Surgical site infection after colorectal surgery according to the main anesthetic agent: a retrospective comparison between volatile anesthetics and propofol / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Anesthetic agents used for general anesthesia are emerging possible influential factors for surgical site infection (SSI). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the incidence of SSI after colorectal surgery according to the main anesthetic agents: volatile anesthetics vs. propofol. METHODS: A total 1,934 adult patients, who underwent elective colorectal surgery under general anesthesia between January 2011 and December 2013, were surveyed to evaluate the incidence of SSI: 1,519 using volatile anesthetics and 415 using propofol for main anesthetic agents. Patient, surgery, and anesthesia-related factors were investigated from all patients. Propensity-score matching was performed to reduce the risk of confounding and produced 390 patients in each group. RESULTS: Within the propensity-score matched groups, the incidence of SSI was higher in the volatile group compared with the propofol group (10 [2.6%] vs. 2 [0.5%], OR = 5.0 [95% CI = 1.1-2.8]). C-reactive protein was higher in the volatile group than in the propofol group (8.4 ± 5.6 vs. 7.1 ± 5.3 mg/dl, P = 0.001), and postoperative white blood cells count was higher in the volatile group than in the propofol group (9.2 ± 3.2 × 10³/µl vs. 8.6 ± 3.4 × 10³/µl, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that intravenous anesthesia may have beneficial effects for reducing SSI in colorectal surgery compared to volatile anesthesia.

Postural Intraocular Pressure Change at Trendelenberg Position Measured by Rebound Tonometer

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to evaluate the postural intraocular pressure (IOP) change in Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, and supine positions in healthy young males. METHODS: We measured the IOP values of 5 healthy young male volunteers (10 eyes) using an Icare PRO rebound tonometer in sitting, Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, and supine positions. RESULTS: The mean IOP in the supine position (18.63 mm Hg) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in the sitting position (15.31 mm Hg). When maintaining the Trendelenburg position, IOP gradually increased. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the Trendelenburg position significantly increased the IOP compared to that in the supine position. The effects of increased IOP should be considered in situations that require Trendelenburg positioning, such as exercise or surgery.