Influence of different intraoperative fluid management on postoperative outcome after abdominal tumours resection

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative fluid management is a crucial aspect of cancer surgery, including colorectal surgery and pancreatoduodenectomy. The study tests if intraoperative multimodal monitoring reduces postoperative morbidity and duration of hospitalisation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery treated by the same anaesthetic protocols with epidural analgesia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in 2 parallel groups. High-risk surgical patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomly selected in the control group (CG), where standard monitoring was applied (44 patients), and the protocol group (PG), where cerebral oxygenation and extended hemodynamic monitoring were used with the protocol for intraoperative interventions (44 patients).

RESULTS

There were no differences in the median length of hospital stay, CG 9 days (interquartile range [IQR] 8 days), PG 9 (5.5), p = 0.851. There was no difference in postoperative renal of cardiac impairment. Procalcitonin was significantly higher (highest postoperative value in the first 3 days) in CG, 0.75 mcg/L (IQR 3.19 mcg/L), than in PG, 0.3 mcg/L (0.88 mcg/L), p = 0.001. PG patients received a larger volume of intraoperative fluid; median intraoperative fluid balance +1300 ml (IQR 1063 ml) than CG; +375 ml (IQR 438 ml), p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant differences in intraoperative fluid management and vasopressor use. The median postoperative value of procalcitonin was significantly higher in CG, suggesting differences in immune response to tissue trauma in different intraoperative fluid status, but there was no difference in postoperative morbidity or hospital stay.

Fatigue among anaesthesiologists in Europe: Findings from a joint EBA/NASC survey

BACKGROUND

Anaesthesiologists deliver an increasing amount of patient care and often work long hours in operating theatres and intensive care units, with frequent on-calls and insufficient rest in between. In the long term, this will negatively influence mental and physical health and well being. As fatigue becomes more prevalent, this has predictable implications for patient safety and clinical effectiveness. 1.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, severity, causes and implications of work-related fatigue amongst specialist anaesthesiologists.

DESIGN

An online survey of specialist anaesthesiologists.

PARTICIPANTS

The survey was sent to anaesthesiologists in 42 European countries by electronic mail.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Responses from a 36-item online survey assessed work-related fatigue and its impact on anaesthesiologists in European countries.

RESULTS

Work-related fatigue was experienced in 91.6% of the 1508 respondents from 32 European countries. Fatigue was caused by their working patterns, clinical and nonclinical workloads, staffing issues and excessive work hours. Over 70% reported that work-related fatigue negatively impacted on their physical and mental health, emotional well being and safe commuting. Most respondents did not feel supported by their organisation to maintain good health and well being.

CONCLUSION

Work-related fatigue is a significant and widespread problem amongst anaesthesiologists. More education and increased awareness of fatigue and its adverse effects on patient safety, staff well being and physical and mental health are needed. Departments should ensure that their rotas and job plans comply with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) and introduce a fatigue risk management system to mitigate the effects of fatigue.

Gastrointestinal Complications After Pancreatoduodenectomy With Epidural vs Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Morbidity is still high in pancreatic surgery, driven mainly by gastrointestinal complications such as pancreatic fistula. Perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia (EDA) and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) are frequently used for pain control after pancreatic surgery. Evidence from a post hoc analysis suggests that PCIA is associated with fewer gastrointestinal complications.

Objective

To determine whether postoperative PCIA decreases the occurrence of gastrointestinal complications after pancreatic surgery compared with EDA.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this adaptive, pragmatic, international, multicenter, superiority randomized clinical trial conducted from June 30, 2015, to October 1, 2017, 371 patients at 9 European pancreatic surgery centers who were scheduled for elective pancreatoduodenectomy were randomized to receive PCIA (n = 185) or EDA (n = 186); 248 patients (124 in each group) were analyzed. Data were analyzed from February 22 to April 25, 2019, using modified intention to treat and per protocol.

Interventions

Patients in the PCIA group received general anesthesia and postoperative PCIA with intravenous opioids with the help of a patient-controlled analgesia device. In the EDA group, patients received general anesthesia and intraoperative and postoperative EDA.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was a composite of pancreatic fistula, bile leakage, delayed gastric emptying, gastrointestinal bleeding, or postoperative ileus within 30 days after surgery. Secondary end points included 30-day mortality, other complications, postoperative pain levels, intraoperative or postoperative use of vasopressor therapy, and fluid substitution.

Results

Among the 248 patients analyzed (147 men; mean [SD] age, 64.9 [10.7] years), the primary composite end point did not differ between the PCIA group (61 [49.2%]) and EDA group (57 [46.0%]) (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.71-1.95 P = .54). Neither individual components of the primary end point nor 30-day mortality, postoperative pain levels, or intraoperative and postoperative substitution of fluids differed significantly between groups. Patients receiving EDA gained more weight by postoperative day 4 than patients receiving PCIA (mean [SD], 4.6 [3.8] vs 3.4 [3.6] kg; P = .03) and received more vasopressors (46 [37.1%] vs 31 [25.0%]; P = .04). Failure of EDA occurred in 23 patients (18.5%).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that the choice between PCIA and EDA for pain control after pancreatic surgery should not be based on concerns regarding gastrointestinal complications because the 2 procedures are comparable with regard to effectiveness and safety. However, EDA was associated with several shortcomings.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00007784.

Predictive values of pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation for fluid responsiveness in patients with pneumoperitoneum

Animal studies suggest that dynamic predictors remain useful in patients with pneumoperitoneum, but human data is conflicting. Our aim was to determine predictive values of pulse pressure variation (PPV) and stroke volume variation (SVV) in patients with pneumoperitoneum using LiDCORapid™ haemodynamic monitor. Standardised fluid challenges of colloid were administered to patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures, one fluid challenge per patient. Intra-abdominal pressure was automatically held at 12 mmHg. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in nominal stroke index (nSI) ≥ 10%. Linear regression was used to assess the ability of PPV and SVV to track the changes of nSI and logistic regression and area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) to assess the predictive value of PPV and SVV for fluid responsiveness. Threshold values for PPV and SVV were obtained using the "gray zone" approach. A p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. 56 patients were included in analysis. 41 patients (73%) responded to fluids. Both PPV and SVV tracked changes in nSI (Spearman correlation coefficients 0.34 for PPV and 0.53 for SVV). Odds ratio for fluid responsiveness for PPV was 1.163 (95% CI 1.01-1.34) and for SVV 1.341 (95% CI 1.10-1.63). PPV achieved an AUROC of 0.674 (95% CI 0.518-0.830) and SVV 0.80 (95% CI 0.668-0.932). The gray zone of PPV ranged between 6.5 and 20.5% and that of SVV between 7.5 and 13%. During pneumoperitoneum, as measured by LiDCORapid™, PPV and SVV can predict fluid responsiveness, however their sensitivity is lower than the one reported in conditions without pneumoperitoneum. Trial registry number: (with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry): ACTRN12612000456853.

Effect of propofol and sevoflurane on the inflammatory response of patients undergoing craniotomy

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this randomised, single-centre study was to prospectively investigate the impact of anaesthetic techniques for craniotomy on the release of cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and to determine whether intravenous anaesthesia compared to inhalational anaesthesia attenuates the inflammatory response.

METHODS

The study enroled 40 patients undergoing craniotomy, allocated into two equal groups to receive either sevoflurane (n = 20) or propofol (n = 20) in conjunction with remifentanil and rocuronium. The lungs were ventilated mechanically to maintain normocapnia. Remifentanil infusion was adjusted according to the degree of surgical manipulation and increased when mean arterial pressure and the heart rate increased by more than 30 % from baseline. The depth of anaesthesia was adjusted to maintain a bispectral index (BIS) of 40-60. Invasive haemodynamic monitoring was used. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured before surgery and anaesthesia, during tumour removal, at the end of surgery, and at 24 and 48 h after surgery. Postoperative complications (pain, vomiting, changes in blood pressure, infection and pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurological events) were monitored during the first 15 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Compared with patients anaesthetised with sevoflurane, patients who received propofol had higher levels of IL-10 (p = 0.0001) and lower IL-6/IL-10 concentration ratio during and at the end of surgery (p = 0.0001). Both groups showed only a minor response of IL- 8 during and at the end of the surgery (p = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received propofol had higher levels of IL-10 during surgery. Neither sevoflurane nor propofol had any significant impact on the occurrence of postoperative complications. Our findings should incite future studies to prove a potential medically important anti-inflammatory role of propofol in neuroanaesthesia.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Identified as NCT02229201 at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Variation in haemodynamic monitoring for major surgery in European nations: secondary analysis of the EuSOS dataset

Background

The use of cardiac output monitoring may improve patient outcomes after major surgery. However, little is known about the use of this technology across nations.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a previously published observational study. Patients aged 16 years and over undergoing major non-cardiac surgery in a 7-day period in April 2011 were included into this analysis. The objective is to describe prevalence and type of cardiac output monitoring used in major surgery in Europe.

Results

Included in the analysis were 12,170 patients from the surgical services of 426 hospitals in 28 European nations. One thousand four hundred and sixteen patients (11.6 %) were exposed to cardiac output monitoring, and 2343 patients (19.3 %) received a central venous catheter. Patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were more frequently exposed to cardiac output monitoring (ASA I and II, 643 patients [8.6 %]; ASA III–V, 768 patients [16.2 %]; p < 0.01) and central venous catheter (ASA I and II, 874 patients [11.8 %]; ASA III–V, 1463 patients [30.9 %]; p < 0.01). In elective surgery, 990 patients (10.8 %) were exposed to cardiac output monitoring, in urgent surgery 252 patients (11.7 %) and in emergency surgery 173 patients (19.8 %). A central venous catheter was used in 1514 patients (16.6 %) undergoing elective, in 480 patients (22.2 %) undergoing urgent and in 349 patients (39.9 %) undergoing emergency surgery. Nine hundred sixty patients (7.9 %) were monitored using arterial waveform analysis, 238 patients (2.0 %) using oesophageal Doppler ultrasound, 55 patients (0.5 %) using a pulmonary artery catheter and 44 patients (2.0 %) using other technologies. Across nations, cardiac output monitoring use varied from 0.0 % (0/249 patients) to 27.5 % (19/69 patients), whilst central venous catheter use varied from 5.6 % (7/125 patients) to 43.2 % (16/37 patients).

Conclusions

One in ten patients undergoing major surgery is exposed to cardiac output monitoring whilst one in five receives a central venous catheter. The use of both technologies varies widely across Europe.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01203605. Date of registration: 15.09.2010.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13741-015-0018-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The influence of postoperative epidural analgesia on postoperative pain and stress response after major spine surgery--a randomized controlled double blind study

Major spinal surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain and stress response, bowel dysfunction, and a potential for chronic pain development. Epidural analgesia has been shown to be advantageous compared to intravenous analgesia alone. The aim of the study was to investigate whether postoperative addition of epidural levobupivacaine to intravenous opioid analgesia offers advantage over intravenous opioid analgesia alone. Eighty-one patients scheduled for spinal fusion were enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups. Postoperatively, group A received 0.125% epidural levobupivacaine and group B received saline. Both groups also received intravenous piritramide as a rescue analgesic. Pain intensity, rescue analgesic consumption, blood glucose, cholesterol and cortisol levels, postoperative blood loss, paresthesia, time to first postoperative defecation, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Sixty-eight patients completed the study. The visual analog scale score (mean 2 vs. 4, p = 0.01), consumption ofpiritramide (25 mg vs. 51.5 mg, p = 0.01) and metamizole (1400 vs. 1875 mg, p < 0.01), incidence of nausea (6% vs. 28% p = 0.02) and blood loss (450 mL vs. 650 mL, p < 0.05) were significantly lower in group A. Bowel recovery and first postoperative defecation also occurred earlier in group A (6% vs. 45%, p < 0.01). Blood cortisol, glucose and cholesterol levels and the incidence of paresthesia did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, after spinal fusion, postoperative epidural administration of levobupivacaine provides better analgesia and fewer side effects with no impact on stress response.

Difficult airway and one lung ventilation

The number of indications for lung collapse during different procedures is rising. Difficult upper airway is more often encountered with the need for single lung ventilation. In patients with difficult airway, the safest approach is by placing a single-lumen endotracheal tube with the aid of a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Lung isolation in these patients is then achieved by means of a bronchial blocker. An alternative technique is exchanging the single-lumen for a double-lumen tube using an airway exchange catheter. When there is a tracheostomy in place, an independent bronchial blocker is recommended.

Management of the difficult airway

Management of difficult airway is one of the most challenging tasks for anesthesiologists, and failure of securing it could have fatal consequences. We must be prepared to deal with problems in management of difficult airway at any time. Difficult intubation can either be anticipated or unanticipated. An anesthesiologist must be aware of the possibility of both situations to arise and preparations must be taken to deal with such cases and improve the safety of our patients. Practice guidelines are systematically developed recommendations that help anesthesiologists in the management of difficult airway.

Update on thoracic paravertebral blocks

Thoracic paravertebral block was widely practised at the beginning of the 20th century. It has enjoyed a renaissance in the past decade. This form of afferent blockade is the technique of injecting local anaesthetic into the thoracic paravertebral space. Thoracic paravertebral analgesia is mostly indicated for unilateral surgical procedures of the thorax and abdomen. Compared to the other available regional techniques such as epidural, intercostal and interpleural, paravertebral blocks offer comparable or better analgesia with less side effects. Thoracic paravertebral blocks deserve greater consideration and investigation.

A comparison of intravenous and inhalational maintenance anaesthesia for endoscopic procedures in the aspirin intolerance syndrome

Intravenous (n = 21) and inhalational maintenance anaesthesia (n = 21) were compared by random allocation in patients with the aspirin intolerance syndrome undergoing endoscopic nasal procedures. Premedication was with oral midazolam and intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate 10 mg kg-1. Anaesthesia was induced in both groups with etomidate and alfentanil and ventilation was controlled. Anaesthesia was maintained in the intravenous group by infusion of alfentanil 1-1.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 and injections of midazolam 2.5-5 mg h-1, and in the inhalational group by isoflurane up to 2%. Moderate arterial hypotension (70 mmHg) was achieved with nitroglycerine 0.5-5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 in the intravenous group, and with isoflurane up to 2% in the inhalational group. Adrenaline 1: 200 000 with 2% lignocaine was injected into the operative field. One patient in the inhalational group developed a resistant tachyarrhythmia but there was no overall significant difference (P = 0.34) in the frequency of dysrhythmias precipitated by adrenaline and lignocaine between the two groups. In one patient of each group methylprednisolone precipitated bronchospasm. On later challenge testing, 125 mg of intravenous methylprednisolone significantly reduced the peak expiratory flow (P < 0.05) in one of these patients. The results suggest that intravenous and inhalational maintenance anaesthesia are equally suitable for patients with aspirin intolerance syndrome. Corticosteroids during surgery should be given by the same route used pre-operatively (spray, oral, or spray plus oral) because intravenous injection may have adverse effects.