Assignment of ASA-physical status relates to anesthesiologists' experience: a survey-based national-study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS) is a grading system adopted worldwide by anesthesiologists to classify the overall health status of patients. Its importance is demonstrated not only by its routine use in clinical practice, but also by its deployment in other healthcare-related environments. However, a weak/moderate inter-rater reliability for ASA-PS has been previously shown, and although definitions and clinical examples of each class are provided by ASA, doubts remain on the individual factors influencing assignment to an ASA-PS class. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how an anesthesiologist’s experience affects classification into a specific ASA-PS class. METHODS: An online survey presenting eight fictitious patients was administered to a group of Italian anesthesiologists and residents. Respondents were asked to assign each of the eight patients to a specific ASA-PS class. Anesthesiologists were subdivided into five classes according to years of experience as an anesthesiologist. RESULTS: Six hundred one surveys were correctly completed. The highest mean number of correct answers was obtained by residents (3.95 ± 1.13), with the number decreasing progressively with increasing work experience. The lowest value was recorded in the most experienced group (3.13 ± 1.25). Inter-rater reliability was weak/moderate in all experience level groups (k = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Low inter-reliability of the ASA-PS and the experience-dependence of the anesthesiologist in assigning classifications must be taken into account when evaluating a patient, particularly in settings where wide differences in experience are present.

Treatment therapy comparison of older patients with stroke sequela combined hip fracture in the elderly / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate therapeutic effect for older patients suffering from stroke sequela combined hip fracture and discuss the influence factors of prognosis.Methods The clinical data of 62 older patients suffering from stroke sequela combined with hip fracture were retrospectively analyzed.The therapy approach included the conservative treatment group (12 cases),the joint replacement group (18 cases) and the internal fixation group (32 cases).The data of the American association of anaesthetists (ASA) score,daily life activities ability index (Barthel life index),complications,mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale score,proximal femur trabecular bone type index (Singh index),complications after fracture (infection,recurrent stroke,bedsore,deep vein thrombosis,heart failure) were collected and analyzed.Results There was no statistical significance in terms of age,gender,ASA grade,and complications among three groups.In the conservative treatment group,the joint replacement group,and the internal fixation group,the Bart index were (52.1 ± 11.4),(74.5 ± 21.3) and (63.8 ± 15.7) respectively,and the cases of postoperative complications were 10,3 and 13.There were significant difference in terms of Bart index and complication rate among the three groups (F =2.45,P ＜ 0.05 ; x2 =9.32,P ＜ 0.05).The differences of Singh index (x2 =11.05,P ＜ 0.05) and MMSE scale score (x2 =7.40,P ＜ 0.05) were statistically significant between the conservative treatment group and the two surgical treatment groups.No significant difference were found regarding of Singh index and MMSE scale score between the two surgical treatment groups.The relationship between ASA score,complication,MMSE scale score,treatment strategies and Bart index after fracture were found (OR =5.726,7.152,0.047,1.221,and 5.312 respectively ;P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Joint replacement treatment is a preferred choice for older patients suffering from stroke sequela combined hip fracture.The prognosis is strongly influenced by the physical and mental state of patients.Comprehensive evaluation is an indispensable step to choose treatment strategies.

Cutaneous ureterostomy with definitive ureteral stent as urinary diversion option in unfit patients after radical cystectomy / Ureterostomia cutânea como opção de derivação urinária em pacientes em condições clínicas após cistectomia radical

PURPOSE: Simple diversions are underutilized, mostly for unfit, bedridden, and very self-limited patients requiring palliative surgical management due to life-threatening conditions. Experience with cutaneous ureterostomy (CU) as palliative urinary diversion option for unfit bladder cancer patients is reported. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and operative parameters of 41 patients who underwent CU following RC in three specialized Cancer Centers from July/2005 to July/2010. Muscle-invasive disease (clinical Stage T2/worse), multifocal high-grade tumor, and carcinoma in situ refractory to intravesical immunotherapy were the main indications for RC. Double-J ureteral stents were used in all patients and replaced every 6 months indefinitly. Peri-operative morbidity and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Median age was 69 years (interquartile range - IQR 62, 76); 30 (73%) patients were men. Surgery in urgency setting was performed in 25 (61%) of patients, most due to severe bleeding associated with hemodynamic instability; 14 patients (34%) showed an American Society of Anesthesiologists score 4. Median operative time was 180 minutes (IQR 120, 180). Peri-operative complications occurred in 30 (73%) patients, most Clavien grade I and II (66.6 %). There was no per-operative death. Re-intervention was necessary in 7 (17%) patients. Overall survival was 24% after 9.4 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CU with definitive ureteral stenting represents a simplified alternative for urinary diversion after palliative cystectomy in unfit patients. It can be performed quickly, with few early and late postoperative complications allowing RC in a group of patients otherwise limited to suboptimal alternatives. Future studies regarding the quality of life are warranted.

OBJETIVO: Relatar a experiência do emprego da ureterostomia cutânea (UC) como forma de derivação urinária definitiva em pacientes portadores de neoplasia vesical avançada, em más condições clínicas e que necessitam de tratamento paliativo. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os parâmetros clínicos e operatórios de 41 pacientes submetidos a cistectomia radical e UC em três centros oncológicos especializados. A UC foi a derivação urinária escolhida quando os pacientes não apresentavam condições clínicas de serem submetidos a outro tipo de derivação . Foram avaliados a morbidade peri-operatória e a sobrevida global. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 69 anos (intervalo interquartil - IQR 62, 76); 30 (73%) pacientes eram do sexo masculino. Vinte e cinco pacientes (61%) foram submetidos a cirurgia de urgência sendo a maioria devido a hemorragia grave associada a instabilidade hemodinâmica. O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 180 minutos (IQR 120, 180). As complicações peri-operatórias ocorreram em 30 (73%) pacientes sendo a maioria classificadas como "Clavien" graus I e II (66,6%). Não houve óbito per-operatório. A reabordagem cirúrgica foi necessária em 7 (17%) dos pacientes e a sobrevida global foi de 24% após 9,4 meses de seguimento. CONCLUSÕES: A UC com implante de "stent" ureteral é uma alternativa simples de derivação urinária, após cistectomia paliativa, em pacientes sem condições clínicas de serem submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos mais complexos. A UC é um procedimento rápido e apresenta taxas de complicações aceitáveis. Essa alternativa cirúrgica permite melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes portadores de tumores vesicais localmente avançados.