Intraoperative Care Research Articles

Evaluating the Safety and Quality of Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoffs from the Perspective of Anesthesia Providers

Handoffs, that is, care transitions, convey information, responsibility, and authority between care providers. Intraoperative handoffs, which occur during surgery either due to shift changes or breaks, are high-risk, error-prone and linked with inadequate verbal communication and documentation. We explored perspectives about safety and quality of intraoperative handoffs between anesthesia providers at an academic medical center. Through an anonymous online survey, we asked participants to share their opinions on current handoff practices including teamwork, staffing and work pace, and handoffs and information exchange. The results showed positive perceptions about teamwork, while only half of the participants were positive about staffing and work pace. We also found that opinions of participants about staffing and work pace vary based on their role. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering diverse perspectives and employing a systems-based approach to address challenges and implement effective interventions for safe, high-quality handoffs in intraoperative care.

Utilising a modified accelerated Delphi process to develop a national multidisciplinary consensus on peri-operative optimisation of patients with obesity undergoing non-bariatric surgery

BackgroundIn the last three decades, the worldwide prevalence of obesity has increased by threefold. Using a modified Delphi consensus technique, the Irish Surgical Research Collaborative (ISRC) aimed to formulate consensus guidelines on the peri-operative optimisation of patients with obesity undergoing non-bariatric surgery. MethodsSubgroups within the ISRC were established to formulate consensus statements using a nominal group technique (NGT) to address the three domains of pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care. Three Delphi rounds were circulated nationally to multidisciplinary members of the peri-operative team via electronic survey. Consensus was considered achieved for any statement with >80 % agreement. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA). ResultsFollowing three Delphi rounds, a total of 94 statements centred around optimising peri-operative care for patients with obesity undergoing non-bariatric surgery reached consensus. Pre-operatively, access to prehabilitation, use of pre-operative risk stratification tools and strategies to reduce obesity-related co-morbidities were all deemed important along with nomination of a hospital obesity lead. Intra-operatively, the prioritised domains were involvement of consultant anaesthetist and surgeon for safe and considered patient positioning, utilisation of minimally invasive surgical techniques, adherence to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and surgical site infection prevention strategies as well as adoption of multimodal analgesia. Appropriate analgesia prescription, nutritional support, enhanced recovery after surgery and the role of physiotherapy were all deemed essential elements of post-operative care. ConclusionAs a multidisciplinary peri-operative group, through Delphi consensus, we report agreed perioperative standards to optimise the perioperative care of patients with obesity undergoing non-bariatric surgery. This consensus can be utilised to standardise clinical practice and identify areas for quality improvement.

Anesthetic Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy: An Overview.

Ischemic stroke, caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain, requires prompt medical intervention to prevent irreversible damage. Anesthetic management is pivotal during surgical treatments like mechanical thrombectomy, where precise strategies ensure patient safety and procedural success. This narrative review highlights key aspects of anesthetic management in ischemic stroke, focusing on preoperative evaluation, anesthetic choices, and intraoperative care. A rapid yet thorough preoperative assessment is crucial, prioritizing essential diagnostic tests and cardiovascular evaluations to determine patient frailty and potential complications. The decision between general anesthesia (GA) and conscious sedation (CS) remains debated, with GA offering better procedural conditions and CS enabling continuous neurological assessment. The selection of anesthetic agents-such as propofol, sevoflurane, midazolam, fentanyl, remifentanil, and dexmedetomidine-depends on local protocols and expertise balancing neuroprotection, hemodynamic stability, and rapid postoperative recovery. Effective blood pressure management, tailored airway strategies, and vigilant postoperative monitoring are essential to optimize outcomes. This review underscores the importance of coordinated care, incorporating multimodal monitoring and maintaining neuroprotection throughout the perioperative period.

The Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Anesthesiology: A Narrative Review.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential tool in modern anesthesiology, offering real-time imaging that aids in diagnosis, treatment, and procedural guidance. Its applications have expanded significantly, from routine assessments to complex perioperative management, enhancing patient care across various domains. This study aimed to review and summarize the current literature on the applications of POCUS in anesthesiology, focusing on its utility in airway management, cardiac assessment, lung ultrasound (LUS), and abdominopelvic evaluations. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and strategies for overcoming barriers to its widespread adoption. A narrative literature review was conducted, encompassing studies on using POCUS in anesthesiology. Key databases were searched for relevant articles ("Point-of-care ultrasound,""Focused cardiac ultrasound,""Lung ultrasound"),and studies were selected based on their relevance to the main topics of interest: airway management, cardiac ultrasound, LUS, and abdominopelvic and gastric ultrasound. Both observational studies and randomized controlled trials were included. POCUS improves the safety and accuracy of regional anesthesia and airway procedures, enhancing patient outcomes by providing real-time visualization. Focused cardiac ultrasound is valuable in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, allowing for tailored anesthesia plans and timely interventions based on cardiac function. The US is an effective diagnostic tool for assessing pulmonary conditions, with specific signs and artifacts aiding in identifying pathologies such as pneumothorax, pleural effusions, and pulmonary congestion. Despite its benefits, POCUS faces barriers such as limited access to training, the need for standardized protocols, and the high equipment cost, especially in low-resource settings. While its integration into clinical practice continues to grow, overcoming challenges related to training, standardization, and equipment access is essential to realize its full potential. Continued efforts in education and research are needed to support the widespread adoption of POCUS in anesthesiology.

A survey and analysis of peri-operative quality indicators promoted by National Societies of Anaesthesiologists in Europe: The EQUIP project.

To capture preventable peri-operative patient harm and guide improvement initiatives, many quality indicators (QIs) have been developed. Several National Anaesthesiologist Societies (NAS) in Europe have implemented quality indicators. To date, the definitions, validity and dissemination of such quality indicators, and their comparability with validated published indicators are unknown. The aim of this study was to identify all quality indicators promoted by NAS in Europe, to assess their characteristics and to compare them with published validated quality indicators. A cross-sectional study with mixed methods analysis. Using a survey questionnaire, representatives of 37 NAS were asked if their society provided quality indicators to their members and, if so, to provide the list, definitions and details of quality indicators. Characteristics of reported quality indicators were analysed. The 37 NAS affiliated with the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) at the time. Data collection, translations: March 2018 to February 2020. Representatives of all 37 NAS completed the survey. QIs reported by NAS. Only 12 (32%) of the 37 NAS had made a set of quality indicators available to their members. Data collection was mandatory in six (16.2%) of the 37 countries. We identified 163 individual quality indicators, which were most commonly descriptive (60.1%), anaesthesia-specific (50.3%) and related to intra-operative care (21.5%). They often measured structures (41.7%) and aspects of safety (35.6%), appropriateness (20.9%) and prevention (16.6%). Patient-centred care (3.7%) was not well covered. Only 11.7% of QIs corresponded to published validated or well established quality indicator sets. Few NAS in Europe promoted peri-operative quality indicators. Most of them differed from published sets of validated indicators and were often related to the structural dimension of quality. There is a need to establish a European-wide comprehensive core set of usable and validated quality indicators to monitor the quality of peri-operative care. No registration.

Complex Fractures of the Radial and Ulnar Shaft.

Successful management of radial and ulnar shaft fractures is an essential skill for all orthopaedic surgeons. The frequent presentation of these injuries coupled with the nuanced anatomic considerations that must be observed for successful outcomes dictate that these injuries require a thorough understanding by the treating surgeon. Intraoperative care to restore the anatomic radial bow and rotation is essential for the resumption of functional forearm rotation postinjury. Often, problems arising during the operative treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures come in predictable patterns that can be mitigated with preoperative planning and sound technique. Cases of increased complexity with segmental bone defects and soft tissue defects require a variety of advanced reconstructive techniques.

The Effect of The ERACS Method on The Acceleration of Mobilization of Post Sectio Caesaria Patients at Academic Hospital Universitas Gadjah Mada In 2023

Background: ERACS (Enhanced Recovery After Caesarian Surgery) is a fast programrecovery after a Caesarean section in the form of a series of care starting from preoperativepreparation, intraoperative and post-operative care until the patient is discharged. InIndonesia itself, the implementation of the ERACS protocol began to be implemented in2019. UGM Academic Hospital, the ERACS method is still a new service from the MaternalPerinatal Installation and will start running in November 2022. This research aims todetermine the difference in maternal mobilization time post Sectio Caesaria with the ERACSmethod and mobilization of mothers post non-eracs SC at UGM Academic Hospital in 2023.This research is a quantitative research using a quasi-experimental method with anonequivalent posttest control group design. The research was conducted at the UGMAcademic Hospital in April - September 2023. The sampling technique was accidentalsampling. The research results showed that the average mobilization of post-Sc patientsusing the ERACS method was 13.1 hours and the average mobilization of non-ERACS post-Scpatients was 33.7 hours. From the results of the analysis of 54 respondents using theIndependent Sample Test, it shows a value of 0.000. So H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted.Conclusion: there is an effect of giving the ERACS method by accelerating the mobilizationof women giving birth post sc.Keywords: Sectio Caesaria, Maternity, Mobilization, Rapid Mobilization, ERACS

Early Cognitive Function after Deep Sedation Using Different Anesthetic Agents in Pediatric Patients: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Objectives: The impact of anesthetic agents on memory and cognitive function following general anesthesia is of great interest, particularly regarding their effects on the developing pediatric brain. While numerous studies have examined the relationship between anesthetic drugs and brain function, research focusing on early cognitive function following sedation remains limited. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 148 pediatric patients scheduled for hematological procedures, specifically bone marrow aspiration (BMA) and intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC). Patients were divided into two groups based on the primary anesthetic used: the inhalational sedation group (IHG), in which sevoflurane was used, and the intravenous sedation group (IVG), which received propofol infusion. Apart from the main anesthetic agent, all sedation methods were consistent across both groups. A cognitive function test administered before sedation involved memorizing four distinct images, each associated with a different number. Then, the patients were asked to identify the omitted image upon awakening in the recovery room. Herein, this pre- vs. post-sedation test is called the early recognition assessment (ERA) tool. The primary outcome was the correct response rate after sedation for the two groups. Secondary outcomes included the sedation score, the behavior response score, and the correct response rates according to the number of sedation procedures. Results: This study included 130 patients in the final analysis, with 74 originally assigned to each group. The initial cognitive assessment revealed no significant difference in performance between the anesthetic agents. In addition, no differences were observed in the rates of correct responses or post-sedation scores after repeated procedures. However, the IVG demonstrated higher behavior response scores compared to the IHG. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the rates of correct responses using the ERA tool between the two groups, irrespective of the number of sedation procedures performed. While some differences were noted in preoperative, intraoperative, and post-anesthesia care, these did not significantly impact the cognitive outcomes measured.

Task-sharing spinal anaesthesia care in three rural Indian hospitals: a non-inferiority randomised controlled clinical trial

BackgroundTask-sharing of spinal anaesthesia care by non-specialist graduate physicians, termed medical officers (MOs), is commonly practised in rural Indian healthcare facilities to mitigate workforce constraints. We sought to assess whether...

Anaesthesia considerations in heart transplantation: A comprehensive review

In over 56 years since the first heart transplant, the science of heart transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure to an established standard of care for end-stage heart failure. The process involves appropriate patient selection, the listing of recipients, pre-operative optimization, intraoperative management, post-operative care, and follow-up. A robust transplant team, strong government backing, and positive support from the population are essential criteria for the success of any transplant program. Management of heart transplant recipients from the Anaesthesia perspective is challenging due to a myriad of patient risk factors; and the urgent nature of surgery due to the unpredictable nature of donor heart availability. The intraoperative aim is safe induction of anaesthesia, strict asepsis, immunosuppressive therapy, anticipation of major vascular injury, managing pulmonary vascular resistance, ventricular support, optimal ventilatory strategy, and good haemostasis. The postoperative goal is preventing infection, haemodynamic management, gradual weaning of supports, adequate analgesia, monitoring for complications, physiotherapy, and early discharge of the patient from the intensive care unit. There is an increased complexity of heart transplant recipients, due to the increasing use of pre-transplantation mechanical circulatory support devices. The cardiac anaesthesiologist needs to have knowledge of the modern changes in the field of Heart Transplant. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the heart transplant origins in India, donor pre-operative workup, intra-operative anaesthesia care, and early post-operative management of heart transplant patients.

Effect of standardized EHR-integrated handoff report on intraoperative communication outcomes.

We evaluated the effectiveness and implementability of a standardized EHR-integrated handoff report to support intraoperative handoffs. A pre-post intervention study was used to compare the quality of intraoperative handoffs supported by unstructured notes (pre) to structured, standardized EHR-integrated handoff reports (post). Participants included anesthesia clinicians involved in intraoperative handoffs. A mixed-method approach was followed, supported by general observations, shadowing, surveys, and interviews. One hundred and fifty-one intraoperative permanent handoffs (78 pre, 73 post) were included. One hundred percent of participants in the post-intervention cohort utilized the report. Compared to unstructured, structured handoffs using the EHR-integrated handoff report led to: (1) significant increase in the transfer of information about airway management (55%-78%, P < .001), intraoperative course (63%-86%, P < .001), and potential concerns (64%-88%, P < .001); (2) significant improvement in clinician satisfaction scores, with regards to information clarity and succinctness (4.5-4.7, P = .002), information transfer (3.8-4.2, P = .011), and opportunities for fewer errors reported by senders (3.3-2.5, P < .001) and receivers (3.2-2.4, P < .001); and (3) significant decrease in handoff duration (326.2-262.3 s, P = .016). Clinicians found the report implementation highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible but noted a few areas for improvement to enhance its usability and integration within the intraoperative workflow. A standardized EHR-integrated handoff report ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of intraoperative handoffs with its structured, consistent format that-promotes up-to-date and pertinent intraoperative information transfer; reduces opportunities for errors; and streamlines verbal communication. Handoff standardization can promote safe and high-quality intraoperative care.

Anesthetic considerations for joint replacement surgery in hemophilic arthropathy: a comprehensive review.

Managing hemophilia in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery requires a comprehensive approach encompassing preoperative assessment, meticulous intraoperative care, and tailored postoperative management. Evaluation of joint integrity, bleeding history, and inhibitor presence guides surgical planning and hemostatic therapy selection to optimize outcomes. During surgery, careful attention to factor replacement, antibiotic prophylaxis, anesthetic techniques, and orthopedic strategies minimizes bleeding risk and enhances surgical success. Postoperatively, effective pain management, continued hemostatic therapy, and individualized rehabilitation programs are vital for facilitating recovery and preventing complications. Close monitoring for potential complications, such as periprosthetic joint infection and recurrent hemarthrosis, allows for prompt intervention when necessary. Overall, a collaborative approach involving hematologists, orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation specialists ensures comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of patients with hemophilia undergoing joint replacement surgery, ultimately optimizing outcomes and improving quality of life. This holistic approach addresses the multifaceted challenges posed by hemophilia and joint replacement surgery, providing patients with the best possible chance for successful outcomes and long-term joint function. By integrating specialized expertise from multiple disciplines and implementing evidence-based strategies, healthcare providers can effectively manage hemophilia in the context of joint replacement surgery, mitigating risks and maximizing benefits for patients.

Implementation of surgical site infection care bundle in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries

PurposeSurgical site infection (SSI) is one of the frequent healthcare associated infections linked with significant morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and death. SSI can be reduced by implementation of customized care bundle components as per standard guidelines. Hence this study was undertaken with the objective to implement care bundle in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries and assess their impact on SSI rate. MethodsThe study was an interventional study conducted in the department of surgical gastroenterology for 8 months. Sample size was calculated to be 196 and only elective surgeries are included. CDC NHSN 2023 guidelines are used for surveillance of SSI and global guidelines for prevention of SSI was used for preparation of list of pre-operative, intraoperative and post-operative care bundle components and were implemented before the start of the study. ResultsOverall SSI rate and compliance to SSI care bundle in this study are 13.8% and 28.6%, respectively. When compared with the baseline SSI rate of 19.4%, there is reduction of 28.9% in SSI rate after the implementation of care bundle. Escherichia coli (54.2%) is the most commonly isolated organism. Care bundle non-compliant surgeries are associated with 2.3 times (relative risk-2.3) increased risk of SSI. There is fluctuating trend in compliance of care bundle and SSI rates across months. ConclusionThis study shows the importance of implementation of set of care bundle for prevention of SSI which can be customized and adapted for reducing SSI.

Liver autotransplantation and atrial reconstruction on a patient with multiorgan alveolar echinococcosis: a case report

BackgroundAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) primarily affects the liver and potentially spreads to other organs. Managing recurrent AE poses significant challenges, especially when it involves critical structures and multiple major organs.Case presentationWe present a case of a 59-year-old female with recurrent AE affecting the liver, heart, and lungs following two previous hepatectomies, the hepatic lesions persisted, adhering to major veins, and imaging revealed additional diaphragmatic, cardiac, and pulmonary involvement. The ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA), first in human combined with right atrium (RA) reconstruction were performed utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass, and repairs of the pericardium and diaphragm. This approach aimed to offer a potentially curative solution for lesions previously considered inoperable without requiring a donor organ or immunosuppressants. The patient encountered multiple serious complications, including atrial fibrillation, deteriorated liver function, severe pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, and acute kidney injury (AKI). These complications necessitated intensive intraoperative and postoperative care, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive management strategy in such complicated high-risk surgeries.ConclusionsThe multidisciplinary collaboration in this case proved effective and yielded significant therapeutic outcomes for a rare case of advanced hepatic, cardiac, and pulmonary AE. The combined approach of ELRA and RA reconstruction under extracorporeal circulation demonstrated distinct advantages of ELRA in treating complex HAE. Meanwhile, assessing diaphragm function during the perioperative period, especially in patients at high risk of developing pulmonary complications and undergoing diaphragmectomy is vital to promote optimal postoperative recovery. For multi-resistant infection, it is imperative to take all possible measures to mitigate the risk of AKI if vancomycin administration is deemed necessary.

Summary of the Clinical Evidence for Non-Pharmacological Management of Postoperative Delirium in Adults: An Evidence Synthesis.

To retrieve, evaluate, and summarise the clinical evidence for non-pharmacological interventions in adult postoperative delirium (POD), encompassing the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. The methods included conducting searches on UpToDate Clinical Consultants, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, BMJ Best Practice, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System. Clinical practice guidelines, clinical decision-making, evidence summaries, evidence synthesis, expert consensus, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on non-pharmacological interventions for adult POD were examined, and the search period spanned between the establishment of each database and 30 October 2023. A total of 17 documents were included, comprising three guidelines, one expert consensus, one clinical decision-making article, four evidence summaries, three systematic reviews, and five meta-analyses. These documents primarily focused on the following three aspects: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. In total, 30 "best evidence" instances were compiled. Considering the complexity and potential harm of adult POD, an accurate and timely evaluation of high-risk factors, alongside effective medical nursing strategies, is vital in its prevention and treatment. Non-pharmacological interventions remain the preferred choice for preventing and treating POD. Medical institutions should establish standardised processes for non-pharmacological intervention in adult POD, based on evidence-based medicine, to enhance the level of clinical care in this field.

Artificial intelligence for improving intraoperative surgical care

Artificial intelligence for improving intraoperative surgical care

Preoperative survey to evaluate the patients' allergy list and its relevance to perioperative care.

Perioperative hypersensitivity and allergic reactions can result in significant morbidity and mortality. For routine anesthetic care, allergies are determined from a review of the electronic medical record supplemented by a detailed patient history. Although the electronic medical record is generally assumed to be accurate, it may be that allergies are erroneously listed or not based on sound medical practice. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate allergies listed in the electronic medical record of children presenting for surgery and determine their origin, authenticity, and impact on perioperative care. Eligible patients included those presenting for a surgical procedure in the main operating room, who were ≤ 21 years of age, with a drug allergy listed on the EMR. Prior to intraoperative care, an electronic survey questionnaire containing questions related to medication allergies was provided to a guardian or parent. Two anesthesiology physicians reviewed the survey responses to determine the validity of any reported allergies. A second electronic survey was given postoperatively to the attending anesthesiologist to determine whether the documented allergy impacted anesthetic care. The study cohort included 250 patients, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years (median age 9 years). All of the patients had at least one allergy listed on the electronic medical record. Seventy of the 250 patients (28%) had more than one drug allergy listed for a total of 351 medication allergies. The majority of the listed allergies were related to antibiotics including 155 (44%) from the penicillin family, 26 (7%) cephalosporins, 16 (5%) sulfonamides, and 36 (10%) other antimicrobial agents. Other commonly listed allergies were 27 (8%) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and 15 (4%) opioids. The remaining 76 (22%) included a miscellaneous list of other medications. On further review of the allergies, the survey was completed for 301 medications. After physician review, 135 of 301 (45%) responses were considered consistent with IgE reactions "true allergy," 73 (24%) were deemed less relevant to IgE reactions "unlikely true allergy," and 93 (31%) were not related to IgE reactions "not an allergy." Care alterations during surgery were uncommon regardless of whether the issue was assessed as a true allergy (11%), unlikely to be a true allergy (3%), or not a true allergy (13%). A significant portion of the documented allergies in children are not true allergies, but rather recognized adverse effects (apnea from an opioid, renal failure from an NSAIDs) or other nonallergic concerns (gastrointestinal upset such as nausea). Erroneously listed allergies may lead to unnecessary alterations in patient care during perioperative care. A careful analysis of the allergy list on the EMR should be supplemented by a thorough patient history with specific questions related to the drug allergy. Once this is accomplished, the allergy listed should be updated to avoid its erroneous impact on perioperative care.

Perioperative care of patients with recent stroke undergoing nonemergent, nonneurological, noncardiac, nonvascular surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published literature regarding postoperative stroke and mortality in patients with a history of stroke and to provide a framework for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care in an elective setting. Patients with nonneurological, noncardiac, and nonvascular surgery within three months after stroke have a 153-fold risk, those within 6 months have a 50-fold risk, and those within 12 months have a 20-fold risk of postoperative stroke. There is a 12-fold risk of in-hospital mortality within three months and a three-to-four-fold risk of mortality for more than 12 months after stroke. The risk of stroke and mortality continues to persist years after stroke. Recurrent stroke is common in patients in whom anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy is discontinued. Stroke and time elapsed after stroke should be included in the preoperative assessment questionnaire, and a stroke-specific risk assessment should be performed before surgical planning is pursued. In patients with a history of a recent stroke, anesthesiology, surgery, and neurology experts should create a shared mental model in which the patient/surrogate decision-maker is informed about the risks and benefits of the proposed surgical procedure; secondary-stroke-prevention medications are reviewed; plans are made for interruptions and resumption; and intraoperative care is individualized to reduce the likelihood of postoperative stroke or death.

An in vitro technique to measure resistance to compression and kinking of endotracheal tubes.

During intraoperative care, ventilatory parameters including peak inflating pressure (PIP) and exhaled tidal volumes are continuously monitored to assess changes in respiratory resistance and compliance. Changes in these parameters, such as an increase in PIP or a decrease in the exhaled tidal volume, may indicate various pathologic processes that may require immediate attention to prevent inadequate ventilation resulting in hypoxemia or hypercarbia. A kinked endotracheal tube (ETT) may mimic other pathologic processes including bronchospasm, mainstem intubation, or ventilator malfunction. As newer ETTs are developed, a key factor in their design should be resistance to kinking or occlusion due to patient positioning. The current project developed and describes the process for using a repeatable in vitro mechanical test to determine resistance to kinking by an ETT. The mechanical testing procedure can be used to determine the compression force and distance required to kink an ETT under different conditions including temperature. The force required to induce devastating kink failure was lower during heated testing conditions. The addition of airflow through the ETTs during compression testing confirms the occurrence of airway obstruction at approximately the same time a mechanical kink is observed on the force-versus-distance curves. These procedures may be used to characterize and evaluate ETT designs under in vitro conditions mimicking those in the clinical practice.

Battle of the Blocks: Which Pain Management Technique Triumphs in Gender-Affirming Bilateral Mastectomies?

Gender-affirming mastectomy, performed on transgender men and non-binary individuals, frequently leads to considerable postoperative pain. This pain can significantly affect both patient satisfaction and the overall recovery process. The study examines the efficacy of four analgesic techniques pectoral nerve (PECS) 2 block, erector spinae plane (ESP) block, thoracic wall local anesthesia infiltration (TWI), and systemic multimodal analgesia (SMA) in managing perioperative pain, with special consideration for the effects of chronic testosterone therapy on pain thresholds. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients aged 18 - 45 who underwent gender-affirming bilateral mastectomies at a New York City community hospital. The study compared intraoperative and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) opioid consumption, postoperative pain scores, the interval to first rescue analgesia, and total PACU duration among the four analgesic techniques. The study found significant differences in intraoperative and PACU opioid consumption across the groups, with the PECS 2 block group showing the least opioid requirement. The PACU morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption was highest in the SMA group. Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the PECS and ESP groups at earlier time points post-surgery. However, by postoperative day 2, pain scores did not significantly differ among the groups. Chronic testosterone therapy did not significantly impact intraoperative opioid requirements. The PECS 2 block is superior in reducing overall opioid consumption and providing effective postoperative pain control in gender-affirming mastectomies. The study underscores the importance of tailoring pain management strategies to the unique physiological responses of the transgender and non-binary community. Future research should focus on prospective designs, standardized block techniques, and the complex relationship between hormonal therapy and pain perception.