Effect of analgesic modality on outcome following open liver surgery: a systematic review of postoperative analgesia.

Postoperative analgesia following liver resection remains controversial. The traditional standard of care of thoracic epidural is increasingly questioned due to perceived associated complications and delays to recovery. Evidence supporting alternative analgesic techniques is emerging however best practice is not yet established. This review aimed to evaluate the literature to assess the optimum analgesic technique following liver resection. A systematic review was conducted of trials evaluating analgesic methods in open liver surgery. Primary outcome was the postoperative complication rate. Secondary outcomes were length of stay and pain scores. Fourteen trials matching the inclusion criteria were analysed. No difference was observed in systemic complication rates between analgesic modalities. Epidural was associated with prolonged length of stay when compared with continuous wound infiltration and intrathecal morphine. Epidural offered equivalent or superior pain scores when compared to alternative techniques. In summary current evidence suggests alternative analgesic modalities may provide favorable recovery outcomes following liver surgery but consistent evidence is limited. Epidurals provide superior pain relief to alternatives but this does not translate into reduced length of stay or complication rate following liver surgery.

Tracheal intubation in the critically ill: a multi-centre national study of practice and complications.

BACKGROUND: Complications associated with tracheal intubation may occur in up to 40% of critically ill patients. Since practice in emergency airway management varies between intensive care units (ICUs) and countries, complication rates may also differ. We undertook a prospective, observational study of tracheal intubation performed by critical care doctors in Scotland to identify practice, complications, and training. METHODS: For 4 months, we collected data on any intubation performed by doctors working in critical care throughout Scotland except those in patients having elective surgery and those carried out before admission to hospital. We used a standardized data form to collect information on pre-induction physical state and organ support, the doctor carrying out the intubation, the techniques and drugs used, and complications noted. RESULTS: Data from 794 intubations were analysed. Seventy per cent occurred in ICU and 18% occurred in emergency departments. The first-time intubation success rate was 91%, no patient required more than three attempts at intubation, and one patient required surgical tracheostomy. Severe hypoxaemia ( <80%) occurred in 22%, severe hypotension (systolic arterial pressure <80 mm Hg) in 20%, and oesophageal intubation in 2%. Three-quarters of intubations were performed by doctors with more than 24 months formal anaesthetic training and all but one doctor with <6 months training had senior supervision. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal intubation by critical care doctors in Scotland has a higher first-time success rate than described in previous reports of critical care intubation, and technical complications are few. Doctors carrying out intubation had undergone longer formal training in anaesthesia than described previously, and junior trainees are routinely supervised. Despite these good results, further work is necessary to reduce physiological complications and patient morbidity.

Randomized clinical trial of laxatives and oral nutritional supplements within an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol following liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Routine laxatives may expedite gastrointestinal recovery and early tolerance of food within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme. Combined with carbohydrate loading and oral nutritional supplements (ONS), it may further enhance recovery of gastrointestinal function and promote earlier overall recovery. METHODS: Seventy-four patients undergoing liver resection were randomized in a two-by-two factorial design to receive either postoperative magnesium hydroxide as a laxative, preoperative carbohydrate loading and postoperative ONS, their combination or a control group. Patients were managed within an ERAS programme of care. The primary outcome measure was time to first passage of stool. Secondary outcome measures were gastric emptying, postoperative oral calorie intake, time to functional recovery and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients completed the trial. The laxative group had a significantly reduced time to passage of stool: median (interquartile range) 4 (3-5) versus 5 (4-6) days (P = 0.034). The ONS group showed a trend towards a shorter time to passage of stool (P = 0.076) but there was no evidence of interaction in patients randomized to the combination regimen. Median length of hospital stay was 6 (4-7) days. There were no differences in secondary outcomes between groups. CONCLUSION: Within an ERAS protocol for patients undergoing liver resection, routine postoperative laxatives result in an earlier first passage of stool but the overall rate of recovery is unaltered.

Does delay to theatre for medical reasons affect the peri-operative mortality in patients with a fracture of the hip?

We have investigated how medical postponement, the time to surgery and the correction of medical abnormalities, according to McLaughlin criteria, before operation affected peri-operative mortality after fracture of the hip. From February to December 2007, in addition to core data, the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit collected information relating to surgical delay. Data were available for 4284 patients which allowed 30-day survival analysis to be performed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to control for differences in case-mix. Patients with major clinical abnormalities were more likely to have a postponement and had a lower unadjusted 30-day survival. The time to operation and postponement were not associated with higher mortality after adjustment for case-mix. Correction of major clinical abnormalities before surgery improved the adjusted survival, but this improvement was not significant (p = 0.10). Postponement without correction of a medical abnormality before surgery was associated with a significantly lower (p = 0.006) 30-day adjusted survival. The possible benefits of postponement need to be weighed against prolonged discomfort for the patient and the possibility of the development of other complications.

A users guide for reducing the pain of local anaesthetic administration.

Local anaesthetics (LAs) are used by medical practitioners in a number of clinical settings. The choice of agent and mode of administration is influenced by their experience, speciality and knowledge of the evidence base. Patients often express concern about the discomfort experienced during injection. Although short lived, the pain of LA administration in some patients is severe enough for them to decline future surgery. Methods to minimise the pain of LA administration relate to (1) the patient, (2) the LA, and (3) the injection technique (table 1). This article aims to provide a practical guide to doctors of all specialities who use LAs.

Can an airway assessment score predict difficulty at intubation in the emergency department?

AIM: To assess whether an airway assessment score based on the LEMON method is able to predict difficulty at intubation in the emergency department. METHODS: Patients requiring endotracheal intubation in the resuscitation room of a UK teaching hospital between June 2002 and September 2003 were assessed on criteria based on the LEMON method. At laryngoscopy, the Cormack and Lehane grade was recorded. An airway assessment score was devised and assessed. RESULTS: 156 patients were intubated during the study period. There were 114 Cormack and Lehane grade 1 intubations, 29 grade 2 intubations, 11 grade 3 intubations, and 2 grade 4 intubations. Patients with large incisors (p<0.001), a reduced inter-incisor distance (p<0.05), or a reduced thyroid to floor of mouth distance (p<0.05) were all more likely to have a poor laryngoscopic view (grade 2, 3, or 4). Patients with a high airway assessment score were more likely to have a poor laryngoscopic view compared with those patients with a low airway assessment score (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An airway assessment score based on criteria of the LEMON method is able to successfully stratify the risk of intubation difficulty in the emergency department. Patients with a poor laryngoscopic view (grades 2, 3, or 4) were more likely to have large incisors, a reduced inter-incisor distance, and a reduced thyroid to floor of mouth distance. They were also more likely to have a higher airway assessment score than those patients with a good laryngoscopic view.