Predicting difficult airway in morbidly obese patients using ultrasound.

Background/aim: Difficult mask ventilation and difficult intubation are more common in obese patients. Ultrasound is a reliable and noninvasive method for evaluating the airway. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution and availability of anterior neck soft tissue (ANS) thickness at different levels, tongue volume (TV), hyomental distance (HMD), the ratio of preepiglottic distance to distance between the epiglottis and the midpoint of vocal cords (PE/E-VC) measured by ultrasonography in predicting difficult airway in morbidly obese patients. Materials and methods: Between March 2020 and November 2020, patients aged ≥18 years with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40 kg/m2 who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia were included in this prospective study at Firat University Hospital. During the preoperative evaluation of patients, ultrasound was used to measure and record TV, ANS thickness at different levels, HMD, and ratio of PE/E-VC. Patients with difficult intubation were identified using the Cormack-Lehane classification system. Patients whohad difficulties with balloon mask ventilation were recorded. Subsequently, the parameters of patients with easy and difficult intubation were compared. In addition, the parameters of patients with easy and difficult mask ventilation were also compared. Results: The preepiglottic ANS thickness at the level of the thyrohyoid membrane and the PE/E-VC value in obese patients with difficult intubation were significantly greater than in obese patients with easy intubation (p < 0.001). In addition, TV (p < 0.001), preepiglottic ANS thickness at the thyrohyoid membrane level (p < 0.001), ANS thickness at the thyroid isthmus level (p = 0.002), ANS-suprasternal notch thickness (p = 0.004), and PE/E-VC (p = 0.005) values were significantly greater in obese patients with difficult mask ventilation. Conclusion: Ultrasound may be a useful tool for predicting difficult airway and difficult mask ventilation. For this purpose, ANS thickness at different levels, PE/E-VC, and TV values measured by ultrasound can be used.

Comparison of Dynamic Measures in Intraoperative Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy of Patients with Morbid Obesity Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality during surgical procedures. Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) is a new concept for perioperative fluid management that has been shown to improve patient prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of the Pleth Variability Index (PVI), systolic pressure variation (SPV), and pulse pressure variation (PPV) in maintaining tissue perfusion and renal function during GDFT management in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred ten patients were enrolled in our prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. Demographic data, hemodynamic parameters, biochemical parameters, the amount of crystalloid and colloid fluid administered intraoperatively, and the technique of goal-directed fluid management used were recorded. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: PVI (n = 70), PPV (n = 70), and SPV (n = 70), according to the technique of goal-directed fluid management. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, time of return of bowel movement, and hospital stay duration were recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the number of crystalloids administered in all three groups. However, the amount of colloid administered was statistically significantly lower in the SPV group than in the PVI group, and there was no significant difference in the other groups. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the groups in plasma lactate, blood urea, and creatinine levels. CONCLUSION: In LSG, dynamic measurement techniques such as PVI, SPV, and PPV can be used in patients with morbid obesity without causing intraoperative and postoperative complications. PVI may be preferred over other invasive methods because it is noninvasive.

Effect of Patient State Index Monitoring on the Recovery Characteristics in Morbidly Obese Patients: Comparison of Inhalation Anesthesia and Total Intravenous Anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Obese patients have a significantly higher risk of adverse effects associated with general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Patient State Index (PSI) monitoring on recovery from anesthesia and the incidence of any postoperative complications among patients undergoing bariatric surgery with total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and inhalational anesthesia. DESIGN: This prospective, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial was conducted between February 2017 and August 2017 and included 120 morbidly obese patients (body mass index >40 kg/m2). METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into four groups; group P-PSI (n = 30): TIVA with PSI monitoring; group P (n = 30): TIVA without PSI monitoring; group D-PSI (n = 30): desflurane with PSI monitoring; and group D (n = 30): desflurane without PSI monitoring. The discharge time from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), postoperative complications, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded and evaluated. FINDINGS: No significant differences were found in demographic data, duration of anesthesia, admittance to PACU, discharge from PACU, modified Aldrete scores, and perioperative mean blood pressure and heart rate. Nausea and vomiting scores were significantly lower in group P-PSI, group P, and group D-PSI compared with group D. CONCLUSIONS: Although TIVA and inhalational anesthesia can be safely used for obese patients, intraoperative PSI monitoring may decrease the discharge time from PACU and reduces incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting caused by inhalation anesthetics.

Evaluation of the Effect of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Belt Lipectomy Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The interest in and demand for post-bariatric surgery have increased along with the increase in obesity surgery. Belt lipectomy, during which a circular correction is made in the center of the trunk, is the most commonly performed among these surgical techniques. Postoperative pain is an important problem due to the size of the surgical site and stretched closure. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the intraoperative and postoperative narcotic analgesic consumption, postoperative analgesic requirement, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the first mobilization time in patients with and without erector spinae plane block (ESPB). METHODS: The files of patients who had undergone belt lipectomy between 2016 and 2019 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received ESPB were called group 1, and those who did not undergo ESPB were called group 2. Their demographic characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative narcotic and non-narcotic analgesic consumption, VAS scores, PONV, and the first mobilization times were recorded. RESULTS: The files of a total of 51 patients, including 23 patients in group 1 and 28 patients in group 2, were reviewed. It was determined that intraoperative and postoperative narcotic analgesic consumption (p < 0.005), PONV (p < 0.005), and the first mobilization time (p < 0.005) were significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2. CONCLUSION: The use of the ESP block in belt lipectomy surgeries significantly reduces intraoperative and postoperative narcotic analgesic consumption and pain scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Evaluation of the Reasons for the Cancellation of Elective Procedures at Level 3 University Hospital on the Day of Surgery.

PURPOSE: Unexpected cancellations of planned elective procedures are a global problem for hospitals, causing a waste of hospital resources and manpower, and reduces the efficiency of hospitals. In this study, we tried to identify the causes of cancellations of elective procedures, and to examine the relationship between the causes. DESIGN: A retrospective, descriptive single-center study. METHODS: Nine thousand five hundred sixty-six elective procedures scheduled between January 2015 and December 2015 were retrospectively examined. Reasons for cancellation, the associated surgical clinic, and the day and season of the canceled procedures were recorded. FINDINGS: Of the total 9,566 procedures, 496 (5.2%) were canceled. Of the cancellations, 31.3% were due to patient-related reasons, 29.2% because of inadequate anesthesia preparation, and 19% because of nonavailability of operating rooms. CONCLUSIONS: Cancellation of elective surgeries causes a waste of time and resources. Determining the reasons for cancellations to reduce cancellation rates is important for each hospital.

[Effective pain therapy can improve the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer]. / Etkin agri tedavisi pankreas kanserli hastalarda sagkalimi artirabilir.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, characteristics and analgesic treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer who applied to the algology clinic were evaluated. METHODS: Demographic characteristics, pathologic diagnosis, metastasis, cancer treatment, and analgesic interventions in 60 patients with pancreatic cancer, referred to the algology clinic, were examined. RESULTS: The application time of the patients to the clinic was 3.9+-0.92 months after the diagnosis, and the visual analog scale (VAS) was 6.96+-0.11 at the initial assessment. According to the analgesic step ladder protocol, a nonopiod + weak opioid + strong opioid (transdermal) were applied in 58.33%, a nonopioid + weak opioid + strong opiod (oral) in 5%, and nonopiod + weak opioid in 36.66% of the patients. Adjuvant pain medications were used in 68.33% of the patients (benzodiazepine, 80.48%; antidepressant, 19.51%), while no adjuvant was used in 31.66% of the patients. While the mean survival time for patients with pancreatic cancer changed from 3 to 6 months, it was 8.48+-7.46 months for patients who applied to the pain clinic. CONCLUSION: Abdominal pain in pancreatic cancer is the most common symptom that negatively affects the quality of life. A good analgesia improves the survival, while pain decreases the survival. The results of the present study demonstrated that the survival of the patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who received effective pain therapy in the algology clinic may be longer.

The Relationship Between the Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Septorhinoplasty Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common complications during the postoperative period. In the literature, there are many factors associated with PONV risk, but it is claimed that inflammation increases this risk. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a cheap parameter to use in the diagnosis and follow-up of systemic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the preoperative NLR was a marker for PONV and to determine its relation with antiemetic use. METHODS: Eighty patients who were planned to undergo elective septorhinoplasty and were in ASA I-II were prospectively included in the study. The NLR value was calculated by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes obtained from the preoperative complete blood count. The patients were divided into two groups of 40 patients: patients with an NLR < 2 (group 1) and patients with an NLR > 2 (group 2). Nausea and vomiting during the first 24 h in the recovery room and in the related clinic and antiemetic requirement were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of nausea-vomiting in the recovery room and in the postoperative 24-h period in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 (p < 0.05). The rate of use of antiemetics in the recovery room and in the postoperative 24-h period in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NLR values above 2 calculated in the preoperative period may be an indicator of PONV risk. Antiemetic prophylaxis may be given according to this value. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Efficacy of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy via Pleth Variability Index During Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no well-recognized guideline for intraoperative fluid management in bariatric surgery. Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) is a new concept of perioperative fluid management which was shown to improve patients' prognoses. Dynamic indicators may better predict fluid response compared to static indicators. In this study, we aimed to assess effects of administering GDFT protocol via Pleth Variability Index (PVI) in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. METHODS: The study included 60 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic RYGB surgery. Subjects were randomized to two groups as being managed with either standard fluid regimen (control group) or PVI (PVI group) during intraoperative period. After induction of general anesthesia, control group received 500 ml crystalloid bolus followed by 4-8 ml/kg/h infusion. Fluid management of the control group was guided by central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure. PVI group received 500 ml crystalloid bolus followed by 2 ml/kg/h infusion. If PVI had been > 14%, 250 ml colloid was administered. Norepinephrine was given by infusion to keep mean arterial pressure > 65 mmHg, if needed. Perioperative lactate levels, hemodynamic parameters, and renal functions were recorded. RESULTS: In PVI group, volume of crystalloid and total fluid infusion during intraoperative period was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The groups did not significantly differ in terms of lactate or creatinine levels before or after the surgery (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no need to administer extra volume of fluid to obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Use of dynamic indicators like PVI helps to decrease intraoperative volume of infused fluids with no effects on either intraoperative or postoperative lactate levels in laparoscopic bariatric interventions.

Effects of balanced propofol sedation on QT, corrected QT, and P-wave dispersion on upper endoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Combined sedation with propofol and benzodiazepines, known as balanced propofol sedation (BPS), was developed to increase patient comfort during endoscopy. However, the effects of BPS on P-wave dispersion (Pwd), QT interval, and corrected QT (QTc) interval after endoscopy have not been investigated. METHODS: The study population consisted of 40 patients with BPS and 42 without sedation who were scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy in this cross-sectional prospective study. Patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, or valvular heart disease and those on medications that interfere with cardiac conduction times were excluded. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) was recorded in all patients pre-endoscopy and 10 min post-endoscopy. QT, QT dispersion (QTd), and Pwd were defined from 12-lead ECG. The QTc interval was calculated using Bazett's formula. All analyses were performed using SPSS 15.0. RESULTS: Post-endoscopy P max duration and Pwd were prolonged compared with baseline values (86±13 ms vs. 92±10 ms and 29±12 ms vs. 33±12 ms, respectively; p<0.05). Post-endoscopy QTc and QTd were decreased compared with baseline values, but these decreases were not statistically significant (431±25 ms vs. 416±30 ms and 62±28 ms vs. 43±22 ms, respectively; p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that P-wave duration and Pwd values increased after endoscopy with a combination of midazolam and propofol sedation. Physicians should be made aware of the potential effects of BPS in terms on P-wave duration and Pwd values.