Early Postoperative Extubation Research Articles

Minimally invasive technique facilitates early extubation after cardiac surgery: a single-center retrospective study

BackgroundPostoperative time to extubation plays a role in prognosis after heart valve surgery; however, its exact impact has not been clarified. This study compared the postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive surgery and conventional sternotomy, focusing on early extubation and factors influencing prolonged mechanical ventilation.MethodsData from 744 patients who underwent heart valve surgery at the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital between August 2019 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The outcomes in patients who underwent conventional median sternotomy (MS) and minimally invasive (MI) video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and Kaplan–Meier curves. Clinical data, including surgical data, postoperative cardiac function, postoperative complications, and intensive care monitoring data, were analyzed.ResultsAfter propensity score matching and IPTW, 196 cases of conventional MS were compared with 196 cases of MI video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Compared to patients in the conventional MS group, those in the MI video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group in the matched cohort had a higher early postoperative extubation rate (P < 0.01), reduced incidence of postoperative pleural effusion (P < 0.05), significantly shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit (P < 0.01), shorter overall length of hospital stay (P < 0.01), and lower total cost of hospitalization (P < 0.01).ConclusionsSuccessful early tracheal extubation is important for the intensive care management of patients after heart valve surgery. The advantages of MI video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery over conventional MS include significant reductions in the duration of use of mechanical ventilation support, reduced length of intensive care unit stay, reduced total length of hospitalization, and a favorable patient recovery rate.

Evaluation of the effect of different block techniques on open-heart surgery in the postoperative period: a prospective observational study.

Open-heart surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain. Adequate analgesia after open-heart surgery improves patients' early postoperative recovery, extubation, ambulation and early discharge from hospital. Regional anaesthesia techniques are the new hope for adequate postoperative analgesia after cardiac surgery and are widely used for early pain management in the first six hours. A total of 100 patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification I-III, aged 18 years and over, undergoing open-heart surgery with sternotomy for coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement under general anaesthesia, were included in this study. For postoperative analgesia, 50 patients with pectoral nerve (PECS II) block and 50 with parasternal (PS) block were consecutively enrolled in one of the groups at the end of the surgery and compared in terms of sedation scores, ventilation duration, pain scores at rest after extubation, block duration, total morphine consumption and complications. The block duration in the PS group was statistically significantly higher than in the PECS II group (p = 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). The visual analogue scale scores at rest in the fourth and sixth hours were statistically significantly higher in the PECS II group than in the PS group ( p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.01). Cumulative morphine consumption in the PECS II group was statistically significantly higher than in the PS group in the fourth, sixth, 12th and 24th hours ( p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). PS block provided longer block duration with lower postoperative pain and sedation scores than the PECS II block, with lower cumulative morphine consumption.

Early Postoperative Extubation is Associated with Shorter Hospitalization and Improved Short-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is associated with significant operative time, hospital resources, and morbidity. We examine factors associated with hospital length of stay (LOS) and early overall survival (OS) after CRS/HIPEC. Patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC were evaluated for factors associated with LOS. Institutional learning curve influence was addressed by comparing early vs late cohorts. Variables with P < .200 after univariate analysis were considered for inclusion in multivariate linear regression modeling. Independent factors associated with OS were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Seventy patients underwent CRS/HIPEC (mean age 52.3years, 64.3% female, and 68.6% Caucasian). Presence of any surgical complication was found in 26 (37.1%), 28 (40%) remained intubated postoperatively, and the mean Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) score was 14.4 (10.4). Mean intensive care unit and hospital LOS were 2.9days (2.3) and 9.6days (3.6), respectively. After adjusting for covariates, only shorter time to postoperative ambulation (regression coefficient .92, P = .001) and early extubation (regression coefficient -1.90, P = .018) were associated with decreased hospital LOS on multivariate analysis. Immediate postoperative extubation conferred an independent early survival benefit on Kaplan-Meier analysis (mean OS 714.8 vs 473.4days, P = .010). There was no difference in hospital LOS or OS between early and late cohorts. Early postoperative extubation and shorter time to ambulation are associated with decreased hospital LOS. Moreover, CRS/HIPEC patients extubated immediately postoperatively have an early survival benefit. Every effort should be made to achieve early postoperative extubation and mobilization in CRS/HIPEC patients.

Fast-Tracking in Lung Transplantation: OR-Extubation

<h3>Purpose</h3> Fast-tracking in cardiac-thoracic surgery is highly challenging. It requires multimodal and transdisciplinary collaboration. Early postoperative extubation in the operating room (OR) is an aspect of this strategy1. The objective of the present study was to report our whole experience of immediate end-surgery extubation after lung transplantation. <h3>Methods</h3> The Ethical Board of the French Society for Anesthesia and Intensive Care approved this analysis of the prospectively Lung Transplant database. All consecutive patients undergoing double-lung transplantation from January 2012 to December 2018 were analyzed, except repeated transplantation during the study period, and transplantation under cardiopulmonary bypass. The cardio-respiratory weaning protocol has been previously published2 (Figure). The aims of the study were: to identify factors predicting immediate extubation, and to compare outcome among patients. <h3>Results</h3> Among the 410 patients included, 142 (34.6%) were extubated in the OR. Predictive factors for OR extubation are reported in Table 1. Postoperative outcomes are summarized in Table 2. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Immediate extubation via a fast-tracking protocol is feasible after lung transplantation. It forecasts a positive outcome. It requires transdisciplinary collaboration.

Reimbursement After Congenital Heart Surgery in Germany: Impact of Early Postoperative Extubation.

Duration of mechanical ventilation is an important variable used by German Diagnosis-Related Groups (G-DRG) system to establish cost weight values for reimbursement after congenital heart surgery. Infants are commonly ventilated after open heart surgery. As of year 2015, we strived to achieve early postoperative extubation. This work studies how this approach impacted reimbursement after infant open heart surgery. Data of infants who underwent surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from 2014 to 2018 were reviewed. Successful early extubation was defined as end of mechanical ventilation within 24 hours postoperatively, without reintubation at a later point. Mean cost weight values (case mix index [CMI]) of achieved DRGs were used for estimation of reimbursement. Evolutions over years of early extubation and of reimbursement were compared. A total of 521 infants underwent operations on CPB. Of these, 161 (31%) procedures were of higher risk Society of Thoracic Surgery and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) categories 3 and 4. Early extubation was achieved in 205 (39%) patients. The rate increased from 14% (year 2014) to 57% (year 2018). Case mix index amounted to 8.87 ± 7.00 after early extubation, and 12.37 ± 7.85 after late extubation: P value <.0001. It was 8.77 ± 6.09 after early extubation in patients undergoing lower risk STAT categories 1 and 2 operations, and 8.09 ± 2.95 when categories 3 and 4 procedures were performed (P = .18). An overall 14.4% decrease in hospital reimbursement per patient was observed. Early extubation could be progressively obtained in the majority of infants. This resulted in lower reimbursement. Surgical complexity was disregarded. The current G-DRG system appears to favor longer mechanical ventilation durations after infant open heart surgery.

Fast-Tracking in Lung Transplantation

Fast-tracking in cardiothoracic surgery is highly challenging. Early postoperative extubation an aspect of this strategy. The objective of the present study was to report our whole experience of immediate end-surgery extubation (OR extubation) after lung transplantation. This retrospective study was apporved by the Ethical Board of the French Society for Anesthesia and Intensive Care. All consecutive patients undergoing double-lung transplantation from 2012 to 2018 were analyzed, except repeated transplantation during the study period, and transplantation under cardiopulmonary bypass. The strategy is possible due to short acting drugs and a strict cardio-respiratory weaning protocol based on inhaled nitric oxyde and ECMO removale at end-surgery when is possible (see Figure). The aims of the study were: to identify predictive factors of immediate extubation, and to compare outcome among patients. Among the 410 patients included, 142 (34.6%) were extubated in the OR. Predictive factors for OR extubation are reported in Table 1. Postoperative outcomes are summarized in Table 2. Immediate extubation via a fast-tracking protocol is feasible in one third of patients after lung transplantation. It requires transdisciplinary collaboration. It forecasts a positive outcome.

Ventilation after pancreaticoduodenectomy increases perioperative mortality: Identification of risk factors and their relevance in Germany that do not apply in England

BackgroundPre-operative risk factors for post-operative ventilation and their influence on survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignancy are unknown. MethodsTotally 391 patients operated in Hannover, Germany were investigated with multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression modeling to identify independent risk factors for post-operative ventilation ≥6 h, patient survival and 90-day mortality. And 84 patients operated in Birmingham, United Kingdom were analyzed to assess the external relevance of findings. ResultsLonger operations, history of thrombosis, intra-operative blood transfusion, lower estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) and higher values of the age at operation divided by the Horovitz Quotient independently increased the risk of post-operative ventilation ≥ 6 h in German patients (n = 108; 27.6%) (P<0.050). Blood transfusion and lower pre-operative eGFR levels increased the risk of early death in German patients significantly and independently of established prognostic factors. A history of thrombosis and lower eGFR levels were also independent significant risk factors for 90-day mortality in German patients but not in English patients. None of the English patients received post-operative ventilation. Significantly more German patients were >75 years, had a history of thrombosis, received blood transfusions, and had significantly worse lung function parameters. pT4 tumors were detected in 18 German patients (4.6%), but not in the English patients. ConclusionsIdentified risk factors for post-operative ventilation are clinically relevant in Germany but not in England and may be used to lower mortality risk. The German and the English cohorts displayed significant differences in the approach to patient selection and early post-operative extubation.

The factors associated with successful early enteral feeding in gastroschisis.

Gastroschisis is the most common congenital abdominal wall defect. Due to the exposure of midgut to amniotic fluid, the recovery of bowel function is often delayed. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the successful early enteral feeding in gastroschisis and to develop further guidelines of treatment. A retrospective cohort study of gastroschisis babies from January 2006 to December 2015 was done. Exclusion criteria were incomplete data and death. Successful early enteral feeding was defined when full feeding was achieved within 21days of life. One hundred and five gastroschisis patients were divided into a successful early-feeding group (n = 56, 53%) and a non-successful early-feeding group (n = 49, 46%). In multivariable analysis, significant factors for successful feeding clustered by primary treatment were female (RR = 1.38, P value < 0.001), gestational age > 36weeks (RR = 1.23, P value < 0.001), age at surgery less than 10h (RR = 1.15, P value < 0.001), postoperative extubation time < 4days (RR = 1.39, P value < 0.001), and age when feeding started less than 10days (RR = 35.69, P value < 0.001). Several factors were found to be associated with successful early enteral feeding. The modifiable factors found in this study were surgery within 10h, early postoperative extubation within 4days, and feeding started before 10days of life. These will guide the management of gastroschisis to achieve successful early enteral feeding.

Early extubation is associated with improved early outcome after extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection independently of duration of cardiopulmonary bypass

Strict patient selection, short cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and short mechanical ventilation are well-recognized aspects of optimizing the postoperative course after total cavopulmonary connection. In this study, we evaluated the influence of our early postoperative extubation strategy in our population of Fontan patients over the past 2 decades. Early postoperative course was evaluated retrospectively in 211 consecutive patients, who were selected for total cavopulmonary connection in our institution between 1995 and 2015. We analysed postoperative haemodynamic parameters and early outcome after surgery (mortality and length of hospital stay) according to preoperative patient characteristics, duration of CPB and duration of mechanical ventilation. To investigate the influence of mechanical ventilation, the cohort was subdivided into a 'fast-track' extubation group (≤6 h ventilation, n = 59) and a prolonged ventilation group (>6 h ventilation, n = 152). In the entire cohort, duration of CPB did not correlate with duration of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.1), and it did not differ between both groups (P = 0.3). Patients in the fast-track group showed significantly better haemodynamics with higher mean arterial pressure and lower mean pulmonary artery pressure at 6, 24 and 48 h postoperatively when compared with the prolonged ventilation group (P = 0.02-0.001). In multivariable analysis, longer mechanical ventilation, but not duration of CPB, was independently associated with length of hospital stay. Early weaning from mechanical ventilation correlates with improved early Fontan haemodynamics, whereas early outcome is unrelated to duration of CPB. This indicates that early extubation may represent a principal strategy for improving early results after total cavopulmonary connection.

Use of a Respiratory Volume Monitor to Assess Respiratory Competence in Cardiac Surgery Patients After Extubation.

BackgroundPatients who have undergone cardiac surgery are generally mechanically ventilated postoperatively. Early postoperative extubation is currently recommended in anesthesia guidelines. No current technology can accurately, non-invasively, measure respiratory competence after extubation. Pulse oximetry has been helpful, but this is a late indicator of respiratory compromise. A novel, non-invasive, respiratory volume monitor (RVM) has been shown to deliver accurate continuous, real-time minute ventilation (MV), tidal volume (TV) and respiratory rate (RR) measurements and provide an objective measure of respiratory competence. The RVM will accurately reflect MV, TV and RR in cardiac surgery patients before and after extubation.MethodsRVM traces were recorded from patients before and after cardiac surgery. Continuous monitoring began on admission to the unit and was ended at 24 h after extubation. RVM-based MV, TV and RR were calculated from 30-s segments. MV, TV and RR were also continuously recorded from the ventilator prior to extubation. The RVM was calibrated to each patient using the readings from the ventilator.ResultsDuring mechanical ventilation, the RVM measured TVs strongly correlated with the ventilator TVs (r = 0.97). Following extubation, the patient’s breathing became more erratic and TVs and MVs decreased. Within 1 h, all patients studied showed a marked recovery of MV and TV.ConclusionsRVM-based MV, TV and RR correlated well with similar data collected from ventilators. After extubation, RVM shows promise as a means to monitor respiratory competence of non-intubated patients, and has implications for use in other settings and improving patient safety.

Reducing the Indication for Ventilatory Support in the Severely Burned Patient: Results of a New Protocol Approach at a Regional Burn Center.

Initial management of the severely injured routinely includes sedation and mechanical ventilatory support. However, nonjudiciously applied mechanical ventilatory support can itself lead to poorer patient outcomes. In an attempt to reduce this iatrogenic risk, a standardized, in-house, five-point protocol providing clinical guidance on the use and duration of ventilation was introduced and analyzed, and the impact on patient outcomes was assessed. In 2007, a protocol for early spontaneous breathing was introduced and established in clinical practice. This protocol included: 1) early extubation (≤6 hours after admission) in the absence of absolute ventilatory indication; 2) avoidance of "routine intubation" in spontaneously breathing patients; 3) early postoperative extubation, including patients requiring multiple surgical interventions; 4) intensive chest and respiratory physiotherapy with routine application of expectorants; and 5) early active mobilization. A retrospective clinical study compared patients (group A) over a 2-year period admitted under the new protocol with a historical patient group (group B). Patients in group A (n = 38) had fewer ventilator days over the time-course of treatment (3 [1; 5.8] vs 18.5 days [0.5; 20.5]; P = .0001) with a lower rate of tracheostomies (15.8 vs 54%; P = .0003). Patients on ventilation at admission in group A had shorter ventilation periods after admission (4.75 [4; 22.25] vs 378 hours [8.5; 681.5]; P = .0003), and 66.7% of these patients were extubated within 6 hours of admission (vs 9.1% in group B). No patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria required re- or emergency intubation. In the first 5 days of treatment, significantly lower Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were recorded in group A. There was also a trend for lower mortality rates (0 [0%] vs 6 [14%]), sepsis rates (24 [63.2%] vs 37 [88.1%]), and cumulative fluid balance on days 3 and 7 in group A. In contrast, group A demonstrated an elevated rate of pneumonia (15 [39.5%] vs 8 [19%]). These trends, however, lacked statistical significance. Our five-point protocol was safe and easily translated into clinical practice. In the authors experience, this protocol significantly reduced the ventilatory period in severely injured. Furthermore, this study suggests that many injured may be over-treated with routine ventilation, which carries accompanying risks.

Extubating in the operating room after adult cardiac surgery safely improves outcomes and lowers costs

Prolonged intubation has been implicated in the poor outcomes after adult cardiac surgery. Accelerated postoperative extubation has been a quality focus, but operating room (OR) extubation after cardiopulmonary bypass is rare. We examined the outcomes and direct costs of protocolized OR extubation versus early postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) extubation after nonemergency open cardiac surgery. From January 2012 to June 2013, 652 consecutive patients who had undergone various cardiac operations, including redo and multivalve operations, were extubated within 12 hours, 165 in the OR. The OR extubation patients were propensity matched from multivariable logistic regression to derive 106 matched pairs for OR extubation versus extubation < 12 hours (group 1) and 98 independently matched pairs for OR extubation versus extubation < 6 hours (group 2). OR versus ICU extubation conveyed significant reductions in ICU hours (26.3, interquartile range [IQR], 22.0-31.0; vs 29.0, IQR, 25.0-51.0; P = .001, for group 1; 27.0, IQR, 22.0-32.0; vs 29.0, IQR, 25.0-54.0; P = .0002, for group 2) and postoperative length of stay (5 days, IQR, 4-6; vs 6 days, IQR, 5-7; P = .0008, for group 1; 5 days, IQR, 4-6; vs 6 days, IQR, 4-7; P = .0002, for group 2) but did not affect the reintubation rate (1.9% [2 of 106] vs 0.0% [0 of 106], P = .5, group 1; 3.1% [3 of 98] vs 2.0% [2 of 98], P = 1.0, group 2). OR versus ICU extubation conferred a >20% cost reduction from surgery completion to discharge ($3055, IQR, $2576-$3964; vs $3977, IQR, $3028-$4947; P = .0007, group 1; $3025, IQR, $2598-$3965, vs $3877, IQR, $2998-$5458; P = .007, group 2). After cardiac surgery, OR extubation is safe and might provide improvement in length of stay and cost compared with early postoperative ICU extubation.

Enhanced Recovery After Elective Coronary Revascularization Surgery With Minimal Versus Conventional Extracorporeal Circulation: A Prospective Randomized Study

A minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) circuit integrates the advances in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) technology into a single circuit and is associated with improved short-term outcome. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate MECC compared with conventional CPB in facilitating fast-track recovery after elective coronary revascularization procedures. Prospective randomized study. All patients scheduled for elective coronary artery surgery were evaluated, excluding those considered particularly high risk for fast-track failure. The fast-track protocol included careful preoperative patient selection, a fast-track anesthetic technique based on minimal administration of fentanyl, surgery at normothermia, early postoperative extubation in the cardiac recovery unit, and admission to the cardiothoracic ward within the first 24 hours postoperatively. One hundred twenty patients were assigned randomly into 2 groups (60 in each group). Group A included patients who were operated on using the MECC circuit, whereas patients in Group B underwent surgery on conventional CPB. Incidence of fast-track recovery was significantly higher in patients undergoing MECC (25% v 6.7%, p = 0.006). MECC also was recognized as a strong independent predictor of early recovery, with an odds ratio of 3.8 (p = 0.011). Duration of mechanical ventilation and cardiac recovery unit stay were significantly lower in patients undergoing MECC together with the need for blood transfusion, duration of inotropic support, need for an intra-aortic balloon pump, and development of postoperative atrial fibrillation and renal failure. MECC promotes successful early recovery after elective coronary revascularization procedures, even in a nondedicated cardiac intensive care unit setting.

Fast-track postoperative care for neonatal cardiac surgery: a single-institute experience

Perioperative fast-track management has gained wide acceptance in the field of neonatal corrective heart surgery. We have examined its impact on morbidity outcomes. Between 1997 and 2009, 52 consecutive neonates underwent corrective repair of congenital heart defects on cardiopulmonary bypass. Fast-track management was introduced in 2006 with the aim of simplifying care; it includes early postoperative extubation with low-dose fentanyl and an pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) target of ≤ 95%, early removal of indwelling lines, and early introduction of early enteral feeding. This was a retrospective review of the medical records in which perioperative characteristics and outcomes of patients operated on prior to the introduction of fast-track management care (controls, group C) were compared with those operated on following its introduction (fast-track group, group F). Intraoperative fentanyl was administered in significantly lower doses in group F (29.5 ± 11.5 μg/kg) than in group C (65.6 ± 34.0 μg/kg) (p < 0.001). The median number of days of postoperative mechanical ventilation and inotrope administration was significantly lower in group F (2 and 4 days, respectively) than in group C (9 and 9 days, respectively) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003). More patients (p < 0.001) in group F (56.3%) than in group C (0%) was extubated within <24 h. The median number of days to postoperative weight recovery was significantly lower in group F (16 days) than in group C (29 days) (p = 0.003). Finally, the median number of days in the Intensive Care Unit was significantly lower (p = 0.01) in group F than in group C (16 vs. 26 days, respectively). Mortality in group F was 0% versus 17% in group C (p = 0.21). Fast-track management with simple care for neonates undergoing complete biventricular repair of congenital heart defects was associated with better postoperative recovery.

Effects of propofol and isoflurane anesthesia on serum heat shock protein 70 of perioperative patients with traumatic brain injury

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol and isoflurane anesthesia on serum heat shock protein 70 ( HSP70 ) of perioperative patients with brain injury and compare the anesthetic effect of the two narcotic drugs. Methods 30 patients with medium or severe traumatic brain injury,treated by hematoma evacuation operation,were randomly divided into propofol ( n = 15 ) and isoflurane group ( n = 15 ). After anesthesia induction,propofol (target effect concentration of 3 ～ 4 μg/ml ) was intravenously injected and 1.2% isoflurane was inhalated into the patients of the 2 groups,respectively. In addition,vecuronium and fentany were intermittent intravenously injected into patients to maintain the depth of anesthesia. HSP70 in blood of patients were detected before anesthesia induction, 1 h after the dura was opened and 24 h after the operation by ELISA method. Recovery and tracheal extubation time of patients were recorded. Results HSP70 levels in blood of patients in the 2 groups were significantly increased compared with the former time point(P＜0.05 ). HSP70 content in propofol group was significantlyhigher at 1 h after the dura was opened( ( 2.00 ± 0. 24 ) ng/ml, ( 2.19 ± 0.26 ) ng/ml, t = 2. 080, P = 0.047 ) and 24 h after the operation( t=2.086, P=0.046) ,and recovery and tracheal extubation time was shorter compared with the isoflurane group(P＜0. 05). Conclusion Perioperative moderate stress,and early postoperative recovery and extubation can be maintained in patients with traumatic brain injury with profol anesthesia. Key words: Traumatic brain injury; Propofol; Heat shock protein 70

Effect of intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine on anesthetic requirements and time to tracheal extubation in elective adult heart surgery patients. A retrospective cohort study

Background and Objectives: Scientific literature about the effects of intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine on anesthetic requirements and time to tracheal extubation in elective adult heart surgery patients is limited. Methods: A retrospective cohort study in adult patients who underwent uncomplicated elective heart surgery was performed. 103 adult patients who received intraoperative dexmedetomidine (DEX cohort) were matched with 97 patients who did not receive intraoperative dexmedetomidine (control cohort). Matching by age, gender and type of heart surgery was done. Intraoperative requirements of anesthetics, tracheal extubation in the operating room and time to tracheal extubation in the ICU were extracted from their medical charts. Results: Both cohorts had similar demographic and preoperative characteristics. DEX cohort received smaller intraoperative anesthetic doses of fentanyl (3.2 mg/kg ± 1.3 vs control 12.5 mg/kg ± 5.9, p= 0.0001), thiopental (3.4 mg/kg ± 1.5 vs control 4.0 mg/kg ± 1.6, p= 0.018), and pancuronium (6.5 mg ± 2.3 vs control 8.0 mg ± 1.8, p= 0.0001). Frequency of intraoperative use of thiopental was low in DEX cohort patients compared with control group (81.6 % vs control 97.9%, p= 0.0001), as midazolam (22.3 % vs control 67%, p= 0.0001) and pancuronium (47.6 % vs control 98%, p= 0.0001). Time to tracheal extubation was shorter in DEX cohort (197 ± 118 min vs control 314 ± 265 min, p= 0.002). Tracheal extubation in the operating room was more frequent in the DEX cohort (46.6% vs control 9.3%, p= 0.0001). Postoperative hospital and UCI lengths of stay were similar in both cohorts.Conclusions: Intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine as coadjuvant of fentanylisoflurane based anesthesia for elective heart surgery in adult patients could reduce anesthetic requirements and facilitate early postoperative tracheal extubation.

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication During Gastrostomy Tube Placement and Noninvasive Ventilation May Improve Survival in Type I and Severe Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Progressive respiratory muscle weakness with bulbar involvement is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in type I and severe type II spinal muscular atrophy. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation techniques coupled with laparoscopic gastrointestinal procedures may allow for improved morbidity and mortality. The authors present a series of 7 spinal muscular atrophy patients (6 type I and 1 severe type II) who successfully underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion coupled with Nissen fundoplication and early postoperative extubation using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation techniques. The authors measured the length of survival and the frequencies of pneumonia and hospitalization before and after surgery as outcomes of these new surgical and medical interventions. All 7 patients had respiratory symptoms (unmanageable oropharyngeal secretions, cough, pneumonia), difficulty feeding, and weight loss. Six patients had documented reflux via diagnostic testing preoperatively. Five patients were on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and other supportive respiratory therapies prior to surgery. All 7 patients survived the procedures. By August 2006, 5 patients with type I and 1 with severe type II spinal muscular atrophy were alive and medically stable at home 1.5 months to 41 months post-op. One patient with type I expired approximately 5 months post-op due to obstructive apnea. This case series demonstrates that laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement coupled with Nissen fundoplication and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation can be successfully used as a treatment option to allow for early postoperative extubation and to optimize quality of life in type I and severe type II spinal muscular atrophy patients.

Ventilatory and Intensive Care Requirements Following Oesophageal Resection

The aim of this study was to analyse the results of early postoperative extubation following oesophagectomy. All patients who had undergone oesophageal resection between 1994 and 2001 were identified from a prospectively collected database. Their records were then reviewed in order to analyse morbidity and mortality along with intensive care unit (ICU) and ventilatory requirements. All patients were extubated immediately following surgery and monitored on a surgical high dependency unit (HDU). A total of 98 resections were undertaken (76 men; mean age, 64.3 years; range, 40-80 years). Surgical procedures were Ivor-Lewis (71), left thoraco-abdominal (15) and transhiatal (12) oesophagectomies. Overall, 8 patients died and 13 patients had anastomotic leaks. Sixteen patients required ventilation and admission to ICU, of whom 5 died. Three patients died on HDU following an elective decision not to transfer to ICU. Reasons for ventilation and ICU admission were anastomotic leaks (6), respiratory problems (6), left ventricular failure (1), cardiac arrest (1), small bowel herniation through the hiatus (1) and ischaemic stomach requiring revision of anastomosis (1). No patient required ventilation and admission to ICU within 48 h of original surgery. Patients undergoing oesophageal resection can be safely managed on a surgical HDU without routine postoperative ventilation. Although ventilation and ICU will be required in a significant number due to postoperative complications, this is unlikely to occur in the first 48 h. The requirement for an ICU bed to be available on the day of surgery should, therefore, no longer be considered necessary. This has important implications for the scheduling of elective oesophageal surgery.

Important Excess Morbidity Due to Upper Airway Anomalies in the Perioperative Course in Infant Cardiac Surgery

The study aimed at defining the excess morbidity or mortality caused by an additional airway malformation in children with congenital heart disease requiring surgery. All patients requiring surgery for heart disease during an 8-year period ending in 2003 who had an associated upper airway malformation were retrospectively studied. All patients were seen in 2004 for a prospective follow-up examination. Eleven patients with upper airway anomalies were identified (tracheobronchial malacia in 6 patients, long-segment tracheal stenosis in 3, and bilateral vocal cord paralysis and tracheal hemangioma in 1 patient each). They accounted for 1.5% of the entire cardiac surgical load of 764 patients. In 5 infants, the airway anomaly was diagnosed before cardiac repair, in 6 patients thereafter. Diagnosis was made by bronchoscopy in all patients, by additional bronchography in 2. Failure of rapid postoperative extubation was the most common finding. Airway management was surgical in 2 and conservative in 8 patients, 1 newborn having been denied therapy because of the severity of airway hypoplasia. Compared with patients with isolated cardiac disease, those with additional airway anomalies had significantly longer duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (median, 24 days versus 3), perioperative hospitalization (median, 72 days versus 11) and total number of days of hospitalization during the first year of life (median, 104 days versus 14). After a maximum follow-up of 8 years (median, 37 months) only 3 of 10 surviving patients remained symptomatic owing to the airway malformation. Upper airway anomalies accompanying heart disease in infancy resulted in a significant prolongation of perioperative intensive care and hospital stay, as well as duration of mechanical ventilation. Failure of early postoperative extubation was the leading symptom.

Kein Opioidüberhang bei Patienten mit transdermalem Buprenorphin und Fast-Track-Anästhesie nach Eingriffen am offenen Herzen

Simultaneous use of opioids with a different pharmacological profile may lead to unexpected prolongation of effects. In an open label study possible overhang in post-operative respiratory effects and vigilance was determined in a group of patients (n = 22) carrying a transdermal buprenorphine patch for at least 2 months for treatment of chronic pain, undergoing a fentanyl-based fast-track enflurane anesthetic technique for open-heart operation. Data was compared with another randomised group (n = 21) undergoing similar open-heart procedures with no other opioid than fentanyl on board. Following induction with fentanyl and a barbiturate, depth of anesthesia with enflurane (Fi 0.5) was guided using the bispectral index (BIS). Additional doses of fentanyl were given when blood pressure and/or heart-rate increased 20% above pre-induction levels. Early postoperative extubation was initiated once the cardiovascular system was stable and there were no signs of respiratory impairment. Following a similar time of operation and anesthesia and a similar total dose of fentanyl (0.69 mg +/- 0.23 SD versus 0.67 mg +/- 0.16 SD), postoperatively, there were no significant differences between the buprenorphine- and the control group regarding the time till extubation (25.2 min +/- 6.1 versus 33.3 min +/- 5.0) and the arterial blood gases under oxygen inhalation (paO2 136 torr +/- 48 SD versus 128 torr +/- 35 SD; paCO2 43.3 torr +/- 3.3 SD versus 41.9 torr +/- 1.2 SD and the post-anesthetic vigilance and recovery score (6.8 +/- 1.0 versus 7.5 +/- 0.8) 60 minutes after end of anesthesia. Contrary to the control group, there was a lower and significant (p < 0.01) incidence of PONV in patients with transdermal buprenorphine. Patients using a buprenorphine patch for the relief of chronic pain cannot be regarded as opioid naïve. Due to adaptive mechanisms and the development of tolerance, there is no prolongation of the respiratory depression induced by intraoperative fentanyl. Long-term use of transdermal buprenorphine does not lead to potentiation or prolongation of opioid effects in cardiac surgery patients.