Intraoperative effects of an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre in patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary atelectasis is common in patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia, which increases the risk of perioperative respiratory complications. Alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (ARM) are used to open up the lung parenchyma with atelectasis, although the duration of their benefit has not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an ARM in laparoscopic colon surgery, the duration of response over time, and its haemodynamic impact. METHODS: Twenty-five patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery were included. After anaesthetic induction and initiation of surgery with pneumoperitoneum, an ARM was performed, and then optimal PEEP determined. Respiratory mechanics and gas exchange variables, and haemodynamic parameters, were analysed before the manoeuvre and periodically over the following 90 min. RESULTS: Three patients were excluded for surgical reasons. The alveolar arterial oxygen gradient went from 94.3 (62.3-117.8) mmHg before to 60.7 (29.6-91.0) mmHg after the manoeuvre (P < .05). This difference was maintained during the 90 min of the study. Dynamic compliance of the respiratory system went from 31.3 ml/cmH2O (26.1-39.2) before the manoeuvre to 46.1 ml/cmH2O (37.5-53.5) after the manoeuvre (P < .05). This difference was maintained for 60 min. No significant changes were identified in any of the haemodynamic variables studied. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery, performing an intraoperative ARM improves the mechanics of the respiratory system and oxygenation, without associated haemodynamic compromise. The benefit of these manoeuvres lasts for at least one hour.

Gastric herniation due to rupture of diaphragmatic prosthesis in the postoperative period of pleuropneumonectomy due to mesothelioma: A complication to consider.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy, usually associated with pericardial and diaphragmatic reconstruction with prosthetic material, is one of the surgical techniques used in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Herniation of the abdominal viscera towards the thorax through the prosthetic material at the diaphragmatic level is a rare but potentially serious complication of these procedures, which must be diagnosed quickly for urgent repair. We present the case of a patient who presented with gastric herniation in the early postoperative period of a left pneumonectomy due to pleural mesothelioma. The clinical findings were mild, but supported by imaging tests, they confirmed the diagnostic hypothesis and facilitated the solution of the condition. Possible contributing factors are reviewed and the need for early diagnosis and treatment is emphasized to avoid ischemia of herniated abdominal viscera in the thoracic cavity, due to the risk of necrosis and contamination by fecaloid material.

Late bilateral vocal cord palsy following endotracheal intubation due to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Vocal cord paralysis is a rare but severe complication after orotracheal intubation. The most common cause is traumatic, due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve between the orotracheal tube cuff and the thyroid cartilage. Other possible causes are direct damage to the vocal cords during intubation, dislocation of the arytenoid cartilages, or infections, especially viral infections. It is usually due to a recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropraxia, and the course is benign in most patients. We present the case of a man who developed late bilateral vocal cord paralysis after pneumonia complicated with respiratory distress due to SARS-CoV-2 that required orotracheal intubation for 11 days. He presented symptoms of dyspnea 20 days after discharge from hospital with subsequent development of stridor, requiring a tracheostomy. Due to the temporal evolution, a possible contribution of the SARS-CoV-2 infection to the picture is pointed out.

[The role of recombinant activated factor VII in neuro- surgical and neurocritical patients]. / Rol del factor VII recombinante activado en pacientes neuroquirúrgicos y neu- rocríticos.

Central nervous system haemorrhage is a severe pathology, as a small amount of bleeding inside the brain can result in devastating consequences. Haemostatic agents might decrease the consequences of intra- cranial bleeding, whichever spontaneous, traumatic, or anticoagulation treatment etiology. Proacogulant recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been given after central nervous system bleeding, with an off-label indication. In this update, we go over the drug mechanism of action, its role in the treatment of central nervous system haemorrhage and the published evidences regarding this subject. We carried out a literature review concerning the treatment with rFVIIa in central nervous system haemorrhage, neurocritical pathologies and neurosurgical procedures, searching in MEDLINE and in clinical trials registry: http://clinicaltrials.gov (last review September 2010), as well as performing a manual analysis of collected articles, looking for aditional references. The results of randomized clinical trials do not support the systematic administration of rFVIIa for spontaneous intracranial cerebral haemorrhage. In other central nervous system related haemorrhages, the current available data consist on retrospective studies, expert opinion or isolated case reports.

Postoperative lactate elevation as a marker of underlying acute mesenteric ischemia. Description of two cases.

Serum lactate is a non-specific marker of tissue hypoperfusion. Elevated serum lactate is used in the differential diagnosis of acute intestinal ischemia. Although this practice is controversial, in the absence of other validated markers lactate is still used because of its high sensitivity. We present the cases of two patients who developed acute mesenteric ischemia as a post-surgical complication. The patients reported moderate abdominal pain -a non-specific symptom in the postoperative context- and tests showed progressively increasing serum lactate levels, which facilitated suspicion and subsequent diagnostic confirmation through an imaging test. These cases highlight the physiopathological importance of lactate elevation in the perioperative context and of performing a differential diagnosis of its possible causes, including mesenteric ischemia. Although the outcome was negative in the first case, early suspicion allowed us to make an effective diagnosis and administer appropriate treatment in the second patient.

Postoperative lactate elevation as a marker of underlying acute mesenteric ischemia. Description of two cases. / Elevación del lactato en el postoperatorio como marcador de isquemia mesentérica aguda. Descripción de dos casos.

Serum lactate is a non-specific marker of tissue hypoperfusion. Elevated serum lactate is used in the differential diagnosis of acute intestinal ischemia. Although this practice is controversial, in the absence of other validated markers lactate is still used because of its high sensitivity. We present the cases of two patients who developed acute mesenteric ischemia as a post-surgical complication. The patients reported moderate abdominal pain -a non-specific symptom in the postoperative context- and tests showed progressively increasing serum lactate levels, which facilitated suspicion and subsequent diagnostic confirmation through an imaging test. These cases highlight the physiopathological importance of lactate elevation in the perioperative context and of performing a differential diagnosis of its possible causes, including mesenteric ischemia. Although the outcome was negative in the first case, early suspicion allowed us to make an effective diagnosis and administer appropriate treatment in the second patient.

[Systemic complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage from spontaneous rupture of a cerebral aneurysm]. / Complicaciones sistémicas de la hemorragia subaracnoidea por rotura espontánea de aneurisma intracraneal.

Systemic complications secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage from an aneurysm are common (40%) and the mortality attributable to them (23%) is comparable to mortality from the primary lesion, rebleeding, or vasospasm. Although nonneurologic medical complications are avoidable, they worsen the prognosis, lengthen the hospital stay, and generate additional costs. The prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment of systemic complications will be essential for managing the individual patient's case. Treatment should cover major symptoms (headache, nausea, and dizziness) and ambient noise should be reduced, all with the aim of achieving excellence and improving the patient's perception of quality of care.

[Neurologic complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to intracranial aneurysm rupture]. / Complicaciones neurológicas de la hemorragia subaracnoidea por rotura de aneurisma intracraneal.

The high rates of morbidity and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of an intracranial aneurysm are mainly the result of neurologic complications. Sixty years after cerebral vasospasm was first described, this problem remains unsolved in spite of its highly adverse effect on prognosis after aneurysmatic rupture. Treatment is somewhat empirical, given that uncertainties remain in our understanding of the pathophysiology of this vascular complication, which involves structural and biochemical changes in the endothelium and smooth muscle of vessels. Vasospasm that is refractory to treatment leads to cerebral infarction. Prophylaxis, early diagnosis, and adequate treatment of neurologic complications are key elements in the management of vasospasm if neurologic damage, lengthy hospital stays, and increased use of health care resources are to be avoided. New approaches to early treatment of cerebral lesions and cortical ischemia in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysm rupture should lead to more effective, specific management.

[Perioperative treatment of a man receiving a left-lung transplant combined with coronary revascularization without use of extracorporeal circulation: with a brief review of pathophysiology and the literature]. / Tratamiento perioperatorio de un paciente para trasplante unipulmonar izquierdo combinado con revascularización coronaria sin empleo de circulación extracorpórea. Breve revisión fisiopatológica y de la bibliografía.

Patients with significant coronary artery disease were once traditionally rejected as candidates for lung transplants because of higher risk of morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a man who received a left lung transplant and coronary revascularization without extracorporeal circulation in a combined surgical procedure after being diagnosed with significant coronary disease during the preoperative study for acceptance as a candidate for lung transplantation. We review the history of such combination procedures, which are changing clinicians' attitudes as to appropriate therapeutic approaches to take for complex patients. We also discuss the possible advantages of performing surgery without extracorporeal circulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a combined procedure that took place in a Spanish hospital.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage: epidemiology, social impact and a multidisciplinary approach]. / Epidemiología de la hemorragia subaracnoidea: impacto social y abordaje multidisciplinario.

Cerebrovascular disease, whether ischemic or hemorrhagic, is a worldwide problem, representing personal tragedy, great social and economic consequences, and a heavy burden on the health care system. Estimated to be responsible for up to 10% of mortality in industrialized countries, cerebrovascular disease also affects individuals who are still in the workforce, with consequent loss of productive years. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a type of cerebrovascular accident that leads to around 5% of all strokes. SAH is most often due to trauma but may also be spontaneous, in which case the cause may be a ruptured intracranial aneurysm (80%) or arteriovenous malformation or any other abnormality of the blood or vessels (20%). Although both the diagnosis and treatment of aneurysmal SAH has improved in recent years, related morbidity and mortality remains high: 50% of patients die from the initial hemorrhage or later complications. If patients whose brain function is permanently damaged are added to the count, the percentage of cases leading to severe consequences rises to 70%. The burden of care of patients who are left incapacitated by SAH falls to the family or to private and public institutions. The economic cost is considerable and the loss of quality of life for both the patient and the family is great. Given the magnitude of this problem, the provision of adequate prophylaxis is essential; also needed are organizational models that aim to reduce mortality as well as related complications. Aneurysmal SAH is a condition which must be approached in a coordinated, multidisciplinary way both during the acute phase and throughout rehabilitation in order to lower the risk of unwanted outcomes.

[Neuroanesthetic management for surgical clipping of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm: clinical practice guidelines]. / Recomendaciones-guía de práctica clínica del manejo neuroanestesiológico para clipado quirúrgico del aneurisma cerebral roto.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of a cerebral aneurysm is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality and requires multidisciplinary treatment. The debate on surgical vs endovascular treatment continues, although short-term clinical outcomes and survival rates are better after endovascular treatment. In Spain, a strong trend toward reduced use of clipping has been noted, and neuroanesthetists are less often called on to provide anesthesia in this setting. Our intervention, however, can be decisive. The neuroscience working group of the Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor has developed guidelines for managing anesthesia in these procedures. Based on a national survey and a systematic review of the literature, the recommendations emphasize the importance of ensuring appropriate intracranial conditions, treating complications, and taking steps to protect against cerebral hemorrhage.

[Neuroanesthesia for embolization of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm: clinical practice guidelines]. / Recomendaciones-guía de práctica clínica del manejo neuroanestesiológico para la embolización terapéutica del aneurisma intracraneal.

When the neuroanesthesia working group of the Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor surveyed Spanish anesthesiologists to learn the degree of their involvement in the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, a surprising finding was that anesthetists did not participate in endovascular repair of intracranial aneurysms when the procedure was carried out in an interventional radiology department. These interventions, which are considered minimally invasive and are performed outside the operating room, are not risk-free. Based on the survey results and a systematic review of the literature, the working group has provided practice guidelines for the perioperative management of anesthesia for endovascular repair of ruptured cerebral aneurysms. In our opinion, the diversity of practice in the hospitals surveyed calls for the application of practice guidelines based on consensus if we are to reduce variability in clinical and anesthetic approaches as well as lower the rates of morbidity and mortality and shorten the hospital stay of patients undergoing exclusion of an aneurysm.

[Prologue. Recommendations-Clinical practice guideline for subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by ruptured intracranial aneurysm]. / Recomendaciones-Guía de práctica clínica en la hemorragia subaracnoidea por rotura de aneurisma intracraneal. Prólogo.

To provide evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for managing subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. The ultimate purpose of the guidelines is to contribute to improving quality of care and reduce unnecessary costs related to the application of futile treatments. Systematic review of the literature indexed in the principal databases. Articles identified were categorized according to levels of evidence (1 to 5) and recommendations that could be derived were classified according to strength (A, B, and C). Some recommendations cannot be based on randomized controlled trials because the utility of certain practices is already clear; no one will investigate them or it would not be ethical to do so. We bore in mind that while many current practices for which no evidence is available may be ineffective, but others may be highly effective even though proof may never be available. Therefore, the guidelines considered that lack of evidence must not be used as the only reason for limiting the use of a diagnostic method or treatment. Nor would lack of evidence be the reason for limiting the use of health care resources.

Late bilateral vocal cord palsy following endotracheal intubation due to COVID-19 pneumonia. / Parálisis bilateral tardía de cuerdas vocales trasintubación endotraqueal por neumonía COVID-19.

Vocal cord paralysis is a rare but severe complication after orotracheal intubation. The most common cause is traumatic, due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve between the orotracheal tube cuff and the thyroid cartilage. Other possible causes are direct damage to the vocal cords during intubation, dislocation of the arytenoid cartilages, or infections, especially viral infections. It is usually due to a recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropraxia, and the course is benign in most patients. We present the case of a man who developed late bilateral vocal cord paralysis after pneumonia complicated with respiratory distress due to SARS-CoV-2 that required orotracheal intubation for 11 days. He presented symptoms of dyspnea 20 days after discharge from hospital with subsequent development of stridor, requiring a tracheostomy. Due to the temporal evolution, a possible contribution of the SARS-CoV- 2 infection to the picture is pointed out.

[Survey of anesthesiologists' practice in treating spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage]. / Encuesta sobre la práctica y actuación de los anestesiólogos ante una hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática de origen no traumático.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the participation of Spanish anesthesiology departments in the management of patients hospitalized for spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chiefs of anesthesiology departments of hospitals listed in the Spanish National Catalog of Hospitals of the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs were sent a questionnaire with 30 items covering protocols for the management of patients with spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Items asked about the participation of anesthesiologists during both admission and the perioperative period. RESULTS: The questionnaire was sent to 132 hospitals, of which 18 (13.6%) responded. Forty-six percent of anesthesiology departments do not participate in the initial resuscitation. Only 4 reported having a protocol for treating these patients. The initial diagnosis was reportedly made by cranial computed tomography in all cases. Endovascular treatment was the most common procedure reported (66%) and it was given within the first 48 hours (66%). Basic monitoring was used more than nervous system monitoring. Total intravenous anesthesia was used for craniotomy in 53% of the hospitals and for endovascular treatment in 64%. Complications reported most often were vasospasm (100%) and hydrocephalus (69%). CONCLUSIONS: Even though few questionnaires were returned, the results reveal scarce use of protocols for the treatment of spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage by anesthesiologists. It was also evident that the participation of anesthesiology department staff in the treatment of this condition takes place almost exclusively in the intraoperative period and that the use of nervous system monitoring is scarce. Endovascular treatment is increasing in our practice settings.

[Fraudulent pain research: a hurt so deep nothing can alleviate it]. / Algología fraudulenta. Un dolor demasiado profundo para una adecuada analgesia.

Untruthfulness in research is reprehensible. Dr Scott S. Reuben, an anesthesiologist at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts in the United States, a leader and pioneer in the field of multimodal analgesia, has been accused of fraud, specifically of having falsified results in at least 21 manuscripts published over a period of 15 years. This may come to be seen as one of the largest-scale and longest-running acts of medical research fraud ever. Apart from fabricated data, it seems the author committed other acts of misconduct. His coauthors have not been accused of wrongdoing, as they allege their names were falsely appended to the manuscript. The editors of the 2 most implicated journals, Anesthesiology and Anesthesia & Analgesia, have published editorials retracting the papers they judge to be fraudulent. Because Dr Reuben is a major figure in postoperative multimodal analgesia, many studies by other authors whose hypotheses have emerged from findings announced in the discredited papers may also now be considered contaminated by association. The definitions of scientific misconduct and the procedures for pursuing offenders vary greatly from country to country, creating a certain degree of uncertainty about how to proceed when we confront this problem. Beyond any possible legal liability that might arise, there are the questions of how fraud might affect patients' health or the medical knowledge base. Although the concept of multimodal analgesia may continue to be defended, we cannot be absolutely sure of its benefits without carrying out new clinical trials to repair the damage done by this act of misconduct.

[Epidural anesthesia in labor and conversion disorder]. / Analgesia epidural en trabajo de parto y trastorno de conversión.

A 37-year-old woman came to our hospital at the beginning of labor. She reported a history of depression with attempted suicide some years earlier and had also undergone dilation and curettage following an abortion; on admission to our hospital, she was euthymic and not receiving treatment. The patient requested epidural analgesia. Several hours later, she reported dorsal foot numbness and difficulty performing dorsal flexion. After an organic cause had been ruled out, a diagnosis of conversion disorder was considered. The incidence of this psychiatric disorder is high, though it is usually underdiagnosed. Conversion disorder involves at least 1 neurologic symptom suggestive of organic disease. Symptoms are not feigned and cannot be ascribed to a medical disease, the effects of a toxic substance, or culturally normal behavior, yet there is significant clinical, social, and occupational deterioration.

[Sedation in surgical procedures using regional anesthesia in adult patients: results of a survey of Spanish anesthesiologists]. / Sedación para procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados con anestesia regional en pacientes adultos. Resultados de una encuesta entre anestesiólogos españoles.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency and methods of sedation used in the context of regional anesthesia in adults by means of a national survey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a survey of participants at the courses of an anesthesiology training organization (Fundación Europea de Enseñanza en Anestesiología), held in Spain in 2006. The survey questionnaires asked about indications for sedation used during surgery under regional anesthesia as well as the form of administration, follow-up, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 375 questionnaires were sent out and 185 responses were received (49.3%). Sedation is always used to accompany regional anesthesia by 69.2% of the respondents; 13.5% of them discuss the technique to be used with the patient and come to an agreement. The same type of sedation, regardless of the regional block performed, is used by 49.2% of respondents, and 64.3% use a scale to evaluate the level of sedation. The most favored sedation technique is continuous infusion, followed by target controlled infusion and boluses on demand. The most commonly used technique is sedation with bolus injections. Sixty percent use a single agent and 38.9% use combinations. The most commonly reported adverse effects are variability of patient response (53.5%) and respiratory complications (27%). In cases of ineffective regional blockade, 49.2% of those surveyed switch to general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation is very often used to complement regional anesthesia in adult patients. Even though continuous infusion is considered to be the most appropriate form of administration, the most commonly used form is injection of boluses. Sedation with a single drug is used more frequently than drug combinations. Variability of individual response is the complication most commonly reported by the respondents.

[Haloperidol or droperidol with dexamethasone for antiemetic prophylaxis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Haloperidol o droperidol asociados a dexametasona como profilaxis antiemética en colecistectomías laparoscópicas.

OBJECTIVES: To compare haloperidol to droperidol, both with dexamethasone, for antiemetic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, randomized double-blind trial enrolling 75 ASA 1-2 patients who received anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. After induction, 8 mg of intravenous dexamethasone was administered. After surgery, depending on group assignment, patients received 10 microg x kg(-1) of intravenous haloperidol (n = 25), 10 microg x kg(-1) of droperidol (n = 25), or physiologic saline solution (n = 25). Outcomes recorded were episodes of nausea or vomiting in the postoperative period (first 6 hours and/or 6-24 hours), requirement for antiemetic agents, morphine consumption, pain assessed on a visual analog scale, level of sedation, and adverse effects. RESULTS: Five patients in the haloperidol group, 6 in the droperidol group, and 13 in the control group experienced an episode of nausea or vomiting in the 24-hour postoperative period (P < .05 between the active treatment groups and the control group). One patient in the haloperidol group, 6 in the droperidol group, and 8 in the control group reported nausea in the first 6 hours (P < .05). Three patients in the haloperidol group, 1 in the droperidol group, and 8 in the control group reported nausea in the later postoperative period (6-24 hours) (P < .05, droperidol vs control). Three patients in the haloperidol group, 1 in the droperidol group, and 7 in the control group experienced late vomiting (P < .05, droperidol vs control). CONCLUSIONS: Either haloperidol or droperidol in combination with dexamethasone is more effective than dexamethasone alone for antiemetic prophylaxis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.