Survey on the practice of anaesthesiologists in inguinal hernia surgery in Galicia. / Encuesta sobre la práctica de los anestesiólogos en la cirugía de hernia inguinal en Galicia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the preference in the anaesthetic technique by anaesthesiologists for the management of inguinal hernia surgery in Galicia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the National Catalogue of Hospitals of the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs in Galicia, a questionnair was sent to the Heads of Anaesthesiology Service and Coordinators of the Postanaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with 11 questions on the anaesthetic technique chosen by anaesthesiologists in the management of patients for inguinal hernia surgery, as well as their reasons. RESULTS: The questionnaire was sent to 11 hospitals: 8 with PACU and 3 District. A total of 94 professionals responded, 56% with more than 10 years of experience, who performed between 8-10 procedures/month (58%) on an outpatient basis (61.54%). The most used anaesthetic technique was intradural in 52.8%, compared to 41.8% of general anaesthesia. Respondents with more than 10 years of experience preferred spinal anaesthesia in 38.6% of cases, compared to those with less experience (6.8%) (P=.037). One in 4 of those who chose general anaesthesia used ultrasound-guided interfascial blocks (27.5%). The local anaesthetic most used in intradural anaesthesia was hyperbaric bupivacaine (70.8%) at doses higher than 7mg. CONCLUSION: Intradural anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine was the technique most chosen by anaesthesiologists for the management of inguinal hernia surgery. The anaesthetic techniques chosen among the different hospitals did not follow a homogenous distribution. In this survey, there was a tendency to choose the technique associated with the experience of the anaesthesiologist.

[Peroneal nerve injury: anesthesia is not always to blame]. / Lesión de nervio peroneo: no siempre la anestesia es la culpable.

We introduce a case report of a woman that was operated of foot surgery under locoregional anesthesia with an echo-guided peripheral sciatic-popliteal nerve block. As post operatory complication a peroneal nerve injury was noticed. We revised differential diagnosis of peripheral nerve block and therapeutic strategy we should take. In our case the finding was a high degree axonotmesis secondary to extrinsic compressure due to pneumatic tourniquet placed in the ankle used during surgery. There was no relationship with the anesthetic technique.

[Ultrasound-assisted approach to blocking the intercostal nerves in the mid-axillary line for non-reconstructive breast and axilla surgery]. / Abordaje guiado por ultrasonidos de los nervios intercostales en la línea media axilar para cirugía de mama no reconstructiva y de la axila.

INTRODUCTION: Several nerve blocks have recently been used for pain treatment in breast surgery. The main objective of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-assisted blocking of the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves in the mid-axillary line for non-reconstructive breast and axilla surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on 30 patients scheduled for non-reconstructive breast and axilla surgery. An intercostal branches block was performed in the mid-axillary line with 0,5% levobupivacaine (3ml in each intercostal space). Clinical efficacy was assessed by standard intraoperative hemodynamic response to surgical stimulus and the need for opioids, and in the postoperative period, by assessing pain intensity as a verbal numerical scale and the need for rescue treatment. We also evaluated the quality of sleep the first night after surgery, any adverse events that occurred, and the satisfaction of patients and surgeons with the anesthetic technique. RESULTS: The intercostal branches block in the mid-axillary line was effective in most cases, with only 2 patients requiring intraoperative opioids, and in one case analgesic rescue was necessary in the postoperative period. The duration of postoperative analgesia was 19±4h. There were no notable adverse events or complications. The satisfaction with the chosen technique was assessed as "very good" in all patients, and by 97% of the surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Intercostal branches block in the mid-axillary line provides adequate intraoperative and postoperative analgesia for non-reconstructive breast and axilla surgery. It is a simple, reproducible technique in most patients of this study, with an easy to understand ultrasound anatomy, in which adequate analgesia could be provided through a single puncture, and may be an alternative to neuroaxial blocks.

[Ultrasound-guided block at the antecubital fossa for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery]. / Abordaje ecoguiado a nivel antecubital para cirugía del síndrome del túnel del carpo.

INTRODUCTION: There are various anaesthetic techniques for ambulatory surgery of carpal tunnel release. The ultrasound-guided nerve blocks offer advantages compared to other techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy using ultrasound-guided block at the antecubital fossa, as well as to evaluate complications, patient satisfaction and surgeon satisfaction with the block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study with 32 elective patients for carpal tunnel release in a one-day case unit. An ultrasound-guided block with mepivacaine 1% was performed at the antecubital fossa, aiming for the median, ulnar and the lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm. The measurements of the anteroposterior and laterolateral diameters of the median and ulnar nerves were recorded, before and after injection. Motor and sensory levels were evaluated for the median and ulnar nerves at 5 and 30 min post injection, and compared with the contralateral hand. Pain from the surgical incision time and recovery were recorded, together with complications, and patient and surgeon satisfaction with the block. RESULTS: The antecubital fossa ultrasound-guided block was successful in 93.7% of the patients. No patients needed rescue analgesia in recovery and no complications were recorded. Patient satisfaction was 93.7% and surgeon satisfaction was 97%. CONCLUSIONS: A selective block of the medial, ulnar and medial and lateral cutaneous nerves of the forearm are effective and satisfactory anaesthetic techniques for carpal tunnel release in a one-day case unit. It allows early mobilization, minimises risks and amount of local anaesthetic used.

[Early extubation with caudal morphine after pediatric heart surgery]. / Extubación precoz con morfina caudal tras cirugía cardíaca pediátrica.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the viability of immediate extubation of children after corrective surgery for congenital heart defects with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using an anesthetic technique involving caudal morphine, and to study the effect on length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or elsewhere in the hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine ASA I-II patients without coagulation alterations undergoing surgery to correct simple heart defects were selected for extubation after surgery. Anesthesia was provided with with sevoflurane, midazolam, rocuronium, fentanil (maximum dose 10 micrograms/Kg) and a bolus of caudal morphine (50-60 micrograms/Kg) after anesthetic induction. Patient characteristics, type of surgery, times of extracorporeal circulation and of ischemia, arterial blood gases upon arrival in the PICU, postoperative complications and quality of analgesia were the variables analyzed. We also compared length of stay in the PICU and hospital for the study group and for a historical control group of 23 patients who had no received caudal morphine or been selected for early extubation. RESULTS: All patients were extubated satisfactorily in the operating room. None required reintubation or reoperation. Postoperative pain was controlled with metamizol alone for 79.3%. No episodes of respiratory depression or neurological complications were observed. PICU and hospital stays were significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Of patients undergoing simple corrective heart surgery with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation immediate extubation did not increase postoperative morbimortality and shortened the hospital stay. A single dose of caudal morphine provided optimum conditions for extubation and good control of postoperative pain. Strict measures must be taken, however, to avoid postpuncture bleeding.

[Immediate anesthesia recovery and psychomotor function of patient after prolonged anesthesia with desflurane, sevoflurane or isoflurane]. / Recuperación anestésica inmediata y función psicomotriz de los pacientes tras anestesia prolongada con desflurano, sevoflurano o isoflurano.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anesthetic maintenance and early postoperative recovery and psychomotor function in patients who have been anesthestized with desflurane, sevoflurane or isoflurane during prolonged open urological surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to receive desflurane, sevoflurane or isoflurane with N2O 60% for anesthetic maintenance. The concentration of each drug was adjusted to maintain arterial pressure and heart rate +/- 20% of baseline. After the operation the anesthetics were discontinued and times until eye opening, spontaneous breathing, extubation and orientation were recorded. In the post-anesthesia recovery ward we applied the Newman-Trieger and Aldrete tests and recorded instances of nausea and vomiting and need for analgesia during the first 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The groups were similar with regard to demographic features, anesthetic maintenance, duration of anesthesia and relative doses of the anesthetics used. Recovery times in the operating room were significantly shorter (p < 0.05) after anesthesia with desflurane and sevoflurane than with isoflurane, with no significant differences between the desflurane and sevoflurane groups (duration of anesthesia 198 +/- 90, 171 +/- 67 and 191 +/- 79; eye opening 7.6 +/- 3.7, 7.8 +/- 3.0 and 11.9 +/- 4.5; time until extubation 7.8 +/- 3.0, 8.3 +/- 3.0 and 11.0 +/- 3.5 for desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane, respectively; all data in minutes). Recovery in the post-anesthetic recovery ward was similar for all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthetic maintenance was comparable with all three drugs. Desflurane and sevoflurane demonstrated advantages over isoflurane during recovery from anesthesia in the operating theater. No significant differences were found in psychomotor recovery, nausea and/or vomiting or requirements for postoperative analgesia.

[Continuous intraoperative arteriovenous hemodiafiltration in liver transplantation]. / Hemodiafiltración arteriovenosa continua intraoperatoria en el trasplante hepático.

This study reports two cases of urgent hepatic retransplantation due to graft failure developing 37 and 10 days after the first transplant in which intraoperative continuous arteriovenous hemodiafiltration (CAH) was performed. They were female patients aged 33 and 58 years respectively who presented oliguric renal insufficiency before surgery (plasmatic creatinine 2.6 and 2.8 mg/dl and urea 77 and 278 mg/dl) and severe electrolytic imbalance (sodium 128 and 135 mmol/l; potassium 8.5 and 3.8 mmol/l; bicarbonate 8.8 and 12.7 mmol/l; pH 7.18 and 7.16). In both cases CAH was used from the beginning of anesthetic induction (Hemofilter Biospal SCU/CAHH- Kit A2-U with reversed infusion of glucose Dianeal 1.5%). An intraoperative ultrafiltered volume of 2200 and 2400 ml was respectively obtained in each patient. The use of intraoperative CAH favoured the correction of the electrolyte imbalance, contributed to maintain the hemodynamic stability, and rendered the administration of fluids more appropriate during the surgical process.