A prospective randomized study of multimodal analgesia combined with single injection transversus abdominis plane block versus epidural analgesia against postoperative pain after laparoscopic colon cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a safe, effective, and promising analgesic procedure, but TAP block only cannot overcome postoperative pain. We conducted a prospective randomized study to evaluate postoperative pain control using multimodal analgesia (MA) combined with a single injection TAP block compared with epidural analgesia (EA) after laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic colon cancer surgery were enrolled in this study and randomized into EA and MA groups. The primary endpoint was the frequency of additional analgesic use until postoperative day (POD) 2. The VAS score, blood pressure, time to bowel movement, time to mobilization, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (EA group, n = 33; MA group, n = 31) were analyzed. The patient characteristics did not differ markedly between the two groups. The frequency of additional analgesic use was significantly lower in the MA group than in the EA group (P < 0.001), whereas the VAS score did not differ markedly between the two groups. The postoperative blood pressure on the day of surgery was significantly lower in the MA group than in the EA group (P = 0.016), whereas urinary retention was significantly higher in the EA group than in the MA group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MA combined with a single injection TAP block after laparoscopic colon cancer surgery may be comparable to EA in terms of analgesia and superior to EA in terms of urinary retention.

Intraoperative Serum Catecholamine Levels in a Pregnant Woman With Pheochromocytoma Undergoing Cesarean Delivery With Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia: A Case Report.

Pheochromocytoma has a significant effect on perioperative hemodynamics; however, little is known about the changes caused by pheochromocytoma in pregnant women during cesarean delivery. Moreover, cesarean delivery in pregnant women with pheochromocytoma is often performed, along with pheochromocytoma removal, under general anesthesia depending on the time of delivery. Therefore, changes in the hemodynamics of these patients during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia, along with their serum catecholamine concentration, have not been reported. In this report, we describe the changes in the maternal intraoperative hemodynamics and serum catecholamine level of a pregnant woman with pheochromocytoma who underwent cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia at 35 weeks of gestation. No significant change in the hemodynamics and serum catecholamine level was observed, and the procedure was carried out safely. Cesarean delivery in an optimized pheochromocytoma patient under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia might be feasible without concurrent surgical removal of pheochromocytoma.

Changes in respiratory mechanics of artificial pneumothorax two-lung ventilation in video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in prone position.

We aimed to clarify the changes in respiratory mechanics and factors associated with them in artificial pneumothorax two-lung ventilation in video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position (PP-VATS-E) for esophageal cancer. Data of patients with esophageal cancer, who underwent PP-VATs-E were retrospectively analyzed. Our primary outcome was the change in the respiratory mechanics after intubation (T1), in the prone position (T2), after initiation of the artificial pneumothorax two-lung ventilation (T3), at 1 and 2 h (T4 and T5), in the supine position (T6), and after laparoscopy (T7). The secondary outcome was identifying factors affecting the change in dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn). Sixty-seven patients were included. Cdyn values were significantly lower at T3, T4, and T5 than at T1 (p < 0.001). End-expiratory flow was significantly higher at T4 and T5 than at T1 (p < 0.05). Body mass index and preoperative FEV1.0% were found to significantly influence Cdyn reduction during artificial pneumothorax and two-lung ventilation (OR [95% CI]: 1.29 [1.03-2.24] and 0.20 (0.05-0.44); p = 0.010 and p = 0.034, respectively]. Changes in driving pressure were nonsignificant, and hypoxemia requiring treatment was not noted. This study suggests that in PP-VATs-E, artificial pneumothorax two-lung ventilation is safer for the management of anesthesia than conventional one-lung ventilation (UMIN Registry: 000042174).

Preoperative disseminated intravascular coagulation complicated by thoracic aortic aneurysm treated using recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin: A case report.

RATIONALE: Chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm is characterized by enhanced fibrinolysis and is thought to be stable in the compensated/asymptomatic stage, with few bleeding symptoms. However, DIC can lead to decompensated/hemorrhagic stage disseminated intravascular coagulation, resulting in severe bleeding diathesis, and there is currently no established strategy for treatment of DIC in aortic aneurysms. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 77-year-old woman underwent angiography and cardiac catheterization, before descending aortic replacement surgery. She developed DIC in postprocedure week 2 with extensive, uncontrollable massive subcutaneous hemorrhage. DIAGNOSES: Her acute-phase DIC score was 7 points, and the risk of mortality within 30 days after surgery according to the JapanSCORE was estimated to be 33.6%. INTERVENTIONS: Therapy was a combination of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM) and an aortic stent-graft treatment. OUTCOMES: Short-term improvements were seen in both DIC and bleeding diathesis. The thoracic aortic aneurysm with severe DIC was eventually corrected by administration of rhTM. LESSONS: We report the use of rhTM as an effective, novel anticoagulant drug with anti-inflammatory activity for treating DIC with suppressed fibrinolysis, which is typically associated with sepsis. In patients with a high hemorrhagic diathesis, in whom preoperative control of DIC cannot be achieved with conventional anticoagulation and radical surgical repair cannot be performed, a combination of rhTM and endovascular therapy may be a powerful new treatment option.

Evaluation of Low-Temperature Sterilization using Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Containing Peracetic Acid.

In low-temperature sterilization for the medical field, hydrogen peroxide sterilization is widely used for its safety. However, its low penetrability and residual amount of sterilant are major concerns. Recently, the combination of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid has been found to enforce sporicidal effect, with low concentration in hydrogen peroxide. The application of this finding in medical sterilization is still very limited. To elucidate the combination effect, we compare peracetic acid containing hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer and conventional hydrogen peroxide gas (plasma) sterilizers. The sterilant penetrability was examined in hollow load process challenge devices with inner diameters of 1 and 2 mm and lengths of 1, 2, and 3 m. As a result, peracetic acid containing hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer demonstrated total inactivation with all diameters and lengths and achieved the highest sterilant penetrability in this study. The amount of residual sterilant on the surface of the sterilized object was 4.2 µg/cm2, which corresponds to half amount of those of conventional hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizers. These results suggest that the addition of peracetic acid to hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer can enhance sterilization efficiency and safety.

Predictors of short-term thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a retrospective study at a single Japanese center.

OBJECTIVE: Thrombocytopenia is common after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and is associated with mortality and major complications, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This retrospective single-center study aimed to identify factors associated with the decrease in platelet count (DPC) after TAVI in Japanese patients. Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVI between March 2014 and August 2019 were grouped according to DPC values of < 50% or ≥ 50% (DPC = 100% × [baseline platelet count-nadir platelet count]/[baseline platelet count]). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with a DPC of ≥ 50%. RESULTS: Among the 131 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI, 74 patients (56%) had a DPC of ≥ 50%, and 57 patients (44%) had a DPC of < 50%. Significant risk factors for a DPC of ≥ 50% were older age, lower body mass index (BMI), and use of balloon-expandable valves (BEV). The multivariable analysis revealed that a DPC of ≥ 50% was independently predicted by low BMI (adjusted odds ratio: 0.884, 95% confidence interval: 0.785-0.997; P = 0.039) and BEV use (adjusted odds ratio: 3.014, 95% confidence interval: 1.003-9.056; P = 0.045). Platelet count monitoring after TAVI, especially when using BEV devices, is essential for Japanese patients with low BMI.

Early prophylaxis of central venous catheter-related thrombosis using 1% chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorhexidine-gel-impregnated dressings: a retrospective cohort study.

To determine the prophylactic effect of using combined 1% alcoholic chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorhexidine gel-impregnated dressings (CGCD) on catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in critically ill patients. This retrospective cohort study was performed in an intensive care unit from November 2009 to August 2014. The CRT incidence diagnosed with ultrasound examination was compared between patients applying CGCD and combined 10% aqueous povidone-iodine and standard transparent dressings (PITD) after central venous catheter insertion into the internal jugular vein for ≥ 48 h. CRT was stratified into early (within 7 days) and late (days 8-14) thromboses. Multivariate analyses using logistic regression models clarified the relationships between early- and late-CRT risks and skin antiseptic and catheter site dressing combinations. CRT occurred in 74 of 134 patients (55%), including 52 with early CRT and 22 with late CRT. Patients receiving CGCD had a significantly lower incidence of early CRT than those receiving PITD (odds ratio = 0.18; 95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.45, p < .001). No significant association was evident between using CGCD and late CRT (p = .514). Compared to PITD, CGCD reduced the CRT risk over 7 days in critically ill patients.UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000037492.

Development of an application for management of drug holidays in perioperative periods.

Before surgery and other invasive treatments, decisions must be made on whether to discontinue drugs and provide appropriate drug holidays especially for antithrombotic drugs, and this is made difficult by the large number of available drugs and associated guidelines. We have therefore developed an online application for perioperative drug discontinuation and resumption management, named Saga Application for Management of Drug Holidays in PeriOperative Periods (SAMPOP).Multidisciplinary medical staff at Saga University Hospital (SUH) worked together to build an evidence-based Perioperative Drug Discontinuation Management Database (PDDMD) and developed the user-friendly SAMPOP online application via preliminary verification at SUH. From September 2018 to February 2020, 420 medical staff at SUH, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, installed and tested SAMPOP.Rate per surgical procedure for forgetting to discontinue antithrombotic drugs preoperatively decreased from 0.18% to 0.09% as of August 2019, 12 months after the introduction of SAMPOP (P = .1359). In addition, six months later, it decreased further to 0.03% as of February 2020 (P = .0436). Forgetting to resume antithrombotic drugs postoperatively decreased from 0.20% to 0.02% as of August 2019, 12 months after the introduction of SAMPOP (P = .0008). There was no case of forgetting to resume the medication in the last 6 months.SAMPOP may be useful for management of drug holidays in the clinic and warrants further evaluation of its safety and efficacy.

Influence of preoperative serum creatinine level and intraoperative volume of contrast medium on the risk of acute kidney injury after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if contrast medium volume (CMV) is a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) via a transfemoral approach performed without major complications. All TAVI procedures performed at our institution between March 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. AKI was diagnosed using the Acute Kidney Injury Network classification based on the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 definition. Procedures performed via a transapical approach and those in which circulatory dynamics failed intraoperatively were excluded. RESULTS: Eighty-one (96.4%) of 100 patients scheduled for TAVI were enrolled; seven (8.6%) developed AKI and 74 (91.4%) did not. The serum creatinine (SCr) level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the AKI group (p < 0.05). The CMV was significantly higher in the AKI group (103 ml vs 84 ml, p < 0.05), as was the CMV × SCr/BW value (3.34 vs 1.49, p < 0.01). The area under the curve for CMV × SCr/BW was 0.9228 and the cut-off value was 2.99. The CMV, SCr, and estimated glomerular filtration rate affect the likelihood of AKI after transfemoral TAVI and a CMV × SCr/BW value > 2.99 accurately predicts AKI.

Changes in uncuffed endotracheal tube leak during laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy in children.

The present study was conducted to investigate changes in uncuffed endotracheal tube (ETT) leak during laparoscopic surgery. The study included 31 patients aged between 1 and 6 years scheduled for elective laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy. Inspiratory and expiratory tidal volumes (TVi and TVe) were measured during mechanical ventilation, and ETT leak was calculated using the formula-ETT leak = (TVi - TVe)/TVi × 100 (%), assessed at the following time-points-5 min after the start of mechanical ventilation (T1, baseline), just before the start of surgery (T2), 5 min after the induction of pneumoperitoneum with 15° Trendelenburg tilt (T3), and at the end of surgery (T4). Additionally, leak pressure was assessed after successful tracheal intubation (T0, baseline) at T2, T3 and T4. Uncuffed ETT leak significantly decreased at T3 compared with T1 (baseline). Leak pressure significantly increased at T3 and T4 compared with T0 (baseline). Further studies are needed in order to determine whether the results are universal and associated with clinically significant outcomes.

Clinical Concentrations of Local Anesthetics Bupivacaine and Lidocaine Differentially Inhibit Human Kir2.x Inward Rectifier K+ Channels.

BACKGROUND: Inward rectifier K channels of the Kir2.x subfamily are widely expressed in neuronal tissues, controlling neuronal excitability. Previous studies reported that local anesthetics (LAs) do not affect Kir2 channels. However, the effects have not been studied at large concentrations used in regional anesthesia. METHODS: This study used the patch-clamp technique to examine the effects of bupivacaine and lidocaine on Kir2.1, Kir2.2, and Kir2.3 channels expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. RESULTS: When applied extracellularly in whole-cell recordings, both LAs inhibited Kir2.x currents in a voltage-independent manner. Inhibition with bupivacaine was slow and irreversible, whereas that with lidocaine was fast and reversible. Kir2.3 displayed a greater sensitivity to bupivacaine than Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 (50% inhibitory concentrations at approximately 5 minutes, 0.6 vs 8-10 mM), whereas their sensitivities to lidocaine were similar (50% inhibitory concentrations, 1.5-2.7 mM). Increases in the charged/neutral ratio of the LAs at an acidic extracellular pH attenuated their inhibitory effects, and a permanently charged lidocaine derivative QX-314 exhibited no effects when applied extracellularly. Inside-out experiments demonstrated that inhibition of Kir2.1 with cytoplasmic lidocaine and QX-314 was rapid and reversible, whereas that induced by bupivacaine was slow and irreversible. Furthermore, dose-inhibition relations for the charged form of bupivacaine and lidocaine obtained at different cytoplasmic pHs could be approximated by a single relation for each LA. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that both LAs at clinical concentrations equilibrated rapidly with the intracellular milieu, differentially inhibiting Kir2.x channel function from the cytoplasmic side.

[Preoperative Management of Patients with Collagen Disease and Endocrine Disease].

Collagen disease and endocrine disease are frequently associated with systemic organ dysfunctions with a high perioperative morbidity and mortality. The aims of pre-operative management of these patients are to evaluate the extent of the disease process, systemic consequences and side effects of drugs therapy for the disease and to stabilize the symptoms so that the risk of surgery and anesthesia may be minimized.

Effects of various antiepileptics used to alleviate neuropathic pain on compound action potential in frog sciatic nerves: comparison with those of local anesthetics.

Antiepileptics used for treating neuropathic pain have various actions including voltage-gated Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels, glutamate-receptor inhibition, and GABA(A)-receptor activation, while local anesthetics are also used to alleviate the pain. It has not been fully examined yet how nerve conduction inhibitions by local anesthetics differ in extent from those by antiepileptics. Fast-conducting compound action potentials (CAPs) were recorded from frog sciatic nerve fibers by using the air-gap method. Antiepileptics (lamotrigine and carbamazepine) concentration dependently reduced the peak amplitude of the CAP (IC50 = 0.44 and 0.50 mM, resp.). Carbamazepine analog oxcarbazepine exhibited an inhibition smaller than that of carbamazepine. Antiepileptic phenytoin (0.1 mM) reduced CAP amplitude by 15%. On the other hand, other antiepileptics (gabapentin, sodium valproate, and topiramate) at 10 mM had no effect on CAPs. The CAPs were inhibited by local anesthetic levobupivacaine (IC50 = 0.23 mM). These results indicate that there is a difference in the extent of nerve conduction inhibition among antiepileptics and that some antiepileptics inhibit nerve conduction with an efficacy similar to that of levobupivacaine or to those of other local anesthetics (lidocaine, ropivacaine, and cocaine) as reported previously. This may serve to know a contribution of nerve conduction inhibition in the antinociception by antiepileptics.

[A case of a patient with Forestier's disease--intubation by Airway Scope and bronchofiberscope].

Forestier's disease accompanies difficult airway management with the ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine. The abnormalities include limited cervical mobility, constrained epiglottic elevation, exclusion of the part of aryepiglottic, recurrent nerve paralysis and thinning of respiratory tract mucosa. We planned endotracheal intubation using both AWS and bronchofiberscope in a patient with Forestier's disease. We could easily confirm his glottis by using AWS and evaluate his respiratory tract below the glottis by bronchofiberscope. We could intubate an enforced tube (internal diameter 7.5 mm) with the bronchofiberscope guidance without any complications. This procedure seems to be safe for intubation in a Forestier's disease patient.

[Comparison of the clotting factor activity and thawing time in different thawing procedures of the fresh frozen plasma].

BACKGROUND: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) should be thawed in a water bath at 30-37 degrees C. Suitable temperature, the prevention for bacterial contamination, and the efficiency of the process are necessary for a thawing procedure. In this study, we compared the clotting factor activity and thawing time in different thawing procedures; a water bath, the thermostatic thawing chamber (FP-40, Hokuyo ; Kawasumi, Japan), and the microwave system (Transfusio-therm 2000 AMCO; Zeipel, Germany). METHODS: Thawing time and the clotting factor activity (prothrombin time: PT, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio: PT-INR, activated partial thromboplastin time: APTT, fibrinogen, andfactors V) of thawed FFP-5 units were measured. RESULTS: Thawing time using Transfusio-therm 2000 was 11.4 minutes, which was faster than that using the water bath and FP-40 of about 39.5 and 27.3 minutes, respectively (P<0.01). There were no differences between the three methods in terms of the clotting factors. CONCLUSIONS: The microwave system is useful in shortening the time safety, and maintaining the clotting factor activity in thawed FFP

[Acute upper airway obstruction after extubation due to excessive anteflexion of the neck with occipitocervical fusion].

A patient developed upper airway obstruction immediately after tracheal extubation due to excessive anteflexion of the neck with occipitocervical fusion. A 59-year-old woman who had undergone mastectomy 17 years previously was scheduled for occipitocervical fusion for C2 vertebral metastasis. Retroflexion of her neck was restricted. Nasal intubation under sedation was performed using bronchial fiberscopy under fentanyl and propofol anesthesia. Emergence from anesthesia was smooth, and extubation was performed. Immediately after extubation, the patient could not breathe, and manual mask ventilation was impossible. Re-intubation was performed 30 minutes after the extubation. Oral fiberscopy revealed pharyngeal obstruction, and laryngeal edema was not observed. Fixation of her neck in excessive anteflexion was suspected to have caused her dyspnea. Therefore, re-operation was performed, and she was transferred to the intensive care unit under anesthesia. One day postoperatively, extubation was performed successfully with no dyspnea. Fixation of the neck in excessive anteflexion is one of the causes of upper airway obstruction after occipitocervical fusion. We must carefully observe cervical X-ray films to locate the upper airway obstruction, and careful extubation using a tube exchanger is strongly recommended in this operation.

[Clinical and microbiological analysis of community-acquired bacteremia admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical and microbiological characteristics of community-acquired bacteremia (CAB). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed subjects with CAB hospitalized at Saga University Hospital between January 2009 and September 2011. We investigated causative organisms, primary infection sites, and subject summaries and complications, and analyzed the mortality factor. RESULTS: CAB incidence was 185 cases, with 192 organisms cultured. Causative organisms were gram-positive bacteria in 81 strains (42%), 9 (11%) of which were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Gram-negative bacteria were identified in 111 strains (58%), with 80% Enterobacteriaceae. Five of the 111 (5%) were caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. The most frequent bacteremia portal was intraabdominal infection (29%, 54/185). During hospitalization of 1-180 days, 20 subjects eventually died. Neutropenia on admission was associated with significantly higher mortality than without (30% vs. 3%, p < 0.001). Septic shock rates were higher in non-survivors than survivors (45% vs. 14%, p = 0.002), and more complications were documented in non-survivors than survivors (50% vs. 25%, p = 0.017). No specific pathogen or primary infection site was associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens such as MRSA and ESBL producers should be considered even in CAB, especially in subjects with healthcare-associated infection, regardless of how small the number. The CAB treatment course should consider subjects summaries, severity, and complications.