Audit of Preoperative Fasting for Elective General Surgeries in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Despite overwhelming evidence in favour of a relaxed fasting protocol, the traditional practice of keeping patients nil per oral from midnight before the day of surgery for all elective operations still appears to hold sway in many practices. METHODS: A prospective study to evaluate the pattern of preoperative fasting among patients undergoing elective general surgical operations in the Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, was conducted between June and December 2020. Data obtained was analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 24, and presented as descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: The mean prescribed fasting duration was 11.2 ± 2.4 hours. The mean actual fasting duration of 17.6 ± 13.1 hours was significantly longer than the mean prescribed fasting duration (p= <0.001). Eighty-nine percent of patients fasted for >12 hours before their surgical operations. Bowel surgeries had the longest actual fasting duration of 34.9 ± 27.5 hours, while ventral hernia repairs and superficial mass excisions had the shortest duration of 13.5 ± 0.7 hours. Surgeries performed after noon had the longest actual fasting duration compared to those performed before noon (21.5 ± 18.7 hours vs. 15.6 ± 8.6 hours). Ninety percent of respondents reported hunger score of>4 while fasting. CONCLUSION: Preoperative fasting duration in our surgical unit remains long and conventional. The potential implications of this practice on patients' physiological status and surgical outcomes are strong enough to motivate a change.

CONTEXTE: Malgré les preuves accablantes en faveur d'un protocole de jeûne assoupli, la pratique traditionnelle consistant à maintenir les patients à jeun par voie orale à partir de minuit avant le jour de l'intervention chirurgicale pour toutes les opérations non urgentes semble toujours avoir cours dans de nombreux cabinets. MÉTHODES: Une étude prospective visant à évaluer le modèle de jeûne préopératoire chez les patients subissant des opérations chirurgicales générales non urgentes dans le département de chirurgie, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, a été menée entre juin et décembre 2020. Les données obtenues ont été analysées à l'aide du logiciel IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 24, et présentées sous forme de statistiques descriptives sous forme de fréquences et de pourcentages. RÉSULTATS: La durée moyenne de jeûne prescrite était de 11,2 ± 2,4 heures. La durée moyenne du jeûne effectif de 17,6 ± 13,1 heures était significativement plus longue que la durée moyenne du jeûne prescrit (p= <0,001). Quatre-vingt-neuf pour cent des patients sont restés à jeun pendant plus de 12 heures avant leur intervention chirurgicale. Les opérations de l'intestin ont eu la durée de jeûne réelle la plus longue, soit 34,9 ± 27,5 heures, tandis que les réparations de hernies ventrales et les excisions de masses superficielles ont eu la durée la plus courte, soit 13,5 ± 0,7 heures. Les interventions chirurgicales réalisées après midi ont eu la durée de jeûne réelle la plus longue par rapport à celles réalisées avant midi (21,5 ± 18,7 heures contre 15,6 ± 8,6 heures). Quatre-vingt-dix pour cent des personnes interrogées ont signalé une sensation de faim >4 pendant le jeûne. CONCLUSION: La durée du jeûne préopératoire dans notre unité chirurgicale reste longue et conventionnelle. Les implications potentielles de cette pratique sur l'état physiologique des patients et les résultats chirurgicaux sont suffisamment fortes pour motiver un changement. Mots-clés: American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA), Score de faim, Nil Per Oral (NPO), Jeûne de nuit, Jeûne prolongé, Protocole de jeûne traditionnel.

Predictive ability of the American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status classification system on health-related quality of life of patients after total hip replacement: comparisons across eight EQ-5D-3L value sets.

BACKGROUND: American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system and its association with postoperative outcomes has been studied in different diseases. However, there is a paucity of studies on the relationship between ASA class and postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes following total hip replacement (THR). The aim of this study was to assess the discriminative abilities of EQ-5D-3L value sets from Sweden, Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom in relation to ASA classes and these value sets' abilities to show the predictive performance of ASA classes on HRQoL among THR patients in Sweden. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted using data of patients in the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register who underwent THR between 2008 and 2016. We included 69,290 pre- and 1-year postoperative records and 21,305 6-year postoperative records. The study examined three experience-based EQ-5D-3L value sets (the Swedish VAS and TTO and the German VAS) and five hypothetical value sets (TTO from Germany and VAS and TTO value sets from Denmark and the UK each). Using linear models, the abilities of the value sets to discriminate among ASA classes and to show the predictive performance of ASA classes on HRQoL score were assessed. RESULTS: All value sets differentiated among ASA classes and showed the predictive effect of ASA classes on HRQoL. ASA classes were found to predict HRQoL consistently for all value sets investigated, with small variations in prediction error among the models. CONCLUSION: ASA classes of patients undergoing THR predicted HRQoL scores significantly and consistently, indicating their importance in tailoring care for patients.

Routine Pre-operative Laboratory Evaluation: Our Experience at an Obstetric and Gynaecological Pre-anaesthetic Check-Up Clinic.

Introduction Laboratory testing is done before surgery to identify body abnormalities that cannot be detected through clinical evaluation alone. Patients going in for low- or intermediate-risk surgeries are often encouraged to undergo a battery of tests as usual. This cross-sectional observational study evaluated the status of routine pre-operative laboratory tests in American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I, II, and III adults undergoing elective surgery at a maternity hospital, as well as the impact of these tests on the outcome of the pre-anaesthetic check-up (PAC). Methods The present observational study was conducted on 500 patients scheduled for elective surgery under anaesthesia. The procedures included routine gynaecological and obstetric surgeries like abdominal hysterectomy, suction evacuation, laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy, diagnostic biopsy, and lower segment caesarean section, among others. A designated anaesthesiologist gathered information from the completed PAC sheets. As per the standard departmental policy, each patient underwent a clinical examination and routine investigations at the PAC clinic. In addition to demographic and other variables, laboratory test results and any peri-operative interventions performed due to abnormalities were assessed. Investigations already done, asked by anaesthesiologists, and referral services sought were noted. The impact of these investigations on anaesthetic decision-making was noted. Data were expressed in frequencies and percentages and statistically analysed using INSTAT software (GraphPad Prism Software Inc., La Zolla, USA). Results The age and weight of the patients range from 20 to 70 years and 55 to 95 kg. Most patients belonged to ASA Grade II (n=348, 69.6%). Hypothyroidism was the most common abnormal finding (n=122, 22.4%). Anaemia, hypertension, and diabetes were detected in n=8 (1.6%), n=82 (16.4%), and n=34 (6.8%) of patients, respectively. In 488 (97.6%) patients, one or more of the investigations from the list were pending. Based on the results of various preoperative laboratory investigations, 87 (17.4%) patients were advised of multiple specialty opinions before surgery. A total of 453 (90.6%) patients attending the clinic were recommended to review their PACs after their pending investigations and specialist consultations were completed. At the same time, n=41 (8.2%) was found to be fit for surgery, and n=6 (1.2%) was found unfit for surgery and was postponed. Conclusions The incidence of tests with abnormal results was a little high in our study. One reason could be that a particular group of patients is included in the study. Preoperative laboratory investigations substantially increase the costs. Not many patients with abnormal tests may require changes in their peri-anaesthetic management. Nonetheless, laboratory tests can help ensure the patient is in an ideal preoperative condition. Pre-operative laboratory investigations should be advised on a case-by-case basis to avoid inconveniencing the patient, delaying the surgical procedure, and driving up the cost of surgical treatment.

Non-surgical patient characteristics best predict outcome after 6 months in patients surgically treated for chronic subdural haematoma.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common conditions encountered in neurosurgical practice. After surgery, the patients often improve dramatically; but their long-term outcome is more uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of outcome 6 months after surgery. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected on patients in Orebro County, Sweden, who had undergone surgery for CSDH at the Orebro University Hospital between 2013 and 2019. The outcomes were defined as favourable or unfavourable in terms of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). A favourable outcome was defined as either mRS 0-2 or an unchanged mRS score in patients scoring 3-5 before surgery. From the variables in the data collected, a multiple logistic regression model was constructed. RESULTS: The study comprised 180 patients, of whom 134 (74.4%) were male. Median age was 79.2 years (IQR 71.7-85.5), and 129 (71.7%) patients had a favourable outcome at 6 months. In the group with an unfavourable outcome, 18 (10%) had died and 33 (18.3%) had either lost their independence in daily living or become somewhat less independent. The final multiple logistic regression model consisted of pre-surgery variables only: age (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.97), CRP (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99), GCS > 13 (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.09-12.3), Hb (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), and ASA score < 3 (OR 2.58, 95% CI 0.98-6.79). The whole model had an AUC of 0.88. CONCLUSION: CSDH requiring surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality at 6 months after surgery. Age, CRP, GCS, Hb and ASA score on admission for surgery are the variables that best predicts outcome. This knowledge can help to identify the patients at greatest risk for an unfavourable outcome, who may need additional support from the health care system. UNSTRUCTURED ABSTRACT: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common conditions encountered in neurosurgical practice. After surgery, the patients often improve dramatically; but their long-term outcome is more uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of outcome, in terms of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), 6 months after surgery. The study comprised 180 patients, of whom 134 (74.4%) were male. Median age was 79.2 years (IQR 71.7-85.5), and 129 (71.7%) patients had a favourable outcome at 6 months. In the group with an unfavourable outcome, 18 (10%) had died and 33 (18.3%) had either lost their independence in daily living or become somewhat less independent. The final multiple logistic regression model consisted of pre-surgery variables only: age (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.97), CRP (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99), GCS > 13 (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.09-12.3), Hb (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), and ASA score < 3 (OR 2.58, 95% CI 0.98-6.79). The whole model had an AUC of 0.88. In conclusion, CSDH requiring surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality at 6 months after surgery. Age, CRP, GCS, Hb and ASA score on admission for surgery are the variables that best predicts outcome. This knowledge can help to identify the patients at greatest risk for an unfavourable outcome, who may need additional support from the health care system.