Inability to ventilate after tube exchange postoperative to pneumonectomy.

We report a case of inability to ventilate a patient after completion of pneumonectomy, due to migrated tumor tissue to the contralateral side. This represents an unusual complication with a high mortality rate. We have managed to find the cause in time and were able to remove the obstructive tissue using bronchoscopy.

Effects of epoetin alfa on blood transfusions and postoperative recovery in orthopaedic surgery: the European Epoetin Alfa Surgery Trial (EEST).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Preoperative epoetin alfa administration decreases transfusion requirements and may reduce transfusion complications, such as postoperative infection due to immune suppression and thus hospitalization time. This study examined the impact of preoperative epoetin alfa administration on postoperative recovery and infection rate. METHODS: In an open randomized controlled multicentre trial in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery, the effects of preoperative administration of epoetin alfa vs. routine care were compared in six countries. Haemoglobin (Hb) values, transfusions, time to ambulation, time to discharge, infections and safety were evaluated in patients with preoperative Hb concentrations 10-13g dL(-1) (on-treatment population: epoetin n = 460; control n = 235), from study entry until 4-6 weeks after surgery. Outcome was also compared in patients with and without transfusion. RESULTS: Epoetin-treated patients had higher Hb values from the day of surgery until discharge (P < 0.001) and lower transfusion rates (12% vs. 46%; P < 0.001). Epoetin treatment delivered no significant effect on postoperative recovery (time to ambulation, time to discharge and infection rate). However, the time to ambulation (3.8+/-4.0 vs. 3.1+/-2.2days; P < 0.001)and the time to discharge (12.9+/-6.4 vs. 10.2+/-5.0 days; P < 0.001) was longer in the transfused than in the non-transfused patients. Side-effects in both groups were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Epoetin alfa increases perioperative Hb concentration in mild-to-moderately anaemic patients and thus reduces transfusion requirements. Patients receiving blood transfusions require a longer hospitalization than non-transfused patients.

Clinical efficacy of postoperative autologous transfusion of filtered shed blood in hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) regularly results in postoperative requirement of blood transfusion. Because of the disadvantages of allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) such as the risk of transfusion-associated infections, incompatibility-related transfusion fatalities, or immunomodulatory effects, a continuing effort to reduce allogeneic blood transfusion is important. For this purpose, the effect of reinfusion of drain blood, via a postoperative wound drainage and reinfusion system, on the need for allogeneic blood transfusion was evaluated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a prospective observational quality assessment design, we compared 135 patients scheduled for TKA or THA with a historic group of 96 patients. In the study group the Bellovac ABT autotransfusion system was used. The shed blood was returned either when 500 mL were collected or at most 6 hours after surgery. Compared were the preoperative, postoperative, and discharge hemoglobin, as well as the number of allogeneic blood transfusions. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between preoperative, postoperative, and discharge hemoglobin levels. Autologous transfusion reduced the number of patients receiving ABT overall from 35 percent (control) to 22 percent (study). The decrease of allogeneic transfusion requirement was most significant after TKA: from 18 percent to 6 percent (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the Bellovac ABT device reduces allogeneic blood transfusions in TKA and THA.

COX 2 selectivity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and perioperative blood loss in hip surgery. A randomized comparison of indomethacin and meloxicam.

BACKGROUND: In this prospective randomized study we tested the hypothesis that use of more cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX 2)-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce perioperative blood loss compared with non-selective NSAIDs. METHODS: Data from 200 patients who underwent total hip replacement were studied. Two NSAIDs were compared: indomethacin 50 mg (n = 82) and meloxicam 15 mg (n = 86). Both NSAIDs were given orally 1 h before surgery. RESULTS: The two groups were not different with respect to age, gender, ASA class or duration of surgery. When indomethacin was used preoperatively, intraoperative blood loss was 623 +/- 243 mL (mean +/- SD) and postoperative blood loss 410 +/- 340 mL. After meloxicam, these values were 524 +/- 304 mL and 358 +/- 272 mL, respectively. Total perioperative blood loss after meloxicam was 17% (P < 0.05) less than that observed after indomethacin. CONCLUSION: Perioperative blood loss after meloxicam is less than after indomethacin. These in vivo findings are consistent with in vitro results using selective COX 2 NSAIDs.

Does ibuprofen increase perioperative blood loss during hip arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prior exposure of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases perioperative blood loss associated with major orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled for total hip replacement were allocated to two groups (double blind, randomized manner). All patients were pretreated for 2 weeks before surgery: Group 1 with placebo drug, Group 2 with ibuprofen. All patients were injected intrathecally with bupivacaine 20mg plus morphine 0.1 mg, in a total volume of 4 mL, to provide surgical anaesthesia. RESULTS: The presence of severe adverse effects caused eight patients in the ibuprofen group and six in the placebo group to terminate their participation in the trial. The perioperative blood loss increased by 45% in the ibuprofen group compared with placebo. The total (+/-SD) blood loss in the ibuprofen group was 1161 (+/-472) mL versus 796 (+/-337) mL in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with ibuprofen before elective total hip surgery increases the perioperative blood loss significantly. Early discontinuation of non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is advised.

Itching after intrathecal morphine. Incidence and treatment.

This study was designed to determine whether low doses of intrathecal morphine still result in itching and it evaluates the outcome of a standardized treatment using promethazine and - for intractable itch - naloxone. Patients (n = 143) scheduled for total hip surgery were allocated to four groups (in a double blind manner) with bupivacaine 20 mg in 4 mL but different doses of intrathecal morphine: Group I, 0.025 mg, Group II, 0.05 mg, Group III, 0.1 mg and Group IV, 0.2 mg. The presence or absence of itching was noted every three hours for a 24-h period. When required, standardized treatment was provided. The incidence of itching was: Group I: 14. 3%; Group II: 21.6%; Group III: 48.6%; and, Group IV: 61.7%. Itch was treated by administering promethazine intramuscularly in 2.9% (Group I); 8.1% (Group II); 10.8% (Group III), and 8.9% (Group IV), respectively. Only in group IV there was a single patient who needed naloxone to treat itching. The incidence and severity of itching is a dose-related side-effect in the dose range of 0.025-0.2 mg of intrathecal morphine. Itching still occurs after the low doses of intrathecal morphine, but symptoms vanish after promethazine 25 mg intramuscularly.

Non-invasive measurement of bladder volume as an indication for bladder catheterization after orthopaedic surgery and its effect on urinary tract infections.

A non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique (BladderScan) was used prospectively in an attempt to reduce the need for catheterization of the urinary bladder and the incidence of urinary tract infections after orthopaedic surgery. Over a 4-month period, in which 1920 patients were included, catheterization was performed if there was no spontaneous diuresis by 8 h after surgery. A total of 31% of these patients were catheterized, and 18 patients developed urinary tract infections. In a subsequent 4-month period, there were 2196 patients, catheterization was performed only if the bladder volume was more than 800 mL 8 h after surgery. The rate of catheterization decreased to 16%, and five patients developed urinary tract infections. In our patients, measuring bladder volume reduced the need for a urinary catheter and the likelihood of urinary infection.

Optimization of the dose of intrathecal morphine in total hip surgery: a dose-finding study.

UNLABELLED: We designed this study to determine the optimal intrathecal dose of morphine in total hip surgery. The optimal intrathecal dose was defined as that providing effective analgesia and minimal side effects 24 h after total hip surgery. Patients (n = 143) scheduled for total hip surgery were randomized to four double-blinded groups with a standardized bupivacaine dose but different doses of intrathecal morphine (Group I = 0.025 mg, Group II = 0.05 mg, Group III = 0.1 mg, and Group IV = 0.2 mg). Pain scores, i.v. morphine intake (patient-controlled analgesia), and morphine-related side effects (respiratory depression, postoperative nausea and vomiting, itching, urinary retention) were recorded for 24 h after surgery. Excellent postoperative pain relief was present in all groups. The highest pain scores were found in Group I. The mean use of systemic morphine administered by patient-controlled analgesia infusion pump was 23.7, 17.8, 10.9, and 9.9 mg in Groups I-IV, respectively (P < 0.01 for Groups III and IV versus Group I). We conclude that 0.1 mg of intrathecal morphine is the optimal dose for pain relief after hip surgery with minimal side effects. IMPLICATIONS: Earlier studies showed excellent postoperative pain relief after intrathecal morphine. However, the severity of side effects resulted in decreased enthusiasm for this anesthesia technique. In the present study, we show that an intrathecal dose of 0.1 mg of morphine can be used safely in total hip surgery with excellent postoperative pain relief.

The intensity of preoperative pain is directly correlated with the amount of morphine needed for postoperative analgesia.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to examine whether severity of preoperative pain intensity is related to postoperative pain and morphine consumption. Sixty consecutive patients scheduled for total hip surgery during intrathecal anesthesia were studied. Preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores and analgesic intake was assessed 1 day before surgery. Three groups of patients were identified: those with mild pain (n = 12, VAS score 0-4), moderate pain (n = 18, VAS score 4-7), and severe pain (n = 28, VAS score 7-10). Postoperative pain scores were recorded in the first 24 h, as was the amount of morphine delivered by the patient-controlled analgesia pump. There were no differences among the groups in VAS scores at any time. Severe preoperative pain levels correlated with significantly greater postoperative morphine intake. The mean morphine intake during the first 24 h postoperatively was 19.2 mg in the mild pain group, 21.2 mg in the moderate pain group, and 29.5 mg in the severe pain group (P < 0.05 compared with both other groups). We conclude that patients with severe preoperative pain self-medicate to achieve postoperative pain scores equivalent to those of patients with mild and moderate pain and require a greater postoperative morphine intake for adequate analgesia than patients with mild or moderate preoperative pain. IMPLICATIONS: In this study, we showed that severity of preoperative pain intensity relates to postoperative pain levels and morphine consumption. Patients scheduled for total hip surgery with severe preoperative pain require more postoperative morphine in the first 24 h.

Intrathecal addition of morphine to bupivacaine is not the cause of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative nausea and vomiting after anesthesia is an distressing side effect. This study was undertaken to determine to what extent spinal opioids contribute to postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and secondly to how effectively metoclopramide can reduce the incidence of PONV after intrathecal administration of morphine. METHODS: Patients were allocated to three groups all undergoing major joint surgery of the lower limb. In group 1 (n = 200), intrathecal anesthesia was assessed by administration of 20 mg bupivacaine and 0.2 mg morphine. In Group 2 (n = 100) intrathecal anesthesia was assessed in the same way and in addition, 20 mg metoclopramide intramuscular during maintenance of anesthesia and a second dose of 20 mg metoclopramide was administered intramuscular after arrival at the recovery room. Finally, in group 3 (n = 100), intrathecal anesthesia was assessed after administration of 20 mg bupivacaine. RESULTS: The maximum PONV percentages were 41.1%, 32.7%, and 37% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The consumption of antiemetics was similar in all groups. The number of patients who needed one or more additional antiemetics during the first 24 hours after surgery was 112 (56.6%), 57 (58%), and 60 (60%) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of metoclopramide did not reduce the overall incidence of PONV. Our study shows no relationship between the use of intrathecal morphine and the incidence of PONV during the first 24 hours postoperative.

Pharmacokinetics of nicomorphine and its metabolites in man after epidural administration.

In ten patients who received an epidural injection of 15 mg of nicomorphine, the compound was relatively slowly released from the epidural space and was found in plasma for approximately 1.5 h. Nicomorphine is relatively slowly metabolized into 6-nicotinoylmorphine and morphine. The rate of release is patient-dependent. The relative AUC values are 15.3% for nicomorphine, 23.9% for 6-nicotinoylmorphine and 60.8% for morphine. The mean clinical effect lasts for 18.2 +/- 10.1 h.

Precision interferometer calibration technique for wavelength measurements: iodine wavelengths at 633 nm and H(alpha).

We describe a precision interferometer calibration technique useful for the measurement of the wavelength of atomic and molecular transitions with megahertz accuracy. Using this technique, the wavenumber of the ith hyperfine component of the (127)I(2) B-X R(73) 5-5 transition, which falls within the Doppler width of the hydrogen Balmer-alpha line, has been determined to be 15233.367390(42) cm(-1).