Identifying risk factors for hypoxemia during emergence from anesthesia in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has emerged as an effective treatment for prostate cancer with obvious advantages. This study aims to identify risk factors related to hypoxemia during the emergence from anesthesia in patients undergoing RALP. A cohort of 316 patients undergoing RALP was divided into two groups: the hypoxemia group (N = 134) and the non-hypoxemia group (N = 182), based on their postoperative oxygen fraction. Comprehensive data were collected from the hospital information system, including preoperative baseline parameters, intraoperative data, and postoperative recovery profiles. Risk factors were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The study showed that 38.9% of patients had low preoperative partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) levels. Several clinical parameters showed significant differences between the hypoxemia group and the non-hypoxemia group, including weight (P < 0.0001), BMI (P < 0.0001), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.044), history of emphysema and pulmonary alveoli (P < 0.0001), low preoperative PaO2 (P < 0.0001), preoperative white blood cell count (P = 0.012), preoperative albumin (P = 0.048), intraoperative bleeding (P = 0.043), intraoperative CO2 accumulation (P = 0.001), duration of surgery (P = 0.046), postoperative hemoglobin level (P = 0.002), postoperative hypoxemia (P = 0.002), and early postoperative fever (P = 0.006). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed BMI (adjusted odds ratio = 0.696, 95% confidence interval 0.612-0.719), low preoperative PaO2 (adjusted odds ratio = 9.119, 95% confidence interval 4.834-17.203), and history of emphysema and pulmonary alveoli (adjusted odds ratio = 2.804, 95% confidence interval 1.432-5.491) as independent factors significantly associated with hypoxemia on emergence from anesthesia in patients undergoing RALP. Our results demonstrate that BMI, lower preoperative PaO2, and a history of emphysema and pulmonary alveolar disease are independent risk factors associated with hypoxemia on emergence from anesthesia in patients undergoing RALP. These findings provide a theoretical framework for surgeons and anesthesiologists to facilitate strategies to mitigate postoperative hypoxemia in this unique patient population.

Anesthesia for the Patient Undergoing Shoulder Surgery.

Shoulder surgery introduces important anesthesia considerations. The interscalene nerve block is considered the gold standard regional anesthetic technique and can serve as the primary anesthetic or can be used for postoperative analgesia. Phrenic nerve blockade is a limitation of the interscalene block and various phrenic-sparing strategies and techniques have been described. Patient positioning is another important anesthetic consideration and can be associated with significant hemodynamic effects and position-related injuries.

Anesthesia for the Patient Undergoing Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Modern anesthetic management for foot and ankle surgery includes a variety of anesthesia techniques including general anesthesia, neuraxial anesthesia, or MAC in combination with peripheral nerve blocks and/or multimodal analgesic agents. The choice of techniques should be tailored to the nature of the procedure, patient comorbidities, anesthesiologist skill level, intensity of anticipated postoperative pain, and surgeon preference.

Anesthesia for the Patient Undergoing Knee Procedures.

Anesthesia for patients undergoing knee procedures encompasses a large patient population with significant variation in patient age, comorbidities, and type of surgery. In addition, these procedures are performed in vastly different surgical environments, including large academic hospitals, private hospitals, and out-patient surgical centers. These variabilities require a thoughtful and individualized anesthetic approach tailored toward the medical and surgical needs of each patient. This article discusses anesthetic approaches to patients with acute, subacute, and chronic knee-related pathology requiring surgery. We will also review pertinent knee anatomy and innervation and discuss regional nerve blocks and their applications to knee-related surgical procedures.

Unique Medical Considerations for the Athlete Undergoing Anesthesia.

Athletes are among a unique group such that they may possess a serious underlying pathologic condition that may often go unnoticed given their high caliber of physical fitness. However, several considerations should be investigated, especially in the perioperative period, in order to minimize morbidity and mortality. Namely, cardiac pathologic condition can result in sudden death, and pulmonary pathologic condition may affect airway and respiratory management. Moreover, patients undergoing orthopedic surgery are at the highest risk for venous thromboembolism. Regardless of the condition, it is crucial to be vigilant and explore the unique medical considerations for the athlete undergoing anesthesia.

Substance specific EEG patterns in mice undergoing slow anesthesia induction.

The exact mechanisms and the neural circuits involved in anesthesia induced unconsciousness are still not fully understood. To elucidate them valid animal models are necessary. Since the most commonly used species in neuroscience are mice, we established a murine model for commonly used anesthetics/sedatives and evaluated the epidural electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns during slow anesthesia induction and emergence. Forty-four mice underwent surgery in which we inserted a central venous catheter and implanted nine intracranial electrodes above the prefrontal, motor, sensory, and visual cortex. After at least one week of recovery, mice were anesthetized either by inhalational sevoflurane or intravenous propofol, ketamine, or dexmedetomidine. We evaluated the loss and return of righting reflex (LORR/RORR) and recorded the electrocorticogram. For spectral analysis we focused on the prefrontal and visual cortex. In addition to analyzing the power spectral density at specific time points we evaluated the changes in the spectral power distribution longitudinally. The median time to LORR after start anesthesia ranged from 1080 [1st quartile: 960; 3rd quartile: 1080]s under sevoflurane anesthesia to 1541 [1455; 1890]s with ketamine. Around LORR sevoflurane as well as propofol induced a decrease in the theta/alpha band and an increase in the beta/gamma band. Dexmedetomidine infusion resulted in a shift towards lower frequencies with an increase in the delta range. Ketamine induced stronger activity in the higher frequencies. Our results showed substance-specific changes in EEG patterns during slow anesthesia induction. These patterns were partially identical to previous observations in humans, but also included significant differences, especially in the low frequencies. Our study emphasizes strengths and limitations of murine models in neuroscience and provides an important basis for future studies investigating complex neurophysiological mechanisms.

Anaesthesia management of a patient with Bethlem Myopathy for elective tonsillectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bethlem Myopathy is a collagen VI-related myopathy presenting as a rare hereditary muscular disorder with progressive muscular weakness and joint contractures. Despite its milder clinical course relative to other myopathies, anaesthetic management can be challenging. High arched palates and fixed flexion deformities may contribute to a difficult airway. A progressive decline in pulmonary function can present later into adulthood. This respiratory decline can carry secondary cardiovascular consequences due to the progressive nature of restrictive lung disease, including right sided heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. We describe a case of a male patient with Bethlem Myopathy undergoing anaesthesia, to contribute to the limited body of literature on this condition and enhance awareness and guidance amongst anaesthesiologists on approaching patients with this condition. This is the first case report within the literature of its kind. CASE PRESENTATION: This case details a 33-year-old male with Bethlem Myopathy undergoing tonsillectomy. Diagnosed in childhood following developmental delays, the patient had no prior anaesthetic exposure and no family history of anaesthetic complications. Anaesthetic induction was achieved without complications, avoiding depolarizing muscle relaxants and careful airway management. Extreme care was taken in patient positioning to prevent complications. The surgery proceeded without incident and muscle paralysis was reversed with Suggammadex, resulting in no adverse post-operative respiratory complications. The patient was discharged on the first post-operative day without any respiratory or cardiovascular compromise. CONCLUSIONS: Bethlem Myopathy, while often exhibiting a mild clinical course, can present anaesthetic challenges. Awareness of potential complications including a difficult airway, cardiovascular and respiratory implications as well as the need for specialised monitoring and positioning is crucial to ensure a safe peri-operative course.

The Year in Review: Anesthesia for Congenital Heart Disease 2023.

This review highlights published literature in 2023 that is related to the anesthetic management of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Though not inclusive of all topics, 31 articles are discussed and four primary themes emerged: transfusion and hemostasis, outcomes and risk assessment, monitoring, and pharmacology.

Obesity and anesthesia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Surgical procedures on obese patients are dramatically increasing worldwide over the past few years. In this review, we discuss the physiopathology of predominantly respiratory system in obese patients, the importance of preoperative evaluation, preoxygenation and intraoperative positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration to prevent pulmonary complications and the optimization of airway management and oxygenation to reduce or prevent postoperative respiratory complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Many patients are coming to preoperative clinic with medication history of glucagon-like-peptide 1 agonists ( GLP-1) agonists and it has raised many questions regarding Nil Per Os (NPO)/perioperative fasting guidelines due to delayed gastric emptying caused by these medications. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has come up with guiding document to help with such situations. Ambulatory surgery centers are doing more obesity cases in a safe manner which were deemed unsafe at one point . Quantitative train of four (TOF) monitoring, better neuromuscular reversal agents and gastric ultrasounds seemed to have made a significant impact in the care of obese patients in the perioperative period. SUMMARY: Obese patients are at higher risk of perioperative complications, mainly associated with those related to the respiratory function. An appropriate preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative support and monitoring is essential to improve outcome and increase the safety of the surgical procedure.

Opioid-free anesthesia: a practical guide for teaching and implementation.

Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) represents an innovative approach that prioritizes patient safety, reduces the risks associated with opioid use, and seeks to enhance recovery. Few descriptions regarding the practical and implementation aspects exist. This review serves as a practical guide on OFA teaching and application. We briefly discuss the historical use of opioids in anesthesia, side effects and their consequences. We discuss pedagogical avenues and challenges, as well as implementation of OFA in less experienced settings. Opioid use in anesthesia originally coexisted with OFA. During the last decades, the advent of multimodal analgesia has resulted in decreased opioid dosages both before and after surgery. Recently, OFA increased in popularity, supported by meta-analyses, due to reduced nausea and vomiting, with a potential, even if limited, impact on pain. OFA, as part of rational prescribing, may contribute to a more patient-centered approach. Different strategies for OFA implementation coexist. Educational aspects, leadership, guidelines, local guidance, and training are all important. We propose a framework for OFA implementation with concrete options, including patient preparation, choice of OFA pharmacological agents (according to type of surgery and patient), and postoperative care. Whilst opioids still have an important place in pain management, they have brought harms that we cannot ignore. Evidence for using opioid-sparing and OFA techniques continues to emerge and there is a need to personalize more approaches. In this review, we provide evidence-based, relatively simple methods that can be used in implementing and delivering OFA.

Children's preoperative stress according to the parental presence evaluated by salivary cortisol and mYPAS: quasi-randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to compare stress and anxiety levels in children undergoing surgical procedures with or without parental presence at induction of anesthesia by measuring salivary cortisol levels and applying the mYPAS. METHOD: Quasi-randomized trial with children aged 5-12 year, with ASA physical status I, II, or III, undergoing elective surgery. According to parents' willingness, the pair were defined as accompanied or unaccompanied group. Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, Student's t test, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman and Spearman's tests were used for statistical analyzes. RESULTS: We included 46 children; 63% were preschool children mostly accompanied by their mothers (80%). The median mYPAS score was 37.5 (quartile range, 23.4-51.6) in unaccompanied children, and 55.0 (quartile range, 27.9-65.0) in accompanied children, with an estimated median difference of +11.8 (95% CI of 0 to 23.4; p = 0.044). There were no significant differences in the mean salivary cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: The level of anxiety was higher in accompanied children. There were no differences in salivary cortisol levels between both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-9wj4qvy.

Advances in pediatric perioperative care using artificial intelligence.

PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW: This article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to evaluate risks in pediatric perioperative care. It will also describe potential future applications of AI, such as models for airway device selection, controlling anesthetic depth and nociception during surgery, and contributing to the training of pediatric anesthesia providers. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of AI in healthcare has increased in recent years, largely due to the accessibility of large datasets, such as those gathered from electronic health records. Although there has been less focus on pediatric anesthesia compared to adult anesthesia, research is on- going, especially for applications focused on risk factor identification for adverse perioperative events. Despite these advances, the lack of formal external validation or feasibility testing results in uncertainty surrounding the clinical applicability of these tools. SUMMARY: The goal of using AI in pediatric anesthesia is to assist clinicians in providing safe and efficient care. Given that children are a vulnerable population, it is crucial to ensure that both clinicians and families have confidence in the clinical tools used to inform medical decision- making. While not yet a reality, the eventual incorporation of AI-based tools holds great potential to contribute to the safe and efficient care of our patients.

2023 Clinical Update in Liver Transplantation.

Liver transplantation continues to provide life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. Advances in the field of transplant anesthesia continue to support the care of more complex patients. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been described in critical care settings and cardiac surgery but may be a valuable option for specific conditions for patients undergoing liver transplantation. Changes to the allocation process for liver grafts now focus on acuity circles to reduce regional disparities. As the number of life-saving transplant surgeries increases, so does the need for specialty knowledge in the anesthetic considerations of these procedures. The specialty of transplant anesthesia continues to grow and develop to meet the demands of complex patients and the increased number of transplants performed. Liver transplantation can be a resource-demanding procedure, and predicting the need for massive transfusion can aid in planning and preparing for significant blood loss.

Mouse and Rat Anesthesia and Analgesia.

Anesthesia and analgesia play pivotal roles in ethically and humanely using animal models in research, especially concerning mice and rats. These rodent species, extensively utilized in scientific investigations due to their genetic resemblance to humans, serve as invaluable tools for studying diseases and testing treatments. Proper anesthesia and analgesia not only prioritize animal welfare but also heighten experimental validity by minimizing stress-induced physiological responses. Recent years have seen remarkable advancements in anesthesia for mice and rats. The focus has shifted away from the 'one size fits all' toward tailoring anesthesia protocols, considering factors like age, strain, and the nature of the experimental procedure. The use of inhalation agents such as isoflurane and sevoflurane is often preferred due to their rapid induction and recovery characteristics, allowing precise control over anesthesia depth. However, refinements in injectable anesthetic agents also provide researchers the flexibility to select suitable agents based on study requirements. Additionally, progress in analgesic techniques has led to effective pain management strategies for these rodents. Common analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and local anesthetics are administered to alleviate pain and discomfort. However, standard practice also involves continuous monitoring of animals' behavior and physiological parameters, ensuring timely adjustments in analgesic regimens for optimal pain relief without compromising experimental outcomes. By integrating tailored anesthesia and analgesia protocols into the experimental design, researchers uphold high animal welfare standards while obtaining reliable scientific data. This contributes significantly to advancing medical knowledge and therapeutic interventions with reproducible results. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Injectable anesthesia for mouse and rat Basic Protocol 2: Inhalant anesthesia using isoflurane for mouse and rat Basic Protocol 3: Analgesia for mice and rats.

The influence of anaesthesia on cancer growth.

BACKGROUND: Oncological patients make up a large proportion of all surgical patients. Through its influence on the patient's inflammatory and immune system, the choice of anaesthetic technique has an indirect impact on the health of the individual patient and on public health. Both the specific and the non-specific immune system have a major influence on the recurrence of carcinomas. The pathophysiological basis for growth and metastasis after surgery is the physiological response to stress. Inflammation is the organism's universal response to stress. Anaesthetics and adjuvants influence perioperative inflammation in different ways and have an indirect effect on tumour growth and metastasis. In vitro studies have shown how individual anaesthetics influence the growth and spread of cancer, but clinical studies have not confirmed these results. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use an anaesthetic that has shown lesser effect on the growth of cancer cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: In this review, we focus on the area of the effects of anaesthesia on tumour growth. The field is still relatively unexplored, there are only few clinical prospective studies and their results are controversial. Based on the review of new research findings we report on recommendations about anaesthetics and anaesthetic techniques that might be preferable for oncological surgical procedures.

Anesthetic recommendations for maternal and fetal safety in nonobstetric surgery: a balancing act.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy is associated with maternal and fetal risks. Several physiologic changes create unique challenges for anesthesiologists. This review highlights physiologic changes of pregnancy and presents clinical recommendations based on recent literature to guide anesthetic management for the pregnant patient undergoing nonobstetric surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Nearly every anesthetic technique has been safely used in pregnant patients. Although it is difficult to eliminate confounding factors, exposure to anesthetics could endanger fetal brain development. Perioperative fetal monitoring decisions require an obstetric consult based on anticipated maternal and fetal concerns. Given the limitations of fasting guidelines, bedside gastric ultrasound is useful in assessing aspiration risk in pregnant patients. Although there is concern about appropriateness of sugammadex for neuromuscular blockade reversal due its binding to progesterone, preliminary literature supports its safety. SUMMARY: These recommendations will equip anesthesiologists to provide safe care for the pregnant patient and fetus undergoing nonobstetric surgery.

Anesthesia for gender-affirming surgery: a practical review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) is an effective, well studied, and often necessary component of gender-affirming care and mitigation of gender dysphoria for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. GAS is categorized as chest surgeries, genitourinary surgeries, facial feminization/masculinization, and vocal phonosurgery. Despite increased incidence of GAS during recent years, there is a gap in knowledge and training on perioperative care for TGD patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Our review discusses the relevant anesthetic considerations for the most common GAS, which often involve highly specialized surgical techniques that have unique implications for the anesthesia professional. SUMMARY: Anesthesiology professionals must attend to the surgical and anesthetic nuances of various GAS procedures. However, as many considerations are based on common practice, research is warranted on anesthetic implications and outcomes of GAS.

Supraglottic Airway Devices: Present State and Outlook for 2050.

Correct placement of supraglottic airway devices (SGDs) is crucial for patient safety and of prime concern of anesthesiologists who want to provide effective and efficient airway management to their patients undergoing surgery or procedures requiring anesthesia care. In the majority of cases, blind insertion of SGDs results in less-than-optimal anatomical and functional positioning of the airway devices. Malpositioning can cause clinical malfunction and result in interference with gas exchange, loss-of-airway, gastric inflation, and aspiration of gastric contents. A close match is needed between the shape and profile of SGDs and the laryngeal inlet. An adequate first seal (with the respiratory tract) and a good fit at the second seal of the distal cuff and the gastrointestinal tract are most desirable. Vision-guided insertion techniques are ideal and should be the way forward. This article recommends the use of third-generation vision-incorporated-video SGDs, which allow for direct visualization of the insertion process, corrective maneuvers, and, when necessary, insertion of a nasogastric tube (NGT) and/or endotracheal tube (ETT) intubation. A videoscope embedded within the SGD allows a visual check of the glottis opening and position of the epiglottis. This design affords the benefit of confirming and/or correcting a SGD's position in the midline and rotation in the sagittal plane. The first clinically available video laryngeal mask airways (VLMAs) and multiple prototypes are being tested and used in anesthesia. Existing VLMAs are still not perfect, and further improvements are recommended. Additional modifications in multicamera technology, to obtain a panoramic view of the SGD sitting correctly in the hypopharynx and to prove that correct sizes have been used, are in the process of production. Ultimately, any device inserted orally-SGD, ETT, NGT, temperature probe, transesophageal scope, neural integrity monitor (NIM) tubes-could benefit from correct vision-guided positioning. VLMAs also allow for automatic recording, which can be documented in clinical records of patients, and could be valuable during teaching and research, with potential value in case of legal defence (with an airway incident). If difficulties occur with the airway, documentation in the patient's file may help future anesthesiologists to better understand the real-time problems. Both manufacturers and designers of SGDs may learn from optimally positioned SGDs to improve the design of these airway devices.