Long-term results with the modified Sugiura procedure for the management of variceal bleeding: standing the test of time in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND: The surgical approaches to the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients have been reduced since the clinical development of endoscopic sclerotherapy, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), and liver transplantation. However, when acute sclerotherapy fails, and in cases where no further treatment is accessible, emergency surgery may be life saving. In the present study we retrospectively analyzed the results of the modified Sugiura procedure, performed as emergency and semi-elective treatment in the patient with bleeding esophageal varices. METHODS: Ninety patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were managed in our department for variceal esophageal bleeding between January 1985 and December 1992. The modified Sugiura procedure was performed in 46 patients on an emergency (25 patients) or semi-elective (21 patients) basis. Liver cirrhosis stage according to Child classification was A in 4 patients, B in 16 patients, and C in 26 patients. RESULTS: Acute bleeding was controlled in all patients. Postoperative mortality was 23.9% (11 of 46 patients). The mortality rate was 34.6% in Child class C patients (9 of 26 patients), and 12.5% in Child class B patients (2 of 16 patients). Twenty-four patients had long-term follow-up extending from 14 months to 22 years (mean 83.1 months). Ten of 24 patients (41.6%) did not develop rebleeding for 5-22 years (mean 10.3 years). Overall 5-year survival in these 24 patients was 62.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Sugiura procedure remains an effective rescue therapy for patients with bleeding esophageal varices when alternative treatments fail or are not indicated. Moreover, it can be a life-saving procedure in patients with anatomy unsuitable for shunt surgery or for patients treated in nonspecialized centers where surgical expertise for a shunt operation is not available.

Subcutaneous granular cell tumour of the lumbar region.

Granular cell tumour (GCT), also known as Abrikossoff tumour, is an uncommon neoplasm, probably of neural origin derived from Schwann cells. It usually presents as a subcutaneous solitary asymptomatic nodule. It has been the subject of much debate in the literature concerning the tumour origin and the association with other malignancies. We report a case of subcutaneous GCT in the lumbar region in a 31-year-old Caucasian male. Although they are a rare entity, GCTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the subcutaneous soft tissue tumours. Surgical removal with wide margins is the treatment of choice as malignant changes have been reported after long-term follow-up.

Anaesthesia preference, neuraxial vs general, and outcome after caesarean section.

We investigated parturients' preference for neuraxial vs general anaesthesia, while they have experienced both techniques in the past. A total of 102 parturients who underwent elective caesarean section under general or neuraxial anaesthesia at different times completed a questionnaire comparing the two techniques. According to our results, 98% vs 51% (p < 0.001) of the women saw the baby and 51% vs 29% (p = 0.003) ambulated in the neuraxial and general anaesthesia groups, respectively, within the first 24 h postoperatively. Neuraxial anaesthesia was associated with less pain assessed by the Verbal Analogue Scale (VAS) (54 ± 21 vs 72 ± 20 p < 0.001), fewer days of hospital stay (4 ± 0.5 vs 5 ± 1.5, p = 0.001) and higher satisfaction scores (77 ± 18 vs 52 ± 24, p = 0.001) vs general anaesthesia. Finally, 80% of the women would choose neuraxial anaesthesia for a future caesarean section.

Acute postoperative pain predicts chronic pain and long-term analgesic requirements after breast surgery for cancer.

Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements may be associated with chronic pain. The aim of the study was to investigate this association. We studied 98 patients who had cancer breast surgery and served as controls in four previous studies, receiving placebo. We compared the pain and analgesic requirements 0-9 h and 1-6 days postoperatively: a) between patients with chronic pain 3 months postoperatively versus patients without and b) between those patients who consumed analgesics at home versus those who did not. Patients with chronic pain had experienced higher intensity pain at rest the first 9 postoperative hours (VAS-rest p = 0.033). Patients requiring analgesics at home had consumed postoperatively more opioids (p = 0.005) and more paracetamol (p = 0.037). These patients had experienced pain of higher intensity the first 9 postoperative hours (VAS-rest p = 0.022, VAS-movement p = 0.009) as well as during the six postoperative days (VAS-rest p = 0.013, VAS-movement p = 0.001). Higher intensities of acute postoperative pain are associated with chronic pain development. Higher analgesic needs and higher acute postoperatively pain intensity are associated with long-term analgesic consumption.

A combination of gabapentin and local anaesthetics attenuates acute and late pain after abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gabapentin and local anaesthetics may decrease postoperative pain and analgesic needs. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the combination of these drugs on the analgesic needs as well as on acute and late pain after abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to receive postoperatively oral gabapentin 400 mg 6 hourly for 7 days plus continuous wound infusion of ropivacaine 0.75% for 30 h or placebo capsules identical to those of gabapentin for 7 days and continuous wound infusion of normal saline for 30 h. Morphine consumption (PCA) for 48 h, paracetamol 500 mg plus codeine 30 mg (Lonalgal tablets) intake on days 3-7, visual analogue pain scores at rest and after cough during the first 7 postoperative days, the need for analgesics at home and the presence and incidence of pain after 1 month were recorded. RESULTS: The treatment group consumed less cumulative morphine over the first 48 h (31 +/- 13.2 mg vs. 50 +/- 20.5 mg in controls, P < 0.001) and less Lonalgal tablets on days 3-7 (z = 2.54, P = 0.011). The visual analogue score values at rest and after cough did not differ between the groups during the first 7 postoperative days. One month postoperatively, fewer patients in the treatment group experienced pain due to surgery than in the control group (17/27 vs. 21/24, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Gabapentin and continuous wound infusion with ropivacaine 0.75% decreased analgesic needs and late pain in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.

Gabapentin attenuates the pressor response to direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

BACKGROUND: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation increase blood pressure and heart rate (HR). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of gabapentin when given before operation on the haemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation. METHODS: Forty-six patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease were randomly allocated to receive gabapentin 1,600 mg or placebo capsules at 6 hourly intervals starting the day (noon) before surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and cis-atracurium. Systolic, diastolic arterial blood pressures (SAP, DAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after the anaesthetic and 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 min after tracheal intubation. RESULTS: SAP was significantly lower in the gabapentin vs the control group 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 min after intubation [128 (27) vs 165 (41), P=0.001, 121 (14) vs 148 (29), P=0.0001, 115 (13) vs 134 (24), P=0.002, 111 (12) vs 126 (19), P=0.004 and 108 (12) vs 124 (17), P=0.001 respectively]. DAP also was lower in the gabapentin group 0, 1, 3, and 10 min after intubation [81 (18) vs 104 (19), P=0.0001, 77 (9) vs 91 (16), P=0.001, 71 (10) vs 84 (13), P=0.001 and 67 (10) vs 79 (12), P=0.004]. HR did not differ between the two groups at any time [82 (11) vs 83 (15), 79 (10) vs 80 (12), 86 (17) vs 92 (10), 82 (11) vs 88 (10), 81 (12) vs 81 (11), 77 (13) vs 79 (13), and 75 (15) vs 78 (12)]. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin, under the present study design attenuates the pressor response but not the tachycardia associated with laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

Systemic ondansetron antagonizes the sensory block produced by intrathecal lidocaine.

In this prospective randomized, double-blind study, we investigated the effect of ondansetron on the lidocaine subarachnoid block. Fifty-four male patients scheduled for transurethral surgery under subarachnoid anesthesia received oral ondansetron 4 mg the evening before surgery and 4 mg IV 15 min before subarachnoid anesthesia (ondansetron group) or placebo (placebo group). Two milliliters of 5% hyperbaric lidocaine was administered intrathecally. Sensory block was assessed 20, 25, and 30 min and motor block 30, 60, and 90 min after lidocaine injection. In two patients in the control group and five in the ondansetron group, sensory block was not assessed for technical reasons. In the ondansetron group, sensory block values differed significantly over the 30-min period of assessments (P = 0.048). Fifteen, 20, 25, and 30 min after subarachnoid lidocaine, the level of sensory block was at T11, T12, T12, and T12 in the control group and T12, T12, T12, and L1 in the ondansetron group and differed between groups at 30 min (P = 0.019). Motor block did not differ between the two groups at any study time. We conclude that, under the conditions of our study, ondansetron antagonizes the sensory block produced by lidocaine.

Needling of the extra 1 point decreases BIS values and preoperative anxiety.

Acupuncture has anxiolytic effects. We investigated the effect of acupuncture on the Bispectral Index (BIS) values and anxiety. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to group A to receive acupuncture for 15 minutes on the extra 1 point (yintang) or to group C, where they received the same treatment on a control point located 2 cm lateral to the end of the right eyebrow. BIS values were recorded before acupuncture; during acupuncture every 30 seconds for 15 minutes and every 30 seconds for 90 seconds when the acupuncture treatment was accomplished. Anxiety level was assessed before and after acupuncture by a verbal score scale (VSS) (0 = no anxiety, 10 = worst anxiety). BIS values were significantly decreased during acupuncture when applied on the extra 1 point (p = 0.0001) but not on the control point. Acupuncture application significantly decreased the VSS values within the A group (p = 0.027) and in the C group (p = 0.0001), when compared to the baseline (pre-acupuncture) VSS values. However, no differences were found between the two groups regarding BIS or VSS values. In conclusion, needling the extra 1 point preoperatively significantly decreases the BIS values and the VSS for anxiety but needling of a control point decrease only VSS values.

Academic anesthesiologists' views on the importance of the impact factor of scientific journals: a North American and European survey.

PURPOSE: To investigate the views of North American and European anesthesiologists on the value of the impact factor (IF). METHOD: Four hundred thirty-eight anesthesiologists in Canada, the United States of America (USA), and Europe were polled about the importance of the IF regarding hiring, promotions, funding of research and to express their personal views. RESULTS: IF of a candidate's publications is a criterion in 38% of academic appointments in Canada and USA vs 81% in Europe (P <0.0001). The importance of IF to obtain funding is greater in Europe (46%) than in North America (17%) (P <0.0001). Twenty-three percent and 50% of Canadian and American anesthesiologists respectively believe that IF affects financial support (P=0.0389). European anesthesiologists value the IF more than the North Americans (67% vs 31%, P <0.0001). Forty-five percent, 67%, and 56% of the Canadian, American and European anesthesiologists respectively estimate that IF reflects journal quality. Sixty-four percent of anesthesiologists in North America vs 81% in Europe (P=0.0175) pursue to publish in high IF journals. Eighty-six percent, 85% and 90% of the Canadian, American and European anesthesiologists believe that the IF of a journal can be manipulated. Finally, 79%, 67%, and 81% of the Canadian, American, and European anesthesiologists believe that IF should be improved but 33%, 35%, and 30% believe that it should be abandoned. CONCLUSIONS: IF for academic appointments and funding is more important in Europe than in North America. More than 50% of anesthesiologists agree that IF needs to be improved.

Regional block and mexiletine: the effect on pain after cancer breast surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Breast surgery for cancer is associated with chronic pain and sensory abnormalities. The present study investigates the effect of regional block, oral mexiletine, and the combination of both, on acute and chronic pain associated with cancer breast surgery. METHODS: One hundred patients scheduled for cancer breast surgery received either regional block with 18 mL of 1% ropivacaine intraoperatively and oral mexiletine for the first 6 postoperative days (R + M group), or regional block and placebo (R + PL), or normal saline instead of ropivacaine and mexiletine (PL + M), or normal saline and placebo (PL + PL). Postoperative analgesic requirements were recorded daily. Pain was assessed 0, 3, 6, 9, and 24 hours in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and on the second to sixth day postoperatively, at rest, and after movement using the visual analog scale (VAS). Three months after surgery, patients were interviewed for the presence and intensity of pain, abnormal sensations, and analgesic requirements. RESULTS: Regional block reduced the number of intramuscular (IM) injections required the first 24 hours (P =.05), the R + PL group requiring less injections versus the PL + M group (P =.037). Lonarid tablet (paracetamol and codeine) consumption from the second to the fifth postoperative day differed among the 4 groups (P =.0304), the R + M group requiring fewer tablets than the PL + PL group (P =.009). Three hours postoperatively, the R + PL group had less pain at rest when compared with all other groups (P <.05 for all comparisons). On the second postoperative day, VAS at rest and after movement was less in the R + M versus the R + PL group (P <.01 and P <.05, respectively). Three months after surgery, the 4 groups were similar with regard to incidence or intensity of pain or analgesic requirements. The R + PL group had a lower incidence (77%) of reduced or absent sensation (P =.016). CONCLUSIONS: Regional block reduced the analgesic requirements in the early postoperative period, while mexiletine combined with regional block reduced the total analgesic requirements during the next 5 postoperative days. Although chronic pain was not affected by these treatments late-abnormal sensation may be diminished by combination of these treatments. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26:223-228.

EMLA reduces acute and chronic pain after breast surgery for cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A significant percentage of women undergoing breast surgery for cancer may develop neuropathic pain in the chest, and/or ipsilateral axilla and/or upper medial arm, with impairment in performing daily occupational activities. We designed this study to determine if the perioperative application of EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics; AstraZeneca) cream in the breast and axilla area reduces analgesic requirements, as well as the acute and chronic pain after breast surgery. METHODS: Forty-six female patients scheduled for breast surgery received randomly 5 g of EMLA or placebo on the sternal area 5 minutes before surgery, and 15 g on the supraclavicular area and axilla at the end of the operation. Treatment with EMLA cream (20 g) or placebo was also applied daily on the 4 days after surgery. In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), 3, 6, 9, and 24 hours after surgery, and on the second to sixth day postoperatively, pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and after movement, and postoperative analgesic requirements were recorded. Three months later, patients were asked if they had pain in the chest wall, axilla and/or medial upper arm, decreased sensation, if they required analgesics at home, and for the intensity of pain. RESULTS: Acute pain at rest and with movement did not differ between the EMLA and control groups, and the analgesics consumed during the first 24 hours were the same for the EMLA and control groups. However, time to the first analgesia requirement was longer (P = .04), and codeine and paracetamol consumption during the second to fifth days was less (P = .001, and P = .004, respectively) in the EMLA versus the control group. Three months postoperatively, pain in the chest wall, axilla, and the total incidence and the intensity of chronic pain were significantly less in the EMLA versus the control group (P = .004, P = .025, P = .002 and P = .003, respectively). The use of analgesics at home and abnormal sensations did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The application of EMLA to patients undergoing breast surgery for cancer reduced the postoperative analgesic requirements and the incidence and intensity of chronic pain.

Ventilatory adequacy and respiratory mechanics with laryngeal mask versus tracheal intubation during positive pressure ventilation.

The ventilatory adequacy and respiratory mechanics during positive pressure ventilation (PPV) via the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) are compared with the respiratory mechanics via the tracheal tube (TT). Thirty patients undergoing breast surgery were studied. After induction of anesthesia and muscle relaxation an LMA was inserted. Data were collected every 5 min for a 15 min period and included inspired (VTinsp) and expired (VTexp) tidal volumes, I:E ratio, peak airway pressure (Ppeak), plateau pressure (Pplat), total dynamic compliance (C), and the percentage of VT exhaled passively in the first second of expiration (V1.0%). Then the trachea was intubated and measurements were repeated as previously. Gas leak was calculated as the fraction (VTinsp- VTexp)/Vtinsp. VTinsp and VTexp did not differ significantly between the LMA or TT anesthesia at any time (P = 0.9318, P = 0.7071 for VTinsp and VTexp respectively), neither the Ppeak (P = 0.1382). Significant differences were found for Pplat (P = 0.000) and C (P = 0.0001). Individual comparisons showed a significant difference between the LMA Pplat at 5 min when compared with all the Pplat mean values recorded with the LMA or the TT (P < 0.05-0.01). The C mean value with the LMA at 5 min was significantly lower when compared with all the C mean values via the TT anesthesia (P < 0.05-0.01). Significant differences were found among the V1.0% measurements (P = 0.030) but not between individual comparisons. Leak was similar with the LMA or TT airway management. It is concluded that, in patients with normal airway pressure and compliance, PPV using the LMA is comparatively effective with the use of TT.