Randomized Prospective Trial of Epidural Analgesia after Open Hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) improves postoperative pain during ambulation following elective open hepatectomy. BACKGROUND: Strategies to alleviate postoperative pain are a critical element of recovery after surgery. However, the optimal postoperative pain management strategy following open hepatectomy remains unclear. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, nonblinded, randomized comparison of PCEA (intervention) versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA; control) for postoperative pain following elective open hepatectomy. The primary end point was pain during ambulation on postoperative day (POD) 2. The study was powered to detect a clinically significant 2-point difference on the pain numeric rating scale (NRS). Secondary end points included pain at rest, morbidity, time to return of bowel function, and length of stay. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2020, 231 patients were randomized (116 patients in the PCEA arm and 115 in the IV PCA arm). The incidence of epidural failure was 3% (n=4/116), with no epidural-related complications. Patients in the PCEA arm had a <2-point difference in NRS pain scores during ambulation on POD 2 vs. IV PCA (median 4.0 vs. 5.0, P <0.001). There was no difference in overall complications between the PCEA and IV PCA arms (33% vs. 40%, P =0.276). Secondary outcomes, including pain scores at rest, were similar between the study arms. CONCLUSIONS: PCEA was safe following open hepatectomy and was associated with a small difference in pain with activity on POD 2 that did not reach our pre-specified definition of clinical significance.

Pediatric acute compartment syndrome due to surgical positioning: A case report.

Pediatric acute compartment syndrome from surgical positioning may be difficult to recognize. Increasing anxiety and analgesic requirements can suggest developing compartment syndrome. We present a case of compartment syndrome after a non-orthopedic surgery.

Goal-directed versus Standard Fluid Therapy to Decrease Ileus after Open Radical Cystectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ileus is a common complication of intraabdominal surgeries, including radical cystectomy with reported rates as high as 32%. Perioperative fluid administration has been associated with improvement in postoperative ileus rates, but it is difficult to generalize because earlier studies lacked standardized definitions of postoperative ileus and other relevant outcomes. The hypothesis was that targeted individualized perioperative fluid management would improve postoperative ileus in patients receiving radical cystectomy. METHODS: This is a parallel-arm, double-blinded, single-center randomized trial of goal-directed fluid therapy versus standard fluid therapy for patients undergoing open radical cystectomy. The primary outcome was postoperative ileus, and the secondary outcome was complications within 30 days post-surgery. Participants were at least 21 yr old, had a maximum body mass index of 45 kg/m and no active atrial fibrillation. The intervention in the goal-directed therapy arm combined preoperative and postoperative stroke volume optimization and intraoperative stroke volume variation minimization to guide fluid administration, using advanced hemodynamic monitoring. RESULTS: Between August 2014 and April 2018, 283 radical cystectomy patients (142 goal-directed fluid therapy and 141 standard fluid therapy) were included in the analysis. Postoperative ileus occurred in 25% (36 of 142) of patients in the goal-directed fluid therapy arm and 21% (30 of 141) of patients in the standard arm (difference in proportions, 4.1%; 95% CI, -5.8 to 13.9; P = 0.418). There was no difference in incidence of high-grade complications between the two arms (20 of 142 [14%] vs. 23 of 141 [16%]; difference in proportions, -2.2%; 95% CI, -10.6 to 6.1; P = 0.602), with the exception of acute kidney injury, which was more frequent in the goal-directed fluid therapy arm (56% [80 of 142] vs. 40% [56 of 141] in the standard arm; difference in proportions, 16.6%; 95% CI, 5.1 to 28.1; P = 0.005; P = 0.170 after adjustment for multiple testing). CONCLUSIONS: Goal-directed fluid therapy may not be an effective strategy for lowering the risk of postoperative ileus in patients undergoing open radical cystectomy.

Renal function after low central venous pressure-assisted liver resection: assessment of 2116 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Low central venous pressure (LCVP)-assisted hepatectomy is associated with decreased blood loss and lower transfusion rates. Concerns about its impact on renal function have prevented widespread application. This study was conducted to review the dynamics of renal function after LCVP-assisted hepatectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospective surgical database was carried out. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. The RIFLE (risk-injury-failure-loss-end-stage) criteria were used to define postoperative biochemical acute kidney injury (bAKI). Occurrences of clinically relevant AKI (cAKI) were identified in the study center postoperative database. RESULTS: During the period 2003-2012, 2116 LCVP-assisted hepatectomies were performed. The median patient age was 61 years [interquartile range (IQR): 51-70 years] and 51% of patients were male. The median number of resected segments was two; resections involved from one to four segments. Median estimated blood loss was 300 ml (IQR: 200-600 ml). Rates of morbidity and 90-day mortality were 21% and 2%, respectively. Low baseline eGFR (<90 ml/min) was seen in 84% of patients; 29% of patients had eGFR of <30 ml/min. Postoperative bAKI was seen in 17% (n = 350) of patients. Biochemical AKI with low eGFR was seen in 336 patients, representing 16% of the whole cohort; 13% of patients had been at risk, 2% experienced injury and 1% experienced failure. Kidney function had normalized at discharge in 159 of these patients. Nine patients (<1%) developed postoperative cAKI. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients in the study cohort had low baseline eGFR. Biochemical alterations in eGFR are transient in the vast majority of patients after LCVP-assisted hepatectomy and their clinical impact is limited. The present data suggest that clinically relevant renal dysfunction is a very uncommon event in patients undergoing LCVP-assisted liver resection.

Hemodynamic Changes Associated with Mydriatic Eye Drop Administration in Anesthetized Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Dilating eye drops are routinely used in pediatric retinoblastoma patients during anesthetized ophthalmologic exams. Information on the systemic effects of ocular mydriatics, especially in anesthetized pediatric patients, is limited. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to analyze hemodynamic changes during mydriatic eye drop administration in anesthetized pediatric patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for pediatric retinoblastoma patients who underwent MRI with anesthesia. Baseline blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were charted for each patient at induction. HR and mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 min after eye drop administration. Secondarily, we included data from 15 patients who received dilating eye drops while under sevoflurane general anesthetic. All patients were dilated with phenylephrine 2.5 or 10% (depending on age) and tropicamide 1%. RESULTS: The final analysis included 176 anesthesia encounters. The results demonstrate no statistically significant deviation of more than 20% from baseline for either HR or MAP. Additionally, we did not detect any difference between patients who were anesthetized with propofol versus sevoflurane. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe significant hemodynamic instability with administration of dilating eye drops during propofol anesthesia.

Anesthetic complications during general anesthesia without intravenous access in pediatric ophthalmologic clinic: assessment of 5216 cases.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia utilizing inhalational agents without intravenous (IV) access for minor procedures is controversial. Eliminating IV access increases efficiency and patient satisfaction; however, the ability to introduce rapid acting medications into the circulation during an unanticipated emergency becomes challenging. The objective of this study was to examine complication risk following pediatric ophthalmologic examinations under anesthesia (EUA) without IV placement. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric patients who underwent EUA for retinoblastoma management was performed from 2004 to 2014. The total number of anesthetics and elective IV placement were identified. Patient characteristics, length of the procedure, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) placement, and complications were also recorded. A survey of specialized ophthalmology institutions was performed in order to ascertain the state of standard practices. RESULTS: Over 10 years, 5216 anesthetics were identified. The mean age and weight of the patients were 2.7±2.0 years and 14.4±6.6 kg, respectively. In all, 298 elective IVs were placed (6%) and 4918 cases (94%) were performed without IV access. A total of 1687 (32%) anesthetics were administered with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), of which 1389 (82%) did not have IV access. There were no deaths and no unplanned admissions. There were 8/5216 complications (0.153%) which all resolved safely. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that it is safe to perform EUA and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma in pediatric patients without securing IV access. All emergency post-complication IV placements were successful and no long-term sequelae were seen.

Intravenous injection of indocyanine green results in an artificial transient desaturation by pulse oximetry.

PURPOSE: To describe a case series of transient oxygen desaturation measured by pulse oximetry during the intravenous infusion of indocyanine green to enhance transpupillary thermotherapy in treating retinoblastoma after ophthalmic artery chemosurgery. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive case series. RESULTS: The intravenous administration of indocyanine green for ophthalmic angiography resulted in a transient drop in oxygen saturation as measured by Nellcor fingertip pulse oximetry in three children with retinoblastoma receiving indocyanine green-guided transpupillary thermotherapy. The magnitude of reduction ranged from 92% to 94% from an initial reading of 99% to 100% in each case, with an average duration of 3 minutes. Concurrent measurement of blood pressure, pulse, and expired CO2 showed no changes during this process. CONCLUSION: Administration of intravenous indocyanine green resulted in a transient desaturation by oximetry during transpupillary thermotherapy for children with retinoblastoma under anesthesia because of the fluorescent dye's absorption of red light in a manner similar to that of deoxygenated hemoglobin, thereby leading to transient instrument misinterpretation and miscalculation of arterial oxygenation.

Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy Using Stroke Volume Variation for Resuscitation after Low Central Venous Pressure-Assisted Liver Resection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal perioperative fluid resuscitation strategy for liver resections remains undefined. Goal-directed therapy (GDT) embodies a number of physiologic strategies to achieve an ideal fluid balance and avoid the consequences of over- or under-resuscitation. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective randomized trial, patients undergoing liver resection were randomized to GDT using stroke volume variation as an end point or to standard perioperative resuscitation. Primary outcomes measure was 30-day morbidity. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2014, one hundred and thirty-five patients were randomized (GDT: n = 69; standard perioperative resuscitation: n = 66). Median age was 57 years and 56% were male. Metastatic disease comprised 81% of patients. Overall (35% GDT vs 36% standard perioperative resuscitation; p = 0.86) and grade 3 morbidity (28% GDT vs 18% standard perioperative resuscitation; p = 0.22) were equivalent. Patients in the GDT arm received less intraoperative fluid (mean 2.0 L GDT vs 2.9 L standard perioperative resuscitation; p < 0.001). Perioperative transfusions were required in 4% (6% GDT vs 2% standard perioperative resuscitation; p = 0.37) and boluses in the postanesthesia care unit were administered to 24% (29% GDT vs 20% standard perioperative resuscitation; p = 0.23). Mortality rate was 1% (2 of 135 patients; both in GDT). On multivariable analysis, male sex, age, combined procedures, higher intraoperative fluid volume, and fluid boluses in the postanesthesia care unit were associated with higher 30-day morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke volume variation-guided GDT is safe in patients undergoing liver resection and led to less intraoperative fluid. Although the incidence of postoperative complications was similar in both arms, lower intraoperative resuscitation volume was independently associated with decreased postoperative morbidity in the entire cohort. Future studies should target extensive resections and identify patients receiving large resuscitation volumes, as this population is more likely to benefit from this technique.