Quality of Recovery After Low-Pressure Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy Facilitated by Deep Neuromuscular Blockade: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: The use of low intra-abdominal pressure (<10 mmHg) reduces postoperative pain scores after laparoscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with deep neuromuscular blockade improves the quality of recovery after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In a single-center randomized controlled trial, 64 live kidney donors were randomly assigned to 6 or 12 mmHg insufflation pressure. A deep neuromuscular block was used in both groups. Surgical conditions were rated by the five-point Leiden-surgical rating scale (L-SRS), ranging from 5 (optimal) to 1 (extremely poor) conditions. If the L-SRS was insufficient, the pressure was increased stepwise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was the overall score on the quality of recovery-40 (QOR-40) questionnaire at postoperative day 1. RESULTS: The difference in the QOR-40 scores on day 1 between the low- and standard-pressure group was not significant (p = .06). Also the overall pain scores and analgesic consumption did not differ. Eight procedures (24%), initially started with low pressure, were converted to a standard pressure (≥10 mmHg). A L-SRS score of 5 was significantly more prevalent in the standard pressure as compared to the low-pressure group at 30 min after insufflation (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum facilitated by deep neuromuscular blockade during LDN does not reduce postoperative pain scores nor improve the quality of recovery in the early postoperative phase. The question whether the use of deep neuromuscular blockade during laparoscopic surgery reduces postoperative pain scores independent of the intra-abdominal pressure should be pursued in future studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at clinicaltrial.gov before the start of the trial (NCT02146417).

Comparison of the effectiveness of low pressure pneumoperitoneum with profound muscle relaxation during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy to optimize the quality of recovery during the early post-operative phase: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Since technique modifications of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, e.g. retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy or hand-assistance, have not shown significant benefit regarding safety or improvement of recovery, further research should focus on improving postoperative recovery. The use of low pressure pneumoperitoneum has shown to significantly reduce postoperative pain after laparoscopy. To facilitate the use of low pressure pneumoperitoneum, deep neuromuscular block will be used. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is a phase IV, single center, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial in which 64 patients will be randomized to: low pressure pneumoperitoneum (6 mmHg) and deep neuromuscular block or normal pressure pneumoperitoneum (12 mmHg) and deep neuromuscular block. Deep neuromuscular block is defined as post tetanic count < 5. Primary outcome measurement will be Quality of Recovery-40 questionnaire (overall score) on day 1. DISCUSSION: This study is the first randomized study to assess the combination of low pressure pneumoperitoneum in combination with deep neuromuscular block from a patients' perspective. The study findings may also be applicable for other laparoscopic procedures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at trials.gov (NCT02146417) in July 2014.

Anesthesia-related morbidity and mortality after surgery for muscle biopsy in children with mitochondrial defects.

BACKGROUND: Children with mitochondrial defects (MD) may have an increased risk for cardiorespiratory and neurological complications from anesthesia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of perioperative complications and adverse events in children with MD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the anesthesia, surgical and medical records of 155 children up to 10 years who underwent a diagnostic surgical muscle biopsy for suspected mitochondrial and muscle disorders between 1999 and 2003. The data of the 122 patients where a definite MD diagnosis was found were analyzed. Anesthesia was conducted according to the discretion of the attending staff. In children with MD the activity of the different complexes of the oxidative phosphorylation system was measured. RESULTS: From the preoperative assessment, signs of encephalopathy were most frequent (n = 93), followed by muscle weakness (n = 32), lactic acidosis (n = 15), cardiomyopathy and/or conduction defects (n = 10) and chronic respiratory problems (n = 7). The mean age of the children with MD was 32.4 months (SD = 26.9). The mean duration of anesthesia was 36.0 min (SD = 12.6) and the mean length of stay in the recovery room was 33.0 min (SD = 24.0). There were no major changes in heart rate or blood pressure which required pharmacological intervention during anesthesia or postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay. A short episode of SpO2 <80% with airway obstruction occurred once in the PACU. Biochemical analysis in the children with a MD showed an isolated deficiency of one of the five protein complexes of oxidative phosphorylation in 42 children, a combination of complex deficiencies in 41 and no definite localization in 39 children. CONCLUSION: With standard preoperative assessment, monitoring and anesthesia management, there were no major peroperative and postoperative anesthesia-related complications in children undergoing surgical muscle biopsy with a MD diagnosis.