Wound Infusion of 0.35% Levobupivacaine Reduces Mechanical Secondary Hyperalgesia and Opioid Consumption After Cesarean Delivery: A Prospective, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Some patients still report moderate-to-severe postoperative pain after cesarean delivery. Local anesthetic wound infusion improves acute pain and might act on peripheral and central sensitization mechanisms; however, no studies have proved this hypothesis. We evaluated the potential benefits of continuous wound infusion of levobupivacaine after cesarean delivery on secondary hyperalgesia (primary end point) and primary hyperalgesia, pain relief, persistent pain, and inflammatory and metabolic stress response. METHODS: Healthy women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery participated in this prospective, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT01458431). All patients received spinal anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl and a multiholed wound catheter placed under the fascia. Women were randomized to receive continuous wound infusion (0.35% levobupivacaine 7 mL/h for 48 hours; group L) or an equal volume of saline (group S). Secondary hyperalgesia to punctate mechanical stimuli was evaluated using dynamic tests, and primary hyperalgesia was evaluated using an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer; both were assessed at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The following variables were collected: intensity of postoperative parietal and visceral pain at rest and on movement rated on a visual analog scale >72 hours, time to first bolus of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), cumulative dose of rescue morphine (PCA) and acetaminophen, ability to sleep and sleep quality, and patient satisfaction. Persistent postoperative pain was evaluated during a telephone interview at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. C-reactive protein, acid glycoprotein, preprandial glucose, insulin, cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone, and interleukin-6 were measured before cesarean delivery and at 8, 24, and 48 hours. Adverse events and patient outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy women were included. In group L, the area of secondary hyperalgesia was significantly reduced (43.4 [18.5-80] vs 68.4 [39.0-136] cm2 and 45.1 [0.9-89.8] vs 67.3 [31.3-175] cm2 at 24 and 48 hours, respectively; group:time interaction P value < .001), the mechanical pain threshold was significantly higher at 24 hours (633 [441-802] vs 417 [300-572] g.mm-2; P = .001), and morphine consumption was significantly lower at 24 hours (4 [2-11] vs 11[6-23]; P = .003) compared with group S. Levobupivacaine had no effect on persistent postoperative pain at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Plasma insulin levels in the immediate postoperative period and at 8, 24, and 48 hours were significantly lower in group L (P < .001). There were no significant differences in other biochemical parameters of inflammatory and endocrine-metabolic response. CONCLUSIONS: Levobupivacaine wound infusion provides adequate analgesia and might be an effective antihyperalgesic adjunct.

Unplanned surgical reoperations in a tertiary hospital: perioperative mortality and associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to estimate the rate of unplanned surgical reoperations in a tertiary hospital and the mortality in reoperated patients and to determine factors associated with risk of mortality in these patients. METHODS: Unplanned surgical reoperations in our hospital were recorded from 1 May 2006 to 31 March 2008. Unplanned reoperation was defined as any surgical procedure required to treat a complication of a prior procedure within the first 30 days of the initial operation. Patients were followed until hospital discharge. RESULTS: Of 11,468 patients who underwent surgery, 381 (3.3%) required reoperation. The main indications for the second or subsequent procedure were postsurgical bleeding (26.3%) and infection (31.2%). Mortality was higher in reoperated patients (21.7 vs. 2.9% in nonreoperated patients, P<0.05). Age, number of reoperations, reoperation of patients before discharge from the postoperative care unit, acute abdomen as the indication for reoperation and reoperation in the thoracic cavity were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Unplanned reoperations have important implications for patient outcomes and are related to high mortality. Certain patient-related and procedure-related factors increase risk.

Comparison of sevoflurane administered through a face mask versus rectal thiopental sodium in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Sevoflurane (S) and thiopental sodium (T) are commonly used to produce sedation for routine MRI procedures. However, to date there have been no comparative studies evaluating both techniques. We herein present the firt study comparing S and T techniques for pediatric sedation in MRI procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 21 children, aged from 3 months to 6 years, scheduled for MRI were randomly assigned to either S or T group. Sedation performed under spontaneous respiration was induced with inspired 1-8% S in oxigen by face mask connected to a Mapleson C circuit or T (25 mg/kg) administered in distal rectum by cannula. The observed parameters included: time for induction, MRI time, first movement activity postprocedure and recovery time; MRI pauses from patient movement; technique failure, quality of the study, emergence agitation, critical events; and parental and radiologist satisfaction. RESULTS: S compared with T showed significantly shorter anesthesia induction time (1.93 ± 0.7 versus 13.5 ± 2.6 min), first movement time (3.38 ± 1.2 versus 5.9 ± 2.1 min), recovery time (6.8 ± 1.6 versus 10.14 ± 3.3 min), and discharge MRI time (27.83 ± 5.1 versus 47.5 ± 8.7 min). There were fewer pauses during MRI from patient movement in S versus T (0 versus 3). The radiologists reported good quality and satisfaction scores in both groups. There were less behavioral disturbances in T group compared with S group (1 versus 3). There were no critical events in either group. There were no differences in parental satisfaction in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane shortens the induction and recovery time, enabling earlier discharge. Sevoflurane and rectal thiopental sodium protocols are safe and effective, providing adequate conditions for MRI in pediatric outpatients, although rectal thiopental is more unpredictable.