 0.4 µg/kg/h infusion) and esketamine (0.5 mg/kg loading, 2 µg/kg/min infusion), dexmedetomidine plus high-dose esketamine group (group DE2) received dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg loading, 0.4 µg/kg/h infusion) and esketamine (0.5 mg/kg loading, 4 µg/kg/min infusion). The primary outcome was the overall quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores at 1 day after surgery. The secondary endpoints were total QoR-15 scores at 3 days after surgery, propofol and remifentanil requirement, awaking and extubation time, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, rescue analgesic, nausea and vomiting, bradycardia, excessive sedation, nightmares, and agitation.

Results

The overall QoR-15 scores were much higher in groups DE1 and DE2 than in groups D 1 and D 3 days after surgery (P < 0.05). VAS pain scores at 6, 12, 24 h postoperatively, propofol and remifentanil requirements were significantly lower in groups DE1 and DE2 than in group D (P < 0.05). Compared with group D, awaking time, extubation time, and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay were significantly prolonged in groups DE1 and DE2 (P < 0.05) and were much longer in group DE2 than in group DE1 (P < 0.05). The proportion of postoperative rescue analgesics and bradycardia was higher and the incidence of excessive sedation was lower in group D than in groups DE1 and DE2 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine plus esketamine partly improved postoperative recovery quality and decreased the incidence of bradycardia but prolonged awaking time, extubation time, and PACU stay, especially dexmedetomidine plus 4 µg/kg/min esketamine.

ANESTHESIA FOR NON-INTUBATED VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACOSCOPIC SURGERY

With the growing adoption of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols across all surgical groups, including thoracic surgery, coupled with improved video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) equipment and techniques, nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery has gained significant popularity in recent years. Avoiding tracheal intubation with an endotracheal or double-lumen tube and general anesthesia may reduce or eliminate the risks associated with traditional mechanical ventilation, one-lung ventilation, and general anesthesia. Studies have shown a trend toward better preservation of postoperative respiratory function and improved postoperative lengths of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality; however, these have not been conclusively proven. This review article discusses the advantages of nonintubated VATS, the types of thoracic surgery in which this technique has been described, patient selection, appropriate anesthetic techniques, surgical concerns, potential complications relevant to the anesthesiologist during the conduct of nonintubated VATS surgery, and suggested management of these complications.

Transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Monitoring More Accurately Detects Hypercapnia than End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Monitoring during Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtcCO₂) monitoring is known to be effective at estimating the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) in patients with sedation-induced respiratory depression. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of PtcCO₂ monitoring to measure PaCO₂ and its sensitivity to detect hypercapnia (PaCO₂ > 60 mmHg) compared to nasal end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO₂) monitoring during non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This retrospective study included patients undergoing non-intubated VATS from December 2019 to May 2021. Datasets of PetCO₂, PtcCO₂, and PaCO₂ measured simultaneously were extracted from patient records. Overall, 111 datasets of CO₂ monitoring during one-lung ventilation (OLV) were collected from 43 patients. PtcCO₂ had higher sensitivity and predictive power for hypercapnia during OLV than PetCO₂ (84.6% vs. 15.4%, p < 0.001; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; 0.912 vs. 0.776, p = 0.002). Moreover, PtcCO₂ was more in agreement with PaCO₂ than PetCO₂, indicated by a lower bias (bias ± standard deviation; -1.6 ± 6.5 mmHg vs. 14.3 ± 8.4 mmHg, p < 0.001) and narrower limit of agreement (-14.3-11.2 mmHg vs. -2.2-30.7 mmHg). These results suggest that concurrent PtcCO₂ monitoring allows anesthesiologists to provide safer respiratory management for patients undergoing non-intubated VATS.

Nonintubated versus intubated thoracoscopic bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: A multicenter propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed at comparing in a multicenter propensity-matched analysis, results of nonintubated versus intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) bullectomy/blebectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP).

METHODS

Eleven Institutions participated in the study. A total of 208 patients underwent VATS bullectomy by intubated (IVATS) (N = 138) or nonintubated (NIVATS) (N = 70) anesthesia during 60 months. After propensity matching, 70 pairs of patients were compared. Anesthesia in NIVATS included intercostal (N = 61), paravertebral (N = 5) or thoracic epidural (N = 4) block and sedation with (N = 24) or without (N = 46) laryngeal mask under spontaneous ventilation. In the IVATS group, all patients underwent double-lumen-intubation and mechanical ventilation. Primary outcomes were morbidity and recurrence rates.

RESULTS

There was no difference in age (26.7 ± 8 vs 27.4 ± 9 years), body mass index (19.7 ± 2.6 vs 20.6 ± 2.5), and American Society of Anesthesiology score (2 vs 2). Main results show no difference both in morbidity (11.4% vs 12.8%; p = 0.79) and recurrence free rates (92.3% vs 91.4%; p = 0.49) between NIVATS and IVATS, respectively, whereas a difference favoring the NIVATS group was found in anesthesia time (p < 0.0001) and operative time (p < 0.0001), drainage time (p = 0.001), and hospital stay (p < 0.0001). There was no conversion to thoracotomy and no hospital mortality. One patient in the NIVATS group needed reoperation due to chest wall bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Results of this multicenter propensity-matched study have shown no intergroup difference in morbidity and recurrence rates whereas shorter operation room time and hospital stay favored the NIVATS group, suggesting a potential increase in the role of NIVATS in surgical management of PSP. Further prospective studies are warranted.

The Anesthesiologist's Perspective Regarding Non-intubated Thoracic Surgery: A Scoping Review

Non-intubated thoracic surgery (NITS) is a growing practice, alongside minimally invasive thoracic surgery. To date, only a consensus of experts provided opinions on NITS leaving a number of questions unresolved. We then conducted a scoping review to clarify the state of the art regarding NITS. The systematic review of all randomized and non-randomized clinical trials dealing with NITS, based on Pubmed, EMBASE, and Scopus, retrieved 665 articles. After the exclusion of ineligible studies, 53 were assessed examining: study type, Country of origin, surgical procedure, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologist's physical status, airway management device, conversion to orotracheal intubation and pulmonary complications rates and length of hospital stay. It emerged that NITS is a procedure performed predominantly in Asia, and certain European Countries. In China, NITS is more frequently performed for parenchymal resection surgery, whereas in Europe, it is mainly employed for pleural pathologies. The most commonly used device for airway management is the laryngeal mask. The conversion rate to orotracheal intubation is a~3%. The results of the scoping review seem to suggest that NITS procedures are becoming increasingly popular, but its role needs to be better defined. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to better define the role of the clinical variables possibly impacting on the technique effectiveness.

Systematic Review Registration

https://osf.io/mfvp3/, identifier: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MFVP3.

Non-intubated Thoracoscopic Surgery-Tips and Tricks From Anesthesiological Aspects: A Mini Review

Background

In the last few decades, surgical techniques have been developed in thoracic surgery, and minimally invasive strategies such as multi-and uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) have become more favorable even for major pulmonary resections. With this surgical evolution, the aesthetic approach has also changed, and a paradigm shift has occurred. The traditional conception of general anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and intubation has been re-evaluated, and spontaneous breathing plays a central role in our practice by performing non-intubated thoracoscopic surgeries (NITS-VATS).

Methods

We performed a computerized search of the medical literature (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus) to identify relevant articles in non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery using the following terms [(non-intubated) OR (non-intubated) OR (awake) OR (tubeless) OR (regional anesthesia)] AND [(VATS) OR (NIVATS)], as well as their Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms.

Results

Based on the outcomes of the reviewed literature and our practice, it seems that pathophysiological concerns can be overcome by proper surgical and anesthetic management. All risks are compensated by the advantageous physiological changes that result in better patient outcomes. With the maintenance of spontaneous breathing, the incidence of potential adverse effects of mechanical ventilation, such as ventilator-induced lung injury and consequent postoperative pulmonary complications, can be reduced. The avoidance of muscle relaxants also results in the maintenance of contraction of the dependent hemidiaphragm and lower airway pressure levels, which may lead to better ventilation-perfusion matching. These techniques can be challenging for surgeons as well as for anesthetists; hence, a good knowledge of physiological and pathophysiological changes, clear inclusion and exclusion and intraoperative conversion criteria, and good communication between team members are essential.

Conclusion

NITS-VATS seems to be a feasible and safe method in selected patients with evolving importance as a part of the minimally invasive surgical and anesthetic conception and has a role in reducing perioperative complications, which is crucial in the thoracic surgical patient population.

Converting to Intubation During Non-intubated Thoracic Surgery: Incidence, Indication, Technique, and Prevention

Traditionally, intubated general anesthesia with one-lung ventilation is standard in thoracoscopic surgery. However, in recent decades, non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery (NITS) has become an alternative method to minimize the adverse effects of intubated general anesthesia. Non-intubated procedures result in fewer adverse events than tracheal intubation and general anesthesia, such as intubation-related airway injury, ventilation-induced lung injury, prolonged hospital stay, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Despite these benefits, surgeons must consider the possibility of converting to intubation during NITS as the conversion rate is between 2 and 11%, varying between regions and learning time. The conversion rate is also affected by race, body size, the learning curve, and the surgical team's preferred methods. There are surgical (e.g., significant respiratory movements, uncontrolled bleeding, hindered surgical fields, large tumor sizes, adhesions) and anesthetic (e.g., hypoxemia, hypercapnia, airway spasms) reasons for converting to intubation. When a conversion is deemed necessary by the surgical team, the members should be well-prepared and act rapidly. Anesthesiologists should also feel comfortable intubating patients in the lateral decubitus position with or without bronchoscopic guidance. Patient selection is the key factor for avoiding conversion into an intubated surgery. Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 2 or less, a body mass index <25, and less surgical complexity may be good candidates for NITS. Careful monitoring, adequate anesthesia depth, an experienced surgical team, and sufficient preparation can also prevent conversion. Conversion from a non-intubated into intubated thoracic surgery is unwanted but not inevitable. Therefore, NITS can be successful when performed on select patients by a well-prepared and experienced surgical team and is worthy of recommendation owing to its non-invasiveness.

The effect of different depths of anesthesia monitored using Narcotrend on cognitive function in elderly patients after VATS lobectomy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of various depths of anesthesia monitored using Narcotrend on cognitive function in elderly patients after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.

METHODS

A total of 73 elderly patients who underwent VATS lobectomy were selected and divided into a control group (n=36) and an observation group (n=37) using a random number table. Both groups received general anesthesia. The Narcotrend index (NTI) of the control group was maintained at 50-59 and that of the observation group was maintained at 30-39.

RESULTS

The heart period (HP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from both groups were decreased first, and then were increased during T₁-T₅; the MAP levels at T₂, T₃ , and T₄ were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The propofol dosage was higher and the awake to extubation time was greater in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was lower in the observation group than in the control group at 6 h and 12 h after surgery (P < 0.05). The left and right regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO₂) at T₃ -T₄ was higher in the observation group and the cerebral oxygen extraction ratio (CERO₂) was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The anesthetic depth that maintained an NTI of 30-39 as monitored using Narcotrend could improve cerebral oxygen metabolism, inhibit the inflammatory reaction, and reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients after VATS lobectomy.

Ultrasound-guided thoracal paravertebral block for awake thoracoscopic lobectomy in a high-risk patient: The first reported case

One-lung ventilation provided by double-lumen tube intubation under general anaesthesia has conventionally been considered necessary for thoracoscopic major pulmonary resections. Recently, regional anaesthesia techniques have been used to avoid complications of tracheal intubation and general anaesthesia. Although paravertebral block (PVB) comes to the fore as a safe and useful regional anaesthesia technique for intra-operative and post-operative analgesia for a wide variety of surgeries involving the thoracic and lumbar regions, it is sometimes used for anaesthesia. Here, we aimed to demonstrate that biportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be performed in a right upper lobectomy while maintaining spontaneous ventilation in a 55-year-old, awake patient who was not intubated under ultrasound-guided PVB.