Chronological changes in plasma levobupivacaine concentrations after bilateral modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach.

The local anesthetic (LA) systemic toxicity of trunk blocks is a major concern. Recently, modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) has attracted attention; however, plasma LA level is unknown. We tested whether the peak plasma LA concentration following M-TAPA, using 25 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine mixed with epinephrine on each side, would be below the toxic level (2.6 µg/mL). We recruited 10 patients undergoing abdominal surgery with planned M-TAPA between November 2021 and February 2022. In all patients, 25 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine mixed with 1:200,000 epinephrine was administered on each side. Blood samples were obtained at 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min after the block. The highest individual peak and the mean peak plasma LA concentrations were 1.03 and 0.73 µg/mL, respectively. We could not capture the peak in five patients; however, the highest concentrations in all patients were significantly lower than the toxic level. A negative correlation between the peak level and body weight was observed. Our results indicated that the plasma LA concentration following M-TAPA using total of 50 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine with epinephrine remains below the toxic level. Further research is required due to the small sample size of this study.Trial registry number: UMIN000045406.

The relationship between years of anesthesia experience and first-time intubation success rate with direct laryngoscope and video laryngoscope in infants: a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Studies in adults have reported that video laryngoscope is more useful than direct laryngoscope when training less experienced anesthesiologists. However, whether this is true for infants remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether the use of video laryngoscope would result in smaller differences in success rate according to anesthesiologists' expertise than those in direct laryngoscope. METHODS: Medical records and video recordings from the operating room of patients aged < 1 year who underwent non-cardiac surgery between March 2019 and September 2021 were reviewed. Tracheal intubations between April 8, 2020, and June 20, 2021, were excluded due to the shortage of video laryngoscope blades during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates of first-time tracheal intubation success were compared by years of anesthesia experience and initial intubation device. RESULTS: In total, 125 of 175 tracheal intubations were analyzed (direct laryngoscope group, n = 72; video laryngoscope group, n = 53). The first-time tracheal intubation success rate increased with years of experience as an anesthesiologist in the direct laryngoscope group (odds ratio OR 1.70, 95% confidence interval CI 1.15, 2.49; P = 0.0070), but not the video laryngoscope group (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.74, 1.35; P = 0.99). CONCLUSION: The differences in success rate according to the anesthesiologists' years of experience were non-significant when using video laryngoscope in infants, compared to those in direct laryngoscope.

Interleukin-1ß Modulates Synaptic Transmission and Synaptic Plasticity During the Acute Phase of Sepsis in the Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Hippocampus.

BACKGROUND: Aging and pre-existing cognitive impairment are considered to be independent risk factors for sepsis-associated encephalopathy. This study aimed to investigate the manner in which aging and pre-existing cognitive dysfunction modified neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and basal synaptic transmission during the acute phase of sepsis using Senescence-Accelerated Mice Prone 8 (SAMP8) and Senescence-Accelerated Resistant Mice 1 (SAMR1). METHODS: We used 6-month-old SAMP8 and SAMR1. Sepsis was induced using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The animal's hippocampi and blood were collected for subsequent investigations 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Long-term potentiation (LTP) was impaired in the Shaffer-collateral (SC)-CA1 pathway of the hippocampus in SAMP8 without surgery compared to the age-matched SAMR1, which was reflective of cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8. CLP impaired the SC-CA1 LTP in SAMR1 compared to the sham-operated controls, but not in SAMP8. Moreover, CLP decreased the input-output curve and increased the paired-pulse ratio in SAMP8, suggesting the reduced probability of basal synaptic transmission due to sepsis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CLP elevated IL-1ß levels, especially in the hippocampi of SAMP8 with microglial activation. In vivo peripheral IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) administration in the septic SAMP8 revealed that the neuroinflammation was not correlated with the peripheral elevation of IL-1ß. Ex vivo IL-1ra administration to the hippocampus ameliorated LTP impairment in SAMR1 and the reduction in basal transmission in SAMP8 after sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of the modulation of synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity by the acute stage of sepsis differed between SAMR1 and SAMP8. These changes were related to centrally derived IL-1 receptor-mediated signaling and were accompanied by microglial activation, especially in SAMP8.

Anesthetic management for cesarean section in a patient receiving transplacental treatment of fetal tachyarrhythmia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, long-lasting fetal tachyarrhythmia often leads to fetal heart failure and hydrops. Some mothers receive transplacental treatment of fetal tachyarrhythmia (TTFT), which can potentially worsen maternal hypotension and bradycardia. Moreover, the use of rescue cardiovascular agents intraoperatively can worsen fetal tachycardia. However, reports of the anesthetic management of patients receiving TTFT are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old woman who was receiving digoxin and sotalol for TTFT underwent planned elective cesarean section. The fetus had hypoplastic left heart syndrome, hydrops, and tachycardia. We used combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with a reduced dose of local anesthetic. We also employed a non-invasive continuous hemodynamic monitoring system. The mother's systolic blood pressure remained at ≥ 90% of the baseline value; intraoperative administration of rescue cardiovascular agents was not required. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully anesthetized a woman for cesarean section, who was receiving TTFT for fetal tachyarrhythmia, using combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and non-invasive continuous hemodynamic monitoring.

Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting is not increased by combination of low concentration sevoflurane and propofol compared with propofol alone in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is higher in patients receiving volatile anesthetics than those receiving total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol. However, it is unclear whether its incidence is increased when a low concentration of sevoflurane is used in combination with propofol. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial enrolled women undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive general anesthesia either with propofol alone (group P) or with 0.8% sevoflurane and propofol (group SP, n = 36, each group) for maintenance of anesthesia. The incidence of PONV and the number of patients who required antiemetics were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in the incidence of PONV and the number of patients who required antiemetics between the P and SP groups. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of 0.8% sevoflurane and propofol to maintain anesthesia does not increase the incidence of PONV compared with TIVA with propofol. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR UMIN000023647 , registered 14 August 2016.

Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block and local anesthetic infiltration for laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure in children.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block and local anesthetic infiltration are the standard options to improve postoperative pain for children undergoing surgery with a midline incision. However, there is no study comparing the effect of ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block with local anesthetic infiltration for children undergoing laparoscopic surgery. AIMS: The aim of this trial was to compare the onset of ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block with that of local anesthetic infiltration for laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure in children. METHODS: We performed an observer-blinded, randomized, prospective trial. Enrolled patients were assigned to either an ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block group or a local anesthetic infiltration group. The ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block group (n = 17) received ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block with 0.2 ml·kg-1 of 0.375% ropivacaine per side in the posterior rectus sheath compartment. The local anesthetic infiltration group (n = 17) received local anesthetic infiltration with 0.2 ml·kg-1 of 0.75% ropivacaine. The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) pain scores were recorded at 0, 30, 60 min after arrival at the postanesthesia care unit. RESULTS: Of the 37 patients enrolled in this study, 34 completed the study protocol. A significant difference in the pain scale between the ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block group and local anesthetic infiltration group was found at 0 min (median: 0, interquartile range [IQR]: 0-1.5, vs median: 1, IQR 0-5, confidence interval of median [95% CI]: 0-3, P = 0.048), but no significant difference was found at 30 min (median: 1, IQR: 0-4 vs median: 6, IQR: 0-7, 95% CI: 0-5, P = 0.061), or 60 min (median: 0, IQR: 0-2 vs median: 1, IQR: 0-3, 95% CI: -1 to 1, P = 0.310). No significant difference was found in anesthesia time between the ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block and local anesthetic infiltration groups. No procedure-related complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block is a quicker way to control postoperative pain for pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic extraperitoneal closure than local anesthetic infiltration, and thus may provide a clinical benefit.