Analysis of the estimation of bleeding using several proposed haematometric equations.

PURPOSE: Among various methods for estimating blood loss, the gravimetric method is the most accurate; however, its use in routine practice is complicated. Although several equations have been proposed for this purpose, there is no consensus on the most suitable. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven secondary and tertiary hospitals between March and July 2018 including all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty or hip prosthesis replacement under general or regional anaesthesia. We compared blood loss estimates obtained using the gravimetric method (weighing gauzes and pads and measuring volumes of blood collected by suction during surgery) and using three different equations, two of which considered intravenous fluids (CRYS 3.5 and 1.5) and a third which did not (the traditional equation). Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were used. RESULTS: The mean blood loss estimated using the gravimetric method was 513.7 ± 421.7 mL, while estimates calculated using the CRYS 3.5, CRYS 1.5 and traditional equations were 737.2 ± 627.4, 420.8 ± 636.2 and 603.4 ± 386.3 mL, respectively. Comparing these results, we found low levels of agreement (based on ICCs), except when using the traditional equation (ICC: 0.517). The limits of agreement comparing external blood loss with the estimates from the equations ranged from - 1655.6 to 1459.2 in the case of the CRYS 1.5 equation to - 839.6 to 1008.4 in the case of the traditional equation. CONCLUSIONS: For use in clinical practice, haematological index-based equations, regardless of whether they consider fluids administered, do not show sufficiently strong correlations with gravimetric estimates of intraoperative blood loss.

Serratus intercostal interfascial plane block in supraumbilical surgery: a prospective randomized comparison.

BACKGROUND: Upper abdominal wall surgical incisions may lead to a severe postoperative pain. Therefore, adequate analgesia is important. Here we investigate whether the low serratus-intercostal interfascial plane block (SIPB) achieves an effective analgesia, considering opioids consumption, pain control and recovery quality in upper abdominal surgeries. METHODS: This blinded, randomized controlled study was conducted on 102 patients undergoing open upper abdominal wall surgery under general anesthesia. All patients who received serratus-intercostal plane block at the eighth rib as analgesic technique were included in SIPB group and in control group those who received continuous intravenous morphine analgesia. Pain scores in numeric verbal scale (NVS) and opioids consumption at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively were assessed. The quality of the postoperative recovery was evaluated using the QoR-15 questionnaire at 24 hours. RESULTS: This study showed lower postoperative opioid consumption at 24 hours (P<0.0001; 4.17 mg vs. 41.52 mg of morphine) and better pain control (P<0.005) with mean pain scores (NVS 1.8±1.5 vs. 4.8±1.6) in group 0 (SIPB). The global QoR-15 scores 24 hours postoperatively were higher (better quality) in the SIPB group (122 vs. 100). CONCLUSIONS: The low serratus-intercostal interfascial plane block (SIPB) provides efficient analgesia leading to a saving of opioids and improvement of the recovery quality in patients undergoing upper abdominal wall surgeries.