Comparison of effectiveness and cost of different HCV testing strategies in high-risk populations in China.

High-risk populations are the predominant populations affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and there is an urgent need for efficient and cost-effective HCV testing strategies for high-risk populations to identify potential undiagnosed HCV-infected individuals. This study compared several commonly used testing strategies and conducted effectiveness and cost analysis to select the appropriate testing strategy for diagnosing HCV infection in high-risk populations. Among the 2093 samples from high-risk populations in this study, 1716 were HCV negative, 237 were current HCV infection, 137 were past HCV infection, and three were acute early HCV infection. It was found that out of 237 patients with HCV current infection, Strategy A could detect 225 cases, with a missed detection rate of 5.06%, and the total cost was 33 299 RMB. In addition, Strategy B could detect 237 cases of current HCV infection, and the HCV missed detection rate was 0.00%, and the total cost was 147 221 RMB. While 137 cases of past HCV infection could be distinguished by strategy C, but 14 cases with current HCV infection were missed, with an HCV-positive missed detection rate of 5.91%, and the total cost for Strategy C was 43 059 RMB. In conclusion, in high-risk populations, the HCV positivity rate is typically higher. If feasible, the preferred approach is to directly conduct HCV RNA testing, which effectively minimizes the risk of missing cases. However, in situations with limited resources, it is advisable to initially choose a highly sensitive method for anti-HCV screening, followed by HCV RNA testing on reactive samples.

Differences between resident self-assessments and faculty- assessments on Anesthesiology Milestones and associated factors: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate self-assessment is crucial for the professional development of physicians. There has been sparse data on the accuracy of self-assessments on Anesthesiology Milestones. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between resident self-assessments and faculty-assessments on Anesthesiology Milestones and the associated factors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a general tertiary university-affiliated hospital. We included anesthesia residents who were enrolled in the standardized residency training program in postgraduate year two and three at the time of the Milestone evaluation. We requested evaluations of competencies from both the Clinical Competency Committee faculty and the anesthesia residents themselves, utilizing the Chinese version of Anesthesiology Milestones in January 2023 and January 2024. The primary outcome was the differences between self- and faculty-assessments, calculated by subtracting the faculty-rated score from the self-rated score on each subcompetency. RESULTS: A total of 46 and 42 residents were evaluated in year 2023 and 2024, respectively. The self-rated sum score was significantly higher than that rated by faculty [mean (standardized deviation): 120.39 (32.41) vs. 114.44 (23.71), P = 0.008 in paired t test] with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31 to 0.70]. The Bland-Altman plots revealed significant overestimation in patient care (bias 0.32, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.60), practice-based learning and improvement (bias 0.45, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.84), and professionalism (bias 0.37, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.72). Ratings from residents with master's degrees (mean difference: -1.06, 95% CI: -1.80 to -0.32, P = 0.005) and doctorate degrees (mean difference: -1.14, 95% CI: -1.91 to -0.38, P = 0.003) were closer to the faculty-assessments than residents with bachelor's degrees. Compared with patient care, the differences between self- and faculty- rated scores were smaller in medical knowledge (mean difference: -0.18, 95% CI: -0.35 to -0.02, P = 0.031) and interpersonal and communication skills (mean difference: -0.41, 95% CI: -0.64 to -0.19, P < 0.001) in the generalized estimating equation logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that residents tended to overestimate themselves, emphasizing the need to improve the accuracy of Milestones self-assessment. The differences between self- and faculty-assessments were associated with residents' degrees and domains of competency.

Aggressive intraoperative warming versus routine thermal management during non-cardiac surgery (PROTECT): a multicentre, parallel group, superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Moderate intraoperative hypothermia promotes myocardial injury, surgical site infections, and blood loss. Whether aggressive warming to a truly normothermic temperature near 37°C improves outcomes remains unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that aggressive intraoperative warming reduces major perioperative complications. METHODS: In this multicentre, parallel group, superiority trial, patients at 12 sites in China and at the Cleveland Clinic in the USA were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either aggressive warming to a target core temperature of 37°C (aggressively warmed group) or routine thermal management to a target of 35·5°C (routine thermal management group) during non-cardiac surgery. Randomisation was stratified by site, with computer-generated, randomly sized blocks. Eligible patients (aged ≥45 years) had at least one cardiovascular risk factor, were scheduled for inpatient non-cardiac surgery expected to last 2-6 h with general anaesthesia, and were expected to have at least half of the anterior skin surface available for warming. Patients requiring dialysis and those with a body-mass index exceeding 30 kg/m2 were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite of myocardial injury (troponin elevation, apparently of ischaemic origin), non-fatal cardiac arrest, and all-cause mortality within 30 days of surgery, as assessed in the modified intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03111875. FINDINGS: Between March 27, 2017, and March 16, 2021, 5056 participants were enrolled, of whom 5013 were included in the intention-to-treat population (2507 in the aggressively warmed group and 2506 in the routine thermal management group). Patients assigned to aggressive warming had a mean final intraoperative core temperature of 37·1°C (SD 0·3) whereas the routine thermal management group averaged 35·6°C (SD 0·3). At least one of the primary outcome components (myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery, cardiac arrest, or mortality) occurred in 246 (9·9%) of 2497 patients in the aggressively warmed group and in 239 (9·6%) of 2490 patients in the routine thermal management group. The common effect relative risk of aggressive versus routine thermal management was an estimated 1·04 (95% CI 0·87-1·24, p=0·69). There were 39 adverse events in patients assigned to aggressive warming (17 of which were serious) and 54 in those assigned to routine thermal management (30 of which were serious). One serious adverse event, in an aggressively warmed patient, was deemed to be possibly related to thermal management. INTERPRETATION: The incidence of a 30-day composite of major cardiovascular outcomes did not differ significantly in patients randomised to 35·5°C and to 37°C. At least over a 1·5°C range from very mild hypothermia to full normothermia, there was no evidence that any substantive outcome varied. Keeping core temperature at least 35·5°C in surgical patients appears sufficient. FUNDING: 3M and the Health and Medical Research Fund, Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Effect of active warming on perioperative cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to provide an updated review on the active warming effects on major adverse cardiac events, 30-day all-cause mortality, and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery. METHOD: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database. We included randomized controlled trials of adult population undergoing noncardiac surgeries that concentrate on the comparison of active warming methods and passive thermal management. Cochrane Collaboration's tool was applied for risk-of-bias assessment. We used trial sequential analysis to evaluate the possibility of false positive or negative results. RESULTS: A total of 13,316 unique records were identified, of which only 19 with reported perioperative cardiovascular outcomes were included in the systematic review and nine of them were included in final meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference between active warming methods and routine care was found in major adverse cardiac events (RR 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-2.21, I2 = 71%, number of events 59 vs. 70), 30-day all-cause mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.43-1.54, I2 = 0%, number of events 17 vs. 21), and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.17-2.22, I2 = 79%, number of events 236 vs. 234). Trial sequential analysis suggests that current trials did not reach the minimum information size regarding the major cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to routine perioperative care, we found that active warming methods are not necessary for cardiovascular prevention in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients: a single-center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the treatment of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: We retrospectively collected and compared the data of patients with CDH admitted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021(study group) with the CDH patients admitted before the pandemic between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 (control group). RESULTS: During the pandemic, 41 patients with CDH diagnosed prenatally were transferred to our hospital, and 40 underwent surgical repair. The number of patients treated in our hospital increased by 24.2% compared with the 33 patients before the pandemic. During the pandemic, the overall survival rate, postoperative survival rate and recurrence rate were 85.4%, 87.5% and 7.3%, respectively, and there were no significant differences compared with the control group (75.8%, 83.3% and 9.1%, respectively). The average length of hospital stay in patients admitted during the pandemic was longer than that in the control group (31 days vs. 16 days, P < 0.001), and the incidence of nosocomial infection was higher than that in the control group (19.5% vs. 3%, P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: CDH patients confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 infection-free can receive routine treatment. Our data indicate that the implementation of protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with appropriate screening and case evaluation, do not have a negative impact on the prognosis of children.

[Deep Learning-based Risk Prediction Model for Postoperative Healthcare-associated Infections].

Objective To develop a risk prediction model combining pre/intraoperative risk factors and intraoperative vital signs for postoperative healthcare-associated infection(HAI)based on deep learning. Methods We carried out a retrospective study based on two randomized controlled trials(NCT02715076,ChiCTR-IPR-17011099).The patients who underwent elective radical resection of advanced digestive system tumor were included in this study.The primary outcome was HAI within 30 days after surgery.Logistic regression analysis and long short-term memory(LSTM)model based on iteratively occluding sections of the input were used for feature selection.The risk prediction model for postoperative HAI was developed based on deep learning,combining the selected pre/intraoperative risk factors and intraoperative vital signs,and was evaluated by comparison with other models.Finally,we adopted the simulated annealing algorithm to simulatively adjust the vital signs during surgery,trying to explore the adjustment system that can reduce the risk of HAI. Results A total of 839 patients were included in this study,of which 112(13.3%)developed HAI within 30 days after surgery.The selected pre/intraoperative risk factors included neoadjuvant chemotherapy,parenteral nutrition,esophagectomy,gastrectomy,colorectal resection,pancreatoduodenectomy,hepatic resection,intraoperative blood loss>500 ml,and anesthesia time>4 h.The intraoperative vital signs significantly associated with HAI were in an order of heart rate>core body temperature>systolic blood pressure>diastolic blood pressure.Compared with multivariable Logistic regression model,random forest model,and LSTM model including vital signs only,this deep learning-based prediction model performed best(ACC=0.733,F1=0.237,AUC=0.728).The simulation via simulated annealing algorithm reduced the incidence of postoperative HAI.Moreover,the incidence decreased most in the case of reducing the initial annealing temperature and choosing the last 20% of surgery procedure. Conclusions This study developed a risk prediction model for postoperative HAI based on deep learning,which combined pre/intraoperative risk factors and intraoperative basic vital signs.Using simulated annealing algorithm to adjust intraoperative vital signs could reduce the incidence of postoperative HAI to some extent.

[Influence of Pain-depression Comorbidity on Quality of Life in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder].

Objective To investigate the incidence,treatment,therapeutic effect,and impact on quality of life of pain-depression comorbidity in the patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD).Methods The NMOSD patients comorbid with pain visiting the out-patient clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were interviewed in a face-to-face manner by neurologists for evaluating the neurologic disease.Pain,depression,and quality of life were evaluated by anesthesiologists based on the brief pain inventory,the Beck depression inventory-Ⅱ,and the MOS 36-item short form health survey scales,respectively.Results Totally 81 patients were included in this study,among which 38(46.9%)patients comorbid with depression were enrolled in the comorbidity group.The pain severity showed no significant difference between the two groups(3.3±3.1 vs. 2.3±2.2,P=0.087).The daily life activities and health-related quality of life were more severely influenced in the patients with comorbidity than in the patients without comorbidity as illustrated by the breif pain inventory[general activity and normal work(P=0.001);mood,relationship with other people,and enjoyment of life(all P<0.001);walking ability(P=0.004);sleep(P=0.016)]and the MOS 36-item short form health survey scales[physical functioning(P=0.001);role-physical,bodily pain,general health,vitality,social functioning,role-emotional,mental health(all P<0.001)].Only 30.9% of pain sufferers received analgesic medications,with the mean pain reduction percentage of(53.6±28.9)%.None of the patients in this study took antidepressants.Conclusions Pain-depression comorbidity was common in NMOSD patients and severely influenced the quality of life of the patients.However,only a few patients received analgesic or antidepressant medications.Pain-depression comorbidity in NMOSD patients should be scrutinized.

Evaluation of seven rapid diagnostic tests for detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies in China.

Rapid diagnostic tests as an attractive alternative to enzyme immunoassay could identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected persons more expeditiously. The availability of high performing and quality-assured rapid diagnostic tests are essential to scale-up HCV screening. The study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of seven domestic HCV rapid diagnostic tests kits. The kits were evaluated by using HCV serum panels, including HCV basic panel, analytical specificity panel, mixed titre performance panel, characteristic panel, seroconversion panel, and genotype qualification panel. The results showed that clinical sensitivity, clinical specificity and analytical specificity of seven rapid diagnostic tests kits ranged from 94% (95% CI: 83.2-98.6) to 100% (95% CI: 91.5-100). Furthermore, specimens with HCV genotypes 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6 could be detected by HCV rapid diagnostic tests kits, whereas specimens with genotypes 1a and 2b could not be detected. Additionally, most HCV rapid diagnostic tests kits had great performance in diagnosing different titres and/or different bands samples, but some low S/CO value specimens may not be fully detected by few rapid diagnostic test kits. In conclusion, seven HCV rapid diagnostic tests reagents presented high sensitivity, specificity, good anti-interference and detection ability of early infection, which could meet the requirements of clinical HCV antibody screening.

A Full Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Program in Gynecologic Laparoscopic Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a full enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program can further improve perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic procedures relative to those receiving limited ERAS management. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary hospital, China: December 2018 to October 2019. PATIENTS: Total of 144 women scheduled for simple elective gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were randomized into 2 groups: full ERAS intervention or limited ERAS management (without preoperative carbohydrate loading or total intravenous anesthesia or opiate-sparing multimodal analgesia). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was postoperative length of stay (LOS), and the secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, time to postoperative milestones, morbidity, and in-hospital cost. Postoperative LOS for the full ERAS program showed a 1-day reduction in comparison with the limited ERAS group (median of 1.0 day vs 2.0 days, respectively; p = .001). Multivariate regression analysis identified preoperative carbohydrate loading and opioid-sparing analgesia as the independent factors for discharging on postoperative day 1. Patients in the full ERAS program reported less pain within 72 hours after surgery and had a lower narcotic consumption rate compared with those in the limited ERAS management. They also enjoyed better and faster recovery as demonstrated by the Quality of Recovery-15 scale on postoperative day 3: 137.0 (interquartile range, 126.3-141.0) for full ERAS program vs 130.0 (23.5-139.0) for limited ERAS management, respectively (p = .030). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding postoperative 30-day morbidity, readmission rate, or in-hospital cost. CONCLUSION: The addition of full ERAS management can further reduce postoperative LOS and improve patients' quality of life after laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic diseases.

Review of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder with Pain-Depression Comorbidity.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system predominantly targeting optic nerves and the spinal cord. The prevalence of the disease is much higher in Asia than in other parts of the world. Pain can be detected in more than 80% of NMOSD patients, with evoked pain mostly being caused by painful tonic muscle spasms and neuropathic pain as the most characteristic types. Depression is often comorbid with pain, and their comorbidity can severely influence quality of life. In recent years, studies have found considerable overlaps between the mechanisms of pain and depression; however, their association remains unclear. This article reviews the epidemiology, mechanism, evaluation and treatment of pain-depression comorbidity in NMOSD patients.

[Characteristics and Management of High-risk Maternal Patients in General Tertiary Hospital].

Objective To analyze the characteristics of high-risk maternal patients and evaluate the multidisciplinary medical care system we established correspondingly. Method We collected and analyzed the medical records of high-risk maternal patients who received medical care from January 1,2017 to December 31,2020 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Results Ninety-eight high-risk maternal patients were included in this study,and 84.7%(83/98)of them were combined with different severe systemic diseases.Under the multidisciplinary medical care system,91 patients showed improved conditions and were discharged,and the other 7 cases had poor prognosis. Conclusions General tertiary hospitals in Beijing are receiving maternal patients with more high-risk complications.Considering the high risk and diverse diseases of maternal patients admitted to our hospital,we established a medical care system composed of a multidisciplinary panel of experts for high-risk maternal patients to improve the medical care and prognosis of the patients with high efficiency.

Recurrence of breast cancer after regional or general anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Three perioperative factors impair host defence against recurrence during cancer surgery: the surgical stress response, use of volatile anaesthetic, and opioids for analgesia. All factors are ameliorated by regional anaesthesia-analgesia. We tested the primary hypothesis that breast cancer recurrence after potentially curative surgery is lower with regional anaesthesia-analgesia using paravertebral blocks and the anaesthetic propofol than with general anaesthesia with the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane and opioid analgesia. A second hypothesis was that regional anaesthesia-analgesia reduces persistent incisional pain. METHODS: We did a randomised controlled trial at 13 hospitals in Argentina, Austria, China, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA. Women (age <85 years) having potentially curative primary breast cancer resections were randomised by computer to either regional anaesthesia-analgesia (paravertebral blocks and propofol) or general anaesthesia (sevoflurane) and opioid analgesia. The primary outcome was local or metastatic breast cancer recurrence. The secondary outcome was incisional pain at 6 months and 12 months. Primary analyses were done under intention-to-treat principles. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00418457. The study was stopped after a preplanned futility boundary was crossed. FINDINGS: Between Jan 30, 2007, and Jan 18, 2018, 2132 women were enrolled to the study, of whom 24 were excluded before surgery. 1043 were assigned to regional anaesthesia-analgesia and 1065 were allocated to general anaesthesia. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between study groups. Median follow-up was 36 (IQR 24-49) months. Among women assigned regional anaesthesia-analgesia, 102 (10%) recurrences were reported, compared with 111 (10%) recurrences among those allocated general anaesthesia (hazard ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·74-1·28; p=0·84). Incisional pain was reported by 442 (52%) of 856 patients assigned to regional anaesthesia-analgesia and 456 (52%) of 872 patients allocated to general anaesthesia at 6 months, and by 239 (28%) of 854 patients and 232 (27%) of 852 patients, respectively, at 12 months (overall interim-adjusted odds ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·85-1·17; p=0·99). Neuropathic breast pain did not differ by anaesthetic technique and was reported by 87 (10%) of 859 patients assigned to regional anaesthesia-analgesia and 89 (10%) of 870 patients allocated to general anaesthesia at 6 months, and by 57 (7%) of 857 patients and 57 (7%) of 854 patients, respectively, at 12 months. INTERPRETATION: In our study population, regional anaesthesia-analgesia (paravertebral block and propofol) did not reduce breast cancer recurrence after potentially curative surgery compared with volatile anaesthesia (sevoflurane) and opioids. The frequency and severity of persistent incisional breast pain was unaffected by anaesthetic technique. Clinicians can use regional or general anaesthesia with respect to breast cancer recurrence and persistent incisional pain. FUNDING: Sisk Healthcare Foundation (Ireland), Eccles Breast Cancer Research Fund, British Journal of Anaesthesia International, College of Anaesthetists of Ireland, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Science Fund for Junior Faculty 2016, Central Bank of Austria, and National Healthcare Group.

Two-Week Multimodal Prehabilitation Program Improves Perioperative Functional Capability in Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with lung cancer often experience reduced functional capacity and quality of life after surgery. The current study investigated the impact of a short-term, home-based, multimodal prehabilitation program on perioperative functional capacity in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 73 patients. Patients in the prehabilitation group (n = 37) received a 2-week multimodal intervention program before surgery, including aerobic and resistance exercises, respiratory training, nutrition counseling with whey protein supplementation, and psychological guidance. Patients in the control group (n = 36) received the usual clinical care. The assessors were blinded to the patient allocation. The primary outcome was perioperative functional capacity measured as the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), which was assessed at 1 day before and 30 days after surgery. A linear mixed-effects model was built to analyze the perioperative 6MWD. Other outcomes included lung function, disability and psychometric evaluations, length of stay (LOS), short-term recovery quality, postoperative complications, and mortality. RESULTS: The median duration of prehabilitation was 15 days. The average 6MWD was 60.9 m higher perioperatively in the prehabilitation group compared to the control group (95% confidence interval [CI], 32.4-89.5; P < .001). There were no differences in lung function, disability and psychological assessment, LOS, short-term recovery quality, postoperative complications, and mortality, except for forced vital capacity (FVC; 0.35 L higher in the prehabilitation group, 95% CI, 0.05-0.66; P = .021). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-week, home-based, multimodal prehabilitation program could produce clinically relevant improvements in perioperative functional capacity in patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for lung cancer.

Anesthetic Considerations in a 98-year-old Man with Periprosthetic Femoral Shaft Fracture.

A 98-year-old male patient with history of hemiarthroplasty suffered periprosthetic fracture of right femoral shaft and developed acute coronary event in three days after hospitalization. Femoral nerve and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve blocks combined with general anesthesia were implemented for the internal fixation surgery. The recovery was uneventful after discharge. In this case report, we discussed the main considerations of anesthesia specifically for this complicated case.

Effects of Ambient Temperature and Forced-air Warming on Intraoperative Core Temperature: A Factorial Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of ambient temperature, with and without active warming, on intraoperative core temperature remains poorly characterized. The authors determined the effect of ambient temperature on core temperature changes with and without forced-air warming. METHODS: In this unblinded three-by-two factorial trial, 292 adults were randomized to ambient temperatures 19°, 21°, or 23°C, and to passive insulation or forced-air warming. The primary outcome was core temperature change between 1 and 3 h after induction. Linear mixed-effects models assessed the effects of ambient temperature, warming method, and their interaction. RESULTS: A 1°C increase in ambient temperature attenuated the negative slope of core temperature change 1 to 3 h after anesthesia induction by 0.03 (98.3% CI, 0.01 to 0.06) °Ccore/(h°Cambient) (P < 0.001), for patients who received passive insulation, but not for those warmed with forced-air (-0.01 [98.3% CI, -0.03 to 0.01] °Ccore/[h°Cambient]; P = 0.40). Final core temperature at the end of surgery increased 0.13°C (98.3% CI, 0.07 to 0.20; P < 0.01) per degree increase in ambient temperature with passive insulation, but was unaffected by ambient temperature during forced-air warming (0.02 [98.3% CI, -0.04 to 0.09] °Ccore/°Cambient; P = 0.40). After an average of 3.4 h of surgery, core temperature was 36.3° ± 0.5°C in each of the forced-air groups, and ranged from 35.6° to 36.1°C in passively insulated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ambient intraoperative temperature has a negligible effect on core temperature when patients are warmed with forced air. The effect is larger when patients are passively insulated, but the magnitude remains small. Ambient temperature can thus be set to comfortable levels for staff in patients who are actively warmed.

Axillary Temperature, as Recorded by the iThermonitor WT701, Well Represents Core Temperature in Adults Having Noncardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Core temperature can be accurately measured from the esophagus or nasopharynx during general anesthesia, but neither site is suitable for neuraxial anesthesia. We therefore determined the precision and accuracy of a novel wireless axillary thermometer, the iThermonitor, to determine its suitability for use during neuraxial anesthesia and in other patients who are not intubated. METHODS: We enrolled 80 adults having upper abdominal surgery with endotracheal intubation. Intraoperative core temperature was measured in distal esophagus and was estimated at the axilla with a wireless iThermonitor WT701 (Raiing Medical, Boston MA) at 5-minute intervals. Pairs of axillary and reference distal esophageal temperatures were compared and summarized using linear regression and repeated-measured Bland-Altman methods. We a priori determined that the iThermonitor would have clinically acceptable accuracy if most estimates were within ±0.5°C of the esophageal reference, and suitable precision if the limits of agreement were within ±0.5°C. RESULTS: There were 3339 sets of paired temperatures. Axillary and esophageal temperatures were similar, with a mean difference (esophageal minus axillary) of only 0.14°C ± 0.26°C (standard deviation). The Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement were reasonably narrow, with the estimated upper limit at 0.66°C and the lower limit at -0.38°C, thus ±0.52°C, indicating good agreement across the range of mean temperatures from 34.9°C to 38.1°C. The absolute difference was within 0.5°C in 91% of the measurements (95% confidence interval, 88%-93%). CONCLUSIONS: Axillary temperature, as recorded by the iThermonitor WT701, well represents core temperature in adults having noncardiac surgery and thus appears suitable for clinical use.

[Adding Ondansetron in Morphine Intravenous Analgesia Pump for Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Women].

Objective To evaluate the application of adding ondansetron in morphine intravenous analgesia pump for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)in women. Methods Data of surgical female inpatients who received general anesthesia and postoperative intravenous analgesia with morphine in our center from January 1st,2013 to December 31st,2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on whether ondansetron was added,patients were divided into the observation group(n=834) and the control group(n=856). Outcome variables including morphine consumption,visual analogue scale(VAS) score,nausea score,and total times of vomiting within 48 hours after surgery were collected and compared. Results Age(t=0.432,P=0.665),morphine consumption during the first post-operative day(t=0.599,P=0.548) and during the second post-operative day(t=0.236,P=0.813),maximum VAS score of postoperative pain during movement during the first post-operative day [3(2,4) vs. 3(2,5);Z=1.850,P=0.064] and at rest during the second post-operative day [0(0,1) vs. 0(0,1);Z=1.511,P=0.131] were not significantly different between two groups. While the maximum VAS score of postoperative pain at rest during the first post-operative day [0(0,2) vs.0(0,2);Z=2.435,P=0.015] and during movement during the second post-operative day [3(1,3)vs.3(2,4);Z=3.445,P=0.001] were significantly different between two groups. The maximum score of postoperative nausea(χ2=9.810,P=0.020) and cumulative frequency of postoperative vomiting(Z=3.726,P=0.002)in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group during the first post-operative day;however,there was no significant difference during the second post-operative day(χ2=5.017,P=0.170;Z=0.000,P=1.000). Logistic regression analysis showed that adding ondansetron in morphine intravenous analgesia pump was an independent influencing factor of reduced postoperative nausea. The probability of nausea during the first post-operative day was 0.781 time(P=0.015)of that in the control group and 0.736 time(P=0.030)during the second post-operative day. Conclusion Adding ondansetron in morphine intravenous analgesia pump may reduce PONV in women.

Efficacy and Safety of a Continuous Wound Catheter in Open Abdominal Partial Hepatectomy.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of continuous local anesthetic wound infiltration following open abdominal partial hepatectomy. Methods We performed a prospective, non-randomized, concurrent and controlled study. Patients undergoing open abdominal partial hepatectomy, according to their willingness, accepted one of the following managements for the postoperative pain: continuous wound catheter (CWC) infiltration, patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), patient-controlled intravenous analgesia of morphine (PCIAM), and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia of sufentanil (PCIAS). The primary outcome was postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and on movement. Secondary outcomes included consumption of rescue medication, side effects, and complications associated with postoperative pain management. Results From August 2013 to December 2013, 80 patients were allocated to receive CWC (n=10), PCEA (n=22), PCIAM (n=29), or PCIAS (n=19). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, percentage of resected liver, operation time, and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale, there was no significant difference in the VAS scores at rest or on movement between Group CWC and the other groups, namely PCEA, PCIAM, and PCIAS, at 4, 12, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively (all P>0.05). The need for rescue medication was not significantly different between Group CWC and the other three groups at 48 and 72 hours postoperatively (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting or anal exsufflation time between group CWC and the other three groups (all P>0.05). No severe adverse effects associated with continuous wound infiltration were observed during the study period. Conclusions CWC has a comparable analgesic effect compared with traditional analgesia Methods at most time points postoperatively. CWC is a safe alternative for the postoperative analgesic management of open liver surgery.

Hemodynamic Changes in Patients Undergoing Pericardiectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing pericardiectomy at different operational stages. METHODS: Totally 16 consecutive patients receiving radical pericardiectomy were enrolled in this observational study. Hemodynamic variables were monitored continuously by pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output(PiCCO)system. Totally,three sets of intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were obtained at three different stages of pericardiectomy. RESULTS: During the pericardiectomy,the cardiac index[CI,(1.9±0.6),(2.7±0.6),(3.0±0.5)L·min(-1)·m(-2);P<0.05]and stroke volume index[SI,(22.5±8.7),(29.9±8.5),(30.1±8.5)dyn·s·cm(-5)·m(2);P<0.05]showed significant improvement,whereas central venous pressure[CVP,(17.1±5.0),(13.3±3.9),(12.3±3.0)mmHg;P<0.05]decreased significantly. Global end-diastolic volume index[GEDVi,(533±156),(580±153),(559±144)ml·m(-2);P<0.05]increased and stroke volume variation[SVV,(15.6±6.1)%,(10.8±4.2)%,(9.4±5.4)%;P<0.05]decreased intra-operatively. The majority of the above-mentioned hemodynamic improvements occurred after the resection of pericardium over the left ventricular outflow tract(LVOT). CONCLUSIONS: PiCCO system can serve as a reliable,less invasive hemodynamic monitoring method during pericardiectomy. Resection of the pericardium over the LVOT is the most important step of the pericardiectomy.

Supportive care of female hormones in brain health: what and how?

Female hormones, functioning as neuroactive steroids, are utilized beyond menopausal hormone therapy. The rapid onset of allopregnanolone analogs, such as brexanolone and zuranolone, in treating depression, and the effectiveness of megestrol acetate in addressing appetite and weight gain, prompted the Food and Drug Administration to authorize the use of progesterone for treating postpartum depression and cancer-related cachexia. Progesterone has also been found to alleviate neuropathic pain in animal studies. These off-label applications offer a promising option for patients with advanced cancer who often experience various mood disorders such as depression, persistent pain, social isolation, and physical complications like cachexia. These patients have shown low tolerance to opioids and mood-regulating medications. However, the potential risks and uncertainties associated with hormone therapy treatment modalities can be daunting for both patients and medical professionals. This review aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the non-reproductive functions and mechanisms of female hormones in brain health.