Evaluation of a modified ultrasound-assisted technique for mid-thoracic epidural placement: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Although mid-thoracic epidural analgesia benefits patients undergoing major surgery, technical difficulties often discourage its use. Improvements in technology are warranted to improve the success rate on first pass and patient comfort. The previously reported ultrasound-assisted technique using a generic needle insertion site failed to demonstrate superiority over conventional landmark techniques. A stratified needle insertion site based on sonoanatomic features may improve the technique. METHODS: Patients who presented for elective abdominal or thoracic surgery requesting thoracic epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control were included in this observational study. A modified ultrasound-assisted technique using a stratified needle insertion site based on ultrasound images was adopted. The number of needle passes, needle skin punctures, procedure time, overall success rate, and incidence of procedure complications were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight subjects were included. The first-pass success and overall success rates were 75% (96/128) and 98% (126/128), respectively. In 95% (122/128) of patients, only one needle skin puncture was needed to access the epidural space. The median [IQR] time needed from needle insertion to access the epidural space was 59 [47-122] seconds. No complications were observed during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This modified ultrasound-assisted mid-thoracic epidural technique has the potential to improve success rates and reduce the needling time. The data shown in our study may be a feasible basis for a prospective study comparing our ultrasound-assisted epidural placements to conventional landmark-based techniques.

Removing knotted or stuck epidural catheters: a systematic review of case reports.

BACKGROUND: The knotting or in vivo entrapment of epidural catheters is an uncommon but challenging issue for anesthesiologists. This study aimed to identify the possible causes behind entrapped epidural catheters and the effective methods for their removal. METHODS: A systematic review of relevant case reports and series was conducted using the patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcome framework and keywords such as "epidural," "catheter," "knotting," "stuck," "entrapped," and "entrapment." The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was followed, and the review protocol was registered with International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (CRD42021291266). RESULTS: The analysis included 59 cases with a mean depth of catheter insertion from the skin of 11.825 cm and an average duration of 8.17 h for the detection of non-functioning catheters. In 27 cases (45.8%), a radiological knot was found, with an average length of 2.59 cm from the tip. The chi-squared test revealed a significant difference between the initial and final positions of catheter insertion (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Deep insertion was the primary cause of epidural catheter entrapment. To remove the entrapped catheters, the lateral decubitus position should be attempted first, followed by the position used during insertion. Based on these findings, recommendations for the prevention and removal of entrapped catheters have been formulated.

Temperature changes of CoolSticks during simulated use.

INTRODUCTION: Cold sensation is often used to check neuraxial anaesthesia and analgesia. One opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of anaesthesia is to replace vapo-coolant sprays such as ethyl chloride with a reusable device called the CoolStick, which is cooled in a refrigerator between uses. We designed a study to investigate how long the CoolStick remains at its working temperature, which we defined as <15 °C. METHOD: Experiments were undertaken using a thermocouple and digital temperature sensor attached to the CoolStick. We conducted two experiments to assess temperature changes following removal from the refrigerator for 10 min; the first investigated passive re-warming in the ambient theatre environment and the second investigated re-warming in simulated use. In our third experiment, we investigated the time taken to cool the device in the refrigerator, following use. Each experiment was repeated three times. RESULTS: In the passive re-warming experiment, the mean CoolStick temperature was 7.3 °C at the start, and 14.3 °C after 10 min. In the simulated use experiment, the mean CoolStick temperature was 7.3 °C at the start, and 18.9 °C at 10 min. In the cooling experiment, the mean CoolStick temperature was 15 °C at the start and 7.6 °C at 40 min. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that it is feasible to use the CoolStick for providing cold sensation in clinical practice. Further study would be required to directly compare the effectiveness of the device to existing methods such as coolant sprays or ice in the clinical setting.

Bupivacaine Dosing for Cesarean Delivery in Parturients of Short Stature: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

The ED50 and ED95 of spinal bupivacaine for cesarean delivery has been well described in the literature; however, parturients with extremes of stature have been excluded. Parturients of short stature are a height of ≤ 148 cm. This retrospective, case-control study evaluated anesthetic outcomes for parturients of short stature and controls who underwent cesarean delivery over a 10-year period. Women were matched for anesthetic type and body mass index. Data extracted included patient demographics and obstetric and anesthetic information. The primary outcome was dose of intrathecal bupivacaine. Categorical data were compared using a chi-squared test, continuous data were compared using a t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Data for 26 women of short stature and 52 controls were evaluated. The mean dose of bupivacaine used for spinal anesthesia in parturients of short stature was 9.8 ± 1.0 mg (P <.0001). The mean intrathecal bupivacaine dose used in combined spinal epidural anesthesia was 10.5 mg (interquartile range, 9-10.9) in parturients of short stature (P = .002). All but one patient of short stature achieved an adequate surgical level; there were no instances of high spinal blockade. Adequate surgical anesthesia was achieved with reduced dosing of spinal bupivacaine in parturients of short stature without an increase in adverse outcomes.

Effects of thoracic segment epidural anesthesia on inflammatory factors in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the effects of thoracic segment epidural anesthesia on inflammatory factors in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 136 patients who underwent lung cancer surgery in the Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng from June 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to anesthesia methods, these patients were divided into an observation group ( n = 89) and a control group ( n = 47). The observation group was given thoracic segment epidural anesthesia, while the control group was given remifentanil infusion anesthesia. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the epithelial lining fluid collected from the non-dependent lung, the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and malondialdehyde, arterial partial pressure of oxygen/inhaled oxygen fraction, the incidence of complications, the incidence of re-operations, numeric rating scale score, and the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. The effects of different anesthesia methods on lung cancer surgery were evaluated. Results:In each group, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in the epithelial lining fluid were significantly increased 30 minutes after termination of one-lung ventilation (T2) compared with those measured before one-lung ventilation (T1) ( t = 7.71, 77.10, 7.59, 3.41, 57.51, 5.74, all P < 0.05). In the observation group, TNF- α [(1.59 ± 0.53) ng/L, (1.89 ± 0.64) ng/L] measured at T1 and T2, IL-6 [(2.96 ± 0.82) ng/L] and IL-10 [(1.99 ± 0.53) ng/L] measured at T1 were significantly higher compared with those measured at the corresponding time points in the control group ( t = 10.45, 2.59, 2.00, 7.19, all P < 0.05). In the observation group, IL-6 measured at T2 [(38.91 ± 5.84) ng/L] was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t = 33.25, P < 0.001), and IL-10 measured at T2 [(2.51 ± 0.67) ng/L] was slightly, but not significantly higher than that in the control group ( P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the plasma level of TNF- α measured at T1 and T2 between the two groups (both P > 0.05). Plasma levels of IL-6 in the two groups [(42.98 ± 5.29) ng/L, (27.93 ± 4.17) ng/L] measured at T2 were significantly increased compared with those measured at T1 ( t = 54.14, 61.06, both P < 0.001). In the observation group, TNF-α measured at T2 [(1.60 ± 0.56) ng/L] and IL-6 measured at T1 and T2 [(0.92 ± 0.16) ng/L, (27.93 ± 4.17) ng/L] were significantly lower compared with the control group ( t = 3.39, 6.96, 18.20, all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma level of malondialdehyde, arterial partial pressure of oxygen/inhaled oxygen fraction, numeric rating scale score, the incidence of complications, the incidence of re-operation, and the length of hospital stay between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion:Thoracic segment epidural anesthesia can reduce the local inflammatory response of the lung during lung cancer surgery.

Clinical efficacy of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia with isobaric bupivacaine in older adult patients undergoing artificial femoral head replacement / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia with isobaric bupivacaine in older adult patients undergoing artificial femoral head replacement.Methods:The clinical data of 50 older adult patients who underwent artificial femoral head replacement in Zhuji Third People's Hospital between January 2016 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a control group ( n = 22) and a combined anesthesia group ( n = 28) according to different anesthesia methods. The control group was subjected to epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine. The combined anesthesia group underwent combined spinal and epidural anesthesia with isobaric bupivacaine. The excellent and good rate of anesthesia as well as heart rate and mean arterial pressure measured before and 10 minutes after anesthesia, at 1 hour of surgery and at the end of surgery were compared between the two groups. Time to anesthesia onset and time to block completion were recorded in each group. Results:The excellent and good rate of clinical efficacy in the combined anesthesia group was significantly higher than that in the control group [85.71% (24/28) vs. 59.09% (13/22), χ2 = 4.54, P < 0.05]. There were no significant differences in heart rate and mean arterial pressure between the two groups before and 10 minutes after anesthesia, at 1 hour of surgery and at the end of surgery ( t = 0.83, 0.60, 1.13, 1.21; 0.98, 0.60, 0.85, 0.88, P > 0.05). The time to anesthesia onset and the time to block completion in the combined anesthesia group were shorter than those in the control group ( t = 4.99, 2.29, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia with isobaric bupivacaine can increase the excellent and good rate of anesthesia effects and has no obvious effect on hemodynamics in patients undergoing artificial femoral head replacement. Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia takes a shorter time to anesthesia onset and a shorter time to block completion than spinal or epidural anesthesia.

Assessment of main complications of regional anesthesia recorded in an acute pain unit in a tertiary care university hospital: a retrospective cohort

Abstract Background Regional anesthesia has been increasingly used. Despite its low number of complications, they are associated with relevant morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of complications after neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and data related to patients submitted to neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block at a tertiary university hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017 were analyzed. Results From 10,838 patients referred to Acute Pain Unit, 1093(10.1%) had side effects or complications: 1039 (11.4%) submitted to neuraxial block and 54 (5.2%) to peripheral nerve block. The most common side effects after neuraxial block were sensory (48.5%) or motor deficits (11.8%), nausea or vomiting (17.5%) and pruritus (8.0%); The most common complications: 3 (0.03%) subcutaneous cell tissue hematoma, 3 (0.03%) epidural abscesses and 1 (0.01%) arachnoiditis. 204 of these patients presented sensory or motor deficits at hospital discharge and needed follow-up. Permanent peripheral nerve injury after neuraxial block had an incidence of 7.7:10,000 (0.08%). The most common side effects after peripheral nerve block were sensory deficits (52%) and 21 patients maintained follow-up due to symptoms persistence after hospital discharge. Conclusion Although we found similar incidences of side effects or even lower than those described, major complications after neuraxial block had a higher incidence, particularly epidural abscesses. Despite this, other serious complications, such as spinal hematoma and permanent peripheral nerve injury, are still rare.

Sensorineural hearing loss following lumbar puncture, spinal anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia: a case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia, epidural anaesthesia or lumbar puncture is a rare phenomenon that is thought to occur when reduced cerebrospinal fluid pressure is transmitted to the inner ear through an enlarged cochlear aqueduct. METHOD: This study presents two cases of sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section as well as presenting results of a systemic review of the available literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Full-text articles from Medline, PubMed and Embase were used, as well as associated reference lists. Risk factors associated with poorer outcomes and an approach to management of this rare condition are also discussed. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases were identified. The literature was systematically reviewed showing presentations, investigations performed, treatments offered and outcomes. CONCLUSION: Sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia, epidural anaesthesia or lumbar puncture is a rare occurrence that requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and prompt investigation and treatment.

Association between anesthetic method and postpartum hemorrhage in Korea based on National Health Insurance Service data.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal mortality and the risk factors for PPH differ among studies. In this large-scale study, we investigated whether the anesthetic method used was associated with PPH after cesarean section. METHODS: We extracted data on cesarean sections performed between January 2008 and June 2013 from the National Health Insurance Service database. The anesthetic methods were categorized into general, spinal and epidural anesthesia. To compare the likelihood of PPH among deliveries using different anesthetic methods, crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Data from 330,324 cesarean sections were analyzed, and 21,636 cases of PPH were identified. Univariate analysis showed that general and epidural anesthesia increased the risk of PPH compared to spinal anesthesia. The OR for PPH was highest for morbidly adherent placenta, followed by placenta previa, placental abruption, and hypertension. When other clinical covariates were controlled for, general and epidural anesthesia still remained significant risk factors for PPH compared to spinal anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that general and epidural anesthesia elevated the risk of PPH compared to spinal anesthesia during cesarean section. Since we could not consider the potential bias of group differences in indications, more in-depth clinical trials are needed to validate our findings. Obstetric factors such as placental abnormalities had high odds ratios and thus are more important than the choice of anesthetic method, which should be based on the patient's clinical condition and institutional resources.

A prospective observational study on the feasibility of subumbilical laparoscopic procedures under epidural anesthesia in sedated spontaneously breathing infants with a natural airway.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedures are usually performed under general anesthesia with a secured airway including endotracheal intubation or supraglottic airways. AIMS: This is a prospective study of the feasibility of subumbilical laparoscopic procedures under epidural anesthesia in sedated, spontaneous breathing infants with a natural airway. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled 20 children <3 years old with nonpalpable testes scheduled for diagnostic laparoscopy with or without an ensuing orchidopexy, inguinal revision, or Fowler-Stephens maneuver. Inhalational induction for venous access was followed by sedation with propofol and ultrasound-guided single-shot epidural anesthesia via the caudal or thoracolumbar approach using 1.0 or 0.5 ml kg-1 ropivacaine 0.38%, respectively. The primary outcome measure was block success, defined as no increase in heart rate by >15% or other indicators of pain upon skin incision. RESULTS: Of the 20 children (median age: 10 months; IQR: 8.3-12), 17 (85%) were anesthetized through a caudal and 3 (15%) through a direct thoracolumbar epidural, 18 (90%) underwent a surgical procedure and 2 (10%) diagnostic laparoscopy only. Five patients (25%) received block augmentation using an intravenous bolus of fentanyl (median dose: 0.9 µg kg-1 ; IQR: 0.8-0.95) after the initial prick test and before skin incision. There was no additional need for systemic pain therapy in the operating theater or recovery room. No events of respiratory failure or aspiration were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands, given our success rate of 100%, epidural anesthesia performed in sedated spontaneously breathing infants with a natural airway can be an alternative strategy for subumbilical laparoscopic procedures.

Assessment of main complications of regional anesthesia recorded in an acute pain unit in a tertiary care university hospital: a retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia has been increasingly used. Despite its low number of complications, they are associated with relevant morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of complications after neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and data related to patients submitted to neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block at a tertiary university hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017 were analyzed. RESULTS: From 10,838 patients referred to Acute Pain Unit, 1093(10.1%) had side effects or complications: 1039 (11.4%) submitted to neuraxial block and 54 (5.2%) to peripheral nerve block. The most common side effects after neuraxial block were sensory (48.5%) or motor deficits (11.8%), nausea or vomiting (17.5%) and pruritus (8.0%); The most common complications: 3 (0.03%) subcutaneous cell tissue hematoma, 3 (0.03%) epidural abscesses and 1 (0.01%) arachnoiditis. 204 of these patients presented sensory or motor deficits at hospital discharge and needed follow-up. Permanent peripheral nerve injury after neuraxial block had an incidence of 7.7:10,000 (0.08%). The most common side effects after peripheral nerve block were sensory deficits (52%) and 21 patients maintained follow-up due to symptoms persistence after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Although we found similar incidences of side effects or even lower than those described, major complications after neuraxial block had a higher incidence, particularly epidural abscesses. Despite this, other serious complications, such as spinal hematoma and permanent peripheral nerve injury, are still rare.

Effect of general anesthesia combined with epidural block on postoperative sleep in frail elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of general anesthesia combined with epidural block on postoperative sleep in the frail elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery.Methods:Ninety frail patients of either sex, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅱ-Ⅲ, scheduled for elective open gastrointestinal tumor surgery (FRAIL score >2), were divided into 2 groups ( n=45 each) using a random number table method: general anesthesia group (GA group) and general anesthesia combined with epidural block group (GE group). Combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia was carried out in group GA.Epidural block was performed before induction of anesthesia, and the method of general anesthesia was the same as that described in group GA, and the consumption of propofol and remifentanil was adjusted according to the BIS value, sweat and tears, heart rate and blood pressure during operation in group GE.Postoperative intravenous analgesia was performed to maintain VAS score ≤3.Wearable devices were used to monitor sleep parameters at 1 day before surgery and 1, 3 and 7 days after surgery.Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire at 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 7 and 30 days after surgery.The intraoperative consumption of propofol, sufentanil and remifentanil were recorded.The requirement for postoperative rescue analgesia and total pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) within 48 h after surgery were recorded.Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were determined by immunoturbidimetry at 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery, and the adverse reactions at 7 days after surgery were recorded. Results:Compared with group GA, the consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the total sleep score, deep sleep ratio, rapid eye movement ratio and Quality of Recovery-15 score were increased, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was decreased, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased on 1st and 3rd days after operation ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the serum C-reactive protein concentration and postoperative requirement for rescue analgesia, and total pressing times of PCA in group GE ( P>0.05). Conclusions:General anesthesia combined with epidural block can improve short-term sleep quality and recovery quality after gastrointestinal tumor surgery in elderly frail patients.

Bloqueo subdural como complicación de la anestesia epidural / Subdural block as a complication of epidural anesthesia

El bloqueo subdural involuntario es una rara pero conocida complicación. Describimos el caso de un bloqueo subdural ocurrido al intentar realizar una analgesia epidural para el parto. (AU)

Unintentional subdural block is a rare but known complication. We describe the case of unintentional subdural block while attempting to perform an epidural block for delivery. (AU)

An observational pilot study of a novel loss of resistance syringe for locating the epidural space.

BACKGROUND: The EpiFaith® syringe is a novel loss-of-resistance syringe that utilizes a spring-loaded plunger that automatically moves forward within the syringe when there is a loss of resistance. We evaluated the syringe in a clinical setting among a cohort of pregnant women receiving neuraxial labor analgesia. METHODS: In a non-randomized observational study, four anesthesiologists used the EpiFaith® syringe 10 times each while placing epidural catheters for labor analgesia. The anesthesiologists scored each placement on an 11-point Likert scale (-5 = absolutely worse, 0 = the same, and 5 = absolutely better than using their regular loss-of-resistance syringe technique). RESULTS: All 40 neuraxial placements correctly located the epidural space. Air was used in the syringe in 35 of the 40 cases. In 50%, 27.5% and 22.5% of cases the anesthesiologists reported that using the EpiFaith® syringe was better than, the same as, or worse than using their regular syringe, respectively. There were no inadvertent dural punctures. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study found that three of the four anesthesiologists scored the EpiFaith® syringe as better or the same as using their regular loss-of-resistance syringe. More extensive studies are required to determine if the EpiFaith® syringe reduces adverse outcomes such as unintentional dural punctures.

Comparison of landmark and real-time ultrasound-guided epidural catheter placement in the pediatric population: a prospective randomized comparative trial.

BACKGROUND: Epidural block placement in pediatric patients is technically challenging for anesthesiologists. The use of ultrasound (US) for the placement of an epidural catheter has shown promise. We compared landmark-guided and US-guided lumbar or lower thoracic epidural needle placement in pediatric patients. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, comparative trial involved children aged 1-6 years who underwent abdominal and thoracic surgeries. Forty-five children were randomly divided into two groups using a computer-generated random number table, and group allocation was performed by the sealed opaque method into either landmark-guided (group LT) or real-time ultrasound-guided (group UT) epidural placement. The primary outcome was a comparison of the procedure time (excluding US probe preparation). Secondary outcomes were the number of attempts (re-insertion of the needle), bone contacts, needle redirection, skin-to-epidural distance using the US in both groups, success rate, and complications. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) time to reach epidural space was 105.5 (297.0) seconds in group LT and 143.0 (150) seconds in group UT (P = 0.407). While the first attempt success rate was higher in the UT group (87.0% in UT vs. 40.9% in LT; P = 0.004), the number of bone contacts, needle redirections, and procedure-related complications were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: The use of US significantly reduced needle redirection, number of attempts, bone contact, and complications. There was no statistically significant difference in the time to access the epidural space between the US and landmark technique groups.

Epidural versus general anesthesia for open pyloromyotomy in infants: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural anesthesia for open infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis surgery is a controversial issue in the presence of little comparative data. AIMS: To compare this approach to general anesthesia for desaturation events (≤90% oxygen saturation) and absolute values of minimal oxygen saturation, minimal heart frequency, operating-room occupancy time, and durations of surgery in a retrospective study design. METHODS: Data were retrieved for patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis managed by thoracic epidurals under sedation or general anesthesia with rapid sequence induction between 01/2007 and 12/2017. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were analyzed over eight 5-minutes intervals relative to the start of anesthesia / sedation (four-time intervals) and before discharge of the patient from the operating room (four-time intervals). Fisher's exact tests and mixed model two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures were employed for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: The epidural and general anesthesia groups included 69 and 32 evaluable infants, respectively. Patients managed under epidural anesthesia had cumulatively higher minimimal mean (SD) oxygen saturation values (98.2 [2.6] % versus 96.6 [5.2] %, p < 0.001) and lower minimal mean (SD) heart rate values (127.9 [15.0] beats per minute versus 140.7 [17.2] beats per minute, p < 0.001) over time. Similarly, the frequency of desaturation events (defined as ≤90% oxygen saturation) was significantly lower for these patients during the period of 5 minutes after induction of sedation or general anesthesia (odds ratio 7.4 [2.1-25.9]; p = 0.001) and during the subsequent period of five minutes (odds ratio 6.2 [1.1-33.9]; p = 0.031). One case of prolonged respiratory weaning was observed in the general anesthesia group. The mean (SD) operating-room occupancy was 61.9 (16.6) minutes for the epidural anesthesia group versus 73.3 (22.2) minutes for the general anesthesia group (p = 0.005) as a result of shorter emergence from sedation. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, maintaining spontaneous breathing with minimal airway manipulation in patients undergoing open repair of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis under single-shot epidural anesthesia resulted in fewer desaturation events ≤90% than general anesthesia. In addition, this approach seems to result in shorter turnover times in the operating room.

Comparison of perioperative plasma HMGB1 concentrations in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of cervical cancer using different anesthetic regimens / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To compare the perioperative plasma high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) concentrations in the patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of cervical cancer using different anesthetic regimens.Methods:Sixty-eight American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰor Ⅱ patients, aged 34-68 yr, with body mass index of 19-24 kg/m 2, undergoing elective laparoscopic radical resection of cervical cancer, were divided into 2 groups ( n=34 each) using a random number table method: general anesthesia group (G group) and general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia group (GE group). In group G, anesthesia was induced with midazolam, etomidate and cisatracurium and maintained with remifentanil, propofol and cisatracurium.In group GE, an epidural catheter was placed at L 1, 2 interspace before induction of anesthesia, general anesthesia was performed after the anesthesia level reached T 6, and the method was similar to those previously described in group G. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was used after operation to maintain visual analog scale score ≤ 3 points.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at 10 min before anesthesia (T 0), at the end of operation, and at 1, 24 and 48 h after operation (T 1-4) for determination of plasma concentrations of HMGB1, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) levels of T lymphocyte subsets CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio (by flow cytometry). Results:Compared with group G, the plasma concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly decreased at T 2, 4, the plasma concentration of HMGB1 was decreased at T 2-4, and the levels of CD3 + at T 2-4, CD4 + at T 2 and CD8 + at T 2, 3 and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio were increased in group GE ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The plasma HMGB1 concentration is lower, which has less impact on immune function of the patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of cervical cancer with the combination of general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia than that with general anesthesia alone.

Evaluation of changes in anesthetic methods for cesarean delivery: an analysis for 5 years using the big data of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

BACKGROUND: As an anesthesia induced during cesarean section, spinal anesthesia is preferred over general and epidural anesthesia. This study aimed to review the trend of anesthetic methods for cesarean section based on data obtained from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2013 to 2018. METHODS: The anesthetic methods were analyzed in 753,285 parturients who underwent a cesarean section in Korea from 2013 to 2018. We determined the association between each anesthetic method and hospital type and maternal and fetal factors. We also evaluated whether the anesthetic method was associated with the parturients' length of hospital stay. RESULTS: General anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia were induced in 28.8%, 47.7%, and 23.6% of parturients from 2013 to 2018, respectively. Trend analyses showed that spinal anesthesia increased from 40.0% in 2013 to 53.7% in 2018. The opposite trend applied to general anesthesia, decreasing from 37.1% in 2013 to 22.2% in 2018. The factors that were significantly associated with the anesthetic method were parturient's parity, emergency condition, gestational age, and fetal weight. The type of hospital, parturient's age, and multiple birth were also associated with the anesthetic methods. There was a strong association between general anesthesia and hospital stay longer than 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia is currently the main anesthetic method used for cesarean delivery, and the rate of spinal anesthesia is gradually increasing in Korea.

Ultrasonography for lumbar neuraxial block.

Ultrasonography can be useful to perform a lumbar neuraxial block. It aids in understanding the anatomy of the lumbar spine before the procedure. Pre-procedural ultrasound imaging provides information about the accurate intervertebral level for puncture, optimal needle insertion point, and depth of needle advancement for a successful neuraxial block. The key ultrasonographic views for lumbar neuraxial block include the transverse midline interlaminar and parasagittal oblique views. Ultrasonography can facilitate lumbar neuraxial block in difficult cases, such as the elderly, obese patients, and patients with anatomical abnormality of the lumbar spine. This review elucidates the basics of spinal ultrasonography for lumbar neuraxial block and the current evidence regarding ultrasound-guided neuraxial block in adults.

Effect of continuous epidural anesthesia on labor analgesia and pregnancy outcome / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To observe the clinical effect of continuous epidural anesthesia on labor analgesia and its effect on pregnancy outcome.@*Methods@#From July 2017 to June 2018, 110 hospitalized women giving birth in the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Zhuji were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to the digital table, with 55 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional treatment.The observation group was treated with continuous epidural anesthesia for labor analgesia.The duration of labor, analgesic effect, delivery outcome, adverse reactions and neonatal status were compared between the two groups.@*Results@#The active time [(231.76±82.08)min], the second stage of labor [(63.94±22.56)min], and the total stage of labor [(309.42±120.15)min] in the observation group were all shorter than those in the control group[(275.62±85.31)min, (91.05±26.27)min, (380.84±121.63)min], and the differences were statistically significant(t=2.748, 5.806, 3.098, P=0.007, 0.001, 0.003). The analgesia satisfaction of the observation group was 100.00%(55/55), which was higher than 83.64%(46/55) of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=9.802, P=0.002). In the observation group, the amount of vaginal bleeding [(241.62±30.54)mL], analgesic effect time [(62.80±11.96)s] were better than those in the control group[(270.55±40.83)mL, (135.18±20.73)s], and the differences were statistically significant(t=4.208, 22.429, P=0.001, 0.001). The rate of natural birth in the observation group was 87.27%(48/55), which was higher than that in the control group[70.91%(39/55)], and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=4.453, P=0.035). The incidence of neonatal distress in the observation group was 1.82%(1/55), and the incidence of asphyxia was 3.64%(2/55), which were lower than those in the control group [12.73%(7/55), 16.36%(9/55)], the differences were statistically significant(χ2=4.853, 4.950, P=0.028, 0.026).@*Conclusion@#Continuous epidural anesthesia in parturient analgesia can shorten the labor process and achieve satisfactory analgesic effect, which is helpful to improve the outcome of labor and neonatal condition.