Intraoperative oesophageal Doppler guided fluid management shortens postoperative hospital stay after major bowel surgery.

BACKGROUND: Occult hypovolaemia is a key factor in the aetiology of postoperative morbidity and may not be detected by routine heart rate and arterial pressure measurements. Intraoperative gut hypoperfusion during major surgery is associated with increased morbidity and postoperative hospital stay. We assessed whether using intraoperative oesophageal Doppler guided fluid management to minimize hypovolaemia would reduce postoperative hospital stay and the time before return of gut function after colorectal surgery. METHODS: This single centre, blinded, prospective controlled trial randomized 128 consecutive consenting patients undergoing colorectal resection to oesophageal Doppler guided or central venous pressure (CVP)-based (conventional) intraoperative fluid management. The intervention group patients followed a dynamic oesophageal Doppler guided fluid protocol whereas control patients were managed using routine cardiovascular monitoring aiming for a CVP between 12 and 15 mm Hg. RESULTS: The median postoperative stay in the Doppler guided fluid group was 10 vs 11.5 days in the control group P<0.05. The median time to resuming full diet in the Doppler guided fluid group was 6 vs 7 for controls P<0.001. Doppler patients achieved significantly higher cardiac output, stroke volume, and oxygen delivery. Twenty-nine (45.3%) control patients suffered gastrointestinal morbidity compared with nine (14.1%) in the Doppler guided fluid group P<0.001, overall morbidity was also significantly higher in the control group P=0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative oesophageal Doppler guided fluid management was associated with a 1.5-day median reduction in postoperative hospital stay. Patients recovered gut function significantly faster and suffered significantly less gastrointestinal and overall morbidity.

A prospective, randomized comparison of thromboelastographic coagulation profile in patients receiving lactated Ringer's solution, 6% hetastarch in a balanced-saline vehicle, or 6% hetastarch in saline during major surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of lactated Ringer's solution (LR), 6% hetastarch in a balanced-saline vehicle (HS-BS), and 6% hetastarch in normal saline (HS-NS) on coagulation using thromboelastography. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized double-blinded evaluation of previously published clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary-care medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery with an anticipated blood loss >500 mL. A total of 90 patients were enrolled with 30 patients in each group. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received a standardized anesthetic. LR, HS-BS, and HS-NS were administered intraoperatively based on a fluid administration algorithm. Hemodynamic targets included maintenance of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and urine output within a predefined range. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thromboelastography variables for r time, k time, maximum amplitude, and alpha angle (mean +/- SD) were recorded at induction of anesthesia, at the end of surgery, and 24 hours postoperatively. Patients in the LR group showed a state of hypercoagulation at the end of surgery with reductions (p < 0.005) in r time (-3.8 +/- 6.7 mm) and k time (-1.7 +/- 2.5 mm). This state of hypercoagulation continued into the postoperative period. Patients in the HS-NS group showed a state of hypocoagulation with increases (p < 0.05) in r time (+6.2 +/- 8.5 mm) and k time (+1.7 +/- 3.9 mm) and a reduction in maximum amplitude (-8.0 +/- 9.8 mm) at the end of surgery. This state of hypocoagulation was reduced in the postoperative period. Patients in the HS-BS group showed no significant changes in coagulation status at end of surgery, with the smallest changes in r time (-0.3 +/- 4.1 mm), k time (+0.1 +/- 3.1 mm), maximum amplitude (-5.4 +/- 12.3 mm), and alpha angle (0.3 +/- 12.5 degrees ). CONCLUSION: LR-treated patients exhibited a hypercoagulative profile that persisted into the postoperative period. HS-BS administration was associated with a lesser change in the coagulation profile compared with HS-NS, which was associated with a hypocoagulative state.

A preliminary investigation of remifentanil as a labor analgesic.

IMPLICATIONS: In this preliminary investigation, we evaluated the safety and analgesic efficacy of IV remifentanil for labor pain. Four women were studied, and then the trial was terminated because administration of this novel synthetic opioid produced significant maternal side effects in the absence of effective pain control.

The intubating laryngeal mask airway does not facilitate tracheal intubation in the presence of a neck collar in simulated trauma.

Tracheal intubation must be performed with great care in the multiply injured patient when it must be assumed that the cervical spine may be damaged. Use of conventional direct laryngoscopy usually requires removal of the neck collar and manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck. The intubating laryngeal mask (ILMA) has been designed to facilitate tracheal intubation in the neutral position. We used the ILMA to intubate the trachea in 10 patients wearing a neck collar and with cricoid pressure applied in a simulated trauma scenario. The ILMA was difficult to insert and ventilation proved difficult. In only two patients was intubation successful. These problems were probably caused by the neck collar strap under the chin lifting up and tipping the larynx anteriorly. On the basis of these findings, ILMA use in a subject wearing a neck collar cannot be recommended.

Pain and tension are reduced among hospital nurses after on-site massage treatments: a pilot study.

Tension and pain are common occupational hazards of modern-day nursing, especially given recent changes to the health care system. The aims of the pilot study were (1) to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out a series of eight 15-minute workplace-based massage treatments, and (2) to determine whether massage therapy reduced pain and stress experienced by nursing staff at a large teaching hospital. Twelve hospital staff (10 registered nurses and 2 nonmedical ward staff) working in a large tertiary care center volunteered to participate. Participants received up to eight, workplace-based, 15-minute Swedish massage treatments provided by registered massage therapists. Pain, tension, relaxation, and the Profile of Mood States were measured before and after each massage session. Pain intensity and tension levels were significantly lower after massage (P < .01). In addition, relaxation levels and overall mood state improved significantly after treatments (P < .01). The results of this pilot study support the feasibility of an eight-session, workplace-based, massage therapy program for pain and tension experienced by nurses working in a large teaching hospital. Further research is warranted to study the efficacy of workplace massage in reducing stress and improving overall mood.

Hextend, a physiologically balanced plasma expander for large volume use in major surgery: a randomized phase III clinical trial. Hextend Study Group.

UNLABELLED: Hextend (BioTime, Inc., Berkeley, CA) is a new plasma volume expander containing 6% hetastarch, balanced electrolytes, a lactate buffer, and physiological levels of glucose. In preclinical studies, its use in shock models was associated with an improvement in outcome compared with alternatives, such as albumin or 6% hetastarch in saline. In a prospective, randomized, two-center study (n = 120), we compared the efficacy and safety of Hextend versus 6% hetastarch in saline (HES) for the treatment of hypovolemia during major surgery. Patients at one center had a blood sample drawn at the beginning and the end of surgery for thromboelastographic (TEG) analysis. Hextend was as effective as HES for the treatment of hypovolemia. Patients received an average of 1596 mL of Hextend: 42% received >20 mL/kg up to a total of 5000 mL. No patient received albumin. Hextend-treated patients required less intraoperative calcium (4 vs 220 mg; P < 0.05). In a subset analysis of patients receiving red blood cell transfusions (n = 56; 47%), Hextend-treated patients had a lower mean estimated blood loss (956 mL less; P = 0.02) and were less likely to receive calcium supplementation (P = 0.04). Patients receiving HES demonstrated significant prolongation of time to onset of clot formation (based on TEG) not seen in the Hextend patients (P < 0.05). No Hextend patient experienced a related serious adverse event, and there was no difference in the total number of adverse events between the two groups. The results of this study demonstrate that Hextend, with its novel buffered, balanced electrolyte formulation, is as effective as 6% hetastarch in saline for the treatment of hypovolemia and may be a safe alternative even when used in volumes up to 5 L. IMPLICATIONS: Hextend (BioTime, Inc., Berkeley, CA) is a new plasma volume expander containing 6% hetastarch, balanced electrolytes, a lactate buffer, and a physiological level of glucose. It is as effective as 6% hetastarch in saline for the treatment of hypovolemia but has a more favorable side effects profile in volumes of up to 5 L compared with 6% hetastarch in saline.

Targeting effect compartment or central compartment concentration of propofol: what predicts loss of consciousness?

BACKGROUND: An effect compartment has been postulated, and the ke0 has been quantified for several intravenous anesthetic drugs using electroencephalography (EEG) as the measure of effect. The authors wanted to validate that loss of responsiveness (LOR) was related to targeting an effect compartment concentration rather than a central compartment (plasma) concentration. METHODS: Twenty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients were randomized to receive propofol administered to a target central compartment or target effect compartment site concentration of 5.4 microg/ml propofol administered by a target-controlled infusion (TCI) using a previously validated set of pharmacokinetic parameters and a ke0 of 0.63 min(-1). Every 30 s for the first 5 min and every minute for the second 5 min the patients were asked to open their eyes. The time to LOR was measured by a blinded investigator. The authors also simulated the time to reach the desired target effect site concentration using varying ke0 values. RESULTS: The median time to LOR in the group targeted to a predicted plasma propofol concentration was 3.02 min and 1.23 min in the group targeted to a predicted effect compartment propofol concentration (P < 0.05). LOR to command in both groups occurred at a predicted median effect compartment concentration of 4.55 microg/ml. Simulations demonstrated that the time predicted to LOR targeting an effect site concentration of 5.4 microg/ml is markedly altered by the value chosen for the ke0. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the utility of the ke0 value to describe the effect compartment for propofol. The authors also illustrate the importance of selecting the correct ke0 value for the pharmacokinetic parameters used within the TCI system.

Large goitre causing difficult intubation and failure to intubate using the intubating laryngeal mask airway: lessons for next time.

A 63-yr-old woman was anaesthetized for sub-total thyroidectomy. The thyroid gland was large, deviating the trachea to the right and causing 30% tracheal narrowing at the level of the suprasternal notch. Mask ventilation was easy but laryngoscopy was Cormack and Lehane grade 3. Despite being able to see the tip of the epiglottis, tracheal intubation was impossible. An intubating laryngeal mask was inserted and although the airway was clear and ventilation easy, it was not possible to intubate the trachea either blindly or with the fibreoptic bronchoscope. Tracheal intubation was eventually achieved using a 6.5-mm cuffed oral tracheal tube via a size 4 laryngeal mask under fibreoptic control. We describe the case in detail and discuss the use of the intubating laryngeal mask, its potential limitations and how to optimize its use in similar circumstances.

The laryngeal mask airway: a comparison between two insertion techniques.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study was to compare the ease of insertion of the laryngeal mask airway using the standard uninflated approach or with a fully inflated cuff. Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing anesthesia using a laryngeal mask airway were randomized to have the laryngeal mask inserted using either method. Successful insertion was judged primarily by the clinical function of the airway. The number of insertion attempts to achieve a satisfactory airway and whether an alternative technique was required for success were recorded. On removal of the laryngeal mask, a blind observer noted the presence or absence of blood. Just before leaving the recovery room, each patient was asked whether they had a sore throat. Insertion technique made no difference with regard to first attempt success. However, the presence of blood on the removed masks (P < 0.01) and sore throat (P < 0.01) were less frequent in the inflated cuff group. We conclude that the inflated cuff insertion technique is an acceptable alternative to the standard approach and has the advantage of reducing the incidence of minor pharyngeal mucosal trauma, as evidenced by mucosal bleeding and sore throat. IMPLICATIONS: Insertion of the laryngeal mask airway with the cuff fully inflated is equally successful to the standard uninflated approach in experienced hands. The inflated technique was associated with less minor pharyngeal mucosal trauma and, consequently, a lower incidence of postoperative sore throat. This implies that the inflated technique would be acceptable to the general population of laryngeal mask users.