Anesthetic management of geriatric patients / 대한마취과학회지

The number of elderly patients who frequently access health care services is increasing worldwide. While anesthesiologists are developing the expertise to care for these elderly patients, areas of concern remain. We conducted a comprehensive search of major international databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane) and a Korean database (KoreaMed) to review preoperative considerations, intraoperative management, and postoperative problems when anesthetizing elderly patients. Preoperative preparation of elderly patients included functional assessment to identify preexisting cognitive impairment or cardiopulmonary reserve, depression, frailty, nutrition, polypharmacy, and anticoagulation issues. Intraoperative management included anesthetic mode and pharmacology, monitoring, intravenous fluid or transfusion management, lung-protective ventilation, and prevention of hypothermia. Postoperative checklists included perioperative analgesia, postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction, and other complications. A higher level of perioperative care was required for older surgical patients, as multiple chronic diseases often makes them prone to developing postoperative complications, including functional decline and loss of independence. Although the guiding evidence remains poor so far, elderly patients have to be provided optimal perioperative care through close interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and cross-sectional collaboration to minimize unwanted postoperative outcomes. Furthermore, along with adequate anesthetic care, well-planned postoperative care should begin immediately after surgery and extend until discharge.

Importance of perioperative management of geriatric anesthesia

No abstract available.

Bilateral complex arytenoid dislocation

No abstract available.

Assessment of chloral hydrate-centered pediatric sedation performed by non-anesthesiologists

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chloral hydrate-based pediatric sedation conducted by non-anesthesiologists. METHODS: The design and setting of this study was a single-center retrospective study performed at a tertiary university hospital between July 2012 and May 2013. A total of 519 children were enrolled in this study. We investigated the sedation medication, age of patients and type of diagnostic tests or procedures and evaluated the success rate of sedation, sedation/recovery profiles and adverse events. RESULTS: Most patients underwent moderate sedation for diagnostic tests. The most commonly used sedative drug was chloral hydrate, which was solely used for 482 patients. A combination of chloral hydrate/midazolam was used for 24 patients and midazolam only was used for 13 patients. Use of chloral hydrate resulted in a sedation success rate of 65.5% after the initial dose and a success rate of 95.2% with additional doses. The sedation failure rate in children > 6 years was significantly higher than that in children under 6 years. In all patients, the overall onset time and recovery time were too slow and long, respectively, and there was no critical complication. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that chloral hydrate-based pediatric sedation conducted by non-anesthesiologists was mostly moderate, with a high success rate and a low complication rate. However, the overall onset time and recovery time were too slow and long, respectively. Especially, alternative sedation regimens are required in children > 6 years considering the slower onset time and higher failure rate of sedation.

Consecutive anaphylaxis due to rocuronium and cisatracurium during general anesthesia: A case report

We experienced anaphylaxis during general anesthesia twice in the same patient. After the first incidence of anaphylaxis at the induction of anesthesia, we speculated that the allergen was rocuronium. Thus, we administered sugammadex as well as a vasopressor to treat the anaphylaxis and the vital signs gradually recovered to nearly normal. Thereafter, we could not avoid the administration of another muscle relaxant, cisatracurium, since the patient moved uncontrollably after the surgery was restarted. A second anaphylactic event then occurred. We speculated that the second allergen was cisatracurium and stopped using it. The results of the investigation after the surgery showed that the allergens were indeed rocuronium and cisatracurium. When we encounter anaphylaxis during general anesthesia, it is necessary to suspect all administered medicines as the cause, with the potential of two or more causes, especially with muscle relaxants.

Comparison of clinical validation of acceleromyography and electromyography in children who were administered rocuronium during general anesthesia: a prospective double-blinded randomized study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Electromyography and acceleromyography are common neuromuscular monitoring devices. However, questions still remain regarding the use of acceleromyography in children. This study compared the calibration success rates and intubation conditions in children after obtaining the maximal blockade depending on each of the devices METHODS: Children, 3 to 6 years old, were randomly allocated to the TOF-Watch SX acceleromyography group or the NMT electromyography group. The induction was performed with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium. The bispectral index and 1 Hz single twitch were monitored during observation. The calibration of the each device was begun when the BIS dropped to 60. After successful calibration, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was injected. A tracheal intubation was performed when the twitch height suppressed to 0. The rocuronium onset time (time from administration to the maximal depression of twitch height) and intubating conditions were rated in a blinded manner. RESULTS: There was no difference in the calibration success rates between the two groups; and the calibration time in the electromyography group (16.7 +/- 11.0 seconds) was shorter than the acceleromyography group (28.1 +/- 13.4 seconds, P = 0.012). The rocuronium onset time of the electromyography group (73.6 +/- 18.9 seconds) was longer than the acceleromyography group (63.9 +/- 18.8 seconds, P = 0.042) and the intubation condition of the electromyography group (2.27 +/- 0.65) was better than the acceleromyography group (1.86 +/- 0.50, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Electromyography offers a better compromise than acceleromyography with respect to the duration of calibration process and surrogate for the optimal time of tracheal intubation in children.

A suspected case of sugammadex-induced anaphylactic shock: A case report

We describe a case involving a 69-year-old woman who developed anaphylatic shock caused by a clinical dose of sugammadex (2 mg/kg, 100 mg intravenously) 5 minutes after its administration. She developed redness and welts all over her body, and complained of an oropharyngeal itching sensation with dyspnea and dizziness. Her vital signs were closely monitored. She also experienced a sudden onset of hypotension (from 110/70 to 49/40 mmHg) and tachycardia (from 75 to 120 bpm). We diagnosed anaphylactic shock on the basis of these clinical manifestations. After 20 min of traditional treatment (hydration, ephedrine, cortisol, and phenylephrine), her vital signs returned to normal. No postoperative complications were evident, and the patient was discharged from the hospital. Although the prevalence of anaphylactic reactions to sugammadex is rare, physicians using sugammadex should be aware of the possibility of sugammadex-induced anaphylaxis.

The analgesic effect of nefopam combined with low dose remifentanil in patients undergoing middle ear surgery under desflurane anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of the combined administration of nefopam, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist and low dose remifentanil, on early postoperative pain and analgesic requirement. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled to undergo mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were randomized to be given either nefopam 40 mg mixed with normal saline 100 ml (Group N) or an equal amount of normal saline (Group C) before anesthesia induction. Anesthesia was maintained with 5-6 vol% desflurane and remifentanil 0.05-0.15 microg/kg/min during the surgery. Postoperative pain was controlled by titration of ketorolac in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and ward. We evaluated the intraoperative remifentanil dose, recovery profiles, ketorolac demand in the PACU and ward, numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain at time intervals of every 10 min for 1 h in the PACU, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h in a ward, as well as the time to first analgesic requirement in the PACU and ward. RESULTS: Ketorolac demand and NRS in the PACU were significantly lower in Group N than Group C (P = 0.002, P = 0.005, respectively). The time to first analgesic requirement in the PACU in Group N were significantly longer than Group C (P = 0.046). There were no significant differences in intraoperative remifentanil dose, ketorolac demand, NRS, and the time to first analgesic requirement in the ward between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nefopam administration combined with low dose remifentanil infusion reduces pain and analgesic consumption during the immediate postoperative period in patients undergoing middle ear surgery under desflurane anesthesia.

Perioperative management of elderly surgical patients under general anesthesia

The perioperative care of the geriatric patient is complex. Older patients are at increased risk for complications due to a decreased functional reserve, variable response to stress, and the number of their comorbidities. These make it difficult to adequately assess the patient's ability to respond to the specific stresses associated with surgery. Normal aging results in changes in cardiac, respiratory, hepatic and renal physiology, and the response of the elderly patient to surgical stress is often unpredictable. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of elderly and younger patients also differ and the elderly patient's use of multiple medications may alter homeostatic mechanisms. Developing comprehensive understanding of the perioperative care of the elderly patient undergoing general anesthesia could improve outcomes and might have particular value in patient care, especially with regard to pain management and the prevention of postoperative complications. Recently, the aim of surgery for elderly patients has become improving the quality of life rather than simply maintaining survival, so understanding of perioperative care of the elderly who have undergone general anesthesia has become essential for patient management.

Comparison of emergence agitation between sevoflurane/nitrous oxide administration and sevoflurane administration alone in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with preemptive ketorolac / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane anesthesia commonly causes emergence agitation (EA) in children. One previous study has reported that the use of nitrous oxide (N2O) during the washout of sevoflurane may reduce EA by decreasing the residual sevoflurane concentration, while many animal studies suggest that N2O poses a potential risk to children. The present study was designed to compare EA in children assigned to receive sevoflurane with N2O (group N) or sevoflurane alone (group S). METHODS: We enrolled 80 children aged 3-10 years. Anesthesia was induced with 5 mg/kg thiopental sodium, 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium and 0.5 mg/kg ketorolac, and was maintained with 50% N2O and sevoflurane in group N or with sevoflurane alone in group S. The sevoflurane concentration was adjusted with a bispectral index (BIS) of 40-60. After completion of the surgery, N2O and sevoflurane were simultaneously discontinued and replaced with oxygen (O2) at 6 L/min. End-tidal sevoflurane concentration (Et Sevo) (%), BIS at the end of surgery, Et Sevo at recovery of self-respiration and emergence profiles were recorded. EA occurrence, pain score and rescue fentanyl consumption were assessed in the postanesthesia care unit. RESULTS: Et Sevo was significantly lower in group N (1.9%) than in group S (2.3%) at the end of surgery. However, there were no differences in Et Sevo at recovery of self-respiration, emergence times, the incidence of EA, pain score or dose of rescue fentanyl between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with preemptive ketorolac, anesthetic maintenance using sevoflurane alone does not affect the incidence of EA or emergence profiles compared to anesthetic maintenance using sevoflurane with N2O.

Comparison of bispectral index scores from the standard frontal sensor position with those from an alternative mandibular position / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The standard bifrontal application of the bispectral index (BIS) sensor interferes with the operative field in neurosurgery and plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the standard frontal BIS sensor position with an alternative position across the mandible. METHODS: Two BIS(TM) Quatro sensors (Aspect Medical Systems, Newton, MA, USA) mounted on the frontal and mandibular regions were connected to BIS Vista(TM) monitors on each patient during general anesthesia. Data from each position were collected at awake, loss of consciousness, intubation, incision, every 30 minutes during the intraoperative period and emergence. These data were compared using Bland-Altman and scatter plot analyses. RESULTS: Scatter plot analysis revealed a significant correlation between BIS values of frontal and mandibular positions (R = 0.869, P = 0.000), except during emergence (R = 0.253, P = 0.077). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a negative bias of 3.2 with a limit of agreement of 16.5/-22.9, in which 3.7% of the values were outside of the limit of agreement. Additional values included -2.9 (14.1/-8.3) while patients were awake, -21.7 (14.9/-58.3) at loss of consciousness, -1.8 (9.0/-12.5) during maintenance, and -1.9 (14.9/-18.8) during emergence. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, BIS values do not agree between the standard frontal position and an alternative mandibular position. However, during the anesthesia maintenance period, the mandibular position can be availably used as an alternative position if the operative field renders the standard frontal position unavailable.

Platelet function assay to determine the optimal preoperative cessation period of aspirin

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to assess preoperative residual antiplatelet-induced platelet dysfunction using a platelet function assay to determine the optimal cessation period of aspirin during the preoperative period. METHODS: Patients older than 20 years, who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled prospectively. The last ingestion of the aspirin had occurred within the previous 10 days before surgery (aspirin 100 mg per day). No history of antiplatelet intake was documented in the control group. Platelet function was assessed using a platelet function analyzer-100 (PFA-100). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the ability of aspirin cessation time in order to predict platelet function as assessed by the PFA. Patients were assigned to groups according to the period of aspirin discontinuation. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were enrolled in this study (100 control group and 100 aspirin group). The mean PFA value of the control group was significantly lower than that of the treated groups. The areas under the ROC curve (0.65, P = 0.03) of aspirin cessation period to discriminate PFA prolongation were significant. There were significant decreases in PFA values when aspirin medication was discontinued for 7 days, but not when the intake was discontinued for 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet function recovered if aspirin intake was discontinued > 7 days prior to surgery; therefore, in these patients, a preoperative platelet function test is not essential. However, the residual antiplatelet effect of aspirin should be assessed using the PFA in patients who discontinue aspirin less than 7 days prior to surgery.

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for lumbar discectomy in a patient with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

The use of neuraxial anesthesia has traditionally been contraindicated in patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, general anesthesia can be riskier than neuraxial anesthesia for severe aortic stenosis patients undergoing spinal surgeries in the prone position as this can cause a major reduction in cardiac output secondary to diminished preload. In addition, general anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and positive-pressure ventilation can decrease venous return and reduce vascular tone, further compromising cardiac output. Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with closely monitored, careful titration of the local anesthetic dose can be an efficient and safe anesthetic method for managing such patients. We describe the successful management of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in an asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis patient scheduled for lumbar discectomy.

Unexpected tracheal narrowing during general anesthesia in the prone position of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient: A report of two cases / 대한마취과학회지

Unexpected tracheal narrowing was observed in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy during a corrective operation for thoracolumbar scoliosis. As the operating time progressed, peak airway pressure and end-tidal CO2 increased gradually in the prone position. We found a floppy portion of the trachea using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) in the prone position. We advanced a wire-reinforced tube toward the carina beyond the lesion. This allowed correction of the ventilatory abnormalities. We encountered another patient scheduled for the same operation. We performed FB in advance before the position change and observed a narrowed portion of trachea. We advanced the tracheal tube under FB beyond the pathologic portion and then moved the patient into the prone position. The operation was done successfully without any problems.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation developed during perioperative periods in an adolescent without any underlying disease: A case report

Although the development of arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation (AF) is common under general anesthesia during surgery, the first episode of AF to occur during this period is rather uncommon. Moreover, most instances of AF are associated with old age, cardiopulmonary diseases as well as metabolic, endocrine, or genetic abnormalities. The occurrence of paroxysmal AF in the perioperative period in an adolescent without any underlying diseases or organic abnormalities has never been reported. Herein, we report a case of a 16-year-old adolescent whose paroxysmal AF was suspected before the anesthesia induction for strabismus surgery and diagnosed after anesthetic induction. Nevertheless, he was managed successfully with esmolol infusions during and after the surgery and thus recovered spontaneously.

Monitored anesthesia care using dexmedetomidine and remifentanil for the hip surgery in a high risk patient with brain metastasis of lung cancer, cerebral infarction, seizure and quadriplegia: A case report

To perform the major operation for high risk patients with both serious systemic diseases and major organ complications, the monitored anesthesia care could be available as a reasonable alternative for both general and regional anesthesia when it is impossible to administer; however, the choice of analgesics and sedatives is still an important and difficult task. We present a high risk patient who suffers from neurologic complications including decreased consciousness caused by brain metastasis of lung cancer, cerebral infarction, quadriplegia and seizure as well as decreased respiratory function and bleeding tendency. When performing the operation on hip joints, we administered both dexmedetomidine as a major sedative, and remifentanil as an adjunct analgesic; as a result, we could successfully perform the monitored anesthesia care without any complications including cardiovascular instability, respiratory depression, and seizure.

Risk factors for perioperative respiratory adverse events in pediatric anesthesia; multicenter study

BACKGROUND: Perioperative respiratory adverse events remain a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality during pediatric anesthesia. This multicenter study was designed to evaluate the incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events during elective pediatric surgery and to identify the risk factors for these events. METHODS: Pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia in 11 hospitals were randomly selected for this prospective, multicenter study. Preanesthetic assessments, anesthetic and surgical conditions were recorded by anesthesiologists in charge. Adverse respiratory events were registered. RESULTS: Eight hundred and twenty-three patients were included. The overall incidence of any perioperative respiratory adverse respiratory event was 15.1%. The incidences of perioperative bronchospasm, laryngospasm, coughing, desaturatioin (oxygen saturation or =2, OR 1.62. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple attempts for airway device insertion, recent URI, induction with intravenous anesthetics, airway related surgery and ASA class > or =2 were associated with increased risk for perioperative respiratory adverse events.

Tension pneumothorax after ultrasound guided internal jugular venous catheterization in an inadvertently endobronchially intubated patient with kyphosis / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Pharmacology of Intracisternal or Intrathecal Glycine, Muscimol, and Baclofen in Strychnine-induced Thermal Hyperalgesia of Mice

Glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are localized and released by the same interneurons in the spinal cord. Although the effects of glycine and GABA on analgesia are well known, little is known about the effect of GABA in strychnine-induced hyperalgesia. To investigate the effect of GABA and the role of the glycine receptor in thermal hyperalgesia, we designed an experiment involving the injection of muscimol (a GABAA receptor agonist), baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) or glycine with strychnine (strychnine sensitive glycine receptor antagonist). Glycine, muscimol, or baclofen with strychnine was injected into the cisterna magna or lumbar subarachnoidal spaces of mice. The effects of treatment on strychnine-induced heat hyperalgesia were observed using the pain threshold index via the hot plate test. The dosages of experimental drugs and strychnine we chose had no effects on motor behavior in conscious mice. Intracisternal or intrathecal administration of strychnine produced thermal hyperalgesia in mice. Glycine antagonize the effects of strychnine, whereas, muscimol or baclofen does not. Our results indicate that glycine has anti-thermal hyperalgesic properties in vivo; and GABA receptor agonists may lack the binding abilities of glycine receptor antagonists with their sites in the central nervous system.

Developing brain in children and anesthesia

Neuronal cell death after general anesthesia has been documented in several immature animal models. The possibility of anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity during an uneventful anesthetic in neonates or infants has led to serious questions about the safety of pediatric anesthesia. However, the applicability of animal data to clinical anesthesia remains uncertain. In this review, the evidence of the effects of commonly used anesthetics on neural structures and neurocognitive function in newborn humans and animals. Experimental evidences and human studies were reviewed. A growing number of studies in immature animal models demonstrate degenerative effects of several anesthetics on neuronal structure. Several retrospective reviews evaluating neurocognitive function in children demonstrate temporary neurological sequela after prolonged anesthetic exposure in young children and larger studies identify long-term neurodevelopmental impairment after neonatal surgery and anesthesia. The evidence for anesthesia induced neurodegeneration in animal models is compelling and represent the challenge within the practice of pediatric anesthesiology, however, extends well beyond pediatric anesthesiology because the implicated drugs are widely used in a variety of settings of newborn and young children around the world. No data source until now is complete with this regard to the critical elements necessary to address this question: therefore, further investigations of this phenomenon are imperative both in animals and in young children and governments around the world will be needed to adequately address this critical issue.