Major pneumothorax during pediatric cardiac MRI procedure under general anesthesia: step-by-step analysis and importance of a well-known environment and material.

BACKGROUND: To perform step-by-step analysis of the different factors (material, anesthesia technique, human, and location) that led to major pneumothorax during an infrequent pediatric cardiac MRI and to prevent its occurrence in the future. Anesthesia equipment used in a remote location is often different than those in operating rooms. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ventilation devices and monitors must be compatible with the magnetic fields. During cardiac MRI numerous apneas are required and, visual contact with the patient is limited for clinical evaluation. Anesthesia-related barotrauma and pneumothorax are rare in children and the first symptoms can be masked. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old boy with atrial septal defect (ASD) and suspicious partial anomalous pulmonary venous return was anesthetized and intubated to perform a follow up with MRI. Sevoflurane maintenance and ventilation were performed using a circular CO2 absorber device, co-axial circuit, and 500 mL pediatric silicone balloon. Apneas were facilitated by Alfentanyl boluses and hyperventilation. A few moderated desaturations occurred during the imaging sequences without hemodynamic changes. At the end of the MRI, facial subcutaneous emphysema was observed by swollen eyelids and crackling snow neck palpation. A complete left pneumothorax was diagnosed by auscultation, sonography examination, and chest radiograph. Pneumo-mediastinum, -pericardium and -peritoneum were present. A chest drain was placed, and the child was extubated and transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Despite the anesthesiologist's belief that PEEP was minimal, critical analysis revealed that PEEP was maintained at a high level throughout anesthesia. After the initial barotrauma, repeated exposure to high pressure led to the diffusion of air from the pleura to subcutaneous tissues and mediastinal and peritoneal cavities. Equipment check revealed a functional circular circuit; however, the plastic adjustable pressure-limiting valve (APL) closed within the last 30° rotation. The balloon was found to be more rigid and demonstrated significantly reduced compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthetists require proficiency is using equipment in non-OR locations and this equipment must be properly maintained and checked for malfunctions. Controlling the human factor risks by implementing checklists, formations, and alarms allows us to reduce errors. The number of pediatric anesthesia performed routinely appeared to be essential for limiting risks and reporting our mistakes will be a benefit for all who care about patients.

Severe Hyperkalemia During a Robot-Assisted Total Radical Prostatectomy in a Patient with Stage 3a Chronic Kidney Disease: A Case Report.

A 63-year-old man with stage 3a chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mild hyperkalemia was scheduled for a robot-assisted prostatectomy. He was being treated with lisinopril. Owing to mild hyperkalemia (6.2 mmol/L), lisinopril was discontinued, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate was administered on the day before surgery. Three hours after incision, electrocardiographic signs of hyperkalemia manifested with the serum potassium concentration rising to 8 mmol/L. Although hyperkalemia is a common and well-documented side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with CKD, we report an extreme increase in potassium within a very short time period despite prior drug discontinuation.

Improved Accuracy and Sensitivity in Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer with Systematic and Combined Endobronchial and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EBUS-EUS): Experience from a Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Combined endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) are accurate procedures for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) in lung cancer. However, the respective contribution of separate and combined procedures in diagnosis and staging has not been fully studied. The aim of this study was to assess their respective performances. METHODS: Patients with suspected malignant MLNs in lung cancer or recurrence identified by PET-CT who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EUS-TA were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients underwent both procedures. Correct diagnosis was obtained in 82% with EBUS-TBNA, 91% with EUS-TA, and 94% with the combined procedure. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of EBUS-TBNA, EUS-TA, and the combined procedure for diagnosing malignancy were [75%, 100%, 100%, 58%], [87%, 100%, 100%, 75%], and [93%, 100%, 100%, 80%], respectively, with a significantly better sensitivity of the combined procedure (p < 0.0001). Staging (82/141 patients) was correctly assessed in 74% with EBUS-TBNA, 68% with EUS-TA, and 85% with the combined procedure. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of EBUS-TBNA, EUS-TA, and the combined procedure for lung cancer staging were [62%, 100%, 100%, 55%], [54%, 100%, 100%, 50%], and [79%, 100%, 100%, 68%], respectively, significantly better in terms of sensitivity for the combined procedure (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined EBUS-EUS approach in lung cancer patients showed better accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosis and staging when compared with EBUS-TBNA and EUS-TA alone.

Clonidine or remifentanil for adequate surgical conditions in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Deliberate hypotension is one way to achieve a bloodless surgical field in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We compared two anaesthesia regimens to induce deliberate hypotension and attempted to determine the most efficient one. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients undergoing ESS were minimized into two groups. In the CLO group, patients received I.V. sufentanil 0.15 µg/kg together with I.V. clonidine 2-3 µg/kg. In the REMI group, patients received remifentanil at a rate of up to 1 µg/kg/min. Fromme scores were collected 15 min after the incision and at the end of the procedure. Mean arterial pressure readings (MAP), heart rate readings, time to eyes opening, time to extubation, pain scores, analgesic requirements, and oxygen needs were collected and compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in Fromme scores between the two groups. The averaged MAP from 15 min to the end of the procedure was significantly lower in the REMI group; these patients also received more ephedrine. Significantly fewer patients in the CLO group needed oxygen therapy to keep their Pulse Oximeter Oxygen Saturation within 3% of their preoperative values. Patients in this group also needed less piritramide in the recovery room, and their pain scores were lower at discharge from the recovery room. DISCUSSION: Although both anaesthesia regimens offered a similar quality of surgical field, this study suggests that clonidine had a better average safety profile. Furthermore, patients who received this regimen required fewer painkillers immediately after surgery.

Unplanned intensive care unit admission after general anaesthesia in children: A single centre retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the main causes for unplanned admission of children to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) following anaesthesia in our centre. To compare the results with previous publications and propose a data sheet for the prospective collection of such information. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were any patient under 16 years who had an unplanned post-anaesthetic admission to the PICU from 1999 to 2010 in our university hospital. Age, ASA score, type of procedure, origin and causes of the incident(s) that prompted admission and time of the admission decision were recorded. RESULTS: Out of a total of 44,559 paediatric interventions performed under anaesthesia during the study period, 85 were followed with an unplanned admission to the PICU: 67% of patients were younger than 5 years old. Their ASA status distribution from I to IV was 13, 47, 39 and 1%, respectively. The cause of admission was anaesthetic, surgical or mixed in 50, 37 and 13% of cases, respectively. The main causes of anaesthesia-related admission were respiratory or airway management problems (44%) and cardiac catheterisation complications (29%). In 62%, the admission decision was taken in the operating room. CONCLUSION: Unplanned admission to the PICU after general anaesthesia is a rare event. In our series, most cases were less than 5 years old and were associated with at least one comorbidity. The main cause of admission was respiratory distress and the main type of procedure associated with admission was cardiac catheterisation.

Passing from open to robotic surgery for dismembered pyeloplasty: a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of symptomatic uretropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) has evolved towards minimal invasive endourologic and laparoscopic techniques. Robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty has achieved outcomes comparable to those corresponding to open and laparoscopic techniques. The objective of this work is to demonstrate that the transition between open to robotic surgeries is straightforward. We analysed retrospectively "our initial results" in robotic assisted UPJ reconstruction procedures. Technical and convalescence aspects for 17 reconstructive robotic procedures performed by 2 surgeons in a 5 years period have been evaluated. Success consisted of no postoperative symptoms, no evidence of obstruction on mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 diuretic renal scan or computed tomography (CT) and non-further treatment. STATISTICS: mean ± standard deviation, median and range. FINDINGS: From 17 patients who underwent Da Vinci Robot procedure, 15 followed the complete treatment (2 were converted to laparotomy). Two patients had post-operative urine leakage; the stent was changed under sedation without further sequelae. The mean operative time was 189 minutes. The average hospital stay was 4 days. The average follow-up was 25 months. There was only one patient with UPJ stenosis at 6 months and he was treated by balloon dilation. All patients were followed with MAG 3 lasix renal scan, CT or urography. Except the patient with recurrent stenosis, all patients were asymptomatic without objective evidence of obstruction at the present time. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic pyeloplasty technique is feasible and gives good results without previous laparoscopic experience.