Impact of sugammadex and neostigmine on outcome after major orthopaedic surgery: A population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Residual neuromuscular blockade after surgery remains a major concern given its association with pulmonary complications. However, current clinical practices with and the comparative impact on perioperative risk of various reversal agents remain understudied. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the use of sugammadex and neostigmine in the USA, and their impact on postoperative complications by examining national data. DESIGN: This population-based retrospective study used national Premier Healthcare claims data. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA), or lumbar spine fusion surgery between 2016 and 2019 in the United States who received neuromuscular blocking agents. INTERVENTION: The effects of sugammadex and neostigmine for pharmacologically enhanced reversal were compared with each other and with controls who received no reversal agent. MAIN OUTCOMES: included pulmonary complications, cardiac complications, and a need for postoperative ventilation. Mixed-effects regression models compared the outcomes between neostigmine, sugammadex, and controls. We report odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Bonferroni-adjusted P values of 0.008 were used to indicate significance. RESULTS: Among 361 553 patients, 74.5% received either sugammadex (20.7%) or neostigmine (53.8%). Sugammadex use increased from 4.4% in 2016 to 35.4% in 2019, whereas neostigmine use decreased from 64.5% in 2016 to 43.4% in 2019. Sugammadex versus neostigmine or controls was associated with significantly reduced odds for cardiac complications (OR 0.86, 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.92 and OR 0.83, 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.89, respectively). Both sugammadex and neostigmine versus controls were associated with reduced odds for pulmonary complications (OR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.94 and OR 0.91, CI 0.85 to 0.98, respectively). A similar pattern of sugammadex and neostigmine was observed for a reduction in severe pulmonary complications, including the requirement of invasive ventilation (OR 0.54, 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.64 and OR 0.53, 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.6, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Population-based data indicate that sugammadex and neostigmine both appear highly effective in reducing the odds of severe life-threatening pulmonary complications. Sugammadex, especially, was associated with reduced odds of cardiac complications.

Does the impact of peripheral nerve blocks vary by age and comorbidity subgroups? A nationwide population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: A large body of literature suggests that peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) is associated with improved perioperative outcomes in total hip and knee joint arthroplasty patients. However, it is unclear to what extent this association exists across patient subgroups based on age and health status. METHODS: Patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty were identified from the Premier Healthcare database (2006-2019). Mixed-effects models were applied to assess the relationship between exposure of interest (PNB use on the day of surgery) and various outcomes (postoperative respiratory complications, acute renal failure, delirium, intensive care unit admission, prolonged length of stay, and high opioid consumption) across multiple subgroups stratified by patient age and pre-existing comorbidities. RESULTS: PNB use and outcome association varies based on the patient's health and age characteristics. For adults and older adults with excellent or fair, there was a decrease in the likelihood of respiratory complication with the use of PNB (OR: 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98; OR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.95; OR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.99, respectively). Peripheral nerve blocks were also associated with a reduction in the odds of high opioid consumption across all categories except adult patients in poor health. CONCLUSION: PNB use is associated with beneficial effects more commonly observed among patients with a lower comorbidity burden, without a clear pattern of association with patient age.

The impact of multimodal analgesia in coronary artery bypass graft surgery-a population-based analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Multimodal pain management aims to concurrently target several pain pathways for improved treatment efficacy and recovery. We investigated associations between multimodal analgesia use and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and opioid consumption among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 349,940 adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery (January 2006 to December 2019), from the national Premier Healthcare claims dataset. The study intervention was multimodal analgesia, defined as opioid use with the addition of nonopioid analgesic modalities. These included, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, paracetamol/acetaminophen, neuraxial anesthesia, steroids, gabapentin/pregabalin, and ketamine. Analgesic management was stratified into 4 categories: opioids only and multimodal analgesia with the addition of 1, 2 or ≥3 nonopioid analgesic modalities. Mixed-effects regression models measured associations between multimodal analgesia and postoperative complications, LOS, and opioid consumption measured in milligram oral morphine equivalents. RESULTS: Multimodal analgesia was associated with a beneficial dose response pattern. With increasing nonopioid analgesic modalities added to opioid analgesia, a stepwise decrease in complication risk was consistently observed, eg, with the addition of 1, 2, or ≥3 nonopioid modalities the odds for any complication decreased by 8% (odds ratio [OR], 0.92; confidence interval [CI], 0.90-0.94), 17% (OR, 0.83; CI, 0.81-0.86), and 22% (OR, 0.78; CI 0.69-0.79), respectively. This stepwise pattern was consistent in respiratory, cardiac, and renal complications individually. Similarly, LOS decreased stepwise with added analgesic modalities. CONCLUSIONS: These nationally representative data indicate that enhanced pain management by multiple pain pathways is associated with significant reductions in postoperative complications and shortened patient recovery.

Timing and threshold of high sensitive troponin T measurement for the prediction of mortality after cardiac surgery: a retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: High sensitive cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) is a widely used biomarker of myocardial injury. Along with other high sensitive troponins, HsTnT can predict mortality in both cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the association between hsTnT serum elevations in the immediate postoperative period until 120 h after cardiac surgery and the occurrence of in-hospital mortality compared to the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS3). Additionally, we identified an ideal hsTnT serum threshold to predict in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-institutional cohort analysis of 2179 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from 2013 to 2021. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate an association of hsTnT at various time points and in-hospital mortality. The model was adjusted for relevant covariates including SAPS3, lactate and administered norepinephrine dosage. ROC analysis was performed to estimate the accuracy to predict mortality by serum hsTnT concentrations. This prediction was compared to the SAPS3 score. An ideal cutoff of hsTnT concentration was calculated by means of Youden index. RESULTS: In total 7576 troponins were measured at the predefined timepoints. 100 (4.59%) patients died during the hospital stay. The fourth hsTnT on d3 (at 96-120 h postoperatively) showed the highest association with in-hospital death (OR 1.56; 95% CI (1.39-1.76); p < 0.001). This finding persisted after multivariable adjustment (aOR 1.34; 95% CI (1.18-1.53); p < 0.001). In contrast, the third hsTnT on d2 (at 48-72 h postoperatively) showed the best discrimination for in-hospital mortality (AUC 82.75%; 95% CI (0.77-0.89). The prediction by the third hsTnT was comparable to the in-hospital mortality prediction by SAPS3 (AUC 79.36%; 95% CI (0.73-0.85); p = 0.056). The optimal cutoff for the third hsTnT was calculated to be 1264 ng/L (Sensitivity 0.62; Specificity 0.88). CONCLUSION: Elevated hsTnT after cardiac surgery was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality. HsTnT measured on postoperative day 2 and 3 were most accurate to predict in-hospital mortality. The prediction of in-hospital mortality using hsTNT is comparable to mortality prediction using the SAPS3 score. HsTnT serum levels currently recommended to establish clinically important periprocedural myocardial injury are lower than thresholds identified in this study.

Anesthesia practice among joint arthroplasty patients with a previous lumbar spine surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of neuraxial techniques in total hip or knee arthroplasty patients who previously underwent lumbar spine surgeries. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a national database. SETTING: U.S. hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing a total hip or knee arthroplasty, stratified by those with a previous lumbar fusion or decompression procedure. MEASUREMENTS: Our primary outcome was the use of neuraxial anesthesia; secondary outcomes included combined complications, cardio-pulmonary complications, and prolonged length of stay. Patients with and without a history of a lumbar procedure were compared using mixed-effects regression. MAIN RESULTS: Among 758,857 THAs 8961 had a history of lumbar fusion and 8599 of decompression. Among 1,387,335 TKAs 15,827 had a history of lumbar fusion and 13,652 of decompression. History of a lumbar fusion was associated with lower odds of neuraxial anesthesia use in THA (OR: 0.74 CI: 0.70-0.79, p ≤0.0001) and TKA (OR: 0.80 CI: 0.77-0.84, p ≤0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Previous lumbar fusion -but not decompression- surgery is associated with lower neuraxial anesthesia in THA/TKA patients, despite its use being universally associated with decreased length of stay. More research is needed to address the importance of neuraxial techniques in patients with prior spine surgery.

Neuraxial Use Among Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Patients With Multiple Sclerosis or Myasthenia Gravis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical patients with preexisting neurological diseases create greater challenges to perioperative management, and choice of anesthetic is often complicated. We investigated neuraxial anesthesia use in total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) recipients with multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis compared to the general population. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing a TKA/THA with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis (Premier Health Database, 2006-2019). The primary outcome was neuraxial anesthesia use in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis patients compared to the general population. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, intensive care unit admission, and mechanical ventilation. We measured the association between the aforementioned subgroups and neuraxial anesthesia use. Subsequently, subgroup-specific associations between neuraxial anesthesia and secondary outcomes were measured. We report odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among 2,184,193 TKA/THAs, 7559 and 3176 had a multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis diagnosis, respectively. Compared to the general population, neuraxial anesthesia use was lower in multiple sclerosis patients (OR, 0.61; CI, 0.57-0.65; P < .0001) and no different in myasthenia gravis patients (OR, 1.05; CI, 0.96-1.14; P = .304). Multiple sclerosis patients administered neuraxial anesthesia (compared to those without neuraxial anesthesia) had lower odds of prolonged length of stay (OR, 0.63; CI, 0.53-0.76; P < .0001) mirroring neuraxial anesthesia benefits seen in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Neuraxial anesthesia use was lower in surgical patients with multiple sclerosis compared to the general population but no different in those with myasthenia gravis. Neuraxial use was associated with lower odds of prolonged length of stay.

Opioid sparing effects of intravenous and oral acetaminophen in hip fracture patients: A population-based study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Acetaminophen (APAP) and intravenous acetaminophen (IVAPAP) has been proposed as a part of many opioid-sparing multimodal analgesic pathways. The aim of this analysis was to compare the effectiveness of IVAPAP with oral APAP on opioid utilization and opioid-related adverse effects. DESIGN: Retrospective study of population-based database. PATIENTS: The Premier Healthcare database was queried patients undergoing surgery for a primary diagnosis of hip fracture from 2011 to 2019 yielding 245,976 patients. Primary exposure was use of IVAPAP or oral APAP on the day of surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome of interest was opioid utilization over the hospital stay, secondary outcomes included opioid-related adverse effects, length, and costs of hospital stay. Mixed effect models measured the association of IVPAP and APAP and outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: In the study population 30.67% (75,445) received at least 1 dose of IVAPAP on the day of surgery. Upon adjusting for relevant covariates, patients who received IVPAP on the day of surgery had slightly higher opioid use standardized by length of hospital stay (2.8% CI: 2%, 3.6%; p < .001), higher hospital cost (2.7% CI: 2.1%, 3.4%), and higher odds of naloxone use (1.18, CI: 1.1, 1.27; p < .001) when compared with patients who received oral APAP. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, IVAPAP use on the day of surgery failed to reduce opioid use or associated opioid related adverse effects when compared with oral APAP. IVAPAP was associated with increased overall costs, opioid requirements, and naloxone use. These results do not support the use of IV over oral APAP routinely for hip fracture surgery patients.

Outcomes After Orthopedic Trauma Surgery - What is the Role of the Anesthesia Choice?

The body of literature concerning the influence of anesthetic type on many perioperative outcomes has grown considerably in recent years. Most studies have suggested that particularly in orthopedic patients, regional anesthesia may be associated with improved perioperative outcomes. Orthopedic trauma presents itself as a field that might benefit from increased utilization of regional techniques with the goal to improve outcomes. This narrative review concludes that, indeed, regional anesthesia seems to provide benefits for morbidity, pain control, and improved return to function in hip fracture, rib fracture, and isolated extremity fracture patients.

Improving Safety of Bilateral Knee Arthroplasty: Impact of Selection Criteria on Perioperative Outcome.

Background: Bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) procedures are associated with an increased risk of complications when compared with unilateral approaches. In 2006, in an attempt to reduce this risk, our institution implemented selection criteria that specified younger and healthier patients as candidates for BTKA. Questions/Purpose: We sought to investigate the effect of these selection criteria on perioperative outcomes. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, we used institutional data to identify patients who underwent BTKA between 1998 and 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent surgery before the 2006 introduction of our selection criteria (1998-2006) and those who underwent surgery after (2007-2014). Groups were compared in terms of demographics, comorbidity burden, and incidence of perioperative complications. Regression analysis was performed, calculating incidence rate ratios to evaluate changes in complication rates. Results: Before the selection criteria were implemented in 2006, patients who underwent BTKA were older and had a higher comorbidity burden. The rate of major complications per 1000 hospital days decreased from 31.5 in 1998 to 7.9 in 2014. A reduction in cardiac complications was the most significant contributor to this decrease in major complications. Conclusion: After stringent criteria for BTKA candidates were implemented at our institution, selection of younger patients with lower comorbidity burden was accompanied by a reduction in the incidence of operative complications. This suggests that introducing such criteria can be associated with a reduction in adverse perioperative outcomes.

The Perioperative Use of Benzodiazepines for Major Orthopedic Surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous indications for perioperative benzodiazepine use, associated risks may be exacerbated in elderly and comorbid patients. In the absence of national utilization data, we aimed to describe utilization patterns using national claims data from total hip/knee arthroplasty patients (THA/TKA), an increasingly older and vulnerable surgical population. METHODS: We included data on 1,863,996 TKAs and 985,471 THAs (Premier Healthcare claims data, 2006-2019). Benzodiazepine utilization (stratified by long- and short-acting agents) was assessed by patient- and health care characteristics, and analgesic regimens. Given the large sample size, standardized differences instead of P values were utilized to signify meaningful differences between groups (defined by value >0.1). RESULTS: Among 1,863,996 TKA and 985,471 THA patients, the utilization rate of benzodiazepines was 80.5% and 76.1%, respectively. In TKA, 72.6% received short-acting benzodiazepines, while 7.9% received long-acting benzodiazepines, utilization rates 68.4% and 7.7% in THA, respectively. Benzodiazepine use was particularly more frequent among younger patients (median age [interquartile range {IQR}]: 66 [60-73]/64 [57-71] among short/long-acting compared to 69 [61-76] among nonusers), White patients (80.6%/85.4% short/long-acting versus 75.7% among nonusers), commercial insurance (36.5%/34.0% short/long-acting versus 29.1% among nonusers), patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia (56.9%/56.5% short/long-acting versus 51.5% among nonusers), small- and medium-sized (≤500 beds) hospitals (68.5% in nonusers, and 74% and 76.7% in short- and long-acting benzodiazepines), and those in the Midwest (24.6%/25.4% short/long-acting versus 16% among nonusers) in TKA; all standardized differences ≥0.1. Similar patterns were observed in THA except for race and comorbidity burden. Notably, among patients with benzodiazepine use, in-hospital postoperative opioid administration (measured in oral morphine equivalents [OMEs]) was substantially higher. This was even more pronounced in patients who received long-acting agents (median OME with no benzodiazepines utilization 192 [IQR, 83-345] vs 256 [IQR, 153-431] with short-acting, and 329 [IQR, 195-540] with long-acting benzodiazepine administration). Benzodiazepine use was also more frequent in patients receiving multimodal analgesia (concurrently 2 or more analgesic modes) and regional anesthesia. Trend analysis showed a persistent high utilization rate of benzodiazepines over the last 14 years. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a representative sample, 4 of 5 patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in the United States receive benzodiazepines perioperatively, despite concerns for delirium and delayed postoperative neurocognitive recovery. Notably, benzodiazepine utilization was coupled with substantially increased opioid use, which may project implications for perioperative pain management.

Association of perioperative midazolam use and complications: a population-based analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The benzodiazepine midazolam is the main sedative used in the perioperative setting, resulting in anxiolysis and a reduction in anesthetic dose requirements. However, benzodiazepine use is also associated with potentially serious side effects including respiratory complications, and postoperative delirium (POD). A paucity of population level data exists on current perioperative midazolam use in adult orthopedic surgery and its effects on complications. Using a large national dataset, we aimed to determine perioperative midazolam utilization patterns and to analyze its effect on postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) were identified from Premier database (2006-2019). Primary exposure of interest was midazolam use on the day of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models were run to determine if midazolam was associated with postoperative cardiac and pulmonary complications, delirium, and in-hospital falls. RESULTS: Among 2,848,897 patients, more than 75% received midazolam perioperatively. This was associated with increased adjusted odds for in-hospital falls in TKA/THA (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.14)/(OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.16), while a decrease in the adjusted odds for cardiac complications in TKA/THA (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.97)/(OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.97), and pulmonary complications (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.96) (all p<0.001) was seen. Most notably, the concurrent use of midazolam and gabapentinoids significantly increased the adjusted odds for postoperative complications, including pulmonary complications (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.27)/(OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.37), naloxone utilization (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.60)/(OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.56), and POD (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.52)/(OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.34) in THA/TKA. CONCLUSION: Perioperative midazolam use was associated with an increase in postoperative patient falls, and a decrease in cardiac complications. Notably, the combined use of midazolam and gabapentinoids was associated with a substantial increase in the odds for respiratory failure and delirium. Given the high prevalence of benzodiazepines perioperatively, the risk benefit profile should be more clearly established to inform perioperative decision making.

Assessment of Intercostal Nerve Block Analgesia for Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: The use of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) analgesia with local anesthesia is common in thoracic surgery. However, the benefits and safety of ICNB among adult patients undergoing surgery is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the analgesic benefits and safety of ICNB among adults undergoing thoracic surgery. Data Sources: A systematic search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases using terms for ICNB and thoracic surgery (including thoracic surgery, thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, nerve block, intercostal nerves). The search and results were not limited by date, with the last search conducted on July 24, 2020. Study Selection: Selected studies were experimental or observational and included adult patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery in which ICNB was administered with local anesthesia via single injection, continuous infusion, or a combination of both techniques in at least 1 group of patients. For comparison with ICNB, studies that examined systemic analgesia and different forms of regional analgesia (such as thoracic epidural analgesia [TEA], paravertebral block [PVB], and other techniques) were included. These criteria were applied independently by 2 authors, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. A total of 694 records were selected for screening. Data Extraction and Synthesis: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Data including patient characteristics, type of surgery, intervention analgesia, comparison analgesia, and primary and secondary outcomes were extracted independently by 3 authors. Synthesis was performed using a fixed-effects model. Main Outcomes and Measures: The coprimary outcomes were postoperative pain intensity (measured as the worst static or dynamic pain using a validated 10-point scale, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain) and opioid consumption (measured in morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]) at prespecified intervals (0-6 hours, 7-24 hours, 25-48 hours, 49-72 hours, and >72 hours). Clinically relevant analgesia was defined as a 1-point or greater difference in pain intensity score at any interval. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative complications and pulmonary function. Results: Of 694 records screened, 608 were excluded based on prespecified exclusion criteria. The remaining 86 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 20 of those articles were excluded. All of the 66 remaining studies (5184 patients; mean [SD] age, 53.9 [10.2] years; approximately 59% men and 41% women) were included in the qualitative analysis, and 59 studies (3325 patients) that provided data for at least 1 outcome were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Experimental studies had a high risk of bias in multiple domains, including allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, and blinding of outcome assessors. Marked differences (eg, crossover studies, timing of the intervention [intraoperative vs postoperative], blinding, and type of control group) were observed in the design and implementation of studies. The use of ICNB vs systemic analgesia was associated with lower static pain (0-6 hours after surgery: mean score difference, -1.40 points [95% CI, -1.46 to -1.33 points]; 7-24 hours after surgery: mean score difference, -1.27 points [95% CI, -1.40 to -1.13 points]) and lower dynamic pain (0-6 hours after surgery: mean score difference, -1.66 points [95% CI, -1.90 to -1.41 points]; 7-24 hours after surgery: mean score difference, -1.43 points [95% CI, -1.70 to -1.17 points]). Intercostal nerve block analgesia was noninferior to TEA (mean score difference in worst dynamic panic at 7-24 hours after surgery: 0.79 points; 95% CI, 0.28-1.29 points) and marginally inferior to PVB (mean score difference in worst dynamic pain at 7-24 hours after surgery: 1.29 points; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.41 points). The largest opioid-sparing effect of ICNB vs systemic analgesia occurred at 48 hours after surgery (mean difference, -10.97 MMEs; 95% CI, -12.92 to -9.02 MMEs). The use of ICNB was associated with higher MME values compared with TEA (eg, 48 hours after surgery: mean difference, 48.31 MMEs; 95% CI, 36.11-60.52 MMEs) and PVB (eg, 48 hours after surgery: mean difference, 3.87 MMEs; 95% CI, 2.59-5.15 MMEs). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, single-injection ICNB was associated with a reduction in pain during the first 24 hours after thoracic surgery and was clinically noninferior to TEA or PVB. Intercostal nerve block analgesia had opioid-sparing effects; however, TEA and PVB were associated with larger decreases in postoperative MMEs, suggesting that ICNB may be most beneficial for cases in which TEA and PVB are not indicated.

Peripheral nerve block anesthesia/analgesia for patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty: recommendations from the International Consensus on Anesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery (ICAROS) group based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based international expert consensus regarding the impact of peripheral nerve block (PNB) use in total hip/knee arthroplasty surgery. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis: randomized controlled and observational studies investigating the impact of PNB utilization on major complications, including mortality, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, thromboembolic, neurologic, infectious, and bleeding complications.Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, were queried from 1946 to August 4, 2020.The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess evidence quality and for the development of recommendations. RESULTS: Analysis of 122 studies revealed that PNB use (compared with no use) was associated with lower ORs for (OR with 95% CIs) for numerous complications (total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA/TKA), respectively): cognitive dysfunction (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.53/OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.80), respiratory failure (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.74/OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.75), cardiac complications (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.93/OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.86), surgical site infections (OR 0.55 95% CI 0.47 to 0.64/OR 0.86 95% CI 0.80 to 0.91), thromboembolism (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96/OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96) and blood transfusion (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.86/OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current body of evidence, the consensus group recommends PNB use in THA/TKA for improved outcomes. RECOMMENDATION: PNB use is recommended for patients undergoing THA and TKA except when contraindications preclude their use. Furthermore, the alignment of provider skills and practice location resources needs to be ensured. Evidence level: moderate; recommendation: strong.

The opioid sparing effect of erector spinae plane block for various surgeries: a meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a newer fascial plane block which has been broadly applied for postoperative analgesia after various surgeries, but the effectiveness in these populations is not well established. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic database search was conducted in PubMed, PMC, Embase, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESPB with control, placebo, or other blocks. The primary outcome was intravenous opioid consumption in milligram morphine equivalents 24 h after surgery. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 29 RCTs were included. An analysis was conducted by subgroups differentiated by surgery type, 'no block' vs. ESPB, and other blocks vs. ESPB. ESPB was effective in reducing opioid consumption against no block for breast surgery (SMD -1.13; 95% CI), thoracic surgery (SMD -3.00; 95% CI), and vertebral surgery (SMD -1.78; 95% CI). ESPB was effective against alternative blocks for breast surgery (vs. paravertebral, SMD -1.07; 95% CI) and abdominal surgery (SMD -1.77; 95% CI). ESPB showed moderate effect in thoracic surgery against paravertebral (SMD 0.58; 95% CI) and against no block in abdominal surgery (SMD 0.80; 95% CI). In only one case did ESPB perform worse than another block: vs. PECS block for breast surgery (SMD 1.66; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: ESPB may be a useful addition to the multimodal analgesic regimen for a variety of surgeries especially when the alternative is no block. Unanswered questions include determining of the mechanism of action, refining of the EPSB technique, and establishing recommended local anesthetic dose and volume.

Perioperative Management of the Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Narrative Review.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has reached 1 billion people worldwide, implying significant risk for the perioperative setting as patients are vulnerable to cardiopulmonary complications, critical care requirement, and unexpected death. This review summarizes main aspects and considerations for the perioperative management of OSA, a condition of public health concern. Critical determinants of perioperative risk include OSA-related changes in upper airway anatomy with augmented collapsibility, diminished capability of upper airway dilator muscles to respond to airway obstruction, disparities in hypoxemia and hypercarbia arousal thresholds, and instability of ventilatory control. Preoperative OSA screening to identify patients at increased risk has therefore been implemented in many institutions. Experts recommend that in the absence of severe symptoms or additional compounding health risks, patients may nevertheless proceed to surgery, while heightened awareness and the adjustment of postoperative care is required. Perioperative caregivers should anticipate difficult airway management in OSA and be prepared for airway complications. Anesthetic and sedative drug agents worsen upper airway collapsibility and depress central respiratory activity, while the risk for postoperative respiratory compromise is further increased with the utilization of neuromuscular blockade. Consistently, opioid analgesia has proven to be complex in OSA, as patients are particularly prone to opioid-induced respiratory depression. Moreover, basic features of OSA, including intermittent hypoxemia and repetitive sleep fragmentation, gradually precipitate a higher sensitivity to opioid analgesic potency along with an increased perception of pain. Hence, regional anesthesia by blockade of neural pathways directly at the site of surgical trauma as well as multimodal analgesia by facilitating additive and synergistic analgesic effects are both strongly supported in the literature as interventions that may reduce perioperative complication risk. Health care institutions are increasingly allocating resources, including those of postoperative enhanced monitoring, in an effort to increase patient safety. The implementation of evidence-based perioperative management strategies is however burdened by the rising prevalence of OSA, the large heterogeneity in disease severity, and the lack of evidence on the efficacy of costly perioperative measures. Screening and monitoring algorithms, as well as reliable risk predictors, are urgently needed to identify OSA patients that are truly in need of extended postoperative surveillance and care. The perioperative community is therefore challenged to develop feasible pathways and measures that can confer increased patient safety and prevent complications in patients with OSA.