Dental Dam Application for Endodontics in Dogs-A Novel Clamp Kit.

Although rubber dams are widely used in endodontic treatment in humans with well-known advantages, their use in veterinary medicine is uncommon. The use of a dental rubber dam provides better control of cross-infection, prevents soft tissue contact of chemicals, and improves treatment efficiency. The purpose of this article is to describe a new line of clamps specifically designed for dogs and to review the procedure and materials used for isolating the operative field in endodontic patients. This new design of clamps, better adapted to canine tooth anatomy with different sizes and conformations, has been successfully used in dogs by the authors with good clinical results. The clamps allow for better adaptation to the tooth without injuring the gingiva or the furcation and provide increased retention of the dam for more effective isolation. Given the proven benefits in humans, the authors expect that the widespread use of a rubber dam with clamps specifically designed for canine dental anatomy will improve clinical outcomes in endodontics.

Animal models used in furcation perforation studies: A systematic review and comprehensive synthesis of model characteristics.

In order to systematise furcation perforation (FP) experimental animal models described in the literature and to determine whether there is evidence that a model is superior to others, MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO and Cochrane Library were searched to find studies which used animal models of FP. Data were gathered concerning model characteristics, chosen groups, sample numbers, type of outcomes, journal and main area studied. Twenty-five articles were included in this systematic review, four conducted in rodent models, three in non-human primates and 18 in dogs. Medians were six animals and 34 teeth per study; 10 teeth per test group and, when performed, six teeth per control group. Twenty-four studies investigated the use of materials for FP repair; eight also tested adjuvant materials/substances. Although there is no model which can be described as ideal and superior than others for FP studies, dogs appear to possess the most suitable model characteristics.

Anesthesia and Brugada syndrome: a 12-year case series.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this 12-year case series was to review the drugs used during anesthetic management of patients with diagnosis of or risk criteria for Brugada syndrome (BrS), and to document any possible association between these drugs and arrhythmogenic activity or unexplained hemodynamic instability. DESIGN: A retrospective clinical observational study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-one patients met our inclusion criteria: 20 belonging to group D (diagnosed BrS) and 11 to group R (risk of BrS). They underwent a total of 43 anesthetic interventions (28 in group D and 15 in group R). INTERVENTIONS: Records from patients with or at risk of BrS who underwent anesthetic intervention at our hospital between May 2003 and May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Drugs used were compared with those recommended to be avoided or preferably avoided, published by specialists in the field at brugadadrugs.org. MEASUREMENTS: Hemodynamic and cardiac complications during anesthesia were assessed for hypothetical association with these drugs. MAIN RESULTS: From the list of drugs available in medical literature recommended to avoid in BrS patients the following were used in our series: propofol (n = 8 in group D, n = 8 in group R), local anesthetics (n = 15 in group D, n = 8 in group R), tramadol (n = 1 in group D), and metoclopramide (n = 1 in group D). Hemodynamic complications occurred in 5 procedures, but no direct association was found between these events and the use of the drugs listed above. CONCLUSIONS: Major adverse events related to the deleterious effects of drugs recommended to be avoided were not detected in our series of patients with or at risk of BrS. Although authors cannot refute the theoretical risk of major adverse advents when using known or potential BrS triggers, the true clinical risk of these drugs is unknown, and recommendations to avoid their use should be better supported.

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in the first year of life: a systematic review (1997-2012) / Morbimortalidade perioperatória no primeiro ano de idade: revisão sistemática (1997-2012)

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many recognize that the first year of life and specifically the neonatal period are associated with increased risk of anesthetic morbidity and mortality, there are no studies directed to these pediatric subpopulations. This systematic review of the scientific literature including the last 15 years aimed to analyze the epidemiology of morbidity and mortality associated with general anesthesia and surgery in the first year of life and particularly in the neonatal (first month) period.CONTENT: The review was conducted by searching publications in Medline/PubMed databases, and the following outcomes were evaluated: early mortality in the first year of life (<1 year) and in subgroups of different vulnerability in this age group (0-30 days and 1-12 months) and the prevalence of cardiac arrest and perioperative critical/adverse events of various types in the same subgroups.CONCLUSIONS: The current literature indicates great variability in mortality and morbidity in the age group under consideration and in its subgroups. However, despite the obvious methodological heterogeneity and absence of specific studies, epidemiological profiles of morbidity and mortality related to anesthesia in children in the first year of life show higher frequency of morbidity and mortality in this age group, with the highest peaks of incidence in the neonates' anesthesia.

RESUMOJUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Embora muitos reconheçam que a idade inferior a um ano e especificamente o período neonatal estejam associados a maior risco de morbimortalidade anestésica, não existem estudos dirigidos a essas subpopulações pediátricas. Esta revisão sistemática das publicações científicas dos últimos 15 anos teve como objetivo analisar o perfil epidemiológico da morbimortalidade relacionada com a anestesia geral e cirurgia no primeiro ano de idade e em particular no período neonatal (primeiro mês de idade).CONTEúDO: A revisão foi conduzida por pesquisa de publicações nas bases de dados Medline/PubMed. Foram avaliados os seguintes desfechos: mortalidade precoce no primeiro ano de idade (< 1A) e em subgrupos de diferente vulnerabilidade nesta faixa etária (0-30 dias e 1-12 meses) e prevalência de parada cardíaca e eventos críticos/adversos perioperatórios de diversos tipos nos mesmos subgrupos.CONCLUSÕES: A literatura corrente indica grande variabilidade nos índices de mortalidade e morbidade na faixa etária em análise, bem como nos seus subgrupos. No entanto, apesar da óbvia heterogeneidade metodológica e da ausência de estudos específicos, os perfis epidemiológicos de morbimortalidade relacionada com a anestesia de crianças no primeiro ano de idade mostram frequência mais alta de morbimortalidade nessa faixa etária, com os maiores picos de incidência na anestesia de neonatos.

[Perioperative morbidity and mortality in the first year of life: a systematic review (1997-2012)]. / Morbimortalidade perioperatória no primeiro ano de idade: revisão sistemática (1997-2012).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many recognize that the first year of life and specifically the neonatal period are associated with increased risk of anesthetic morbidity and mortality, there are no studies directed to these pediatric subpopulations. This systematic review of the scientific literature including the last 15 years aimed to analyze the epidemiology of morbidity and mortality associated with general anesthesia and surgery in the first year of life and particularly in the neonatal (first month) period. CONTENT: The review was conducted by searching publications in Medline/PubMed databases, and the following outcomes were evaluated: early mortality in the first year of life (<1 Yr) and in subgroups of different vulnerability in this age group (0-30 days and 1-12 months) and the prevalence of cardiac arrest and perioperative critical/adverse events of various types in the same subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature indicates great variability in mortality and morbidity in the age group under consideration and in its subgroups. However, despite the obvious methodological heterogeneity and absence of specific studies, epidemiological profiles of morbidity and mortality related to anesthesia in children in the first year of life show higher frequency of morbidity and mortality in this age group, with the highest peaks of incidence in the neonates' anesthesia.

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in the first year of life: a systematic review (1997-2012).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many recognize that the first year of life and specifically the neonatal period are associated with increased risk of anesthetic morbidity and mortality, there are no studies directed to these pediatric subpopulations. This systematic review of the scientific literature including the last 15 years aimed to analyze the epidemiology of morbidity and mortality associated with general anesthesia and surgery in the first year of life and particularly in the neonatal (first month) period. CONTENT: The review was conducted by searching publications in Medline/PubMed databases, and the following outcomes were evaluated: early mortality in the first year of life (<1 year) and in subgroups of different vulnerability in this age group (0-30 days and 1-12 months) and the prevalence of cardiac arrest and perioperative critical/adverse events of various types in the same subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature indicates great variability in mortality and morbidity in the age group under consideration and in its subgroups. However, despite the obvious methodological heterogeneity and absence of specific studies, epidemiological profiles of morbidity and mortality related to anesthesia in children in the first year of life show higher frequency of morbidity and mortality in this age group, with the highest peaks of incidence in the neonates' anesthesia.

[Pediatric anesthetic during brain immaturity and neurodevelopment disorders]. / Anestesia pediátrica em período de imaturidade cerebral e perturbações do neurodesenvolvimento.

INTRODUCTION: Several experimental and clinical studies suggest that drugs used in pediatric anesthesia may exert undesirable effects on the developing central nervous system. The objective of this review was to assess the results and conclusions of published studies on long lasting neurodevelopment disorders following exposure to anesthetics in children in a phase of brain immaturity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a literature search in several sources (PubMed, SciELO and Cochrane Library) using the terms 'Pediatric anesthesia OR Pediatric anesthetic OR Developing brain anesthetic OR Developing brain anesthesia AND behavior disorders'. We selected human studies, referring to long lasting neurodevelopment effects after exposure to anesthetics in the first four years of life. RESULTS: Ten retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, seven suggest risk of neurobehavioral disorders after exposure of small children to anesthetics, as opposed to the results obtained by the other three. DISCUSSION: Although mostly using large databases, the studies found are retrospective, vary in test groups, include sometimes avoidable confounders and some present inaccuracies in the choice of the test and control populations that can compromise the reliability of the results. CONCLUSION: Because of the numerous limitations of the few studies available, the reported results are still deemed insufficient to change current clinical practice. However, although it is undisputable that anesthesia should be provided when needed, regardless of age, the warnings found in literature are worrisome, therefore whenever surgery is unavoidable in small children, alternatives that may help reduce the risks of anesthetic exposure should be sought.

Introdução: Diversos estudos experimentais e clínicos sugerem que fármacos usados em anestesia pediátrica podem exercer efeitos indesejáveis sobre o sistema nervoso central imaturo. O objetivo desta revisão consistiu em avaliar os resultados e conclusões de estudos publicados na literatura sobre perturbações persistentes do neurodesenvolvimento após exposição a anestésicos de crianças em fase de imaturidade cerebral. Material e Métodos: Realizámos uma pesquisa bibliográfica em diversas bases de dados (PubMed, SciELO e Cochrane Library), utilizando os termos 'Pediatric anesthesia OR Pediatric anesthetic OR Developing brain anesthetic OR Developing brain anesthesia AND behavior disorders' e foram incluídos os estudos em humanos, referentes a efeitos persistentes no neurodesenvolvimento após exposição a anestésicos nos primeiros quatro anos de idade. Resultados: Dez estudos retrospetivos cumpriram os critérios de inclusão. Destes, sete sugerem alteração do neurodesenvolvimento por exposição de criança pequena à anestesia, por oposição aos resultados obtidos pelos restantes três. Discussão: Embora maioritariamente utilizem bases de dados amplas, os estudos encontrados são retrospetivos, variam nos grupos teste, incluem variáveis de confusão por vezes contornáveis e alguns apresentam incorreções na escolha da população teste e controlo que podem comprometer a fiabilidade dos resultados. Conclusão: As numerosas limitações dos poucos estudos clínicos disponíveis fazem com que a informação reportada ainda se considere insuficiente para mudar a prática clínica atual. No entanto, sendo indiscutível que se mantêm as recomendações para providenciar anestesia quando necessária, independentemente da idade, os alertas encontrados na literatura são preocupantes, existindo indicação para que sempre que possível sejam ponderadas alternativas que possam contribuir para diminuir os riscos da exposição anestésica.

Early mortality after neonatal surgery: analysis of risk factors in an optimized health care system for the surgical newborn / Mortalidade precoce apos cirurgia neonatal: analise de fatores de risco em um sistema otimizado de prestacao de cuidados de saude ao recem-nascido cirurgico

OBJECTIVE: Anesthetic and operative interventions in neonates remain hazardous procedures, given the vulnerability of the patients in this pediatric population. The aim was to determine the preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with 30-day post-operative mortality and describe mortality outcomes following neonatal surgery under general anesthesia in our center. METHODS: Infants less than 28 days of age who underwent general anesthesia for surgery during an 11-year period (2000 - 2010) in our tertiary care pediatric center were retrospectively identified using the pediatric intensive care unit database. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with 30-day post-operative mortality. RESULTS: Of the 437 infants in the study (median gestational age at birth 37 weeks, median birth weight 2,760 grams), 28 (6.4%) patients died before hospital discharge. Of these, 22 patients died within the first post-operative month. Logistic regression analysis showed increased odds of 30-day post-operative mortality among patients who presented American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) score 3 or above (odds ratio 19.268; 95%CI 2.523 - 147.132) and surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis/gastrointestinal perforation (OR 5.291; 95%CI 1.962 - 14.266), compared to those who did not. CONCLUSION: The overall in-hospital mortality of 6.4% is within the prevalence reported for developed countries. Establishing ASA score 3 or above and necrotizing enterocolitis/gastrointestinal perforation as independent risk factors for early mortality in neonatal surgery may help clinicians to more adequately manage this high risk population. .

Fatores preditivos de complicações graves em cirurgia neonatal / Predictors of major postoperative complications in neonatal surgery

OBJETIVO: investigar a incidência e gravidade das complicações pós-operatórias precoces e identificar fatores de risco para o seu desenvolvimento em recém-nascidos submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico, sob anestesia geral. MÉTODOS: análise retrospectiva dos dados de 437 neonatos com doença crítica submetidos à cirurgia neonatal num centro cirúrgico pediátrico terciário, entre janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2010. A gravidade das complicações ocorridas nos primeiros 30 dias de pós-operatório foi classificada utilizando o sistema de Clavien-Dindo para complicações cirúrgicas, sendo considerados graves os graus III a V. Por análise estatística uni e multivariada avaliaram-se variáveis pré e intraoperatórias com potencial preditivo de complicações pós-operatórias graves. RESULTADOS: a incidência de, pelo menos, uma complicação grave foi 23%, com uma mediana de uma complicação por paciente 1:3. Ao todo, ocorreram 121 complicações graves. Destas, 86 necessitaram de intervenção cirúrgica, endoscópica ou radiológica (grau III), 25 puseram em risco a vida, com disfunção uni ou multi-órgão (grau IV) e dez resultaram na morte do paciente (grau V). As principais complicações foram técnicas (25%), gastrointestinais (22%) e respiratórias (21%). Foram identificados quatro fatores de risco independentes para complicações pós-operatórias graves: reoperação, operação por hérnia diafragmática congênita, prematuridade menor que 32 semanas de idade gestacional e cirurgia abdominal. CONCLUSÃO: a incidência de complicações pós-operatórias graves após cirurgias neonatais, sob anestesia geral, permaneceu elevada. As condições consideradas fatores de risco independentes para complicações graves após a cirurgia neonatal podem ajudar a definir o prognóstico pós-operatório em neonatos com doença cirúrgica e orientar as intervenções para melhoria de resultados.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and severity of early postoperative complications and to identify their risk factors in newborns undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 437 critically ill newborns undergoing surgery in a tertiary pediatric surgical center, between January 2000 and December 2010. Complications that occurred within the first 30 days after surgery were classified using the Clavien-Dindo system, for which grades III to V were considered severe. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate pre- and intraoperative variables potentially predictive of severe postoperative complications. RESULTS: The incidence of at least one serious complication was 23%, with a median of one complication per patient 1:3. Altogether, there were 121 serious complications. Of these, 86 required surgical, endoscopic or radiological interventions (grade III), 25 endangered life, with uni or multi-organ failure (grade IV) and ten resulted in death (grade V). The most common complications were technical (25%), gastrointestinal (22%) and respiratory (21%). We identified four independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications: reoperation, operation for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, preterm birth less than 32 weeks of gestational age and abdominal surgery. CONCLUSION: The incidence of severe postoperative complications after neonatal surgeries under general anesthesia remains high. The conditions considered independent risk factors for those can guide interventions to improve results.

Predictors of major postoperative complications in neonatal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and severity of early postoperative complications and to identify their risk factors in newborns undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 437 critically ill newborns undergoing surgery in a tertiary pediatric surgical center, between January 2000 and December 2010. Complications that occurred within the first 30 days after surgery were classified using the Clavien-Dindo system, for which grades III to V were considered severe. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate pre- and intraoperative variables potentially predictive of severe postoperative complications. RESULTS: The incidence of at least one serious complication was 23%, with a median of one complication per patient 1:3. Altogether, there were 121 serious complications. Of these, 86 required surgical, endoscopic or radiological interventions (grade III), 25 endangered life, with uni or multi-organ failure (grade IV) and ten resulted in death (grade V). The most common complications were technical (25%), gastrointestinal (22%) and respiratory (21%). We identified four independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications: reoperation, operation for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, preterm birth less than 32 weeks of gestational age and abdominal surgery. CONCLUSION: The incidence of severe postoperative complications after neonatal surgeries under general anesthesia remains high. The conditions considered independent risk factors for those can guide interventions to improve results.

Early mortality after neonatal surgery: analysis of risk factors in an optimized health care system for the surgical newborn.

OBJECTIVE: Anesthetic and operative interventions in neonates remain hazardous procedures, given the vulnerability of the patients in this pediatric population. The aim was to determine the preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with 30-day post-operative mortality and describe mortality outcomes following neonatal surgery under general anesthesia in our center. METHODS: Infants less than 28 days of age who underwent general anesthesia for surgery during an 11-year period (2000 - 2010) in our tertiary care pediatric center were retrospectively identified using the pediatric intensive care unit database. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with 30-day post-operative mortality. RESULTS: Of the 437 infants in the study (median gestational age at birth 37 weeks, median birth weight 2,760 grams), 28 (6.4%) patients died before hospital discharge. Of these, 22 patients died within the first post-operative month. Logistic regression analysis showed increased odds of 30-day post-operative mortality among patients who presented American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) score 3 or above (odds ratio 19.268; 95%CI 2.523 - 147.132) and surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis/gastrointestinal perforation (OR 5.291; 95%CI 1.962 - 14.266), compared to those who did not. CONCLUSION: The overall in-hospital mortality of 6.4% is within the prevalence reported for developed countries. Establishing ASA score 3 or above and necrotizing enterocolitis/gastrointestinal perforation as independent risk factors for early mortality in neonatal surgery may help clinicians to more adequately manage this high risk population.

[Effect of hydroxyethyl starch on acute renal injury in a model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion]. / Efeito de hidroxietilamido sobre lesão renal aguda em modelo de isquemia-reperfusão hepática.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic vascular control techniques employed during liver surgery are usually associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury, which could cause acute renal dysfunction. The murine model has been used in the study of this injury. Hydroxyethyl starch has recognized anti-inflammatory properties and improves microcirculation. Third generation hydroxyethyl starches, namely 130/0.4, show a better safety profile than previous molecules. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of renal injury in a murine model of partial normothermic hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and assessment of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 effect on this injury. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups with identical characteristics (n = 12 x 6). In three of them, the ischemia-reperfusion injury groups, we placed a clamp in the vascular pedicle of the median and left liver lobes, inducing hepatic ischemia (70%), and removed the clamp 60 minutes later (IRI + HES and IRI + HS groups, with HES or hypertonic saline (7.5%) administration during reperfusion, respectively, and IRI group, without fluid therapy). The control groups were sham-operated without hepatic ischemia and treated likewise (sham + HES, sham + HS and sham groups). After 120 minutes of reperfusion in the ischemia-reperfusion injury groups and 180 minutes in the controls we drew blood from the aorta artery for creatinine, urea and alanine aminotransferase quantification and removed kidney and liver samples for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: As already published by our group, the partial hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury model showed liver injury. In the present work, the IRI group had higher creatinine, urea and histopathological score than sham (p < 0.05). Creatinine and urea mean concentrations were significantly lower both in IRI+HES (23.08 µmol/L and 8.38 mmol/L, respectively) and IRI + HS (26.59 µmol/L and 7.82 mmol/L) when compared to IRI (40.101 µmol/L and 11.25 mmol/L). There was no significant difference between IRI + HES and IRI + HS groups (serum markers and histopathology). CONCLUSION: The hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury murine model was effective in producing kidney injury. Both the hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and the hypertonic saline protected the kidney in this context and were not harmful for this organ in the controls. Further studies are necessary to assess clinical implications of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 administration in liver surgery.

Anestesia e retalhos microvascularizados / Anesthesia and surgical microvascular flaps / Anestesia y colgajos microvascularizados

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A cirurgia reconstrutiva de cabeça e pescoço representa um grande desafio perante a necessidade de se conseguir um bom resultado estético e funcional. A anestesia pode ser um fator importante e determinante no sucesso da técnica dado o seu papel na estabilidade hemodinâmica e no fluxo de sangue regional. Por outro lado, a anestesia regional, as variações no volume sanguíneo e o uso de fármacos vasoativos podem também influenciar o fluxo de sangue no retalho. Assim, devido à falta de recomendações baseadas em evidência, a técnica anestésica destes procedimentos é inspirada na maioria das vezes nas considerações patofisiológicas. O objetivo deste artigo é rever os aspectos relevantes no que diz respeito à prática anestésica destes casos. CONTEÚDO: Importância do tipo do retalho, considerações fisiológicas e abordagem anestésica. CONCLUSÕES: O papel do anestesiologista inclui para cirurgia com retalhos microvasculares a otimização das condições fisiológicas para a sobrevida do retalho sem aumentar a morbidade não cirúrgica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Head and neck reconstructive surgery represents a major challenge facing the need to achieve a good cosmetic and functional outcome. Anesthesia may be an important and determining factor in the technique success due to its role in hemodynamic stability and regional blood flow. On the other hand, regional anesthesia, changes in blood volume, and vasoactive drugs may influence blood flow in the flap. Thus, due to the lack of recommendations based on evidence, the anesthetic technique of these procedures is most often inspired in pathophysiological considerations. The aim of this paper is to review relevant aspects regarding anesthetic practice in these cases. CONTENT: Importance of the type of surgical flap, physiological considerations, and anesthetic approach. CONCLUSIONS: In surgery with microvascular flaps, the anesthesiologist role includes optimizing the physiological conditions for the survival of the flap without increasing the non-surgical morbidity.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La cirugía reconstructiva de la cabeza y cuello representa un gran reto frente a la necesidad de conseguir un buen resultado estético y funcional. La anestesia puede ser un factor importante y determinante en el éxito de la técnica por su rol en la estabilidad hemodinámica y en el flujo de sangre regional. Por otro lado, la anestesia regional, las variaciones en el volumen sanguíneo y el uso de fármacos vasoactivos pueden también influir en el flujo de sangre en el colgajo. Por eso, y a causa de la falta de recomendaciones con base en las evidencias, la técnica anestésica de esos procedimientos se basa, en la mayoría de los casos, en las consideraciones patofisiológicas. El objetivo de este artículo, es analizar nuevamente los aspectos relevantes en lo concerniente a la práctica anestésica de esos casos. CONTENIDO: Importancia del tipo de colgajo, consideraciones fisiológicas y abordaje anestésico. CONCLUSIONES: El rol del anestesiólogo dentro de la cirugía con colgajos microvasculares, incluye la optimización de las condiciones fisiológicas para la sobrevida del colgajo sin aumentar la morbilidad no quirúrgica.

Anesthesia and surgical microvascular flaps.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Head and neck reconstructive surgery represents a major challenge facing the need to achieve a good cosmetic and functional outcome. Anesthesia may be an important and determining factor in the technique success due to its role in hemodynamic stability and regional blood flow. On the other hand, regional anesthesia, changes in blood volume, and vasoactive drugs may influence blood flow in the flap. Thus, due to the lack of recommendations based on evidence, the anesthetic technique of these procedures is most often inspired in pathophysiological considerations. The aim of this paper is to review relevant aspects regarding anesthetic practice in these cases. CONTENT: Importance of the type of surgical flap, physiological considerations, and anesthetic approach. CONCLUSIONS: In surgery with microvascular flaps, the anesthesiologist role includes optimizing the physiological conditions for the survival of the flap without increasing the non-surgical morbidity.

Lasting developmental effects of neonatal fentanyl exposure in preweanling rats.

The present study aimed to determine whether neonatal treatment with fentanyl has lasting effects on stressed developing brain. Six-day-old rats were assigned to one of three groups (10 males/group): (1) fentanyl (incision+fentanyl), (2) saline (incision+0.9% saline), and (3) unoperated (unoperated sham). Pups with a plantar paw incision received repetitive subcutaneous injections of fentanyl or vehicle through postnatal days (PNDs) 6 to 8. A nonoperated sham group served as nonstressed control. Studies included assessment of development from PND 6 to PND 21 (growth indices and behavioral testing). Fentanyl administered twice daily for three days after surgical incision had no impact on early growth and development, as measured on PND 9, but showed a lasting impact on later growth, enhanced behavioral development, and lower anxiety, as measured through PNDs 10-21. While this does not completely support a benefit from such treatment, our findings may contribute to support the neonatal use of fentanyl, when indicated, even in premature newborns.

Protective perioperative strategy using a third generation hydroxyethyl starch during surgery in a murine model of liver reperfusion injury / Estratégia protetora perioperatória usando um hidroxietilamido de terceira geração para expansão volêmica durante a cirurgia em modelo murino de lesão de reperfusão hepática

PURPOSE: To investigate whether a third generation colloid, hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4), used for perioperative fluid therapy, protects the rat liver against the late-phase response of ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and if inhibition of neutrophil hepatic infiltration plays a part in this mechanism. METHODS: Wistar rats were used (8 in each group). Three groups had IRI induced by lobar vascular occlusion (60 minutes) and reperfusion (24 hours) and received HES (13 mL/kg iv), 7.5 percent saline (HS) (13 mL/kg iv) or no fluid. Three other groups were sham-operated and received the same fluid as the test groups. After 24 hours of reperfusion, blood was drawn for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) quantification and ischemic liver samples were taken for histological study (hematoxylin and eosin and chloroacetate staining of neutrophils). RESULTS: HES treatment attenuated the elevation in serum ALT (P=0.001) and reduced the extent of hepatocellular necrosis (P<0.01) compared with the IRI controls. HES-mediated cytoprotection was associated with a decrease of infiltration of neutrophils in the necrotic areas (P<0.05) compared with the untreated IRI rats, but not with the volume control IRI rats (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Hydroxyethyl starch suppresses inflammatory response and ameliorates the late-phase response of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

OBJETIVO: Investigar se um colóide de terceira geração (HES 130/0.4), utilizado para fluidoterapia perioperatória, protege o fígado de rato contra a resposta da fase tardia de isquemia/reperfusão e se a inibição da infiltração hepática de neutrófilos desempenha um papel neste mecanismo. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados ratos Wistar (8 em cada grupo). Três grupos tiveram lesão de isquemia/reperfusão (IRI) induzida por oclusão vascular lobar (60 minutos) e reperfusão (24 horas) e receberam HES (13 ml / kg iv), soro fisiológico a 7,5 por cento (HS) (13 ml / kg iv) ou nenhum fluido. Três outros grupos foram sham-operados e receberam o mesmo tipo de fluido dos grupos de teste. Após 24 horas de reperfusão, o sangue foi retirado para quantificação da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e amostras de fígado isquêmico foram retiradas para estudo histológico (hematoxilina e eosina e coloração cloroacetato para neutrófilos). RESULTADOS: O tratamento com HES atenuou a elevação da ALT sérica (P = 0,001) e reduziu a extensão da necrose hepatocelular (P<0,01) em comparação com os controles da IRI. A citoproteção mediada por HES foi associada a uma diminuição da infiltração de neutrófilos nas áreas de necrose (P<0,05) em comparação com os ratos não tratados IRI, mas não com os ratos controlo IRI (P> 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: HES suprime a resposta inflamatória e melhora a resposta na fase tardia da isquemia/reperfusão hepática.

Protective perioperative strategy using a third generation hydroxyethyl starch during surgery in a murine model of liver reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether a third generation colloid, hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4), used for perioperative fluid therapy, protects the rat liver against the late-phase response of ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and if inhibition of neutrophil hepatic infiltration plays a part in this mechanism. METHODS: Wistar rats were used (8 in each group). Three groups had IRI induced by lobar vascular occlusion (60 minutes) and reperfusion (24 hours) and received HES (13 mL/kg iv), 7.5% saline (HS) (13 mL/kg iv) or no fluid. Three other groups were sham-operated and received the same fluid as the test groups. After 24 hours of reperfusion, blood was drawn for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) quantification and ischemic liver samples were taken for histological study (hematoxylin and eosin and chloroacetate staining of neutrophils). RESULTS: HES treatment attenuated the elevation in serum ALT (P=0.001) and reduced the extent of hepatocellular necrosis (P<0.01) compared with the IRI controls. HES-mediated cytoprotection was associated with a decrease of infiltration of neutrophils in the necrotic areas (P<0.05) compared with the untreated IRI rats, but not with the volume control IRI rats (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Hydroxyethyl starch suppresses inflammatory response and ameliorates the late-phase response of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Anesthesia in patients with positive direct coombs test: report of three cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neoplasias can be associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) with the consequent blood incompatibility that hinders blood transfusion. The authors describe and discuss the conduct in three patients undergoing surgical intervention for neoplastic disease with positive Coombs Test (CT), and the impossibility to determine the blood type. CASE REPORT: 1st case: 87-year old male patient, ASA III, scheduled for surgery for colon neoplasia. The patient had positive CT, being treated with corticosteroids, immunoglobulin (Ig), and erythropoietin, after which it was possible to determine his blood type. One unit of packed-red blood cells (PRBC) was transfused intraoperatively without intercurrences. Twenty four hours after the transfusion, the patient died due to an ischemic stroke. 2nd case: 77-year old male patient, ASA III, scheduled for surgery for a gastric carcinoma. The patient had a positive CT, being treated with corticosteroids and Ig, but we were unable to determine his blood type. The surgery was performed without intercurrences. The patient died on the 18th postoperative day after a cardiorespiratory arrest. 3rd case: 80-year old female patient, ASA IV, undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy. She also had a positive CT. The surgery (hemicolectomy) was performed without intercurrences. The patient died 48 hours after the surgery from an ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating autoantibodies in AHA can make it impossible to determine the blood type to transfuse compatible blood. Proper treatment of AHA is aimed at remission of autoantibodies and anemia. When it is not possible to determine the blood type, the procedure should be a life-saving blood transfusion.

Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 attenuates early hepatic damage in ischemia/reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a clinical challenge. We tested the hypothesis that fluid therapy using hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 during the early phase of IRI in rat liver decreases markers of hepatic injury. METHODS: We induced liver IRI in three groups of rats anesthetized with ketamine and chlorpromazine by means of 60 min of segmental hepatic ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. At the onset of reperfusion, Group 1 (IRI + HES; n = 12) was given 13 mL.kg(-1) of HES; Group 2 (IRI + HS; n = 12) received the same volume of 7.5% saline (HS), and Group 3 (IRI-only; n = 12) received no fluid. Three other groups of 12 animals each were sham-operated and received the same fluid as the test groups. We euthanized the animals after three hours, drew blood for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) quantification, and took ischemic liver samples for histomorphological study. RESULTS: Serum ALT activity was greater in all of the IRI groups than in the sham-operated animals. The ALT activity was 1,081 +/- 575 IU.L(-1) in IRI + HES Group 1; 2,363 +/- 1,839 IU.L(-1) in IRI + HS Group 2; and 2,866 +/- 2,491 IU.L(-1) in IRI-only Group 3. There was a statistically significant difference between the IRI + HES and the IRI-only groups (P = 0.001), but not between the IRI + HS and the IRI-only groups (P > 0.05). Likewise, histological scores were greater in all IRI groups compared with the sham-operated animals. Scores were higher in the IRI-only group (median 3.5) than in the groups receiving fluid (IRI + HES median 2; IRI + HS median 3). The difference between IRI + HES and IRI-only was statistically significant (P = 0.008) but not so between IRI + HS and IRI-only (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Giving HES 130/0.4 attenuates rat liver IRI compared with no fluid, while giving HS does not. This suggests a role for HES in hepatoprotection associated with liver IRI.