Anesthetic Challenges Research Articles

Error traps in patients with congenital heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Patients with congenital heart disease are living longer due to improved medical and surgical care. Congenital heart disease encompasses a wide spectrum of defects with varying pathophysiology and unique anesthetic challenges. These patients often present for noncardiac surgery before or after surgical repair and are at increased risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality. Although there is no singular safe anesthetic technique, identifying potential error traps and tailoring perioperative management may help reduce morbidity and mortality. In this article, we discuss five error traps based on the collective experience of the authors. These error traps can occur when providing perioperative care to patients with congenital heart disease for noncardiac surgery and we present potential solutions to help avoid adverse outcomes.

Anesthetic Challenges in Laparoscopic Surgery for a Child with Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Anesthetic Challenges in Laparoscopic Surgery for a Child with Juvenile Dermatomyositis

A bite of death: Anaesthetic challenges in frostbite.

Frostbite is defined as tissue damage that is sustained as a result of prolonged exposures to less than 0°C resulting in ice crystallisation, microvascular occlusion and subsequently thrombosis. A 33-year-old mountaineer with cold burn over 20% of the total body surface area with eschar formation, acute renal failure, upper limb venous thrombosis and bilateral pleural effusion. We hereby report a successful anaesthetic management of this patient undergoing debridement and escharotomy for frostbite injuries and review its perioperative concerns. Frostbite injuries pose a challenge to the anaesthetic team due to the multi-systemic nature of its involvement.

Cardiac and Renal Transplantation in Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like Symptoms: Anesthetic Challenges and Considerations

Cardiac and Renal Transplantation in Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like Symptoms: Anesthetic Challenges and Considerations

Anesthesia Challenges in Cancer Patients

Anesthesia Challenges in Cancer Patients

Anesthetic challenges in pediatric robot-assisted surgeries

With the advent of minimally invasive surgeries, robot-assisted techniques have gained popularity because they overcome various shortcomings of standard laparoscopic surgeries. Despite the associated costs and limitations among the pediatric population, surgeon comfort due to the ergonomic design, in combination with enhanced three-dimensional high-fidelity imaging and tissue handling, may offer better surgical and postoperative outcomes. However, robotic surgeries require innovations with regard to patient positioning and the overall arrangement of operative equipment and personnel. Anesthesiologists should become well versed with these changes by learning the basic features of robotic surgical systems to offer appropriate anesthetic care and promote patient safety. In this original case report, we present a 3-year-old child posted for robot-assisted left heminephrectomy and excision of the lower megaureter. It provides instructive significance for anesthesia management, especially taking into account the age of the patient and associated concerns.

Impact of anesthesiologist experience on neuraxial anesthesia outcomes in cesarean sections.

Despite the requirement for meticulous management of cesarean anesthesia, no study has explored the impact of novice trainee anesthesiologists in this field. This study assessed challenges in neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean sections and compared outcomes between novice and senior anesthesiologists. We retrospectively analyzed 446 cesarean sections with neuraxial anesthesia. The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of anesthesiologists' experience on the time required to administer neuraxial anesthesia and whether maternal body mass index (BMI) influenced this relationship. Secondary objectives included examining maternal hemodynamic variability, operative details, and newborn outcomes relative to the anesthesiologist's experience. Novice anesthesiologists required a significantly longer time to perform neuraxial anesthesia (24.9 [7.1] min vs. 18.2 [7.0] min, P<0.001) than their senior counterparts. A significant interaction was observed between anesthesiologist experience and maternal BMI on the time to administer neuraxial anesthesia (P=0.017), with a moderate correlation between BMI and administration time for novices (r=0.50, P<0.001) and only a slight correlation for seniors (r=0.17, P=0.001). Experience level did not significantly affect intraoperative hemodynamics, Apgar scores, or umbilical cord blood gas analyses. The effect of maternal BMI on the difficulty of performing neuraxial anesthesia in parturients can be more pronounced for novice anesthesiologists than for experienced ones. Despite requiring more time to perform neuraxial anesthesia, novice anesthesiologists do not significantly affect maternal hemodynamics or newborn distress during obstetric anesthesia, provided that they are under the supervision of experienced anesthesiologists.

Clinical Implications of HELLP Syndrome in Anesthesia Management of Preeclamptic Pregnant Mothers: A Literature-Based Review

BACKGROUND:Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome is a serious life-threatening obstetric emergency accompanied with heterogeneous presentation and multisystem dysfunction. It increases the perils of fetal morbidity and mortality and requires complex clinical management during medical and surgical interventions. Hence, it remains a major challenge for anesthesia providers during perioperative management. The current study aimed to explore the main clinical implications of HELLP syndrome in anesthesia management of preeclamptic pregnant mothers who underwent cesarean section.METHODOLOGY:An exhaustive search of the literature was conducted on the available relevant databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Reviews, published from 1990 to 2023, using the terms HELLP syndrome, cesarean section, and anesthetic challenges/complications. All observational studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohorts, and nonrandomized studies on HELLP syndrome and anesthetic challenges during cesarean section reported in English were included. Nonpregnant mothers with HELLP syndrome and studies with no relevant reports or abstracts, case reports, or case studies were excluded.RESULTS:A systematic search of relevant databases identified 82 studies: 60 from PubMed, 18 from Google Scholar, and 4 from Cochrane Reviews. After removing duplicates, 48 studies were screened and recorded. Eighteen studies were assessed for eligibility after their titles and abstracts were reviewed. Twelve studies were excluded from the current study, as it did not fulfill the inclusion criteria. Finally, six studies, four retrospective studies, one prospective observational study, and one RCT, were included and reviewed.CONCLUSION:Perioperative anesthetic care in patients with HELLP syndrome remains a challenge. Hence, anesthetic techniques should be selected based on the severity of the condition, patient status, urgency surgery, fetal conditions, coagulation status, and safe platelet counts.

Does Use of GLP-1 Agonists Increase Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty?

Amidst the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity among individuals undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), the impact of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy on surgical outcomes merits thorough investigation. Though it is known that GLP-1 therapy poses an interesting challenge for anesthesia during the perioperative period, little is known regarding the effects of these medications on surgical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of GLP-1 on postoperative outcomes and length of stay (LOS) in T2DM patients undergoing TSA. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using a national database to identify primary TSA patients aged 18 and above with T2DM prescribed GLP-1 therapy at the time of surgery. Exclusion criteria included revision surgery, TSA for fracture, type 1 diabetes, steroid-induced diabetes, and contraindications for GLP-1 therapy. A control group of T2DM TSA patients not on GLP-1 therapy was used, and a 1:4 propensity-score match was performed. Incidence rates and odds ratios (OR) via multivariable logistic regression were calculated. The primary outcomes were 90-day major medical complications and LOS. Secondary outcomes included 2-year joint-related complications. In the 90-day follow-up cohort, 64,567 patients met inclusion criteria, with 8,481 (13.1%) on GLP-1 therapy. No significant increase in 90-day major complications, including DVT, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, hypoglycemic event, sepsis, or readmission, was found between GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 cohorts after multivariable logistic regression. In the 2-year follow-up cohort, 47,814 patients were included, with 5,969 (12.5%) on GLP-1 therapy. Similarly, 2-year joint-related complications, including all-cause revision, prosthetic joint infection, periprosthetic fracture, and aseptic revision, showed no significant differences between the GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 cohorts. No significant difference was observed in LOS in the 90-day cohort. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of GLP-1 therapy's impact on TSA outcomes, revealing no significant change in postoperative complications or LOS. The lack of increased postoperative risk underscores the potential of GLP-1 therapy in managing T2DM without adverse effects on TSA recovery. These insights contribute to understanding postoperative management in orthopedic surgery, indicating that we did not note any increased risk with GLP-1 use perioperatively in TSA patients, unlike in other populations like the TKA patients. Future research should focus on prospective analyses to further elucidate the role of GLP-1 therapy in surgical outcomes, aiming to enhance patient care and optimize postoperative strategies for T2DM patients undergoing TSA.

Anaesthetic challenges of carinal resection and reconstruction: A case report.

Carinal resection of tumour involving trachea and carina remains as a challenge for thoracic surgeons and anaesthesiologists. Resection is technically demanding and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this case report, we describe the successful management of carinal tumour with carinal resection in a 45-year-old female. The tumour was involving lowermost trachea, carina and bilateral primary bronchi causing 60% narrowing of the lower trachea just before carina, more than 90% narrowing of right main bronchus and 50% luminal narrowing of left main bronchus. Carinal resection and reconstruction were successfully performed under general anaesthesia. Patient was managed with conventional orotracheal intubation with Micro laryngeal endotracheal tube and positioned in left principal bronchus railroaded over a paediatric bronchoscope for lung isolation. After thoracotomy, the left main bronchus was intubated directly across the operative field with a sterile flexometallic endotracheal tube. With intermittent ventilation, anastomosis was completed. During anastomosis Micro laryngeal endotracheal tube cuff was damaged twice and we had to reintubate the patient twice in lateral position itself. At the end of anastomoses, flexometallic tube was removed and wound repaired. After confirming no leakage at anastomotic site, Micro laryngeal endotracheal tube was removed and Laryngeal Mask Airway was inserted and bronchial toileting done with adult bronchoscope. Meticulous planning and communication between the anaesthesia and surgical teams are mandatory for the safe and successful anaesthetic management of carinal resection surgeries.

Anaesthetic management in neonate with rare finding of absent ribs as a part of Jacho Levin syndrome posted for thoracolumbar meningomyelocele repair: A case report

The congenital absence of ribs is a very rare finding. It can manifest as a standalone anomaly or as part of the syndrome. We came across a case in which the absence of ribs was associated with a neural tube defect. These findings were in favor of Jarcho Levin syndrome. Jarcho Levin syndrome, also known as spondylocostal dysostosis, is an uncommon genetic disorder with a global incidence of 1/40000 births. Very few case reports of it are in the Indian literature. It is characterized by vertebral malformations and the congenital absence of ribs, resulting in a crab-like appearance in the chest. It is linked to a wide range of non-skeletal abnormalities, including hydrocephalus, neural tube defects, tracheal anomalies, and abnormalities in the cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems. The preoperative evaluation should be thoroughly done with a detailed systemic examination for the multisystem affliction of this syndrome. The anesthetic challenges in neonates with Jarcho Levin syndrome includes challenging airways due to defects in skeletal growth and hydrocephalus, proper positioning to avoid sac rupture, prone position ventilation, temperature control and fluid management. The prone position ventilation can be complicated by the absence of ribs and decreased respiratory reserve due to associated scoliosis and kyphosis. This case report highlights the anesthetic management of a three-day-old neonate with Jarcho Levin syndrome posted for thoracolumbar meningomyelocele repair.

Predictors of paediatric difficult intubation according to the experience of a university hospital in a low- and middle-income country: A prospective observational study.

Difficult airway management is one of the main challenges in paediatric anaesthesia, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the main predictors of difficult paediatric intubation. In this observational study, we included all children aged less than five years undergoing intra-abdominal surgery with endotracheal intubation. Patients were divided into two groups according to the incidence of difficult intubation. Then, we investigated predictors for difficult paediatric intubation. We included 217 children, and difficult intubation was observed in 10% of them. Predictors were as follows: Mallampati III-IV class (adjusted odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-6.4), limited mouth opening (adjusted odds ratio = 2.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.8-3.5), facial dysmorphia (adjusted odds ratio = 2.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.32-7.4) and anaesthesia without muscle relaxant (adjusted odds ratio = 1.8; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-5.1) or without opioids during crash inductions (adjusted odds ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-4.8). Facial dysmorphia and limited mouth opening were predictors of difficult intubation in children. Furthermore, it seems that Mallampati class and anaesthesia technique may also predict challenging intubation, which may guide us to change our perioperative practice.

Anesthetic Challenges in Hirayama Disease Patients Undergoing Cervical Spine Surgery—A Case Series

Anesthetic Challenges in Hirayama Disease Patients Undergoing Cervical Spine Surgery—A Case Series

Navigating challenges in anesthesia for robotic urological surgery: a comprehensive guide.

Robotic surgery has emerged as a cornerstone in urological interventions, offering effectiveness and safety for patients. For anesthesiologists, this technological advancement presents a myriad of new challenges, spanning from patient selection and assessment to intraoperative dynamics and post-surgical pain management. This article aims to elucidate these challenges and provide guidance for anesthesiologists in navigating the complexities of anesthesia administration in robotic urological procedures. Through a detailed exploration of patient optimization, team coordination, intraoperative adjustments, and post-surgical care, this article serves as a valuable resource for ensuring the success of such interventions.

Anaesthetic Challenge in a Child with Hurler&amp;rsquo;s Syndrome: Encouraging Experience with Neuraxial Blockade

Mucopolysaccharidoses are uncommon genetic diseases with multisystem involvement. The potential for airway difficulties and varying success rate of neuraxial blockade demands considerable expertise in the anesthetic management in these patients. Airway management has evolved significantly in such syndromic patients with the increasing use of video laryngoscopes and Supraglottic airway devices. However, airway catastrophes are not uncommon. This calls for better utilization of neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks along with the use of newer agents for sedation having a favorable pharmacological profile. Here, we present a case of child having Hurler disease with an inguinal hernia successfully operated under subarachnoid blockade.

A child with congenital hypothyroidism posted for emergency surgery- anaesthesia challenges

Paediatric cases pose considerable anaesthetic challenges and are more challenging if they are posted for emergency surgeries with associated comorbidities like congenital hypothyroidism. Few reported cases of anaesthesia management of congenital hypothyroid cases are there in the literature. Challenges are due to the difficult airway, associated congenital anomalies and increased sensitivity to anaesthetic drugs. Knowledge of pathophysiology, preoperative optimization and proper selection and planning of anaesthesia techniques are essential for successful anaesthesia management of children with congenital hypothyroidism for emergency surgeries. Congenital hypothyroidism in a child poses significant challenges for anaesthesiologists because of altered physiology, airway anatomy and difficult airway and drug metabolism.

Regional Anaesthesia with Non Invasive Ventilation and Conscious Sedation: An Alternative to General Anaesthesia in Morbidly Obese Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is a syndrome characterized by obstruction in the upper airway during sleep. OSA patients undergoing procedures under GA are at increased risk for hypoxemia, pneumonia, difficult intubation, atelactasis, myocardial infarction making it a challenge for anesthesiologist. Retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS) is normally performed under GA to prevent respiratory embaracement. There are very few studies focusing on Regional anesthesia in RIRS procedure. A Sixty-three-year-old male known case of morbid obesity (BMI- 35 kg/meter square), OSA (on CPAP support at night) presented with left renal pelvis calculus, STOP BANG score (=5) therefore making it a case of difficult airway. Respiratory discomfort improved at 30-35-degree head up due to existing OSA considering the severe OSA and anticipated difficult airway, the surgery was planned under Lumbar subarachnoid block with preparation for management of difficult airway if conversion to GA required. 3 ml of 0.5 percent Bupivacaine heavy and 25 mcg fentanyl injected into subarachnoid space. T6 level block acheived after 3 minutes. The patient was put on his home CPAP machine with 5cm H2O PEEP. The patient was maintained on sponatneous ventilation and monitored using Etco2 at aliquot of 1mg midazolam given to mimic natural sleep pattern. The surgery was uneventful and the risk of induction of GA and difficult intubation was succesfully avoided. Patient with regional anaesthesia who are prone to converted to GA due to multiple risk factors, i.e., OSA with anticipated difficult airway can create a chaotic situation. So as a preliminary step NIV can be used, and along with it, mild sedation can be supplemented to improve acceptance and to avoid asynchrony. In this case NIV was used as a preemptive ventilation strategy even before actual requirement of BiPAP by mimicing the natural sleep pattern and make patient comfortable while a smooth conductance of the procedure.

Anaesthetic challenges in a rare case of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus extension into right atrium under cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Renal cell carcinoma, an epithelial tumour of the kidney, is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. It is uniquely associated with tumour thrombi extending into the renal vein and inferior vena cava, while rarely extending till the right atrium. This poses challenges in intra-operative and post-operative hemodynamic management as well as perioperative cardio and neuroprotection making it a challenging case from anaesthetic point of view. We report a rare case of Right renal cell carcinoma with thrombus extension into right renal vein, inferior vena cava and right atrium. Right radical nephrectomy with en-bloc tumor-thrombus excision under cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was performed. The case was suspected to have a difficult intraoperative and postoperative course with major hemodynamic instability, neuroprotection, and cardioprotection in mind, and was managed appropriately.

Children's surgery and the emergency, critical, and operative care resolution: Immediate actions to eliminate disparities in surgery, anesthesia, and perioperative care for all children.

Around 1.7 billion children lack access to surgical care worldwide. To reinvigorate the efforts to address these disparities and support work to address global challenges in surgery, anesthesia, emergency, and critical care, the World Health Assembly passed World Health Organization Resolution World Health Assembly 76.2: Integrated emergency, critical and operative care for universal health coverage and protection from health emergencies (ECO) in 2023. This resolution highlights the integral role of surgery, anesthesia, and perioperative care in health systems. However, understanding how best to operationalize this resolution is challenging. We review the ECO resolution and highlight points that the pediatric surgical and anesthesia community can leverage to advocate for its recommendations for operative care.

Anaesthesia management of interventional cardiac catheterisation for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and critical pulmonary stenosis: a retrospective analysis.

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and critical pulmonary stenosis usually have to undergo treatment in the neonatal period. Compared to traditional surgical intervention, catheter-based cardiac interventions may achieve similar or superior outcomes for neonates with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and critical pulmonary stenosis. However, there is limited literature on anaesthesia techniques, challenges, and risks associated with cardiac catheterisation in this population. This article retrospectively analysed the clinical data of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and critical pulmonary stenosis neonates who were treated with interventional cardiac catheterisation in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2022. Clinical outcomes considered were haemodynamic or pulse oxygen saturation instability, vasoactive requirements, prolonged intubation (>24 h postoperatively), and cardiovascular adverse events. A total of 63 patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients survived the intervention. Among the patients with critical pulmonary stenosis, 40 successfully received percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, while three patients received ductal stenting due to moderate right ventricular dysplasia at the same time. For patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, 17 of the 23 patients successfully underwent percutaneous pulmonary valve perforation and percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Of these, five patients underwent ductal stenting due to unstable pulmonary blood flow. Three patients only underwent ductal stenting. In addition, three patients received hybrid therapy. There are various clinical techniques and risk challenges in the interventional cardiac catheterisation of neonatal pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and critical pulmonary stenosis. However, by mastering the physiological and pathophysiological characteristics of the disease, adequately preparing for the perioperative period, and predicting the procedure process and potential complications, anaesthesia and surgical risks can be effectively managed.