Effects of Intra-operative Cardiopulmonary Variability On Post-operative Pulmonary Complications in Major Non-cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Intraoperative cardiopulmonary variables are well-known predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), traditionally quantified by median values over the duration of surgery. However, it is unknown whether cardiopulmonary instability, or wider intra-operative variability of the same metrics, is distinctly associated with PPC risk and severity. We leveraged a retrospective cohort of adults (n = 1202) undergoing major non-cardiothoracic surgery. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association of two outcomes (1)moderate-or-severe PPC and (2)any PPC with two sets of exposure variables- (a)variability of cardiopulmonary metrics (inter-quartile range, IQR) and (b)median intraoperative cardiopulmonary metrics. We compared predictive ability (receiver operating curve analysis, ROC) and parsimony (information criteria) of three models evaluating different aspects of the intra-operative cardiopulmonary metrics: Median-based: Median cardiopulmonary metrics alone, Variability-based: IQR of cardiopulmonary metrics alone, and Combined: Medians and IQR. Models controlled for peri-operative/surgical factors, demographics, and comorbidities. PPC occurred in 400(33%) of patients, and 91(8%) experienced moderate-or-severe PPC. Variability in multiple intra-operative cardiopulmonary metrics was independently associated with risk of moderate-or-severe, but not any, PPC. For moderate-or-severe PPC, the best-fit predictive model was the Variability-based model by both information criteria and ROC analysis (area under the curve, AUCVariability-based = 0.74 vs AUCMedian-based = 0.65, p = 0.0015; AUCVariability-based = 0.74 vs AUCCombined = 0.68, p = 0.012). For any PPC, the Median-based model yielded the best fit by information criteria. Predictive accuracy was marginally but not significantly higher for the Combined model (AUCCombined = 0.661) than for the Median-based (AUCMedian-based = 0.657, p = 0.60) or Variability-based (AUCVariability-based = 0.649, p = 0.29) models. Variability of cardiopulmonary metrics, distinct from median intra-operative values, is an important predictor of moderate-or-severe PPC.

Correlations of Opioid Intake During Different Predischarge Time Frames with Postdischarge Opioid Use Following Inpatient Surgery.

Previous work has shown that predischarge opioid use is the most reliable and practical predictor of postdischarge opioid intake after inpatient surgery. However, the most appropriate predischarge time frame for operationalizing this relationship into more individualized prescriptions is unknown. We compared the correlations between the quantity of opioids taken during 5 predischarge time frames and self-reported postdischarge opioid intake in 604 adult surgery patients. We found that the 24-hour predischarge time frame was most strongly correlated (ρ= 0.60, P < .001) with postdischarge opioid use and may provide actionable information for predicting opioid use after discharge.

Best Practice Alerts Informed by Inpatient Opioid Intake to Reduce Opioid Prescribing after Surgery (PRIOR): A Cluster Randomized Multiple Crossover Trial.

BACKGROUND: Overprescription of opioids after surgery remains common. Residual and unnecessarily prescribed opioids can provide a reservoir for nonmedical use. This study therefore tested the hypothesis that a decision-support tool embedded in electronic health records guides clinicians to prescribe fewer opioids at discharge after inpatient surgery. METHODS: This study included 21,689 surgical inpatient discharges in a cluster randomized multiple crossover trial from July 2020 to June 2021 in four Colorado hospitals. Hospital-level clusters were randomized to alternating 8-week periods during which an electronic decision-support tool recommended tailored discharge opioid prescriptions based on previous inpatient opioid intake. During active alert periods, the alert was displayed to clinicians when the proposed opioid prescription exceeded recommended amounts. No alerts were displayed during inactive periods. Carryover effects were mitigated by including 4-week washout periods. The primary outcome was oral morphine milligram equivalents prescribed at discharge. Secondary outcomes included combination opioid and nonopioid prescriptions and additional opioid prescriptions until day 28 after discharge. A vigorous state-wide opioid education and awareness campaign was in place during the trial. RESULTS: The total postdischarge opioid prescription was a median [quartile 1, quartile 3] of 75 [0, 225] oral morphine milligram equivalents among 11,003 patients discharged when the alerts were active and 100 [0, 225] morphine milligram equivalents in 10,686 patients when the alerts were inactive, with an estimated ratio of geometric means of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.80 to 1.13; P = 0.586). The alert was displayed in 28% (3,074 of 11,003) of the discharges during the active alert period. There was no relationship between the alert and prescribed opioid and nonopioid combination medications or additional opioid prescriptions written after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A decision-support tool incorporated into electronic medical records did not reduce discharge opioid prescribing for postoperative patients in the context of vigorous opioid education and awareness efforts. Opioid prescribing alerts might yet be valuable in other contexts.(Anesthesiology 2023; 139:186-96).

Airway and Hemodynamic Considerations for the Anesthetic Management of an Intraluminal Tracheal Plasmacytoma.

Central airway obstruction due to tracheal tumors presents unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. We present the case of a 44-year-old male taken to the OR for biopsy and resection of an undiagnosed tracheal mass. Intraoperative management was complicated by bleeding and significant hemodynamic instability, necessitating rapid surgical and anesthetic intervention. This ultimately led to abortion of surgical resection. Pathologic examination revealed a primary tracheal plasmacytoma, a rare type of tracheal tumor. Here, we describe anesthetic and hemodynamic considerations for a tracheal plasmacytoma. We discuss the approach to airway management in variable intrathoracic tracheal obstruction and the unpredictability of tracheal tumors.

Cardiac surgery's long opioid dependency: time to recalibrate pain therapy?

Opioid analgesia is the cornerstone of anaesthetic management during cardiac surgery. However, a subset of patients use opioids persistently after three months of surgery. We discuss a recent meta-analysis and systematic review by Liu and colleagues describing both patient and peri-procedural risk factors that contribute to this phenomenon in the context of chronic pain after cardiac surgery. Anaesthetists for cardiac surgery should consider opioid alternatives and individual patient risk factors to optimise recovery and pain control.

Shared Decision-Making Tool for Opioid Prescribing After Ambulatory Orthopedic Surgery in Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Purpose: We examined whether an educational, shared-decision-making tool designed to empower patients, individualize pain management, and maximize use of nonopioid, over-the-counter analgesics reduces opioid use and waste while maintaining adequate pain relief. Methods: We developed an educational, shared-decision-making tool regarding postoperative pain medication for outpatient hand surgery. Patients randomized to groups with and without the tool were surveyed for 4 weeks after surgery. Survey variables included Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System pain intensity and pain interference scores, as well as the number of oxycodone or over-the-counter pills taken. Results were compared using chi-squared, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and Welch's t tests. Results: Fifty-three patients participated: 25 in the shared-tool group and 28 in the no-tool group. The mean age was 60 years, with more women in the no-tool group than the shared-tool group (n =17 versus 11, respectively). The shared-tool group averaged 6.4 prescribed oxycodone pills, versus 10 for the no-tool group (P < .01). The median numbers of oxycodone pills taken the first week after surgery were 2 (interquartile range, 6) for the shared-tool group and 3 (interquartile range, 6) for the no-tool group (P = .97). Patient-reported outcome measures for pain intensity and pain interference were not significantly different for weeks 1, 3, and 4 after surgery. Pain interference was significantly lower in week 2 in the shared-tool group (difference, -4.4; 95% confidence interval, -8.57 to -0.30; P = .04). Conclusions: The shared-tool group had equivalent or better pain control and were prescribed a lower number of opioid pain pills than the no-tool group. Both groups used nonopioid medications, with no difference in the types of over-the-counter medications used. Shared decision-making strategies could be applied to other outpatient orthopedic surgical settings, and may reduce the amount of opioids prescribed without compromising pain control. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic II.

Postoperative pulmonary complications with adjuvant regional anesthesia versus general anesthesia alone: a sub-analysis of the Perioperative Research Network study.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant regional anesthesia is often selected for patients or procedures with high risk of pulmonary complications after general anesthesia. The benefit of adjuvant regional anesthesia to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications remains uncertain. In a prospective observational multicenter study, patients scheduled for non-cardiothoracic surgery with at least one postoperative pulmonary complication surprisingly received adjuvant regional anesthesia more frequently than those with no complications. We hypothesized that, after adjusting for surgical and patient complexity variables, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications would not be associated with adjuvant regional anesthesia. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective observational multicenter study including 1202 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 3 patients undergoing non-cardiothoracic surgery. Patients were classified as receiving either adjuvant regional anesthesia or general anesthesia alone. Predefined pulmonary complications within the first seven postoperative days were prospectively identified. Groups were compared using bivariable and multivariable hierarchical logistic regression analyses for the outcome of at least one postoperative pulmonary complication. RESULTS: Adjuvant regional anesthesia was performed in 266 (22.1%) patients and not performed in 936 (77.9%). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was greater in patients receiving adjuvant regional anesthesia (42.1%) than in patients without it (30.9%) (site adjusted p = 0.007), but this association was not confirmed after adjusting for covariates (adjusted OR 1.37; 95% CI, 0.83-2.25; p = 0.165). CONCLUSION: After adjusting for surgical and patient complexity, adjuvant regional anesthesia versus general anesthesia alone was not associated with a greater incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in this multicenter cohort of non-cardiothoracic surgery patients.

Association between alcohol use disorder and hospital outcomes in colectomy patients - A retrospective cohort study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In the United States, alcohol use disorder adversely affects 5.6% of all adults. Excessive alcohol consumption adversely affects organ functions critical for adaptation to stress induced by surgery. Colorectal resection is one of the most common major surgeries in patients at risk for alcohol use disorder. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of alcohol use disorder on hospital outcomes after colectomy using a population-based discharge database. SETTING: Population-based discharge database. PATIENTS: The Premier Healthcare Database was queried for the 603,730 adult patients who underwent colectomy from 2016 to 2019. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Multiple logistic regressions estimated the associations between in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization cost with alcohol use disorder as the primary predictor, adjusting for other substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, depression, other Elixhauser comorbidities, age, payor, race, gender, non-elective surgery, and other unbalanced variables. MAIN RESULTS: A discharge code for alcohol use disorder was identified in 2.9% of colectomy patients and the overall in-hospital mortality rate in all sampled colectomy patients was 1.4%. Alcohol use disorder was associated with a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for other factors (AOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.24-1.48, p < 0.0001). Alcohol use disorder was also significantly associated with long length of stay (AOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.39-1.52, p < 0.0001) and high hospitalization costs (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.56-1.70, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use disorder is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing colectomy, one of the most common major surgeries. Future research should examine if enhanced efforts to identify patients with alcohol use disorder could enable anesthesiologists to provide worthwhile perioperative interventions for this high-risk population.

An Approach to Biomarker Discovery of Cannabis Use Utilizing Proteomic, Metabolomic, and Lipidomic Analyses.

Introduction: Relatively little is known about the molecular pathways influenced by cannabis use in humans. We used a multi-omics approach to examine protein, metabolomic, and lipid markers in plasma differentiating between cannabis users and nonusers to understand markers associated with cannabis use. Methods: Eight discordant twin pairs and four concordant twin pairs for cannabis use completed a blood draw, urine and plasma toxicology testing, and provided information about their past 30-day cannabis use and other substance use patterns. The 24 twins were all non-Hispanic whites. Sixty-six percent were female. Median age was 30 years. Fifteen participants reported that they had used cannabis in the last 30 days, including eight participants that used every day or almost every day (29-30 of 30 days). Of these 15 participants, plasma 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) and total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations were detectable in 12 participants. Among the eight "heavy users" the amount of total THC (sum of THC and its metabolites) and plasma THC-COOH concentrations varied widely, with ranges of 13.1-1713 ng/mL and 2.7-284 ng/mL, respectively. A validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay measured plasma THC-COOH, THC, and other cannabinoids and metabolites. Plasma THC-COOH was used as the primary measure. Expression levels of 1305 proteins were measured using SOMAScan assay, and 34 lipid mediators and 314 metabolites were measured with LC-MS/MS. Analyses examined associations between markers and THC-COOH levels with and without taking genetic relatedness into account. Results: Thirteen proteins, three metabolites, and two lipids were identified as associated with THC-COOH levels. Myc proto-oncogene was identified as associated with THC-COOH levels in both molecular insight and potential marker analyses. Five pathways (interleukin-6 production, T lymphocyte regulation, apoptosis, kinase signaling pathways, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) were linked with molecules identified in these analyses. Conclusions: THC-COOH levels are associated with immune system-related pathways. This study presents a feasible approach to identify additional molecular markers associated with THC-COOH levels.

Improving prediction to prevent perioperative morbidity.

In this editorial, we examine how the STRoke After Surgery (STRAS) screening tool and similar risk scoring systems can be used to identify high-risk patients for postoperative stroke. Specific challenges to develop and implement preventative measures aimed at improving postoperative outcomes are discussed. Finally, we suggest potential future areas of research in this field.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients-An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The United States currently has more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than any other country in the world. Given the variability in COVID-19 testing and prevention capability, identifying factors associated with mortality in patients requiring mechanical ventilation is critical. This study aimed to identify which demographics, comorbidities, markers of disease progression, and interventions are associated with 30-day mortality in COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to one of the health system's intensive care units and requiring mechanical ventilation between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2020, were included in this observational cohort study. We used Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare patient characteristics between deceased and living patients and multiple logistic regression to assess the association between independent variables and the likelihood of 30-day mortality. RESULTS: We included 85 patients, of which 20 died (23.5%) within 30 days of the first hospital admission. In the univariate analysis, deceased patients were more likely ≥60 years of age (p < 0.001), non-Hispanic (p = 0.026), and diagnosed with a solid malignant tumor (p = 0.003). Insurance status also differed between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.019). Age ≥60 and malignancy had a 9.5-fold (95% confidence interval 1.4-62.3, p = 0.020) and 5.8-fold higher odds ratio (95% confidence interval 1.2-28.4, p = 0.032) for 30-day mortality after adjusted analysis using multivariable logistic regression, while other independent variables were no longer significant. CONCLUSIONS: In our observational cohort study of 85 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, age, and a diagnosis of a solid malignant tumor were associated with 30-day mortality. Our findings validate concerns for the survival of elderly and cancer patients in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, where testing capabilities and preventative measures have been inconsistent. Preventative efforts geared to patients at risk for intensive care unit mortality from COVID-19 should be explored.

Transesophageal echocardiography for perioperative management in thoracic surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Perioperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is most often employed during cardiac surgery. This review will summarize some of the recent findings relevant to TEE utilization during thoracic surgical procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: Hemodynamic monitoring is a key component of goal-directed fluid therapy, which is also becoming more common for management of thoracic surgical procedures. Although usually not required for the anesthetic management of common thoracic surgeries, TEE is frequently used during lung transplantation and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Few clinical studies support current practice patterns, and most recommendations are based on expert opinion. SUMMARY: Currently, routine use of TEE in thoracic surgery is often limited to specific high-risk patients and/or procedures. As in other perioperative settings, TEE may be utilized to elucidate the reasons for acute hemodynamic instability without apparent cause. Contraindications to TEE apply and have to be taken into consideration before performing a TEE on a thoracic surgical patient.

American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on the Role of Neuromonitoring in Perioperative Outcomes: Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Some neurological complications following surgery have been related to a mismatch in cerebral oxygen supply and demand that may either lead to more subtle changes of brain function or overt complications like stroke or coma. Discovery of a perioperative neurological complication may be outside the treatment window, thereby making prevention an important focus. Early commercial devices used differential spectroscopy to measure relative changes from baseline of 2 chromophores: oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin. It was the introduction of spatially resolved spectroscopy techniques that allowed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based cerebral oximetry as we know it today. Modern cerebral oximeters measure the hemoglobin saturation of blood in a specific "optical field" containing arterial, capillary, and venous blood, not tissue oxygenation itself. Multiple cerebral oximeters are commercially available, all of which have technical differences that make them noninterchangeable. The mechanism and meaning of these measurements are likely not widely understood by many practicing physicians. Additionally, as with many clinically used monitors, there is a lack of high-quality evidence on which clinicians can base decisions in their effort to use cerebral oximetry to reduce neurocognitive complications after surgery. Therefore, the Sixth Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI-6) consensus conference brought together an international team of multidisciplinary experts including anesthesiologists, surgeons, and critical care physicians to objectively survey the literature on cerebral oximetry and provide consensus, evidence-based recommendations for its use in accordance with the GRading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria for evaluating biomedical literature. The group produced the following consensus recommendations: (1) interpreting perioperative cerebral oximetry measurements in the context of a preinduction baseline value; (2) interpreting perioperative cerebral oximetry measurements in the context of the physiologic variables that affect them; (3) using caution in comparing cerebral oximetry values between different manufacturers; (4) using preoperative cerebral oximetry to identify patients at increased risk of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery; (5) using intraoperative cerebral oximetry indexed to preinduction baseline to identify patients at increased risk of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery; (6) using cerebral oximetry to identify and guide management of acute cerebral malperfusion during cardiac surgery; (7) using an intraoperative cerebral oximetry-guided interventional algorithm to reduce intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay after cardiac surgery. Additionally, there was agreement that (8) there is insufficient evidence to recommend using intraoperative cerebral oximetry to reduce mortality or organ-specific morbidity after cardiac surgery; (9) there is insufficient evidence to recommend using intraoperative cerebral oximetry to improve outcomes after noncardiac surgery.

Association between procalcitonin levels and duration of mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 frequently require mechanical ventilation. Knowledge of laboratory tests associated with the prolonged need for mechanical ventilation may guide resource allocation. We hypothesized that an elevated plasma procalcitonin level (>0.1 ng/ml) would be associated with the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19, who were admitted to any of our health system's hospitals between March 9th-April 20th, 2020 and required invasive mechanical ventilation, were eligible for this observational cohort study. Demographics, comorbidities, components of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and procalcitonin levels on admission were obtained from the electronic health record. The primary outcome was the duration of mechanical ventilation; secondary outcomes included 28-day mortality and time to intubation. Outcomes were assessed within the first 28 days of admission. Baseline demographics and comorbidities were summarized by descriptive statistics. Univariate comparisons were made using Pearson's chi-square test for binary outcomes and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous outcomes. A multiple linear regression was fitted to assess the association between procalcitonin levels and the duration of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Patients with an initial procalcitonin level >0.1 ng/ml required a significantly longer duration of mechanical ventilation than patients with a level of ≤0.1 ng/ml (p = 0.021) in the univariate analysis. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality or time to intubation between the two groups. After adjusted analysis using multivariable linear regression, the duration of mechanical ventilation was, on average, 5.6 (p = 0.016) days longer in patients with an initial procalcitonin level >0.1 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of 93 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, we found an association between an initial plasma procalcitonin level >0.1 ng/ml and the duration of mechanical ventilation. These findings may help to identify patients at risk for prolonged mechanical ventilation upon admission.

Opioid-Free Epidural-Free Anesthesia for Open Hepatectomy: A Case Report.

Opioid-free perioperative approaches hold promise to reduce opioid use after surgery and their associated side effects. Here, we report the perioperative analgesic plan of a patient who requested opioid-free care for an open partial hepatectomy. Opioid-free anesthesia care for abdominal surgery is usually dependent on epidural analgesia. However, as in this case, placing an epidural is not always an option due to contraindications such as infection, coagulopathy, or patient refusal. Our multimodal management plan provided an alternative opioid-free, epidural-free perioperative strategy that may prove useful for other patients undergoing similar surgeries.

Individualized PEEP to optimise respiratory mechanics during abdominal surgery: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Higher intraoperative driving pressures (ΔP) are associated with increased postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). We hypothesised that dynamic adjustment of PEEP throughout abdominal surgery reduces ΔP, maintains positive end-expiratory transpulmonary pressures (Ptp_ee) and increases respiratory system static compliance (Crs) with PEEP levels that are variable between and within patients. METHODS: In a prospective multicentre pilot study, adults at moderate/high risk for PPC undergoing elective abdominal surgery were randomised to one of three ventilation protocols: (1) PEEP≤2 cm H2O, compared with periodic recruitment manoeuvres followed by individualised PEEP to either optimise respiratory system compliance (PEEPmaxCrs) or maintain positive end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure (PEEPPtp_ee). The composite primary outcome included intraoperative ΔP, Ptp_ee, Crs, and PEEP values (median (interquartile range) and coefficients of variation [CVPEEP]). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (48.6% female; age range: 47-73 yr) were assigned to control (PEEP≤2 cm H2O; n=13), PEEPmaxCrs (n=16), or PEEPPtp_ee (n=8) groups. The PEEPPtp_ee intervention could not be delivered in two patients. Subjects assigned to PEEPmaxCrs had lower ΔP (median8 cm H2O [7-10]), compared with the control group (12 cm H2O [10-15]; P=0.006). PEEPmaxCrs was also associated with higher Ptp_ee (2.0 cm H2O [-0.7 to 4.5] vs controls: -8.3 cm H2O [-13.0 to -4.0]; P≤0.001) and higher Crs (47.7 ml cm H2O [43.2-68.8] vs controls: 39.0 ml cm H2O [32.9-43.4]; P=0.009). Individualised PEEP (PEEPmaxCrs and PEEPPtp_ee combined) varied widely (median: 10 cm H2O [8-15]; CVPEEP=0.24 [0.14-0.35]), both between, and within, subjects throughout surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that individualised PEEP management strategies applied during abdominal surgery reduce driving pressure, maintain positive Ptp_ee and increase static compliance. The wide range of PEEP observed suggests that an individualised approach is required to optimise respiratory mechanics during abdominal surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02671721.

Postdischarge Pain Management After Thoracic Surgery: A Patient-Centered Approach.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative analgesia is paramount to recovery after thoracic surgery, and opioids play an invaluable role in this process. However, current 1-size-fits-all prescribing practices produce large quantities of unused opioids, thereby increasing the risk of nonmedical use and overdose. This study hypothesized that patient and perioperative characteristics, including 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake, could inform more appropriate postdischarge prescriptions after thoracic surgery. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in 200 adult thoracic surgical patients. The cohort was divided into 3 groups on the basis of 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake in morphine milligram equivalents (MME): (1) no (0 MME), (2) low (>0 to ≤22.5 MME), or (3) high (>22.5 MME) before-discharge opioid intake. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of patient and perioperative characteristics with self-reported after-discharge opioid use. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that preoperative opioid use, 24-hour before-discharge acetaminophen and gabapentinoid intake, and 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake were associated with higher after-discharge opioid use. Multivariable modeling demonstrated that 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake was most significantly associated with after-discharge opioid use. For example, compared with patients who took high amounts of opioids before discharge, patients who took no opioids before discharge were 99% less likely to take a high amount of opioids after discharge compared with taking none (odds ratio, 0.011; 95% confidence interval, 0.003 to 0.047; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake may inform patient requirements after discharge. Opioid prescriptions after thoracic surgery can thereby be targeted on the basis of anticipated needs.

Sugammadex versus Neostigmine for Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications (STRONGER): A Multicenter Matched Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Five percent of adult patients undergoing noncardiac inpatient surgery experience a major pulmonary complication. The authors hypothesized that the choice of neuromuscular blockade reversal (neostigmine vs. sugammadex) may be associated with a lower incidence of major pulmonary complications. METHODS: Twelve U.S. Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group hospitals were included in a multicenter observational matched-cohort study of surgical cases between January 2014 and August 2018. Adult patients undergoing elective inpatient noncardiac surgical procedures with general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation receiving a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade agent and reversal were included. Exact matching criteria included institution, sex, age, comorbidities, obesity, surgical procedure type, and neuromuscular blockade agent (rocuronium vs. vecuronium). Other preoperative and intraoperative factors were compared and adjusted in the case of residual imbalance. The composite primary outcome was major postoperative pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, respiratory failure, or other pulmonary complications (including pneumonitis; pulmonary congestion; iatrogenic pulmonary embolism, infarction, or pneumothorax). Secondary outcomes focused on the components of pneumonia and respiratory failure. RESULTS: Of 30,026 patients receiving sugammadex, 22,856 were matched to 22,856 patients receiving neostigmine. Out of 45,712 patients studied, 1,892 (4.1%) were diagnosed with the composite primary outcome (3.5% sugammadex vs. 4.8% neostigmine). A total of 796 (1.7%) patients had pneumonia (1.3% vs. 2.2%), and 582 (1.3%) respiratory failure (0.8% vs. 1.7%). In multivariable analysis, sugammadex administration was associated with a 30% reduced risk of pulmonary complications (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.77), 47% reduced risk of pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.62), and 55% reduced risk of respiratory failure (adjusted odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.56), compared to neostigmine. CONCLUSIONS: Among a generalizable cohort of adult patients undergoing inpatient surgery at U.S. hospitals, the use of sugammadex was associated with a clinically and statistically significant lower incidence of major pulmonary complications.