[German S1 guideline: obstructive sleep apnea in the context of tonsil surgery with or without adenoidectomy in children-perioperative management]. / S1-Leitlinie: Obstruktive Schlafapnoe im Rahmen von Tonsillenchirurgie mit oder ohne Adenotomie bei Kindern ­ perioperatives Management.

Otolaryngologic surgery is one of the most frequent operative interventions performed in children. Tonsil surgery with or without adenoidectomy due to hyperplasia of the tonsils and adenoids with obstruction of the upper airways with or without tympanic ventilation disorder is the most common of these procedures. Children with a history of sleep apnoea (OSA) suffer from a significantly increased risk of perioperative respiratory complications. Cases of death and severe permanent neurologic damage have been reported due to apnoea and increased opioid sensitivity. The current guideline represents a pragmatic risk-adjusted approach. Patients with confirmed or suspected OSA should be treated perioperatively according to their individual risks and requirements, in order to avoid severe permanent damage.

[Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia: best practice upper extremities]. / Ultraschallgesteuerte Regionalanästhesie: Best Practice Obere Extremität.

Regional anesthesia of the upper extremities is now part of the standard repertoire of a clinical anesthesiologist. Assigning the correct procedure to the individual needs of the patient is becoming increasingly more difficult due to the wide variety of options. The principle use of regional anesthesiological procedures is hardly ever questioned anymore but it needs to be carefully considered and must be adapted exactly to the case at hand.

Amino acids - Guidelines on Parenteral Nutrition, Chapter 4.

Protein catabolism should be reduced and protein synthesis promoted with parenteral nutrion (PN). Amino acid (AA) solutions should always be infused with PN. Standard AA solutions are generally used, whereas specially adapted AA solutions may be required in certain conditions such as severe disorders of AA utilisation or in inborn errors of AA metabolism. An AA intake of 0.8 g/kg/day is generally recommended for adult patients with a normal metabolism, which may be increased to 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day, or to 2.0 or 2.5 g/kg/day in exceptional cases. Sufficient non-nitrogen energy sources should be added in order to assure adequate utilisation of AA. A nitrogen calorie ratio of 1:130 to 1:170 (g N/kcal) or 1:21 to 1:27 (g AA/kcal) is recommended under normal metabolic conditions. In critically ill patients glutamine should be administered parenterally if indicated in the form of peptides, for example 0.3-0.4 g glutamine dipeptide/kg body weight/day (=0.2-0.26 g glutamine/kg body weight/day). No recommendation can be made for glutamine supplementation in PN for patients with acute pancreatitis or after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and in newborns. The application of arginine is currently not warranted as a supplement in PN in adults. N-acetyl AA are only of limited use as alternative AA sources. There is currently no indication for use of AA solutions with an increased content of glycine, branched-chain AAs (BCAA) and ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) in all patients receiving PN. AA solutions with an increased proportion of BCAA are recommended in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (III-IV).

Stability of a sufentanil-ropivacaine mixture in a glass and a PVC reservoir.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Drug mixtures containing sufentanil may be unstable owing to absorption into the drug reservoirs of patient-controlled epidural analgesia systems that contain polyvinylchloride. The stability of sufentanil in a mixture of ropivacaine 0.2% in a 750 mL reservoir was therefore investigated. METHODS: During simulated epidural infusions of 5 mLh(-1) at 25 degrees C, sufentanil concentrations were measured for 96 h. Samples were taken from the reservoir and from the end of the epidural catheter under the following conditions: into glass or polyvinylchloride reservoirs containing ropivacaine 0.2% with sufentanil 1, 0.75 or 0.5 microg mL(-1); and into polyvinylchloride reservoirs with ropivacaine 0.2% and sufentanil 1 microg mL(-1) which were stored for 4 weeks at 8 degrees C. RESULTS: The different solutions remained stable over the observation period of 96 h. Using the same solutions, independent samples' ANOVA showed no difference in the sufentanil concentrations between the glass and polyvinylchloride reservoirs, or between the polyvinylchloride reservoirs when stored for 4 weeks. Correlations between the concentrations at the different measurement times were extremely high for the reservoir (r(min) = 0.98, r(max) = 1.00) and the catheter end (rmin = 0.86, r(max) = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Sufentanil citrate at 0.5-1.0 microg mL(-1) in an admixture of ropivacaine 0.29 for 5 days, which is the usual period for postoperative epidural analgesia, remains stable in a polyvinylchloride reservoir. There is no change in the drug concentration even if the reservoir is stored for 4 weeks at 8 degrees C.

Sedation assessment in critically ill patients with bispectral index.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical sedation assessment becomes insufficient in deeply sedated patients. Bispectral index as a processed electroencephalogram parameter provides a continuous and observer-independent value reported to change with sedation. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the reliability and possible confounding factors of the bispectral index to assess sedation in surgical intensive care patients. METHODS: Following major surgery, bispectral index, body temperature and electromyographic activity of 44 ventilated patients were recorded. Sedation levels were assessed with Ramsay sedation score. RESULTS: Although bispectral index correlated with Ramsay sedation score (-0.64; P < 0.01) we found that in deeply sedated patients temperature instability and electromyographic activity increased bispectral index. Bispectral index correlated significantly with electromyographic activity (0.80; P < 0.01) and with an increase of body temperature (0.55; P < 0.01) not only in all patients but also in clinically deeply sedated patients (0.57; P < 0.01 and 0.46; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Only under certain conditions, such as low muscular activity and body temperature stability, may the bispectral index be a useful addition to clinical scoring in the sedation assessment of critically ill patients.

Alanyl-glutamine dipeptide does not affect hemodynamics despite a greater increase in myocardial heat shock protein 72 immunoreactivity in endotoxemic sheep.

The possible beneficial effect of supplemental glutamine (Gln) in critically ill patients has been suggested to be mediated by the induction of the cytoprotective heat shock proteins (HSP)32 and HSP72. There is evidence that HSP72 and HSP32 have opposite effects on the hemodynamic situation during endotoxemia. Therefore, the effect of Gln supplementation on the cardiovascular system is not clear. We investigated the effect of alanyl-Gln (Ala-Gln) dipeptide on cardiovascular function in healthy and endotoxemic sheep. Ten sheep catheterized for chronic studies received Ala-Gln 700 mg/(kg x d) [equal to 470 mg/(kg x d)Gln] on 4 consecutive days, and 10 sheep received NaCl (9 g/L) as the control solution. On d 4, four sheep of each group were killed and myocardial samples were taken for immunohistochemistry. The remaining sheep received a continuous infusion of endotoxin [Salmonella typhosa, 10 ng/(kg x min)]. Hemodynamic parameters were measured before application of Ala-Gln or the control solution, and during endotoxemia. Myocardial HSP72 immunoreactivity was determined by immunohistochemistry. After 24 h of endotoxemia, the sheep exhibited a hyperdynamic circulation. No difference was found in the hemodynamic parameters between treatment and control group. Ala-Gln treated sheep had a greater increase in myocardial HSP72 immunoreactivity compared with controls after (P < 0.05) but not before endotoxemia. In summary, Ala-Gln increased HSP72 immunoreactivity after endotoxemia, but did not alter hemodynamic parameters. Thus, Ala-Gln supplementation does not seem to aggravate the hyperdynamic circulation in endotoxemic shock.

Multimodal perioperative management--combining thoracic epidural analgesia, forced mobilization, and oral nutrition--reduces hormonal and metabolic stress and improves convalescence after major urologic surgery.

We sought in this prospective study to use a multimodal approach to reduce stress and improve recovery in patients undergoing major surgery. During an initial study period, 30 patients were randomly allocated to receive general anesthesia (GA; Group 1) or a combination of GA and intraoperative thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA; Group 2) when undergoing radical cystectomy. Parenteral nutrition was provided for 5 days after surgery. During the second period, 15 patients were treated with a multimodal approach (Group 3) consisting of intraoperative GA and TEA, postoperative patient-controlled TEA, early oral nutrition, and enforced mobilization. Data for plasma and urine catecholamines, plasma cortisol, the nitrogen balance, the postoperative inflammatory nutrition index, pain relief, fatigue, sleep, overnight recovery, recovery of bowel function, and mobilization were recorded up to the fifth postoperative day. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol were comparable in all patients, but those in Group 3 had lower levels of urinary catecholamine excretion. Protein intake was more effective with parenteral nutrition. Nitrogen balances were less negative, and the postoperative inflammatory nutrition index score increased significantly in the traditional groups but not in Group 3. Multimodally treated patients reported less fatigue and better overnight recovery. Along with improved pain relief, recovery of bowel function, and ambulation, there were no differences in the postoperative complication rates among the three groups. The multimodal approach reduced stress and improved metabolism and recovery after radical cystectomy.

Minimal flow sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia and impact on renal function.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Compound A generation and accumulation in sevoflurane anaesthesia is dependent on fresh gas flow. We investigated the extent of generation of compound A. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, patients with normal renal function were randomized to receive either sevoflurane (n = 33) or isoflurane (n = 43) minimal flow anaesthesia (0.5 L min-1) for at least 2 h under standardized conditions. Compound A concentrations were quantified and blood and urine samples were taken to assess renal involvement. Both groups were comparable. RESULTS: No significant differences concerning blood chemistry and urine measurements were found. The maximum mean compound A concentration was observed 90 min after flow reduction being 40 +/- 9 p.p.m. at a corresponding mean sevoflurane concentration of 2.1 +/- 0.5 vol%. Mean inspiratory compound A exposure was 102 +/- 33 p.p.m h-1. CONCLUSION: Compound A concentrations using 0.5 L min-1 fresh gas flow and a heated absorber were higher than previously published values using an inflow of 1 L min-1. Compound A exposure was similar to other clinical studies which did not show changes in renal and hepatic function.

Cost containment through L-alanyl-L-glutamine supplemented total parenteral nutrition after major abdominal surgery: a prospective randomized double-blind controlled study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Glutamine is recognized as a conditionally essential amino acid. Recent studies indicate that glutamine-containing total parenteral nutrition improves nitrogen economy, enhances gastrointestinal and immune functions and shortens hospital stay. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (19 w and 18 m; age 61. 4+/-10.4 years; BMI 23.7+/-2.8 kg/m(2)) following major abdominal surgery receiving an isonitrogenous isoenergetic TPN with or without alanyl-glutamine supplementation (0.5 g/kg BW/day), were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial over a five-day period by measuring nitrogen balance, selected biochemical parameters and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Supplemental alanyl-glutamine improved the overall mean (-3.5+/-1.6 vs. -5.5+/-1. 4 g N;P<0.05) and cumulative nitrogen balance (-14.1+/-9.1 vs. -21.7+/-11.4 g N;P<0.05) compared with the isonitrogenous, isoenergetic standard regimen. Alanyl-glutamine normalized plasma glutamine concentration and reduced the length of hospital stay (12.8+/-2.6 vs. 17.5+/-6.4 days;P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study confirm that supplementation with synthetic alanyl-glutamine dipeptide is associated with cost containment due to shortened hospitalization and improved nitrogen economy.

A multimodal approach to control postoperative pathophysiology and rehabilitation in patients undergoing abdominothoracic esophagectomy.

UNLABELLED: This two-armed study was designed to determine whether recovery after esophageal resection may be improved by introducing a new multimodal approach. For 8 mo after the new approach was introduced, all patients undergoing abdominothoracic esophageal resection were studied (Group 2; n = 42). For comparison, a retrospective analysis was also conducted using the data of all patients who had undergone this operation in the 8 mo before the introduction of the new regimen, when the traditional therapy was still in use (Group 1; n = 49). All patients received an epidural catheter at the level of T6-9 before the induction of general analgesia. Afterward, Group 1 patients were operated under general anesthesia. For postoperative pain relief, a mixture of bupivacaine 1.25 mg/mL and sufentanil 1 microg/mL was administered during 5 days without titration of the quality of analgesia. Patients in Group 2 received a preoperative bolus of 10-15 mL bupivacaine 2.5 mg/mL and 20-30 microg sufentanil. After sensory block up to T4 was confirmed, general anesthesia was introduced and intraoperatively combined with a continuous infusion of 5 mL/h of a solution containing bupivacaine 1.75 mg/mL and sufentanil 1 microg/mL. Postoperatively, the epidural infusion rate was adjusted to the need of the individual patients, who were able to administer themselves additional bolus doses of 2 mL with a lockout time of 20 min. Early tracheal extubation and forced mobilization were pursued to improve recovery. Demographic data of both groups were comparable. The pain relief of Group 2 patients was superior to that of patients in Group 1. The nitrogen balance of a subgroup of nine matched pairs of patients with comparable nutritional status was less negative in Group 2 patients on Postoperative Days 1 and 2. Patients in Group 2 were tracheally extubated earlier (mean 6.7 vs 25.1 h after admission to the intensive care unit [ICU]), mobilized earlier (mean 1.2 vs 2.0 days after surgery), discharged from the ICU earlier (mean 1.7 vs 4.0 days), and fulfilled criteria for discharge from the ICU (mean 1.8 vs 4.1 days) and from the intermediate care unit earlier (4.9 vs 6.4 days). We conclude that the multimodal approach may improve recovery and thus reduce costs after abdominothoracic esophageal resection. IMPLICATIONS: Analgesia and blockade of the perioperative stress response, combined with other aspects of postoperative therapy, may improve recovery after surgery. The intensive care unit stay after esophageal resection was reduced by a new regimen (thoracic epidural analgesia, early tracheal extubation, forced mobilization). This approach may influence the cost of major surgery.

Gastric tonometry: precision and reliability are improved by a phosphate buffered solution.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a phosphate buffered solution with normal saline as tonometric fluid in intramucosal PCO2 measurement in humans. DESIGN: Prospective, unblinded comparison. SETTING: Postsurgical critical care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Six septic patients. INTERVENTIONS: Two tonometric probes were positioned in the gastric lumen in each patient. One tube was used for conventional tonometry (saline-filled balloon), while phosphate buffered solution was instilled into the second tube. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PCO2 was determined with three blood gas analyzers (ABL 2 [Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark], Corning 288 [Ciba Corning Diagnostics GmbH, Neuss, Germany], and StatProfile 9 Plus [Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA]). Eight parallel PCO2 measurements per patient were evaluated, yielding a total of 48 measurements with each tonometric solution. Intrainstrumental comparison of the PCO2 determinations demonstrated an increase of 12.3 +/- 9.9% for ABL 2, 3.10 +/- 12.9% for Ciba Corning 288, and 101.2 +/- 31.5% for StatProfile 9 Plus with the phosphate buffered solution. The PCO2 values were decreased by the following amounts when the three instruments were compared, using the saline method: 14.2 +/- 8.2% (Ciba Corning 288 vs. ABL 2); 40.7 +/- 9.9% (StatProfile 9 Plus vs. ABL 2); and 30.9 +/- 9.35% (StatProfile 9 Plus vs. Ciba Corning 288). The difference in PCO2 determination, resulting from the different instrument designs, were significant between the three blood gas analyzers (p<.001). In addition, the variance of the intramucosal PCO2 values was significant between blood gas analyzers (p<.001) with normal saline as tonometric solution, but not with phosphate buffered solution. The coefficients of determination between PCO2 values in saline and phosphate buffered solution were r2=.85 for ABL 2, r2=.81 for Ciba Corning 288, and r2=.74 for StatProfile 9 Plus. When all 48 PCO2 values were analyzed, the interinstrumental coefficients of determination within a method for saline (and for phosphate buffered solution in parenthesis) were:r2=.83 (.92) between ABL 2 and Ciba Corning 288, r2=.72 (.92) between ABL 2 and StatProfile 9 Plus, and r2=.81 (.98) between Ciba Corning 288 and StatProfile 9 Plus. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable instrumental bias in PCO2 analysis is observed when saline is used as tonometric fluid in gastric tonometry, thus preventing a reliable determination of intramucosal pH. The present in vivo data show that the accuracy and reliability of intramucosal pH measurement can be improved by the use of phosphate buffered solution as tonometric fluid.

Postoperative alpha 2-adrenergic stimulation attenuates protein catabolism.

The metabolic effects of continuous intravenous (IV) application of the alpha 2 agonist clonidine were evaluated by assessment of nitrogen economy and postaggression endocrine patterns. Twenty-four patients undergoing abdominothoracic esophageal cancer resection were studied. Thirteen of these patients with alcohol abuse were treated postoperatively with IV clonidine for prevention of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Eleven patients who were not treated with clonidine served as controls. All patients were treated in a standardized manner in regard to surgical technique, balanced anesthesia, and postoperative intensive care treatment, including thoracic epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl. Isonitrogenous and isocaloric nutrition was comparable in all patients. A significantly improved cumulated 6-day nitrogen balance was found in clonidine-treated patients (-1.5 +/- 4.9 g nitrogen) compared to the control group (-17.6 +/- 4.2 g nitrogen) (P < 0.05). The main reason for improved nitrogen economy may be clonidine-induced growth hormone (GH) release. The pattern of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations could support this hypothesis.

Repeated administration of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I in patients after gastric surgery. Effect on metabolic and hormonal patterns.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate the anticatabolic effects of repeated subcutaneous administration of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhlGF-I) in patients after gastric surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The anabolic and protein-sparing effects of growth hormone are primarily mediated by IGF-I. Malnutrition and catabolic states result in increasing blood levels of growth hormone and decreasing levels of IGF-I. Experimental data showed that exogenous IGF-I could attenuate or reverse catabolism. METHODS: After giving their written informed consent, 38 male and female patients undergoing gastrectomy (age 40-75 years, body mass index 17-30 kg/m2) were treated with 80 micrograms/kg body weight rhlGF-I or placebo in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study for 5 consecutive days. Patients received a standardized total parenteral nutritional regimen with 3 g/kg body weight glucose and 0.1 g/kg body weight nitrogen. Nitrogen balance and 3-methylhistidine excretion were measured daily. Hormone profiles (IGF-I, IGFBP1, IGFBP3, cortisol, insulin, glucagon, triiodothyronine [T3], levothyroxine [T4], and thyroxine-binding globulin) were taken.

[Glucose-xylitol 35% (1:1) versus glucose 40%. Effectiveness and metabolic effects after major surgery]. / Glukose-Xylit 35% (1:1) versus Glukose 40%. Effektivität und metabolische Auswirkungen nach grossen operativen Eingriffen.

Injury and stress are accompanied by a characteristic hormonal response and altered energy utilisation. Hyperglycaemia and negative nitrogen (N) balance are the leading symptoms of the metabolic changes in the post-operative state. In a prospective, randomised study the efficacy and metabolic effects of glucose-xylitol (GX) 35% (1:1) versus glucose (G) 40% were investigated in patients undergoing major surgery. METHOD. Twenty-four patients undergoing abdomino-thoracic oesophageal cancer surgery were treated in a standardised manner. Total parenteral nutrition was administered over 6 days (kg body wt.-1/day): day of surgery 1-1.25 g carbohydrate (CH); 1st postoperative day (POD) 1.5 g CH, 1 g amino acids (AA); 2nd POD 3 g CH, 1.5 g AA, 1.0 g fat; from 3rd POD 3 g CH, 1.5 g AA, 1.5 g fat (CH GX35% (n = 12) or G40% (n = 12), AA Intrafusin 15%, fat Intralipid 20%). Daily and cumulative N balances, blood-G profiles, blood chemistry, and physical parameters were determined. Glucagon and insulin profiles, CH losses, and oxalic acid secretion were measured. RESULTS. Both groups were comparable for age, body mass index, clinical and physical parameters, and blood chemistry. Mean cumulative N balances after 6 days were -12.0 +/- 16.3 g N for GX35% and -5.6 +/- 19.4 g N for G40% (n.s.; Wilcoxon, P < 0.05). Blood G was similar for both groups with values ranging from 130 to 240 mg/dl on the day of surgery and below 150 mg/dl on the consecutive days. In each group 1 patient needed additional insulin therapy. Glucagon and insulin levels did not show a significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION. No difference in tolerance and efficacy of nutritional support by GX versus G at a dose of 3 g.kg body wt.-1.d in oesophagectomised patients could be observed. Similar blood G profiles were in accordance with comparable glucagon and insulin levels. Because of the high standard deviations of N balances, differences in efficacy could not be proven. A significantly lower level of pseudocholinesterase (PCHE) for G40% on day 7 might indicate enhanced hepatic protein synthesis in the GX group.

[Safety and tolerance of a new dipeptide-containing amino acid solution DP-Gln 20 versus a conventional amino acid solution Vamin 18EF in patients after elective colon surgery]. / Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit der neuen dipeptidhaltigen Aminosäurelösung DP-Gln 20 versus einer konventionellen Aminosäurelösung Vamin 18EF bei Patienten nach elektiver Kolonchirurgie.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Recent studies have demonstrated the important role of glutamine in postoperative metabolism. Using dipeptide-containing amino acid solutions it is possible to enhance glutamine supply. Safety and tolerance of DP-Gln 20 (gly-gln, gly-tyr) and Vamin 18EF were investigated in an open, prospective, randomised study. 16 patients received isonitrogenous parenteral nutrition over 4 days. RESULTS: There was no difference in clinical and biochemical patterns between both groups. Complications and adverse events due to the infused amino acid solutions were not observed.

[An anaphylactic reaction under anesthesia due to a combined latex and ethylene oxide allergy]. / Anaphylaktische Reaktion unter Narkose aufgrund einer kombinierten Latex- und Athylenoxidallergie.

There is an increasing number of reports on anaphylactic reactions due to latex. We report on a 9-year-old boy who developed anaphylaxis shortly after induction of anaesthesia due to a combined latex and ethylene oxide allergy. Patients with multiple medical treatment and those with atopy seem to be at risk.

[Intraoperative anaphylactic shock due to a latex allergy]. / Intraoperativer anaphylaktischer Schock aufgrund einer Latexallergie.

Delayed hypersensitivity to rubber chemicals is well known, but there has been an increasing number of reports of immediate-type hypersensitivity due to latex causing contact urticaria, angioedema, bronchial asthma, and anaphylactic shock in adults. We report a 10-year-old boy who developed anaphylactic shock during surgery due to surgical gloves containing latex. The patient was atopic and had a history of neurodermatitis and localized angioedema on exposure to rubber. There had been two previous uneventful surgical procedures. Thirty-five minutes after induction of anesthesia and 5 min after laparotomy for appendectomy there was an acute onset of increased airway pressure, oxygen desaturation, and profound hypotension. The circulation and gas exchange stabilized after treatment with oxygen, intravenous fluids, epinephrine, H1 and H2 blockers, aminophylline, and methylprednisolone. A positive skin test and RAST revealed a latex allergy. Latex can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in patients with a history of rubber allergy or frequent exposure to latex products.