Genome-wide association study identifies candidate loci associated with postoperative fentanyl requirements after laparoscopic-assisted colectomy.

AIMS: Opioids are widely used as effective analgesics, but opioid sensitivity is well known to vary widely among individuals and the underlying genetic factors are not fully understood, thus hampering efficient pain treatment. We explored the genetic factors that contribute to individual differences in opioid sensitivity by performing a genome-wide association study. METHODS: We conducted a multistage genome-wide association study in subjects who underwent laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC). RESULTS: A nonsynonymous SNP in the LAMB3 gene region, rs2076222, was strongly associated with postoperative opioid requirements. The C allele of this best-candidate SNP was associated with lower opioid sensitivity and/or higher pain sensitivity in the patient subjects. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide valuable information for personalized pain treatment after LAC, in which the C allele of the rs2076222 SNP is associated with lower opioid sensitivity and requires more opioid analgesic after LAC.

[Successful Intubation in a Patient with Limited Oral Opening by Using a Combination of the Parker Flex-IT™ Stylet and McGRATH® MAC Laryngoscopy].

A 74-year-old female patient underwent a coil embolization for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. A routine anesthetic protocol was devised as there was no risk of a difficult airway. We attempted to intubate by using direct laryngoscopy but were unable to because the mouth only opened approximately one finger-breadth. We then attempted to intubate using Mc-GRATH® MAC laryngoscopy; the McGRATH® MAC laryngoscope could be inserted orally by force, but a tracheal tube and stylet could not been guided into the glottis. We changed the stylet to a Parker Flex-IT™ Stylet (Parker Medical, CO, USA), which can be freely curved by pushing the sum button on the top of the stylet. As a result, easy intubation was possible, and the DLT was maneuvered at a proper angle while examining the vocal cords by using the Parker Flex-IT™ Stylet In conclusion, when a McGRATH® MAC laryngoscope cannot be operated freely in the oral cavity owing to a limited oral opening, we can instead intubate easily and effectively by using a combination of a Parker Flex-IT™ Stylet and the McGRATH® MAC video laryngoscope.

[General anesthesia for a pregnant patient with PAPA syndrome].

A 31-year-old female, with 22 weeks of pregnancy, presented with sudden onset of severe headache. CT scan showed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. A cerebral angiogram showed dissecting aneurysm of right cerebral artery. To obliterate the aneurysm and prevent rupture, the patient underwent coil embolization via an endovascular approach under general anesthesia because the procedure under sedation with local anesthesia was too risky for re-bleeding. The patient has been diagnosed as PAPA syndrome. Although the arthritis was now stable and she was taking no drug, remarkable osteoarthritis was observed. The cervical spine X ray demonstrated no cervical ankylosis. As patient was sedated with propofol, airway examination could not be done except noticing thyromental distance of seven centimeters. Patient's trachea was intubated using Macintosh size #3 laryngoscope blade and a 7.0 non-styletted tracheal tube at the first attempt without any problems (Cormack grade I). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, fentanyl and remifentanil. After the end of endovascular surgery, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit under mechanical ventilation. She was weaned from mechanical ventilation 2 days later but consciousness was unclear. Right incomplete paralysis was also observed. MRI revealed vasospasm on the bilateral internal carotid artery. The patient underwent percutaneous tansluminalangioplasty coil and intraarterial injection of fasudil hydrochloride under local anesthesia. The consciousness recovered fully and the paralysis was improved. The patient delivered the baby by Caesarean sections under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia at 36 weeks without any problems with both the mother and baby.

[Inferior vena cava thrombosis reaching the right atrium after removal of the central venous catheter at femoral vein in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis].

A 19-year-old male was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. A central venous catheter for fluid loading and insulin administration was inserted from the right femoral vein. The catheter was placed for 4days and was removal. Three days after removal thrombus was pointed out with echocardiography. Cardiac ultrasound revealed floating thrombi in the right atrium. Venography demonstrated a large thrombus from the right femoral vein to the end of the inferior vena cava. Emergency surgery was performed. A tubular thrombus was trapped from the inferior vena cava departure at the right atrium under cardiopulmonary bypass. The surgeon also implanted an inferior vena caval filter. The patient was weaned from ventilator assist next day and was discharged from the hospital 13 days later. This case suggests that deep vein thrombosis should be checked in diabetic ketoacidosis even after removal of a central venous catheter implanted at the femoral vein.

[Case of perioperative tracheal laceration by electrocautery].

Although tracheal laceration during surgical procedure is a rare complication, it can be life-threating. Its immediate recognition and treatment are important. A 72-year-old man with aortic valve regurgitation was scheduled for aortic valve replacement. At anesthetic induction an endotracheal tube was smoothly inserted and the tidal volume was set at 500 ml with ventilator rate of 12 min-1. After electrocautery maneuver of the upper sterna region, end-tidal carbon-oxide curve suddenly became flat. Immediately after the completion of median sternotomy air bubble was seen in the surgical field. An 8-mm longitudinal tracheal laceration at the fourth tracheal cartilage was identified. The tracheal laceration was repaired with interrupted suture and the mediastinal tissue was used to cover the suture line. Air leaks were no longer present. After surgical repair, the aortic valve replacement was performed. The postoperative courses of both tracheal laceration repair and aortic valve replacement were uneventful.