Immunocyte profiling changes in patients received epidural versus intravenous analgesia after pancreatectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative immunosuppressants, such as surgical stress and opioid use may downregulate anti-cancer immunocytes for patients undergoing pancreatectomy. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) may attenuate these negative effects and provide better anti-cancer immunocyte profile change than intravenous analgesia using opioid. METHODS: We randomly assigned 108 adult patients undergoing pancreatectomy to receive one of two 72-h postoperative analgesia protocols: one was TEA, and the other was intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). The perioperative proportional changes of immunocytes relevant to anticancer immunity-namely natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, mature dendritic cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells were determined at 1 day before surgery, at the end of surgery and on postoperative day 1,4 and 7 using flow cytometry. In addition, the progression-free survival and overall survival between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: After surgery, the proportions of NK cells and cytotoxic T cells were significantly decreased; the proportion of B cells and mature dendritic cells and Treg cells were significantly increased. However, the proportions of helper T cells exhibited no significant change. These results were comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in progression-free survival (52.75 [39.96] and 57.48 [43.66] months for patients in the TEA and IV-PCA groups, respectively; p = 0.5600) and overall survival (62.71 [35.48] and 75.11 [33.10] months for patients in the TEA and IV-PCA groups, respectively; p = 0.0644). CONCLUSIONS: TEA was neither associated with favorable anticancer immunity nor favorable oncological outcomes for patients undergoing pancreatectomy.

Validity of the I­FEED classification in assessing postoperative gastrointestinal impairment in patients undergoing elective lumbar spinal surgery with general anesthesia: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The I-FEED classification, scored 0-8, was reported to accurately describe the clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal impairment after colorectal surgery. Therefore, it is interesting to determine whether the I-FEED scoring system is also applicable to patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery were enrolled, and the I-FEED score was measured for 4 days after surgery. The I-FEED scoring system incorporates five elements: intake (score: 0, 1, 3), feeling nauseated (score: 0, 1, 3), emesis (score: 0, 1, 3), results of physical exam (score: 0, 1, 3), and duration of symptoms (score: 0, 1, 2). Daily I-FEED scores were summed, and the highest overall score is used to categorize patients into one of three categories: normal (0-2 points), postoperative gastrointestinal intolerance (POGI; 3-5 points), and postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (POGD; 6 + points). The construct validity hypothesis testing determines whether the I-FEED category is consistent with objective clinical findings relevant to gastrointestinal impairment, namely, the longer length of hospital stay (LOS), higher inhospital medical cost, more postoperative gastrointestinal medical treatment, and more postoperative non-gastrointestinal complications. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were enrolled, and 25.0% of patients were categorized as normal, 49.4% POGI, and 25.6% POGD. Patients with higher I-FEED scores agreed with the four validity hypotheses. Patients with POGD had a significantly longer length of hospital stay (1 day longer median stay; p = 0.049) and more inhospital medical costs (approximately 500 Taiwanese dollars; p = 0.037), and more patients with POGD required rectal laxatives (10.3% vs. 32.5% vs. 32.5%; p = 0.026). In addition, more patients with POGD had non-gastrointestinal complications (5.1% vs. 11.7% vs. 30.0%; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: This study contributes preliminary validity evidence for the I-FEED score as a measure for postoperative gastrointestinal impairment after elective lumbar spine surgery.

Comparisons in analgesic effects between ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block and surgical intercostal nerve block after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of anesthesiologist-administrated erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and surgeon-administrated intercostal nerve block (ICNB) following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, double-blinded study. SETTING: Operating room, postoperative recovery room and ward in two centers. PATIENTS: One hundred patients, ASA I-III and scheduled for elective VATS. INTERVENTIONS: The anesthesiologist-administrated ESPB under ultrasound guidance or surgeon-administrated ICNB under video-assisted thoracoscopy was randomly provided during VATS. Regular oral non-opioid analgesic combined with intravenous rescue morphine were prescribed for multimodal analgesia after surgery. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes were the pain score and morphine consumption during 48 h after surgery. Postoperative pain intensity were assessed using the 10-cm visual analogue scale at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery. Morphine consumption at these time points was compared between the two study groups. Furthermore, oral weak opioid rescue analgesic was also provided at 24 h after surgery. Postoperative quality of recovery at 24 h was also assessed using the QoR-15 questionnaire, along with duration of chest tube drainage and hospital stay were compared as secondary outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: Patients in the two study groups had comparable baseline characteristics, and surgical types were also similar. Postoperative VAS changes at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery were also comparable between the two study groups. Both groups had low median scores (<4.0) at all time points (all p > 0.05). Patients in the ESPB group required statistically non-significant higher 48-h morphine consumption [3 (0-6) vs. 0 (0-6) mg in the ESPB group and ICNB group respectively; p = 0.135] and lower numbers of oral rescue analgesic (0.4 ± 1.2 vs. 1.0 ± 1.8 in the ESPB group and ICNB group respectively; p = 0.059). Additionally, patients in the two study groups had similar QoR15 scores and lengths of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Both anesthesiologist-administered ultrasound-guided ESPB and surgeon-administered VATS ICNB were effective analgesic techniques for patients undergoing VATS for tumor resection.

Effects of nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery on postoperative neurocognitive function: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative neurocognitive disorder following thoracoscopic surgery with general anaesthesia may be linked to reduced intraoperative cerebral oxygenation and perioperative inflammation, which can potentially be exacerbated by mechanical ventilation. However, nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery, which utilizes regional anaesthesia and maintains spontaneous breathing, provides a unique model for studying the potential benefits of avoiding mechanical ventilation. This approach allows investigation into the impact on perioperative neurocognitive profiles, inflammatory responses and intraoperative cerebral oxygen levels. METHODS: In total, 110 patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were randomly equally assigned to the intubated group and the nonintubated group. Regional cerebral oxygenation was monitored during surgery. Serum neuroinflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-6 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, were measured at baseline (before surgery) and 24 h after surgery. Postoperative complication severity was compared using the Comprehensive Complication Index. The primary outcome was perioperative changes in neurocognitive test score, which was assessed at baseline, 24 h and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patients in the nonintubated group had higher neurocognitive test scores at 24 h (69.9 ± 10.5 vs 65.3 ± 11.8; P = 0.03) and 6 months (70.6 ± 6.7 vs 65.4 ± 8.1; P < 0.01) after surgery and significantly higher regional cerebral oxygenation over time during one-lung ventilation (P = 0.03). Patients in the intubated group revealed a significantly higher postoperative serum interleukin-6 level (group by time interaction, P = 0.04) and a trend towards a significantly higher serum glial fibrillary acidic protein level (group by time interaction, P = 0.11). Furthermore, patients in the nonintubated group had a significantly lower Comprehensive Complication Index (9.0 ± 8.2 vs 6.1 ± 7.1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery was associated with improved postoperative neurocognitive recovery, more stable intraoperative cerebral oxygenation, ameliorated perioperative inflammation and attenuated postoperative complication severity.

Research Progress of Drug Delivery Systems Targeting the Kidneys.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the global population, and its incidence is increasing, partially due to an increase in the prevalence of disease risk factors. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor for CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenic mechanisms of CKD provide several potential targets for its treatment. However, due to off-target effects, conventional drugs for CKD typically require high doses to achieve adequate therapeutic effects, leading to long-term organ toxicity. Therefore, ideal treatments that completely cure the different types of kidney disease are rarely available. Several approaches for the drug targeting of the kidneys have been explored in drug delivery system research. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have multiple merits, including good biocompatibility, suitable degradability, the ability to target lesion sites, and fewer non-specific systemic effects. In this review, the development, potential, and limitations of low-molecular-weight protein-lysozymes, polymer nanomaterials, and lipid-based nanocarriers as drug delivery platforms for treating AKI and CKD are summarized.

Delay of Surgery for Spinal Metastasis due to the COVID-19 Outbreak Affected Patient Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is to analyze the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 2019) outbreak and the subsequent lockdown on the outcomes of spinal metastasis patients. METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. All patients underwent surgical intervention for spinal metastases between January 2019 and December 2021 and had at least 3 months of postoperative follow-up. The primary outcome was overall mortality during the 4 different stages (pre-COVID-19 era, COVID-19 pandemic except in Taiwan, national lockdown, lifting of the lockdown). The secondary outcomes were the oncological severity scores, medical/surgical accessibility, and patient functional outcome during the 4 periods as well as survival/mortality. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients were included. The overall mortality rate was 41.20%. During the Taiwan lockdown, more patients received palliative surgery than other surgical methods, and no total en bloc spondylectomy was performed. The time from surgeon visit to operation was approximately doubled after the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan (75.97, 86.63, 168.79, and 166.91 hours in the 4 periods, respectively). The estimated survival probability was highest after the national lockdown was lifted and lowest during the lockdown. In the multivariate analysis, increased risk of mortality was observed with delay of surgery, with emergency surgery having a higher risk with delays above 33 hours, urgent surgery (below 59 and above 111 hours), and elective surgery (above 332 hours). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic and related policies have altered daily clinical practice and negatively impacted the survival of patients with spinal metastases.