Study Protocol STEREOLAB: Stereotactic Liver Ablation Assisted with Intra-Arterial CT Hepatic Arteriography and Ablation Confirmation Software Assessment.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the technical efficacy and local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) of a standardized workflow for thermal ablation of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) consisting of CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA)-based imaging analysis, stereotactic thermal ablation, and computer-based software assessment of ablation margins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This investigator initiated, single-center, single-arm prospective trial will enroll up to 50 patients (≤ 5 CRLM, Measuring ≤ 5 cm). Procedures will be performed in an angio-CT suite under general anesthesia. The primary objective is to estimate LTPFS with a follow-up of up to 2 years and secondary objectives are analysis of the impact of minimal ablative margins on LTPFS, adverse events, contrast media utilization and radiation exposure, overall oncological outcomes, and anesthesia/procedural time. Adverse events (AE) will be recorded by CTCAE (Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events), and Bayesian optimal phase-2 design will be applied for major intraprocedural AE stop boundaries. The institutional CRLM ablation registry will be used as benchmark for comparative analysis with the historical cohort. DISCUSSION: The STEREOLAB trial will introduce a high-precision and standardized thermal ablation workflow for CRLM consisting of CT during hepatic arteriography imaging, stereotactic guidance, and ablation confirmation. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: (NCT05361551).

A Novel Process Audit for Standardized Perioperative Handoff Protocols.

A perioperative handoff protocol provides a standardized delivery of communication during a handoff that occurs from the operating room to the postanestheisa care unit or ICU. The protocol's success is dependent, in part, on its continued proper use over time. A novel process audit was developed to help ensure that a perioperative handoff protocol is used accurately and appropriately over time. The Audit Observation Form is used for the Audit Phase of the process audit, while the Audit Averages Form is used for the Data Analysis Phase. Employing minimal resources and using quantitative methods, the process audit provides the necessary means to evaluate the proper execution of any perioperative handoff protocol.

Unanticipated Compression of the Trachea in a 5-Month-Old Undergoing an MRI for Evaluation of Neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal-dominant disorder with the tendency toward the formation of tumors. Plexiform neurofibromas are the most common type of tumors seen in neurofibromatosis type 1. Approximately 50% occur in the head and neck region with a 5% incidence of airway involvement. We describe the case of a 5 month old with a plexiform neurofibroma of the neck who developed complete airway obstruction on induction of anesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a skull base neurofibroma extending to the hypopharynx and resulting in deviation of the airway. Because of the possibility of airway involvement, a careful preanesthetic evaluation as well as a slow induction with the maintenance of spontaneous ventilation should be considered in patients presenting with facial neurofibromas.

Perioperative Severe Hypotension in a Patient with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type IIb and Bilateral Adrenalectomies: Time to Review the Evidence for Stress Dose Steroids.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIb (MEN IIb) is an endocrine disorder which can manifest with tumors such as pheochromocytomas and neuromas. We present the case of a patient with MEN IIb, after bilateral adrenalectomies, on maintenance steroid replacement, who underwent a neuroma resection and developed severe hypotension. There is persistent controversy regarding the general administration of perioperative "stress dose" steroids for patients with adrenal insufficiency. While the most recent literature suggests that stress dose steroids are unnecessary for secondary adrenal insufficiency, the rarer form of primary adrenal insufficiency always requires supplemental steroids, specifically hydrocortisone, when undergoing surgical procedures.

Effects of alveolar recruitment on arterial oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary atelectasis and hypoxemia remain considerable problems after cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of consecutive vital capacity maneuvers (C-VCMs) to improve oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral teaching center. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-five patients requiring elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly allocated to either C-VCM or control groups. In the C-VCM group, lung inflation at pressure of 35 cmH(2)O was sustained for 15 seconds before separation from CPB and at 30 cmH(2)O for 5 seconds after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the ratio of arterial oxygen tension to inspired oxygen fraction measured at the following predetermined time intervals: after induction of anesthesia, 15 minutes after separation from CPB, after admission to the ICU, after 3 hours of positive-pressure ventilation, after extubation, and before ICU discharge. C-VCM resulted in better arterial oxygenation extending from the immediate postoperative period to approximately 24 hours after surgery at the time of ICU discharge. There were no significant adverse events related to C-VCM application. CONCLUSION: C-VCM is an effective method to reduce hypoxemia associated with the formation of atelectasis after cardiac surgery with CPB.