Factors associated with increased lactate levels in cardiac surgeries: scoping review / Factores relacionados a la elevación del nivel de lactato en cirugías cardíacas: revisión de ámbito / Fatores associados à elevação do nível de lactato em cirurgias cardíacas: revisão de escopo

ABSTRACT Objectives: to map the factors associated with increased lactate levels in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery using extracorporeal circulation. Methods: this is a scoping review carried out in December 2022, across ten data sources. It was prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Results: the most recurrent findings in studies regarding the factors responsible for the increase in lactate were: tissue hypoperfusion, cardiopulmonary bypass time and use of vasoactive drugs. In 95% of studies, increased lactate was related to increased patient mortality. Conclusions: discussing the causes of possible complications in cardiac surgery patients is important for preparing the team and preventing complications, in addition to ensuring quality recovery.

RESUMEN Objetivos: mapear los factores relacionados a la elevación del nivel de lactato en el posoperatorio de cirugía cardíaca con uso de circulación extracorporea. Métodos: se trata de una revisión de ámbito realizada en diciembre de 2022, en diez fuentes de datos. Fue elaborada conforme las recomendaciones del Instituto Joanna Briggs y del checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Resultados: los hallados más recurrentes en los estudios sobre los factores responsables por el aumento del lactato fueron: hipoperfusión tisular, tiempo de circulación extracorporea y uso de fármacos vasoactivos. En 95% de los estudios, el aumento del lactato se relacionó al aumento de la mortalidad de los pacientes. Conclusiones: discutir sobre las causas de posibles complicaciones en pacientes de cirugía cardíaca se hace importante para el preparo del equipo y prevención de intercurrencias, además garantizar recuperación de calidad.

RESUMO Objetivos: mapear os fatores associados à elevação do nível de lactato no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão de escopo realizada em dezembro de 2022, em dez fontes de dados. Foi elaborada conforme as recomendações do Instituto Joanna Briggs e do checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Resultados: os achados mais recorrentes nos estudos a respeito dos fatores responsáveis pelo aumento do lactato foram: hipoperfusão tecidual, tempo de circulação extracorpórea e uso de fármacos vasoativos. Em 95% dos estudos, o aumento do lactato relacionou-se ao aumento da mortalidade dos pacientes. Conclusões: discutir sobre as causas de possíveis complicações em pacientes de cirurgia cardíaca faz-se importante para o preparo da equipe e prevenção de intercorrências, além de garantir recuperação de qualidade.

Incidencia de hipotermia perioperatoria inadvertida, en perros sometidos a anestesia general inhalatoria / Incidence of inadvertent perioperatory hypothermia, in dogs submitted to inhalation general anesthesia

RESUMEN La incidencia de hipotermia perioperatoria inadvertida es una de las principales complicaciones perianestésicas en caninos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la incidencia de hipotermia perioperatoria inadvertida en 49 perros sometidos a anestesia general inhalatoria. Al finalizar el periodo preanestésico, transanestésico y postanestésico, se registró la temperatura corporal, de acuerdo con los siguientes rangos: hipertermia (>39,5°C), normotermia (38,5-39,5°C), hipotermia leve (38,4-36,5°C), hipotermia moderada (36,4-34,0°C), hipotermia severa (<34°C). En preanestesia, el 65% de los animales mostraron hipotermia leve y 2% hipotermia moderada. En transanestesia, 55% de los animales tuvieron hipotermia leve, 37% hipotermia moderada y 6,1% hipotermia severa. En postanestesia, 59% de los animales tuvieron hipotermia leve, 29% hipotermia moderada y 6% hipotermia severa. Se encontraron diferencias al comparar la temperatura basal, con la final transanestésica y postanestésica, respectivamente (p<0,001); del mismo modo, se obtuvieron diferencias al comparar la temperatura inicial, con la final del periodo transanestésico (p<0,001). Por otra parte, no hubo relación estadística entre las diferentes clasificaciones ASA, los procedimientos realizados, el sexo y los rangos etarios evaluados, así como tampoco hubo diferencia en el tiempo de extubación frente al tipo de procedimiento realizado. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que, bajo las condiciones aquí planteadas, la incidencia de hipotermia preanestésica es mínima, mientras la aparición de hipotermia transanestésica y postanestésica de carácter leve, moderada y severa es mayor.

ABSTRACT The incidence of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is one of the main perianesthetic complications in canines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in 49 dogs undergoing inhalation general anesthesia. At the end of the pre-anesthetic, trans-anesthetic, and post-anesthetic periods, body temperature was recorded, according to the following ranges: hyperthermia (>39.5°C), normothermia (38.5-39.5°C), mild hypothermia (38,4-36.5°C), moderate hypothermia (36.4-34.0°C), severe hypothermia (<34°C). In pre-anesthesia, 65% of the animals showed mild hypothermia, and 2% moderate hypothermia. In transanesthesia, 55% of the animals had mild hypothermia, 37% moderate hypothermia, and 6% severe hypothermia. In post-anesthesia 59% of the animals had mild hypothermia, 29% moderate hypothermia, and 6% severe hypothermia. Differences were found when comparing the basal temperature with the final trans-anesthetic and post-anesthetic respectively (p<0.001); Similarly, differences were obtained when comparing the initial temperature with the end of the trans-anesthetic period (p<0.001). On the other hand, there was no statistical relationship between the different ASA classifications, the procedures performed, sex, and the evaluated age ranges; as well as there was no difference in the extubation time compared to the type of procedure performed. The results of this study suggest that, under the conditions outlined here, the incidence of pre-anesthetic hypothermia is minimal, while the appearance of mild, moderate, and severe trans-anesthetic and post-anesthetic hypothermia is higher.

Qualidade do sono em pacientes pós-cirurgia cardíaca com diferentes índices de massa corporal / Sleep quality in patients in patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting with different body mass indexes

INTRODUÇÃO: Evidências mostram que existe correlação positiva entre o Índice de Massa Corpórea (IMC) e a qualidade do sono. A avaliação de como o IMC pode influenciar a qualidade do sono de pacientes no pós-operatório pode ser útil para tomada de decisão relacionada ao tratamento fisioterapêutico. OBJETIVO: Comparar a qualidade do sono em pacientes pós-cirurgia cardíaca em diferentes IMC. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idade superior a 18 anos e submetidos a revascularização do miocárdio via esternotomia mediana e circulação extracorpórea foram incluídos. O Questionário do Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh, que mede a qualidade retrospectiva do sono, foi aplicado, na alta da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), em pacientes de ambos os sexos agrupados por IMC em grupos eutrófico, sobrepeso e obesidade, para investigar as alterações no comportamento do sono pós-cirurgia cardíaca desses grupos. Pontuações de 0-4 indicam boa qualidade do sono e de 5-10 indicam qualidade ruim. Os dados foram expressos em média e desvio padrão. Para comparação entre os grupos o teste de ANOVA foi usado. Foi considerado como significativo um p<0,05. RESULTADOS: O estudo foi composto por 120 pacientes, com uma predominância do sexo masculino num total de 79 (65,83%) pacientes e idade em torno de 60,22 ± 1,34 anos. As pontuações das variáveis desse questionário como Duração do sono (Grupo eutrófico:0, sobrepeso:0, obesidade:2, p=0,02), Distúrbio do sono (Grupo eutrófico:1, sobrepeso:1, obesidade:2, p=0,01) e Disfunção diurna (Grupo eutrófico:1, sobrepeso:1, obesidade:2, p=0,04) foram estatisticamente significativos. Comparando a pontuação geral entre os grupos eutrófico:2, sobrepeso:5 e obesidade:10 identificou-se que a qualidade do sono tende a piorar à medida que o IMC aumenta. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes que apresentavam um IMC maior, como do grupo obesidade, apresentaram pior qualidade do sono, enquanto os pacientes do grupo eutrófico possuíram melhor qualidade do sono.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence shows that there is a positive correlation between the Body Mass Index (BMI) and sleep quality. The assessment of how the BMI can influence the sleep quality of patients in the postoperative period can be useful for decision making related to physiotherapeutic treatment. OBJECTIVES: To compare the sleep quality in patients undergoing CABG at different BMI. METHODS: Patients of both sexes, aged 18 years or over and submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting via median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included. This is an observational study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire, which measures the retrospective sleep quality, was applied, upon discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), in patients of both sexes grouped by BMI into eutrophic, overweight, and obesity groups to investigate changes in sleep behavior post-cardiac surgery in these groups. The data were expressed as means and standard deviations. For comparison between groups, the ANOVA test was used. P <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The study consisted of 120 patients, with a predominance of males in a total of 79 (65.83%) patients and age around 60,22 ± 1,34 years. The scores of the variables in this questionnaire such as Sleep Duration (Eutrophic Group:0, Overweight:0, Obesity:2, p=0.02), Sleep Disturbances (Eutrophic Group:1, Overweight:1, Obesity:2, p=0.01) and Daytime Dysfunction (Eutrophic Group:1, Overweight:1, Obesity:2, p=0.04) were statistically significant. Comparing the total score between the groups eutrophic:2, overweight:5, and obesity:10, it was found that sleep quality tends to worsen as the BMI increases. CONCLUSION: Patients with a higher BMI, as in the obesity group, had worse sleep quality, while patients in the eutrophic group had better sleep quality.

Análise do grau de dependência de cuidados de enfermagem em uma unidade de recuperação pós-anestésica / Análisis del grado de dependencia de los cuidados de enfermería en una unidad de recuperación post anestesia / Analysis of the degree of dependence of nursing care in a post-anesthetic recovery unit

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar o grau de dependência de pacientes em uma Unidade de Recuperação Pós-Anestésica, comparando as necessidades de cuidados de enfermagem. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, transversal e descritivo. Dois instrumentos validados foram utilizados para classificar os pacientes de acordo com o grau de dependência e o índice Kappa para avaliar a concordância entre os instrumentos. Verificou-se uma prevalência na população masculina de 45 (64,3%), a especialidade médica mais atendida foi a neurocirurgia com 48 (68,6%). 65 pacientes (92,9%) foram geralmente classificados como graves e 59 (84%) a 60 (86%) que necessitaram de cuidados intensivos de enfermagem de acordo com os instrumentos que avaliam o grau de dependência. Conclui-se que o aumento da necessidade de cuidados depende inteiramente da gravidade do paciente e pode-se verificar que a faixa etária e os procedimentos invasivos realizados são variáveis que envolvem diretamente os cuidados prestados, uma vez que esses fatores contribuem diretamente para o aumento da o grau de dependência e duração da permanência no serviço de saúde.

Abstract The objective of this research was to analyze the degree of dependence of patients in a Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit comparing nursing care needs. It is a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study. Two validated instruments were used to classify patients according to the degree of dependence, and the Kappa index was used to assess the agreement between the instruments. It was found that there is a prevalence of the male population of 45 (64.3%), the most attended medical specialty was neurosurgery with 48 (68.6%). 65 patients (92.9%) were generally classified as serious and 59 (84%) to 60 (86%) who required intensive nursing care according to the instruments that assess the degree of dependence. It is concluded that the increase in the need for care depends entirely on the severity of the patient, and it can be verified that the age group and the invasive procedures performed are variables that directly involve the care provided since these factors contribute directly to the increase in the degree of dependence and duration of stay in the health service.

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar el grado de dependencia de los pacientes en una Unidad de Recuperación Post anestesia comparando las necesidades de atención de enfermería. Es un estudio cuantitativo, transversal y descriptivo. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos validados para clasificar a los pacientes según el grado de dependencia, y se utilizó el índice Kappa para evaluar el acuerdo entre los instrumentos. Se encontró que hay una prevalencia de la población masculina de 45 (64.3%), la especialidad médica más atendida fue la neurocirugía con 48 (68.6%). 65 pacientes (92,9%) estaban en general clasificados como graves y 59 (84%) a 60 (86%) que requerían atención de enfermería intensiva según los instrumentos que evalúan el grado de dependencia. Se concluye que el aumento en la necesidad de atención depende totalmente de la gravedad del paciente, y se puede verificar que el grupo de edad y los procedimientos invasivos realizados son variables que implican directamente la atención brindada, ya que estos factores contribuyen directamente al aumento en el grado de dependencia y duración de la estancia en el servicio de salud.

Nursing outcome "airway permeability" in postoperative patients / Resultado de enfermería "permeabilidad de las vías aéreas" en pacientes en el posoperatorio / Resultado de enfermagem "permeabilidade das vias aéreas" em pacientes no pós-operatório

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the evolution of clinical indicators that characterize airway permeability in patients in the postoperative period of thoracoabdominal surgeries and to analyze their relationship with the occurrence of the diagnosis "ineffective airway clearance". Methods: descriptive, quantitative, longitudinal research with 60 patients who were followed for five consecutive days. Eleven indicators of the nursing outcome "respiratory status: airway permeability" were used. Results: on the first day of evaluation, the most compromised indicators were: respiratory rate, cough, depth of breath and use of accessory muscles. During follow-up, most of the indicators presented a slight deviation from normal variation and, in the last evaluation, there was a predominance of indicators with some degree of impairment. Conclusions: with the aid of the Nursing Outcomes Classification, it was observed that patients submitted to thoracoabdominal surgeries may present compromised airway permeability even days after surgery.

RESUMEN Objetivos: valorar la evolución de los indicadores clínicos que caracterizan la permeabilidad de las vías aéreas en pacientes en el posoperatorio de cirugías toracoabdominales y evaluar su relación con la ocurrencia del diagnóstico "desobstrucción ineficaz de las vías aéreas". Métodos: investigación descriptiva, cuantitativa, longitudinal en la cual participaron 60 pacientes que recibieron seguimiento por cinco días. Se utilizaron 11 indicadores del resultado de enfermería "estado respiratorio: permeabilidad de las vías aéreas". Resultados: en el primer día de evaluación, los indicadores más comprometidos fueron: frecuencia respiratoria, tos, profundidad de la respiración y utilización de músculos accesorios. Durante el seguimiento, se verificó que la mayor parte de los indicadores presentó una leve desviación de la variación normal y, en la última evaluación, hubo un predominio de indicadores con algún grado de comprometimiento. Conclusiones: con la ayuda de la Clasificación de los resultados de enfermería, se observó que los pacientes sometidos a cirugías toracoabdominales pueden presentar comprometimiento de la permeabilidad de las vías aéreas incluso después de algunos días de realizar el procedimiento quirúrgico.

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar a evolução dos indicadores clínicos que caracterizam a permeabilidade das vias aéreas em pacientes no pós-operatório de cirurgias toracoabdominais e analisar sua relação com a ocorrência do diagnóstico "desobstrução ineficaz das vias aéreas". Métodos: pesquisa descritiva, quantitativa, longitudinal realizada com 60 pacientes que foram acompanhados por cinco dias consecutivos. Foram utilizados 11 indicadores do resultado de enfermagem "estado respiratório: permeabilidade das vias aéreas". Resultados: no primeiro dia de avaliação os indicadores mais comprometidos foram: frequência respiratória, tosse, profundidade da respiração e uso de músculos acessórios. Durante o acompanhamento, verificou-se que a maior parte dos indicadores apresentou desvio leve da variação normal e, na última avaliação, houve predomínio de indicadores com algum grau de comprometimento. Conclusões: com auxílio da Classificação dos resultados de enfermagem, observou-se que pacientes submetidos a cirurgias toracoabdominais podem apresentar comprometimento da permeabilidade das vias aéreas mesmo após dias da realização do procedimento cirúrgico.

Morbilidad posquirúrgica en pacientes pediátricos operados por cardiopatías congénitas en la UMAE de Yucatán / Post-surgical morbidity in paediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease in the UMAE of Yucatan, Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir la evolución clínica de pacientes pediátricos operados por cardiopatías congénitas en la UMAE de Yucatán. Métodos: Encuesta descriptiva sobre expedientes de pacientes pediátricos intervenidos quirúrgicamente por cardiopatía congénita del 1 de noviembre de 2011 al 30 de noviembre de 2013. Resultados: Las cardiopatías más frecuentes fueron la persistencia del conducto arterioso (37.6%) y la transposición de grandes vasos. La estancia en cuidados intensivos fue de 3 días (mediana). El 11.76% fallecieron por choque séptico (44.4%) en la mayoría de los casos. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron sepsis (5.9%), síndrome de bajo gasto (4.7%), paro cardíaco, bloqueo AV y taquicardia ventricular (2.4% cada uno). Existe una correlación positiva moderada entre las complicaciones trans y posquirúrgicas y la sobrevida o muerte del paciente. Conclusiones: El volumen de pacientes quirúrgicos es menor comparado con centros de referencia de cirugía cardiovascular. Existe una marcada tendencia a la realización de cirugías correctivas y paliativas en patologías específicas en pacientes con riesgos agregados o con «mala¼ anatomía cardiaca que impiden la corrección total de primera intención. Se deben realizar estudios epidemiológicos y clínicos prospectivos para conocer el comportamiento de las cardiopatías congénitas atendidas en la región. © 2016 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. Este es un artículo Open Access bajo la licencia CC BY-NC-ND (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Abstract: Objective: To describe the clinical course of paediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease in UMAE of Yucatan. Methods: Descriptive review was performed on the records of paediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease from 1 November 2011 to 30 November 2013. Results: The most frequent heart diseases were persistent ductus arteriosus (37.6%) and trans- position of the great vessels. The median intensive care stay was 3 days. Mortality was 11.76%, with septic shock (44.4%) in most cases. The most frequent complications were sepsis (5.9%), low cardiac output syndrome (4.7%), cardiac arrest, and AV block and ventricular tachycardia (2.4% each). There was a moderate positive correlation between surgical complications and survival or death. Conclusions: The number of surgical patients is lower compared to reference centres for cardiovascular surgery. There is a marked tendency to perform corrective and palliative surgeries in specific disease in patients with added risk or 'bad' cardiac anatomy that prevent full correction at the first attempt. Prospective epidemiological and clinical studies should be conducted to understand the behaviour of congenital heart diseases treated in the region. © 2016 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Value of the Post-Operative CT in Predicting Delayed Flap Failures Following Head and Neck Cancer Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To identify post-operative computed tomography (CT) findings associated with delayed flap failures following head and neck cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 60 patients who underwent flap reconstruction after head and neck cancer surgery and post-operative (3–14 days) contrast-enhanced CT scans for suspected complications. Patients were divided into two groups: delayed flap failure patients (patients required flap revision) (n = 18) and flap success patients (n = 42). Clinical data (age, sex, T-stage, type of flap, and time interval between reconstruction surgery and CT) and post-operative CT findings of flap status (maximum dimension of the flap, intra- or peri-flap fluid collection and intra- or peri-flap air collection, fat infiltration within the flap, fistula to adjacent aerodigestive tract or skin, and enhanced vascular pedicle) were assessed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: CT findings showed that the following flap anomalies were observed more frequently in the delayed flap failure group than in the flap success group: intra- or peri-flap fluid collection > 4 cm (61.1% vs. 23.8%, p 2 cm (61.1% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001), and fistula to adjacent aerodigestive tract or skin (44.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). The maximum dimension of the flap, fat infiltration within the flap, and enhanced vascular pedicle were not associated with delayed flap failures. CONCLUSION: A large amount of fluid or air collection and fistula are the CT findings that were associated with delayed flap failures in patients with suspected post-operative complications after head and neck cancer surgery.

Estadía hospitalaria prolongada y creatinemia al alta en el postrasplante renal inmediato. causas y consecuencias en la evolución del injerto / Creatinemia and long stay at hospital discharge in post renal transplant period. causes and consequences on graft outcome

INTRODUCCIÓN: en el período del postrasplante renal inmediato interactúan condiciones y complicaciones que propician una estadía hospitalaria prolongada, así como una función subóptima del injerto al alta, dada por valores elevados de creatinina sérica. OBJETIVO: relacionar la presencia de algunas complicaciones clínicas y variables de índole general con la función del trasplante y la estadía en el posoperatorio inmediato. MÉTODOS: estudio observacional, retrospectivo y longitudinal, que abarcó los trasplantes renales efectuados desde 1984 al 1 de enero de 2013, en el Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras", a sujetos mayores de 15 años y que sobrevivieron al año. Se excluyeron los trasplantes combinados, los terceros trasplantes y aquellos de los que no se pudo obtener la información requerida. Se asociaron las variables: edad del receptor y del donante, sexo del receptor, tipo de donante, enfermedad de base que provocó la insuficiencia renal, tiempos de isquemia fría y caliente secundaria, presencia de necrosis tubular aguda, rechazo y toxicidad por ciclosporina A, con estadía hospitalaria y valores de creatinina al alta en el posoperatorio, a través de un análisis multivariado. Se determinó la posible influencia de estos 2 últimos parámetros en la supervivencia del injerto mediante el método de Kaplan y Meir. RESULTADOS: la mayor edad del donante y el receptor, el donante cadáver, la diabetes mellitus y la poliquistosis renal, la aparición de necrosis tubular aguda, rechazo y nefrotoxicidad por ciclosporina A condicionaron mayor tiempo de ingreso y menor función del injerto al alta, lo que además influyó negativamente en la posterior supervivencia del trasplante renal. CONCLUSIONES: los valores más altos de creatinina al alta y un tiempo de internamiento prolongado en el posoperatorio inmediato del TR constituyeron la base de las complicaciones y los parámetros que incidieron negativamente en la supervivencia del injerto a largo plazo.

INTRODUCTION: a number of conditions and complications interact during period immediately after kidney transplantation, which affect a lengthy hospital stay and a suboptimal graft function at discharge, given this high serum creatinine. OBJECTIVE: relate the presence of some clinical complications and general nature variables with transplant function and during immediate postoperative stay. METHODS: observational, retrospective, longitudinal study was conducted at Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital, covering renal transplants performed from 1984 to January 1st, 2013, in subjects older than 15 years of age and who survived a year after. Combined transplants, third transplants or those whose all required information could not be obtained were excluded. Through a multivariate analysis, variables were considered such as age of the recipient and the donor, recipient sex, donor type, the underlying disease that caused the kidney failure, cold ischemic time and secondary warm ischemia time, the presence of acute tubular necrosis, rejection and cyclosporine A nephrotoxicity, hospital stay and creatinine values at discharge in the post- operative period. The possible influence of the latter two parameters was determined in graft survival by Kaplan and Meir. RESULTS: the oldest age of the donor and recipient, deceased donor, diabetes mellitus and polycystic kidney disease, the occurrence of acute tubular necrosis, rejection and cyclosporine nephrotoxicity conditioned longer admission and less graft function at discharge, which also influenced negatively the subsequent survival of renal transplant. CONCLUSIONS: the highest values of creatinine at discharge and prolonged hospital stay in the immediate postoperative period of renal transplant formed the basis of complications, and long term negative impact parameters on graft survival.

MRI Changes of the Spinal Subdural Space after Lumbar Spine Surgeries: Report of Two Cases

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used to assess the lumbar spine, there are few reports in the medical literature that have evaluated using MRI immediately following spinal surgery. Furthermore, descriptions of the subdural changes after lumbar spine surgery are also infrequent. In this paper, we present two cases with subdural change seen on MRI immediately after lumbar surgery. Both the patients had mild symptoms that resolved spontaneously, and the follow-up MRI scans showed resolution of the subdural changes. Subdural changes should be considered as one of the possible causes of unexpected symptoms in patients following lumbar spinal surgery.

Determining plasma morphine levels using GC-MS after solid phase extraction to monitor drug levels in the postoperative period

OBJECTIVE: To implement a selective and sensitive analytical method to quantify morphine in small volumes of plasma by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), aimed at post-operatively monitoring the drug. METHOD: A gas-liquid chromatographic method with mass detection has been developed to determine morphine concentration in plasma after solid phase extraction. Morphine-d3 was used as an internal standard. Only 0.5 mL of plasma is required for the drug solid-phase extraction in the Bond Elut-Certify®, followed by the quantification of morphine derivative by GC-MS using a linear temperature program, a capillary fused silica column, and helium as the carrier and make-up gas. The method was applied to determine morphine content in plasma samples of four patients during the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Patient-controlled analgesia with morphine was performed by a venous catheter, and a series of venous blood samples were collected. After the oro-After the orotracheal extubation, morphine plasma levels were monitored for up to 36 hours. RESULTS: The run time was 16 minutes because morphine and the internal standard were eluted after 8.8 minutes. The GC-MS method had 0.5 -1000 ng/mL linearity range (r²=0.9995), 0.1 ng/mL limit of detection, intraday and interday precision equivalent to 1.9 percent and 6.8 percent, and 0.1 percent and 0.8 percent systematic error (intraday and interday, respectively). The analytical method showed optimal absolute (98 percent) and relative (100.7 percent) recoveries. Morphine dose requirements and plasma levels are discussed. CONCLUSION: The analytical gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method is selective and adequate for morphine measurements in plasma for applications in clinical studies.

Redução do tempo de hospitalização após cirurgia torácica de grande porte: identificação de fatores determinantes / Early discharge following major thoracic surgery: identification of related factors

Objetivo: Os custos da internação hospitalar têm relação direta com o tempo de permanência do paciente operado. Por outro lado, um menor tempo de internação permite aumentar a produtividade nos hospitais públicos com demanda reprimida. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar fatores determinantes da redução do tempo de internação pós-cirurgia torácica de grande porte. Método: Estudo retrospectivo por análise de prontuários, realizado em duas fases. Na fase I levantou-se uma série consecutiva de 169 pacientes divididos em grupo I (n=81) – operados no período de junho de 1990 a dezembro de 1995, e grupo II (n=88) – operados de janeiro de 1996 a maio de 2000, para verificação do tempo de internação e fatores relacionados. Na fase II levantou-se uma série consecutiva de 20 pacientes (grupo III) retroagindo a partir de março de 2002, para análise e comparação com uma pequena enquête enviada pela internet para 21 cirurgiões torácicos. Resultados: A quase totalidade dos pacientes prescindiu de UTI no pós-operatório imediato. O tempo de internação médio caiu de 7,6 dias (mediana 7) no grupo I para 5,1 dias (mediana 4) no grupo II (p<0,001). A utilização mais freqüente da analgesia epidural e o uso de vias de acesso menos traumáticas no grupo IIalcançou significância estatística (p<0,001). No grupo III o tempo de internação médio foi de 4,2 dias (mediana 4), com uso mais efetivo da analgesia epidural (75%) e emprego da toracotomia vertical (90%). Oito cirurgiões torácicos responderam à enquête: o tempo médio de internação informado variou de cinco a nove dias, todos os pacientes foram enviados para a UTI ou similar, e apenas dois cirurgiões usam de rotina toracotomia com preservação muscular. Conclusões: Este estudo confirma que o controle da dor e o menor trauma da via de acesso são fatores importantes para a mais rápida recuperação funcional dos pacientes. Sugere que uso da UTI pode ser restringido para pacientes com alto risco.

Background: There is a direct relation between hospital costs and hospital length of stay after the operation. On the other hand, reduced stay increases productivity of public hospitals with high service demanding. Our objective is to identify factors determining the decrease in hospital stay after major thoracic surgery. Methods: A two-phase retrospective study was conducted on analysis of medical records. In the first phase, data on length of hospital stay and related factors were collected from a consecutive series of 169 patientsdivided into group I (n=81) – patients operated on between June 1990 and December 1995, and group II (n=88) –patients operated on from January 1996 through May 2000. In the second phase, data were collected from a consecutive series of 20 patients (group III) starting backwards from March 2002, for analysis and comparison with an Internet survey sent to 21 thoracic surgeons. Results: Intensive care unitwas unecessary for most patients in immediate post operative period. The mean hospital stay decreased from 7.6 days (median 7) in group I to 5.1 days (median 4) in group II (p<0.001). The more frequent utilization of epidural analgesia and less traumatic thoracothomy in group II reached statistic significance (p<0.001). In group III, the mean hospital stay was 4.2 days (median 4), and there was a more efective use of epidural analgesia (75%) and muscle- sparing thoracothomy (90%). Eight thoracic surgeons answered the survey: the mean hospital stay varied from five to nine days and all patients were sent to intensive care or similar units. Only two surgeons utilize muscle-sparing thoracothomy. Conclusions: This study confirms that pain control and less traumatic surgical approach are important for faster functional recovery of patients. It suggests that the IC units may be used only for selected patients.

Clinical observation on early post-operative enteral nutrition for the patients with oral tumour / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To observe the influence of post-operative early enteral nutrition(EEN) for oral tumour patients.Methods:Sixty patients with oral tumour were randomly divided into EEN group (30 cases) and tradition enteral nutrition(TEN) group (30 cases). The nutritional support with Nutrision fiber started within the first 12~16 h post-operatively in EEN group, The enteral feeding started within the recovery time of the gut function in TEN group. Nutritional parameters were measured before and after the operation. Results:The mean hospitalization days in EEN group and TEN group were 10.14?1.58 and 15.29?3.26 respectively(P