Deep neuromuscular blockade and surgical conditions during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: A randomised, blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is a common surgical procedure. However, muscle contractions and general muscle tension may impair the surgical view and cause difficulties suturing the hernial defect. Deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) paralyses the abdominal wall muscles and may help to create better surgical conditions. OBJECTIVES: The current study investigated if deep compared with no NMB improved the surgical view during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: The study was carried out at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and conducted from May 2015 until February 2017. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 34 patients were randomised in an investigator-initiated, assessor-blinded crossover design of deep vs. no NMB during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adults scheduled for elective laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Known allergy to any study medication, known homozygous variants in the butyrylcholinesterase gene, severe renal disease, neuromuscular disease, lactating or pregnant women, any indication for rapid sequence induction. INTERVENTIONS: Deep NMB was established with rocuronium and reversed with sugammadex. Anaesthesia was conducted with propofol and remifentanil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was evaluation of surgical view assessed on a five-point rating scale. Other outcomes included the surgical conditions during laparoscopic suturing of the hernia defect. RESULTS: We found no difference in ratings for the surgical view when comparing deep with no NMB: mean -0.1 (95% confidence interval -0.4 to 0.2) (P = 0.521, paired t test). However, deep compared with no NMB improved the rating score for surgical conditions while suturing the hernia defect (P = 0.012, Mann-Whitney U test). No differences were found in either total length of surgery (P = 0.76) or hernia suturing time (P = 0.81). CONCLUSION: Deep compared with no NMB did not change the rating score of the surgical view immediately after introduction of trocars during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, but the surgical condition were improved during suturing of the hernia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02247466.

[Medical doctors' surgical abilities measured by means of a surgical simulator].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to test the surgical abilities between orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists on a surgical simulator intended for children. METHODS: The study was a prospective comparative study with 31 consultant or specialist grade medical doctors: 15 orthopaedic surgeons and 16 anaesthetists. The speed and failure rate when removing foreign bodies on a surgical simulator was measured. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in speed and failure rate between orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists, when they were working on the simulator. Anaesthetists demonstrated statistically significant more body movement and more use of foul language doing the simulation, and they were more willing to read the written instruction but less likely to follow it. CONCLUSION: Anaesthetists may be just as handy as orthopaedic surgeons but should be given more physical and verbal space in the operation room. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Neuromuscular blockade during laparoscopic ventral herniotomy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic herniotomy is the preferred technique for some ventral hernias. Several factors may influence the surgical conditions, one being the depth of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) applied. We hypothesised that deep neuromuscular blockade defined as a post-tetanic count below eight would provide a better surgical workspace. METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated, assessor- and patient-blinded randomised cross-over study. A total of 34 patients with planned laparoscopic umbilical, incisional and linea alba herniotomy were studied. Patients would be randomised to receive deep NMB followed by no NMB, or no NMB followed by deep NMB. Our primary outcome was improvement of the surgical workspace (rated on a five-point scale) estimated as the difference between the workspace during deep NMB and the workspace without NMB. Secondary outcomes included, among others, surgeon's rating of surgical conditions during suturing, duration of surgery and duration of the suturing of the hernia. CONCLUSION: This randomised cross-over study investigated a potential effect on the surgical workspace in laparoscopic ventral herniotomy using deep NMB compared with no NMB. The study may provide knowledge relevant to other laparoscopic techniques. FUNDING: The study is funded by a research grant from the Investigator Initiated Studies Program of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02247466.

[Lactic acidosis in a patient with exercabation of asthma receiving inhalation therapy]. / Laktatacidose som komplikation til inhalationsbehandling hos patient med astmaeksacerbation.

We present a case of severe lactic acidosis due to exacerbation of asthma in presence of normal tissue perfusion and oxygenation in a 35-year-old woman with poorly controlled asthma. After admission, she was treated continuously with inhalation of salbutamol (a beta-agonist) resulting in lactic acidosis, which was misinterpreted as treatment failure. The lactic acidosis reversed on discontinuation of the inhalation therapy. Although lactic acidosis is a rare complication to inhalation of beta-agonists, it is important for the clinicians to recognize this.