Additional pre-extubation local anaesthetic application to improve the postoperative course in orthognathic surgery: a randomised controlled trial.

A clinical trial was performed to assess the analgesic efficacy of adding ropivacaine pre-extubation for pain management after bimaxillary osteotomy. Forty-eight patients were assigned to receive general anaesthesia followed by either a single pre-incisional infiltration with lidocaine (control group, n = 24) or the same pre-incisional infiltration with lidocaine and an additional second infiltration with ropivacaine before awakening (test group, n = 24). Postoperative pain was assessed subjectively using a visual analogue scale and objectively based on the frequency of postoperative rescue opioid consumption. The dose of opioids (methadone) consumed and frequency of postoperative-nausea-vomiting were also recorded. Patients who received the two infiltrations of local anaesthetic had better results in terms of lesser pain during the first 8 hours postoperative (P<0.001 at 2 and 4 hours; P = 0.028 at 8 h), a lesser need for rescue opioids (P = 0.020) and lower doses of rescue opioids (P = 0.011), and consequently a lesser incidence of postoperative-nausea-vomiting (0-4 hours postoperative, P<0.03). The results obtained suggest that the infiltration of an additional dose of local anaesthetic is a simple strategy for reducing pain perception and opioid use, and for ensuring greater patient comfort after bimaxillary osteotomy.

Research priorities in perioperative fluid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring: A Delphi Consensus Survey from the Fluid Therapy and Hemodynamic Monitoring Subcommittee of the Hemostasis, Transfusion Medicine and Fluid Therapy Section (SHTF) of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SEDAR).

BACKGROUND: Research in fluid therapy and perioperative hemodynamic monitoring is difficult and expensive. The objectives of this study were to summarize these topics and to prioritize these topics in order of research importance. METHODS: Electronic structured Delphi questionnaire over three rounds among 30 experts in fluid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring identified through the Fluid Therapy and Hemodynamic Monitoring Subcommittee of the Hemostasis, Transfusion Medicine and Fluid Therapy Section of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Critical Care. RESULTS: 77 topics were identified and ranked in order of prioritization. Topics were categorized into themes of crystalloids, colloids, hemodynamic monitoring and others. 31 topics were ranked as essential research priority. To determine whether intraoperative hemodynamic optimization algorithms based on the invasive or noninvasive Hypotension Prediction Index versus other management strategies could decrease the incidence of postoperative complications. As well as whether the use of renal stress biomarkers together with a goal-directed fluid therapy protocol could reduce hospital stay and the incidence of acute kidney injury in adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, reached the highest consensus. CONCLUSIONS: The Fluid Therapy and Hemodynamic Monitoring Subcommittee of the Hemostasis, Transfusion Medicine and Fluid Therapy Section of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Critical Care will use these results to carry out the research.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of the new perioperative model to recover surgical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Evaluación de la efectividad del nuevo modelo perioperatorio para recuperar la actividad quirúrgica durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of elective interventions. After the improvement of the epidemiological situation, new models of care were applied in hospitals to restart the programmed surgical activity. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the organizational model established to recover surgical activity during the transition period of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Retrospective observational study comparing patients who underwent schedule surgery from September 1 until October 31, 2020, study group, with a control group of the same period of time corresponding to the year 2019 at the General Hospital from the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital. RESULTS: The total population included 1,825 patients, 888 in the study group and 937 in the control group. Global surgical activity decreased 6.43% during the study period compared to the same period in 2019, with a 25.5% decrease in cancer surgeries. Seven patients became infected with SARS-CoV-2 during their hospital stay. In hospital mortality was 0.9% in the study group compared to 0.7% in control group (p=0.8). The survival rate in cancer patients at 90 days was lower in the study group (95.7% vs 98.7%; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The change in the management model during the transition period of the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the recovery of programmed surgical activity to levels similar to those existing prior to the pandemic with a greater impact on cancer surgery.

Liver transplant with controlled donors after circulatory death with normothermic regional perfusion and brain dead donors: A multicenter cohort study of transfusion, one-year graft survival and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) has expanded the donor pool for liver transplantation (LT). However, transfusion requirements and perioperative outcomes should be elucidated. The aim of this multicenter study was to assess red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, one-year graft and patient survival after LT after cDCD with normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) compared with donors after brain death (DBD). METHODS: 591 LT carried out in ten centers during 2019 were reviewed. Thromboelastometry was used to manage coagulation and blood product transfusion in all centers. Normothermic regional perfusion was the standard technique for organ recovery. RESULTS: 447 patients received DBD and 144 cDCD with NRP. Baseline MCF Extem was lower in the cDCD group There were no differences in the percentage of patients (63% vs. 61% p = 0.69), nor in the number of RBC units transfused (4.7 (0.2) vs 5.5 (0.4) in DBD vs cDCD, p = 0.11. Twenty-six patients (6%) died during admission for LT in the DBD group compared with 3 patients (2%) in the cDCD group (p = 0.15). To overcome the bias due to a worse coagulation profile in cDCD recipients, matched samples were compared. No differences in baseline laboratory data, or in intraoperative use of RBC or one-year outcome data were observed between DBD and cDCD recipients. CONCLUSIONS: cDCD with NRP is not associated with increased RBC transfusion. No differences in graft and patient survival between cDCD and DBD were found. Donors after controlled circulatory death with NRP can increasingly be utilized with safety, improving the imbalance between organ donors and the ever-growing demand.

[Specialized training in anesthesiology: the opinions of supervising tutors]. / La formación especializada en Anestesiología desde la perspectiva de los tutores.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the common curriculum for teaching theoretical knowledge in anesthesiology in Catalonia, Spain; to assess differences between hospital teaching programs, evaluation systems, and the situation for tutors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 35-item questionnaire was sent to 49 accredited tutors during the 2005-2006 academic year. The questionnaire covered 1) the curriculum and training rotations, 2) teaching and research, and 3) assessment and tutorial interventions. An additional question asked the respondent's view on how to improve instruction. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of the tutors responded. Seventy-eight percent of the residents (168/216) follow some form of external rotation, most often in pediatric anesthesia (79%). The common courses are considered useful by 96% of the tutors. Ninety-two percent are satisfied with the current annual examination and 79% would extend the residency training period to 5 years. Eighty-two percent of the teaching centers have weekly instructional sessions. Eighty-one percent of the tutors consider the resident's logbook, filled in by 77% of residents, to be useful for assessment. Eighty-five percent take teacher training courses, 65% feel that their work is being recognized, and 92% do not allot a specific period of time for teaching. CONCLUSIONS: The survey has helped shed light on the current training situation in Catalonia. The common courses are of great help. The number of external rotations is high, overloading certain areas. Improvements could be made by unifying external rotations, updating the curriculum and extending the training period to 5 years, recognizing the role of the tutor, and establishing a specific time for teaching activity.

Intensive care admission and hospital mortality in the elderly after non-cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patient age is independently associated to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission after non-cardiac surgery. DESIGN: An observational cohort study of the Spanish subset of the European Surgical Outcome Study (EuSOS) was carried out. SETTING: Hospitals of the public National Health Care System and private hospitals in Spain. INTERVENTION: None. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients over 16 years of age undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery in the participating hospitals during a 7-day period in the month of April 2011 were consecutively included. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: ICU admission rate, factors associated with ICU admission and hospital mortality were assessed using logistic regression analysis and fractional polynomial regression. RESULTS: Out of 5412 patients, 677 (12.5%) were admitted to the ICU after surgery. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for ICU admission was 1.1 (0.8-1.4) for patients aged 65-74 years, 0.7 (0.5-1) for patients aged 75-85 years, and 0.4 (0.2-0.8) for patients over 85 years, respectively. Age, ASA score, grade of surgery (minor, intermediate, major), urgent surgery, surgical specialty, laparoscopic surgery and metastatic disease were independent factors for ICU admission. Global risk-adjusted mortality was 1.4 (95% CI 0.9-2.2). The ASA score, urgent surgery, surgical specialty and diabetes were predictors of hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients (over 80 years) appear less likely to be admitted to ICU after non-cardiac surgery in Spanish hospitals. There was no significant association between age and postoperative mortality in this cohort.

Prevalencia preoperatoria de portadores asintomáticos de COVID-19 en hospitales de Cataluña durante la primera ola tras el reinicio de la actividad quirúrgica / Pre-operative prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in hospitals in Catalonia during the first wave after the resumption of surgical activity

Introducción La pandemia producida por COVID-19 ocasionó la cancelación de los procedimientos quirúrgicos no esenciales en marzo de 2020. Con el reinicio de la actividad quirúrgica, los pacientes que se sometían a una cirugía fueron uno de los primeros grupos poblacionales a los que se realizó test PCR de forma sistemática. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de portadores asintomáticos de SARS-CoV-2 tras el reinicio de la actividad quirúrgica no esencial. Métodos Estudio observacional multicéntrico retrospectivo de los pacientes programados para cirugía o que se sometieron a cirugía urgente en Cataluña entre el 20 de abril y el 31 de mayo de 2020. Se revisaron los resultados microbiológicos de los test PCR preoperatorios, las historias clínicas y se realizó una encuesta epidemiológica a los pacientes con PCR positiva para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados Un total de 10.838 pacientes programados para una intervención quirúrgica o a los que se realizó una cirugía urgente fueron sometidos a cribado para COVID-19. Ciento dieciocho pacientes (1,09%) fueron positivos para SARS-CoV-2 en las 72h previas a la cirugía. La prevalencia de portadores asintomáticos fue del 0,7% (IC95%: 0,6-0,9%). La primera semana del estudio presentó la prevalencia más alta de portadores asintomáticos [1,9% (IC95%: 1,1-3,2%)]. Conclusiones Los bajos niveles de portadores asintomáticos de infección por COVID-19 obtenidos en la población quirúrgica de los hospitales de Cataluña tras el reinicio de la actividad quirúrgica muestran que la mayoría de pacientes se pudieron someter a procedimientos quirúrgicos sin los riesgos de las complicaciones asociadas al COVID-19 en el periodo perioperatorio (AU)

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of non-essential surgical procedures in March 2020. With the resumption of surgical activity, patients undergoing surgery were one of the first population groups to be systematically tested for PCR. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers after the resumption of non-essential surgical activity. Methods Retrospective multicenter observational study of patients scheduled for surgery or undergoing emergency surgery in Catalonia between 20 April and 31 May 2020. The microbiological results of preoperative PCR tests and clinical records were reviewed, and an epidemiological survey was conducted on patients with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Results A total of 10,838 patients scheduled for surgery or who underwent emergency surgery were screened for COVID-19. One hundred and eighteen patients (1.09%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the 72hours prior to surgery. The prevalence of asymptomatic carriers was 0.7% (95%CI: 0.6% - 0.9%). The first week of the study presented the highest prevalence of asymptomatic carriers [1.9% (95%CI: 1.1%-3.2%)]. Conclusions The low levels of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 infection obtained in the surgical population of hospitals in Catalonia after the resumption of surgical activity, shows that most patients were able to undergo surgical procedures without the risks of COVID-19 associated complications in the perioperative period (AU)

Cerebral hemodynamic effects of 7.2% hypertonic saline in patients with head injury and raised intracranial pressure.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of 7.2% hypertonic saline (HS) on intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral and systemic hemodynamics, serum sodium, and osmolality in 14 patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale < or =13) and raised ICP (>15 mm Hg) within the first 72 h postinjury. After CO2 reactivity and autoregulation were tested, each patient received a 15-min infusion of 7.2% HS (1,232 mEq/L, volume 1.5 mL/kg). ICP, serial hemodynamics, cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimated from cerebral arteriovenous oxygen content difference (AVDO2), and laboratory variables, including serum osmolality, electrolytes, urea, and creatinine were collected before infusion (T0) and at 5, 30, 60, and 120 min after (T5, T30, T60, T120). Urine output was measured 2 h before infusion and at T120. While CO2 reactivity was preserved in all patients, autoregulation was preserved in only four. ICP decreased to about 30% of base line (p = 0.0001) during the whole study period. During the first hour after infusion, cerebral perfusion pressure (p< or =0.04) and cardiac index (CI; p< or =0.01) increased, while systemic vascular resistance index fell (p< or =0.05). Heart rate increased (p< or =0.04) during the first 30 min. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) increased (p = 0.004) at T5. There were no significant changes in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), urine output, and estimated CBF. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.75; p = 0.02) between ICP and serum osmolality was found at T5. The administration of 7.2% HS in patients with traumatic brain injury significantly reduces ICP without significant changes in relative global CBF (expressed as 1/AVDO2), increases CI and transiently increases PAOP, without changing MABP and urine output. The correlation between changes in osmolality and ICP supports the hypothesis that HSS may in part decrease ICP by means of an osmotic mechanism.

Effects on intracranial pressure of fentanyl in severe head injured patients.

Despite opioids are routinely used for analgesia in head injured patients, the effects of such drugs on ICP and cerebral hemodynamics remain controversial. Cerebrovascular autoregulation (CAR) could be an important factor in the ICP increases reported after opioid administration. In order to describe the effects on intracranial pressure of fentanyl and correlated such effects with autoregulation status, we studied 30 consecutive severe head injury patients who received fentanyl (2 micrograms/kg) intravenously over one minute. Prior to study, CAR was assessed. Monitoring included MAP, HR, SaO2, ETCO2, SjO2 and ICP. Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) were estimated from relative changes in AVDO2. Patients mean GCS was 5.7 +/- 1.7 (mean +/- STD) and mean ICP on admission was 23.8 +/- 16.3 mmHg. Fentanyl caused significant increases in ICP and decreases in MAP and CPP, but CBF remained unchanged when estimated by AVDO2. In patients with preserved CAR (34.5%), opioid-induced ICP increase was greater (but not statistically significant) than in those with impaired CAR (65.5%). We conclude than fentanyl moderately increased ICP and decreased MAP and CPP. Our data suggests that in patients with preserved CAR, potent opioids could cause greater increases of ICP, probably due to activation of the vasodilatadory cascade.

[First tier measures in the treatment of intracranial hypertension in the patient with severe craniocerebral trauma. Proposal and justification of a protocol]. / Medidas de primer nivel en el tratamiento de la hipertensión intracraneal en el paciente con un traumatismo craneoencefálico grave. Propuesta y justificación de un protocolo.

The management of severe head injuries in general and that of high intracranial pressure (ICP) in particular are among the most challenging tasks in neurocritical care. One of the difficulties still faced by clinicians is that of reducing variability among centers when implementing management protocols. The purpose of this paper is to propose a standardized protocol for the management of high ICP after severe head injury, consistent with recently published clinical practice guidelines and other clinical evidence such as that provided by the systematic reviews of the Cochrane Collaboration. Despite significant advances in neuromonitoring, deeper insight into the physiopathology of severe brain trauma and the many therapeutic options available, standardized protocols are still lacking. Recently published guidelines provide sketchy recommendations without details on how and when to apply different therapies. Consequently, great variability exists in daily clinical practice even though different centers apply the same evidence-based recommendations. In this paper we suggest a structured protocol in which each step is justified and integrated into an overall strategy for the management of severe head injuries. The most recent data from both the preliminary and definitive results of randomized clinical trials as well as from other sources are discussed. The main goal of this article is to provide neurotraumatology intensive care units with a unified protocol that can be easily modified as new evidence becomes available. This will reduce variation among centers when applying the same therapeutic measures. This goal will facilitate comparisons in outcomes among different centers and will also enable the implementation of more consistent clinical practice in centers involved in multicenter clinical trials.

[Placenta praevia accreta and obstetric hysterectomy]. / Placenta previa accreta e histerectomía obstétrica.

We present the case of a 38-years-old tertipara at full term with a diagnosis by ultrasound of placenta previa who underwent elective cesarean under spinal anesthesia. After a difficult birth, anomalous adhesion of the placenta prevented its removal and caused massive hemorrhage of the placental bed and hypovolemic shock. Blood volume was restored and emergency hysterectomy under general anesthesia was effected, as bleeding and hemodynamic state were brought under control. Abnormal heart rhythm appearing after the operation responded to treatment; postoperative recovery was unremarkable. Placenta accreta is a rare complication of placenta previa. Given that massive obstetric hemorrhage is associated with significant mortality and morbidity, both maternal and fetal, the anesthesiologist must be aware of potential problems that might arise in cases of placental accreta so that readiness can keep risk to a minimum.

A culture medium for simultaneous counts of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in saliva.

The use of a single culture medium that allows the isolation and counts of both Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli could be of great value in microbiological diagnosis, control and evaluation of prevention programs that are nowadays employed in Odontology. To date there is no method that allows the simultaneous counts of lactobacilli and S. mutans in oral samples using a single culture medium. A single culture medium would allow for a more exact diagnosis of cariogenic risk and activity and a reduction in costs and processing time. We here in propose the selective-differential LAPTg 7% sucrose medium to differentiate oral streptococci and lactobacilli according to colony morphology and dextran production. The choice of this medium was the result of testing culture media such as MRS Agar, Elliker Agar and modified LAPTg Agar.

Cerebral hemodynamic effects of morphine and fentanyl in patients with severe head injury: absence of correlation to cerebral autoregulation.

BACKGROUND: The current study investigates the effects of morphine and fentanyl upon intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow estimated by cerebral arteriovenous oxygen content difference and transcranial Doppler sonography in 30 consecutive patients with severe head injury in whom cerebrovascular autoregulation previously had been assessed. METHODS: Patients received morphine (0.2 mg/kg) and fentanyl (2 microg/kg) intravenously over 1 min but 24 h apart in a randomized fashion. Before study, carbon dioxide reactivity and autoregulation were assessed. Intracranial pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and cerebral perfusion pressure were repeatedly monitored for 1 h after the administration of both opioids. Cerebral blood flow was estimated from the reciprocal of arteriovenous oxygen content difference and middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity using transcranial Doppler sonography. RESULTS: Although carbon dioxide reactivity was preserved in all patients, 18 patients (56.7%) showed impaired or abolished autoregulation to hypertensive challenge, and only 12 (43.3%) had preserved autoregulation. Both morphine and fentanyl caused significant increases in intracranial pressure and decreases in mean arterial blood pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure, but estimated cerebral blood flow remain unchanged. In patients with preserved autoregulation, opioid-induced intracranial pressure increases were not different than in those with impaired autoregulation. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that both morphine and fentanyl moderately increase intracranial pressure and decrease mean arterial blood pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure but have no significant effect on arteriovenous oxygen content difference and middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity in patients with severe brain injury. No differences on intracranial pressure changes were found between patients with preserved and impaired autoregulation. Our results suggest that other mechanisms, besides the activation of the vasodilatory cascade, also could be implicated in the intracranial pressure increases seen after opioid administration.

Relación entre inmunoglobulinas sericas / Relationship between seric immunoglobulins and oral health

El objetivo de este trabajo fue valorar los niveles de anticuerpos sericos: inmuno globulina G (IgG), inmunoglobulina M (IgM) e inmunoglobulina A (IgA) anti-Streptococcus mutans y anti-Lactobacillus acidophilus, y relacionarlos con el estado clinico-bucal de un grupo de estudiantes del noroeste argentino. La determinacion de inmunoglobulinas sericas se realizo por la tecnica de ELISA. Simultaneamente se efectuo el examen clinico de los estudiantes determinando indice CPO (cariados-perdidos-obturados), número de caries e indice de placa de O'Leary. Los resultados indicaron que:1)existe una relacion directa entre los niveles sericos de IgG e IgM anti-Streptococcus mutans y anti-Lactobacillus acidophilus con el indice CPO y el numero de caries, 2) la concentracion de IgA serica contra estos dos microorganismos es inversamente proporcional al Indice CPO y el numero de caries. 3)No se encontro relacion entre el Indice O'Leary y las inmunoglobulinas adosadas. 4) Los niveles sericos de IgG, IgM e IgA anti-Streptococcus mutans fueron significativamente mayores que los encontrados para las inmunoglobulinas anti-Lactobacillus acidophilus. Los resultados indicaron que el aumento de IgG e IgM es indicativo de una experiencia cariosa pasada. Esto se deberia al estimulo provocado por las bacterias sobre el sistema inmunitario. El significado de los resultados obtenidos con la IgA serica no esta claro, por lo que consideramos necesario continuar con trabajos posteriores.

Recuento simultáneo de Streptococcus mutans y lactobacilos en placa bacteriana y saliva en medio LAPTg sacarosa al 7 por ciento / Simultaneous count of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in dental plaque and saliva samples in LAPTg sucrose 7 por ciento medium

Una de las finalidades del tratamiento odontológico preventivo es reducir el riesgo biológico de caries, lo que debería traducirse desde el punto de vista microbiológico en una disminución en el número de Streptococcus mutans y lactobacilos en cavidad bucal. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del tratamiento preventivo en 33 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 12 y 27 años, a los que se les tomó muestras de placa dental y saliva al iniciar y al finalizar el mismo. Con estas muestras se realizó el recuento simultáneo de Streptococccus mutans y lactobacilos sembrando en un solo medio de cultivo (LAPTg sacarosa 7 por ciento), teniendo en cuenta las diferencias morfológicas de las colonias. La identificación de especies fue confirmada por medio de pruebas bioquímicas. Se observó que el tratamiento odontológico preventivo disminuye significativamente el número de Streptococcus mutans y lactobacilos presentes en la placa dental, mientras que no existe variación en saliva. Se propone el medio de cultivo LAPTg sacarosa 7 por ciento para el aislamiento y recuento simultáneo de Streptococcus mutans y lactobacilos