Prediction of Mortality in Patients After Oncologic Gastrointestinal Surgery: Comparison of the ASA, APACHE II, and POSSUM Scoring Systems.

Scoring systems have been developed to predict the expected mortality and morbidity in surgical procedures. In this study, our aim was to compare the ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists), APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II, POSSUM (Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity) scoring systems as predictors of mortality in patients who underwent gastrointestinal oncologic surgery, followed, and were admitted to the intensive care unit during the postoperative period. We examined the files of 82 patients who underwent oncologic gastrointestinal surgery and followed up in the intensive care units (ICUs). The patients' APACHE II scores and predicted mortality rates (PMR) according to the APACHE II, POSSUM, and ASA scores were ​​calculated. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used when evaluating the performances of the ASA, APACHE, and POSSUM scoring systems in terms of accurate assessment of mortality. Accordingly, the area under the curve (AUC) = 0.5 no distinction, 0.5

Factors affecting organ donation rate during devastating brain injuries: a 6-year data analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The discrepancy between organ donation rate and the number of patients waiting transplantation has been a common problem in Turkey. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), traumatic brain injury (TBI), anoxic encephalopathy, stroke, and brain tumors comprise the majority of the causes of brain death. This study thus aimed is to analyze potential brain deaths and factors associated with organ donation among such patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 629 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with potentially devastating cerebral lesions from 01/2013 to 12/2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics and the prevalence of consent for organ donation were then assessed. RESULTS: Although possible brain death was considered in 102 patients, 21 (18%) died before diagnostic tests could be performed. Accordingly, the 81 potential organ donors had a donor conversion rate (DCR) of 30%. Causes of non-organ retrieval among potential donors included refusal of consent by relatives (89.5%), indecision of the family regarding donation or no relatives present (7%), and medical unsuitability for donation (3.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that refusal by the family was the most common reason for failure of deceased organ donations. To maximize the number of procured organs, transplant communities need to focus on increasing awareness regarding brain death and organ donation and establish strategies to increase consent obtained from the families.

Retrospective Investigation of Grafted Kidney Function After Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade Using Neostigmine or Sugammadex.

INTRODUCTION: Sugammadex has the steroid-encapsulating effect that reverses neuromuscular block induced by aminosteroid neuromuscular-blocking agents. Sugammadex can interact with other drugs that have the same steroidal structure with rocuronium, such as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids play a crucial role in the immunosuppression of kidney transplantation. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any differences in grafted kidney function in recipients of kidney transplantation when sugammadex or neostigmine is given to the recipient. METHODS: The study included 42 recipients of kidney transplant, with complete, readable medical charts and anesthetic records. Fourteen recipients' neuromuscular block was reversed with sugammadex (group S) and 28 recipients' neuromuscular block was reversed with neostigmine (group N). We tested noninferiority for serum creatinine during the preoperative period and 5 days after transplantation. Short-term (28 days) outcomes of kidney transplantations were assessed by the incidence of acute rejection episodes, graft failure, length of stay at hospital, and mortality. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, serum creatinine values, short-term outcomes, and graft survival rates at 28 days' postoperatively between group S and group N (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed no difference in risk of serious adverse effects on short-term graft functions in patients who underwent kidney transplantation. However, considering the sugammadex-corticosteroids interaction, the immunosuppression and long-term effects on grafted kidney functions, current safety experience is insufficient to support the recommendation of routine sugammadex use in this population. These results need to be confirmed by sufficiently powered, controlled, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies on larger patient populations.

Normal Saline Versus Balanced Crystalloid Solutions for Kidney Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The ideal crystalloid solution to be used during the perioperative period in patients undergoing kidney transplantation remains unclear. Normal saline (NS), the intravenous fluid commonly using during the perioperative period, contains a high chloride content, which may be associated with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and acute kidney injury. Balanced crystalloid (BC) solutions have a lower chloride content. The purpose of the study was to determine if a BC solution prevents the incidence of hyperchloremia and hyperkalemia during renal transplantation. METHODS: NS and BC given during kidney transplantation are compared. The primary outcome was hyperchloremia and hyperkalemia within 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes were levels of serum creatinine at preoperative and within 5 days after transplantation, the incidence of acute rejection episodes, graft failure, length of stay at hospital, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were included in the study (30 in the BC group and 30 in the NS group). The mean postoperative chloride was 103.0 mmol/L (95% CI, 101-105) in the NS group and 100 mmol/L (95% CI, 98-102) in the BC group (P < .05). There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, serum creatinine values within 5 days, short-term outcomes, and graft survival rates at 28 days postoperatively between groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a moderate volume (approximately 1500.0 mL) of NS infusion causes hyperchloremia rather than adverse clinical outcomes. A moderate amount of NS infusion can be used safely during uncomplicated living-donor kidney transplantations.