Prediction of difficult laryngoscopy and/or intubation among morbidly obese patients: Upper lip bite test versus modified Mallampati classification.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to compare the upper lip bite test with the modified Mallampati test as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and/or difficult intubation among morbidly obese patients. METHODS: A total of 500 morbidly obese patients (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) undergoing general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation are included in this prospective single-blinded observational clinical study. The preoperative airway assessment is obtained by the modified Mallampati test and upper lip bite test. The difficulty of laryngoscopy is assessed by an experienced anaesthetist in patients adequately anaesthetised and fully relaxed. The view is classified according to Cormack and Lehane's classification. Modified Mallampati test III or IV and upper lip bite test III are considered positive tests. Difficult laryngoscopy is defined as Cormack and Lehane's classification III and IV, whereas difficult endotracheal intubation is defined as an intubation difficulty scale ⩾ 5. RESULTS: The incidences of Cormack and Lehane's classification III and IV and intubation difficulty scale ⩾ 5 are 9.4% and 11.8% respectively. The specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy are higher with the upper lip bite test. The combination of the upper lip bite test and the modified Mallampati test improved these measures. The likelihood ratio + was significantly higher for the upper lip bite test (6.35 and 9.47) than for the modified Mallampati test (3.21 and 3.16). CONCLUSION: The upper lip bite test is a test with high sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and accuracy making it a favourable test for identifying easy and difficult intubations and laryngoscopies in morbidly obese patients.

A novel nephrectomy-specific respiratory failure index using the ACS-NSQIP dataset.

PURPOSE: Post-operative pulmonary failure is a major complication of nephrectomy that may lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Hence, we aimed to derive a nephrectomy-specific post-operative respiratory failure index. METHODS: Our cohort was derived from The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2005 and 2019. The outcome of interest was post-operative respiratory failure (PRF) defined as any incidence of unplanned intubation post-operatively or requiring mechanical ventilation post-operatively for a period > 48 h. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed, and model calibration and performance were assessed using a ROC analysis and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Finally, we derived the nephrectomy-specific respiratory failure (NSRF) index and compared it to Gupta's index. RESULTS: Seventy-nine thousand five hundred and twenty-three patients underwent nephrectomy between the years 2005 and 2019 of which nine hundred and sixty-two patients developed PRF. The final NSRF model encompassed ten variables: age, smoking status, American society of anesthesiology class, abnormal creatinine (≥ 1.5 mg/dL), anemia (< 36%), functional health status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, surgical approach, emergency case, and obesity (≥ 40 kg/m2). The NSRF ROC analysis provided C-statistic = 0.78, calibration R2 = 0.99, and proper goodness of fit. In comparison, the C-statistics of Gupta's index was found to be 0.71 (p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The NSRF is a procedure tailored index for predicting post-operative respiratory failure. It is a valuable tool in the pre-operative evaluation setting that can help identify high-risk patients who will require additional respiratory evaluation and preparation for their surgery.

Sedation as an alternative anesthetic technique for frail patients in transurethral resection of the prostate.

Background: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) under Monitored Anesthesia Care MAC/Sedation (macTURP), as compared with TURP under general (genTURP) or spinal (spTURP) anesthesia, is a safer and infrequently used technique reserved for high-risk patients. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare 30-day postoperative outcomes of TURP using the three types of anesthesia techniques. Design and methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent TURP between 2008 and 2019. Demographics, lab values, medical history, and 30-day outcomes were compared. Univariate and multivariate regression models for postoperative complications were constructed. A propensity score-matched analysis was then performed for genTURP and macTURP and for spTURP and macTURP as a sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 53,182 patients underwent TURP. Older patients (>80) with diabetes requiring insulin (7.9%), leukocytosis (7.4%), history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (7.8%), dyspnea (7.2%), and of ASA > 2 (58.8%) were more likely to undergo macTURP as compared with genTURP (p < 0.013). SpTURP showed lower rates of urinary tract infection (UTI) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.869] as compared with genTURP (p = 0.049), whereas macTURP showed higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (OR = 2.179) as compared with genTURP (p = 0.005). All other postoperative complications showed similar rates between the three procedures. The propensity-matched cohorts demonstrated that no differences in postoperative complication rates were noted between macTURP and genTURP and between macTURP and spTURP. Conclusion: MacTURP was found to be feasible with a good safety profile as compared with genTURP and spTURP. MacTURP could be used in elderly, frail, and co-morbid patients with a similar safety profile as compared with more invasive anesthetic techniques.

Preoperative fasting: Assessment of the practices of Lebanese Anesthesiologists.

BACKGROUND: Although new guidelines developed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recommend a liberalized preoperative nutrition, authorized clinical practice guidelines or recommendations have not yet been proposed by the Lebanese Society of Anesthesia (LSA). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine Lebanese anesthesiologists' preoperative fasting routines and determine their knowledge and acceptance of the ASA recommendations, their attitude toward liberalized fasting, and the factors favoring their nonadherence to the new recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in university hospitals, affiliated hospitals, and nonuniversity hospitals located in different regions of Lebanon. The survey was approved by the local ethics committee. A written questionnaire was emailed to all anesthesiologist members of the LSA which was completed anonymously. RESULTS: Out of the 294 anesthesiologists registered in the LSA and who read the email, 118 (40.1%) completed the questionnaire. Of respondents, 90% are aware of the latest ASA practice guidelines for preoperative fasting, and 78.7% claim to apply them in their practices; however, 75% of respondents still require adult patients to stop eating after midnight, and only 45% allow them to drink clear fluids up to 2 h preoperatively. One of the main reasons for not complying with the ASA guidelines was "to allow flexibility for changes in the operating schedule." CONCLUSION: A long preoperative fasting period is still the common practice for Lebanese anesthesiologists. National guideline for preoperative fasting as liberal as that recommended by the ASA should be considered.

Inferior vena cava filter migration during the prone position for spinal surgery: a case report.

PURPOSE: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been used as an alternative therapy for patients with a contraindication to anticoagulation. We present a case of an IVC filter migration to the right ventricle occurring while a trauma patient was undergoing spinal surgery in the prone position. The patient provided written consent to describe this case. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 54-yr-old multiple trauma male patient with an unstable fracture of the T6 vertebra and a stable fracture of the T10 vertebra developed a pulmonary embolism secondary to a left common femoral deep vein thrombosis. An IVC filter was placed so that an intravenous unfractionated heparin infusion could be stopped two days before scheduled spinal surgery. Intraoperatively, the patient was placed in the prone position on conventional convex support pads. At the end of the procedure, he developed ventricular trigeminy which lasted three minutes. During the next 48 hr, the patient developed a fever of 39°C. An echocardiogram was performed to rule out endocarditis, and results showed that the IVC filter had migrated into the right ventricle. After a failed attempt at percutaneous removal of the filter in the catheterization laboratory, the patient was transferred to the operating room and the IVC filter was extracted through a midline sternotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSIONS: The prone position during surgery can induce anatomic and hemodynamic changes in the IVC. This may contribute to the migration of IVC filters--especially flexible retrievable filters. Careful handling and positioning of patients with IVC filters is recommended to avoid a sudden increase in IVC pressure that may predispose to IVC filter migration.

Pulmonary migration of a fragment of plastic coating sheared from a stylet.

BACKGROUND: In trauma patients, particularly with head immobilization, tracheal intubation without the use of a stylet may be impossible. OBJECTIVES: To report a very rare but potentially fatal complication that may happen in any Emergency Department: fracture of the plastic sheath of an intubation stylet, reported only twice before in the literature. CASE REPORT: Two large plastic fragments detached from a stylet while intubating a trauma patient. One piece was removed from the endotracheal tube a few hours later in the operating room. The second fragment migrated asymptomatically into the pulmonary airway. It was successfully retrieved from the right bronchus 24 h later. CONCLUSION: This potentially life-threatening event may go unnoticed after intubation if the endotracheal tube is not obstructed by the fragment. Gentle withdrawal of the stylet from the tube is essential to avoid stylet fracture. Careful examination of the stylet after intubation may suggest a stylet fracture.

Intracranial aneurysm and recessive polycystic kidney disease: the third reported case.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the possible association of intracranial aneurysm with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENT: To our knowledge, this association has been reported only twice in the medical literature. We herein report the case of a 21-year-old man with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured intracranial aneurysm, at our institution. RESULTS: In the presence of only 3 cases in the medical literature, one might conclude they are a simple coincidence. However, should this association exist, such as with the dominant form, then the neurologic prognosis and even the life of young patients may be at stake. CONCLUSIONS: Given the devastating consequences of intracranial bleeding in young patients, early neurologic screening may be warranted.

Analyzing the failures of percutaneous closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in patients over 5 kg.

UNLABELLED: Percutaneous closure of the patent ductus is the gold standard therapy. Our aim was to analyze our failures between 2001 and 2010. METHODS: All patients over 5 kg benefited from a transcatheter attempt at duct closure. Coils and Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) I were used before 2008, and ADO I and ADO II afterward. The failure was recovered when another percutaneous attempt was successful and definite when surgery was needed. RESULTS: There were 138 patients. Coils were used in 22 patients (16%), ADO I in 74 (54%), and ADO II in 42 (30%). Immediate and 6-month closure rates were 55% and 100% for coils, 40% and 96% for the ADO I, and 74% and 93% for the ADO II, respectively. There were no failures in the coil group, and 3 failures in each of the ADO I and ADO II groups. Among the 3 ADO I failures, 1 was recovered after device migration into the abdominal aorta. The 2 other failures were definite, due to immediate device protrusion, once in the aorta and once in the pulmonary artery. One of the 3 ADO II failures was definite, due to protrusion into the aorta, 10 days following the procedure. The two other failures were due to immediate device migration into the pulmonary artery, and were both recovered. CONCLUSIONS: 97% of ducts can be closed percutaneously. The combination of coil and ADO I gives excellent results. Failed attempts with the ADO II were bailed out by the ADO I.

The impact of obesity on surgical outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

CONTEXT: The effect of obesity on surgical outcome is becoming an increasingly relevant issue given the growing rate of obesity worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the specific impact of obesity on pancreaticoduodenectomy. DESIGN: A retrospective comparative study of a prospectively maintained database was carried out to investigate the specific impact of obesity on the technical aspects and postoperative outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy. PATIENTS: Between 1999 and 2006, 92 consecutive patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy using a standardized technique. The study population was subdivided according to the presence or absence of obesity. RESULTS: Nineteen (20.7%) patients were obese and 73 (79.3%) patients were non-obese. The two groups were comparable in terms of demographics, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score as well as nature and type of pancreatico-digestive anastomosis. The rate of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (36.8% vs. 15.1%; P=0.050) and hospital stay (23.1+/-13.9 vs. 17.0+/-8.0 days; P=0.015) were significantly increased in obese vs. non-obese patients, respectively. Pancreatic fistula was responsible for one-half of the deaths (2/4) and two ruptured pseudoaneurysms. The incidence of the other procedure-related and general postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Intrapancreatic fat was increased in 10 obese patients (52.6%) and correlated positively both with BMI (P=0.001) and with the occurrence of pancreatic fistula (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Obese patients are at increased risk for developing pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Special surgical caution as well as vigilant postoperative monitoring are therefore recommended in obese patients.

The accuracy of non-invasive nasal capnography in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: to assess the accuracy of nasal capnography for the monitoring of ventilation in extubated morbidly obese patients, following bariatric surgery. DESIGN: prospective descriptive study. SETTING: Post-anesthesia care unit. PATIENTS: 25 consecutive morbidly obese patients admitted to the PACU after open bariatric surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients had a nasal cannula designed to administer oxygen (3 L/min) and to sample expired CO2 by a coaxial catheter. MEASUREMENTS: Capnographic waveform, end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and respiratory rate (RRd) were displayed by a capnometer (Datex-Ohmeda). Arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) was measured by blood gas analysis. Respiratory rate was measured by visual inspection of chest breathing motions (RRm). Differences between PaCO2 and ETCO2 and between RRd and RRm were calculated for every simultaneous set of measurements. RESULTS: Bias, precision, limits of agreement (bias +/- 2 precisions) between PetCO2 and PaCO2 were respectively as follows: 3.1, 1.4, 0.3 to 5.9 mmHg with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.6 and a P value of 0.001. As for RRd v/s RRm the values were: 2, 0.5, 1 to 3 breaths per minute and 0.8 with the same P value for the Pearson coefficient. CONCLUSION: Limits of agreement between PaCO2 and ETCO2 pressure and between RRd and RRm are clinically acceptable. Nasal capnography is accurate for the monitoring of ventilation in extubated morbidly obese patients, following bariatric surgery.

Mini-gastric bypass for revision of failed primary restrictive procedures: a valuable option.

BACKGROUND: Despite the initial success of primary gastric restrictive operations, many patients require revision for weight regain, mechanical complications or intolerance to restriction. The mini-gastric bypass (MGB) for revision of failed primary restrictive procedures was evaluated. METHODS: 33 patients undergoing revisional surgery to a MGB for a failed silastic ring vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) or a gastric banding (GB) from June 2005 to September 2006, were reviewed at an academic institution. The patients had had a minilaparotomy. Revision of the VBGs was further compared with revision of the GBs. RESULTS: The MGB was completed in all except 2 patients who required Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) because of gastric tube damage. Mean age was 41 years (range 20-64), preoperative BMI was 39.5 kg/m2 (range 28-58), and 20 (65%) were women. The revision was performed after an average of 36.3 months (range 12-84), and was more time-consuming in patients with prior VBG than GB (184 vs 155 min, P=0.007). Postoperative complications occurred in 2 (6.4%) with prior VBG, and length of hospital stay was 4.65 days (range 3-17). Mean BMI at 6 months was 30.6 (range 24.8-50.0, P<0.001) compared with the preoperative BMI. Reflux disease was cured, and all patients noted major improvement in the eating dimension. CONCLUSION: Open MGB through a previous mini-incision is a safe and effective operation for revision of failed gastric restrictive operations. The revision procedure was technically more difficult in patients with prior VBG and hazardous in patients with prior redo VBG.