Utility of rotational thromboelastometry in total hip replacement revision surgery (case-control study)

Total hip replacement revision surgery is accompanied by significant blood loss. Using rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) perioperatively to diagnose coagulopathy may help to provide rapid aimed therapy and thus decrease blood loss and the consumption of transfusion products. The aim of this case-control study was to find out whether point of care using of ROTEM may reduce blood loss and the consumption of blood transfusion products in hip replacement revision surgery.Data were prospectively collected from patients who underwent hip replacement revision surgery in the period 2017 to 2018 when the management of bleeding and coagulopathy was based on the results of ROTEM. Data were compared with a group of historical controls for the period 2015 to 2016 when bleeding and coagulopathy management was not based on ROTEM results. The consumption of blood transfusion products and perioperative blood loss were compared between the groups.The total number of analyzed patients was 90. Forty five patients were analyzed in the ROTEM group and the same number of patients were analyzed in the non-ROTEM group. Significantly decreased perioperative consumption of fresh frozen plasma and packed red blood cells was found in the ROTEM, as well as decreased perioperative blood loss comparing to non-ROTEM group. All data were statistically different with P < .05.Perioperative management of bleeding and coagulopathy based on the results of ROTEM during hip replacement revision surgery seems to help to decrease perioperative blood loss and the consumption of blood transfusion products, especially fresh frozen plasma.

Usefulness of perioperative rotational thrombelastometry during scoliosis surgery in children

OBJECTIVE

Surgical correction of scoliosis in pediatric patients is associated with significant blood loss. Rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) might help to decrease the use of blood transfusion products by enabling an early point of care (POC) diagnosis of coagulopathy, thus helping to provide targeted therapy. The aim of this case-control study was to find out whether POC use of ROTEM during scoliosis surgery in children helps to reduce the need for blood transfusion products.

METHODS

Data were prospectively analyzed from all patients treated during 2016-2018 who received ROTEM-based therapy during scoliosis surgery. These patients were compared with a group of historical controls treated during 2014-2016 whose scoliosis treatment did not include ROTEM. Perioperative blood loss, consumption of blood transfusion products, and hospital LOS were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients were analyzed, 22 patients in the non-ROTEM group and 15 patients in the ROTEM group. In the ROTEM group compared with the non-ROTEM group, there was significantly lower perioperative blood loss and administration of packed red blood cell units, no administration of fresh-frozen plasma, and shorter overall hospital LOS (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ROTEM use during scoliosis surgery in children seems to help to decrease blood loss and the use of blood transfusion products and may also shorten the hospital LOS.Clinical trial registration no.: NCT03699813 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Thromboelastometry as an Alternative Method for Coagulation Assessment in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Invasive Procedures: A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

 Standard coagulation tests (activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT] and prothrombin time [PT]) are used for the assessment of coagulation profile in critically ill pediatric patients undergoing invasive interventions such as insertion of central venous catheter, tonsillectomy, laparotomy, etc. However, these tests do not reflect the profile of whole blood coagulation. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) as a point of care (POC) viscoelastic test may serve as an alternative method. Due to its ability to assess coagulation profile of the whole blood, it might yield normal results despite prolonged aPTT/PT results. The aim of this study was to find out if there was any severe bleeding during or after invasive procedures if ROTEM test was normal despite prolonged values of aPTT/PT in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 We retrospectively analyzed data for the years 2015 to 2017 for pediatric patients with prolonged values of aPTT or PT and normal ROTEM tests-internal thromboelastometry (INTEM) (assessing internal pathway of coagulation) and external thromboelastometry (EXTEM) (assessing external pathway of coagulation)-and we looked for severe bleeding during or after invasive procedures.

RESULTS

 In 26 pediatric patients (children from 2 months to 17 years old), we found that INTEM and EXTEM tests showed normal coagulation despite prolonged values of aPTT ratio with a median of 1.47 (minimum 1.04 and maximum 2.05), international normalized ratio with a median of 1.4 (minimum 0.99 and maximum 2.10), and PT ratio with a median of 1.30 (minimum 0.89 and maximum 2.11). In these patients, no severe bleeding was observed during interventions or postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

 Our data support using thromboelastometry method as an alternative coagulation test for the assessment of coagulation profile in pediatric patients undergoing surgical or other invasive procedures, especially using it as a POC test. All invasive procedures in our study were performed without severe bleeding despite prolonged values of PT/aPTT with normal ROTEM results. It seems that ROTEM assessment of coagulation may lead to decreased administration of fresh frozen plasma and shorten time of patient preparation for intervention.

Evaluation of Thromboelastometry in Sepsis in Correlation With Bleeding During Invasive Procedures

Prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) is often encountered in patients with sepsis. On the other hand, thromboelastometry as a global coagulation test might yield normal results. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether prolonged PT in the presence of normal thromboelastometry parameters is associated with severe bleeding in patients with sepsis undergoing invasive procedures. In patients with sepsis undergoing low-risk bleeding invasive procedures (central venous catheter placement, dialysis catheter insertion, drain insertion, and so on) or high-risk bleeding invasive procedures (surgical tracheostomy, surgical laparotomy, thoracotomy, and so on), coagulation was assessed by thromboelastometry using EXTEM test (test for evaluation of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, contains activator of extrinsic pathway) and with PT. For period of years 2013 to 2016, we assessed occurrence of severe bleeding during those procedures and 24 hours later in patients with prolonged PT and normal thromboelastometry results. This retrospective study was performed at Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine of Motol University Hospital in Prague. Data from 76 patients with sepsis were analyzed. Median value of international normalized ratio (INR) was 1.59 (min—1.3 and max—2.56), and median value of prothrombin ratio (PR) was 1.5 (min—1.23 and max—2.55) with normal thromboelastometry finding. Despite prolonged INR/PR, no severe bleeding was observed during invasive procedures. Our data show that sepsis may be accompanied by normal thromboelastometry results, despite prolonged values of PT, and invasive procedures were performed without severe bleeding. This approach to coagulation assessment in sepsis may reduce administration of fresh frozen plasma to the patients. The study was registered at Clinical Trials.gov with assigned number NCT02971111.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

[Total-endoscopic Thyroid Resection in ABBA-Technique: Comments on the Integration of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring]

Background: Total endoscopic thyroid resections without any scars on the neck are a special challenge for the surgeon. Clinical results of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in the axillo-bilateral-breast-approach (ABBA) have not been described so far. Methods: 29 female patients (~ 40 years) were operated for one-sided thyroid pathology using the ABBA technique (20 subtotal resections, 9 hemithyroidectomies). Suspected malignoma, size > 35 mL, known thyroiditis and recurrencies were excluded. For stimulation a 30-cm handprobe and for signal deviation a tube adhesive electrode (ISIS; Fa. Inomed, Emmendingen, Germany) were used. Results: The average operation time was 132 minutes. Intraoperative blood loss necessitated conversion to the open procedure in 1 case. A single tube electrode dislocation occurred. In the alternative a bipolar needle electrode was inserted percutaneously through the cricothyroid ligament. One intraoperative signal loss was confirmed by the laryngoscopic finding of vocal cord paresis, which recovered within 6 months. An additional case of incomplete brachial plexus paralysis was observed with a 2-day recovery time. Conclusion: Direct neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve can be easily applied in the total endoscopic ABBA technique for thyroid resection. Vagal stimulation, which is obligatory in open thyroid surgery, cannot consequently be included in this endoscopic operation method. Unexpected tube electrode dislocation may cause IONM misinterpretation. A risk of double-sided vocal cord palsy is theoretically present.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of new-onset frontal lobe seizures

We reported the case of a young woman who received an antiepileptic drug after a first possible generalized tonic-clonic seizure with no clear inter-ictal epileptic paroxysms in the routine electroencephalogram. Her stereotypical movements decreased but did not disappear with treatment. Then a diagnosis of PNES was considered by neurologist after witnessing a stereotypical motor episode. While AED treatment was decreased and stopped, epileptic seizure frequency and severity increased with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Then she presented postictal psychotic features that combined with video-EEG findings led to the final diagnosis of new onset pre-frontal lobe epilepsy.

The feasibility of home polysomnographic recordings prescribed for sleep-related neurological disorders: a prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

Home polysomnography is being increasingly developed for sleep studies, with various grades of quality. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of affordable, high quality home polysomnographic recordings prescribed for suspected sleep-related neurological disorders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively screened all patients referred to the specialist sleep disorders clinic in Nancy University Hospital between May 2011 and August 2011. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they required polysomnography for the diagnosis of a sleep-related neurological disorder. One-night, polysomnography was performed in each patient's home by a trained sleep technician. Financial cost was determined prior to inclusion. A recording was considered as satisfactory if all the following criteria were present: at least, one EEG channel with continuous signal allowing determination of sleep stages and wake during more than 66% of sleep time; at least, one usable respiratory channel (airflow or either band) during more than 66% of sleep time; and usable oximetry during more than 66% of sleep time.

RESULTS

Forty-eight of the 139 screened patients were included. Among the 48 home polysomnography recordings, 35 (72.9%) were satisfactory. Thirteen (27.1%) tracings displayed an unsatisfactory loss of EEG data, including seven (14.6%) tracings with an unsatisfactory loss of respiratory data.

CONCLUSION

Home polysomnography prescribed for suspected sleep-related neurological disorders is feasible, with affordable costs, whilst maintaining high quality recording. Further studies are needed to measure the real medico-economic impact of promoting outpatient domiciliary explorations for sleep-related neurological disorders.

Relaxierung und elektromyographische Identifikation des N. laryngeus recurrens

INTRODUCTION

Electromyography for the identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is gaining ever more acceptance in thyroid surgery. Relaxation of the patient, e.g., to improve intubation conditions for anesthesia, carries a potential risk for error.

METHOD

After definite identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the vagus nerve (Neurosign 100, Magstim Co., Wales), ten consecutive patients were relaxed with mivacurium and atracurium besylate at a weight-dependent ED95 dosage. After peripheral relaxation was achieved (TOF-Watch, Organon Teknika Corp., at the adductor muscle of the thumb), the signal derived via the vocal muscle was assessed acoustically in 3-min intervals by the surgeon and graphically recorded by computer (EWACS, Inomed Co.).

RESULTS

Complete peripheral relaxation was attained with mivacurium after 3-7 min and with atracurium after 7-11 min. A decrease in amplitude of the vocal muscle signal of >60% was recognized by the surgeon as a weakened signal and could be confirmed during an average duration of 13.3 min with mivacurium (maximum: 37 min) and 17.7 min with atracurium besylate (maximum: 23 min), respectively. Complete obliteration of the acoustic signal (<20% of the initial signal) occurred in three of six patients treated with mivacurium and in four of four patients treated with atracurium.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of electromyography of the recurrent laryngeal nerve can be substantially impaired by the administration of relaxants. If this medication cannot be dispensed with, the surgeon must be aware of the situation. In these cases, a peripheral relaxometer should also be employed to monitor relaxation as it subsides.

[Signal Changes of Continuous Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Thyroid Resections with Postoperative Vocal Cord Palsy]

INTRODUCTION

Continuous intraoperative neuro-monitoring (kontIONM) and the provision of relevant information such as moment, origin and prognosis of nerve function impairment during thyroid resection have been tested.

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2011, 667 patients were operated for thyroid pathology by applying kontIONM (tube electrode, vagal probe V3, ISIS; Fa. Inomed, Emmendingen, Germany). Vocal cord function was examined laryngoscopically on the 2nd postoperative day. Palsies were diagnosed in 34 patients. Complete kontIONM signals were filed during the operation. Loss of signal (LOS), defined as amplitude reduction < 100 µV, and signal delay > 10% were attributed to thyroid dissection.

RESULTS

A LOS of 17.6% (6/34) developed already at the moment of thyroid lobe luxation, that is, prior to a dissection for recurrent laryngeal nerve (NLR) identification. An LOS of 67.6% (23/34) appeared during NLR preparation in the vicinity of the Berry ligament. Thus, 85.3% of all vocal cord palsies were recognised intraoperatively. For four patients signal delay > 10% could be observed in the analysis of the postoperative signal but not during the operation. One case was not associated with any of these signal changes.

CONCLUSION

In the majority of cases, signal loss and reduction of amplitude < 100 µV are reliable parameters of post-operative vocal cord palsy. Traction and distension of the nerve seems to be the most important cause of nerve damage. An immediate revision of the last step of the surgical procedure, if required, is the essential advantage of this method to avoid irreversible nerve damage. For a minor part of the cases, vocal cord palsies are characterised intraoperatively by an extended delay of the signal.

Focal electrical intracerebral stimulation of a face-sensitive area causes transient prosopagnosia

Face perception is subtended by a large set of areas in the human ventral occipito-temporal cortex. However, the role of these areas and their importance for face recognition remain largely unclear. Here we report a case of transient selective impairment in face recognition (prosopagnosia) induced by focal electrical intracerebral stimulation of the right inferior occipital gyrus. This area presents with typical face-sensitivity as evidenced by functional neuroimaging right occipital face area (OFA). A face-sensitive intracerebral N170 was also recorded in this area, supporting its contribution as a source of the well-known N170 component typically recorded on the scalp. Altogether, these observations indicate that face recognition can be selectively impaired by local disruption of a single face-sensitive area of the network subtending this function, the right OFA.

Dynamics of Liquids in Confined Geometries

An overview of several NMR studies of liquids in confined geometries is presented. First, the NMR relaxation rates, 1/T1, 1/T1ρ , and 1/T2 were measured for several molecular liquids confined to porous silica glasses with pore radii in the range from 12 Å to 100 Å as a function of temperature, pore size, and frequency. The experimental relaxation data were interpreted in terms of bulk, surface, and topological contributions using the following expression:

where 1/Tib and 1/Tis are the bulk and the surface layer relaxation rates, ε is the thickness of the surface layer, R is the pore radius, and Ai(ω) represents the pure topological effect.

Second, the pressure effects on the dynamics of the confined liquid of acetonitrile-d3 were also investigated. Third, the natural abundance of 13C spin lattice relaxation rates for CS2 confined to porous silica glasses provided information about confinement effects on the angular momentum behavior of this simple liquid.

Nuclear magnetic resonance at high pressure

Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation measurements at high pressure provide unique information about the microscopic behavior of liquids. This article presents the principles of this technique; illustrates its usefulness by several specific examples of studies of molecular liquids, water, and supercritical dense fluids; and indicates the promising future of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at high pressure with examples of studies of chemical exchange and homogeneous catalytic processes.

Wirtschaftliche Überlegungen zur operativen Therapie der akuten Appendizitis

The costs of the operative treatment of acute appendicitis have to be verified under DRG conditions. Laparoscopic and open appendectomies in a 5-year-period were evaluated retrospectively. Analyses of costs of the year 2004 were performed according to the clinical automatic settlement (SAP / R3) in direct comparison to the data of 140 participating hospitals using the same software. In the 5-year-period 775 of 830 (91.8 %) appendectomies were started laparoscopically, in 68 cases the method was converted to the open surgical procedure. Postoperative complications required radiologic interventional treatment or reoperation in 4.2 % of the patients. The arising costs in the own hospital and the 140 associated hospitals were defrayed only for 90 % by the DRG-payment system. The deficit for the DRG codes G 23 Z, G 22 Z and G 07 Z were 212 euro, 296 euro and 455 euro per case. Compensation of costs in clinical routine results from reduction of duration of patients stay (162 euro per day) or avoidance of the laparoscopic procedure. The material costs of laparoscopic appendectomy are 4.3 times higher than the costs of the open conventional procedure (310 euro vs. 71 euro). The clinical costs of appendectomy are not compensated by the DRG-System. The surgeon has to take into account the economic aspects of the intended operative procedure.

T-level downstaging and complete pathologic response after preoperative long-term radiochemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

Advantages of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the middle and the lower third of the rectum are downstaging and downsizing of the tumor. Results of pathologic results are affected by post-treatment tissue changes and may influence the choice of surgical procedure. Forty-three consecutive patients (27 male, 16 female; mean age 64 years) were operated after receiving a long-term chemoradiotherapy during a period of 16 months. The data of initial staging procedure (high resolution magnetic resonance imaging) and results of pathological examination of the surgical specimens were analyzed. Regression of tumor was assessed by the absence of vital tumor cells and the post-treatment fibrotic tissue alterations. Regression of tumor size was seen in 42/43 patients leading to an improved T-stage in 27 patients. R0-resection was possible in all cases, although there was a perirectal tumor infiltration to less than 2 mm to circumference of the surgical specimen in 2 cases and unexpected small liver metastasis in 5 cases. Complete remission rate was 23.3% (10 cases). Detecting small amounts of vital tumor cells in altered tissue after chemoradiotherapy is a major problem of pathological examination procedure and should be taken into consideration by the surgeons. The choice of operation (resection vs. abdominoperineal extirpation vs. local excision) should be committed to the initial imaging procedure and not to any restaging procedure after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

[Intraoperative neuro-monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Experience of 1000 consecutive patients]

Intraoperative neuro-monitoring was introduced in thyroid surgery several years ago resulting in a facilitated identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and less recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. Between 1999 and 2005 data of all patients undergoing thyroid resection were recorded and analyzed yearly. The intraoperative identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve succeeded in 99.2% (1768 nerves at risk). The percentage of complete resecting surgical procedures raised from 17% to 84%. Minimal vocal cord dysfunction, associated with hematoma and edema in most cases, was diagnosed laryngoscopically in 2.9%. The permanent palsy rate of 0.8% in the first year decreased down to 0.32%. Routinely introduction of intraoperative neuro-monitoring in thyroid surgery is associated with a demonstrable decreased palsy rate. Anyway, the rate of minimal vocal cord movement disorders and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies is not changed.

Intraoperatives Neuromonitoring des Nervus laryngeus recurrens - Ergebnisse und Lernkurve

Intraoperative neuromonitoring was introduced in thyroid surgery several years ago resulting in a facilitated identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and less recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. Between 1999 and 2004 data of all patients (n=937) undergoing thyroid resection were recorded prospectively and analyzed yearly. The intraoperative identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve succeeded in 99.2% (1665 nerves at risk). The percentage of completely resecting surgical procedures raised from 17% to 56%. Minimal vocal cord dysfunction associated with hematoma and edema in most cases was diagnosed laryngosopically in 1.4-2.4%. Transient recurrent nerve palsies were seen in 2.3% without changes throughout the years. The permanent palsy rate of 0.8% in the first years decreased. No permanent palsies were diagnosed in the last 3 years. Routine introduction of intraoperative neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery is associated with a demonstrable learning curve lasting several years. Permanent palsy rate is decreased. The rate of minimal vocal cord movement disorders and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies is not changed.