Analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided fourquadrant transversus abdominis plane in patients with cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

Background@#Postoperative pain occurring after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is difficult to control because of extensive surgical injuries and long incisions. We assessed whether the addition of a four-quadrant transabdominal plane (4Q-TAP) block could help in analgesic control. @*Methods@#Seventy-two patients scheduled to undergo elective CRS with HIPEC and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) were enrolled. The patients received 4Q-TAP blocks in a 10 ml mixture of 2% lidocaine and 0.75% ropivacaine per site (4Q-TAP group, n = 36) or normal saline (control group, n = 33). Oxycodone in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and pethidine or tramadol in the ward were used as rescue analgesics. The primary outcome was less than 3 times of rescue analgesic administration (%) in the ward for 5 postoperative days. Secondary endpoints included oxycodone requirement in PACU, fentanyl doses of IV PCA, morphine milligram equivalent (MME) of total opioid use, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. @*Results@#During 5 postoperative days, there was no difference in pain scores and total rescue analgesic administration between two groups. However, the use of oxycodone in PACU (P = 0.011), fentanyl requirement in IV PCA (P = 0.029), and MME/kg of total opioid use (median, 2.35 vs. 3.21 mg/kg, P = 0.009) were significantly smaller in the 4Q-TAP group. Hospital stay and incidence of postoperative morbidity were similar in both groups. @*Conclusions@#The 4Q-TAP block enhanced multimodal analgesia and decreased opioid requirements in patients with CRS with HIPEC, but did not change postoperative recovery outcomes.

Perioperative Management for the Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is on the rise worldwide due to an increase in metabolic syndrome, obesity, and aging. Patients with OSA are at higher risk of perioperative complications than those without OSA; however, OSA is often not diagnosed before surgery. For patients diagnosed with OSA or who are judged to be at risk of OSA by various screening tools, safe preparation for respiratory depression or difficult airway is critical. Exaggerated respiratory depression often occurs in response to commonly used sedatives and analgesics, and there is a high risk of hypoxic events due to difficulty in maintaining the airway. Currently, there is insufficient training of health care providers to screen and diagnose patients with OSA, and several screening tools are incomplete. In addition, the guidelines for optimal monitoring and perioperative management of patients with OSA have not yet been clearly established. In the present work, the author aims to explain the latest findings useful to sleep physicians regarding the overall management, including pre-operative evaluation and preparation, intraoperative anesthetic management, and post-operative general care and analgesic strategies, of patients at risk of OSA.

Perioperative Management for the Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is on the rise worldwide due to an increase in metabolic syndrome, obesity, and aging. Patients with OSA are at higher risk of perioperative complications than those without OSA; however, OSA is often not diagnosed before surgery. For patients diagnosed with OSA or who are judged to be at risk of OSA by various screening tools, safe preparation for respiratory depression or difficult airway is critical. Exaggerated respiratory depression often occurs in response to commonly used sedatives and analgesics, and there is a high risk of hypoxic events due to difficulty in maintaining the airway. Currently, there is insufficient training of health care providers to screen and diagnose patients with OSA, and several screening tools are incomplete. In addition, the guidelines for optimal monitoring and perioperative management of patients with OSA have not yet been clearly established. In the present work, the author aims to explain the latest findings useful to sleep physicians regarding the overall management, including pre-operative evaluation and preparation, intraoperative anesthetic management, and post-operative general care and analgesic strategies, of patients at risk of OSA.

Successful management of uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage due to morbidly adherent placenta with Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta during emergency cesarean section - A case report -

Background@#Morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) may cause life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) requiring massive transfusions. Furthermore, it could endanger the lives of both mother and baby. Despite various efforts, such as adjuvant endovascular embolization and hysterectomy, massive PPH due to MAP still occurs and is difficult to overcome. Case: Herein, we described the case of a 40-year-old woman with placenta previa totalis who experienced massive bleeding during a cesarean section. We used resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) and it improved the condition of the surgical field and the hemodynamic stability of the patient temporarily. The patient was successfully managed without further complications. @*Conclusions@#REBOA can be used as a rescue procedure for uncontrolled bleeding situations in patients with MAPs. Anesthesiologists should consider and recommend REBOA as another resuscitative therapeutic option in the case of massive PPH.

Life-threatening tension pneumothorax after unsuccessful tracheostomy tube exchange in a trauma patient - A case report -

Background@#Tracheostomy tube exchange is a common and safe procedure. However, when the tracheocutaneous tract is not completely mature, cannula exchange or endotracheal tube insertion via the tracheostomy site can rarely induce life-threatening complications, including subcutaneous emphysema, loss of airway, tension pneumothorax, and pneumoperitoneum.Case: We report a case of life-threatening tension pneumothorax developed during tracheostomy tube exchange with a reinforced endotracheal tube for a planned facial surgery after recent tracheostomy in a trauma patient. @*Conclusions@#Understanding of the pathogenesis and the use of preventive strategies based on it are expected to provide safer and more effective anesthetic management to patients with tracheostomy.

The effect of endotracheal 1% lidocaine administration to reduce emergence phenomenon after general anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation often causes sore throat and coughing. The aim of this study was to decrease the incidence and severity of cough, sore throat, and hemodynamic changes after extubation by endotracheal administration of 1% lidocaine. METHODS: Sixty patients physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists classes I, II, and III who received a surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. L group was given 1% lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg by endotracheal administration. The other group, N group, received the same volume of normal saline. The number of cough, the severity of sore throat with numerical rating score (NRS), incidence of local anesthetic systemic toxic reaction, laryngospasm, and hoarseness were recorded. In addition, the number of coughs was divided into three levels by its severity, and it was converted into an indicator of cough score. RESULTS: L group had a significantly lower number of cough and sore throat NRS (P value < 0.05) than the N group, and also hoarseness did not occur. The changes in the hemodynamic parameters, before and after the emergence of anesthesia, were more stable in the L group than those in the N group, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that endotracheal administration of 1% lidocaine is effective and safe method to reduce cough and sore throat caused by extubation.

Fatal pulmonary aspiration during balanced sedation with dexmedetomidine and midazolam: A case report

Recently, balanced sedation has commonly been used during procedural sedation. Dexmedetomidine is known for its relative safety to cause “conscious sedation” with little respiratory depression but has some limitations such as frequent awakening and hemodynamic instability during surgery. To facilitate sedation, a small dose of midazolam can be co-administered rather than escalating the dose of dexmedetomidine, especially in elderly patient. Despite the respiratory safety profile of dexmedetomidine, the overall safety of co-administration has not been clarified. We describe the first case of fatal pulmonary aspiration that developed in an elderly patient during balanced sedation with spinal anesthesia for elective femur fracture surgery.

Korean clinical practice guideline for perioperative red blood cell transfusion from Korean Society of Anesthesiologists / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Considering the functional role of red blood cells (RBC) in maintaining oxygen supply to tissues, RBC transfusion can be a life-saving intervention in situations of severe bleeding or anemia. RBC transfusion is often inevitable to address intraoperative massive bleeding; it is a key component in safe perioperative patient management. Unlike general medical resources, packed RBCs (pRBCs) have limited availability because their supply relies entirely on voluntary donations. Additionally, excessive utilization of pRBCs may aggravate prognosis or increase the risk of developing infectious diseases. Appropriate perioperative RBC transfusion is, therefore, crucial for the management of patient safety and medical resource conservation. These concerns motivated us to develop the present clinical practice guideline for evidence-based efficient and safe perioperative RBC transfusion management considering the current clinical landscape. METHODS: This guideline was obtained after the revision and refinement of exemplary clinical practice guidelines developed in advanced countries. This was followed by rigorous evidence-based reassessment considering the healthcare environment of the country. RESULTS: This guideline covers all important aspects of perioperative RBC transfusion, such as preoperative anemia management, appropriate RBC storage period, and leukoreduction (removal of white blood cells using filters), reversal of perioperative bleeding tendency, strategies for perioperative RBC transfusion, appropriate blood management protocols, efforts to reduce blood transfusion requirements, and patient monitoring during a perioperative transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline will aid decisions related to RBC transfusion in healthcare settings and minimize patient risk associated with unnecessary pRBC transfusion.

Efficacy of minimal invasive cardiac output and ScVO₂ monitoring during controlled hypotension for double-jaw surgery

BACKGROUND: Controlled hypotension (CH) provides a better surgical environment and reduces operative time. However, there are some risks related to organ hypoperfusion. The EV1000/FloTrac system can provide continuous cardiac output monitoring without the insertion of pulmonary arterial catheter. The present study investigated the efficacy of this device in double jaw surgery under CH.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent double jaw surgery between 2010 and 2015. Patients were administered conventional general anesthesia with desflurane; CH was performed with remifentanil infusion and monitored with an invasive radial arterial pressure monitor or the EV1000/FloTrac system. We allocated the patients into two groups, namely an A-line group and an EV1000 group, according to the monitoring methods used, and the study variables were compared.RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were reviewed. The A-line group reported a higher number of failed CH (P = 0.005). A significant correlation was found between preoperative hemoglobin and intraoperative packed red blood cell transfusion (r = 0.525; P < 0.001). In the EV1000 group, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly lower 2 h after CH (P = 0.014), and the cardiac index significantly decreased 1 h after CH (P = 0.001) and 2 h after CH (P = 0.007). Moreover, venous oxygen saturation (ScVO2) decreased significantly at both 1 h (P = 0.002) and 2 h after CH (P = 0.029); however, these values were within normal limits.CONCLUSION: The EV1000 group reported a lower failure rate of CH than the A-line group. However, EV1000/FloTrac monitoring did not present with any specific advantage over the conventional arterial line monitoring when CH was performed with the same protocol and same mean blood pressure. Preoperative anemia treatment will be helpful to decrease intraoperative transfusion. Furthermore, ScVO2 monitoring did not present with sufficient benefits over the risk and cost.

Inferior turbinate outfracture for successful nasotracheal intubation in a patient undergoing maxillofacial surgery: case report

An enlarged inferior turbinate is a predisposing factor for difficult nasotracheal intubation. We describe a case of successful nasotracheal intubation by induced outfracture of the inferior turbinate during maxillofacial surgery, and discuss the importance of adequate airway evaluation and anesthetic management for successful nasal intubation.

Korean clinical practice guideline for perioperative red blood cell transfusion from Korean Society of Anesthesiologists / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND@#Considering the functional role of red blood cells (RBC) in maintaining oxygen supply to tissues, RBC transfusion can be a life-saving intervention in situations of severe bleeding or anemia. RBC transfusion is often inevitable to address intraoperative massive bleeding; it is a key component in safe perioperative patient management. Unlike general medical resources, packed RBCs (pRBCs) have limited availability because their supply relies entirely on voluntary donations. Additionally, excessive utilization of pRBCs may aggravate prognosis or increase the risk of developing infectious diseases. Appropriate perioperative RBC transfusion is, therefore, crucial for the management of patient safety and medical resource conservation. These concerns motivated us to develop the present clinical practice guideline for evidence-based efficient and safe perioperative RBC transfusion management considering the current clinical landscape.@*METHODS@#This guideline was obtained after the revision and refinement of exemplary clinical practice guidelines developed in advanced countries. This was followed by rigorous evidence-based reassessment considering the healthcare environment of the country.@*RESULTS@#This guideline covers all important aspects of perioperative RBC transfusion, such as preoperative anemia management, appropriate RBC storage period, and leukoreduction (removal of white blood cells using filters), reversal of perioperative bleeding tendency, strategies for perioperative RBC transfusion, appropriate blood management protocols, efforts to reduce blood transfusion requirements, and patient monitoring during a perioperative transfusion.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This guideline will aid decisions related to RBC transfusion in healthcare settings and minimize patient risk associated with unnecessary pRBC transfusion.

Perioperative surgical home: a new scope for future anesthesiology / 대한마취과학회지

The health care system is changing from ‘pay for volume’ to ‘pay for value.’ These changes are turning health care delivery into a more cost-effective and coordinated care setup that drives hospitals to lower costs and greater quality gains. The present perioperative care service in Korea has proven to be costly, fragmented, and neither evidence-based nor patient-centered. Recently, a new concept of a perioperative care model termed perioperative surgical home (PSH) has been proposed. The PSH is a patient-centered, team-based, and coordinated perioperative care setup, composed of the head anesthesiologist-perioperativist in tandem with dedicated nurse practitioners and other PSH team doctors. All pre-, intra-, and postoperative patient care functions are performed by a single PSH team, not several different departments. The PSH care extends from the decision to operate till 30 days post-discharge. Several evidence-driven perioperative strategies for reducing postoperative complications and shortening hospital stay can be adapted to each specific hospital situation, rather than strictly applying any given strategies. With the PSH, patients are more satisfied and experience better outcomes. It is also a good hospital business model. The expanded role of anesthesiologists in the PSH has the potential to invigorate the specialty.

Effectiveness of milrinone for cardiogenic shock due to massive pulmonary aspiration: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is one of the most frightening complications during anesthesia. Although pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents in general surgical patients is not common and resulting long-term morbidity and mortality are rare, severe hypoxemia and other sequelae of pulmonary aspiration continue to be reported. We report a case of massive aspiration of gastric contents during induction of general anesthesia, resulting in cardiac arrest due to severe pulmonary hypertension and myocardial infarction. Sustained cardiac arrest and shock that did not respond the conventional resuscitation was successfully treated using milrinone. The patient was discharged without complications in 20 days.

Difficult airway management in a case with lingual tonsil hypertrophy and temporo-mandibular joint partial ankylosis / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block according to the various volumes of local anesthetic / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The ultrasound guidance in regional nerve blocks has recently been introduced and gaining popularity. Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block has many advantages including the higher success rate, faster onset time, and fewer complications. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical data according to the varied volume of local anesthetics in the ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients were randomized into four groups, according to the local anesthetic volume used: Group 35 (n = 30), Group 30 (n = 30), Group 25 (n = 30), and Group 20 (n = 30). Supraclavicular blocks were performed with 1% mepivacaine 35 ml, 30 ml, 25 ml, and 20 ml, respectively. The success rate, onset time, and complications were checked and evaluated. RESULTS: The success rate (66.7%) was lower in Group 20 than that of Group 35 (96.7%) (P < 0.05). The average onset times of Group 35, Group 30, Group 25, and Group 20 were 14.3 +/- 6.9 min, 13.6 +/- 4.5 min, 16.7 +/- 4.6 min, and 16.5 +/- 3.7 min, respectively. There were no significant differences. Horner's syndrome was higher in Group 35 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we achieved 90% success rate with 30 ml of 1% mepivacaine. Therefore, we suggest 30 ml of local anesthetic volume for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block.

Tracheal intubation with rocuronium using a "modified timing principle" / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Rapid sequence induction (RSI) is indicated in various situations. Succinylcholine has been the muscle relaxant of choice for RSI, and rocuronium has become an alternative medicine for patients who cannot be administered succinylcholine for various reasons. Although rocuronium has the most rapid onset time among non-depolarizing muscle relaxants, the standard dose of rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) takes 60 seconds to achieve appropriate muscle relaxation. We evaluated intubating conditions using the "modified timing principle" with rocuronium and succinylcholine. METHODS: In this prospective controlled blinded study, all patients received 1.5 microg/kg fentanyl intravenously with preoxygenation for 2 minutes and were randomized to receive 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium followed by 1.5 mg/kg propofol or 1.5 mg/kg propofol and 1.5 mg/kg succinylcholine. The rocuronium group was intubated just after confirming loss of consciousness, and the succinylcholine group was intubated 1 minute after injecting succinylcholine. Intubation condition, timing of events, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: All patients were successfully intubated in both groups. Apnea time of the rocuronium group (38.5 seconds) was significantly shorter than that in the succinylcholine group (100.7 seconds). No significant differences were observed in loss of consciousness time or intubation time. The succinylcholine group tended to show better intubation conditions, but no significant difference was observed. None of the patients complained awareness of the intubation procedure or had respiratory difficulty during a postoperative interview. CONCLUSIONS: The modified RSI with rocuronium showed shorter intubation sequence, acceptable intubation conditions, and a similar level of complications compared to those of conventional RSI with succinylcholine.

The effect of a pediatric heat and moisture exchanger on dead space in healthy pediatric anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Heat and moisture exchangers (HME) are often used to maintain humidity of breathing circuits during anesthesia. It is also known to increase dead space ventilation in respiratory distress syndromes. However, the effect of a pediatric HME in healthy pediatric patients has not yet been clarified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pediatric HME on dead space in healthy pediatric patients during anesthesia. METHODS: 20 ASA physical class I pediatric patients, without respiratory impairment, who underwent elective surgery for inguinal hernia or hydrocele with general anesthesia were enrolled. Fifteen minutes after ventilation with and without pediatric HME (internal volume of 22 ml), hemodynamic variables, end tidal CO2, minute volume and airway pressure were measured, and arterial blood sampling was conducted simultaneously. RESULTS: The removal of pediatric HME decreased PaCO2 significantly from 46.1 +/- 6.9 mmHg to 37.9 +/- 4.3 mmHg (P < 0.001) and increased the pH from 7.32 to 7.37 (P < 0.001). The differences between PaCO2 with and without HME (Delta PaCO2) were significantly correlated with weight (P < 0.001, beta1 = -0.749) and age (P = 0.002, beta1 = -0.623). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a pediatric HME significantly increased PaCO2 in healthy pediatric patients that was inversely proportional to weight and age. The use of pediatric HME should be carefully considered in small pediatric patients.

Dyspnea after supraclavicular brachial plexus block in a morbidly obese patient due to phrenic nerve block: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A 57-year-old woman with morbid obesity (BMI: 37.39) was scheduled for ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition of the carpometacarpal joint. A difficult supraclavicular brachial plexus block was performed using a 22-gauge regional block needle with a nerve stimulator and 40 ml of 1% mepivacaine. Approximately 10 minutes after the injection, she complained dyspnea, shortness of breath and right mid-thoracic pain. Her oxygen saturation decreased from 100% to 95%. Diagnostic workup revealed right diaphragmatic elevation caused by phrenic nerve block. General anesthesia was induced because of the unsuccessful brachial plexus block and dyspnea with chest pain. She recovered without any residual complications and was discharged on the third postoperative day. Phrenic nerve block is a common complication in supraclavicular brachial plexus block but it is usually not severe and reassurance is enough to control it. However, pre-operative physical conditions that may lead to decreased respiratory reserves, such as morbid obesity should be considered as a risk factors when conducting supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Tuberculosis like lesion on the epiglottis of a patient with an extrapulmonary tuberculosis abscess: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Epiglottic tuberculosis without pulmonary involvement is an uncommon disease that has rarely been described in Korea. We report here a case of a 36 year-old man with a recurrent tuberculosis abscess in his thigh. He had been treated with steroids for systemic lupus erythematosus, and he suffered from recurrent tuberculosis abscess in the thigh where he had received total hip replacement arthroplasty. When inducing general anesthesia for incision and drainage, we noticed a destroyed epiglottis. After consultation with an otolaryngologist, we concluded that the patient has had epiglottic tuberculosis and precautions against tuberculosis infection were taken. The surgery ended without event. The patient recovered safely and was transferred from the operating room directly to the general ward. In this paper, we also discussed the epiglottic tuberculosis and precautions that were taken to prevent tuberculosis infection of the healthcare workers in the operating theater.

The correlation between the effects of propofol on the auditory brainstem response and the postsynaptic currents of the auditory circuit in brainstem slices in the rat / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although there have been reports showing the changes of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) waves by propofol, no detailed studies have been done at the level of brainstem auditory circuit. So, we studied the effects of propofol on the postsynaptic currents of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB)-lateral superior olive (LSO) synapses by using the whole cell voltage clamp technique and we compared this data with that obtained by the ABR. METHODS: 5 rats at postnatal (P) 15 days were used for the study of the ABR. After inducing deep anesthesia using xylazine 6 mg/kg and ketamine 25 mg/kg, the ABRs were recorded before and after intraperitoneal propofol injection (10 mg/kg) and the effects of propofol on the latencies of the I, III, and V waves and the I-III and III-V interwave intervals were evaluated. Rats that were aged under P11 were used in the voltage clamp experiments. After making brainstem slices, the postsynaptic currents (PSCs) elicited by MNTB stimulation were recorded at the LSO, and the changes of the PSCs by the bath application of propofol (100 microM) were monitored. RESULTS: We found small, but statistically significant increases in the latencies of ABR waves III and V and the interwave intervals of I-III and III-V by propofol. However, no significant changes were observed in the glycinergic or glutamatergic PSCs of the MNTB-LSO synpases by the application of propofol (100 microM). CONCLUSIONS: Glycinergic or glutamatergic transmission of the MNTB-LSO synapses might not contribute to the propofol-induced changes of the ABR.