Effect of the alveolar recruitment maneuver during laparoscopic colorectal surgery on postoperative pulmonary complications: A randomized controlled trial.

Intraoperative lung-protective ventilation, including low tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure, reduces postoperative pulmonary complications. However, the effect and specific alveolar recruitment maneuver method are controversial. We investigated whether the intraoperative intermittent recruitment maneuver further reduced postoperative pulmonary complications while using a lung-protective ventilation strategy. Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were randomly allocated to the recruitment or control groups. Intraoperative ventilation was adjusted to maintain a tidal volume of 6-8 mL kg-1 and positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cmH2O in both groups. The alveolar recruitment maneuver was applied at three time points (at the start and end of the pneumoperitoneum, and immediately before extubation) by maintaining a continuous pressure of 30 cmH2O for 30 s in the recruitment group. Clinical and radiological evidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was investigated within 7 days postoperatively. A total of 125 patients were included in the analysis. The overall incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was not significantly different between the recruitment and control groups (28.1% vs. 31.1%, P = 0.711), while the mean ±â€…standard deviation intraoperative peak inspiratory pressure was significantly lower in the recruitment group (10.7 ±â€…3.2 vs. 13.5 ±â€…3.0 cmH2O at the time of CO2 gas-out, P < 0.001; 9.8 ±â€…2.3 vs. 12.5 ±â€…3.0 cmH2O at the time of recovery, P < 0.001). The alveolar recruitment maneuver with a pressure of 30 cmH2O for 30 s did not further reduce postoperative pulmonary complications when a low tidal volume and 5 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure were applied to patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery and was not associated with any significant adverse events. However, the alveolar recruitment maneuver significantly reduced intraoperative peak inspiratory pressure. Further study is needed to validate the beneficial effect of the alveolar recruitment maneuver in patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03681236).

Role of oxygen reserve index monitoring in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a common surgical procedure for the treatment of prostate cancer. Although beneficial, it can lead to intraoperative hypoxia due to high-pressure pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position. This study explored the use of oxygen reserve index (ORi) to monitor and predict hypoxia during RARP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 329 patients who underwent RARP at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between July 2021 and March 2023. Various pre- and intraoperative variables were collected, including ORi values. The relationship between ORi values and hypoxia occurrence was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Intraoperative hypoxia occurred in 18.8% of the patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed a satisfactory area under the curve of 0.762, with the ideal ORi cut-off value for predicting hypoxia set at 0.16. Sensitivity and specificity were 64.5% and 75.7%, respectively. An ORi value of < 0.16 and a higher body mass index were identified as independent risk factors of hypoxia during RARP. CONCLUSIONS: ORi monitoring provides a non-invasive approach to predict intraoperative hypoxia during RARP, enabling early management. Additionally, the significant relationship between a higher body mass index and hypoxia underscores the importance of individualized patient assessment.

Remimazolam to prevent hemodynamic instability during catheter ablation under general anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Maintaining hemodynamic stability during cardiac ablation under general anesthesia is challenging. Remimazolam, a novel ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine, is characterized by maintaining comparatively stable blood pressure and does not influence the cardiac conduction system, which renders it a reasonable choice for general anesthesia for cardiac ablation. We aimed to evaluate whether remimazolam is associated with a decreased incidence of intraoperative hypotension compared with desflurane. METHODS: In this single-centre, parallel-group, prospective, single-blind, randomized clinical trial, we randomized patients (1:1) into a remimazolam group (remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia) or desflurane group (propofol-induced and desflurane-maintained inhalational anesthesia) during cardiac ablation procedures for arrhythmia. The primary outcome was the incidence of intraoperative hypotensive events, defined as mean arterial pressure of < 60 mm Hg at any period. RESULTS: Overall, we enrolled 96 patients between 2 August 2022 and 19 May 2023 (47 and 49 patients in the remimazolam and desflurane groups, respectively). The remimazolam group showed a significantly lower incidence of hypotensive events (14/47, 30%) than the desflurane group (29/49, 59%; relative risk [RR], 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31 to 0.83; P = 0.004). Remimazolam was associated with a lower requirement for bolus or continuous vasopressor infusion than desflurane was (23/47, 49% vs 43/49, 88%; RR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.76; P < 0.001). No between-group differences existed in the incidence of perioperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, oxygen desaturation, delayed emergence, or pain. CONCLUSIONS: Remimazolam was a viable option for general anesthesia for cardiac ablation. Remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia was associated with significantly fewer hypotensive events and vasopressor requirements than desflurane-based inhalational anesthesia was, without significantly more complications. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05486377); first submitted 1 August 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Le maintien de la stabilité hémodynamique lors d'une ablation cardiaque sous anesthésie générale est un défi. Le remimazolam, une nouvelle benzodiazépine à action ultra-courte, se caractérise par le maintien d'une tension artérielle relativement stable et son absence d'influence sur le système de conduction cardiaque, ce qui en fait un choix raisonnable pour l'anesthésie générale pour l'ablation cardiaque. Nous avons cherché à déterminer si le remimazolam est associé à une diminution de l'incidence d'hypotension peropératoire comparativement au desflurane. MéTHODE: Dans cette étude clinique randomisée, prospective, en simple aveugle, en groupes parallèles et monocentrique, nous avons randomisé des patient·es (1:1) dans un groupe remimazolam (anesthésie intraveineuse totale à base de remimazolam) et un groupe desflurane (anesthésie volatile induite par propofol et maintenue par desflurane) pendant des interventions d'ablation cardiaque pour arythmie. Le critère d'évaluation principal était l'incidence d'événements hypotensifs peropératoires, définis comme une tension artérielle moyenne de < 60 mm Hg à n'importe quelle période. RéSULTATS: Au total, nous avons recruté 96 patient·es entre le 2 août 2022 et le 19 mai 2023 (47 et 49 personnes dans les groupes remimazolam et desflurane, respectivement). Le groupe remimazolam a montré une incidence significativement plus faible d'événements hypotensifs (14/47, 30 %) que le groupe desflurane (29/49, 59 %; risque relatif [RR], 0,5; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 0,31 à 0,83; P = 0,004). Le remimazolam a été associé à des besoins plus faibles de bolus ou de perfusion continue de vasopresseurs que le desflurane (23/47, 49 % vs 43/49, 88 %; RR, 0,56; IC 95 %, 0,41 à 0,76; P < 0,001). Il n'y avait pas de différences entre les groupes dans l'incidence des complications périopératoires telles que les nausées, les vomissements, la désaturation en oxygène, l'émergence retardée ou la douleur. CONCLUSION: Le remimazolam a constitué une option viable pour l'anesthésie générale en vue d'une ablation cardiaque. L'anesthésie intraveineuse totale à base de remimazolam a été associée à un nombre significativement plus faible d'événements d'hypotension et de besoins en vasopresseurs que l'anesthésie par inhalation à base de desflurane, sans complications significativement plus nombreuses. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05486377); soumis pour la première fois le 1er août 2022.

Relationship between muscle mass ratio and rocuronium dose required for maintaining deep neuromuscular blockade: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) has benefits in various surgical procedures, however, precise quantitative neuromuscular monitoring is crucial for its proper maintenance and recovery. Neuromuscular blocking agent dosage relies on actual body weight (ABW), but this varies among individuals. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that there is a correlation between the rocuronium requirement for deep NMB and muscle mass ratio measured by bioelectric impedance analysis. METHODS: Ninety adult female patients undergoing laparoscopic operation were enrolled in this study. Muscle and fat masses were assessed using a body composition analyser. Deep NMB, defined as a post-tetanic count of 1-2, was maintained through the continuous infusion of rocuronium. The primary outcome involves determining the correlation between the rocuronium dose required for deep NMB and the muscle mass ratio. Conversely, secondary outcomes included assessing the relationship between the rocuronium dose for deep NMB and fat mass ratio, and ABW. Additionally, we investigated their relationship with rocuronium onset time and profound blockade duration. RESULTS: No relationship was observed between the muscle mass ratio and rocuronium dose required for maintaining deep NMB (r = 0.059 [95% CI = 0.153-0.267], p = 0.586). Fat mass ratio and ABW showed no correlation with the rocuronium dose, whereas rocuronium onset time was positively correlated with muscle mass ratio (r = 0.327) and negatively correlated with fat mass ratio (r = -0.302), respectively. Profound blockade duration showed no correlation with any of the assessed variables. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was detected between muscle mass ratio and the rocuronium dose required to achieve deep NMB.

Machine learning model of facial expression outperforms models using analgesia nociception index and vital signs to predict postoperative pain intensity: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the use of automated artificial intelligence (AI)-based pain recognition in postoperative settings or the correlation with pain intensity. In this study, various machine learning (ML)-based models using facial expressions, the analgesia nociception index (ANI), and vital signs were developed to predict postoperative pain intensity, and their performances for predicting severe postoperative pain were compared. METHODS: In total, 155 facial expressions from patients who underwent gastrectomy were recorded postoperatively; one blinded anesthesiologist simultaneously recorded the ANI score, vital signs, and patient self-assessed pain intensity based on the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). The ML models' area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were calculated and compared using DeLong's test. RESULTS: ML models were constructed using facial expressions, ANI, vital signs, and different combinations of the three datasets. The ML model constructed using facial expressions best predicted an NRS ≥ 7 (AUROC 0.93) followed by the ML model combining facial expressions and vital signs (AUROC 0.84) in the test-set. ML models constructed using combined physiological signals (vital signs, ANI) performed better than models based on individual parameters for predicting NRS ≥ 7, although the AUROCs were inferior to those of the ML model based on facial expressions (all P < 0.050). Among these parameters, absolute and relative ANI had the worst AUROCs (0.69 and 0.68, respectively) for predicting NRS ≥ 7. CONCLUSIONS: The ML model constructed using facial expressions best predicted severe postoperative pain (NRS ≥ 7) and outperformed models constructed from physiological signals.

Artificial intelligence model predicting postoperative pain using facial expressions: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess whether an artificial intelligence model based on facial expressions can accurately predict significant postoperative pain. METHODS: A total of 155 facial expressions from patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery were analyzed to extract facial action units (AUs), gaze, landmarks, and positions. These features were used to construct various machine learning (ML) models, designed to predict significant postoperative pain intensity (NRS ≥ 7) from less significant pain (NRS < 7). Significant AUs predictive of NRS ≥ 7 were determined and compared to AUs known to be associated with pain in awake patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the ML models was calculated and compared using DeLong's test. RESULTS: AU17 (chin raising) and AU20 (lip stretching) were found to be associated with NRS ≥ 7 (both P ≤ 0.004). AUs known to be associated with pain in awake patients did not show an association with pain in postoperative patients. An ML model based on AU17 and AU20 demonstrated an AUROC of 0.62 for NRS ≥ 7, which was inferior to a model based on all AUs (AUROC = 0.81, P = 0.006). Among facial features, head position and facial landmarks proved to be better predictors of NRS ≥ 7 (AUROC, 0.85-0.96) than AUs. A merged ML model that utilized gaze and eye landmarks, as well as head position and facial landmarks, exhibited the best performance (AUROC, 0.90) in predicting significant postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: ML models using facial expressions can accurately predict the presence of significant postoperative pain and have the potential to screen patients in need of rescue analgesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05477303; date: June 17, 2022).

Postoperative analgesic effects of the quadratus lumborum block in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study assessed the postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety of the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) in pediatric patients. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the QLB to conventional analgesic techniques in pediatric patients. The primary outcome was the need for rescue analgesia 12 and 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes covered the Face-Legs-Activity-Cry-Consolability Scale (FLACC) scores at various time points; parental satisfaction; time to the first rescue analgesia; hospitalization time; block execution time; block failure rates, and adverse events. Results: Sixteen randomized controlled trials were analyzed involving 1,061 patients. The QLB significantly reduced the need for rescue analgesia both at 12 and 24 hours after surgery (12 hours, relative risk [RR]: 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.88; 24 hours, RR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.70). In case of 24 hours after surgery, type 1 QLB significantly reduced the need for rescue analgesia (RR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.76). The QLB also exhibited lower FLACC scores at 1 hour (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.87; 95% CI: -1.56, -0.18) and 6 hours (SMD: -1.27; 95% CI: -2.33, -0.21) following surgery when compared to non-QLB. Among QLBs, type 2 QLB significantly extended the time until the first rescue analgesia (SMD: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.67). No significant differences were observed in terms of parental satisfaction, hospitalization time, block execution time, block failure, or adverse events between QLB and non-QLB groups. Conclusions: The QLB provides non-inferior analgesic efficacy and safety to conventional methods in pediatric patients.

Precipitation of sugammadex with nicardipine and labetalol: A laboratory research.

There is a paucity of clinical data about whether sugammadex forms precipitates with other medications. This laboratory experimental study was performed to determine the drugs that produce precipitates with sugammadex. Samples of 1 ml of sugammadex were prepared in transparent cylinders, to which 1 ml of test drugs (rocuronium, neostigmine, glycopyrrolate, atropine, nitroglycerin, dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, vasopressin, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine, esmolol, nicardipine, and labetalol) was added. The precipitation reaction was observed visually and via light microscope. The pH of each drugs before and after mixing with sugammadex was measured. White crystals were formed when sugammadex was mixed with nicardipine or labetalol. Sugammadex formed precipitate when mixed with nicardipine or labetalol. Sufficient fluid flushing is required between injections of each drug to prevent these reactions.

Comparison between ketorolac- and fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia for acute kidney injury after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether ketorolac-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) leads to acute kidney injury (AKI) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patients susceptible to AKI. We compared the postoperative AKI incidence with ketorolac- and fentanyl-based PCA after RARP. METHODS: After medical record review, eligible patients were divided in ketorolac and fentanyl groups. We conducted propensity score matching of 3239 patients and assigned 641 matched patients to each group, and compared the AKI incidence. We investigated potential risk factors for postoperative AKI, defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. We collected preoperative data (age, height, weight, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, medical history, creatinine level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hemoglobin level) and intraoperative data (maintenance anesthetics, surgery duration, anesthesia duration, crystalloid amount, colloid use, total amount of fluid administered, estimated blood loss, norepinephrine use, phenylephrine use, and PCA type). RESULTS: The postoperative AKI incidence was significantly higher in the ketorolac than in the fentanyl group, both before (31.1% vs. 20.4%; p < 0.001) and after (31.5% vs. 22.6%; p < 0.001) matching. In the univariate analysis, ketorolac was significantly associated with postoperative AKI, both before (odds ratio [OR], 1.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.475-2.105; p < 0.001) and after (OR, 1.574; 95% CI, 1.227-2.019; p < 0.001) matching. In the multivariate analysis, ketorolac-based PCA was independently associated with development of postoperative AKI in the matched groups (OR, 1.659; 95% CI, 1.283-2.147; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ketorolac-based PCA may increase postoperative AKI incidence after RARP; thus, renal function should be monitored in these patients.

The Involvement of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in the Development of Hyperalgesia during the Early Postoperative Period.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperalgesia frequently occurs after surgery and is associated with adverse effects on surgical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to examine whether the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function after surgery is involved in the development of postoperative hyperalgesia. METHODS: Surgery- and pain-related variables were measured 24 and 48 h after the first and second total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in postmenopausal patients undergoing 1-week-interval staged bilateral TKA. Two sets of saliva samples were consecutively collected from patients before (pre-T1) and 1 week after (post-T1) the first TKA (n = 69). HPA axis function was analyzed in a subgroup of 20 patients with a typical cortisol awakening response (CAR) in both the sets of saliva samples. RESULTS: Surgery-related variables were comparable between the first and second TKAs. However, pain-related variables (pain ratings and the amount of opioid analgesics consumed) were greater after the second than the first TKA. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion during the post-awakening period (CARauc and Daucawk, respectively) was higher at post-T1 than at pre-T1, but the molar CARauc/Daucawk ratio was comparable between the time points examined. No relationship was observed between the pre-T1 CARauc and pain ratings after the first TKA. However, post-T1 CARauc showed a positive correlation with pain ratings after the second TKA. Postoperative pain ratings were negatively correlated with Daucawk and positively correlated with the molar CARauc/Daucawk ratio at all examined time points. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The results suggest that adrenocortical steroidogenic activity favoring the production of cortisol over DHEA after surgery may contribute to the development of hyperalgesia during the early postoperative period.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine Compared to Remifentanil During Bariatric Surgery on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: a Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs frequently after bariatric surgery and is a major cause of adverse outcomes. This retrospective study investigated whether opioid-restricted total intravenous anesthesia using dexmedetomidine as a substitute for remifentanil can reduce PONV in bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic medical records of adult patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery between January and December 2019 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the agents used for anesthesia: Group D, propofol and dexmedetomidine; Group R, propofol and remifentanil. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients were included in the analyses. The frequency of postoperative nausea was significantly lower in Group D than that in Group R until 2 h after discharge from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (P = 0.005 in the PACU, P = 0.010 at 2 h after PACU discharge) but failed to significantly reduce the overall high incidence rates of 60.5% and 65.5%, respectively (P = 0.592). Postoperative pain score was significantly lower in Group D until 6 h after PACU discharge. The rates of rescue antiemetic and analgesic agent administration in the PACU were significantly lower in Group D than those in Group R. CONCLUSION: Opioid-restricted total intravenous anesthesia using dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative nausea, pain score, antiemetic, and analgesic requirements in the immediate postoperative period after bariatric surgery.

Standard digit-based versus 90° rotation technique for supraglottic airway device insertion: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Prompt insertion and placement of supraglottic airway (SGA) devices in the correct position are required to secure the airway. This meta-analysis was performed to validate the usefulness of the 90° rotation technique as compared with the standard digit-based technique for the insertion of SGA devices in anesthetized patients in terms of insertion success rate, insertion time, and postoperative complications. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted. Randomized controlled trials, without limitations on publication period, language, journal, or region, until July 2021, that compared the 90° rotation and the standard digit-based techniques for insertion of SGA devices in anesthetized patients were included. RESULTS: The first-attempt (risk ratio [RR]: 1.16, 95% CI [1.09, 1.25], P < 0.001) and overall success rates (RR: 1.06, 95% CI [1.03, 1.09], P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the 90° rotation group. The insertion time was shorter in the 90° rotation group (mean difference: -4.42 s, 95% CI [-6.70, -2.15 s], P < 0.001). The incidences of postoperative sore throat (RR: 0.63, 95% CI [0.49, 0.83], P < 0.001) and blood staining (RR: 0.28, 95% CI [0.20, 0.39], P < 0.001) were lower in the 90° rotation group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the 90° rotation technique increases the success rate of SGA device insertion and decreases postoperative complications as compared with that of the standard digit-based technique in anesthetized patients.

Effects of Anesthetic Technique on the Occurrence of Acute Kidney Injury after Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The effects of anesthetics on acute kidney injury (AKI) after spine surgery have not been evaluated fully. This study compared propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and volatile anesthetics in the development of AKI after spine surgery. This retrospective study reviewed patients who underwent spine surgery between 2015 and 2019. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for AKI. Additionally, after propensity score matching, the incidence of AKI was compared between TIVA and volatile groups. Of the 4473 patients, 709 were excluded and 3764 were included in the logistic regression. After propensity score matching, 766 patients from each group were compared, and we found that the incidence of AKI was significantly lower in the TIVA group (1% vs. 4.2%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk factors for postoperative AKI were male sex (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.18-3.06), hypertension (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.56-3.94), anemia (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.76-4.04), and volatile anesthetics (OR 4.69, 95% CI 2.24-9.84). Compared with volatile anesthetics, TIVA is associated with a reduced risk of AKI for patients who have undergone spine surgery.

Blood transfusion had no influence on the 5-year biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Although red blood cells (RBC) transfusion is known to be significantly associated with biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing open prostatectomy, its influence on biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the effect of RBC transfusion on the 5-year biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at single tertiary academic hospital between October 2007 and December 2014. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify any potential variables associated with 5-year biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 1311 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 30 patients (2.3%) were transfused with RBC either during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or during their hospital stay, which corresponded to 5-year biochemical recurrence of 15.7%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that RBC transfusion had no influence on the 5-year biochemical recurrence. Variables including pathologic T stage (Hazard ratio [HR] 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-5.1 p < 0.001), N stage (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.7, p < 0.001), Gleason score (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.8-3.2, p < 0.001), and surgical margin (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.8, p < 0.001) were independently associated with the 5-year biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: RBC transfusion had no significant influence on the 5-year biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Effects of depth of neuromuscular blockade on the BIS-guided propofol requirement: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Deep neuromuscular blockade is considered beneficial for improving the surgical space condition during laparoscopic surgery. Adequacy of the surgical space condition may affect the anesthetists' decision regarding titration of depth of anesthesia. We investigated whether deep neuromuscular blockade reduces the propofol requirement under bispectral index monitoring compared to moderate neuromuscular blockade. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were randomly allocated to a moderate or deep group. A train-of-four count of 1-2 in the moderate group, and a post-tetanic count of 1-2 in the deep group, were maintained by continuous infusion of rocuronium. The induction and maintenance of anesthesia were achieved by target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil. The dose of propofol was adjusted to maintain the bispectral index in the range of 40-50. The remifentanil dose was titrated to maintain the systolic blood pressure to within 20% of the ward values. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were included in the analyses. The mean±SD dose of propofol was 7.54 ±â€Š1.66 and 7.42 ±â€Š1.01 mg·kg-1·h-1 in the moderate and deep groups, respectively (P = .104). The mean±SD dose of remifentanil was 4.84 ±â€Š1.74 and 4.79 ±â€Š1.77 µg kg-1 h-1 in the moderate and deep groups, respectively (P = .688). In comparison to the moderate group, the deep group showed significantly lower rates of intraoperative patient movement (42.9% vs 22.5%, respectively, P = .050) and additional neuromuscular blocking agent administration (76% vs 53%, respectively, P = .007). Postoperative complications, including pulmonary complications, wound problems and reoperation, were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Deep neuromuscular blockade did not reduce the bispectral index-guided propofol requirement compared to moderate neuromuscular blockade during laparoscopic colon surgery, despite reducing movement of the patient and the requirement for a rescue neuromuscular blocking agent. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03890406).

The influence of moderate or deep neuromuscular block status on anesthetic depth monitoring system during total intravenous anesthesia using propofol and remifentanil: A randomized trial.

The neuromuscular block state may affect the electroencephalogram-derived index representing the anesthetic depth. We applied an Anesthetic Depth Monitoring for Sedation (ADMS) to patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anesthesia, and evaluated the requirement of propofol according to the different neuromuscular block state. Adult patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the moderate (MB) or deep neuromuscular block (DB) group. The UniCon sensor of ADMS was applied to monitor anesthetic depth and the unicon value was maintained between 40 and 50 during the operation. According to the group assignment, intraoperative rocuronium was administered to maintain proper neuromuscular block state, moderate or deep block state. The unicon value, electromyography (EMG) index, and total dose of propofol and rocuronium were analyzed. At similar anesthetic depth, less propofol was used in the DB group compared to the MB group (6.19 ± 1.36 in the MB mg/kg/h group vs 4.93 ± 3.02 mg/kg/h in the DM group, p = 0.042). As expected, more rocuronium were used in the DB group than in the MB group (0.8 ± 0.2 mg/kg in the MB group vs 1.2 ± 0.2 mg/kg in the DB group, p = 0.023) and the EMG indices were lower in the DB group than in the MB group, at several time points as follows: at starting operation (p < 0.001); at 15 (p = 0.019), 45 (p = 0.011), and 60 min (p < 0.001) after the initiation of the operation; at the end of operation (p = 0.003); and at 5 min after the administration of sugammadex (p < 0.001). At similar anesthetic depth, patients under the deep neuromuscular block state required less propofol with lower intraoperative EMG indices compared to those under the moderate neuromuscular block state during general anesthesia.

Quality of Recovery after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Following Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal with Neostigmine or Sugammadex: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

The risk of neuromuscular blockade is certainly minimized by sugammadex in combination with monitoring. However, the effect of sugammadex-aided recovery on patients' satisfaction is unclear. This study compared the Quality of Recovery (QoR)-15 score, which is a patient-reported outcome, in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to the neostigmine or sugammadex groups. At the end of surgery, neostigmine or sugammadex was administered, and tracheal extubation was performed after confirmation of a train of four ratio ≥ 0.9. The QoR-15 questionnaire was administered at 1 day before surgery and on post-operative days (POD) 1 and 2. The primary outcome was the QoR-15 score on POD 1. The secondary outcomes were the QoR-15 score on POD 2, modified Aldrete score, length of post-anesthetic care unit stay, post-operative pain, administration of anti-emetics, urinary retention, and length of hospital stay. No significant differences were found in QoR-15 scores on POD 1 (94.4 vs. 95.5, p = 0.87) or 2 (116.3 vs. 122, p = 0.33). Secondary outcomes were also comparable, with the exception of urinary retention (15.8% neostigmine vs. 2.6% sugammadex, p = 0.04). This study demonstrated that the quality of recovery was comparable between the neostigmine and sugammadex groups when reversal and tracheal extubation were performed in accordance with the current guidelines.

Progerinin, an optimized progerin-lamin A binding inhibitor, ameliorates premature senescence phenotypes of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Previous work has revealed that progerin-lamin A binding inhibitor (JH4) can ameliorate pathological features of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) such as nuclear deformation, growth suppression in patient's cells, and very short life span in an in vivo mouse model. Despite its favorable effects, JH4 is rapidly eliminated in in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis. Thus, we improved its property through chemical modification and obtained an optimized drug candidate, Progerinin (SLC-D011). This chemical can extend the life span of LmnaG609G/G609G mouse for about 10 weeks and increase its body weight. Progerinin can also extend the life span of LmnaG609G/+ mouse for about 14 weeks via oral administration, whereas treatment with lonafarnib (farnesyl-transferase inhibitor) can only extend the life span of LmnaG609G/+ mouse for about two weeks. In addition, progerinin can induce histological and physiological improvement in LmnaG609G/+ mouse. These results indicate that progerinin is a strong drug candidate for HGPS.