Spinal cord ischemia as intraoperatory complication in shoulder surgery positioned in beach chair: case report

Abstract Spinal cord infarction is an uncommon phenomenon, which can be caused by different etiologies, constituting a real diagnostic challenge which can lead to devastating consequences. General anesthesia in beach chair positioning with intraoperative hypotension in order to avoid surgical bleeding are associated with hypoperfusion and potential neurological ischemia-related complications. We present a case of spinal cord ischemia in the context of shoulder surgery in a beach chair position.

Risco para lesões por posicionamento cirúrgico decorrentes da posição supina / Riesgo de lesiones de posicionamiento quirúrgicoderivadas de la posición supina / Risk for surgical position injuries arising from the supine position

Objetivo: relacionar o escore de risco de lesões por posicionamento cirúrgico decorrentes da posição supina com aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos, cirúrgicos e ocorrência de complicações. Método: estudo observacional longitudinal realizado com 89 pacientes em decúbito dorsal. Aplicadas variáveis ​​sociodemográficas e clínicas e a Escala de Risco para Desenvolvimento de Lesões por Posicionamento Cirúrgico. Adotadas análises descritivas, bivariadas e de regressão logística, considerando-se um nível de significância de α=0,05. Resultados: a idade aumentou em 1,11 vezes (p<0,001) e a obesidade em 13,77 vezes (p=0,01) a chance de aumento do risco de lesões. A proporção de dor (34,1%) e lesão por pressão na região sacrococcígea (91,7%) destacou-se nos pacientes de maior risco (p=0,05). Conclusão: obesos e idosos apresentaram maior risco de lesões. Dor e ocorrência de lesão por pressão na região sacrococcígea foram as complicações predominantes nos pacientes de maior risco (AU)

Objective:to relate the risk score for injuries due to surgical positioning resulting from the supine position with sociodemographic, clinical, surgical aspects and the occurrence of complications. Method: longitudinal observational study carried out with 89 patientsin the supine position. Sociodemographic and clinical variables and the Risk Scale for the Development of Surgical Positioning Injuries were applied. Descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analyzes were adopted, considering a significance level ofα=0.05. Results: age increased by 1.11 times (p<0.001) and obesity by 13.77 times (p=0.01) the chance of increased risk of injury. The proportion of pain (34.1%) and pressure injury in the sacrococcygeal region (91.7%) stood out in patients at higher risk(p=0.05). Conclusion:obese and elderly people had a higher risk of injury. Pain and occurrence of pressure injury in the sacrococcygeal region were the predominant complications in patients at higher risk (AU)

Objetivo:relacionar el puntaje de riesgo de lesiones por posicionamiento quirúrgico derivado de la posición supina con aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos, quirúrgicos y la ocurrencia de complicaciones. Método:estudio observacional longitudinal realizado con 89 pacientes en decúbito supino. Se aplicaron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y la Escala de Riesgo para el Desarrollo de Lesiones de Posicionamiento Quirúrgico. Fueron adoptados análisis descriptivos, bivariados y de regresión logística, considerando un nivel de significancia de α=0,05. Resultados:La edad aumentó en 1,11 veces (p<0,001) y la obesidad en 13,77 veces (p=0,01) la probabilidad de mayor riesgo de lesión. La proporción de dolor (34,1%) y lesión por presión en la región sacrococcígea (91,7%) sedestacó en los pacientes de mayor riesgo (p=0,05).Conclusión:Las personas obesas y ancianas tenían mayor riesgo de lesiones. El dolor y la aparición de lesión por presión en la región sacrococcígea fueron las complicaciones predominantes en los pacientes de mayor riesgo (AU)

Risco de lesão relacionada ao posicionamento cirúrgico: avaliação em hospital universitário brasileiro / Riesgo de lesiones relacionadas a la posición quirúrgica: evaluación en un hospital universitario de brasil / Risk of injuries related to surgical positioning: an assessment in a brazilian university hospital

Objetivo: avaliar o risco para desenvolvimento de lesões relacionadas ao posicionamento cirúrgico. Método: estudo transversal com amostra (n=146) de adultos cirúrgicos eletivos do Paraná, Brasil. Aplicou-se a Escala de Avaliação de Risco para o Desenvolvimento de Lesões decorrentes do Posicionamento Cirúrgico e extração de variáveis sociodemográficas. Procedeu-se análise estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: homens (49,3%) e mulheres (50,7%) tiveram distribuição equânime de atendimento majoritariamente pela ortopedia (39,7%). Pela escala aplicada, destacou-se: uso de colchão convencional+coxins de campo de algodão como superfície de suporte (100%); posição supina (78%); membros superiores com abertura inferior a 90º (70,5%); anestesia regional (54,1%) e tempo cirúrgico de 1-2h (46,6%). Constatou-se escore médio de 17,6±3,29 pontos e 75,3% da amostra apresentou baixo risco de desenvolver lesões do posicionamento cirúrgico. Conclusão: em torno de um quarto da amostra apresentou maior risco de lesão decorrente da posição cirúrgica.

Objetivo: evaluar el riesgo de desarrollar lesiones relacionadas con la posición quirúrgica. Método: estudio transversal con una muestra (n=146) de adultos sometidos a cirugías electivas en Paraná, Brasil. Se aplicó la Escala de Evaluación del Riesgo de Desarrollar Lesiones a raíz de la Posición Quirúrgica y se extrajeron variables sociodemográficas. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial. Resultados: hubo distribución igualitaria entre hombres (49,3%) y mujeres (50,7%), atendidos mayoritariamente en la especialidad de Ortopedia (39,7%). Al aplicar la escala se destacó lo siguiente: utilización de colchón convencional + almohadones de campo de algodón como superficie de apoyo (100%); posición supina (78%); extremidades superiores con abertura de menos de 90º (70,5%); anestesia regional (54,1%) y duración de la cirugía de 1 a 2 horas (46,6%). Se verificó una puntuación media de 17,6±3,29 puntos y el 75,3% de la muestra presentó bajo riesgo de desarrollar lesiones a raíz de la posición quirúrgica. Conclusión: aproximadamente el 25% de la muestra presentó un riesgo más elevado de lesiones resultantes de la posición quirúrgica.

Objective: to assess the risk for the development of injuries related to surgical positioning. Method: a cross-sectional study with a sample comprised by adults undergoing elective surgeries (n=146) in Paraná, Brazil. The Risk Assessment Scale for the Development of Injuries arising from Surgical Positioning was applied, with extraction of sociodemographic variables. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: men (49.3%) and women (50.7%) presented equal distribution of appointments, mostly in the Orthopedics specialty (39.7%). The following stood out as per the scale applied: use of conventional mattress + cotton field cushions as a support surface (100%); supine position (78%); upper limbs with opening less than 90º (70.5%); regional anesthesia (54.1%), and surgical time of 1h-2h (46.6%). A mean score of 17.6±3.29 points was found and 75.3% of the sample presented low risk for the development of injuries related to surgical positioning. Conclusion: around 25% of the sample presented a higher risk of injuries arising from surgical positioning.

Perfil clínico e complicações em pacientes pronados: uma coorte de um hospital universitário / Clinical profile and complications in prone patients: a cohort from a university hospital

Introdução: Este arquivo busca verificar a incidência de lesões por pressão (LP) e eventos adversos graves em pacientes submetidos à posição prona. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo realizado entre 2015 a 2017 no Centro de Terapia Intensiva (CTI) de um Hospital Universitário de Porto Alegre. Os dados foram coletados no prontuário eletrônico por meio de um questionário estruturado e analisados através de estatística descritiva e analítica. Resultados: Foram avaliados 37 pacientes. A incidência de LP após prona foi 8 (21,6%). A ocorrência de eventos adversos durante posicionamento em prona foi 1 (2,7%), durante alternância da posição nadador foram 3 (8%) e nenhum no retorno à posição supina. Conclusões: A incidência de eventos adversos graves e de LP é menor comparados aos outros estudos. A hipótese é que o uso de coxins para o posicionamento, cuidados de enfermagem padronizados, aplicação do checklist e treinamento da equipe são responsáveis para esse resultado. (AU)

Introduction: This paper aims to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) and serious adverse events in patients in the prone position. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Data were collected from electronic medical records using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Thirty-seven patients were evaluated. Of these, 8 (21.6%) had PUs after prone positioning. One (2.7%) adverse event occurred during prone positioning, 3 (8%) when patients were alternately placed in the swimmer's position, and none when patients were returned to the supine position. Conclusions: The incidence of serious adverse events and PUs was lower than that reported in previous studies. A hypothesis is that the use of cushions for positioning, standardized nursing care, checklists, and team training are responsible for this outcome. (AU)

Impact of patient position on the outcomes of percutaneous neprolithotomy for complex kidney stones

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the patient position on the outcomes of PCNL among patients with complex renal stones. Material and Methods: From July 2011 to July 2014, we collected prospective data of consecutive patients who underwent PCNL. We included all patients with complex stones (Guy's Stone Score 3 or 4 (GSS) based on a CT scan) and divided them based on the position used during PCNL (prone or supine). The variables analyzed were gender, age, body mass index, ASA score, stone diameter, GSS, number of punctures, calyx puncture site, intercostal access and patient positioning. Complications were graded according to the modified-Clavien Classification. Success was considered if fragments ≤ 4mm were observed on the first postoperative day CT scan. Results: We analyzed 240 (46.4%) of 517 PCNL performed during the study period that were classified as GGS 3-4. Regarding patient positions, 21.2% were prone and 79.8% were supine. Both groups were comparable, although intercostal access was more common in prone cases (25.5% vs 10.5%; p=0.01). The success rates, complications, blood transfusions and surgical times were similar for both groups; however, there were significantly more visceral injuries (10.3% vs 2.6%; p=0.046) and sepsis (7.8% vs 2.1%; p=0.042) in prone cases. Conclusion: Supine or prone position were equally suitable for PCNL with complex stones and did not impact the success rates. However, supine position was associated with fewer sepsis cases and visceral injuries.

Bezold-Jarisch reflex in a patient undergoing endoscopic sympathectomy for management of refractory angina pectoris: a case report / Reflexo de Bezold-Jarisch em paciente submetida à simpatectomia endoscópica para tratamento de angina pectoris refratária: relato de caso

Abstract Background and objectives Ischemic cardiomyopathy is characterized by imbalance between supply and demand of myocardial oxygen. Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy is a therapeutic option indicated in refractory cases. However, the patient's position on the operating table may favor ischemic coronary events triggering the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Case report A female patient, 47 years old, with refractory ischemic cardiomyopathy, admitted to the operating room for endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy, developed the Bezold- Jarisch reflex with severe bradycardia and hypotension after placement in semi-sitting position to the procedure. Conclusion Bradyarrhythmia, hypotension, and asystole are complications potentially associated with patient placement in a semi-sitting position, particularly in cases with previous ischemic heart disease.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos A cardiomiopatia isquêmica caracteriza-se pelo desbalanço entre a oferta e o consumo de oxigênio pelo miocárdio. A simpatectomia transtorácica endoscópica é uma opção terapêutica indicada nos casos refratários. Contudo, a posição do paciente na mesa cirúrgica pode favorecer eventos coronarianos isquêmicos e deflagrar o reflexo de Bezold-Jarisch. Relato de caso Paciente do sexo feminino, 47 anos, portadora de cardiomiopatia isquêmica refratária, admitida na sala de cirurgia para simpatectomia transtorácica endoscópica, deflagrou o reflexo de Bezold-Jarisch e desenvolveu bradicardia e hipotensão graves logo após colocação em posição semissentada para o procedimento. Conclusão Bradiarritmia, hipotensão e assistolia são complicações potencialmente associadas à colocação do paciente em posição semissentada, especialmente nos casos em que há prévio comprometimento isquêmico do coração.

Checklist da prona segura: construção e implementação de uma ferramenta para realização da manobra de prona / Safe prone checklist: construction and implementation of a tool for performing the prone maneuver

RESUMO Objetivo: Construir e implementar um instrumento (checklist) para melhoria do cuidado na manobra prona. Métodos: Estudo aplicativo, qualitativo e descritivo. O instrumento foi desenvolvido a partir de ampla revisão da literatura, para construção de um protocolo de atendimento assistencial, utilizando as principais bases eletrônicas (MEDLINE, LILACS e Cochrane). Resultados: Descrevemos a construção de uma ferramenta de segurança do paciente com suas inúmeras modificações e adaptações, a partir das observações da equipe multidisciplinar com seu uso na prática diária. Conclusão: A aplicação do checklist na manobra de prona acrescentou confiabilidade e segurança ao procedimento. O entendimento da importância da ferramenta na segurança do paciente, por parte da equipe, e sua capacitação são necessários para seu sucesso.

ABSTRACT Objective: To construct and implement an instrument (checklist) to improve safety when performing the prone maneuver. Methods: This was an applied, qualitative and descriptive study. The instrument was developed based on a broad review of the literature pertaining to the construction of a care protocol using the main electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane). Results: We describe the construction of a patient safety tool with numerous modifications and adaptations based on the observations of the multidisciplinary team regarding its use in daily practice. Conclusion: The use of the checklist when performing the prone maneuver increased the safety and reliability of the procedure. The team's understanding of the tool's importance to patient safety and training in its use are necessary for its success.

Influência do posicionamento do paciente sobre a qualidade das imagens ecocardiográficas em exames realizados no leito / Influence of patient’s positioning on the quality of bedside echocardiography images

Fundamento: O ecocardiograma é particularmente importante para a avaliação de pacientes instáveis hemodinamicamente. Apesar de sua realização à beira do leito eliminar o risco resultante do transporte, a obtenção de imagens pode ficar prejudicada; o posicionamento adequado poderia contribuir para uma melhor qualidade de imagem e consequentemente análise do exame. Objetivo: Avaliar se o posicionamento do paciente pela enfermagem poderia influenciar a qualidade das imagens ecocardiográficas obtidas no leito. Métodos: Foram estudados de maneira consecutiva os pacientes com solicitação de exame no leito. Durante a realização de ecocardiograma transtorácico foram adquiridos vídeos dos planos para esternal longitudinal (PEL) e apical 4-câmaras(Apical-4C) e a imagem estática do fluxo aórtico (FAo) em decúbito lateral esquerdo (DLE) e em decúbito dorsal (DD). As imagens digitalizadas foram analisadas cegamente por dois observadores em relação ao tipo de decúbito utilizado. A qualidade das imagens foi graduada como 1:boa/ótima; 2:inadequada/ruim; e comparadas com o teste de Kappa e correlação de Pearson. Resultados: Foram estudados 68 pacientes, com idade de 69 ± 24 anos, sendo 37 do sexo masculino e superfície corpórea 1,85 ± 0,09 m2. Em relação aos cortes, as imagens em DLE apresentam melhor qualidade (p < 0,001) quando comparadas ao DD tanto para os vídeos Apical-4C (Kappa 0,19) e PEL (Kappa 0,25) e FAo (Kappa 0,13); a concordância entre os avaliadores para a qualidade das imagens foi de 95%. Conclusão: O posicionamento adequado do paciente no leito em decúbito lateral esquerdo contribui significativamente para a aquisição de imagens de melhor qualidade.

Background: Echocardiography is particularly important for assessing hemodynamically unstable patients. Despite being carried out at the bedside to eliminate the risk resulting from patient’s transportation, the imaging maybe impaired. Proper patient’s positioning could contribute to enhancing both the image quality and analysis of the exam. Objective: To evaluate whether patient’s positioning by nurses could influence the quality of the echocardiographic images obtained at the bedside. Methods: Patients whose examinations were requested to be carried out at the bedside were studied in a consecutive manner. During transthoracic echocardiography, videos of the parasternal longitudinal view (PLV) and 4-chamber apical view (Apical-4C) were obtained, as well as the still image of the aortic flow (FAo), in the left lateral decubitus (LLD) and supine decubitus (SD). The scanned images were blindly analyzed by two observers comparing the type of decubitus used. The image quality was rated as 1: good/excellent quality; 2: inadequate/poor, and then submitted to Kappa agreement test and Pearson correlation. Results: 68 patients were studied, aged 69 ± 24 years, 37 males and body surface 1.85 ± 0.09 m2. When the distinct views were compared, LLD images showed better quality (p < 0.001) when compared to SD for both the Apical-4C videos (Kappa 0.19) and PLV (Kappa 0.25) and FAo (Kappa 0.13); interobserver agreement of the quality of the images was 95%. Conclusion: Patient’s proper positioning in bed in left lateral decubitus contributes significantly to the acquisition of better quality images.

Good practices for prone positioning at the bedside: Construction of a care protocol / Boas práticas da manobra de prona à beira do leito: construção de um protocolo de cuidados

SUMMARY Last year, interest in prone positioning to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resurfaced with the demonstration of a reduction in mortality by a large randomized clinical trial. Reports in the literature suggest that the incidence of adverse events is significantly reduced with a team trained and experienced in the process. The objective of this review is to revisit the current evidence in the literature, discuss and propose the construction of a protocol of care for these patients. A search was performed on the main electronic databases: Medline, Lilacs and Cochrane Library. Prone positioning is increasingly used in daily practice, with properly trained staff and a well established care protocol are essencial.

RESUMO No último ano, o interesse pela posição prona no tratamento da síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda (Sara) ressurgiu com a demonstração da redução da mortalidade por um grande estudo clínico randomizado. Os relatos, na literatura, sugerem que a incidência de eventos adversos é significativamente reduzida com uma equipe treinada e experiente no processo. O objetivo desta revisão é revisitar as evidências atuais, discutir e propor a construção de um protocolo de cuidados para esses pacientes. Foi realizada busca nas principais bases eletrônicas: Medline, Lilacs e Cochrane Library. A posição prona é cada vez mais utilizada na prática diária, sendo imprescindível a presença de uma equipe adequadamente treinada e um protocolo de cuidados bem estabelecido.

Ischemia modified albumin: does it change during pneumoperitoneum in robotic prostatectomies?

ABSTRACT Background The unique positioning of the patient at steep Trendelenburg with prolonged and increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during robotic radical prostatectomy may increase the risk of splanchnic ischemia. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of IAP and steep Trendelenburg position on the level of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and to test if serum IMA levels might be used as a surrogate marker for possible covert ischemia during robotic radical prostatectomies. Patients and Methods Fifty ASA I-II patients scheduled for elective robotic radical prostatectomy were included in this investigation. Exclusion criteria The patients were excluded from the study when an arterial cannulation could not be accomplished, if the case had to be converted to open surgery or if the calculated intraoperative bleeding exceeded 300ml. All the patients were placed in steep (45 degrees) Trendelenburg position following trocar placement. Throughout the operation the IAP was maintained between 11-14mmHg. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO) were continuously monitored before the induction and throughout the surgery. Blood gases, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST) were recorded. Additionally, IMA levels were measured before, during and after surgery. Results (1) MAP, CO, lactate and hemoglobin (Hb) did not significantly change in any period of surgery (p>0.05); (2) sodium (p<0.01), potassium (p<0.05) and urea (p<0.05) levels decreased at postoperative period, and no significant changes at creatinine, AST, ALT levels were observed in these patients; (3) At the end of surgery (180 min) pCO2, pO2, HCO3 and BE did not change compared to after induction values (p>0.05) but mild acidosis was present in these patients (p<0.01 vs. after induction); (4) IMA levels were found to be comparable before induction (0.34±0.04), after induction (0.31±0.06) ...

Assessment scale of risk for surgical positioning injuries / Escala de avaliação de risco para lesões decorrentes do posicionamento cirúrgico / Escala de evaluación de riesgo para lesiones debidas al posicionamiento quirúrgico

ABSTRACT Objective: to build and validate a scale to assess the risk of surgical positioning injuries in adult patients. Method: methodological research, conducted in two phases: construction and face and content validation of the scale and field research, involving 115 patients. Results: the Risk Assessment Scale for the Development of Injuries due to Surgical Positioning contains seven items, each of which presents five subitems. The scale score ranges between seven and 35 points in which, the higher the score, the higher the patient's risk. The Content Validity Index of the scale corresponded to 0.88. The application of Student's t-test for equality of means revealed the concurrent criterion validity between the scores on the Braden scale and the constructed scale. To assess the predictive criterion validity, the association was tested between the presence of pain deriving from surgical positioning and the development of pressure ulcer, using the score on the Risk Assessment Scale for the Development of Injuries due to Surgical Positioning (p<0.001). The interrater reliability was verified using the intraclass correlation coefficient, equal to 0.99 (p<0.001). Conclusion: the scale is a valid and reliable tool, but further research is needed to assess its use in clinical practice.

RESUMO Objetivo: construir e validar escala de avaliação de risco para lesões decorrentes do posicionamento cirúrgico em pacientes adultos. Método: pesquisa metodológica, conduzida em duas etapas: construção e validação de face e de conteúdo da escala e pesquisa de campo, com a participação de 115 pacientes. Resultados: a Escala de Avaliação de Risco para o Desenvolvimento de Lesões Decorrentes do Posicionamento Cirúrgico contém sete itens, sendo que cada um apresenta cinco subitens. A pontuação dessa escala varia de sete a 35 pontos, quanto maior o escore maior o risco do paciente. O Índice de Validade de Conteúdo da escala foi de 0,88. Por meio da aplicação do teste t de Student, para igualdade de médias, constatou-se validade de critério concorrente entre os escores da escala de Braden e da escala construída. Para avaliar a validade de critério preditiva testou-se a associação da presença de dor decorrente do posicionamento cirúrgico e o desenvolvimento de úlcera por pressão com o escore da Escala de Avaliação de Risco para o Desenvolvimento de Lesões Decorrentes do Posicionamento Cirúrgico (p<0,001). A confiabilidade interobservadores foi verificada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, cujo valor obtido foi de 0,99 (p<0,001). Conclusão: a escala é um instrumento válido e confiável, entretanto, há necessidade de novos estudos para avaliar sua utilização na prática clínica.

Resumen Objetivo: construir y validar escala de evaluación de riesgo para lesiones debidas al posicionamiento quirúrgico en pacientes adultos. Método: investigación metodológica, conducida en dos etapas: construcción y validación de faz y de contenido de la escala e investigación de campo, con la participación de 115 pacientes. Resultados: la Escala de Evaluación de Riesgo para el Desarrollo de Lesiones Debidas al Posicionamiento Quirúrgico contiene siete ítems, siendo que cada uno presenta cinco subítems. La puntuación de esa escala varia de siete a 35 puntos en que, cuanto mayor la puntuación, mayor el riesgo del paciente. El Índice de Validez de Contenido de la escala fue 0,88. Mediante la aplicación de la prueba t de Student, para igualdad de medias, fue constatada validez de criterio concurrente entre los scores de la escala de Braden y de la escala construida. Para evaluar la validez de criterio predictiva, fue testada la asociación de la presencia de dolor debido al posicionamiento quirúrgico y el desarrollo de úlcera por presión con el score de la Escala de Evaluación de Riesgo para el Desarrollo de Lesiones Debidas al Posicionamiento Quirúrgico (p<0,001). La confiabilidad interobservadores fue verificada mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase, cuyo valor alcanzado fue 0,99 (p<0,001). Conclusión: la escala es un instrumento válido y confiable, pero son necesarios nuevos estudios para evaluar su utilización en la práctica clínica.

Ocular risk management in patients undergoing general anesthesia: an analysis of 39,431 surgeries

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe and analyze ocular findings associated with nonocular surgery in patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: The authors retrospectively collected a series of 39,431 surgeries using standardized data forms. RESULTS: Ocular findings were reported in 9 cases (2.3:10,000), which involved patients with a mean age of 58.9±19.5 years. These cases involved patients classified as ASA I (33%), ASA II (55%) or ASA III (11%). General anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used in 4 cases, balanced general anesthesia was used in 4 cases, and regional block was used in combination with balanced general anesthesia in one case. Five patients (55%) underwent surgery in the supine position, one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lithotomy position, two patients (22%) underwent surgery in the prone position, and one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lateral position. Ocular hyperemia was detected in most (77%) of the 9 cases with ocular findings; pain/burning of the eyes, visual impairment, eye discharge and photophobia were observed in 55%, 11%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of these 9 cases. No cases involved permanent ocular injury or vision loss. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmological findings after surgeries were uncommon, and most of the included patients were relatively healthy. Minor complications, such as dehydration or superficial ocular trauma, should be prevented by following systematic protocols that provide appropriate ocular occlusion with a lubricating ointment and protect the eye with an acrylic occluder. These procedures will refine the quality of anesthesia services and avoid discomfort among patients, surgeons and anesthesia staff. .

Descripción de los cambios en la velocidad media de flujo sanguíneo cerebral en posición supino y sedente, en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática con vasoespasmo asintomático o sin vasoespasmo: Serie de casos / Changes in cerebral blood flow velocity in supine and sitting position in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background: Early mobilization in intensive care units (ICU) provides respiratory, neurological and cardiovascular benefits in hospitalized patients. However, the orthostatic effects of changing from a supine to a sitting position may interfere with cerebral hemodynamics of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Aim: To describe the changes in mean cerebral blood flow velocity (MCBFV) in supine and sitting position, in adult patients with aSAH, with asymptomatic vasospasm (AVS) or without vasospasm (VS) at a neurosurgical ICU. Material and Methods: Descriptive case series study in 21 patients with aSAH, both with and without VS. They were positioned in a supine 30° position and then seated at the edge of bed for six minutes. MCBFV was measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD), and hemodynamic variables in both positions were registered. After this basal assessment and for 21 days after the episode of SAH, patients were seated once a day and signs of VS were recorded. Results: No significant changes in MCBFV or hemodynamic variables were detected during position changes, except for an increase in heart rate in the sitting position. No patient with AVS at the onset, had symptomatic VS during the 21 days of follow up when patients were seated. Among patients with a normal MCBFV at baseline, five patients (24%) had VS at a mean of three days after the first time that they were seated on the edge of bed. Conclusions: Sitting patients at the edge of the bed is a safe mobilization alternative for patients who suffered aSAH who did not have VS or had AVS.