Plasma concentrations of cefazolin in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: The guideline for antibiotic prophylaxis in pediatric cardiac surgery is currently unavailable, and the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may result in low plasma cefazolin concentrations and subsequent postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs). Aims: To demonstrate the calculated-unbound plasma concentrations of cefazolin during uncomplicated pediatric cardiac surgery. Settings and Design: A prospective observational study that included 18 patients

Perioperative risk factors for delayed extubation after acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

BACKGROUND: Delayed extubation after cardiac surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality, increased intensive care unit length of stay, and healthcare cost. Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) generally results in prolonged mechanical ventilation due to the complexity of surgical management and some postoperative complications. This study aimed to elucidate the perioperative risk factors for delayed extubation in patients undergoing ATAAD surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including 239 patients who were diagnosed with ATAAD and underwent emergency surgery from October 2004 to January 2018 was performed. The potential perioperative risk factors for delayed extubation were collected. This study defined delayed extubation as the time to commence extubation being greater than 48 hours. The clinical data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors for delayed extubation following ATAAD surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of delayed extubation was 48.5% (n=116). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed perioperative risk factors for delayed extubation included preoperative cardiac tamponade [odds ratio (OR) 3.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39-11.17, P=0.010], central arterial cannulation (ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch) for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (OR 4.04, 95% CI: 1.03-15.91, P=0.046), postoperative stroke (OR 10.58, 95% CI: 2.65-42.25, P=0.001), postoperative renal dysfunction that required temporary hemodialysis (OR 6.60 95% CI: 1.97-22.11, P=0.002), and re-exploration to stop bleeding (OR 2.65, 95% CI: 1.00-6.99, P=0.050). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative cardiac tamponade, central arterial cannulation for CPB, postoperative stroke, postoperative renal dysfunction that required temporary hemodialysis, and re-exploration to stop bleeding are perioperative risk factors for delayed extubation. Identification of the potential risk factors for delayed extubation may help optimize the perioperative management and improve postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing ATAAD surgery.

Measurement of aortic root dimensions by transesophageal echocardiography in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Normal aortic root dimensions were established from studies from Western countries. As the body size is significantly associated with the aortic root dimensions, Thai populations may have smaller aortic root diameters. Aims: To elucidate the aortic root dimensions using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Settings and Design: A retrospective cohort study including 150 patients aged >18 years undergoing cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: Aortic root dimensions (annulus, sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction (STJ), and proximal ascending aorta) were measured using two-dimensional TEE. Patients with aortic-root related pathology were excluded. Results: Men constituted 60% of the study population; the mean age was 61.9 ± 12.6 years, and mean body surface area (BSA) was 1.7 ± 0.2 m2. The absolute dimensions for the annulus, sinus of Valsalva, STJ, and proximal ascending aorta were 22.3 ± 3.4, 32.6 ± 3.9, 26.4 ± 3.3, and 29.3 ± 3.1 mm, respectively, in men (12.9 ± 1.6, 18.8 ± 2.6, 15.2 ± 2.1, and 17.9 ± 2.7 mm, respectively, after adjusting for BSA) and 20.3 ± 2.2, 29.8 ± 3.6, 23.8 ± 2.6, and 27.1 ± 3.1 mm, respectively, in women (13.5 ± 2.0, 19.8 ± 2.3, 15.8 ± 2.5, and 17.0 ± 2.1 mm, respectively, after adjusting for BSA). The absolute aortic root diameters were significantly greater in men at all levels (P < 0.001). The BSA-adjusted diameters were similar for both sexes at the annulus (P = 0.076) and STJ (P = 0.076), except for the sinus of Valsalva (P = 0.010) and proximal ascending aorta (P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study reports reference values of aortic root dimensions by TEE. The body size should be considered when comparing the aortic root dimensions of Thai populations with the standard normal values.

Validity and reliability of quality of recovery-35 Thai version: a prospective questionnaire-based study.

BACKGROUND: The quality of patients' recovery following surgery and anesthesia has been a matter of focus and concern over the past decade. The Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) questionnaire was developed and validated for post-anesthesia patient evaluation. The QoR-40, however, is English-based and was tested and validated in Caucasian patients, a population that is culturally and behaviorally different from the Thai population. The objective of this study was to translate and modify the original English-language QoR-40 into the Thai language and evaluate the Quality of Recovery-35 Thai version for measuring health outcomes in Thai patients after surgery and anesthesia. METHODS: Translation was performed according to internationally recognized translation standards to ensure the integrity of the translated version. Consistent with the recommendations of 25 anesthesiologists, five questions from the original QoR-40 were excluded. The 35-item questionnaire was then translated into the Thai language and renamed the Quality of Recovery-35 Thai version (Thai QoR-35). Overall, 43 outpatients and 53 inpatients rated their health and recovery status using three patient evaluation tools: 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale-Recovery (VAS-R), six-item Activities of Daily Living (ADL) questionnaire, and Thai QoR-35. RESULTS: Overall, 90 % of patients took <10 min to complete the Thai QoR-35 questionnaire. The Thai QoR-35 and VAS-R showed good convergent validity (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). Discrimination validity was supported by a significant difference in mean scores for recovery among the Thai QoR-35, VAS-R, and ADL when compared between outpatients and inpatients (P < 0.01) and also between baseline and postoperative values (P < 0.001). The Thai QoR-35 also demonstrated good reliability with high internal consistency at three time points (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88, 0.89, 0.91, respectively; P < 0.01) and a split-half reliability coefficient of 0.65 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Thai QoR-35 is a valid, reliable tool for evaluating quality of recovery in Thai patients.

Perioperative glycaemic control for preterm infant with transient neonatal hyperglycaemia and gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hyperglycaemia is a rare metabolic disorder. There are no reports of an association between neonatal hyperglycaemia and gastroschisis. CASE PRESENTATION: This report presents preoperative and intraoperative management of blood sugar in a low birth weight Thai preterm neonate with gastroschisis and a diagnosis of neonatal hyperglycaemia. The patient underwent an emergency, multi-staged, surgical repair under general anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Anaesthesiologists should be aware of possible perioperative dysglycaemic conditions in these patients. Proper timing of surgery and appropriate preanaesthetic preparation are necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality related to hyperglycaemia and gastroschisis. CONSENT: The patient's guardian has given consent for the case report to be published.

Efficacy of surgical transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative pain relief following abdominal surgery in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising effective method for postoperative pain control after major abdominal surgery. Using a landmark technique, it is easily performed, but its popularity has decreased because of less efficacy due to inaccurate injection and the potential for intraperitoneal organ damage. Ultrasound-guided TAP block provides better results and less complications, but it requires experienced operators. Surgically administered TAP (sTAP) block is a simple technique and may cause less complications. This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of sTAP on postoperative pain control in pediatric patients following a major abdominal surgery, compared with local anesthetic infiltration and no block. METHODS: This stratified, randomized controlled trial was conducted in pediatric patients, below the age of 15 years, who underwent non-laparoscopic major abdominal surgery. Patients were allocated into three groups. The control group received no block; the LA group received 0.25% bupivacaine for local wound infiltration; and the sTAP group received 0.25% bupivacaine for TAP block performed by a surgeon before abdominal wall closure. Parameter records included the incidence of inadequate pain control, time to first analgesic, opioid requirement within 24 h, and complications of these techniques. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were recruited. There was no significant difference in the incidence of inadequate pain control (P = 0.589). The median time to first analgesic was 380 min in the sTAP group compared with 370 and 420 min in the LA and control groups, respectively (95%CI = 193-567, 121-619, and 0-1012; P = 0.632). The median dose of total opioid requirement (calculated as fentanyl-equivalent dose) was 1.95, 2.05, and 2.04 µg·kg(-1) ·24 h(-1) in the sTAP, LA, and control groups, respectively (IQR = 0.65, 2.20; 0.59, 3.32; 0.38, 2.60; P = 0.723). No complications of sTAP block were detected. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant advantage of the sTAP block over local infiltration or no intervention for postoperative pain control in pediatric patients undergoing non-laparoscopic major abdominal surgeries.

Plasma concentrations of bupivacaine after spinal anesthesia with single shot femoral nerve block and periarticular injection in total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the plasma concentrations of bupivacaine and toxicity after periarticular injection (PAI) combined with spinal anesthesia and femoral nerve block (FNB). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-three patients scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were enrolled in the prospective observational study. The dose of bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia was adjusted by the attending anesthesiologist. The single-shot femoral nerve block (FNB) and periarticular injection (PAI) were performed with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine respectively. Venous blood samples from antecubital vein were collected at 60 minutes after femoral nerve block and at the time before periarticular injection, then at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes afterwards. Plasma bupivacaine concentrations were analyzed, using a high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Ten males and 32 females, ASA I-II were included. The highest median plasma concentration was 586.22 ng/ml (min = 245.39, max = 1,614.36) at 45 minutes after periarticular injection. The maximum plasma bupivacaine concentration was 1,709.71 ng/ml at 60 minutes after periarticular injection. No clinical toxicity was encountered CONCLUSION: The plasma concentration of bupivacaine in patients performed periarticular injection with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine after spinal anesthesia and single-shot femoral nerve block with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine is below the plasma toxic level.

Plasma concentrations of bupivacaine after spinal anesthesia with single shot femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Femoral nerve block is commonly established for postoperative analgesia in total knee arthroplasty but no evidence of plasma bupivacaine level has been reported. OBJECTIVE: Determine the plasma concentrations of bupivacaine in patients who had single-injection of femoral nerve block. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective observational study was undertaken with 25 patients scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia and single shot femoral nerve block with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. Venous blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after femoral nerve block. Plasma bupivacaine levels were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Four males and 21 females, ASA I-II were enrolled in the present study. Mean age, body mass index, and serum albumin level were 69.9 +/- 5.95 years, 27 +/- 3.67 kg/m2, and 4.46 +/- 0.26 mg/dL, respectively. The median of peak plasma concentration was 538.35 ng/mL (min = 176.30, max = 1,383.99) at 60 minutes after femoral nerve block, while the maximal plasma concentration of bupivacaine was 1,883.39 ng/mL at 10 minutes. None showed signs or symptoms of bupivacaine toxicity. CONCLUSION: Peak plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were demonstrated at 60 minutes after a single shot femoral nerve block, and no signs or symptoms of bupivacaine toxicity were observed Therefore, single shot femoral nerve block with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine is safe.