Scheduling terminology for oral and maxillofacial surgery. Are we speaking a universal language?

Use of a universal vocabulary to assist with the scheduling of operations has been shown to considerably reduce delays and improve the use of theatre resources. Within the UK the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) has established a classification to assist with the triage of both emergency and non-emergency operating lists. We completed a survey to assess the uptake and understanding of this classification when scheduling maxillofacial operations. From a list of eight scheduling terms, respondents had to choose one each for 20 different clinical situations (that represented equally) immediate, urgent, expedited, and elective operations as defined by them. A total of 50 surveys were collated. Only 65% of answers selected represented NCPOD terms. 25% of answers represented a term higher and 18% a term lower, on the scale of intervention for the same category of situation. Current NCEPOD terms do not seem to be used universally and are poorly understood. Considerable variation in terminology exists when scheduling maxillofacial operations.

Non-invasive ventilation for weaning, avoiding reintubation after extubation and in the postoperative period: a meta-analysis.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a supportive therapy that improves mortality in acute respiratory failure (RF). It may also be used in patients recently extubated in intensive care units (ICUs), after operation, and to aid weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) by reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with further MV. A meta-analysis of the available evidence was performed on the use of NIV in three areas: weaning, reduction in reintubation rates post-extubation on ICU, and reduction in RF after major surgery. Sixteen relevant randomized controlled trials were identified by three reviewers after a detailed search of identified medical databases. A meta-analysis of summary statistics relating to predetermined endpoints (ICU and hospital length of stay, ICU and hospital mortality, reintubation, pneumonia) was performed. NIV reduced the ICU length of stay when used for weaning (5.12 days) and post-surgery (0.44 days). NIV reduced reintubation rates post-surgery [odds ratio (OR) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.50] and the incidence of pneumonia in weaning (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.05-0.31) and post-surgery (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.77). There was insufficient evidence to suggest that NIV improves ICU survival, but an increased hospital survival in post-surgery (OR 4.54, [corrected] 95% CI 1.35-15.31) and a reduction after weaning (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.98) [corrected] was seen. A meta analysis of NIV use in selected subgroups of recently extubated patients suggests that the judicious NIV use may reduce ICU and hospital length of stay, pneumonia, and reintubation rates and hospital survival.

Coronary artery vasospasm during awake deep brain stimulation surgery.

Although vasospasm usually occurs in the presence of normal coronary arteries, its clinical course is indistinguishable from coronary ischaemia, and actual myocardial damage frequently occurs, as demonstrated by ECG changes and troponin rises seen in such cases. Spasm can be promptly and effectively treated if recognized early, and treatment with nitrate therapy is often sufficient to abolish spasm. As patients are awake during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and may be under considerable distress should vasospasm occur, based on the present case report, it is our opinion that in all cases of DBS surgery, full patient monitoring should be mandatory and an anaesthetist should be present throughout the case. Furthermore, if there is a previous history of cardiac disease or vasospasm, the use of 5-lead ECG monitoring and premedication with beta-blockers and nitrates are indicated.