Incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade - A multicenter, observational study in Portugal (INSPIRE 2).

Background: Although the use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) optimizes surgical conditions and facilitates tracheal intubation, it can lead to residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB), with postoperative complications. This study aimed to assess RNMB incidence and management in Portugal. Methods: Prospective observational study of patients admitted for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia with nondepolarizing NMBAs between July 2018 and July 2019 at 10 Portuguese hospitals. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients arriving at postanesthesia care unit (PACU) with a TOF ratio <0.9. Results: A total of 366 patients were included, with a median age of 59 years, and 89.1% classified as ASA II or III. Rocuronium was the most used NMBA (99.5%). A total of 96.2% of patients received a reversal agent, 96.6% of which sugammadex and 3.4% neostigmine. Twenty patients displayed a TOF ratio <0.9 at PACU arrival, representing an RNMB incidence of 5.5% (95% CI, 3.1%-7.8%). Only two patients displayed a TOF ratio <0.7. RNMB incidence was 16.7% with neostigmine and 5.3% with sugammadex (P = .114). In patients with intraoperative neuromuscular blockade (NMB) monitoring, RNMB incidence was 5% (95% CI, 2%-8%), which varied significantly according to the type of monitoring (P = .018). Incidence of adverse events was 3.3% (2 severe and 10 moderate). Conclusions: The reported overall incidence of 5.5% is numerically lower than results from similar observational studies. An appropriate pharmacological neuromuscular reversal strategy, guided by quantitative neuromuscular monitoring, has the potential to achieve even better results, converting RNMB from an unusual to a very rare or even inexistent event.

Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale (PostopQRS).

INTRODUCTION: The Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale is a brief instrument of six domains designed to assess quality of recovery from early to long term after surgery. This study aims to validate the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this observational study 101 adult patients undergoing elective surgery completed the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale at 15 minutes and 40 minutes, one and three days after surgery. Three constructs were assessed for validity: increased recovery over time; effect of gender and recovery association with muscle strength. Reliability, responsiveness, feasibility and acceptability were also assessed. RESULTS: Construct validity was shown by increased recovery over time; worse recovery for female patients in emotive, nociceptive, activities of daily living and overall recovery; improved muscle strength in recovered patients. Internal consistency for activities of daily living was acceptable at all-time points (Cronbach's α value of 0.772 or higher), indicating scale reliability. The scale was able to detect differences in postoperative quality of recovery between the neuromuscular blockade reversal agents, neostigmine and sugammadex, indicating scale responsiveness. The time to conduct the Portuguese version at baseline was 95 - 581 seconds (median 319 seconds) and it was reduced with subsequent assessments. The proportion of patients completing all scale items was 87%, 75%, 65% and 94% for the four time periods evaluated, indicating scale feasibility and acceptability. DISCUSSION: This study shows that the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale, demonstrates construct validity, reliability, responsiveness, feasibility and acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: This study allowed validation of the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale.

Introdução: A Escala da Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória é um instrumento de seis domínios, desenhada para avaliar a qualidade da recuperação no período pós-operatório precoce e tardio. Este estudo teve como objetivo validar a versão portuguesa da Escala da Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória. Material e Métodos: Neste estudo observacional foi obtida uma amostra de 101 doentes adultos submetidos a cirurgia eletiva e que preencheu a Escala da Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória aos 15 e 40 minutos, um e três dias após a cirurgia. Três teorias foram avaliadas para aferir a validade teórica da escala: aumento da recuperação ao longo do tempo, efeito do género e a associação da recuperação com a força muscular. Foram também avaliadas a fiabilidade, poder de resposta, viabilidade e aceitabilidade. Resultados: A validade teórica foi demonstrada pelo aumento da recuperação ao longo do tempo, assim como uma pior recuperação para doentes do sexo feminino em atividades emotivas, nociceptivas, diárias e de recuperação geral. Detetou-se ainda uma melhoria da força muscular em doentes recuperados. A coerência interna no domínio das atividades da vida diária foi aceitável em todos os tempos (valor α de Cronbach de 0,772 ou superior), indicando a fiabilidade da escala. Com esta escala foi possível detetar diferenças na qualidade pós-operatória da recuperação entre os agentes de reversão de bloqueio neuromuscular, a neostigmina e o sugammadex, indicando que a escala apresenta poder de resposta. O tempo para aplicar a versão portuguesa no período inicial (baseline) foi de 95 - 581 segundos (mediana 319 segundos) com uma diminuição em avaliações subsequentes. A proporção de doentes que completaram todos os itens da escala foi de 87%, 75%, 65% e 94% nos quatro períodos avaliados, indicando viabilidade e aceitabilidade da escala. Discussão: A versão portuguesa da Escala da Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória demonstrou ter validade, fiabilidade, poder de resposta, viabilidade e aceitabilidade. Conclusões: Este estudo permitiu a validação da versão Portuguesa da Escala da Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória.

CR-POSSUM and Surgical Apgar Score as predictive factors for patients' allocation after colorectal surgery / Escore CR-POSSUM e Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico como fatores preditivos para a alocação de pacientes após cirurgia colorretal

Abstract Background and objectives Surgical patients frequently require admission in high-dependency units or intensive care units. Resources are scarce and there are no universally accepted admission criteria, so patients' allocation must be optimized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between postoperative destination of patients submitted to colorectal surgery and the scores ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (CR-POSSUM) and Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) and, secondarily find cut-offs to aid this allocation. Methods A cross-sectional prospective observational study, including all adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery during a 2 years period. Data collected from the electronic clinical process and anesthesia records. Results A total of 358 patients were included. Median score for SAS was 8 and CR-POSSUM had a median mortality probability of 4.5%. Immediate admission on high-dependency units/intensive care units occurred in 51 patients and late admission in 18. Scores from ward and high-dependency units/intensive care units patients were statistically different (SAS: 8 vs. 7, p < 0.001; CR-POSSUM: 4.4% vs. 15.9%, p < 0.001). Both scores were found to be predictors of immediate postoperative destination (p < 0.001). Concerning immediate high-dependency units/intensive care units admission, CR-POSSUM showed a strong association (AUC 0.78, p = 0.034) with a ≥9.16 cut-off point (sensitivity: 62.5%; specificity: 75.2%), outperforming SAS (AUC 0.67, p = 0.048), with a ≤7 cut-off point (sensitivity: 67.3%; specificity: 56.1%). Conclusions Both CR-POSSUM and SAS were associated with the clinical decision to admit a patient to the high-dependency units/intensive care units immediately after surgery. CR-POSSUM alone showed a better discriminative capacity.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Os pacientes cirúrgicos com frequência precisam de internação em unidade de alta dependência ou unidade de terapia intensiva. Os recursos são escassos e não há critérios de admissão universalmente aceitos; portanto, a alocação dos pacientes precisa ser aprimorada. O objetivo primário deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre o destino dos pacientes após cirurgia colorretal e o Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico (IAC) e o escore CR-POSSUM - do inglês ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity - e, secundariamente, descobrir pontos de corte para auxiliar essa alocação. Métodos Estudo prospectivo de observação transversal, incluiu todos os pacientes adultos submetidos à cirurgia colorretal durante um período de dois anos. Os dados foram coletados do prontuário clínico eletrônico e dos registros de anestesia. Resultados Foram incluídos 358 pacientes. A mediana para o IAC foi 8 e para a probabilidade de mortalidade no CR-POSSUM, 4,5%. A admissão imediata em unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva ocorreu em 51 pacientes e a admissão tardia em 18. Os escores dos pacientes na enfermaria e na unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva foram estatisticamente diferentes (tempo de internação: 8 vs. 7, p < 0,001; CR-POSSUM: 4,4% vs. 15,9%, p < 0,001). Os dois escores foram preditivos do destino imediato pós-cirurgia (p < 0,001). Em relação à admissão imediata em UAD/UTI, CR-POSSUM mostrou uma forte associação (ASC 0,78; p = 0,034) com um ponto de corte ≥ 9,16 (sensibilidade: 62,5%; especificidade: 75,2%), superou o IAC (ASC 0,67, p = 0,048), com ponto de corte ≤ 7 (sensibilidade: 67,3%; especificidade: 56,1%). Conclusões Tanto o CR-POSSUM quanto o IAC foram associados à decisão clínica de admitir um paciente em unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva imediatamente após a cirurgia. CR-POSSUM isolado mostrou uma capacidade discriminativa melhor.

[CR-POSSUM and Surgical Apgar Score as predictive factors for patients' allocation after colorectal surgery]. / Escore CR­POSSUM e Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico como fatores preditivos para a alocação de pacientes após cirurgia colorretal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical patients frequently require admission in high-dependency units or intensive care units. Resources are scarce and there are no universally accepted admission criteria, so patients' allocation must be optimized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between postoperative destination of patients submitted to colorectal surgery and the scores ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (CR-POSSUM) and Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) and, secondarily find cut-offs to aid this allocation. METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective observational study, including all adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery during a 2 years period. Data collected from the electronic clinical process and anesthesia records. RESULTS: A total of 358 patients were included. Median score for SAS was 8 and CR-POSSUM had a median mortality probability of 4.5%. Immediate admission on high-dependency units/intensive care units occurred in 51 patients and late admission in 18. Scores from ward and high-dependency units/intensive care units patients were statistically different (SAS: 8 vs. 7, p<0.001; CR-POSSUM: 4.4% vs. 15.9%, p<0.001). Both scores were found to be predictors of immediate postoperative destination (p<0.001). Concerning immediate high-dependency units/intensive care units admission, CR-POSSUM showed a strong association (AUC 0.78, p=0.034) with a ≥9.16 cut-off point (sensitivity: 62.5%; specificity: 75.2%), outperforming SAS (AUC 0.67, p=0.048), with a ≤7 cut-off point (sensitivity: 67.3%; specificity: 56.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Both CR-POSSUM and SAS were associated with the clinical decision to admit a patient to the high-dependency units/intensive care units immediately after surgery. CR-POSSUM alone showed a better discriminative capacity.