The influence of the Pringle maneuver in laparoscopic hepatectomy: continuous monitor of hemodynamic change can predict the perioperatively physiological reservation.

Importance: This is the first study to investigate the correlation between intra-operative hemodynamic changes and postoperative physiological status. Design settings and participants: Patients receiving laparoscopic hepatectomy were routinely monitored using FloTract for goal-directed fluid management. The Pringle maneuver was routinely performed during parenchymal dissection and the hemodynamic changes were prospectively recorded. We retrospectively analyzed the continuous hemodynamic data from FloTrac to compare with postoperative physiological outcomes. Exposure: The Pringle maneuver during laparoscopic hepatectomy. Results: Stroke volume variation that did not recover from the relief of the Pringle maneuver during the last application of Pringle maneuver predicted elevated postoperative MELD-Na scores. Conclusions and relevance: The complexity of the hemodynamic data recorded by the FloTrac system during the Pringle Maneuver in laparoscopic hepatectomy can be effectively analyzed using the growth mixture modeling (GMM) method. The results can potentially predict the risk of short-term liver function deterioration.

Total intravenous anesthesia for geriatric hip fracture with severe systemic disease.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to determine the impact of a novel technique of anesthesia administration on the clinical outcomes and complications in geriatric patients with severe systemic disease undergoing hip surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients aged > 65 years with severe systemic disease that was a constant of life [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV] who underwent surgery for hip fracture between January 2018 and January 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I [fascia iliaca compartment block plus propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (FICB + TIVA)] and Group II [general anesthesia (GA)]. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality. The secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, postoperative morbidity, Visual Analog Scale score, and consumption of analgesics. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality (5 vs. 3.8%, p = 0.85) and 1-year mortality (15 vs. 12%, p = 0.73) between the groups. Group I had significantly lower ICU requirements (p = 0.01) and shorter lengths of ICU stay (p < 0.001) and hospital stay (p < 0.001). Moreover, a smaller proportion of patients in Group I required postoperative morphine or oral opiates. CONCLUSION: Geriatric patients who underwent hip surgery under FICB + TIVA required fewer ICU admissions, shorter lengths of ICU and hospital stay, and had lesser postoperative opioid consumption than those who were under GA. Hence, we recommend the novel FICB + TIVA technique for hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients with poor general health status and high surgical risks (ASA IV).

Carbon dioxide insufflation during colonoscopy can significantly decrease post-interventional abdominal discomfort in deeply sedated patients: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: CO2 has been reported to be absorbed from the bowel more rapidly than air, resulting in a discomfort reduction after colonoscopy. Its role in deeply sedated patients is limited. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy in patients deeply sedated with propofol. METHODS: A total of 125 continuous patients were randomly assigned to receive either CO2 (n = 63) or air (n = 62) insufflation during propofol-sedated colonoscopy. Postcolonoscopy abdominal pain, distention, and satisfaction were assessed at 1, 3, and 24 h after the procedure, and the proportions of pain-free and distention-free patients were compared. Residual bowel gas in the colon and small bowel was evaluated at 1 h after colonoscopy. End-tidal CO2 and O2 saturation was measured for safety analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the postcolonoscopy abdominal pain, distention, and subjective satisfaction at 1 h (P < 0.001) and 3 h (P < 0.01) after the procedure. Patients' pain and distention at 1 and 3 h after the procedure were significantly lower in the CO2 group (P < 0.01). Residual bowel gas in the colon and small bowel was significantly less in the CO2 group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in end-tidal CO2 levels between two groups before, during, and after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with air, CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy reduced postcolonoscopy abdominal discomfort and improved patients' satisfaction. It was safe to use CO2 insufflation in deeply sedated colonoscopy.

Anesthetic management of a repeat cesarean section in a parturient with severe peripartum cardiomyopathy requiring ECMO in a previous pregnancy: a case report.

The number of pregnant women with cardiac disease is increasing with improvements in technology. In addition, more people are part of the national health insurance plan. However, there are few reports concerning the best method for anesthesia and mode of delivery in these high-risk patients. We report a 29-year-old woman scheduled for a planned caesarean section, who had a history of severe peripartum cardiomyopathy requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a previous pregnancy. The patient had regular prenatal care in our obstetric clinic. At 29 weeks' gestation, she developed severe dyspnea. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral pulmonary edema and 2-dimensional echocardiography showed a global hypokinesis and severe valve regurgitation with left ventricular ejection fraction of 41.2%. She had an emergency caesarean section and a cardiovascular surgeon was consulted to stand-by. Anesthesia was induced by ketamine 25 mg, midazolam 2.5 mg and rocuronium 50 mg for rapid intubation. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was extubated on postoperative day 1. She was discharged one week after surgery. Postoperatively, the patient was followed in the obstetric and cardiovascular surgery outpatient departments and at 5 months after surgery she was in good condition without any complaints.

Fatal massive hemorrhage caused by nasogastric tube misplacement in a patient with mediastinitis.

Nasogastric tube insertion is a routine procedure in medical care. However, misplacement of the tube can cause a variety of complications, which can be life threatening in some instances. We report a case of fatal hemorrhagic shock immediately after nasogastric tube insertion in a patient undergoing debridement by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for mediastinitis. Emergency endoscopy showed that the bleeding came from the nasogastric tube which had perforated the esophagus and possibly tore an intrathoracic large vessel. The nasogastric tube insertion was considered to have directly produced the perforation because no esophageal perforation had been found on preoperative endoscopy. Factors contributing to the risk of esophageal perforation in this case included coexisting mediastinitis, surgical manipulation, endotracheal intubation, inability to cooperate during general anesthesia, and repetitive advancement of the nasogastric tube. Prompt clamping of the nasogastric tube or delayed insertion after failed attempts might have improved the outcome. This report illustrates the complication of massive bleeding that can occur immediately after misplaced insertion of a nasogastric tube. Extraordinary care should be taken to avoid misplacement of the nasogastric tube during insertion.

Prolonged retraction on the normal common carotid artery induced lethal stroke after cervical spine surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report a previously undescribed complication of prolonged retraction on the normal common carotid artery after anterior cervical spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous study showed that prolonged retraction could decrease the blood flow of the common carotid artery during anterior cervical spine surgery. A case report revealed that prolonged retraction could induce the formation of thrombosis in the atherosclerotic common carotid artery. METHODS: Notes review. Computed tomography of the brain was performed on the first and the fourth postoperative day. Carotid Doppler ultrasound and transcranial Doppler ultrasound were performed to evaluate the left common carotid artery and the left intracranial cerebral arteries. RESULTS: After lengthy anterior cervical spinal surgery, the patient did not regain his consciousness during the stay in the postoperative care unit. Large infarction of left cerebral hemisphere was revealed by computed tomography. The patient died on the seventh postoperative day of perioperative lethal stroke. CONCLUSION: We suggest that prolonged retraction, even on the normal common carotid artery, could induce lethal stroke after anterior cervical spine surgery. We recommend that retractor should be placed carefully and cerebral perfusion should be maintained adequately.

Anesthetic management of Boerhaave's syndrome.

Boerhaave's syndrome or spontaneous esophageal perforation is a life threatening condition which demands early diagnosis and urgent management. Although very selective patients can be treated nonoperatively, in most patients, better overall results can only be attained with early aggressive surgery. Clinical data and accounts of anesthetic management of this condition scarely appear in medical literature. Managing these patients for surgery is among the most challenging tasks facing the anesthesiologist because they may develop septic syndrome with shock. A rapid-sequence induction is mandatory, and the procedures that may aggravate the injury to esophagus should be avoided. Inotropic support and close attention to fluid balance may be required during operation. Because Boerhaave's syndrome is rare, we report here two cases to illustrate possible anesthetic implications of this disease. Both patients underwent thoracotomy to relieve empyema of mediastinum under general anesthesia. The first patient recovered completely after operation due to early diagnosis and treatment, but the second patient developed multiple organ failure and died after operation due to delayed diagnosis of esophageal rupture and severe sepsis. Because survival is directly related to the time to diagnosis and treatment, all clinicians need to be aware of this lethal disease.