Investigation of Appropriate Scaling of Networks and Images for Convolutional Neural Network-Based Nerve Detection in Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks.

Ultrasound imaging is an essential tool in anesthesiology, particularly for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks (US-PNBs). However, challenges such as speckle noise, acoustic shadows, and variability in nerve appearance complicate the accurate localization of nerve tissues. To address this issue, this study introduces a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), specifically Scaled-YOLOv4, and investigates an appropriate network model and input image scaling for nerve detection on ultrasound images. Utilizing two datasets, a public dataset and an original dataset, we evaluated the effects of model scale and input image size on detection performance. Our findings reveal that smaller input images and larger model scales significantly improve detection accuracy. The optimal configuration of model size and input image size not only achieved high detection accuracy but also demonstrated real-time processing capabilities.

Perioperative loss of the psoas major muscle area index in elderly patients with hip fracture: spinal anesthesia versus general anesthesia-a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: In hip fracture patients aged ≥ 80 years, we investigated whether the perioperative reduction in the psoas major muscle index (PMI) for spinal anesthesia was less than that for general anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 262 patients surgically treated for intertrochanteric or femoral neck fractures between August 2015 and August 2022 were enrolled. After adjusting for propensity score matching, 50 patients were included in this analysis. After matching, patients were divided into those receiving spinal or general anesthesia. We measured the psoas major muscle area (PMA) by adjusting for the patient's height as PMA (cm2) divided by height (m) squared. The adjusted PMA was defined as the PMI. We calculated the variability in PMI (ΔPMI) before and after surgery. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a > 10% reduction in ΔPMI. The secondary outcomes were the mean ΔPMI and estimated factors affecting the postoperative reduction in the PMI. We compared the primary and secondary outcomes between spinal and general anesthesia. RESULTS: The proportion with a > 10% reduction in ΔPMI did not differ between spinal and general anesthesia (36.0% vs. 40.0%, odds ratio:1.19, 95% CI:0.38-3.72, p = 0.31). The ΔPMI did not differ between spinal and general anesthesia (- 8.7% ± 7.9% vs. - 8.9% ± 8.3%, p = 0.93). The factors affecting the postoperative reduction in the PMI were male sex, preoperative non-sarcopenia, and intramedullary nailing. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in ΔPMI between hip fracture patients ≥ 80 years of age receiving spinal versus general anesthesia undergoing surgical treatment.

Analgesia nociception index and high frequency variability index: promising indicators of relative parasympathetic tone.

At present, there is no objective and absolute measure of nociception, although various monitoring techniques have been developed. One such technique is the Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI), which is calculated from heart rate variability that reflects the relative parasympathetic tone. ANI is expressed on a non-unit scale of 0-100 (100 indicates maximal relative parasympathetic tone). Several studies indicated that ANI-guided anesthesia may help reduce intraoperative opioid use. The usefulness of ANI in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during surgery has also been reported. However, some limitations of ANI have also been reported; for example, ANI is affected by emotions and some drugs. In 2022, a high frequency variability index (HFVI), which was renamed from ANI and uses the same algorithm as ANI, was commercialized; therefore, ANI/HFVI are currently in the spotlight. Unlike ANI, HFVI can be displayed along with other biometric information on the Root® monitor. ANI/HFVI monitoring may affect the prognosis of not only patients in the perioperative period but those in ICU, those who receive home medical care, or outpatients. In this article, we present an updated review on ANI that has been published in the last decade, introduce HFVI, and discuss the outlooks of ANI/HFVI.

How obesity affects the disposition of intravenous anesthetics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Understanding the changes in drug disposition of intravenous anesthetics in patients with obesity and administering appropriate doses are critical to avoid intraoperative awareness with recall because of underdosing and over-sedation and delayed emergence due to overdosing. Pharmacokinetic simulation or target-controlled infusion (TCI) using models that have been adapted to patients with obesity are necessary to select appropriate dosing regimens. This review aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic concepts underpinning the use of intravenous anesthetics, including propofol, remifentanil, and remimazolam, in patients with obesity. RECENT FINDINGS: In the last 5 years, a series of pharmacokinetic models for propofol, remifentanil, and remimazolam that were estimated from populations that included obese patients have been published. These new pharmacokinetic models can be considered 'second generation' compared with earlier models in that they expand the range of covariate effects (e.g. the extremes of body weight and age) accounted for by the models. The predictive performances of each pharmacokinetic model have been shown in the literature to be within clinically acceptable limits. Among them, the propofol model by Eleveld et al. has been externally validated and has shown reasonable predictive accuracy. SUMMARY: Pharmacokinetic simulations or TCI using pharmacokinetic models that account for the influence of obesity on a drug's disposition are essential to predict plasma/effect-site concentrations of intravenous anesthetics and understand the temporal profile of drug concentrations and effect in patients with obesity, particularly severe obesity.

Factors associated with functional disability or mortality after elective noncardiac surgery: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Preoperative prediction of functional status after surgery is essential when practicing patient-centered medicine. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and factors associated with postoperative functional disability or all-cause mortality. Secondarily, we sought to describe the trajectory of disability in this population. METHODS: Adults aged ≥ 55 yr who underwent elective noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia in a tertiary care hospital were followed up one year after surgery. Pre- and intraoperative factors associated with a composite outcome of postoperative functional disability or all-cause mortality were assessed using a multiple logistic regression. The sequential changes in the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 score were described and stratified by surgical invasiveness. RESULTS: Of the 2,921 patients included, 293 experienced postoperative functional disability (10.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9 to 11.1) and 124 died (4.2%; 95% CI, 3.5 to 5.0). In a multiple regression model, the potentially modifiable risk factors, body mass index ≥ 30 kg·m-2 and poor preoperative nutritional status, were significantly associated with the primary composite outcome, as well as nonmodifiable factors such as age, preoperative comorbidities, and blood loss volume. Changes in the 12-item WHODAS 2.0 disability score varied between different levels of surgical invasiveness and types of surgery. CONCLUSION: Within one year after surgery, one in ten patients experienced postoperative functional disability and one in 20 died. We identified potentially modifiable factors (obesity, poor nutritional status) associated with these adverse outcomes. STUDY REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000021671); registered 31 December 2015.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La prédiction préopératoire du statut fonctionnel après chirurgie est essentielle dans la pratique d'une médecine centrée sur le patient. Nous avons cherché à évaluer l'incidence et les facteurs associés à l'incapacité fonctionnelle ou à la mortalité toutes causes confondues en postopératoire. En deuxième lieu, nous avons cherché à décrire la trajectoire de l'incapacité dans cette population. MéTHODE: Les adultes âgés de ≥ 55 ans qui ont subi une chirurgie non cardiaque non urgente sous anesthésie générale dans un hôpital de soins tertiaires ont été suivis jusqu'à un an après leur chirurgie. Les facteurs pré- et peropératoires associés à un devenir composite d'incapacité fonctionnelle postopératoire ou de mortalité toutes causes confondues ont été évalués à l'aide d'une régression logistique multiple. Les changements séquentiels dans le score de l'outil d'évaluation de l'invalidité de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (WHODAS - World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) version 2.0 en 12 éléments ont été décrits et stratifiés en fonction du degré invasif de la chirurgie. RéSULTATS: Sur les 2921 patients inclus, 293 ont présenté une incapacité fonctionnelle postopératoire (10,0 %; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 8,9 à 11,1) et 124 personnes sont décédées (4,2 %; IC 95 %, 3,5 à 5,0). Dans un modèle de régression multiple, les facteurs de risque potentiellement modifiables, un indice de masse corporelle ≥ 30 kg·m-2 et un mauvais état nutritionnel préopératoire étaient significativement associés au critère d'évaluation composite principal, ainsi qu'à des facteurs non modifiables tels que l'âge, les comorbidités préopératoires et le volume de perte de sang. Les changements dans le score d'incapacité WHODAS 2.0 à 12 éléments variaient entre les différents degrés invasifs de la chirurgie et les types de chirurgie. CONCLUSION: Dans l'année qui a suivi la chirurgie, un patient sur dix a présenté une incapacité fonctionnelle postopératoire et un sur 20 est décédé. Nous avons identifié des facteurs potentiellement modifiables (obésité, mauvais état nutritionnel) associés à ces effets indésirables. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000021671); enregistré le 31 décembre 2015.

Suspected periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty under propofol versus sevoflurane anesthesia: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Periprosthetic joint infection is a serious complication of total knee arthroplasty. Though there are many factors that might increase its risk, the use of propofol for maintaining general anesthesia could theoretically increase the incidence of infection because of its lipid component that supports bacterial growth. Nevertheless, the relationship between anesthetic maintenance agents and the occurrence of periprosthetic joint infection remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of suspected early-onset periprosthetic joint infection between patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty under propofol vs sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients in the national inpatient Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Suspected periprosthetic joint infection was surrogately defined as the need for arthrocentesis or debridement within 30 days of surgery. Propensity score matching was performed between patients who received either propofol or sevoflurane for anesthetic maintenance to determine the proportion of those with infection. RESULTS: Eligible patients (n = 21,899) were categorized into either the propofol (n = 7,439) or sevoflurane (n = 14,460) groups. In the 5,140 propensity-matched patient pairs, there was no significant difference in the proportion of arthrocentesis or debridement [1.3% propofol vs 1.7% sevoflurane; respectively (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.04; P = 0.10)] between the groups. The mean (SD) length of stay in the propofol group was significantly longer than in the sevoflurane group [32.5 (18.4) days vs 31.4 (14.4) days, respectively; mean difference, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.8; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Propensity score analysis suggested no significant association between the choice of anesthetic maintenance agent and the occurrence of suspected early-onset periprosthetic joint infection in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Prevalence and associated factors of preoperative functional disability in elective surgical patients over 55 years old: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: In preoperative settings, patients may have functional disabilities due to the disease for which surgery is being performed or comorbidities, but the associated and predictive factors remain unknown. This study examined the prevalence of preoperative functional disability and clarified the associated factors. METHODS: Individuals aged ≥ 55 years who were scheduled to undergo surgery in a tertiary-care hospital in Japan between April 2016 and September 2016 were eligible for enrolment in the study. Patients with the diseases requiring psychiatric treatment and patients unable to complete the questionnaire without help were excluded. After obtaining informed consent, each patient was asked to complete the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-2.0, which is a standardized evaluation tool for assessing comprehensive living function. Data from these questionnaires and the patients' characteristics were evaluated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine independent factors associated with preoperative functional disability. RESULTS: Of 1201 recruited patients, 912 (75.9%) were included in our analysis. The prevalence of preoperative functional disability was 29.2%. Regression analysis identified six independent associated factors for preoperative functional disability: body mass index ≥ 30 kg m-2, mixed lung disease, serum albumin values, malnutrition, risk of malnutrition, and preoperative use of corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 29.2% of preoperative patients had functional disability. Obesity, nutritional deficiency, respiratory complications, and low serum albumin values were determined as potentially modifiable factors.

Hemoglobin Vesicles prolong the time to circulatory collapse in rats during apnea.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin vesicles (HbV) are hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers manufactured by liposome encapsulation of hemoglobin molecules. We hypothesised that the infusion of oxygenated HbV could prolong the time to circulatory collapse during apnea in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (Air, Oxy, NS and HbV). The rats were anaesthetized with isoflurane and the trachea was intubated using 14-gauge intravenous catheters. Rats in the Air group were mechanically ventilated with 1.5% isoflurane in room air, and those in other groups received 1.5% isoflurane in 100% oxygen. Mechanical ventilation was withdrawn 1 min after the administration of rocuronium bromide to induce apnea. After 30 s, 6 mL saline and HbV boluses were infused at a rate of 0.1 mL/s in the NS and HbV groups, respectively. Circulatory collapse was defined as a pulse pressure < 20 mmHg and the time to reach this point (PP20) was compared between the groups. The results were analysed via a one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Holm-Sidak test. RESULTS: PP20 times were 30.4 ± 4.2 s, 67.5 ± 9.7 s, 95 ± 17.3 s and 135 ± 38.2 s for the Air (ventilated in room air with no fluid bolus), Oxy (ventilated with 100% oxygen with no fluid bolus), NS (ventilated with 100% oxygen with a normal saline bolus), and HbV (ventilated in 100% oxygen with an HbV bolus) groups, respectively, and differed significantly between the four groups (P = 0.0001). The PP20 times in the HbV group were significantly greater than in the Air (P = 0.0001), Oxy (P = 0.007) and NS (P = 0.04) groups. CONCLUSION: Infusion of oxygenated HbV prolongs the time to circulatory collapse during apnea in rats.

Feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Japanese version of the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-2 in preoperative patients.

PURPOSE: The avoidance of postoperative functional disability is one of the most important concerns of patients facing surgery, but methods to evaluate disability have not been definitively established. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Japanese version of the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-2 (WHODAS 2.0-J) in preoperative patients. METHODS: Individuals aged ≥55 years who were scheduled to undergo surgery in a tertiary-care hospital in Japan between April 2016 and September 2016 were eligible for enrolment in the study. All patients were assessed preoperatively using the WHODAS 2.0-J, the 8-Item Short Form (SF-8) questionnaire, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index (TMIG Index). The feasibility, reliability, and validity of WHODAS2.0-J were evaluated using response rate, Cronbach's alpha (a measure of reliability), and the correlation between the WHODAS 2.0-J and the SF-8 questionnaire and TMIG Index, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 934 patients were enrolled in the study during the study period, of whom 930 completed the WHODAS 2.0-J (response rate 99.5%) preoperatively. Reliability and validity were assessed in the 898 patients who completed all three assessment tools (WHODAS 2.0-J, SF-8 questionnaire, and TMIG Index) and for whom all demographic data were available. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92. The total score of the WHODAS 2.0-J showed a mild or moderate correlation with the SF-8 questionnaire and TMIG Index (r = -0.63 to -0.34). CONCLUSION: The WHODAS 2.0-J is a feasible, reliable, and valid instrument for evaluating preoperative functional disability in surgical patients.

Fosaprepitant versus droperidol for prevention of PONV in craniotomy: a randomized double-blind study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication after craniotomy. Vomiting may be a potentially hazardous complication in neurosurgical patients. We compared the efficacy of fosaprepitant and droperidol for the prevention of PONV, vomiting in particular, after craniotomy. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo elective craniotomy were enrolled in the study and randomly divided in a double-blind manner into two groups to receive either 150 mg of fosaprepitant (group F) or 1.25 mg of droperidol (group D). Dexamethasone (9.9 mg) was given to all patients, except those with diabetes mellitus. The incidence of PONV, frequency of vomiting, nausea score, and use of rescue antiemetic during the first 72 h after surgery were assessed at five time intervals (0-2, 2-6, 6-24, 24-48, and 48-72 h). RESULTS: Of the 200 randomized patients eligible for entry into the study, 186 were ultimately included for analysis. There were no significant differences in demographics or intraoperative variables between the two treatment groups. Over the entire 72-h post-craniotomy observation period the overall and cumulative incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in group F patients than in group D patients, while there were no between-group differences in the overall and cumulative incidence of PONV or in complete response (no PONV and no rescue antiemetic). The incidence and frequency of vomiting during each of the five observational periods were significantly lower in group F patients than group D patients, although there were no differences in the nausea score and antiemetic use between the groups. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, fosaprepitant was more effective than droperidol in the prevention of vomiting after craniotomy over the entire 72-h study period. However, there was no difference in the incidence of nausea and antiemetic use.

Sivelestat sodium and mortality in pneumonia patients requiring mechanical ventilation: propensity score analysis of a Japanese nationwide database.

PURPOSE: Sivelestat is widely used in Japan for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by pneumonia. Although the efficacy of sivelestat was reported in several Japanese studies in the early 2000 s, a multinational randomized control trial did not support these findings. We therefore conducted the present study to examine the association between the use of sivelestat and mortality in pneumonia patients requiring mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a national inpatient database in Japan. We identified pneumonia patients requiring mechanical ventilation who were hospitalized between April 2012 and March 2014. Propensity score matching was performed to compare 7- and 30-day mortality between patients with and without sivelestat use. RESULTS: The eligible patients (n = 16,471) were categorized into the sivelestat (n = 1707) and control (n = 14,764) groups. The unmatched comparison showed significant differences between the sivelestat and control groups in both 7-day mortality (11.0 vs. 7.6%, p < 0.001) and 30-day mortality (29.9 vs. 19.7%, p < 0.001). In the 1516 pairs of propensity-matched patients, there were no significant differences in 7-day mortality (sivelestat vs. CONTROL: 10.2 vs. 10.9%, p = 0.516) and 30-day mortality (sivelestat vs. control 29.0 vs. 29.0%, p = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: The propensity-matched analyses revealed that the use of sivelestat was not associated with decreased mortality for pneumonia patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Effects of anesthetics on early postoperative cognitive outcome and intraoperative cerebral oxygen balance in patients undergoing lung surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: One-lung ventilation (OLV) may impair cerebral oxygen balance and induce postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). It is unclear whether the type of anesthetic influences the incidence of POCD in patients undergoing OLV. This prospective study compared the incidence of POCD and intraoperative cerebral oxygen desaturation in OLV patients anesthetized with propofol vs sevoflurane during lung surgery. METHODS: There were 148 participants enrolled in this study and randomized equally to either the propofol or the sevoflurane group. Anesthesia was maintained with either propofol or sevoflurane combined in both groups with fentanyl and epidural anesthesia. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2), jugular bulb venous oxygen saturation (SjO2), and the incidence of cerebral oxygen desaturation (rSO2 or SjO2 < 50% or rSO2 < 80% of baseline) were measured during anesthesia. Cognitive function was assessed using seven neurocognitive tests two days preoperatively, five days postoperatively (primary outcome), and three months postoperatively. Bivariable and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with POCD. RESULTS: Rates of POCD did not differ statistically between groups five days postoperatively (propofol, 16/72 patients; sevoflurane, 24/72 patients; RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.39 to 1.15; P = 0.14) or three months postoperatively (propofol, 9/60 patients; sevoflurane, 12/58 patients; RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.59; P = 0.42). Only three subjects per group showed intraoperative cerebral oxygen desaturation. Multivariable regression analysis revealed older age as an independent predictor of POCD. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant difference in the incidence of POCD could be detected between the sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia groups. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was relatively frequent following OLV in both groups. ( REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN 000002826).

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La ventilation unipulmonaire (VUP) pourrait avoir un impact négatif sur l'équilibre d'oxygène cérébral et induire une dysfonction cognitive postopératoire (DCPO). Nous ne savons pas si le type d'agent anesthésique influence l'incidence de DCPO chez les patients recevant une VUP. Cette étude prospective a comparé l'incidence de DCPO et de désaturation peropératoire en oxygène cérébral chez les patients sous VUP anesthésiés avec du propofol vs du sévoflurane pendant une chirurgie pulmonaire. MéTHODE: Au total, 148 patients ont participé à cette étude et ont été randomisés en deux groupes égaux à recevoir du propofol ou du sévoflurane. L'anesthésie a été maintenue à l'aide de propofol ou de sévoflurane, et l'agent de choix a été combiné à du fentanyl et à une anesthésie péridurale dans les deux groupes. La saturation en oxygène cérébral régional (rSO2), la saturation en oxygène veineux au bulbe de la veine jugulaire (SjO2) et l'incidence de désaturation en oxygène cérébral (rSO2 ou SjO2 < 50 % ou rSO2 < 80 % par rapport aux valeurs de base) ont été mesurées pendant l'anesthésie. La fonction cognitive a été évaluée à l'aide de sept tests neurocognitifs deux jours avant l'opération, cinq jours après l'opération (critère d'évaluation principal) et trois mois après l'opération. Des analyses de régression bivariée et multivariée ont été réalisées afin d'identifier les facteurs associés à une DCPO. RéSULTATS: D'un point de vue statistique, les taux de DCPO n'étaient pas différents entre les groupes à cinq jours postopératoires (propofol, 16/72 patients; sévoflurane, 24/72 patients; RR, 0,67; IC 95 %, 0,39 à 1,15; P = 0,14) ou à trois mois postopératoires (propofol, 9/60 patients; sévoflurane, 12/58 patients; RR, 0,73, IC 95 %, 0,33 à 1,59; P = 0,42). Seuls trois patients par groupe ont manifesté une désaturation peropératoire en oxygène cérébral. L'analyse de régression multivariée a révélé qu'un âge avancé était un prédicteur indépendant de DCPO. CONCLUSION: Aucune différence significative d'un point de vue statistique n'a été observée en ce qui a trait à l'incidence de DCPO entre les groupes anesthésiés au sévoflurane ou au propofol. La dysfonction cognitive postopératoire était relativement fréquente après une VUP dans les deux groupes. (Numéro d'enregistrement: UMIN 000002826).

The effects of intensive care environment on postoperative nightmare.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively investigated the incidence of postoperative nightmares and evaluated the impact of postoperative intensive care on the incidence of during subsequent hospital stay. To reduce the effect of selection bias, we compared the incidence of nightmares in propensity-matched pairs with postoperative management in ICUs or in surgical wards. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of an institutional registry containing 21,606 anesthesia cases and was conducted with ethics board approval. Outcomes of surgical patients treated in ICUs and in postsurgical wards (ICU admission vs non ICU admission) were compared first for nightmares using the initial 12,508 patients. To avoid channeling bias, propensity score analysis was used to generate a set of matched cases (ICU admission) and controls (non ICU admission), yielding 642 matched patient pairs. The incidence rate of nightmares was compared as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Before adjusting patients' characteristics, ICU environment exposure increased the incidence of nightmares compared with non-ICU environment during subsequent hospital stay [ICU vs non-ICU: 101/718 (12.3 %) vs 1147/10,542 (9.81 %)]. The odds ratio (95 % CIs) for ICU was 1.29 (1.03-1.61) for nightmares (p = 0.022). After propensity score matching, however, an equal rate of nightmares occurred in the ICU environment exposure compared to the non-ICU environment [ICU vs non-ICU: 81/561 (12.6 %) vs 73/569 (11.4 %)]. The odds ratio and 95 % CIs for ICU were 1.13 (0.80-1.58) for nightmares (p = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of nightmares did not become more evident during subsequent hospital stay after ICU environment exposure.

Is an urban legend true in the teaching hospital that "you will get hurt if you go to hospital at the beginning of the fiscal year"?

An urban legend that "you will get hurt if you go to hospital at the beginning of the fiscal year" is in circulation, because people in general suppose that inexperienced newcomers start to work at clinical practice during that time period. We tried to determine whether this urban legend was true or not by using data from our operation management system. We retrospectively conducted a study to investigate whether the number of cannulation failures, which was used as an index of patient disadvantages at clinical practice, could be affected by the volume of residents in clinical participation. The number of insertion trials per case was not prominent in the first month of the fiscal year. However, the number of insertion trials per case increased in proportion to the average number of residents per day. It seems that there was no evidence to support the urban legend that "you will get hurt if you go to hospital at the beginning of the fiscal year." However, our results suggest that rather than an urban legend, we are now confronting the fact that patients may suffer from medical disadvantages in the teaching hospitals.

Feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Japanese version of the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale: a first pilot study.

The Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale (PQRS) is a multi-domain tracking scale to assess recovery after surgery. The PQRS is used in seven countries and five languages; however, the Japanese version of the PQRS (PQRSj) has not been established. We therefore translated the PQRS into Japanese, and examined the feasibility, reliability and validity of the PQRSj. The time taken to complete the test was measured to assess feasibility. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess reliability. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Japanese version of the Quality of Recovery Scale 40 (QoR-40 J) were performed for comparison with the PQRSj (validity). Fifty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The mean completion time was 3.9 min for baseline (feasibility). Cronbach's alpha was between 0.40 and 0.94 in each domain (reliability). A relationship was shown between cognitive domain and MMSE at baseline (r = 0.65, P < 0.01); however, no relationship was found between the other domains and the MMSE and QoR-40 J. Ceiling effects were observed in 78% of the questions. These results indicate that the PQRSj can be used to assess recovery after surgery, although it may be better to revise some of the questions to improve the validity of the PQRSj.

[Retrospective evaluation of predictors and risks of multiple puncture in central venous catheterization].

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that multiple puncture more than or equal to 3 times is a factor associated with the development of CVC-related complications. The present retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the predictors and risks of multiple puncture during the insertion of CVC. METHODS: After the IRB approval, 1296 patients who underwent CVC in the operating room were enrolled. Data were collected using CVC report and the medical charts. Multiple puncture was defined as the puncture performed more than or equal to three times during the insertion of CVC. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the predictors of multiple puncture during the CVC insertion. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that age less than 6 years, complications during insertion and the way to use ultrasound echo were associated with multiple puncture. Multivariate analysis also revealed that age less than 6 years was a significant predictor for multiple puncture (odds ratio 2.08, 95% CI 1.01-4.29). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate that the age less than 6 years is a significant predictor for multiple puncture during the CVC insertion.

[Evaluation of factors associated with postoperative sore throat].

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat should be recognized seriously as an avoidable complication because of high incidence and dissatisfaction with anesthesia. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors of postoperative sore throats in patients undergoing general anesthesia. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 1,733 patients (above 18 years of age) who had undergone general anesthesia from January to December 2010 and who had visited Department of Anesthesia, postoperative anesthesia clinic. RESULTS: Age, ASA classification, position, airway device, methods of postoperative pain management and site of surgery were significantly identified as the associated factors for postoperative sore throat using univariate analysis. Under 65 year of age (odds ratio 2.3), operation of head and neck and pharynx (odds ratio 1.6), spine surgeries (odds ratio 0.33), laryngeal mask (odds ratio 0.47), and postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA, odds ratio 0.4) were significantly identified as the factors with multivariate studies. CONCLUSIONS: Six associated factors for postoperative sore throat were identified in this study.