Blood Transfusion in Brain Surgery: A Comparison of Elective versus Emergency Operations / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is often performed to support successful brain surgery. In this study, we looked at two groups of surgery patients to analyze the transfusion requirements for patients undergoing brain surgery in our hospital. Group A patients received elective surgery, whereby blood products were prepared in advance, and Group B patients required emergency surgery which is often accompanied massive bleeding, and therefore adequate transfusion blood may not be available in advance. METHODS: During a one year period, patients who received brain surgery were classified as requiring either elective (Group A) or emergency (Group B) surgery. In each group, operation time and blood transfusion requirements were compared. RESULTS: Of the 35 total patients included in this study, 14 cases were Group A and 21 cases were group B. Average operation time was 4 hours and 13 minutes (253 minutes), and 2 hours and 50 minutes (170 minutes), respectively for Groups A and B. Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion was conducted in more than 90% of all patients. Average volume of RBC transfusion per operation was 2.5 units (Group A) and 3.1 units (Group B). Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was transfused in 21% of Group A patients and in 38% of Group B patients. Platelet Concentrate (PC) was transfused in 19% of Group B patients, only. CONCLUSION: FFP and PC were more frequently transfused in patients who received emergency surgery than those who received elective surgery. Preparation of, not only RBC, but FFP and PC is required for emergency brain surgery. Therefore, efforts to retain adequate amounts of blood are needed to support emergency brain surgery.

Analysis of Cause for Cancellation of Elective Operation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Cancellations of elective operations are due to various reasons, which can be categorized into those initiated by patients or their guardians and those initiated by hospital staff. Cancellations of elective operations result not only in time and economic loss but also in negative psychological effects for patients and guardians and operational inefficiency for hospitals among other problems. As such, by studying and analyzing the causes of such cancellations, one may categorize them into involuntary ones and preventable ones, with the aim to reduce the occurrence of the latter that will lead to reduction in cancellation of elective operations. METHODS: 11,082 cases of elective operation were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively from January 2002 to December 2006. Total number, department, anesthetic type and cause of cancellation were recorded daily. Emergency operation and operation under local anesthesia were excluded. RESULTS: Total number of cancellation was 762 cases and mean cancellation rate was 6.9%. The most common cause of cancellation was co-existing disease or abnormal laboratory finding (25.3%). Especially in urology the most common cause of cancellation was the relief from diseases or symptoms. Plastic surgery showed the highest cancellation rate among all at 12%. CONCLUSIONS: Setting up standards that help determine the driving factors behind cancellations of elective operations within anesthesiology departments and utilizing a patient evaluation system, after categorizing the causes of cancellations into involuntary and preventable ones and analyzing them, will lead to reduction in cancellation of operations and solve problems faced by patients and guardians, and hospitals and their staff.

The effect of the preoperative oral carbohydrate treatment on immediate postoperative insulin resistance in patients after colorectal cancer resection / 肠外与肠内营养

Objective: To assess the effect of preoperative carbohydrate fluid intake on immediate postoperative insulin resistance. Methods: 32 patients for elective colorectal cancer resection were recruited to this randomized controlled study. These patients were randomly assigned to control group and test group. Control group were fasted before surgery, while test group were given oral carbohydrate 3 h before surgery. Patient's wellbeing scores on a visual analogue scale(VAS) were recorded at 3 PM the day before operation and 2 h after consuming carbohydrate fluid respectively. Blood sample were collected to measure the level of blood glucose and the serum concentrations of insulin 4 h before surgery and immediately after surgery, respectively. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was applied to assess the status of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), basic function of pancreatic ? cell (HOMA-? cell) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Results: Patients consumed carbohydrate-rich beverage before surgery reduced thirst, hunger and anxiety compared with fasting before surgery. Whole body insulin sensitivity decreased by 33% in the test group vs. 38% in the control group(P

Causes of Cancellation of Elective Operations in Pediatric Patients / 대한마취과학회지

A analysis was performed on 1716 pediatric surgical patients, who were supposed to receive elective operations at Seoul National University Childrens Hospital from March 2, 1991 to June 29, 1991. The results can be summarized as follows; 1) Overall cancelled ratio was 19.6%. 2) Departmental distribution of delayed/cancelled elective operations, Plastic surgery 27.0%, pediatric surgery 26.1%, neurosurgery 20.3%, cardiothoracic surgery 18.1%, orthopedic surgery 18.0%, ENT 15.6 ophthalmology 13.9% and urology 13.8%. 3) Major causes of delay/cancellation of elective operatios; Abnormal history and physical examination 54.3 , non-medical 35.0% and abnormal laboratory data only 10.7%. 4) Detailed causative factors of delay/cancellation of elective operations, URI 30.6%, notadmitted 27.9%, heavy schedule 5.9%, abnormal LFT 5.3%, FUO 4.2%, abnormal PTT/PT 2.4%, arrhythmia and cardiac disease 2.4% and further diagnostic evaluation needed 1.8%.