Perioperative Stage Research Articles

Enhanced recovery after lung resection in high-risk patients

To study the possibilities of the ERAS program and immediate results in high-risk patients undergoing lung resection. The prospective study included 76 high-risk patients. All patients required lobar resection for various lung diseases. The risk of postoperative complications and mortality was stratified using the Thoracoscore and Thoracic Revised Cardiac Risk Index systems, as well as the American Society of Anesthesiologists Outcome Prediction Scale. At all perioperative stages, we assessed the possibilities for accelerated recovery and postoperative complications using the Thoracic Morbidity and Mortality System. Patients were characterized by multiple comorbidities requiring long-term and individual preoperative correction. This prevented adherence to a single protocol at the outpatient stage. We intraoperatively observed severe adhesive process up to complete obliteration of pleural cavity that complicated the use of minimally invasive technologies. Lung tissue was characterized by emphysematous lesions and reduced elasticity that caused prolonged air release and formation of residual cavities. These features required two pleural drains in 42 (52.3%) cases that increased hospital-stay. Multimodal analgesia and early activation with rehabilitation were optimal elements of ERAS. Various postoperative abnormalities developed in 31 (40.8%) patients, mortality rate was 7.9% (n=6). Minor and serious complications prevailed (21 (27.6%) cases). Their correction was effective and not accompanied by fatal outcomes. Critical complications occurred in 10 (13.1%) patients and caused fatal outcomes in 6 (7.9%) cases. ERAS protocol among high-risk patients in thoracic surgery is possible in the form of separate elements included in perioperative support.

Retracted: Effect of Comprehensive Nursing Approach in Perioperative Stage of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Interventional Therapy

Retracted: Effect of Comprehensive Nursing Approach in Perioperative Stage of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Interventional Therapy

A quadruple peripheral nerve block outside the OR for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction reduces the OR occupancy time.

The use of regional anesthesia (RA) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction reduces morphine consumption, the time spent in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and the hospital readmission rate. However, RA failures due to delays in the induction of anesthesia and its unpredictable success rate (Cuvillon et al. Ann Fr Anesth 29:710-715, 2010; Jankowski et al. Anesth Analg 10.1213/01.ANE.0000081798.89853.E7) can lead to disorganization of the operating room (OR) schedule. The hypothesis is that performing RA outside the OR will significantly reduce the OR occupancy time relative to using general anesthesia (GA). The primary objective was to compare the OR occupancy time between RA and GA when performing ACL reconstruction. This was a retrospective, single-center study of data collected prospectively from consecutive patients operated by a single surgeon between January 2019 and December 2020. The patients undergoing ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups based on the type of anesthesia they received (GA, RA). RA consisted of a quadruple peripheral nerve block (femoral, sciatic, obturator and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves). The durations of the perioperative stages of the patient's journey in the OR suite were compared between these two groups. The analysis involved 469 ACL reconstructions: 356 GA and 113 RA. The two groups were comparable in age, gender and ASA score (American Society of Anesthesiologists). The OR occupancy time for ACL reconstruction with RA was reduced by a mean of 13min (70 ± 12 SD vs. 83 ± 14 SD; P < 0.0001) and the PACU time by 41min relative to GA (P < 0.0001). The entry-incision time was reduced by an average of 8min and the end-exit time by 3min (P < 0.0001). The care time in the PACU was reduced from 84 ± 35 to 46 ± 26min (P < 0.0001). However, performing anesthesia outside the OR (i.e., in a RA block room) did not reduce the turnover time (n.s). Performing RA outside the OR reduced the OR occupancy time by nearly 20% relative to using GA for ACL reconstructions. Level IV.

Использование Fast-Track в детской урологии

Current trends in the anesthesiology require a change in the perioperative management of patients, with a consideration of new approaches to anesthesia and the introduction of methods that reduce the stress response to surgery.To introduce the "fast-track" concept with the analysis of systemic hemodynamics and stress markers at the perioperative stage in children with urological diseases.A prospective and retrospective analysis of the results of 42 children with urological disorders treated from 09.2016 to 04.2021 under spinal anesthesia (SA) was carried out. In each case, perioperative parameters were evaluated, including central hemodynamics and biochemical markers of stress response.Hemodynamic stability under SA in young children has an evidence base and a physiological explanation. Changes in stress response markers in various anesthesia methods revealed a more pronounced stress-protective effect in SA than in general anesthesia.Our data have shown that combined SA for urological procedures in children allows to more effectively and reliably prevent and block the manifestations of stress-induced reactions of hemodynamics and metabolism than general anesthesia. The introduction of fast-track approach in pediatric urology resulted in the faster postoperative recovery and shorter length of stay.

Effect of Comprehensive Nursing Approach in Perioperative Stage of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Interventional Therapy.

Objective To examine the efficacy of a complete nursing strategy during the perioperative phase for patients undergoing interventional treatment for hepatocellular cancer. Methods Sixty patients who were diagnosed with liver cancer and underwent interventional therapy in our hospital between February 2019 and December 2021 were recruited in this trial. All study subjects were numbered according to the time when the patients first came to our hospital, and were equally divided into a comprehensive group and a conventional group based on the odd and even number of the last number, with 30 cases in each group. Those in the conventional group received conventional nursing care, whereas patients in the comprehensive group received comprehensive nursing care. Before and after the nursing intervention, the quality of life, pain, and patient satisfaction in both groups were compared. Results The quality of survival scores, including physical, emotional, role, social, and cognitive function scores of patients in the comprehensive group, were significantly higher than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in numeric rating scales (NRS) scores between the two groups compared before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the NRS scores of patients in the study group were significantly lower than those of patients in the control group (P < 0.05); before the intervention, the difference between the emotional state scores of patients in the two groups was not significant and not statistically significant (P > 0.05), while the emotional state of patients in both groups improved after the intervention, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores of patients in the comprehensive group were lower than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05); the total incidence of adverse reactions in the comprehensive group (10.00%) was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (46.67%) (P < 0.05); and the total satisfaction of patients in the comprehensive group (93.33%) was significantly higher than that of patients in the conventional group (73.33%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The intervention of a comprehensive nursing approach in the perioperative period for patients with liver cancer is remarkable as it can relieve patients' psychological burden and pain, ensure a smooth operation, improve patients' postoperative quality of life, and also help to reduce the risk of postoperative adverse reactions, effectively enhancing patients' satisfaction, and thus deserves to be promoted in clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of herbal formulas with the function of gut microbiota regulation for gastric and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundCurrently, gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) are the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence of GC and CRC and the efficacy of chemotherapy. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of herbal formulas with the function of gut microbiota regulation (HFGMR) in the treatment of GC and CRC and to assess the quality of the synthesized evidence.MethodsA comprehensive search was performed on eight electronic databases, PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and two registries, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov, from their initiation to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the therapeutic effects of HFGMR were included. We used Stata 16 for data synthesis and Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) for methodological quality evaluation and assessed the quality of the synthesized evidence in the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.ResultsFifty-three RCTs involving 4,478 patients were included. These trials involve seven herbal formulas that could regulate the gut microbiota of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, and Enterococcus faecalis. The meta-analysis results were subgrouped to three different stages in GC and CRC. 1) For the perioperative stage, HFGMR combined with conventional therapy could shorten the time to bowel sound recovery by 1.63 h [mean difference (MD) = −1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−2.62, −0.65)], the time to first flatus by 9.69 h [MD = −9.69, 95% CI (−10.89, −8.48)], and the duration of hospitalization by 2.91 days [MD = −2.91, 95% CI (−4.01, −1.80)] in GC. There were no significant differences in outcomes of gastrointestinal function recovery and adverse events in CRC. 2) For postoperative patients, combined with adjuvant chemotherapy, HFGMR could decrease the incidence of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and peripheral neurotoxicity in GC; boost Karnofsky performance status (KPS) improvement rate [risk ratio (RR) = 1.96, 95% CI (1.38, 2.79)]; and decrease the incidence of leucopenia and nausea and vomiting in CRC. 3) For advanced stage, HFGMR can significantly improve the objective response rate (ORR) [RR = 1.35, 95% CI (1.19~1.53)], disease control rate (DCR) [RR = 1.14, 95% CI (1.05~1.23)], and KPS improvement rate [RR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.17, 2.09)] and decrease the incidence of leucopenia, neutropenia, anemia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue in GC. There were no significant differences in ORR [RR = 1.32, 95% CI (0.94~1.86)] and DCR [RR = 1.22, 95% CI (0.99~1.50)], but they can improve the KPS response rate [RR = 1.62, 95% CI (1.13, 2.32)] and decrease the incidence of myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and hepatic and renal dysfunction in CRC.ConclusionThis study indicates that herbal formulas that could regulate the composition and proportion of gut microbiota have a positive effect in three stages (perioperative, postoperative, and advanced) of GC and CRC. They could promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function, increase tumor response, improve performance status, and reduce the incidence of adverse events. Herbal formulas exerted anti-cancer efficacy through multiple mechanisms and pathways; among them, the regulation of gut microbiota has not been paid enough attention. To further support the conclusion and better understand the role of gut microbiota in the treatment of GC and CRC, more rigorously designed, large-scale, and multicenter RCTs that focus on herbal formulas and gut microbiota are needed in the future.

Efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine versus intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine in laparoscopic cholecystectomy – A prospective randomized double-blinded study

Background: Dexmedetomidine now has become one of the frequently used drugs as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen to provide improved pain control at all perioperative stages for laparoscopic surgeries. Aims and Objectives: In this prospective, double-blind, randomized, and control trial, we compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine and intraperitoneal (IP) dexmedetomidine in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I and II undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were allocated into two groups. The patients in Group-IV had received 30 ml of 0.5 μg/kg Dexmedetomidine infusion intravenously plus 40 ml of Ropivacaine (30 mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine and 10 ml NS) intraperitoneally and in Group-IP received 30 ml NS intravenously and 40 ml of Ropivacaine plus Dexmedetomidine (30 mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine and 0.5 μg/kg Dexmedetomidine diluted in 10 ml NS) intraperitoneally after removal of the gallbladder. Patients were assessed during the first 24 h postoperatively for time to the first requirement of analgesia, total analgesic consumption, sedation, hemodynamics, side effects, and patient satisfaction. Results: Time to first request of analgesia (min) was longer (216.46±42.19 vs. 108.03±48.77) and total analgesic consumption (mg) was lower (92.50±32.26 vs 115.0±38.056) in Group-IV than in Group-IP. A significant difference was observed in visual analogue score in Group-IV at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h postoperatively and in the patient satisfaction score (P=0.024) in comparison to Group-IP. Conclusion: The postoperative analgesic effects and patient satisfaction, of low dose IV Dexmedetomidine plus IP instillation of Ropivacaine, are superior to low dose IP Dexmedetomidine added to Ropivacaine.

Reverse Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation. A Case Report.

IntroductionTakotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare reversible type of heart failure, often precipitated by emotional stress; other risk factors include intracranial bleeding, ischemic stroke, sepsis, major surgery, pheochromocytoma. The clinical, electrical and blood sample analysis features resemble those of a myocardial infarction- however, they occur in the absence of angiographic coronary filling defects.Case presentationA 61-year-old male patient, 71 kg, 175 cm, underwent liver transplantation for Child-Pugh B cirrhosis secondary to mixed viral hepatitis (B and D). His medical records revealed mild mitral, aortic, and tricuspid insufficiencies and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. An initially uneventful perioperative stage was succeeded by cardiogenic shock (cardiac index – 1.2 l/min/ sqm), which the patient developed 24 hours after the intervention. Elevated cardiac markers and ECG abnormalities showing ST-T changes in the V2-V5 leads were additionally noted. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed an acute onset reduction in the left ventricular systolic function secondary to basal hypokinesia. No coronary obstruction was detected by percutaneous angiography. The above findings lead to the diagnosis of reverseTakotsubo cardiomyopathy. Further, the patient developed acute kidney injury and liver graft failure, succumbing within 48 hours after the surgical procedure.ConclusionsWe report a rare case of reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a male patient after orthotopic liver transplant.

Timely completion of spinal fusion: A multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative to improve operating room efficiency.

Failure to complete surgery within the scheduled timeframe impairs operating room efficiency leading to patient dissatisfaction and unplanned labor costs. We sought to improve timely completion (within 30 min of scheduled time) of first-case spine fusion surgery (for idiopathic scoliosis) from a baseline of 25%-80% over 12 months. We also targeted timely completion of perioperative stages within predetermined target completion times. The project was conducted in three overlapping phases over 16 months. A simplified process map outlining five sequential perioperative stages, preintervention baselines (N=24) and time targets were defined. A multidisciplinary team conducted a series of tests of change addressing the aims. The key drivers included effective scheduling, team communications, family engagement, data collection veracity, standardized pathways, and situational awareness. Data collected by an independent data collector and from electronic medical records were analyzed using control charts and statistical process control methods. Post-intervention, timely case completion increased from 25% to 68% (N=49) (95% CI 15.1-62.7), (p=0.003) and was sustained (N=14). Implementation of prediction model for case-scheduling decreased difference between scheduled and actual case end-time (33 vs. 53 min [baseline]) and variance [lower/upper control limits ([-26, 51] vs. [-109, 216]min [baseline]). Average start time delay decreased from 6 to 2min and on-time surgical starts improved from 50% to 70% (95% CI 3.2-41.6%). Timely completion increased for anesthesia induction (60% to 85%), surgical procedure (26% to 48%) and emergence from anesthesia (44% to 80%) but not for intraoperative patient preparation (30% to 25%) perioperative stages. Families reported satisfaction with preoperative processes (N=14), and no untoward intraoperative safety events occurred. Application of QI methodology reduced time variation of several tasks and improved timely completion of spine surgery. Beyond the study period, sustained team behavior, adaptive changes, and vigilant monitoring are imperative for continued success.

Treatment of Lung Cancer with Orally Administered Chinese Herbal Medicine: An Evidence Map between 1970-2020.

Through showing the full picture of double-arm controlled clinical research and systematic review evidence in the field of orally administrated Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for treatment of lung cancer, to provide a reference for future clinical research and to indicate a direction for future systematic reviews. A comprehensive search of clinical controlled studies was performed regarding orally administered CHM treatment for lung cancer published from January 1970 to September 2020. The language was restricted to Chinese and English. Relevant data were extracted, the quality of systematic reviews was evaluated, and the research evidence was visually displayed. Randomized controlled trials were the most common type of research design. The research sample sizes were typically small. Oral CHM showed certain curative advantages in treating lung cancer. The key stages in oral CHM intervention for lung cancer are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and late palliative treatment. The advantageous outcomes of oral CHM treatment of lung cancer are the short-term efficacy, quality of life, and adverse reactions. The perioperative stage, overall survival, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, and Chinese medicine decoctions are weak research areas. CHM has staged and therapeutic advantages in treating lung cancer. The overall methodological quality is poor, and the level of evidence requires improvement. It is necessary to carry out large-scale, standardized, and higher-quality research in the superior and weak areas of CHM treatment of lung cancer.

Spinal microglial activation promotes perioperative social defeat stress-induced prolonged postoperative pain in a sex-dependent manner

Prolonged postsurgical pain, which is associated with multiple risk factors in the perioperative stage, is a common medical and social problem worldwide. Suitable animal models should be established to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the perioperative prolonged postsurgical pain. In this study, standard and modified social defeat stress mice models, including chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), chronic nondiscriminatory social defeat stress (CNSDS) and vicarious social defeat stress (VSDS), were applied to explore the effect of perioperative social defeat stress on postsurgical pain in male and female mice. Our results showed that exposure to preoperative CSDS could induce prolonged postsurgical pain in defeated mice regardless of susceptibility or resilience differentiated by the social interaction test. Similar prolongation of incision-induced mechanical hypersensitivity was also observed in both sexes upon exposing to CNSDS or VSDS in the preoperative period. Moreover, we found that using the modified CNSDS or VSDS models at different recovery stages after surgery could still promote abnormal pain without sex differences. Further studies revealed the key role of spinal microglial activation in the stress-induced transition from acute to prolonged postoperative pain in male but not female mice. Together, these data indicate that perioperative social defeat stress is a vital risk factor for developing prolonged postoperative pain in both sexes, but the promotion of stress-induced prolonged postoperative pain by spinal microglial activation is sexually dimorphic in mice.

Способ минимизации типичных осложнений при спинальной анестезии

Целью работы было исследовать влияние низкодозовой спинальной монолатеральной анестезии с использованием гипербарических растворов бупивакаина на кардиогемодинамику, респираторную депрессию, мышечную дрожь, постпункционную головную боль, транзиторный ишемический синдром и потребность в дополнительной внутривенной седации. Низкодозовая спинальная анестезия выявила больший протективный эффект в отношении кардиогемодинамики: стабильное состояние гемодинамики на этапах оперативного лечения при выполнении низкодозовой спинальной монолатеральной анестезии наблюдали в среднем в 3 раза чаще, чем при стандартной спинномозговой анестезии. Использование монолатеральной техники предотвращало опасные изменения респираторной функции на основном этапе в среднем в 2 раза больше, а по окончании операции — в 4 раза. Озноб и дрожь после монолатеральной спинномозговой анестезии наблюдали на основном этапе в 1,5 раза реже, а по окончании оперативного лечения — в 2,4 раза реже, чем при ортодоксальной спинномозговой анестезии.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on renal function after surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication following surgery and has been associated with worsened patient outcomes. Providers have used agents that may confer a degree of renal protection in the perioperative stage. Such is the case of dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a sedative agent. The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to characterize the use of dexmedetomidine and to evaluate its impact on renal markers and outcomes in patients after surgery. A systematic review of manuscripts was performed to identify patients who received dexmedetomidine after surgery by searching the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The following parameters were captured: blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipoprotein (NGAL), cystatin C, urine output, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, AKI, need for dialysis, and mortality. Nineteen studies with 3,395 patients were included in the analyses. The mean bolus and infusion dose of dexmedetomidine were 0.82µg/kg and 0.54mcg/kg/hr, respectively. There was a significant difference in creatinine clearance and NGAL in favour of the dexmedetomidine group. In addition, the dexmedetomidine group had a shorter ICU length of stay, and a lower risk of acute kidney injury and mortality compared to the control. There was no difference in the rest of the parameters. Dexmedetomidine appears to have postoperative renal protective effects. This is evidenced by lower NGAL levels and increased creatinine clearance in those who received dexmedetomidine. These effects are associated with decreases in ICU length of stay and risk of AKI and mortality.

Patient First: Surgery First and More.

The success of surgery first approach has been defined by the number of advantages offered and is definitively determined by the satisfaction of the patients themselves. The strength of this protocol resides in its philosophy that puts the patient at the center of the whole diagnostic-therapeutic process. The compliance of the patient, its happiness and comfort are the best guarantee of a good final results. While pursuing this philosophy we have wondered whether there was way to increase the comfort of surgery first approach even more and to make it even more appealing for the patients. For these reasons, we have decided to work on a preliminary protocol in order to reduce or even eliminate the use of orthodontic braces and wires during perioperative stages. Materials and Methods: No orthodontic braces or wires are bonded on the teeth before surgery. Intraoperatory intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is carried out with the use of IMF screws which are positioned at the beginning of the operation on the edge between keratinized and nonkeratinized gingiva. Once the osteotomies are performed IMF with IMF screws is carried out on the planned occlusion with the use of surgical splints.Discussion and Conclusions: In selected cases the postsurgical orthodontic treatment can be carried out with the use of clear aligners, completely eliminating the need of braces and wires with an additional level of comfort.

Effect of auricular point sticking therapy on perioperative pain in patients with partial lung resection

To observe the analgesic effect of auricular point sticking therapy during the perioperative stage in the patients with partial lung resection. A total of 92 patients with partial lung resection were randomized into an auricular point group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off), the sham-auricular point group (30 cases) and a medication group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). The routine medication for analgesia was provided in all of the three groups. In the auricular point group, 1 day before operation, the auricular point sticking therapy was applied at shenmen (TF4), sympathetic (AH6a), subcortex (AT4), brain stem (AT3,4i), anterior ear lobe (LO4), chest (AH10) and lung (CO14), retained till the third day after operation. In the sham-auricular point group, the auricular adhesive tape without semen vaccariae was used at the same points as the auricular point group. Separately, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) in 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, the time for obtaining the mean of the postoperative VAS score<3 points, the scores of hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) in 8, 72 h after operation and the plasma concentration of β-endorphin in 24, 48 h after operation, as well as the adverse reactions after operation were recorded in the patients of each group. In 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, VAS scores in the auricular point group were lower than those in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group separately (P<0.05). In the auricular point group, 16 h after operation the mean of VAS score was less than 3 points, but in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group, 48 h after operation, such a mean score of VAS was obtained. In 8, 72 h after operation, HAD score in the auricular point group was lower than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively. In 24, 48 h after operation, the concentration of plasmaβ-endorphin was all higher than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively (P<0.05). In 24 h after operation, the plasma concentration ofβ-endorphin in the sham-auricular point group was higher than the medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the auricular point group was lower than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively (P<0.05). Auricular point sticking therapy relieves perioperative pain, shortens analgesic time, releases anxious and depressive emotions and reduces postoperative adverse reaction in the patients with partial lung resection. The analgesic mechanism is probably related to the increase of plasma concentration of β-endorphin.

The effective interplay of (non-) selective NSAIDs with neostigmine in animal models of analgesia and inflammation

BackgroundSurgical procedures cause perioperative immunosuppression and neuroendocrine stress, exerted by activation of the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (ACHEI); neostigmine, is known clinically for its analgesic effect in the perioperative phases proving high efficacy; besides possessing anti-inflammatory properties controlling immune cells and cytokine level. Hence, this study evaluated and compared the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the combination of selective Cox-2 inhibitor; celecoxib, with neostigmine versus a combination of the non-selective Cox inhibitor; diclofenac, with neostigmine; in different experimental models of analgesia and inflammation in rats.MethodsAnalgesic activity of neostigmine with/without diclofenac or celecoxib was assessed in female Sprague-Dawely rats using the tail clip model and acetic acid induced writhing. Serum level of β-endorphin was assessed after the tail clip test. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acute and sub-chronic formalin induced paw edema. At the end of the sub-chronic formalin test, blood samples were collected for analysis of anti-inflammatory, liver and kidney function markers. Livers, kidneys and hind paws were also examined histopathologically.ResultsAddition of neostigmine to selective or non-selective NSAIDs (celecoxib or diclofenac) causes an increased level of analgesia of NSAIDs with rapid onset of action and short duration, while causing potentiation of the anti-inflammatory effect of neostigmine as seen in the tail clip, writhing, formalin test, Cox-1 and Cox-2 activities, serum β-endorphin, TNF-α, NF-кB and HS-CRP. All combinations of this study disturb some kidney and liver functions, however with normal histopathological appearances, while hind paws reveal improved inflammatory infiltration in all treated groups.ConclusionsSelective and non-selective NSAIDs examined in this study could be good adjunct options to general anesthetic agents and neostigmine in perioperative stages, an outcome that needs further clinical investigations.

In situ interprofessional operating room simulations: Empowering learners in crisis resource management principles

BackgroundGiven the multifaceted nature of operating room teams, miscommunication at various perioperative stages leads to lapses in teamwork and communication, which potentiates adverse events. In situ interprofessional operating room simulations are a valuable tool in identifying the possible threats to patient safety in the operating room. Participant confidence may also increase; however, perceived confidence in specific areas of team communication in the clinical environment remains unclear. This research aims to study how in situ interprofessional operating room simulations increase participants’ individual confidence in 4 team principles derived from crisis resource management: using effective communication, utilizing resources, establishing role clarity, and using effective situational awareness. MethodsOver a 2-year period, interdisciplinary operating room team members were assigned to participate in 13 simulated surgical case scenarios, which were chosen based on the volunteer surgeon’s specialty. These cases were designed to engage all team members and included a crisis scenario (ie, hemorrhage, airway emergency, arrhythmia, or cardiac arrest). All statistical analyses were performed using RStudio version 1.2.1335 software. We analyzed matched pre- and postsimulation self-assessment of individual confidence using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for each of the 4 aforementioned constructs of interest derived from crisis resource management training principles. Significance was set at P < .0038, using Bonferroni correction, for all comparisons to account for the multiple comparisons problem. ResultsThere was a statistically significant shift in the 4-point scale toward greater self-reported confidence from presimulation to postsimulation for each of the 4 team principles: using effective communication (P = .0019, r = 0.18), utilizing resources well (P = .0014, r = 0.18), establishing role clarity (P < .0010, r = 0.22), and using effective situational awareness (P < .0010, r = 0.27). ConclusionIn this pilot study, we describe how teaching crisis resource management principles in an in situ operative simulation is an effective way to increase the confidence of communication skills among the members of an interdisciplinary procedure/operative team during crisis scenarios. In situ simulation can be used to evaluate system competence and interdisciplinary dynamics, and to identify latent conditions that predispose to medical error. As we continue to conduct these sessions, we aim to evaluate their impact on individual confidence and the advancement of interdisciplinary efforts to improve patient care.

Evaluation of Pain Management in Patients Undergoing LVAD Therapy via Thoracotomy and Median Sternotomy Approach

<h3>Purpose</h3> Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become a critical component of heart failure therapy. Many efforts are made to reduce complications and hospital length of stay. Thoracotomy and median sternotomy are both used as surgical approaches. Here, we investigated pain level and opioid use in the peri-operative stage in patients undergoing LVAD implantation via thoracotomy or median sternotomy approach. <h3>Methods</h3> : We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients who underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation between 2017-2020. Of these, 41 (75%) LVADs were implanted via median sternotomy approach and 14 (25%) LVADs were implanted via thoracotomy. Maximum pain score at day 3 and 7 post-op, at discharge and first follow-up visit were evaluated for both groups. In addition, amount of oxycodone given in the peri-operative period in both groups was investigated. <h3>Results</h3> Both groups were similar in age and gender distribution (Table 1). Heartmate III® was the main VAD type implanted in the sternotomy group (76%; n=31) while HVAD Heartware® was in the thoracotomy group (86%; n=12). There was no difference in the mean length of ICU stay or hospital stay between the groups (both p>0.05; Table 1). While there was a decrease in median pain score from day 3 post-op to first visit follow-up in both groups, the pain score was comparable between the two groups at day 3 and 7 post-op, at discharge and first-follow-up (Table 1). Also, we did not find a significant difference in oxycodone use between thoracotomy and median sternotomy groups. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Both thoracotomy and median sternotomy approach resulted in similar peri-operative pain level and opioid use in patients undergoing LVAD implantation.

Four Lessons Learned from Complications in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstructions and Prevention Strategies.

Background:Free flap reconstruction in the head and neck region is a complex field in which patient comorbidities, radiation therapy, tumor recurrence, and variability of clinical scenarios make some cases particularly challenging and prone to devastating complications. Despite low free flap failure rates, the impact of flap failure has enormous consequences for the patients.Methods:Acknowledging and predicting high risk intra- and postoperative situations and having planned strategies on how to deal with them can decrease their rate and improve the patient’s reconstructive journey.Results:Herein, the authors present 4 examples of significant complications in complex microvascular head and neck cancer reconstruction, encountered for the last 10 years: compression and kinking of the vascular pedicle, lack of planning of external skin coverage in osteoradionecrosis, management of the vessel-depleted neck, and vascular donor site morbidity after fibula harvest.Conclusion:The authors reflect on the causes and propose preventative strategies in each peri-operative stage.

Outcome comparison of mitral valve surgery and MitraClip therapy in patients with severely reduced left ventricular dysfunction.

AimsThe aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgical mitral valve repair or replacement (sMVR) and percutaneous edge‐to‐edge repair using MitraClip (pMVR) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction affected by functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).Methods and resultsWe retrospectively identified 132 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≦ 30% submitted to sMVR (n = 47) or pMVR (n = 85) for FMR at our centre from January 2013 to December 2017. To adjust for baseline imbalances, we used a propensity score matching by age, logistic EuroSCORE, and left ventricular end‐systolic volume. After being matched, MitraClip therapy showed lower perioperative mortality and rate of complications yet increased residual mitral regurgitation (MR) grade than did surgery (0.2 ± 0.50 in sMVR vs. 1.3 ± 0.88 in pMVR, P < 0.0001). According to stratified multivariate Cox model analysis, residual MR severity was an independent risk factor for cardiac death [hazard ratio (HR), 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–5.48, P = 0.0025] and re‐hospitalization for heart failure (HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.50–6.29, P = 0.0022) at 1 year follow‐up. Stratified multivariable Cox regression analysis at 3 years identified pMVR as risk factor for cardiac death (HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.040–0.86, P = 0.031) and re‐hospitalization for heart failure (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.077–0.99, P = 0.048).ConclusionsIn patients with FMR and LVEF ≤ 30%, MitraClip therapy resulted in lower perioperative complications and mortality than sMVR. However, surgically treated patients who survived the perioperative stage had less residual MR and experienced lower rates of re‐hospitalization for heart failure at 1 year and lower cardiac mortality at 1 and 3 years of follow‐up than did patients undergoing pMVR.