Auriculotherapy and acupuncture treatments for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a multicenter clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Nausea and vomiting complicating chemotherapy (CINV) remain side effects despite preventive and curative treatments. We hypothesize that acupuncture (ACU), auriculotherapy (AUR), and their combination (ACU-AUR), could decrease, compared to usual treatment (UT), the intensity of acute nausea in patients already treated according to the antiemetic guidelines and presenting nausea with or without vomiting in the earlier cycle. METHODS: In this multicenter study, patients were treated just before chemotherapy according to randomization. ACU consisted of implanting bilaterally on each forearm, one semi-permanent needle at point P6. AUR consisted of implanting bilaterally on each pavilion of the ear, one semi-permanent needle at point O. All patients received systematic preventive drug treatment according to antiemetic guidelines. Main outcome was intensity of nausea at 24 h after chemotherapy using a numeric scale ranging from 0 (no nausea) to 10 (maximum symptoms). RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups at inclusion. Intensity of nausea at 24 h after chemotherapy, was statistically different between the groups (covariance intergroup analysis, p = 0.005) and was significantly lower for the all-treatment groups vs UT group (p = 0.007 for AUR, p = 0.008 for ACU, and p = 0.0009 for AUR-ACU). AUR-ACU also decreased intensity of delayed nausea when compared to UT (p = 0.023). AUR, ACU and AUR-ACU had no effect on acute and delayed vomiting episodes. No serious adverse event due to the studied treatments was reported in our study. CONCLUSION: AUR or ACU reduce intensity of acute and delayed nausea in patients treated by optimal antiemetic treatment. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier NCT02767791, registered on May 10, 2016.

Relationship Between Preoperative Inflammation Ratios Derived From Preoperative Blood Cell Count and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Lobectomy: A Single-Center Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the association of inflammatory cell ratios, especially neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), based on preoperative complete blood counts, with postoperative complications in lobectomy surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective monocentric cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted at Foch University Hospital in Suresnes, France. PARTICIPANTS: Patients having undergone a scheduled lobectomy from January 2018 to September 2021. INTERVENTIONS: There were no interventions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors studied 208 consecutive patients. Preoperative NLR, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and aggregate inflammation systemic index were calculated. Median and (IQR) of NLR was 2.67 (1.92-3.69). No statistically significant association was observed between any index and the occurrence of at least one major postoperative complication, which occurred in 37% of the patients. Median postoperative length of stay was 7 (5-10) days. None of the ratios was associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS), defined as a LOS above the 75th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that simple available inflammatory ratios are not useful for the preoperative identification of patients at risk of postoperative major complications in elective lobectomy surgery.

Reversal of neuromuscular block with neostigmine and sugammadex: a retrospective cohort study in two centers using different types of neuromuscular monitoring.

This bicentric retrospective cohort study evaluates reversal of muscle relaxation in real life achieved either by neostigmine or sugammadex in two hospitals using different types of neuromuscular monitoring (acceleromyography and kinemyography). The research question concerns compliance with recommendations. Patients who underwent an abdominal surgery under general anesthesia in the period from January 2017 through December 2020 with a neuromuscular block with rocuronium were included in the study. Data were extracted from the Centricity anesthesia information management system. In total, 2242 patients were assessed: 459 in center 1 (61 having received neostigmine and 398 sugammadex) and 1783 in center 2 (531 and 1252, respectively). Patients' characteristics differed between centers, with more high-risk patients in center 1. The mean train-of-four (TOF) ratio after supramaximal current determination (supramaximal threshold) was higher in center 1 (p < 0.001). Most patients received neostigmine while the TOF ratio was < 40% (68.6% in center 1 and 62.4% in center 2), while extubation was performed while the TOF ratio was > 90% in 61.0% in center 1 and in 32.1% in center 2 (p < 0.001). Patients received sugammadex irrespective of the number of responses to TOF before reversal, and extubation was performed while the TOF ratio was > 90% in 85.0% in center 1 and in 53.6% in center 2 (p < 0.001). No side effect was encountered. Despite guidelines for the TOF ratio before extubation, recommendations were not adequately respected and more vigilance is mandatory. The TOF test before use gave values that were 100% far apart with an underestimation with acceleromyography and an overestimation using kinemyography.

Perioperative Outcomes During Double-Lung Transplantation and Retransplantation in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: A Monocentric Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Life expectancy for lung-transplant patients, especially those with cystic fibrosis (CF), is leading increasingly to more retransplantations. DESIGN: Retrospective monocentric cohort study. SETTING: Foch University Hospital, Suresnes, France. PARTICIPANTS: CF patients having had a primary double-lung transplantation (pLgTx) or a retransplantation (reLgTx) from 2012 to 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors compared the main intraoperative and early postoperative features between pLgTx (n = 258) and reLgTx (n = 24). Demographic characteristics were similar. No patients with retransplantations had a preoperative bridge with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); however, 23 patients had it in the pLgTx group (p = 0.24). Patients with retransplants had longer second graft ischemic time (p = 0.02), larger intraoperative bleeding volume (p = 0.001) and blood transfusion (p = 0.009 for packed red blood cells), increased blood lactate concentrations (p = 0.002), and higher norepinephrine dose at end-surgery (p = 0.001). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used during surgery in 94 patients in the pLgTx group and 12 patients in the reLgTx group (p = 0.39). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation could not be weaned after surgery in 55 patients in the pLgTx group and 4 in the reLgTx group (p = 0.54). Despite worse preoperative renal function in the reLgTx group (p < 0.001), there was no difference concerning renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit between groups (p = 0.08). There were no differences between groups concerning the main complications, including primary graft dysfunction. Although the difference was not statistically different (p = 0.17), mortality was 3 times higher in the reLgTx group. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative period of retransplantation was more convoluted but had a similar ECMO profile to primary transplantation. In addition, the early postoperative period was similar.

Chronic pain after posterolateral and axillary approaches to lung surgery: a monocentric observational study.

PURPOSE: Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) and chronic postsurgical neuropathic pain (CPNP) were evaluated 4 months after thoracic surgery whether the approach was a posterolateral (PL) incision or the less invasive axillary (AX) one. METHODS: Patients, 79 in each group, undergoing a thoracotomy between July 2014 and November 2015 were analyzed 4 months after surgery in this prospective monocentric cohort study. RESULTS: More PL patients suffered PTPS (60.8% vs. 40.5%; p = 0.017) but CPNP was equally present (45.8% and 46.9% in the PL and AX groups). Patients with PTPS have more limited daily activities (p < 0.001) but a similar psychological disability (i.e., catastrophism). Patients with CPNP have an even greater limitation of daily activities (p = 0.007) and more catastrophism (p = 0.0002). Intensity of pain during mobilization of the homolateral shoulder at postoperative day 6 (OR = 1.40, CI 95% [1.13-1.75], p = 0.002); age (OR = 0.97 [0.94-1.00], p = 0.022), and presence of pain before surgery (OR = 2.22 [1.00-4.92], p = 0.049) are related to the occurrence of PTPS; while, height of hypoesthesia area on the breast line measured 6 days after surgery is the only factor related to that of CPNP (OR = 1.14 [1.01-1.30], p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery was associated with less frequent PTPS, but with equal risk of CPNP. Pain before surgery and its postoperative intensity are associated with PTPS. This must lead to a more aggressive care of pain patients before surgery and of a better management of postoperative pain. CPNP can be forecasted according to the early postoperative height of hypoesthesia area on the breast line.

Prevalence, Characteristics and Preoperative Predictors of Chronic Pain After Double-Lung Transplantation: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Data on chronic pain after lung transplantation are heterogeneous. This study prospectively explored the prevalence, characteristics, consequences, and preoperative predictors of pain in lung transplant recipients. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: The Foch University Hospital, Suresnes, France. PARTICIPANTS: Patients registered on the waiting list for double-lung transplantation in the authors' institution from August 2008 to October 2013 and transplanted. INTERVENTIONS: Database prospectively completed in real time during consultations with a pain-certified anesthesiologist before lung transplantation and six months after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The assessments explored pain in three components: physical (intensity, location, neuropathic and sensory qualifications, treatments), mental (anxiety and depression), and quality of life. Seventy-two patients underwent all assessments. The prevalence of six-month postoperative pain was 68.0%. Among patients with pain, 83.3% reported mild average pain and 26.5% had neuropathic pain. All patients who responded to the questionnaire took analgesics frequently, but only 9.1% took opioids. Patients with pain reported higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.02) and depression (p = 0.01). Additionally, they presented with increased difficulty in ambulation (p = 0.03), work (p = 0.02), and sleep (p = 0.02). The maximum level of preoperative pain was an independent risk factor of six-month postoperative pain (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The authors report a high prevalence of chronic pain with concomitant psychosocial repercussions despite a reported mild intensity. Perioperative measures, such as personalized and detailed management plans, could improve patient satisfaction.

Feasibility and Usefulness of Self-Hypnosis in Patients Undergoing Double-Lung Transplantation During the Pre- and Postoperative Periods: A Randomized Study.

OBJECTIVE: Hypnosis can reduce pain and anxiety in surgical patients. This study aimed to demonstrate that implementing self-hypnosis in the setting of lung transplantation could improve patients' pain and quality of life. DESIGN: A randomized, single-center study. SETTING: Foch University Hospital, Suresnes, France. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were patients aged 15 years or older who needed a double-lung transplant. Patients were excluded if they participated in only 1 learning self-hypnosis session before transplantation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were included at the time of their final evaluation before inscription on the waiting list. They were taught self-hypnosis at this time and were asked to perform it by themselves before and after transplantation, as frequently as possible. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome of the study was self-reported pain 1 month after lung transplantation. Secondary outcomes were self-reported pain, anxiety, coping, catastrophism, and self-reported quality of life evaluated at their registration, 7 days and 1 and 4 months after the transplantation. Seventy-eight patients were included, but only 28 patients in the control group and 33 in the self-hypnosis group were evaluated at the fourth postoperative month. Practice of self-hypnosis was high before transplantation (76.6%), lower after, from 32.3% in the intensive care unit to 51.6% during the last 3 months of the study. Group-time interactions were not statistically significant whatever the concerned outcome, especially pain score at 1 month (p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: Implementation of self-hypnosis is possible, but the study failed to demonstrate an improvement in patients' experience, perhaps due to the variable compliance with the technique.

Blood Lactate During Double-Lung Transplantation: A Predictor of Grade-3 Primary Graft Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Many prognostic factors of grade-3 primary graft dysfunction at postoperative day 3 (PGD3-T72) have been reported, but intraoperative blood lactate level has not been studied. The present retrospective study was done to test the hypothesis that intraoperative blood lactate level (BLL) could be a predictor of PGD3-T72 after double-lung transplantation. DESIGN: Retrospective monocentric cohort study. SETTING: Foch University Hospital, Suresnes, France. PARTICIPANTS: Patients having received a double-lung transplantation between 2012 and 2019. Patients transplanted twice during the study period, having undergone a multiorgan transplantation, or cardiopulmonary bypass, and those under preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Analysis was performed on a cohort of 449 patients. Seventy-two (16%) patients had a PGD3-T72. Blood lactate level increased throughout surgery to reach a median value of 2.2 (1.6-3.2) mmol/L in the No-PGD3-T72 group and 3.4 (2.3-5.0) mmol/L in the PGD3-T72 group after second lung implantation. The best predictive model for PGD3-T72 was obtained adding a lactate threshold of 2.6 mmol/L at the end of surgery to the clinical model, and the area under the curve was 0.867, with a sensitivity = 76.9% and specificity = 85.4%. Repeated-measures mixed model of BLL during surgery remained significant after adjustment for covariates (F ratio= 4.22, p < 0.001 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS: Blood lactate level increases during surgery and reaches a maximum after the second lung implantation. A value below the threshold of 2.6 mmol/L at the end of surgery has a high negative predictive value for the occurrence of a grade-3 primary graft dysfunction at postoperative day 3.

Intraoperative Implications of the Recipients' Disease for Double-Lung Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare intraoperative patterns among patients based on their primary pulmonary disease (cystic fibrosis [CF], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]/emphysema [CE], and pulmonary fibrosis [PF]) during double- lung transplantation. The following 3 major outcomes were reported: blood transfusion, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) management, and the possibility of immediate extubation at the end of surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database, including donor and recipient characteristics and intraoperative variables. SETTING: Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France (academic center performing 60-80 lung transplantations per year). PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent double- lung transplantation from 2012-2019. Patients with retransplantation, multiorgan transplantation, or surgery performed with cardiopulmonary bypass were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred forty-six patients had CF, 117 had CE, and 66 had PF. No patient had primary pulmonary arterial hypertension. Blood transfusion was higher in the CF group than in the other 2 groups (red blood cells [p < 0.001], fresh frozen plasma [p = 0.004]). The CF and CE groups were characterized by a lower intraoperative requirement of ECMO (p = 0.002), and the PF group more frequently required postoperative ECMO (p < 0.001). CF and CE patients were more frequently extubated in the operating room than were PF patients (37.4%, 50.4%, and 13.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative outcomes differed depending on the initial pathology. Such differences should be taken into account in specific clinical studies and in intraoperative management protocols.

Bispectral Index During Maintenance of Total Intravenous Anesthesia: Frequency of Out of Recommended Range and Impact of Patients' Characteristics: A Brief Report.

Little is known about respecting the recommended range of bispectral index (BIS) in practice. This exploratory retrospective analysis of 138 robotic surgical patients having received total intravenous anesthesia shows that BIS was between 40 and 60 during 61.3% ± 25.2% (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) of maintenance, >60 during 3.1% ± 5.5%, and <40 during 35.7% ± 26.9%. Burst suppression was present during 17.8% ± 22.2%. Female sex is associated with increased periods of BIS <40 (P = .002) as is body mass index (BMI) <26 (P = .012). Increased age is associated with increase in burst suppression (P = .005). A larger study is required to confirm the role of patients' factors on the number of periods of low BIS.

Oral fluid intake during the first stage of labour: A randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric anaesthesia has been associated with concern for the inhalation of gastric contents for many years, justifying fasting during labour. However, many anaesthesiologists and obstetricians now allow fluid intake during labour. OBJECTIVE(S): We hypothesised that allowing oral fluid intake during labour is not associated with increased gastric contents. We used ultrasound assessment of gastric contents to evaluate this hypothesis. DESIGN: A randomised, single-blind and intention-to-treat noninferiority trial comparing antral area measured by ultrasound in fasting parturients and in those who were allowed to drink fluid for 90 min after randomisation. SETTING: Tenon University Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. PATIENTS: Pregnant women, aged from 18 to 40 years and from week 36 of an uncomplicated singleton gestation, were randomised into a fasting group and a fluid intake group after admission to the delivery room. Of the 184 patients screened, data from 125 were analysed: fasting group (62), fluid intake group (63). INTERVENTION: Women in the fluid intake group were allowed to drink up to 400 ml of apple juice for 90 min after randomisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We compared the percentage of women with an 'empty stomach' between the two groups: empty stomach was defined as an antral cross-sectional area (CSA) less than 300 mm assessed in a semirecumbent position with a 45-degree head-up tilt. RESULTS: At full cervical dilatation an antral CSA less than 300 mm was measured in 76 and 79% of the parturients in the fasting group and the fluid intake groups respectively (P = 0.633). CONCLUSION: The current study reveals that the percentage of pregnant women with an 'empty stomach', defined by an antral CSA less than 300 mm in a semirecumbent position with a 45-degree head-up tilt, was comparable at full cervical dilation among those who remained nil by mouth and those allowed to drink up to 400 ml for 90 min after their randomisation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02362815.

Behavior of a dual closed-loop controller of propofol and remifentanil guided by the bispectral index for postoperative sedation of adult cardiac surgery patients: a preliminary open study.

A dual-loop controller permits the automated titration of propofol and remifentanil during anesthesia; it has never been used in intensive care after cardiac surgery. The goal of this preliminary study was to determine the efficacy of this controller to provide postoperative sedation in 19 adult cardiac surgery patients with a Bispectral Index target of 50. Results are presented as numbers (percentages) or medians [25th-75th percentiles]. The sedation period lasted 139 min [89-205] during which the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale was at - 5 and the Behavioral Pain Scale score at three points for all patients and observation times but one (82 out of 83 assessments). Sedation time in the range 40-60 for the Bispectral Index was 87% [57-95]; one patient had a period of electrical silence defined as Suppression Ratio at least > 10% for more than 60 s. The time between the end of infusions and tracheal extubation was 84 min [63-129]. The Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale was 0 [0-0], 0 [- 1 to 0], and 0 [0-0] respectively during the 3 h following extubation while the verbal numerical pain scores were 6 [4.5-7], 5 [4-6], and 2 [0-5]. Mean arterial pressure decreased during sedation requiring therapeutic interventions, mainly vascular filling in 15 (79%) patients. Automated sedation device was discontinued in two patients for hemodynamic instability. No patient had awareness of the postoperative sedation period. Dual closed-loop can provide postoperative sedation after cardiac surgery but the choice of the depth of sedation should take into account the risk of hypotension.

Prognostic value of the PaO2 /FiO2 ratio determined at the end-surgery stage of a double-lung transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the prognostic role of the arterial oxygen partial pressure/fractional inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2 /FiO2 ratio) measured at the end of double-lung transplantation (DLT). METHODS: This was a monocentric cohort study of all consecutive DLT patients between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2016, except patients with preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative ECMO, large patent foramen ovale, redo transplantation during the study period, and multiorgan transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were included in the study; 45 had a PaO2 /FiO2 ratio <200, 39 a ratio in the range 200-300, and 80 a ratio >300. The risk of being in the lower ratio group is positively related to body mass index, preoperative pulmonary hypertension, and fibrosis. It is negatively related to emergency surgery, age, and intraoperative institution of ECMO. There was a trend for more grade 3 pulmonary graft dysfunction at day 3 in the worst PaO2 /FiO2 ratio group. Mortality at 1000 days was similar for all patients and even after exclusion of patients who had required intraoperative ECMO. CONCLUSION: PaO2 /FiO2 ratio measured at the end of DLT does not forecast 1000-day mortality.

Inhaled nitric oxide dependency at the end of double-lung transplantation: a boosted propensity score cohort analysis.

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is usually used during lung transplantation despite controversial postoperative benefits. Our group chose to administer iNO systematically during the procedure and stop at the end of surgery. This study aims to describe the features of patients who cannot be weaned from iNO, the reasons for this and its impact on postoperative outcomes. This is a monocentric cohort study comprised all consecutive patients who underwent double-lung transplantation (DLT) between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2016. The impact of iNO dependency on postoperative outcomes was estimated using a boosted inverse probability of treatment weighting estimator. A total of 9.8% of the 173 patients included in the study could not be weaned from iNO at end-surgery stage. Body mass index (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.14-3.29, P = 0.02) and intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.02-2.72, P = 0.04) were risk factors for iNO dependency In the weighted population, iNO dependency was associated with an increased prevalence of grade 3 primary graft dysfunction (adjusted RR = 4.20, 95% CI = 1.75-10.09, P < 0.001) and decreased postoperative survival during the first 1500 days of follow-up (adjusted HR = 5.0, 95% CI = 1.86-13.48, P < 0.001). Inhaled nitric oxide dependency is an early marker of a poor prognosis following DLT.

Does a hypnosis session reduce the required propofol dose during closed-loop anaesthesia induction?: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypnosis has a positive effect on peri-operative anxiety and pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a formal deep hypnosis session on the consumption of propofol for anaesthetic induction using automated administration of propofol guided by the bispectral index (BIS) in a closed loop. DESIGN: A 1 : 1 randomised, usual-care-controlled, single-centre trial. SETTING: Tertiary care centre in France from April 2014 to December 2015. PATIENTS: Female adult patients scheduled for outpatient gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia. INTERVENTION: Before surgery, patients were randomised to receive either a deep hypnosis session or routine care. Anaesthetic induction was performed automatically by propofol without opioids and was assisted by the BIS in a closed loop. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the propofol dose required for anaesthesia induction, defined as a BIS less than 60 for at least 30 s. RESULTS: Data for 31 patients in the hypnosis group and 35 in the control group were analysed. There was no evidence of a difference in the mean required propofol dose for anaesthetic induction between the hypnosis and the control groups (2.06 mg kg (95% confidence interval [1.68 to 2.43]) versus 1.79 mg kg (95% CI [1.54 to 2.03]), P = 0.25, respectively). CONCLUSION: The current study, which was designed to determine the effect of a deep hypnosis session on anaesthesia induction using an automated tool for propofol administration, failed to detect a difference in the required dose of propofol. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02249364.

Influence of Fraction of Inspired Oxygen on Noninvasive Hemoglobin Measurement: Parallel Assessment of 2 Monitors.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have brought specific attention to the relationship between oxygenation of the patient and the accuracy of noninvasive measurement of hemoglobin (Hb) using an optical sensor. This study aimed to assess prospectively the relationship between fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) and the bias of the measurement of Hb by the use of 2 different noninvasive monitors compared with the classic invasive technique. METHODS: Forty-four patients were included prospectively. In each individual, Hb level was determined noninvasively by monitor Pronto-7™ (Masimo Corporation, Irvine, CA) and by monitor NBM-200MP™ (OrSense Ltd, Petah-Tikva, Israel), with the probe placed on 2 fingers on the same hand of the patient. Three measures were performed, first under breathing air and 2 others when fraction of expired oxygen rose to 50% ± 5% and to 90 ± 5%. Simultaneously, a nurse collected a venous blood sample, which was sent immediately to the hematology laboratory for Hb measurement. The main outcome measurement was the mean bias between noninvasive and invasive measurements. RESULTS: Results show no change in median bias [interquartile range] with FIO2 for Pronto-7 (from 1.1 g/dL [0.0-2.0] in FIO2 21% to 1.0 g/dL [0.2-1.5] in FIO2 100%), but increasingly negative median bias with increasing FIO2 for NBM-200MP (from -0.3 g/dL [-1.3 to 0.3] in FIO2 21% to -0.8 g/dL [-1.5 to -0.1] in FIO2 100%, P = .04). DISCUSSION: This study showed that noninvasive measurement of Hb could be influenced by inspired fraction of oxygen when the monitor NBM-200MP is used.

Thoracic Epidural Analgesia With Levobupivacaine Reduces Remifentanil and Propofol Consumption Evaluated by Closed-Loop Titration Guided by the Bispectral Index: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) combined with general anesthesia decreases anesthetic requirements by half when hemodynamic criteria are used for the titration of analgesia. We therefore determined the impact of TEA on anesthetic requirements, when a closed-loop controller was used allowing the automated coadministration of propofol-remifentanil guided solely by the Bispectral index. METHODS: This single-center double-blind study enrolled patients scheduled for elective posterolateral thoracotomy using TEA. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a bolus followed by a continuous infusion of levobupivacaine 0.5% (levo group) or saline 0.9% solution (saline group). General anesthesia was performed by the same automated controller. Stroke volume optimization guided by an esophageal Doppler probe was performed before randomization. The primary outcome variable was the amount of remifentanil delivered by the automated controller between skin incision and closure. Major arterial hypotension was recorded. Data are presented as medians [interquartile range] or number (%) RESULTS:: Nineteen adult patients per group completed the study. At similar depth of anesthesia evaluated by the percentage of time with the Bispectral index in the range 40-60 (85 [77-88] vs 83 [72-87]; P = .39), patients with neuraxial block required less remifentanil (0.15 [0.10-0.20] vs 0.23 [0.14-0.25], µg·kg·min; P = .03) and propofol (4.3 [3.7-4.9] vs 5.7 [4.6-7.3] mg·kg·h; P = .005). Major arterial hypotension was similar in both groups (6 [32%] vs 5 [25%]; P = .46; levo versus saline group, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Epidurally administered levobupivacaine allowed a decrease by one-third of remifentanil requirement. After stroke volume optimization, major arterial hypotension was similar between groups.

Epidural Hematoma and Abscess Related to Thoracic Epidural Analgesia: A Single-Center Study of 2,907 Patients Who Underwent Lung Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report the major complications (epidural hematoma and abscess) of postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia in patients who underwent lung surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, monocentric study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All lung surgical patients who received postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia between November 2007 and November 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Thoracic epidural analgesia for patients who underwent lung surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the study period, data for 2,907 patients were recorded. The following 3 major complications were encountered: 1 case of epidural hematoma (0.34 case/1,000; 95% confidence interval 0.061-1.946), for which surgery was performed, and 2 cases of epidural abscesses (0.68 case/1,000; 95% confidence interval 0.189-2.505), which were treated medically. CONCLUSIONS: The risk range of serious complications was moderate; only the patient who experienced an epidural hematoma also experienced permanent sequelae.