A review of 111 anaesthetic patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the treatment of choice for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, a previously lethal condition with dismal survival rates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed CRS and HIPEC procedures performed at our centre from January 1997 to December 2012, focusing on perioperative events and anaesthetic implications.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In total, 111 patients underwent 113 procedures. Mean age of the patients was 51.7 (range 14-74) years and 84.1% were women. Mean duration of surgery was 9 hours 10 minutes ± 2 hours 56 minutes. Most tumours were ovarian or colorectal in origin, and the mean peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score was 14.3 ± 8.9. Mean estimated blood loss was 1,481 ± 1,064 mL. Mean total intravenous fluids and blood products administered was 8,498 ± 3,941 mL. Postoperatively, 79.5% of the patients needed intensive care, as 75.2% of the 113 procedures required interval extubation. Patients with lower PCI scores were more likely to be extubated immediately after surgery (p < 0.05). 80.0% of patients had coagulopathy postoperatively, and this was associated with longer HIPEC duration (p < 0.05). Median lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays were two days and 14 days, respectively. Longer duration of surgery significantly correlated with longer hospitalisation. Prolonged hospitalisation was due to nosocomial pneumonia, pleural effusions, respiratory failure, sepsis, surgical complications (such as anastomotic or wound dehiscence), and intra-abdominal infections.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The CRS and HIPEC technique is a major surgery with significant morbidity, as highlighted by the perioperative concerns observed in our study.</p>

Revision of loop colostomy under regional anaesthesia and sedation

Patients presenting for emergency abdominal procedures often have medical issues that cause both general anaesthesia and central neuraxial blockade to pose significant risks. Regional anaesthetic techniques are often used adjunctively for abdominal procedures under general anaesthesia, but there is limited published data on procedures done under peripheral nerve or plexus blocks. We herein report the case of a patient with recent pulmonary embolism and supraventricular tachycardia who required colostomy refashioning. Ultrasonography-guided regional anaesthesia was administered using a combination of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric, rectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane blocks. This was supplemented with propofol and dexmedetomidine sedation as well as intermittent fentanyl and ketamine boluses to cover for visceral stimulation. We discuss the anatomical rationale for the choice of blocks and compare the anaesthetic conduct with similar cases that were previously reported.

Anaesthetic management of a premature low-birth-weight neonate with congenital complete heart block for implantation of temporary epicardial pacing wires

The optimal anaesthetic management of neonates with complete congenital heart block (CCHB) is unknown, as there is a low incidence of such cases. Neonates with CCHB often require surgery for the initiation of electronic pacing. In addition to the challenges of anaesthetising a neonate, this procedure is risky due to the potential for hypotension, arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. We herein present the case of a premature low-birth-weight neonate with antibody-related CCHB and normal heart structure who underwent anaesthesia and surgery for epicardial pacing wire insertion on Day 1 of life. We also compare our patient's anaesthetic conduct and outcome with similar previously reported cases.