Intraoperative Management Of Patients Research Articles

Translating the desmoplastic microenvironment of medullary thyroid cancer into surgical practice.

The tumor microenvironment often induces a scarring process known as tumor fibrosis or desmoplasia, which plays an important role in the initiation, progression, and clinical outcome of many types of cancer. This report aimed to highlight recent progress made in the field of de-escalation surgery for sporadic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), building a bridge from basic science to current and emerging medical practice. This narrative review entails a holistic description and interpretation of the English-language literature on MTC desmoplasia. Absence of primary tumor desmoplasia on intraoperative frozen section and definitive histopathology goes hand in hand with absence of node metastases in up to one-third of patients with sporadic MTC. Patients with desmoplasia-negative MTC require no more than hemithyroidectomy for cure. Thyroid desmoplasia is a powerful predictive tissue biomarker for the intraoperative management of patients with sporadic MTC, outpacing conventional tumor classification systems that depend on definitive histopathology.

Machine Learning with Clinical and Intraoperative Biosignal Data for Predicting Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury.

Early identification of patients at high risk of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is crucial for its prevention. We aimed to leverage perioperative clinical and intraoperative biosignal data to develop machine learning models that predict CSA-AKI. We introduced a novel approach for extracting relevant features from high-resolution intraoperative biosignals to reflect the patient's baseline status, the extent of unfavorable conditions encountered intraoperatively, and data variability. We developed XGBoost models from 2,003 patients across three consecutive perioperative phases using: 1) only preoperative, 2) pre- and intraoperative, and 3) pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables. The predictive performance progressively improved throughout the three consecutive perioperative phases (e.g., AUROC of 0.767 to 0.797 and 0.840), all surpassing the Thakar Score's performance. According to the SHAP method, intraoperative perfusion pressure was most important in the prediction, highlighting the importance of intraoperative patient management and the use of high-resolution biosignal data in predictive modeling to analyze hemodynamic fluctuations during surgery. Early postoperative biomarkers were also important predictors, highlighting the importance of intensified monitoring early after surgery.

Early marginal ulceration prevalence following primary RYGB: a rare events model of the MBSAQIP 2015-2021

PurposeMarginal ulceration (MU) following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an established complication, with early MU (within 30-days of operation) being less understood compared to its late counterpart. This study aims to identify risk factors for early MU in patients undergoing primary RYGB. MethodsUtilizing data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Project (MBSAQIP 2015-2021), 1,346,468 records were evaluated. After exclusions for revisions, conversions, pediatric cases, nonbinary gender, missing body mass index (BMI) data, and missing operative time; 291,625 cases of primary RYGB were included for full analysis and rare events modeling of early MU. ResultsThe prevalence of early MU was .29% (n = 850). Higher rates of early MU were associated with BMI, race, history of diabetes mellitus (DM), prior thrombotic complications (deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)), prior percutaneous cardiac intervention (PTC), immunosuppressive therapy, and anticoagulation status. Additionally, procedural aspects like the nonspecialization of the surgeon and longer operative times also correlated with higher early MU rates. Rare-events regression modeling noted significant associations of early MU with younger age, diabetes requiring insulin, history of PTC, DVT, immunosuppressive therapy, and anticoagulation status. ConclusionEarly MU remains a relatively rare complication. The lower than previously reported occurrence suggests possible improvements in both patient preparation and surgical technique. The identification of relevant risk factors enables better perioperative and intraoperative management of patients at risk of developing early MU.

Lung ultrasound score evaluation of the effect of pressure-controlled ventilation volume-guaranteed on patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy (LARG) is the standard treatment for early-stage gastric carcinoma (GC). However, the negative impact of this procedure on respiratory function requires the optimized intraoperative management of patients in terms of ventilation. To investigate the influence of pressure-controlled ventilation volume-guaranteed (PCV-VG) and volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) on blood gas analysis and pulmonary ventilation in patients undergoing LARG for GC based on the lung ultrasound score (LUS). The study included 103 patients with GC undergoing LARG from May 2020 to May 2023, with 52 cases undergoing PCV-VG (research group) and 51 cases undergoing VCV (control group). LUS were recorded at the time of entering the operating room (T0), 20 minutes after anesthesia with endotracheal intubation (T1), 30 minutes after artificial pneumoperitoneum (PP) establishment (T2), and 15 minutes after endotracheal tube removal (T5). For blood gas analysis, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were observed. Peak airway pressure (Ppeak), plateau pressure (Pplat), mean airway pressure (Pmean), and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) were recorded at T1 and T2, 1 hour after PP establishment (T3), and at the end of the operation (T4). Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) were recorded. Pre- and postoperative serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared with those at T0, the whole, anterior, lateral, posterior, upper, lower, left, and right lung LUS of the research group were significantly reduced at T1, T2, and T5; in the control group, the LUS of the whole and partial lung regions (posterior, lower, and right lung) decreased significantly at T2, while at T5, the LUS of the whole and some regions (lateral, lower, and left lung) increased significantly. In comparison with the control group, the whole and regional LUS of the research group were reduced at T1, T2, and T5, with an increase in PaO2, decrease in PaCO2, reduction in Ppeak at T1 to T4, increase in Pmean and Cdyn, and decrease in Pplat at T4, all significant. The research group showed a significantly lower incidence of PPCs than the control group within 3 days postoperatively. Postoperative IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α significantly increased in both groups, with even higher levels in the control group. LUS can indicate intraoperative non-uniformity and postural changes in pulmonary ventilation under PCV-VG and VCV. Under the lung protective ventilation strategy, the PCV-VG mode more significantly improved intraoperative lung ventilation in patients undergoing LARG for GC and reduced lung injury-related cytokine production, thereby alleviating lung injury.

Intraoperative Frozen Section Evaluation of Pancreatic Specimens and Related Liver Lesions.

Frozen sections are essential in the surgical management of patients, especially those with pancreatic masses, because frozen sections can provide answers intraoperatively and aid in treatment decisions. Pancreas frozen sections are challenging because of the small tissue size, processing artifacts, neoadjuvant treatment effects, and concurrent pancreatitis-like obstructive changes. The authors present a review of intraoperative evaluation of pancreatic specimens. To provide an approach to the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma on frozen sections and to discuss commonly encountered pitfalls. Indications for pancreas frozen sections and specific margin evaluation will be discussed. We will also review frozen section diagnosis of subcapsular liver lesions and tumors other than metastases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Data sources included a literature review and the personal experiences of the authors. The features for diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma include disordered architecture, glands at abnormal locations, and atypical cytology. It is important to be aware of the pitfalls and clues on frozen section. The evaluation of resection margins can be challenging, and in the setting of the resection of cystic tumors, the key is the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia or cancer. Finally, it is vital to remember the differential diagnosis for subcapsular liver lesions because not all lesions will be metastases of adenocarcinomas or bile duct adenomas. Frozen sections remain a useful tool for the intraoperative management of patients with pancreatic tumors.

Closed-loop control of anesthetic state in nonhuman primates.

Research in human volunteers and surgical patients has shown that unconsciousness under general anesthesia can be reliably tracked using real-time electroencephalogram processing. Hence, a closed-loop anesthesia delivery (CLAD) system that maintains precisely specified levels of unconsciousness is feasible and would greatly aid intraoperative patient management. The US Federal Drug Administration has approved no CLAD system for human use due partly to a lack of testing in appropriate animal models. To address this key roadblock, we implement a nonhuman primate (NHP) CLAD system that controls the level of unconsciousness using the anesthetic propofol. The key system components are a local field potential (LFP) recording system; propofol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic models; the control variable (LFP power between 20 and 30 Hz), a programmable infusion system and a linear quadratic integral controller. Our CLAD system accurately controlled the level of unconsciousness along two different 125-min dynamic target trajectories for 18 h and 45 min in nine experiments in two NHPs. System performance measures were comparable or superior to those in previous CLAD reports. We demonstrate that an NHP CLAD system can reliably and accurately control in real-time unconsciousness maintained by anesthesia. Our findings establish critical steps for CLAD systems' design and testing prior to human testing.

Anesthetic support during total laryngectomy: current status and feasibility of optimization

Topicality: Despite progress in global medicine, optimization of surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer remains an urgent task due to adverse postoperative consequences and poor patient survival. Anesthetic support during total laryngectomy needs to be improved due to the possible undesirable effect of the standard scheme of intraoperative management of patients. Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of anesthetic support during total laryngectomy using standard doses of opioids, the severity of side effects in the early postoperative period, and the feasibility of finding alternative pain relief schemes. Materials and methods: 25 patients with T3-4N0-3M0 laryngeal cancer who underwent radical surgical treatment were examined. During total laryngectomy, patients were anesthetized using standard doses of opioids without the use of adjuvant components of anesthesia. Anesthesia control was carried out on the basis of monitoring the bispectral index (BIS) and changes in the index of analgesia and nociception (ANI). In dynamics, biochemical and immunological studies of the blood of patients were carried out. Assessment of pain syndrome was carried out according to VAS indicators. Statistical analysis was carried out using classical methods of descriptive and analytical statistics using the software product STATISTICA v.6.1 (Statsoft Inc., USA, license number AGAR909E415822FA). Results and discussion: An analysis of anesthetic support during total laryngectomy using standard doses of opioids showed that the condition of patients after surgery is characterized by a certain immunosuppression with lymphopenia, a decrease in the level of interleukin 2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which lasts 48 hours and is most pronounced at 2-day after surgery. As a result of the study, the dependence of the pain syndrome in patients with total laryngectomy on the injected dose of opioids was revealed – the more opioids are used intraoperatively, the more patients needed them after the operation. This phenomenon is associated with the sensitization of opioid receptors and the development of tolerance, which further leads to hyperalgesia. An increase in the dose of the painkiller also led to an immunosuppressive effect in the examined patients, which was manifested primarily in a decrease in the level of IL-2, which is a potentially unfavorable factor in the proliferation and subsequent invasion of cancer cells. Conclusions: From the given data, it follows that the introduction of new anesthetic schemes using the principles of multimodal anesthesia and the principles of opioid-limiting anesthesia should be used in patients with laryngeal cancer during total laryngectomy.

Errors in pressure measurements due to changes in pressure transducer levels during adult cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study

BackgroundBlood pressure measurement is an essential element during intraoperative patient management. However, errors caused by changes in transducer levels can occur during surgery.MethodsThis single center, prospective, observational study enrolled 25 consecutive patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with invasive arterial and central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring. Hydrostatic pressures caused by level differences (leveling pressure) between a reference point (on the center of the left biceps brachii muscle) and the transducers (fixed on the right side of the operating table) for arterial and central lines were continuously measured using a leveling transducer. Adjusted pressures were calculated as measured pressure – leveling pressure. Hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 80, <70, and < 60 mmHg), and CVP (< 6, ≥6 and < 15, or ≥ 15 mmHg) and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP, mean > 20 mmHg) levels were determined using unadjusted and adjusted pressures.ResultsTwenty-two patients were included in the analysis. Leveling pressure ≥ 3 mmHg and ≥ 5 mmHg observed at 46.0 and 18.7% of pooled data points, respectively. Determinations of hypotension using unadjusted and adjusted pressures showed disagreements ranging from 3.3 to 9.4% depending on the cutoffs. Disagreements in defined levels of CVP and PAP were observed at 23.0 and 17.2% of the data points, respectively.ConclusionsThe errors in pressure measurement due to changes in transducer level were not trivial and caused variable disagreements in the determination of MAP, CVP, and PAP levels. To prevent distortions in intraoperative hemodynamic management, strategies should be sought to minimize or adjust for these errors in clinical practice.Trial registrationcris.nih.go.kr (KCT0006510).

Diagnostic accuracy of intra-operative frozen section at tertiary care center

Introduction: Frozen section is a valuable technique for immediate diagnosis in intraoperative management of patients. It helps the surgeon in the surgical management of the patient by helping in the intraoperative diagnosis of tumors, margins and lymph node assessment, and organ identification. Accuracy and limitation of frozen sections vary according to different anatomical sites. Study objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of frozen sections. Aims: Aim of this study was to analyze the frozen section results and compare it with final paraffin sections and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. Material and methods: A retrospective study of 201 specimens of intra operative FS were carried out in histopathology section of B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad. The diagnoses given on frozen section were compared with the final diagnosis given on permanent paraffin sections. The results were categorized into concordant and discordant. Results: The diagnostic accuracy of frozen section was found to be 86.6%. Discordant rate is 13.4%. Most common frozen section analysis was primary diagnosis or typing of neoplasms (97.5%). Discordant rate or false negative diagnosis was because of technical and interpretative error. Conclusion: Frozen section is a rapid diagnostic process which helps surgeons to choose best therapeutic approach. It confirms various benign and malignant lesions. When unexpected disease process is found and require a definite diagnosis and to take a definite decision on extent of surgery frozen section is very much helpful. However one needs to be aware of its limitations. By avoiding its limitation diagnostic accuracy can be improved.

The impacts of corrected left ventricular ejection time combined with dobutamine on hepatocellular carcinoma patients

To evaluate the clinical effect of corrected left ventricular ejection time (LVETc) combined with dobutamine on the intraoperative management of patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Sixty-eight patients with elective proposed pancreaticoduodenectomy, aged 61–78 years, body mass index 19–26 kg/m2, and ASA classification II or III, were divided into two groups (n = 34) using the random number table method: the esophageal ultrasound group (S group) and the esophageal ultrasound combined with dobutamine group (D group). In both groups, an esophageal ultrasound probe was placed after induction of anesthesia, and the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and stroke volume (SV) were measured via a long-axis section of gastric fundus to guide fluid infusion. Nitroglycerin or a combination of dobutamine and nitroglycerine were pumped intravenously from the beginning of surgery to the completion of hemostasis after partial hepatectomy, in groups S or D, respectively. Central Venous Pressure (CVP), heart rate HR, and mean arterial pressure MAP were recorded at entry (T0), immediately after induction (T1), at the beginning of the operation (T2), during hilar occlusion (T3), after partial hepatectomy (T4), and after the operation (T5). SV and LVETc were recorded between T1 and T5. At T0 and T5, blood samples from radial artery and central vein were taken to determine the concentration of blood lactic acid, and the oxygen supply index (DO2I) and oxygen uptake rate (O2ERe) were calculated by blood gas analysis. The operation time, hilar occlusion time, intraoperative urine volume, intraoperative crystalloid and colloid infusion, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion, and the occurrence of cardiac gas emboli during the operation were also recorded. Adverse events of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal function during and after operation were registered. Sixty-four patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with group S, group D had lower CVP values at T2–T3 and higher SV values at T2–T5, reduced intraoperative blood loss, significantly increased intraoperative urine output, a smaller total dose of nitroglycerin use, and lower incidences of intraoperative hypotension and cardiac gas emboli (P < 0.05). Esophageal ultrasound detection of LVETc combined with dobutamine ensures hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy while reducing the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and air embolism.

Pulmonary Vasodilator Response of Combined Inhaled Epoprostenol and Inhaled Milrinone in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are major complications in cardiac surgery. Intraoperative management of patients at high risk of RV failure should aim to reduce RV afterload and optimize RV filling pressures, while avoiding systemic hypotension, to facilitate weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Inhaled epoprostenol and inhaled milrinone (iE&iM) administered in combination before CPB may represent an effective strategy to facilitate separation from CPB and reduce requirements for intravenous inotropes during cardiac surgery. Our primary objective was to report the rate of positive pulmonary vasodilator response to iE&iM and, second, how it relates to perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery. This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with PH or RV dysfunction undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute from July 2013 to December 2018 (n = 128). iE&iM treatment was administered using an ultrasonic mesh nebulizer before the initiation of CPB. Demographic and baseline clinical data, as well as hemodynamic, intraoperative, and echocardiographic data, were collected using electronic records. An increase of 20% in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) to mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ratio was used to indicate a positive response to iE&iM. In this cohort, 77.3% of patients were responders to iE&iM treatment. Baseline systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.16 per 5 mm Hg; P = .0006) was found to be a predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while a European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II) score >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment (≤6.5% vs >6.5% [reference]: OR, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.84-14.66; P = .002). Severity of PH was associated with a positive response to treatment, where a higher proportion of responders had MPAP values >30 mm Hg (42.4% responders vs 24.1% nonresponders; P = .0237) and SPAP values >55 mm Hg (17.2% vs 3.4%; P = .0037). Easier separation from CPB was also associated with response to iE&iM treatment (69.7% vs 58.6%; P = .0181). A higher proportion of nonresponders had a very difficult separation from CPB and required intravenous inotropic drug support compared to responders, for whom easy separation from CPB was more frequent. Use of intravenous inotropes after CPB was lower in responders to treatment (8.1% vs 27.6%; P = .0052). A positive pulmonary vasodilator response to treatment with a combination of iE&iM before initiation of CPB was observed in 77% of patients. Higher baseline SPAP was an independent predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while EuroSCORE II >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment.

Identification of intraoperative management strategies that have a differential effect on patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThere are few data to guide the intraoperative management of patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This study aimed to describe how patients with reduced LVEF are managed differently and to identify and treatments had a different risk profile in this population.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery. The effect of anesthesia medications and fluid balance was compared between those with and without a reduced preoperative LVEF. The primary outcome was a composite of acute kidney injury, myocardial injury, pulmonary complications, and 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Treatments that affected patients with reduced LVEF differently were defined as those associated with the primary outcome that also had a significant interaction with LVEF.ResultsA total of 9420 patients were included. Patients with reduced LVEF tended to have a less positive fluid balance. Etomidate, calcium, and phenylephrine were use more frequently, while propofol and remifentanil were used less frequently. Remifentanil affected patients with reduced LVEF differently than those without (interaction term OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.30–5.68, p = 0.008). While the use of remifentanil was associated with fewer complications in patients with normal systolic function (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42–0.68, p < 0.001), it was associated with an increase in complications in patients with reduced LVEF (OR = 3.13, 95% CI 3.06–5.98, p = 0.026).ConclusionsPatients with a reduced preoperative LVEF are treated differently than those with a normal LVEF when undergoing non-cardiac surgery. An association was found between the use of remifentanil and an increase in postoperative adverse events that was unique to this population. Future research is needed to determine if this relationship is secondary to the medication itself or reflects a difference in how remifentanil is used in patients with reduced LVEF.

How to build a successful hypertrophic cardiomyopathy team and ensure training the next generation of myectomy surgeons.

Transaortic extended septal myectomy is the most reliable method for septal reduction for symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In addition, surgical management of nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is possible for selected patients with diastolic heart failure and small left ventricular end-diastolic cavity dimensions. These procedures, however, are performed infrequently in many centers, and trainees may not be exposed to the preoperative evaluation and intraoperative management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In this paper, we review what we believe are the central features for creating a successful program for septal myectomy and detail our strategies to optimize instruction in these techniques for residents and fellows.

Liver Transplantation in Children and Impact of Intraoperative Goal Directed Therapies on Postoperative Outcome

Background: Liver transplantation is a hemorrhagic surgery with high postoperative complication rates in terms of organ dysfunction and infections. We conducted a retrospective observational monocentric study that had the objectives of determining predictors of postoperative outcome in children. In the initial cohort, 19 children underwent liver transplantation. A description of the postoperative outcomes of these patients was undertaken. Objective: To describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in children undergoing liver transplantation and to propose intraoperative management implementation measures for postoperative outcome improvement. Methods: Secondary analysis of liver transplanted patients included in the initial study. Results: There were 19 patients who underwent liver transplantation with a median age of 31[2-154] months. Five patients had re-operations (26.3%). Fourteen (73.7%) had intraoperative and/or postoperative complications. Five (26.3%) had intraoperative hemorrhagic shock. One (5.3%) had postoperative respiratory failure, one (5.3%) had postoperative multiple organ failure, two (10.5%) had postoperative neurologic failure and five (26.3%) had cardio-circulatory failure. One (5.3%) had postoperative pulmonary sepsis, five (26.3%) had postoperative abdominal sepsis, and six (31.6%) had postoperative septicemia. Intra-operative transfusion rate was 100%. In-hospital mortality rate was 10.5% (two patients). Conclusion: There were multiple postoperative adverse outcome predictors. Optimal intraoperative patient management with transfusion guided by point-of-care viscoelastic devices and goal-directed fluid and hemodynamic therapy with validated parameters and tools in children is a possible pathway to upgrade postoperative evolution in pediatric liver transplantation.

Intraoperative adenosine for pheochromocytoma with myocardial infarction and SARS-CoV-2. Case report

Introduction: Pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors capable of synthetizing, storing and releasing catecholaminergic hormones that may lead to life-threatening hemodynamic instability. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risks and perioperative complexity of the patients undergoing pheochromocytoma-associated adrenalectomy. This article discusses the use of adenosine for the management of hypertensive crisis during this intervention, as well as the need to individualize the suitable timing for surgery after recent COVID-19 infection.&#x0D; Case presentation: This article discusses the case of a patient with a finding of right adrenal incidentaloma; further studies determined a metanephrines secreting pheochromocytoma. Following hospital admission for preoperative optimization, the eve of the procedure the patient developed an acute myocardial infarction and subsequently SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection. Intraoperatively, hypertensive peaks were managed with continuous adenosine perfusion. The patient was discharged after 48 hours.&#x0D; Conclusions: Preoperative optimization positively influences the intraoperative management of patients with pheochromocytoma. The intraoperative use of adenosine allows for adequate and safe control of hypertensive crises. Each situation must be individualized in patients pending surgery, with a recent COVID-19 infection.

Four novel suture-sealing techniques to repair varying size paravalvular leaks.

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a well-known complication of aortic valve replacement. Currently, there is no consensus on optimal intraoperative management of patients with mild-to-moderate or moderate PVL. In this paper we present four novel surgical techniques, each combining suturing with sealing technique, to repair aortic PVLs, nullifying the need to replace the prosthesis. These techniques will offer cardiac surgeons new alternatives to the repair techniques currently used.

This Month in Anesthesiology

This Month in Anesthesiology

Postoperative Outcomes in Exploratory Laparotomy and Intestinal Resection in Children: A Secondary Descriptive Observational Analysis

Background: We previously reported independent predictors of intraoperative and postoperative morbidity. These were age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (ASA), emergency situations, surgery and transfusion. ASA was the independent predictor of mortality. We conducted a secondary analysis of this previous retrospective study in patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection. Objectives: The objective was to describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection in the initial study and to present a research protocol for intraoperative and postoperative optimization. Methods: Secondary analysis of the initial study was used. The Ethics Committee approved the study. Results: There were 54 patients with a median age of 15.5 [0 - 172] months. Thirty-seven (68.5%) patients underwent intestinal resection, nine (16.7%) underwent exploratory laparotomy, and eight (16.8%) underwent laparotomy for volvulus. Fourteen (25.9%) patients had intraoperative and/or postoperative complications. Two (3.7%) patients had an intraoperative hemorrhagic shock. Two (3.7%) patients had a postoperative cardio-circulatory failure. Three (5.6%) had postoperative respiratory failure. One (1.8%) patient had postoperative multiple organ failure and neurologic failure. Three (5.6%) patients had postoperative abdominal sepsis. One (1.8%) patient had postoperative multiple organ sepsis and neuromeningeal sepsis. Four (7.4%) patients had postoperative pulmonary sepsis. Two (3.7%) had postoperative septicemia. Six (11.1%) patients had reoperations. Seventeen (31.5%) patients had an intraoperative transfusion. The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.7% in two patients. Conclusion: The number of patients with postoperative complications in this cohort was not negligible. We, therefore, elaborated a research protocol where intraoperative patient management will be guided with transthoracic echocardiography for fluid and hemodynamic therapy optimization. The objective of this study protocol is to clarify the impact of intraoperative goal-directed fluid and hemodynamic therapy with transthoracic echocardiography on postoperative outcomes in terms of complications in pediatric surgical patients.

Liver Transplantation in Children and Impact of Intraoperative Goal Directed Therapies on Postoperative Outcome

Background: Liver transplantation is a hemorrhagic surgery with high postoperative complication rates in terms of organ dysfunction and infections. We conducted a retrospective observational monocentric study that had the objectives of determining predictors of postoperative outcome in children. In the initial cohort, 19 children underwent liver transplantation. A description of the postoperative outcomes of these patients was undertaken. Objective: To describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in children undergoing liver transplantation and to propose intraoperative management implementation measures for postoperative outcome improvement. Methods: Secondary analysis of liver transplanted patients included in the initial study. Results: There were 19 patients who underwent liver transplantation with a median age of 31[2-154] months. Five patients had re-operations (26.3%). Fourteen (73.7%) had intraoperative and/or postoperative complications. Five (26.3%) had intraoperative hemorrhagic shock. One (5.3%) had postoperative respiratory failure, one (5.3%) had postoperative multiple organ failure, two (10.5%) had postoperative neurologic failure and five (26.3%) had cardio-circulatory failure. One (5.3%) had postoperative pulmonary sepsis, five (26.3%) had postoperative abdominal sepsis, and six (31.6%) had postoperative septicemia. Intra-operative transfusion rate was 100%. In-hospital mortality rate was 10.5% (two patients). Conclusion: There were multiple postoperative adverse outcome predictors. Optimal intraoperative patient management with transfusion guided by point-of-care viscoelastic devices and goal-directed fluid and hemodynamic therapy with validated parameters and tools in children is a possible pathway to upgrade postoperative evolution in pediatric liver transplantation.

COVID-19 patients in the operating room: a concise review of existing literature.

A novel Coronavirus was identified in late 2019 as the cause of COVID-19 disease which is highly contagious. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA, enveloped virus from the beta Coronavirus family. Intraoperative management of patients with COVID-19 is a high-risk procedure. An international attention has raised to develop recommendations for the management strategies. This review article was designed to synthesize the existing evidence and experience related to intraoperative management of COVID-19. This review provides a summary of clinical guidance and addresses six domains: principles of intraoperative monitoring, airway management and related difficulties, ventilation, type of anesthesia, medications and side effects, and intraoperative fluid management.