Risk factors for prolonged time to hospital discharge after ambulatory cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although predictive models have already integrated demographic factors and comorbidities as risk factors for a prolonged hospital stay, factors related to anaesthesia management in ambulatory surgery have not been yet characterized. This study aims to identify anaesthetic factors associated with a prolonged discharge time in ambulatory surgery. METHODS: All clinical records of patients who underwent ambulatory cholecystectomy in a French University Hospital (Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris) between January 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary endpoint was the discharge time, defined as the time between the end of surgery and discharge. A multivariable Cox proportional-hazards model was fitted to investigate the factors associated with a prolonged discharge time. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-five (535) patients were included. The median time for discharge was 150 min (interquartile range - IQR [129-192]). A bivariable analysis highlighted a positive correlation between discharge timeline and the doses-weight of ketamine and sufentanil. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis, the anaesthesia-related factors independently associated with prolonged discharge time were the dose-weight of ketamine in interaction with the dose weight of sufentanil (HR 0.10 per increment of 0.1 mg/kg of ketamine or 0.2 µg/kg of sufentanil, CI 95% [0.01-0.61], p = 0.013) and the non-use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (HR 0.81 [0.67-0.98], p = 0.034). Twenty patients (4%) had unscheduled hospitalization following surgery. CONCLUSION: Anaesthesia management, namely the use of ketamine and the non-use of NSAID, affects time to hospital discharge.

Ultrasound assessment of the gastric content among diabetic and non-diabetic patients before elective surgery: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Although diabetic gastroparesis could be responsible for delayed gastric emptying, there is conflicting evidence about the volume of gastric content in diabetic patients after preoperative fasting. We hypothesized that diabetic patients had an increased gastric content before anesthesia induction despite the following of fasting recommendations. We used ultrasound assessment of gastric content to evaluate this risk. METHODS: This multicenter prospective single-blinded case-control study was conducted in three teaching University hospital in France. Our primary outcome was the comparison of increased gastric content between the two groups and was defined either by a Perlas grade 2 antrum or an antral cross-sectional area (CSA)>340 mm2. Each diabetic patient was paired with three non-diabetic control patients. Forty-two diabetic and 126 control patients were included in the study. RESULTS: Eighteen (42.9%) diabetic patients reached the primary outcome versus 28 (22.2%) in the control group (P=0.009). Diabetic patients presented less frequently with an empty stomach. Indeed, ten (23.8%) diabetic patients had a grade 0 antrum versus 71 (56.3%) in the control group (P<0.001). Twenty-four (70.6%) diabetic patients had an antral CSA<340 mm2 versus 98 (86%) in the control group (P=0.039). Overall, diabetic patients and increased gastric content were associated with an Odds Ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-5.52, P=0.009. CONCLUSIONS: Our study documents that gastric content is increased among diabetic patients compared to control patients despite following appropriate fasting guidelines.

Face-To-Face Double-Lumen Tube Intubation With the Airtraq Video Laryngoscope for Emergency Thoracic Surgery: A Case Report.

Double-lumen intubation is commonly used for thoracic surgery as it allows rapid and effective one-lung ventilation. However, it is more difficult than single-lumen tube intubation, notably in the context of emergency surgery and/or in hypoxemic patients. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient requiring emergency revision surgery after an upper right lobectomy due to postoperative pneumothorax and pleuropneumonia. As rapid lung isolation was required due to a bronchopleural fistula, rapid sequence induction and double-lumen tube intubation were performed. In addition, as the patient was hypoxemic with incomplete pre-oxygenation and too uncomfortable to tolerate the recumbent position despite high-flow oxygen, intubation was performed in face-to-face position. The patient was successfully intubated in 22 seconds and the right lung immediately isolated, allowing the surgeon to clean the pleural cavity. This is the first report of a double-lumen tube intubation in face-to-face position. The expected difficulties related to this type of intubation were successfully prevented using an Airtraq laryngoscope. Although such a strategy cannot be recommended from this one case, this report is encouraging for future studies evaluating the potential advantages of Airtraq use for double-lumen face-to-face intubation for emergency thoracic surgery.

PROSPECT guidelines update for evidence-based pain management after prostatectomy for cancer.

The aim of this review was to update the recommendations for optimal pain management after open and laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy. Optimal pain management is known to influence postoperative recovery, but patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy typically experience moderate dynamic pain in the immediate postoperative day. Robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgery may be associated with decreased pain levels as opposed to open surgery. We performed a systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) with PROcedure SPECific Postoperative Pain ManagemenT (PROSPECT) methodology. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English language, from January 2015 until March 2020, assessing postoperative pain, using analgesic, anaesthetic and surgical interventions, were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases. Of the 1797 studies identified, 35 RCTs and 3 meta-analyses met our inclusion criteria. NSAIDs and COX-2 selective inhibitors proved to lower postoperative pain scores. Continuous intravenous lidocaine reduced postoperative pain scores during open surgery. Local wound infiltration showed positive results in open surgery. Bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was performed at the end of surgery and lowered pain scores in robot-assisted procedures, but results were conflicting for open procedures. Basic analgesia for prostatic surgery should include paracetamol and NSAIDs or COX-2 selective inhibitors. TAP block should be recommended as the first-choice regional analgesic technique for laparoscopic/robotic radical prostatectomy. Intravenous lidocaine should be considered for open surgeries.

Comparison between femoral block and PENG block in femoral neck fractures: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Regional analgesia is worth performing in the multimodal postoperative management of hip fracture (HF) because it reduces hospital morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and side effects of the recently described "Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block" with those of the femoral block, which is considered the standard of care for postoperative pain control after femoral neck fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a comparative observational study at a university hospital (Saint Antoine Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France), where the PENG block was introduced in August 2019. We include all patients from June to October 2019, who were coming for femoral neck fractures and who had an analgesic femoral block or PENG block before their surgery. The primary outcome was the comparison of cumulative postoperative morphine consumption 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Demographics, medical charts, and perioperative data of 42 patients were reviewed: 21 patients before (Femoral group) and 21 patients after the introduction of PENG block (PENG group) in clinical practice. Thirteen total hip arthroplasties (THA) and eight hemi arthroplasties (HA) were included in each group. Demographics were also comparable. The median, postoperative, morphine equivalent consumption at 48 hours was 10 [0-20] mg and 20 [0-50] mg in Femoral and PENG groups respectively (p = 0.458). No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative pain intensity, time to ambulation, incidence of morphine-related side effects, or length of hospital stay. The postoperative muscle strength of the quadriceps was greater in the PENG group than in the Femoral group (5/5 vs. 2/5, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the management of hip fractures, PENG block is not associated in our study with a significant change in postoperative morphine consumption, compared to femoral block. However, it does significantly improve the immediate mobility of the operated limb, making it appropriate for inclusion in enhanced recovery programs after surgery.

Impact of Regional Block Failure in Ambulatory Hand Surgery on Patient Management: A Cohort Study.

Regional anesthesia (RA) is an anesthetic technique essential for the performance of ambulatory surgery. Failure rates range from 6% to 20%, and the consequences of these failures have been poorly investigated. We determined the incidence and the impact of regional block failure on patient management in the ambulatory setting. This retrospective cohort study includes all adult patients who were admitted to a French University Hospital (Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP) between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017 for unplanned ambulatory distal upper limb surgery. Univariate and stepwise multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with block failure. Among the 562 patients included, 48 (8.5%) had a block failure. RA failure was associated with a longer surgery duration (p = 0.02), more frequent intraoperative analgesics administration (p < 0.01), increased incidence of unplanned hospitalizations (p < 0.001), and a 39% prolongation of Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) length of stay (p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors associated with block failure were female sex (p = 0.04), an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score > 2 (p = 0.03), history of substance abuse (p = 0.01), and performance of the surgery outside of the specific ambulatory surgical unit (p = 0.01). Here, we have documented a significant incidence of block failure in ambulatory hand surgery, with impairment in the organization of care. Identifying patients at risk of failure could help improve their management, especially by focusing on providing care in a dedicated ambulatory circuit.

Is there a place for regional anesthesia in nonoperating room anesthesia?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: General anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care (MAC) are the most widely used techniques in nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA). However, regional anesthesia is slowly finding viable applications in this field. This review aims at providing an update on the current practice of regional anesthesia techniques outside of the operating theatre. RECENT FINDINGS: Some anesthetic departments have implemented the use of regional anesthesia in novel applications outside of the operating room. In most cases, it remains an adjunct to general anesthesia but is sometimes used as the sole anesthetic technique. The use of the paravertebral block during radiofrequency ablation of different tumors is a recent application in interventional radiology. In emergency medicine, regional anesthesia is gaining traction in analgesia for trauma patients. SUMMARY: Regional anesthesia is finding its way into broader applications every day, offering a range of potential benefits in anesthetic care. Its implementation in NORA is promising and may aid in decreasing patient morbidity. However, great care should be taken in applying the recommended safety precautions for regional anesthesia in any setting.

Virtual Reality for PEripheral Regional Anesthesia (VR-PERLA Study).

When used as an add-on to regional anesthesia, virtual reality (VR) has been reported to provide anxiety-reducing benefits and sedation-sparing effects. However, its impact on patient satisfaction is still a matter of controversy. We investigated the feasibility and benefits of implementing intraoperative VR distraction in a French University Hospital (Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP). This monocentric observational before-after study included 100 patients who underwent ambulatory upper limb surgery under peripheral nerve block in January 2019, 50 before and 50 after implementation of an intraoperative VR distraction protocol. Primary outcome was patient self-rated satisfaction score evaluated right after surgery. Secondary outcomes included 2-month patient-reported satisfaction score, perioperative self-rated anxiety and intraoperative hemodynamic changes. Compared to former standard care, VR distraction was associated with significantly higher postoperative satisfaction scores (10 [IQR 9; 10] vs. 9 [8; 10], p < 0.001) still reported two months after surgery (10 [10;10] vs. 10 [8.5;10], p = 0.06). Patient median intraoperative anxiety score was lower in the VR group, compared to Standard Care group (0 [0; 2] vs. 3 [0.25; 7], p < 0.001), and occurrence of intraoperative hemodynamic changes was also lessened in the VR group (2% vs. 16%, 0R = 0.11[95% CI 0.002-0.87], p = 0.031). The present findings suggest that VR distraction program in the operating room could effectively improve patient satisfaction with anxiety-reduction and hemodynamic benefits.

Impact of Chloroprocaine on the Eligibility for Hospital Discharge in Patients Requiring Ambulatory Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia: An Observational Multicenter Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: This observational study was designed to assess the use of spinal anesthesia with chloroprocaine in the context of ambulatory surgery. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, observational study was carried out among 33 private or public centers between May 2014 and January 2015 and adult patients, scheduled for a short ambulatory surgery under spinal anesthesia with chloroprocaine. The primary outcomes were anesthetic effectiveness, defined as performance of the whole surgical procedure without any additional anesthetic agent, and the time to achieve eligibility for hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes were the effect of chloroprocaine on motor and sensory blocks, patients' satisfaction, and the use of analgesics in the first 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Among the 615 enrolled patients, 56% were male, the mean age was 47.2 ± 15.2 years, and most patients had an ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) status of 1 (63.7%). Main surgical procedures performed were orthopedic (62.6%) and gynecologic (16.1%), and the mean duration of surgery was 26.7 ± 16.7 min. The overall anesthetic success rate was 93.8% (95% CI [91.5%; 95.6%]) for the 580 patients with available data for primary criteria. The failure rate was lower than 7% for all surgical procedures, except for gynecologic surgery (14.8%; 95% CI [8.1%; 23.9%]). The average times of eligibility for hospital discharge and effective discharge were 252.7 ± 82.7 min and 313.8 ± 109.9 min, respectively. The time of eligibility for hospital discharge is defined as the recovery of the patient's normal clinical parameters and the time of effective discharge is defined as the time for the patient to leave the hospital after surgery. Eligibility for patient's discharge was achieved more rapidly in private than public hospitals (236.3 ± 77.2 min vs. 280.9 ± 80.7 min, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed positive results on the effectiveness of chloroprocaine as a short-duration anesthetic and could be used to reduce the time to achieve eligibility for hospital discharge. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02152293. Registered on May 6, 2014. Date of enrollment of the first participant in the trial May 7, 2014.

Factors Determining the Choice of Spinal Versus General Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery: Results of a Multicenter Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Available short-acting intrathecal anesthetic agents (chloroprocaine and prilocaine) offer an alternative to general anesthesia for short-duration surgical procedures, especially ambulatory surgeries. Factors determining the choice of anesthesia for short-duration procedures have not been previously identified. METHODS: This observational, prospective, multicenter, cohort study was conducted between July 2015 and July 2016, in 33 private or public hospitals performing ambulatory surgery. The primary objective was to determine the factors influencing the choice of anesthetic technique (spinal or general anesthesia). Secondary outcomes included efficacy of the anesthesia, time to hospital discharge, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Among 592 patients enrolled, 309 received spinal anesthesia and 283 underwent general anesthesia. In both study arms, the most frequently performed surgical procedures were orthopedic and urologic (43.3% and 30.7%, respectively); 66.1% of patients were free to choose their type of anesthesia, 21.8% chose one of the techniques because they were afraid of the other, 16.8% based their choice on the expected ease of recovery, 19.2% considered their degree of anxiety/stress, and 16.9% chose the technique on the basis of its efficacy. The median times to micturition and to unassisted ambulation were significantly shorter in the general anesthesia arm compared with the spinal anesthesia arm (225.5 [98; 560] min vs. 259.0 [109; 789] min; p = 0.0011 and 215.0 [30; 545] min vs. 240.0 [40; 1420]; p = 0.0115, respectively). The median time to hospital discharge was equivalent in both study arms. In the spinal anesthesia arm, patients who received chloroprocaine and prilocaine recovered faster than patients who received bupivacaine. The time to ambulation and the time to hospital discharge were shorter (p < 0.001). The overall success rate of spinal anesthesia was 91.6%, and no significant difference was observed between chloroprocaine, prilocaine, and bupivacaine. The patients' global satisfaction with anesthesia and surgery was over 90% in both study arms. CONCLUSIONS: Patient's choice, patient fear of the alternative technique, patient stress/anxiety, the expected ease of recovery, and the efficacy of the technique were identified as the main factors influencing patient choice of short-acting local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia with short-acting local anesthetics was preferred to general anesthesia in ambulatory surgeries and was associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02529501. Registered on June 23, 2015. Date of enrollment of the first participant July 21, 2015.

Pain measurement and critical review of analgesic trials: pain scores, functional pain measurements, limits and bias of clinical trials.

Randomized clinical trials designed to assess analgesic agents and/or techniques used for postoperative pain control have several limitations, which are addressed in this article. Efficacy of analgesics cannot be limited to the evaluation of pain intensity or the amount of opioid rescue medication, but it also means to evaluate parameters such as the delay and duration of the effect, the number of patients with satisfactory pain control, and side effects. Because combination of analgesics is the standard of care in clinical practice, its value also needs to be documented. Eventually, analgesic treatments have to be considered in the settings of postoperative supportive care and enhanced recovery programmes after surgery.

Comparison of several methods for pain management after video-assisted thoracic surgery for pneumothorax: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: There is no defined gold standard for pain management after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for pneumothorax. In addition to systemic analgesia, various loco-regional analgesic techniques have been proposed but remain poorly evaluated in this context. We aimed to assess the analgesic efficacy of several of these techniques for the management of postoperative pain. METHODS: We conducted a monocentric prospective observational cohort study from February 2017 to April 2018 in patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax and scheduled for VATS (n = 59). Patients received systemic analgesia (i) alone (n = 15); (ii) combined with a continuous paravertebral block (n = 9); (iii) combined with a continuous serratus plane block (n = 19); or (iv) single-shot serratus plane block (n = 16) as decided by the attending physician. Pain scores and analgesic-related side effects were prospectively collected by an independent observer during the first postoperative 72 h. The primary endpoint criterion was the cumulative oral morphine consumption at the end of the third postoperative day. Statistical analysis used univariate and multivariate step-by-step forward logistic regression models to determine risk factors associated with the main criteria. RESULTS: Mean pain scores and morphine consumption were not significantly different between the 4 groups. In the multivariate analysis, the use of a continuous serratus plane block through a catheter was the only technique associated with a reduced incidence of high-dose oral morphine consumption (OR 0.09-95%CI [0.01-0.79], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that serratus plane block combined with continuous infusion through a catheter may have some benefits, although further studies are needed to confirm these results and determine the true place of the serratus plane block in pain management after VATS for pneumothorax.

Pain management after laparoscopic hysterectomy: systematic review of literature and PROSPECT recommendations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic hysterectomy is increasingly performed because it is associated with less postoperative pain and earlier recovery as compared with open abdominal hysterectomy. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available literature regarding the management of pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy. STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials evaluating postoperative pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy published between January 1996 and May 2018 were retrieved, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, from the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Efficacy and adverse effects of analgesic techniques were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 281 studies initially identified, 56 were included. Of these, 31 assessed analgesic or anesthetic interventions and 25 assessed surgical interventions. Acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and dexamethasone reduced opioid consumption. Limited evidence hindered recommendations on alpha-2-agonists. Inconsistent evidence was found in the studies investigating pregabalin and transversus abdominis plane block, and no evidence was found for intraperitoneal local anesthetics, port site infiltration, or single-port laparoscopy. Measures to lower peritoneal insufflation pressure or humidify or heat insufflated gas seem to reduce the incidence of shoulder pain, but not abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline analgesic regimen for laparoscopic hysterectomy should include acetaminophen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, and opioids as rescue analgesics.

Protective ventilation during anaesthesia reduces major postoperative complications after lung cancer surgery: A double-blind randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic surgery for lung resection is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. Controlled ventilation with a large tidal volume has been documented to be a risk factor for postoperative respiratory complications after major abdominal surgery, whereas the use of low tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has a protective effect. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ventilation with low tidal volume and PEEP on major complications after thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomised controlled study. SETTING: A multicentre trial from December 2008 to October 2011. PATIENTS: A total of 346 patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the occurrence of major postoperative complications (pneumonia, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, shock, myocardial infarction or death) within 30 days after surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either lung-protective ventilation (LPV group) [tidal volume 5 ml kg ideal body weight + PEEP between 5 and 8 cmH2O] or nonprotective ventilation (control group) (tidal volume 10 ml kg ideal body weight without PEEP) during anaesthesia. RESULTS: The trial was stopped prematurely because of an insufficient inclusion rate. Major postoperative complications occurred in 23/172 patients in the LPV group (13.4%) vs. 38/171 (22.2%) in the control group (odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval, 0.31 to 0.95, P = 0.03). The incidence of other complications (supraventricular cardiac arrhythmia, bronchial obstruction, pulmonary atelectasis, hypercapnia, bronchial fistula and persistent air leak) was also lower in the LPV group (37.2 vs. 49.4%, odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval, 0.39 to 0.92, P = 0.02).The duration of hospital stay was shorter in the LPV group, 11 [interquartile range, 9 to 15] days vs. 12 [9 to 16] days, P = 0.048. CONCLUSION: Compared with high tidal volume and no PEEP, LPV combining low tidal volume and PEEP during anaesthesia for lung cancer surgery seems to improve postoperative outcomes. TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00805077.

The risk of atrial fibrillation after pneumonectomy is not impaired by preoperative administration of dexamethasone. A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most frequent complications occurring after thoracic surgery especially after lung resection. It is associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Recent data having documented the preventive role of corticosteroids on the occurrence of AF in cardiac surgery, we sought to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of dexamethasone on the incidence of AF after pneumonectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the files of all consecutive patients who underwent a pneumonectomy in one single centre between July 2004 and July 2012. For each patient, demographics, medical status, the surgical procedure and treatments administered including dexamethasone, were recorded. The data were analysed using a univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among them, 153 patients were included and analysed; 35 (23%) presented with at least one episode of AF occurring within 48hours after surgery. Mortality was higher in these patients (26.5% versus 12.1%, P=0.06). The univariate analysis indicated that patients who had a postoperative course complicated by the occurrence of AF were older (P=0.003), had a higher SAPS2 score (P=0.002) and a higher CHADS score (P=0.05). Older age (OR=1.08; P=0.048) and preoperative treatment by anti-arrhythmics (OR=3.9; P=0.029) were documented as independent risk factors in the multivariate analysis. Preoperative administration of dexamethasone 8-12mg did not impair the incidence of AF. DISCUSSION: AF is a frequent complication after pneumonectomy associated with increased mortality. Whereas corticosteroids have been documented as preventing AF following cardiac surgery, no such effect was found after pneumonectomy.

Modelling of the optimal bupivacaine dose for spinal anaesthesia in ambulatory surgery based on data from systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Spinal bupivacaine is used for day-case surgery but the appropriate dose that guarantees hospital discharge is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the spinal bupivacaine dose that prevents delayed hospital discharge in ambulatory surgery. DESIGN: Systematic review of clinical trials. DATA SOURCES: Comprehensive search in electronic databases of studies published between 1996 and 2014 reporting the use of spinal bupivacaine in ambulatory patients. Additional articles were retrieved through hyperlinks and by manually searching reference lists in original articles, review articles and correspondence published in English and French. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were used to calculate, motor block duration and discharge time, an estimated maximal effect (Emax: maximum theoretical time of motor block) and the effective dose to obtain half of Emax (D50) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A simulation was performed to determine the dose corresponding to a time to recovery of 300 min for motor function, and 360 min for discharge, in 95% of the patients. RESULTS: In total, 23 studies (1062 patients) were included for analysis of the time to recovery of motor function, and 12 studies (618 patients) for the time to hospital discharge. The Emax for recovery of motor function was 268 min [95% CI (189 to 433 min)] and the D50 was 3.9 mg [95% CI (2.3 to 6.2 mg)]. A 7.5-mg dose of bupivacaine enables resolution of motor block and ambulation within 300 min in 95% of the patients. A 5-mg dose or less was associated with an unacceptable failure rate. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory surgery is possible under spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine although the dose range that ensures reliable anaesthesia with duration short enough to guarantee ambulatory management is narrow.

Optimal pain management for radical prostatectomy surgery: what is the evidence?

BACKGROUND: Increase in the diagnosis of prostate cancer has increased the incidence of radical prostatectomy. However, the literature assessing pain therapy for this procedure has not been systematically evaluated. Thus, optimal pain therapy for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy remains controversial. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies assessing the effects of analgesic and anesthetic interventions on pain after radical prostatectomy. All searches were conducted in October 2012 and updated in June 2015. RESULTS: Most treatments studied improved pain relief and/or reduced opioid requirements. However, there were significant differences in the study designs and the variables evaluated, precluding quantitative analysis and consensus recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review reveals that there is a lack of evidence to develop an optimal pain management protocol in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Most studies assessed unimodal analgesic approaches rather than a multimodal technique. There is a need for more procedure-specific studies comparing pain and analgesic requirements for open and minimally invasive surgical procedures. Finally, while we wait for appropriate procedure specific evidence from publication of adequate studies assessing optimal pain management after radical prostatectomy, we propose a basic analgesic guideline.