COVID 19: A Stressor for Both the Patient and the Anesthesiologist.

The coronavirus disease 2019  pandemic has created not only  widespread  morbidity and mortality, but a myriad of social, financial, and psychological stressors. In this setting, the medical community has seen a substantial increase in the incidences  of cardiac morbidity and mortality, and, therefore,  anesthesiologists should expect a higher incidence in the perioperative period. In this E-Challenge, the authors present a patient in whom an acute cardiac decompensation occurred secondary to an unanticipated difficult intubation, with an unexpected echocardiographic finding.

Functional results of bilateral reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze a population of patients with bilateral reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) to evaluate their ability to perform activities of daily living and personal hygiene tasks. METHODS: At a minimum 2-year follow-up, we retrospectively reviewed 50 patients (100 shoulders) with a mean age of 72 years who underwent staged bilateral RTSA. The average follow-up period was 61 months (range, 24-121 months), with a minimum 2-year follow-up after the second surgical procedure. Functional outcomes were assessed with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and Short Form 12 (SF-12) scores. In addition, a unique questionnaire regarding personal hygiene habits and activities of daily living reliant on shoulder rotation was administered to all patients. RESULTS: Patients showed significant improvements in pain (mean improvement in visual analog scale score from 5.7 to 1.0, P < .001) and forward elevation (mean improvement from 71° to 136°, P < .001). Clinical outcome scores showed significant improvements: The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 35.8 to 76.5 (P < .001), Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 2.4 to 8.0 (P < .001), SF-12 mental component subscore improved from 51.9 to 54.1 (P < .001), and SF-12 physical component subscore improved from 30.5 to 39.7 (P < .001). Internal and external rotation showed significant improvements (from 33° to 53° [P < .005] and from 27° to 44° [P < .001], respectively). All patients retained independence with personal hygiene and activities of daily living. Complications included prosthetic instability (3%), acromial fracture (5%), and periprosthetic joint infection (1%). The overall reoperation rate was 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral RTSA provides predictable pain relief and improved function. Hygiene practices are unaltered for most patients, and the other patients rapidly develop simple compensatory strategies and retain independence in activities of daily living.

A comprehensive analysis of pectoralis major transfer for long thoracic nerve palsy.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of long thoracic nerve palsy with pectoralis major transfer, it remains unknown whether direct transfer of the pectoralis to the scapula or indirect transfer with an interpositional graft provides superior outcomes. METHODS: A 3-tiered study was performed to gain a comprehensive understanding. (1) A survey of the membership of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) was conducted to reach a Level V consensus. (2) A systematic review was conducted to identify all series evaluating direct and indirect transfer of the pectoralis major tendon to create a Level IV consensus. (3) A retrospective review was performed to provide Level III evidence. RESULTS: (1) Surgeons were evenly split between whole and split tendon transfers, direct and indirect transfers, and graft types. More experienced surgeons were more likely to prefer an indirect transfer. (2) Analysis of 10 Level IV studies (131 shoulders) revealed that patients who underwent indirect transfer were significantly more likely to develop recurrent winging (P = .009) and had lower active forward elevation (P < .001) and ASES scores (P = .0016). (3) Twenty-four patients were included in our retrospective review with a mean follow-up of 4.3 years (77% follow-up), of whom 14 underwent indirect transfer and 10 underwent direct transfer. There were no significant differences in recurrence of winging, range of motion, or ASES scores. CONCLUSIONS: Level V and III evidence suggests that there is no functional difference between direct and indirect transfer. Level IV evidence must be interpreted with caution.