New surgical scoring system to predict postoperative mortality.

PURPOSE: There is still no easy and highly useful method to comprehensively assess both preoperative and intraoperative patient statuses to predict postoperative outcomes. We attempted to develop a new scoring system that would enable a comprehensive assessment of preoperative and intraoperative patient statuses instantly at the end of anesthesia, predicting postoperative mortality. METHODS: The study included 32,555 patients who underwent surgery under general or regional anesthesia from 2008 to 2012. From the anesthesia records, extracted factors, including patient characteristics and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA-PS), and three intraoperative indexes (the lowest heart rate, lowest mean arterial pressure, and estimated volume of blood loss) are used to calculate the surgical Apgar score (sAs). The sAs and ASA-PS, and surgical Apgar score combined with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (SASA), which combines the sAs and ASA-PS into a single adjusted scale, were compared and analyzed with postoperative 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Increased severity of the sAs, ASA-PS and SASA was correlated with significantly higher mortality. The risk of death was elevated by 3.65 for every 2-point decrease in the sAs, by 6.4 for every 1-point increase in the ASA-PS, and by 9.56 for every 4-point decrease in the SASA. The ROC curves of the sAs and ASA-PS alone also individually demonstrated high validity (AUC = 0.81 for sAs and 0.79 for ASA-PS, P < 0.001). The SASA was even more valid (AUC = 0.87, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The sAs and ASA-PS were shown to be extremely useful for predicting 30-day mortality after surgery. An even higher predictive ability was demonstrated by the SASA, which combines these simple and effective scoring systems.

The effect of single low-dose dexamethasone on vomiting during awake craniotomy.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative vomiting leads to serious respiratory complications that could influence the surgical decision-making process for awake craniotomy. However, the use of antiemetics is still limited in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prophylactically administered single low-dose dexamethasone on the incidence of vomiting during awake craniotomy. The frequency of hyperglycemia was also examined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case review of awake craniotomy for glioma resection between 2012 and 2015. RESULTS: Of the 124 patients, 91 were included in the analysis. Dexamethasone was not used in 43 patients and the 48 remaining patients received an intravenous bolus of 4.95 mg dexamethasone at anesthetic induction. Because of stable operating conditions, no one required conscious sedation throughout functional mapping and tumor resection. Although dexamethasone pretreatment reduced the incidence of intraoperative vomiting (P = 0.027), the number of patients who complained of nausea was comparable (P = 0.969). No adverse events related to vomiting occurred intraoperatively. Baseline blood glucose concentration did not differ between each group (P = 0.143), but the samples withdrawn before emergence (P = 0.018), during the awake period (P < 0.0001) and at the end of surgery (P < 0.0001) showed significantly higher glucose levels in the dexamethasone group. Impaired wound healing was not observed in either group. CONCLUSION: A single low-dose of dexamethasone prevents intraoperative vomiting for awake craniotomy cases. However, as even a small dose of dexamethasone increases the risk for hyperglycemia, antiemetic prophylaxis with dexamethasone should be administered after careful consideration. Monitoring of perioperative blood glucose concentration is also necessary.

Ultrasound versus anatomical landmarks for caudal epidural anesthesia in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Caudal block is easily performed because the landmarks are superficial. However, the sacral hiatus is small and shallow in pediatric patients. In the present study, we evaluated under general anesthesia whether the distance between the bilateral superolateral sacral crests increased with growth, whether an equilateral triangle was formed between the apex of the sacral hiatus and the bilateral superolateral sacral crests, and whether expansion of the epidural space could be confirmed by ultrasound. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 282 children who were ASA I-II. Under general anesthesia, each patient was placed in the lateral bent knees position, and the attending anesthesiologist drew an equilateral triangle and measured the distance between the bilateral superolateral sacral crests along a line forming the base of the triangle. Then the sacral hiatus was identified by ultrasound. Differences of the distance between the anatomical landmarks measured by the anesthetist and by ultrasound were evaluated. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded because the superolateral sacral crests and sacral hiatus could not be palpated. The base of the triangle increased in proportion to age up to 10 years old, with a significant correlation between age and the length of the base (Spearman's r value = 0.97). The triangle was not an equilateral triangle under 7 years old. The sacral hiatus could be identified by ultrasound and we could confirm expansion of the epidural space in all patients. CONCLUSION: We observed a correlation between age and the length of the triangle base in children under 10 years old. Although detection of the anatomical landmarks by palpation differed from identification by ultrasound in pediatric patients, performing ultrasound is important. Epinephrine should be added to the anesthetic to avoid complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials UMIN000017898 . Registered 14 June 2015. Date of protocol fixation was 1(st) December, 2008 and Anticipated trial start date was 5(th) January, 2009.

[Metoclopramide Induced Acute Dystonia during Intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia with Droperidol].

A patient developed acute dystonia following intravenous administration of metocroplamide 20 mg. A 34-year-old woman underwent right hepatectomy, under general anesthesia managed with desflurane, remifentanil, and rocuronium. At the start of surgery, droperidol 1.5 mg was given intravenously for anti-emetic prophylaxis. Operation was completed uneventfully. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (i.v.-PCA) with fentanyl, containing droperidol, was selected for postoperative pain management The patient showed a reasonable postoperative course; however, around 15 hours post-operatively, she complained of nausea, although droperidol 2.625 mg had been administrated (maximum dose). Nausea subsequently disappeared following intravenous metocroplamide 20 mg, and i.v.-PCA was terminated. The patient gradually complained of excessive sleepiness. Finally, she showed akinesis and bilateral oculomotor disturbance 140 minutes after metocroplamide administration. However, her vital signs remained stable. Examinations including magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, and blood test did not show abnormalities. She was diagnosed with acute dystonia. She recovered without medications 300 minutes after the onset of akinesis. She could communicate with her eyes, opening/closing, throughout this episode. The effects of antiemetics acting on different receptors are additive. However, we should remember that coadministration of metocroplamide and butyrophenone induces extrapyramidal signs like acute dystonia. Intraoperative management extending beyond postoperative antiemetic therapy is necessary.

[Arytenoid cartilage dislocation caused by endotracheal intubation which resolved spontaneously].

Arytenoid cartilage dislocation following tracheal intubation is a rare complication. A 48-year-old man underwent an operation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Although no anaesthetic or operative problem had occurred, hoarseness was noticed after the operation, continuing beyond 25 days thereafter. He was referred to a laryngologist. Left anterior arytenoid dislocation was diagnosed using fiberoptic laryngoscopy. About four weeks later, the arytenoid cartilage dislocation resolved spontaneously. Other findings suggest that spontaneous reduction can be expected in many patients with anterior arytenoid dislocation. Patients suffering from arytenoid cartilage dislocation should be observed for several weeks if possible because there exist some reports in the literature describing spontaneous resolution after its dislocation.

Automated responsiveness monitor to titrate propofol sedation.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, we showed that failure to respond to automated responsiveness monitor (ARM) precedes potentially serious sedation-related adversities associated with loss of responsiveness, and that the ARM was not susceptible to false-positive responses. It remains unknown, however, whether loss and return of response to the ARM occur at similar sedation levels. We hypothesized that loss and return of response to the ARM occur at similar sedation levels in individual subjects, independent of the propofol effect titration scheme. METHODS: Twenty-one healthy volunteers aged 20-45 yr underwent propofol sedation using an effect-site target-controlled infusion system and two different dosing protocol schemes. In all, we increased propofol effect-site concentration (Ce) until loss of response to the ARM occurred. Subsequently, the propofol Ce was decreased either by a fixed percentage (20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%; fixed percentage protocol, n = 10) or by a linear deramping (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 microg x mL(-1) x min(-1); deramping protocol, n = 11) until the ARM response returned. Consequently, the propofol Ce was maintained at the new target for a 6-min interval (Ce plateau) during which arterial samples for propofol determination were obtained, and a clinical assessment of sedation (Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation [OAA/S] score) performed. Each participant in the two protocols experienced each percentage or deramping rate of Ce decrease in random order. The assumption of steady state was tested by plotting the limits of agreement between the starting and ending plasma concentration (Cp) at each Ce plateau. The probability of response to the ARM as a function of propofol Ce, Bispectral Index (BIS) of the electroencephalogram, and OAA/S score was estimated, whereas the effect of the protocol type on these estimates was evaluated using the nested model approach (NONMEM). The combined effect of propofol Ce and BIS on the probability for ARM response was also evaluated using a fractional probability model (P(BIS/Ce)). RESULTS: The measured propofol Cp at the beginning and the end of the Ce plateau was almost identical. The Ce50 of propofol for responding to the ARM was 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.55-2.10) microg/mL, whereas the corresponding BIS50 was 75 (71.3-77). The OAA/S50 probability for ARM response was 12.5/20 (12-13.4). A fractional probability (P(BIS/Ce)) model for the combined effect of BIS and Ce fitted the data best, with an estimated contribution for BIS of 63%. Loss and return of ARM response occurred at similar sedation levels in individual subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Reproducible ARM dynamics in individual subjects compares favorably with clinical and electroencephalogram sedation end points and suggests that the ARM could be used as an independent instrumental guide of drug effect during propofol-only sedation.

Lower-body warming mimics the normal epidural-induced reduction in the shivering threshold.

BACKGROUND: Neuraxial anesthesia reduces the shivering threshold approximately 0.6 degrees C. This effect might be mediated by an apparent (as opposed to actual) increase in lower body temperature. Accordingly, sufficient lower body warming should result in thermoregulatory inhibition comparable to that exerted by epidural anesthesia. We tested the hypothesis that increasing leg skin temperature to 38 degrees C mimics the normal approximately 0.6 degrees C reduction in the shivering threshold during epidural anesthesia. METHODS: Shivering threshold during internal body cooling was determined in nine female volunteers on two separate days: one unanesthetized control day, and one day with a T10-11 epidural block. On each study day, lower body skin temperature was maintained near 38 degrees C and upper body skin temperature near 33 degrees C. We assessed equivalency of the shivering thresholds on the control and epidural days using the two one-sided tests method. RESULTS: The thresholds on the control (35.8 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C; mean +/- sd) and epidural (35.8 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C) days were shown to be equivalent because the 95% CI for the difference in means, 0.0 (-0.4, 0.4), was within our prespecified limits of -0.6 degrees C to +0.6 degrees C (P < 0.025 for both one-sided equivalency tests). CONCLUSIONS: Lower body warming mimics the normal epidural-induced reduction in the shivering threshold. Our results support a mechanism based on increased apparent lower body skin temperature during neuraxial anesthesia.

[Can preoperative administration of H2 blocker reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)?].

BACKGROUND: PONV is a complication that reduces a patient's quality of life (QOL). Recently, it was reported that PONV is reduced by preoperative administration of histamine receptor (H1 and H2) inhibitor. In the present study, based on the hypothesis that PONV might be reduced by preoperative administration of H2 blocker, we examined the effect of preoperative administration of H2 blocker only on the incidence of PONV. METHODS: Eighty seven patients having regular operations were randomly assigned into two groups; the control (C), and the H2 blocker (F) groups. In the operating room, 20 min after intravenous injection of famotidine 20 mg as H2 blocker, anesthesia was maintened by sevofluorane, oxygen, nitrous oxide, and fentanyl following the induction by fentanyl, propofol, and vecuronium. The frequency and extent of vomiting were observed and the patients were interviewed at postoperative hours 0-6 and 6-12. The incidences between the two groups were examined using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: No significant difference in the appearance of PONV was found between the F group and the C group. In women in the F group, the incidence of vomiting was lower. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative administration of H2 blocker tends to reduce PONV in women.

[Intraoral moisture during operation under general anesthesia].

BACKGROUND: Intra-operative intraoral moisture was examined using a moisture checker, on the hypothesis that as an operation is prolonged, the intraoral moisture decreases; consequently, intraoral drying level should increase. METHODS: This hypothesis was tested on 27 adult patients undergoing a regular operation. The subjects having fasted since 0:00 o'clock of the operation day entered the operating room, where their intraoral moisture was measured using an intraoral moisture checker (Life Co. Ltd., Tokyo) (the unit is % index). Then, propofol administration was started with simulated blood concentration of 4 microg x ml(-1). Anesthesia was induced with vecuronium 1 mg x kg(-1) and fentanyl 1.5 microg x mg(-1). Every hour from anesthesia induction to the end of operation, intraoral moisture was checked. The propofol simulated blood concentration during operation was set to remain at 2-3.5 microg x ml(-1), with fentanyl administered. Statistical analysis was done by two factor factorial ANOVA. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The intraoral moisture during operation under general anesthesia showed no chronologically significant difference.

[Urine specific gravity during general anesthesia].

BACKGROUND: The urine volume and urine specific gravity per unit time during a short operation under volume loading were examined to explore the possibility of urine specific gravity as an indirect index of fluid therapy. METHODS: After introducing anesthesia, under volume loading with acetic acid Ringer solution 10 ml x kg(-1) x hr(-1), urine volume and specific gravity per unit time at 30 min intervals from urination to 90 min later and the correlation between the urine volume and urine specific gravity were examined. A chronological increase of urine specific gravity was also confirmed. Therefore, the values of urine specific gravity of each 30 minute intervals were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: The urine volume and urine specific gravity per unit time showed no significant negative correlation until after 90 min. Increasing urine specific gravity even under volume loading became significant 90 min after urination. CONCLUSIONS: There is a possibility of employing urine specific gravity as an indirect index of fluid therapy.

[The injection pain of propofol with different emulsion].

BACKGROUND: Incidence and intensity of pain on intravenous injection of propofol were assessed with emulsion of long-chain/medium-chain triglycerides (LCT/MCT, 50: 50) and only long-chain triglycerides (LCT, 100) in patients undergoing different elective surgical interventions in this prospective, randomized, cross over and double-blinded study. METHODS: 1) Forty six patients were assigned to two groups. One group received 0.2 mg x kg(-1) LCT/ MCT propofol prior to LCT propofol administration. The other group received 0.2 mg x kg(-1) LCT propofol prior to LCT/MCT propofol administration. Pain elicited upon questioning was assessed with each injection in the two groups. Patients were asked to grade the pain as VAS of 0 to 100 mm. 2) Fifty one patients were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received 0.4 mg x kg(-1) LCT propofol. The other group received 0.4 mg x kg(-1) LCT/MCT propofol. Patients were asked to grade the pain as VAS of 0 to 100 mm. RESULTS: Pain of LCT propofol injection was stronger than LCT/MCT propofol. As incidence of 0.4 mg x kg(-1) propofol injection, VAS on LCT/MCT propofol and LCT propofol gave score as 0 and 23.5 (P=0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol with emulsion of long- and medium-chain triglycerides appears to reduce the injection pain than with emulsion of only long-chain triglycerides.

[Short-acting beta 1-adrenergic blocker is useful for anesthetic management of cesarean section in a patient with Marfan syndrome].

The aortic root dilatation and its dissection are the most catastrophic events in pregnancy with Marfan syndrome as has been reported. It has been shown that prophylactic beta-adrenergic blocker is effective in reducing the aortic distensibility. However, its fetal toxicity should be considered. It includes hypoglycemia, neonatal apnea and bradycardia. Landiolol hydrochloride is a new beta-adrenergic blocker of which greatest advantages are its short duration of action, rapid clearance and high beta 1-selectivity. This drug has not been evaluated in its maternal and fetal effects on human pregnancy. We report a case of Marfan syndrome complicated with 49 mm annuloaortic ectasia. She received landiolol for the prevention of aggravated aortic root dilatation during cesarean section. After the administration of spinal anesthesia, she was treated with landiolol by continuous infusion at a rate of 0.003 to 0.005 mg.kg-1.min-1 until delivery of 1764 g infant with Apgar scores of 5 (1 min) and 8 (5 min). We could maintain maternal hemodynamics stable and good post cesarean uterus contraction. No severe adverse effects were observed in the infant. In conclusion, it is useful for maintaining the hemodynamics stable in a pregnant woman with Marfan syndrome and keep the infant safe from any adverse effects by infusing of landiolol.

Dexmedetomidine and meperidine additively reduce the shivering threshold in humans.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hypothermia might prove to be therapeutically beneficial in stroke victims; however, even mild hypothermia provokes vigorous shivering. Meperidine and dexmedetomidine each linearly reduce the shivering threshold (triggering core temperature) with minimal sedation. We tested the hypothesis that meperidine and dexmedetomidine synergistically reduce the shivering threshold without producing substantial sedation or respiratory depression. METHODS: We studied 10 healthy male volunteers (18 to 40 years) on 4 days: (1) control (no drug); (2) meperidine (target plasma level 0.3 microg/mL); (3) dexmedetomidine (target plasma level 0.4 ng/mL); and (4) meperidine plus dexmedetomidine (target plasma levels of 0.3 microg/mL and 0.4 ng/mL, respectively). Lactated Ringer's solution (approximately 4 degrees C) was infused through a central venous catheter to decrease tympanic membrane temperature by approximately 2.5 degrees C/h; mean skin temperature was maintained at 31 degrees C. An increase in oxygen consumption >25% of baseline identified the shivering threshold. Sedation was evaluated by using the Observer's Assessment of Sedation/Alertness scale. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to identify interactions between drugs. Data are presented as mean+/-SD; P<0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The shivering thresholds on the study days were as follows: control, 36.7+/-0.3 degrees C; dexmedetomidine, 36.0+/-0.5 degrees C (P<0.001 from control); meperidine, 35.5+/-0.6 degrees C (P<0.001); and meperidine plus dexmedetomidine, 34.7+/-0.6 degrees C (P<0.001). Although meperidine and dexmedetomidine each reduced the shivering threshold, their interaction was not synergistic but additive (P=0.19). There was trivial sedation with either drug alone or in combination. Respiratory rate and end-tidal Pco2 were well preserved on all days. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine and meperidine additively reduce the shivering threshold; in the small doses tested, the combination produced only mild sedation and no respiratory toxicity.

Minute sphere acupressure does not reduce postoperative pain or morphine consumption.

Minute sphere acupressure has been used for more than 2000 yr and remains popular in Japan. The points most relevant to abdominal surgery are those associated with meridian flows crossing or originating in the abdomen. We tested the hypothesis that minute sphere therapy reduces pain and analgesic requirements after open abdominal surgery. Participating patients were given standardized desflurane and fentanyl anesthetic. On completion of surgery, they were randomly assigned to untreated control or minute sphere acupressure at the Neiguan, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, and Gongsun points. Each site was covered with bulky gauze dressings so that patients could not determine their assignments. Postoperative pain was treated with IV morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Our primary a priori end-points were pain and opioid consumption on the first postoperative morning. Data are reported as median (25th percentile, 75th percentile). Fifty-three patients (30 controls and 23 minute spheres) completed the study. Morphine requirements (47 mg [27, 58] vs 41 mg [25, 69]) and pain scores (29.5 mm [16, 59] vs 40 mm [22, 58]) were similar in the control and acupressure groups. These data provide an 80% power for detecting a 50% difference in morphine consumption at an alpha of 0.05. Minute sphere treatment at the Neiguan, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, and Gongsun points thus failed to provide analgesia after abdominal surgery. Minute sphere therapy is a form of acupuncture. We tested whether minute spheres placed on three acupressure points relevant to abdominal surgery reduced pain and morphine requirements after abdominal surgery. Treatment and control patients received a similar covering. Neither pain nor morphine requirements were different between the groups.

Initial experience with a novel heat-exchanging catheter in neurosurgical patients.

UNLABELLED: Even mild hypothermia provides marked protection against cerebral ischemia in animal models. Hypothermia may be of therapeutic value during neurosurgical procedures. However, current cooling systems often fail to induce sufficient hypothermia before the dura is opened. Furthermore, they usually fail to restore normothermia by the end of surgery, thus delaying extubation. We evaluated a new internal heat-exchanging catheter. Eight ASA physical status II-IV patients (29-72 yr) undergoing craniotomy were enrolled. After the induction of general anesthesia, we introduced the SetPoint catheter into the inferior vena cava via a femoral vein. The target core body temperature was 34 degrees C-34.5 degrees C. After reaching the target, core temperature was maintained until the dura was closed. Target core temperature was then set to 37.0 degrees C, and the patient was rewarmed as quickly as possible. Seven patients had a tumor resection, and one had an aneurysm clipped. The core-cooling rate was 3.9 degrees C +/- 1.6 degrees C/h, and the rewarming rate was 2.0 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C/h; core temperature was 35.9 degrees C +/- 0.2 degrees C by the end of surgery. Patients were subsequently kept normothermic for 3 h before the catheter was removed. No thrombus or other particulate material was identified on the extracted catheters. None of the patients suffered any complications that could be attributed to the SetPoint system or thermal management. IMPLICATIONS: Because current systems for inducing therapeutic hypothermia are too slow, we tested an internal counter-current thermal management system during hypothermic neurosurgery. The SetPoint catheter cooled at 3.9 degrees C +/- 1.6 degrees C/h and rewarmed at 2.0 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C/h. Catheter-based internal thermal management thus seems to be rapid and effective.

Hypercapnia improves tissue oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Wound infections are common, serious, surgical complications. Oxidative killing by neutrophils is the primary defense against surgical pathogens and increasing intraoperative tissue oxygen tension markedly reduces the risk of such infections. Since hypercapnia improves cardiac output and peripheral tissue perfusion, we tested the hypothesis that peripheral tissue oxygenation increases as a function of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO(2)) in anesthetized humans. METHODS: General anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane in 30% oxygen in 10 healthy volunteers. Subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension (PsqO(2)) was recorded from a subcutaneous tonometer. An oximeter probe on the upper arm measured muscle oxygen saturation. Cardiac output was monitored noninvasively. PaCO(2) was adjusted to 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 mmHg in random order with each concentration being maintained for 45 min.(2) (2) RESULTS: Increasing PaCO(2) linearly increased cardiac index and PsqO(2) : PsqO(2) = 35.42 + 0.77 (PaCO(2)), < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The observed difference in PsqO(2) is clinically important because previous work suggests that comparable increases in tissue oxygenation reduced the risk of surgical infection from -8% to 2 to 3%. We conclude that mild intraoperative hypercapnia increased peripheral tissue oxygenation in healthy human subjects, which may improve resistance to surgical wound infections.

Electro-acupuncture at the Zusanli, Yanglingquan, and Kunlun points does not reduce anesthetic requirement.

UNLABELLED: We tested the hypothesis that electro-acupuncture at the Zusanli, Yanglingquan, and Kunlun acupuncture points on the legs decreases anesthetic requirement. Fourteen young, healthy volunteers were anesthetized with desflurane on two separate days. Needle electrodes were positioned at the three acupuncture points thought to produce a generalized sedative and analgesic effect. Needles were percutaneously placed on treatment days; on control days, they were insulated and taped near the insertion points. The electrodes were stimulated on the treatment day. Stimulation consisted of 2-Hz and 100-Hz currents alternated at 2-s intervals. When the end-tidal desflurane concentration of 5.5% was stable for 15 min, noxious electrical stimuli were administered via 25-gauge needles on both thighs (70 mA at 100 Hz for 10 s). Desflurane concentration was increased 0.5% when movement occurred and decreased 0.5% when it did not. An investigator, blinded to treatment, determined movement. These up-and-down sequences were continued until volunteers crossed from movement to no movement four times. A logistic regression determined the partial pressure of desflurane that produced a 50% likelihood of movement in response to noxious stimulation and consequently identified the minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration equivalent for desflurane. There was no significant difference in minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration equivalents between the electro-acupuncture (4.6% +/- 0.6%, mean +/- SD) and control (4.6% +/- 0.8%) days (P = 0.8). These data provided an 80% power for detecting a difference of 0.35 volume-percent between the groups. IMPLICATIONS: Electro-stimulation of three general acupuncture points on the leg did not reduce desflurane requirements. This type of acupuncture is thus unlikely to facilitate general anesthesia or decrease the need for anesthetic drugs.