Comparative Analysis of the Modified Aldrete Score and Fast-Track Criteria for Post-general Anaesthesia Recovery: A Narrative Review.

There are two commonly used scoring systems to evaluate recovery from general anaesthesia (GA): the Modified Aldrete Score (MAS) and the Fast-Track Criteria (FTC). Recently, concerns have been expressed about the safety and effectiveness of the Aldrete scoring system due to its exclusion of an assessment for pain or nausea, which can exacerbate recovery from surgery and anaesthesia and cause many patients to experience these side effects. FTC was created to evaluate post-operative nausea vomiting, and pain in order to assess recovery from GA. More data are needed to compare these scoring criteria in low-income countries like India. Understanding how these scores can be effectively utilised in our settings is crucial for ensuring the timely transfer of patients from the operating theatre to the Post-anaesthesia Care Unit and, subsequently, to the ward. This review aims to evaluate the available literature on MAS and FTC and compare their effectiveness. It was found that FTC is more appropriate for outpatient or day surgery procedures where rapid throughput and patient comfort are a priority. MAS, in itself, is very good for a low-income country like India. However, the addition of FTC can only enhance patient care if resources are made available. MAS can ensure consistency and efficiency in the discharge process, while using FTC can address broader recovery-related indicators and improve patient care. More research and modifications are further necessary.

Analgesic Strategies for Urologic Videolaparoscopic or Robotic Surgery in the Context of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol: A Prospective Study Comparing Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block.

Regional anesthesia in postoperative pain management has developed in recent years, especially with the advent of fascial plane blocks. This study aims to compare the ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) versus the ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) on postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic or robotic urologic surgery. This was a prospective observational study; 97 patients (ESPB-group) received bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB with 20 mL of ropivacaine 0.375% plus 0.5 mcg/kg of dexmedetomidine in each side at the level of T7-T9 and 93 patients (TAPB-group) received bilateral ultrasound-guided TAPB with 20 mL ropivacaine 0.375% or 0.25%. The primary outcome was the postoperative numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score, which was significantly lower in the ESPB group on postoperative days 0, 1, 2, and 3 (p < 0.001) and, consequently, the number of patients requiring postoperative supplemental analgesic rescue therapies was significantly lower (p < 0.001). Concerning the secondary outcomes, consumption of ropivacaine was significantly lower in the group (p < 0.001) and the total amount of analgesic rescue doses was significantly lower in the ESPB-group than the TAPB-group in postoperative days from 2 to 4 (1 vs. 3, p > 0.001). Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was higher in the TAPB group and no block-related complications were observed. Our data indicate that ESPB provides postoperative pain control at least as good as TAPB plus morphine, with less local anesthetic needed.

A randomised clinical trial to study postoperative abdominal and shoulder tip pain following low and standard pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the gold standard for the management of symptomatic gallstone disease. The complications related to different pressure ranges of pneumoperitoneum have been studied widely with no definite conclusion till date. The current study was planned to determine the effect of standard versus low pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LPLC) on postoperative abdominal and shoulder tip pain (STP). Methods: The present randomised clinical trial included 84 patients divided into two groups: standard pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) (13 mmHg) and LPLC (9 mmHg). The variables tested were abdominal pain at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h (by verbal rating scale), the incidence and intensity of STP, post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and surgeon's comfort for the two techniques. Results: The demographic characteristics of patients were similar in both groups. In LPP group, the postoperative abdominal pain at 6, 12 and 24 h was significantly less than SPLC; p = 0.02. Incidence of shoulder pain was significantly less in low pressure group (7.14%) compared with standard pressure (28.57%). Conclusions: Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (LPP) is safe and feasible surgery with reduced abdominal and STP.

The impact of the Apfel scoring system for prophylaxis of post-operative nausea and vomiting: A randomized controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common, undesirable, and stressful following surgery. By focusing attention and resources on those groups of patients most likely to develop PONV, the quality of care provided to the patients can be improved. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of PONV after implementation of the Apfel scoring system with the control group receiving prophylaxis for every surgery. The secondary objective was to identify the effect on the patient's expenditure/savings with respect to management of PONV. Material and Methods: This prospective randomized controlled double-blinded study enrolled 70 patients undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized to group A (control group - all received PONV prophylaxis) and group B (Apfel stratification performed for PONV prophylaxis). Based on the Apfel system, the risk of PONV was classified as the grades low, moderate, and high risk. Patients at moderate and high risk received PONV prophylaxis in group B. Patients were monitored for PONV during 24 h after surgery and rescue medication given as required. The effect of implementing Apfel risk stratification on the incidence of PONV (primary outcome measure) and on patient expenditure was compared. Results: Compared to administering prophylaxis for all patients, the incidence of PONV [group A-5 patients (14.3%)] did not increase (P = 0.428) after implementing the Apfel scoring system [group B-2 patients (5.7%)]. The number of patients spending on prophylaxis for PONV in group A [35 (100%)] was higher than that in group B [17 (48%)], without increasing expenditure on PONV treatment. Conclusion: Withholding prophylaxis on the basis of the Apfel scoring system did not increase the incidence of PONV compared to providing prophylaxis for all the patients. The overall cost of prevention and treatment of PONV is less when the Apfel scoring system is used.

Perioperative utility of amisulpride and dopamine receptor antagonist antiemetics-a narrative review.

Despite advances in antiemetics and protocolized postoperative nausea vomiting (PONV) management, it remains one of the most common postoperative adverse events. In patients who developed PONV despite antiemetic prophylaxis, giving a rescue treatment from the same class of medication is known to be of limited efficacy. Given the widespread use of 5-HT3 antagonists as PONV prophylaxis, another class of effective intravenous rescue antiemetic is in dire need, especially when prophylaxis fails, and rescue medication is utilized. Dopamine antagonists were widely used for the treatment of PONV but have fallen out of favor due to some of their side effect profiles. Amisulpride was first designed as an antipsychotic medication but was found to have antiemetic properties. Here we will review the historical perspective on the use of dopamine receptor antagonist antiemetics, as well as the evidence on the efficacy and safety of amisulpride.

Antiemetics and Apfel Scores in Orthopedic Surgery.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication following surgery. Only a few risk factors have consistently been reported to be independent predictors for PONV. Aim: To report Apfel scores for orthopedic patients then correlate these scores to the number of antiemetics prescribed and subsequently administered in both the perioperative and post operative setting and determine if screening for Apfel scores is beneficial to predict PONV. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients admitted under orthopedic units between 1st July 2020 and 31st July 2020 was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in Australia. Patients were screened and allocated an Apfel score and antiemetics agents prescribed and subsequently administered were recorded. Results: A total of 115 patients were screened for inclusion. Of these 4 patients met this exclusion criteria, resulting in a total sample size of 111 patients. An Apfel score of 2 was reported in 45.0% of patients, followed by 28.8% of patients scoring 3, with 12.6% scoring one. Only 5.4% of patients scored the highest risk of 4, with 8.2% of patients with no Apfel score documented. Conclusion: Orthopedic patients tend to score 2 or more in their Apfel score placing them at higher risk of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting according to the collectively validated Apfel's simplified risk score. There was no statistically significant relationship between the Apfel score and the number of antiemetic agents prescribed or administered from both the perioperative and post-operative setting following orthopedic surgery in this cohort of adult patients.

Efficacy of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway to manage pain, nausea and vomiting after head and neck surgeries with free tissue transfer reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting are the main factors that impair the quality of recovery after surgery. Very few reports have analyzed patient-reported outcomes to investigate the efficacy of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol to alleviate these symptoms after head and neck surgeries with free tissue transfer reconstruction. METHODS: We investigated post-operative pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting in 47 patients who underwent head and neck surgeries with free tissue transfer reconstruction with enhanced recovery after surgery support between February 2021 and August 2022. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale and Japanese version of the Quality of Recovery-40. RESULTS: Significant increases in the mean visual analog scale scores for pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting were observed only on post-operative Day 1 compared with preoperative values (pain: 3.19 ± 2.78 vs. 1.96 ± 2.42, P = 0.0408; post-operative nausea and vomiting: 1.52 ± 2.09 vs. 0.54 ± 1.37, P = 0.0194). From post-operative Day 2, there were no significant differences between the pre- and post-operative visual analog scale scores, and no significant increases in the incidences of moderate or severe pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting compared with preoperatively. The Japanese version of the Quality of Recovery-40 score for post-operative pain showed no significant deterioration compared with preoperatively, while the Japanese version of the Quality of Recovery-40 score for post-operative nausea and vomiting showed significant deterioration compared with the preoperative value on post-operative Days 2, 4 and 7. CONCLUSIONS: The visual analog scale and Japanese version of the Quality of Recovery-40 scores for post-operative pain and visual analog scale score for post-operative nausea and vomiting suggested that the enhanced recovery after surgery strategy favorably controlled pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting after head and neck surgeries with free tissue transfer reconstruction. However, as the post-operative Japanese version of the Quality of Recovery-40 score for post-operative nausea and vomiting was lower than the preoperative value, there is still a need for further improvement of the enhanced recovery after surgery pathway.

Clinical and genetic factors associated with post-operative nausea and vomiting after propofol anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains at about 30% despite all therapeutic efforts to reduce it. The clinical risk factors guiding the prophylactic treatment are well established, but genetic factors associated with PONV remain poorly known. The aim of this study was to explore clinical and genetic factors impacting PONV by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) together with relevant clinical factors as covariates, and systematically attempt to replicate previously reported PONV associations. Relevant clinical factors are explored with logistic regression model. METHODS: This was an observational case control study in Helsinki University Hospital between 1 August 2006 and 31 December 2010. One thousand consenting women with elevated risk for PONV, undergoing breast cancer surgery with standardised propofol anaesthesia and antiemetics. After exclusions for clinical reasons and failed genotyping, 815 patients were included with 187 PONV cases and 628 controls. Emergence of PONV up to 7th post-operative day was recorded. PONV at 2-24 h after surgery was selected to be the primary outcome. The GWAS explored associations between PONV and 653 034 genetic variants. Replication attempts included 31 variants in 16 genes. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PONV up to 7th post-operative day was 35%, where 3% had PONV at 0-2 h and 23% at 2-24 h after surgery. Age, American Society of Anaesthesiologists status, the amount of oxycodone used in the post-anaesthesia care unit, smoking status, previous PONV, and history of motion sickness were statistically significant predictive factors in the logistic model. The receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve of 0.75 (95% CI 0.71-0.79) was calculated for the model. The GWAS identified six variants with suggestive association to PONV (p < 1 × 10-5 ). Of the previously reported variants, association with the DRD2 variant rs18004972 (TaqIA) was replicated (p = .028). CONCLUSIONS: Our GWAS approach did not identify any high-impact PONV susceptibility variants. The results provide some support for a role of dopamine D2 receptors in PONV.

Health professionals' attitudes towards acupuncture/acupressure for post-operative nausea and vomiting: a survey and implications for implementation.

PURPOSE: Level 1 evidence supports the use of acupuncture/acupressure (A/A) to manage post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study aimed to survey healthcare professionals' attitudes towards A/A, influencing factors and barriers to implementing this effective non-drug intervention into peri-operative care. METHODS: A validated, anonymous survey with 43 questions was emailed or distributed as a hard copy at meetings to anaesthetists, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, gynaecologists and surgeons at a public hospital in Australia. Descriptive data were presented. Influencing factors were explored using chi-square analysis. Multinomial logistical regression was used to identify the influences of confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 155 completed surveys were returned, reflecting a response rate of 32%. The majority of participants were female (69%), nurses/midwives (61%) and aged between 20 and 50 years old (76%). Eighty-three percent of respondents considered A/A 'clearly alternative' medicine or 'neither mainstream nor alternative'. Eighty-one percent would encourage patients to use acupressure for PONV if it was offered at the hospital. Previous personal use of A/A was the key factor influencing attitudes and openness to clinical use. The key barriers to implementation were perceived lack of evidence and lack of qualified providers and time. CONCLUSION: Hospital-based healthcare professionals strongly supported the evidence-based use of A/A for PONV despite considering the therapy to be non-mainstream and having limited A/A education or history of personal use, providing a positive context for an acupressure implementation study. Significant gaps in training and a desire to learn were identified.

Post-operative vomiting and enhanced recovery after congenital cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative nausea and vomiting is frequent after congenital cardiac surgery. AIMS: We sought to determine factors associated to severe post-operative vomiting after congenital cardiac surgery and the effect on post-operative outcomes. METHODS: Patients > 30 days of age who underwent elective cardiac surgical repair as part of an enhanced recovery after congenital cardiac surgery programme were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics and perioperative factors were compared by univariate analysis for patients with severe post-operative vomiting, defined as three events or more, and for patients with no-or-mild post-operative vomiting. All variables with a p-value < 0.1 were included in a multivariable model, and major post-operative outcomes were compared using regression analysis. RESULTS: From 1 October, 2018 to 30 September, 2019, 430 consecutive patients were included. The median age was 4.8 years (interquartile range 1.2-12.6). Twenty-one per cent of patients (91/430) experienced severe post-operative vomiting. Total intraoperative opioids > 5.0 mg/kg of oral morphine equivalent (adjusted odds ratio 1.72) and post-operative inotropes infusion(s) (adjusted odds ratio 1.64) were identified as independent predictors of severe post-operative vomiting after surgery. Patients suffering from severe post-operative vomiting had increased pulmonary complications (adjusted odds ratio 5.18) and longer post-operative hospitalisation (adjusted coefficient, 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Greater cumulative intraoperative opioids are associated with severe post-operative vomiting after congenital cardiac surgery. Multimodal pain strategies targeting the reduction of intraoperative opioids should be considered during congenital cardiac surgery to enhance recovery after surgery.

Transversus abdominis plane block reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbid obesity patients / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To study the effect of ultrasound guided transabdominal plane block (TAPB) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in obese patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) .Methods:From Jan. 2017 to Jan. 2022, 285 patients who underwent LSG surgery in the Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups, including 145 patients in TAPB group and 140 patients in the control group (The TAPB group was injected with ropivacaine; the control group injected with physiological saline) . Data between TAPB group and control group were compared, including operation related data, postoperative acute pain assessment, and postoperative recovery assessment.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in ASA grading, operation duration, awakening time, extubation time or intraoperative hemodynamic index. The dosage of remifentanil [ (2.0±0.6) vs (2.9±0.9) mg], sufentanil [ (24.7±2.5) vs (50.0±3.2) μg], and dexmedetomidine [ (60.0±0.4) vs (65.0±0.5) μg] in TAPB group was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the dosage of propofol. The VAS score and NRS score of resting state and motor state in TAPB group at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after operation were significantly lower than those in the control group. In TAPB group, the first use time of PCIA [ (2.0±0.8) vs (1.1±0.9) h] was significantly prolonged, the number of effective pressing of PCIA (3±1 vs 5±2) within 48 hours and the incidence of rescue analgesia in wards (19.3 % vs 31.4 %) were significantly lower than those in the control group. The frequency (3.0±1.5 vs 3.6±1.8) and severity (2.8±1.4 vs 3.4±1.8) of PONV and the incidence of additional antiemetic drugs (15.9 % vs 27.9 %) in TAPB group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The ambulation time [ (1.4±0.3) vs (1.5±0.3) h] and exhaust time [ (1.2±0.9) vs (1.4±1.0) h] in TAPB group was significantly earlier than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in postoperative length of hospitalization.Conclusion:TAPB for LSG can significantly reduce postoperative pain and PONV, reduce the use of opioid analgesics and antiemetics, and promote recovery of patients.

Practice towards perioperative care of cesarean delivery in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North Central Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study.

Background: Perioperative obstetric care is vital in clinical practice to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. The standardized practice of perioperative obstetrics care service has a great role in the reduction of both expected and unexpected adverse outcomes. So, the purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of perioperative obstetric care services based on standards of Enhanced Recovery after Cesarean Delivery and the Society of Anesthesiology and Perinatology. Method and materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 161 mothers with an elective cesarean delivery from August 10, 2021, to May 15, 2022. The standard of this study was taken from evidence-based practice guidelines of perioperative practice for an elective cesarean delivery. Informed consent was taken from all study participants. The data was collected through direct observation using a standard checklist changed to standardized question forms with two checking components ("Yes", and "No"), and data were entered into SPSS version 20 for analysis and interpretation. Descriptive analysis was done and the results were expressed in numbers and percentages using a table. Results: A total of 161 elective cesarean sections were involved to identify the level of perioperative care. Administration of first-generation antibiotics prophylaxis, aqueous povidone-iodine solution-based skin preparations, and preparation for immediate neonatal resuscitation were fully performed based on the standards. Conclusions: The majority of elective caesarian deliveries were carried out below the recommended level as per the checklists for perioperative practice. So, added interventions are needed to improve perioperative obstetrics care services on those standards which are not totally applied and partially performed.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery protocol in patients undergoing mastectomies for breast cancer: an interrupted time-series design.

Background: We reviewed internal data and the current literature to update our enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) for patients undergoing a total breast mastectomy. Following implementation, the protocol was audited by chart review and compliance reminders were sent through email. Objective: Our primary research aim was to examine the protocol compliance following the update. Our secondary aims were to examine the association between the change in protocol and the rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and hematoma formation requiring reoperation. Methods: We retrospectively obtained data extracted from the electronic medical record. To test for a difference in outcomes before versus after implementation of the protocol we used multivariable logistic regression with the primary comparisons excluding a â€‹± â€‹one-month window and secondary comparisons excluding a â€‹± â€‹three-month window from the date of implementation. Results: Our cohort included 5853 unique patients. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) compliance increased by 17%-52% (P â€‹< â€‹0.001) and the use of intraoperative ketorolac dropped from 44% to nearly no utilization (0.7%; P â€‹< â€‹0.001). The rate of reoperation due to bleeding decreased from 3.6% to 2.6% after implementation with the adjusted decrease being 1.0% (bootstrap 95% CI, 0.11%, 1.9%; P â€‹= â€‹0.053) excluding a â€‹± â€‹1 month window and 1.2% (bootstrap 95% CI, 0.24%, 2.0%; P â€‹= â€‹0.028) excluding a â€‹± â€‹3-month window. The rate of rescue antiemetics dropped by 6.4% (95% CI, 3.9%, 9.0%). Conclusions: We were able to improve compliance for nearly all components of the protocol which translated to a meaningful change in an important patient outcome.

The Optimal Dose of Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine for Antiemetic Effects of Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Elective Thoracic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) administration decreases post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but it is a lack of large-scale retrospective cohort study and is unclear whether there is a dose-relationship and optimal dose for antiemetic effects between DEX and PONV. We performed a large-scale retrospective cohort study to explore the optimal dose of intraoperative DEX for antiemetic effects of PONV. Methods: A total of 5,310 patients aged ≥18 who underwent elective thoracic surgery from January 2016 to March 2020 under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or combined intravenous and inhalation anesthesia in Henan Provincial People's Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, those who received DEX intraoperatively and those who did not receive DEX. Patients who received DEX after surgery were excluded. Our primary outcomes were the association, the dose-response relationship, and the optimal dose for antiemetic effects between intraoperative DEX and PONV. Results: Among the 3,878 patients enrolled, 2,553 patients received DEX and 1,325 patients did not receive DEX. The incidence of PONV in patients who received DEX was 21.3%, and the incidence of PONV in patients who did not receive DEX was 46.5% (P = 0.001). After the matched-pairs cohort consisted of 1,325 patients, the incidence of PONV in patients who received DEX was 23.6%, and the incidence of PONV in patients who did not receive DEX was 46.5% (P = 0.001). We analyzed three different models after propensity matching to validate the stability of the prediction model between intraoperative DEX and PONV. A dose-response relationship between intraoperative DEX and PONV was observed. The optimal dose range of intraoperative DEX for antiemetic effects of PONV is 50-100 µg in elective thoracic surgery. Conclusions: Intraoperative DEX was associated with a decreased incidence of PONV in the large-scale retrospective cohort study. A dose-response relationship between intraoperative DEX and PONV was observed. The optimal dose range of intraoperative DEX for antiemetic effects of PONV is 50-100 µg in elective thoracic surgery.

Prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting after cesarean section: A systematic literature review.

Introduction: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are a common post-operative problem in anesthesia. The incidence of PONV in patients undergoing cesarean sections is very high. Post-operative nausea and vomiting have many negative impacts on the patient, baby, family, and health care system. Therefore, appropriate evidence-based knowledge regarding the prevention and management of PONV for those high-risk patients is a timely and very important issue to address to decrease the associated complications. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane reviews, and google scholar including those studies published in the English language from 2010 up to 2021. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised by the Cochrane risk of a biased assessment tool for intervention and non-interventional studies. Result: The search strategy identified a total of 10,540 articles from different electronic databases. 33 articles were selected for screening after duplicates were removed; finally, 17 articles were included for critical appraisal and 16 articles were excluded with reasons. The included articles consist of 15 RCT, 1 non-control prospective cohort, and 1 cross-sectional study. Conclusion: Pieces of evidence revealed that all obstetrics patients undergoing cesarean section should be given multimodal PONV prophylaxis. It is shown that a multimodal approach by a combination of different antiemetic agents should be preferred and most effective in preventing intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting for patients undergoing cesarean section because of the complex pathophysiology of nausea and vomiting.

The effect of intraperitoneal ropivacaine on post-operative pain and recovery after diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal local anaesthetic has shown benefit in operative laparoscopy; however, no randomised controlled trial has been reported with patients having diagnostic laparoscopy. AIMS: To determine the effect of intraperitoneal ropivacaine on post-operative analgesic requirements, pain, nausea scores and recovery following gynaecological diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Well women aged 18-50 years, undergoing day case hysteroscopy and diagnostic laparoscopy for gynaecological indications were randomised to 20 mL of 150 mg intraperitoneal ropivacaine diluted in saline, or 20 mL normal saline instillation (placebo) at the end of the procedure. Women were followed up until eight hours post-discharge. RESULTS: Slower than anticipated recruitment meant that the study was finished before the sample size of 100 patients was achieved. Fifty-nine patients were included for analysis. Thirty-one patients were randomised to ropivacaine and 28 patients to control. Sixty-one percent of patients in both arms required opioid medication in recovery. The total median equivalent morphine dose was significantly higher in the patients randomised to control (11.7 mg) vs ropivacaine (6.7 mg), P = 0.03. Time to discharge was 20 min faster in patients randomised to ropivacaine, but this finding did not reach significance. Overall pain and nausea scores in the first eight hours showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: There was significantly reduced opioid use in recovery when using intraperitoneal ropivacaine compared to placebo, in this randomised placebo-controlled trial on women undergoing day case diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.

Effect of Peri-Operative Hyperoxygenation on Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The rationale for hyperoxygenation in controlling surgical site infection (SSI) has been described in many studies yet has not been defined clearly. Some studies in colorectal surgery have reported beneficial effects, whereas studies in gynecologic surgery have reported either no effect or a deleterious effect. This study assessed the effectiveness of hyperoxygenation on the reduction of SSI in patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients were assigned randomly to two groups (study group, 80% oxygen or control group, 30% oxygen). The patients in the study group received 80% oxygen and the patients in the control group received 30% oxygen intra-operatively and for two hours after surgery. Arterial blood gas analysis was done after resuscitation, at the end of the surgery, and at two hours after extubation. All patients were assessed for SSI, post-operative nausea and vomiting, and respiratory complications. Patients were followed post-operatively for 14 days. Surgical site infection was diagnosed according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) criteria and by aerobic wound cultures. Results: After exclusion, 85 patients in the control group and 93 patients in the study group were analyzed. There was no difference for baseline, intra-operative, and post-operative characteristics between the two groups, except for higher oxygen saturation at closure and two hours post-operatively, in the 80% group (p = 0.01). Surgical site infection occurred in 29 patients (34.11%) in 30% fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) group and in 19 patients (20.43%) in 80% FIO2 group (p = 0.04). The risk of SSI was 59% lower in the 80% FIO2 group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.88 vs. the 30% FIO2 group). There were no differences in post-operative nausea and vomiting and respiratory complications between the two treatment groups. Conclusions: Administration of 80% peri-operative hyperoxygenation in emergency abdominal surgery reduces SSI and is a cost-effective method.

Impact of preoperative body mass index on perioperative outcomes is optimized by enhanced recovery protocols in laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine whether body mass index (BMI) had an impact on clinical outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion. Furthermore, we analyzed the optimization of enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) on the impact of BMI on clinical outcomes. METHODS: By searching our database, data of 83 consecutive patients were retrospectively collected, including 37 patients with a BMI <24 kg/m2 (group A) and 46 patients with a BMI ≥24 kg/m2 (group B). The baseline and peri-operative variables of the two groups were compared. Subgroup analysis was conducted for ERPs (11 patients in group A1, 18 patients in group B1) and conventional recovery protocols (CRPs; 26 patients in group A2, 28 patients in group B2). The primary outcomes were 30-day overall complication rate and ΔALBmin (reduction proportion of minimum albumin). The secondary outcomes were operative time and length of stay. RESULTS: The baseline variables were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The 30-day overall complication rate, operative time, and length of stay were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). But post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was higher in group A than in group B (32.4% vs. 8.7%, P=0.014). Group A was associated with lower serum albumin level pre-operatively and on post-operative days 1-3. ΔALBmin was higher in group A than in group B (33.08%±9.88% vs. 27.92%±8.52%, P<0.05). In the subgroup analysis, the CRPs group presented similar results, with group A2 showing higher PONV rate, lower albumin level pre- and post-operatively, and higher level of reduction proportion (P<0.05). For the ERPs group, the PONV rate, pre-operative albumin level, and reduction proportion were similar between group A1 and B1 (P>0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that PONV and CRPs were independently associated with ΔALBmin ≥34% (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BMI had no impact on the 30-day overall complication rate, operative time, and length of stay of patients who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion. BMI <24 kg/m2 was associated with higher PONV rate and more albumin loss, both of which could be optimized by ERPs.

Early post-operative nausea and vomiting: A retrospective observational study of 2030 patients.

BACKGROUND: The overall risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after general anaesthesia is reportedly 20%-40%. The first episode of PONV may occur early in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) or later at the ward or after discharge at home in an ambulatory setting. This study aimed to investigate and describe the risk of early PONV in a PACU, and we hypothesised that patients and perioperative factors were associated with early PONV. METHODS: This single-centre retrospective observational study was conducted in a Swedish county hospital from January to June 2017 and included adult patients who underwent surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Perioperative data were obtained by reviewing the local registry for surgical procedures, medical records and anaesthesia and post-operative charts. Early PONV was defined as PONV occurring up to 4 hours post-operatively at the PACU. Any notification in the medical records, perioperative charts or the registry regarding nausea, vomiting or PONV treatment was regarded as PONV. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for factors associated with early PONV. RESULTS: A total of 2030 patients were included in the study, of which 9.6% (n = 194) experienced early PONV. Factors associated with a high risk of early PONV were suboptimal PONV prophylaxis, need for opioids, female sex, body mass index >35 kg m-2 and major surgery and anaesthesia time ≥60 minutes. CONCLUSION: We found that every 10th patient under general anaesthesia experienced early PONV. Suboptimal PONV prophylaxis and previously acknowledged risk factors for PONV were associated with early PONV.

Gastrointestinal Migration of a Pharyngeal Pack During Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): A Case Report and Preventive Strategies.

The pharyngeal pack is routinely used in many nasopharyngeal surgeries to reduce the spillage of secretions into the trachea and esophagus. Here we report a case of migration of a pharyngeal pack into the stomach of a patient undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery and review risks of delayed recognition and the management of this complication. In this case report, we share our experience to reinforce and highlight the importance of proper documentation of pharyngeal pack insertion and removal to prevent easily avoidable morbidity and mortality. It also highlights the importance of an immediate esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) to retrieve the migrated pharyngeal pack as soon as its migration to the gastrointestinal tract is suspected.