Environmental factors differentially affect epistaxis among preschool and school-aged children.

Introduction: Environmental factors are closely associated with pediatric epistaxis. Whether this association differs according to age has not been previously reported. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the differences in associations between environmental factors and epistaxis in children of different ages. Methods: A total of 20,234 patients with epistaxis who visited the hospital between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2015, were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their ages: preschool-aged (<6 years) and school-aged children (6-18 years). Daily, monthly, and yearly data on environmental factors were collected. We performed a stepwise logistic regression to identify the potential environmental risk factors for epistaxis in each age group. Results: The mean number of epistaxis cases per month in both groups was highest in September. The cases were lowest in February in preschool-aged children and in November in school-aged children. Temperature, humidity, maximum wind speed, and sunshine duration were associated with epistaxis in preschool-aged children. Average wind speed, particulate matter (>10 µm diameter), temperature, humidity, sunshine duration, and sulfur dioxide concentration were associated with epistaxis in school-aged children. Conclusion: This study indicates that the differences in environmental risk factors for epistaxis are associated with the patient's age.

The Effect of Super-Repressor IkB-Loaded Exosomes (Exo-srIκBs) in Chronic Post-Ischemia Pain (CPIP) Models.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition associated with neuropathic pain that causes significant impairment of daily activities and functioning. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is thought to play an important role in the mechanism of CRPS. Recently, exosomes loaded with super-repressor inhibitory kappa B (Exo-srIκB, IκB; inhibitor of NFκB) have been shown to have potential anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory disease models. We investigated the therapeutic effect of Exo-srIκB on a rodent model with chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP), a representative animal model of Type I CRPS. After intraperitoneal injection of a vehicle, Exo-srIκB, and pregabalin, the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was evaluated up to 48 h. Administration of Exo-srIκB increased PWT compared to the vehicle and pregabalin, and the relative densities of p-IκB and IκB showed significant changes compared to the vehicle 24 h after Exo-srIκB injection. The levels of several cytokines and chemokines were reduced by the administration of Exo-srIκB in mice with CPIP. In conclusion, our results showed more specifically the role of NFκB in the pathogenesis of CRPS and provided a theoretical background for novel treatment options for CRPS.

Age-specific associations between environmental factors and epistaxis.

Objective: Several studies have demonstrated that environmental factors, such as meteorological factors and air pollutants, are closely associated with epistaxis. However, age-specific associations between environmental factors and epistaxis have not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between individual meteorological factors and air pollutants and epistaxis, by age. Study design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Records of patients covered by the Korean National Health Insurance Service who visited our hospital for epistaxis between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. Methods: The 46,628 enrolled patients were divided into four age groups: age group 0 (<18 years, N = 19,580); age group 1 (18-40 years, N = 10,978); age group 2 (41-70 years, N = 13,395); and age group 3 (>70 years, N = 2,675). Cases of epistaxis and data on environmental factors were analyzed according to the day, month, and year. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify the environmental risk factors for epistaxis in each age group. Results: Age group 0 had the highest number of patients with epistaxis, whereas age group 3 had the lowest. Relative humidity, temperature, concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) and sulfur dioxide, sunshine duration, and wind speed were significantly associated with the occurrence of epistaxis in the study population. However, analysis according to age group showed that the meteorological factors and air pollutants associated with epistaxis were different in each age group. Conclusion: We suggest that the environmental risk factors for epistaxis should be differentially analyzed according to age.

Effectiveness of maturity of Rubus occidentalis on hyperalgesia induced by acidic saline injection in rats.

BACKGROUND: Rubus occidentalis, also known as black raspberry, contains several bioactive components that vary depending on the maturity of the fruit. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of immature Rubus occidentalis extract(iROE) on acid-induced hyperalgesia, investigate the mechanism involved, and compare the antihyperalgesic effect of immature and mature ROEs. METHODS: In adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, chronic muscle pain was induced via two injections of acidic saline into one gastrocnemius muscle. To evaluate the dose response, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.9% saline or iROE (10, 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg) following hyperalgesia development. To evaluate the mechanism underlying iROE-induced analgesia, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline, yohimbine 2 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine 50 µg/kg, prazosin 1 mg/kg, atropine 5 mg/kg, mecamylamine 1 mg/kg, or naloxone 5 mg/kg 24 h after hyperalgesia development, followed by iROE 300 mg/kg administration. To compare immature versus mature ROE, the rats were injected with mature ROE 300 mg/kg and immature ROE 300 mg/kg after hyperalgesia development. For all experiments, the mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) was evaluated using von Frey filaments before the first acidic saline injection, 24 h after the second injection, and at various time points after drug administration. Data were analysed using multivariate analysis of variance(MANOVA) and the linear mixed-effects model(LMEM). We compared the MWT at each time point using analysis of variance with the Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The iROE 300 mg/kg injection resulted in a significant increase in MWT compared with the control, iROE 30 mg/kg, and iROE 100 mg/kg injections at ipsilateral and contralateral sites. The iROE injection together with yohimbine, mecamylamine, or naloxone significantly decreased the MWT compared with iROE alone, whereas ROE together with dexmedetomidine significantly increased the MWT. According to MANOVA, the effects of immature and mature ROEs were not significantly different; however, the LMEM presented a significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immature R. occidentalis showed antihyperalgesic activity against acid-induced chronic muscle pain, which may be mediated by the α2-adrenergic, nicotinic cholinergic, and opioid receptors. The iROE displayed superior tendency regarding analgesic effect compared to mature ROE.

Risk factors associated with treatment of hyperactive postoperative delirium in elderly patients following hip fracture surgery under regional anesthesia: a nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Delirium is common but is frequently undetected by clinicians, despite the fact that it can be life-threatening. This study aimed to identify the incidence of delirium and the preoperative factors associated with perioperative use of drugs to treat hyperactive delirium in elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery under regional anesthesia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients ≥ 65 years of age who had undergone hip-fracture surgery under regional anesthesia, covered by the Korean National Health Insurance, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2015. A univariate and stepwise logistic regression model with the occurrence of hyperactive delirium as the dependent variable was used to identify the perioperative factors for this sample of patients. RESULTS: Among the 70,696 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery, 58,972 patients who received regional anesthesia were included in our study; of these, perioperative use of drugs to treat hyperactive delirium was diagnosed in 8,680 (14.7%) patients. Performing stepwise logistic regression, preoperative variables found to be associated with delirium were: male sex, age ≥ 85 years, hospital type (medical center), ICU and ventilator care, the presence of a neurodegenerative disorder, uncomplicated diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer disease, and previously diagnosed psychoses and/or depression (OR = 1.49 [1.42-1.58], 4.7 [4.15-5.37], 13.3 [7.57-23.8], 1.52 [1.43-1.60], 1.19 [1.01-1.40], 1.20 [1.14-1.27], 1.09 [1.04-1.14], 0.87 [0.96-0.00], 2.23 [1.48-3.37], and 1.38 [1.32-1.46], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative hyperactive delirium may affect approximately 15% of elderly patients submitted to hip fracture repair under regional anesthesia. This study has identified multiple preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative hyperactive delirium and its pharmacological management strategies.

Effects of a BMI1008 mixture on postoperative pain in a rat model of incisional pain.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of BMI1008 (a new drug containing lidocaine, methylene blue, dexamethasone and vitamin B complex) and to investigate the analgesic effect of lidocaine and BMI-L (other components of BMI1008 except lidocaine) at different concentrations in a rat model of incisional pain. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were used for the incisional pain model simulating postoperative pain. After the operation, normal saline, various concentrations of BMI1008, lidocaine with a fixed concentration of BMI-L, and BMI-L with a fixed concentration of lidocaine were injected at the incision site. The preventive analgesic effect was evaluated using BMI1008 administered 30 min before and immediately after the operation. In addition, BMI1008 was compared with positive controls using intraperitoneal ketorolac 30 mg/kg and fentanyl 0.5 µg/kg. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was measured with a von Frey filament. RESULTS: The analgesic effect according to the concentration of BMI1008, lidocaine with a fixed concentration of BMI-L, and BMI-L with a fixed concentration of lidocaine showed a concentration-dependent response and statistically significant difference among the groups (P <0.001, P <0.001, and P <0.001, respectively). The analgesic effect according to the time point of administration (before and after the operation) showed no evidence of a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.170). Compared with the positive control groups, the results showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: BMI1008 showed its analgesic effect in a rat model of incisional pain in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, BMI-L showed an additive effect on the analgesic effect of lidocaine.

Repeated endotracheal tube cuff tears during nasotracheal intubation due to nasal cavity orthodontic micro-implant - A case report.

BACKGROUND: Nasotracheal intubation is generally performed for intraoral surgery. CASE: A 34-year-old female patient who underwent orthognathic surgery exhibited repeated endotracheal tube cuff tears during nasotracheal intubation. After intubation, leaks developed, and torn endotracheal cuff was observed in the removed endotracheal tube. Subsequently, re-intubation through the same nasal cavity was performed immediately, but leakage from the torn endotracheal tube cuff was re-observed. A leakage test of the extubated tube revealed air bubbles and leaks near the tube cuff due to the tear. Nasotracheal intubation was performed through the other nasal cavity, and there were no leakage findings or abnormalities. During the course of the surgery, the surgeon noticed that the orthodontic micro-implant deposited in the mid-tube cavity was exposed to the nasal cavity. CONCLUSIONS: We aimed to emphasize caution and discuss the possibility that orthodontic micro-implants that are not confirmed during preoperative evaluation may cause repeated endotracheal tube cuff tears.

Pharmacological strategies to prevent postoperative delirium: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a condition of cerebral dysfunction and a common complication after surgery. This study aimed to compare and determine the relative efficacy of pharmacological interventions for preventing POD using a network meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a systematic and comprehensive search to identify and analyze all randomized controlled trials until June 29, 2020, comparing two or more pharmacological interventions, including placebo, to prevent or reduce POD. The primary outcome was the incidence of POD. We performed a network meta-analysis and used the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values and rankograms to present the hierarchy of the pharmacological interventions evaluated. RESULTS: According to the SUCRA value, the incidence of POD decreased in the following order: the combination of propofol and acetaminophen (86.1%), combination of ketamine and dexmedetomidine (86.0%), combination of diazepam, flunitrazepam, and pethidine (84.8%), and olanzapine (75.6%) after all types of anesthesia; combination of propofol and acetaminophen (85.9%), combination of ketamine and dexmedetomidine (83.2%), gabapentin (82.2%), and combination of diazepam, flunitrazepam, and pethidine (79.7%) after general anesthesia; and ketamine (87.1%), combination of propofol and acetaminophen (86.0%), and combination of dexmedetomidine and acetaminophen (66.3%) after cardiac surgery. However, only the dexmedetomidine group showed a lower incidence of POD than the control group after all types of anesthesia and after general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine reduced POD compared with the control group. The combination of propofol and acetaminophen and the combination of ketamine and dexmedetomidine seemed to be effective in preventing POD. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal pharmacological intervention to prevent POD.

Pharmacologic interventions for postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of pharmacologic interventions for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: Randomized clinical trials that investigated the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions in preventing PONV in patients undergoing thyroidectomy were included. The primary endpoints were the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative nausea (PON), postoperative vomiting (POV), use of rescue antiemetics, and incidence of complete response in the overall postoperative phases. The secondary endpoints were the same parameters assessed in the early, middle, and late postoperative phases. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values and rankograms were used to present the hierarchy of pharmacologic interventions. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies (n = 3,467 patients) that investigated 17 different pharmacologic interventions were included. According to the SUCRA values, the incidence of PONV among the overall postoperative phases was lowest with propofol alone (16.1%), followed by palonosetron (27.5%), and with tropisetron (28.7%). The incidence of PON among the overall postoperative phases was lowest with propofol alone (11.8%), followed by tropisetron and propofol combination (14%), and ramosetron and dexamethasone combination (18.0%). The incidence of POV among the overall postoperative phases was lowest with tropisetron and propofol combination (2.2%), followed by ramosetron and dexamethasone combination (23.2%), and tropisetron alone (37.3%). The least usage of rescue antiemetics among the overall postoperative phases and the highest complete response was observed with tropisetron and propofol combination (3.9% and 96.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Propofol and tropisetron alone and in combination, and the ramosetron and dexamethasone combination effectively prevented PONV, PON, POV in patients undergoing thyroidectomy, with some heterogeneity observed in this NMA of full-text reports. Their use minimized the need for rescue antiemetics and enhanced the complete response. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018100002.

[Endotracheal tube cuff pressure increases in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy: a single cohort study]. / Aumento da pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal em pacientes submetidos a artroscopia do ombro: estudo de coorte.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several airway complications can occur during shoulder arthroscopy including airway obstruction, pleural puncture, and subcutaneous emphysema. It was hypothesized that the irrigation fluid used during a shoulder arthroscopic procedure might increase the cuff pressure of the endotracheal tube, which can cause edema and ischemic damage to the endotracheal mucosa. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between irrigation fluid and endotracheal tube cuff pressures. METHODS: Forty patients aged 20 to 70 years with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I or II, scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia, participated in our study. We recorded endotracheal tube cuff pressures and neck circumferences every hour from the start of the operation. We also recorded the total duration of the anesthesia, operation, and the total volume of fluid used for irrigation. RESULTS: A positive correlation was shown between endotracheal tube cuff pressures and the amount of irrigation fluid (r = 0.385, 95% CI 0.084 to 0.62, p = 0.0141). The endotracheal tube cuff pressure significantly increased at 2 and 3hours after starting the operation (p = 0.0368 and p = 0.0245, respectively). However, neck circumference showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Endotracheal tube cuff pressures increased with operation time and with increased volumes of irrigation fluid used in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy. We recommend close monitoring of endotracheal tube cuff pressures during shoulder arthroscopy, especially during long operations using a large amount of irrigation fluid, to prevent complications caused by raised cuff pressures.

Endotracheal tube cuff pressure increases in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy: a single cohort study / Aumento da pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal em pacientes submetidos a artroscopia do ombro: estudo de coorte

Abstract Background and objectives Several airway complications can occur during shoulder arthroscopy including airway obstruction, pleural puncture, and subcutaneous emphysema. It was hypothesized that the irrigation fluid used during a shoulder arthroscopic procedure might increase the cuff pressure of the endotracheal tube, which can cause edema and ischemic damage to the endotracheal mucosa. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between irrigation fluid and endotracheal tube cuff pressures. Methods Forty patients aged 20 to 70 years with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I or II, scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia, participated in our study. We recorded endotracheal tube cuff pressures and neck circumferences every hour from the start of the operation. We also recorded the total duration of the anesthesia, operation, and the total volume of fluid used for irrigation. Results A positive correlation was shown between endotracheal tube cuff pressures and the amount of irrigation fluid (r = 0.385, 95% CI 0.084 to 0.62, p = 0.0141). The endotracheal tube cuff pressure significantly increased at 2 and 3 hours after starting the operation (p = 0.0368 and p = 0.0245, respectively). However, neck circumference showed no significant difference. Conclusions Endotracheal tube cuff pressures increased with operation time and with increased volumes of irrigation fluid used in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy. We recommend close monitoring of endotracheal tube cuff pressures during shoulder arthroscopy, especially during long operations using a large amount of irrigation fluid, to prevent complications caused by raised cuff pressures.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Diversas complicações das vias aéreas podem ocorrer durante a artroscopia do ombro, incluindo obstrução das vias aéreas, punção pleural e enfisema subcutâneo. Levantou‐se a hipótese de que o fluido de irrigação utilizado durante artroscopia do ombro possa aumentar a pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal, podendo causar edema e lesão isquêmica na mucosa traqueal. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre o fluido de irrigação e a pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal. Métodos Participaram do estudo 40 pacientes com idades entre 20 e 70 anos com classificação do estado físico I ou II da American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), programados para cirurgia artroscópica do ombro, eletiva e sob anestesia geral. Registramos as pressões do balonete do tubo endotraqueal e as circunferências do pescoço a cada hora, a partir do início da cirurgia. Também registramos a duração anestésica e cirúrgica, assim como o volume total de líquido de irrigação empregado. Resultados Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre a pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal e a quantidade de líquido de irrigação (r = 0,385; 95% IC 0,084 a 0,62; p = 0,0141). A pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal registrou aumento significante 2 e 3 horas após o início da cirurgia (p = 0,0368 e p = 0,0245, respectivamente). No entanto, a circunferência do pescoço não mostrou diferença significante. Conclusões As pressões do balonete do tubo endotraqueal aumentaram com o tempo de cirurgia e com o aumento do volume de líquido de irrigação utilizado em pacientes submetidos a artroscopia do ombro. Recomendamos a monitorização rigorosa da pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal durante artroscopia do ombro, especialmente nos procedimentos longos em que grandes volumes de fluido de irrigação são empregados, para evitar complicações causadas por pressões elevadas do balonete.

Effect of renal dialysis on mortality and complications following hip fracture surgery in elderly patients: A population based retrospective cohort study.

Hip fractures in older patients requiring dialysis are associated with high mortality. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the specific burden of dialysis on 30-day mortality following hip fracture surgery. The secondary aim was to determine the burden of dialysis on overall survival as well as several postoperative complications.A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients were aged ≥65 years and underwent hip fracture surgery during the period from 2009 to 2015. To construct a matched cohort, each dialysis patient was matched to 4 non-dialysis patients based on age, sex, hospital type, anesthesia type, and comorbidities. Survival status was determined 30 days after surgery and at the end of the study period.In total, 96,289 patients were identified. Among them, 1614 dialysis patients were included and matched to 6198 non-dialysis patients. During the 30-day postoperative period, there were 102 mortality events in the dialysis group and 127 in the non-dialysis group, for an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.12 (95% confidence interval, 2.42-4.09). Overall, by the end of the study period, there were 1120 mortality events in the dialysis group and 2731 in the non-dialysis group, for an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.97 (95% confidence interval, 1.83-2.1). These findings may be limited by the characteristics of the administrative database.The 30-day mortality rate was 3-fold higher in the dialysis group than in the non-dialysis group, while the overall mortality rate was approximately 2-fold higher in the dialysis group than in the non-dialysis group. These findings suggest that caution in the perioperative period is required in dialysis patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. The results of our study represent only an association between dialysis and mortality. Further studies are necessary to investigate the possible causal effect of dialysis on mortality and complications after hip fracture surgery.

Anesthetic management with a neuromuscular relaxant and sugammadex in a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome: A case report.

Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder that is characterized by obesity, characteristic facial features, hypotonia, and sleep apnea. These abnormalities mean that airway management is difficult in such patients. Several previous reports suggest that neuromuscular blocking agents should not be used to reduce airway and respiratory complications in these patients. However, this is not always possible. Here, we report the case of a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome in whom anesthesia for ophthalmic surgery was managed successfully using sugammadex after administration of rocuronium.

Tips for troublesome sample-size calculation.

Properly set sample size is one of the important factors for scientific and persuasive research. The sample size that can guarantee both clinically significant differences and adequate power in the phenomena of interest to the investigator, without causing excessive financial or medical considerations, will always be the object of concern. In this paper, we reviewed the essential factors for sample size calculation. We described the primary endpoints that are the main concern of the study and the basis for calculating sample size, the statistics used to analyze the primary endpoints, type I error and power, the effect size and the rationale. It also included a method of calculating the adjusted sample size considering the dropout rate inevitably occurring during the research. Finally, examples regarding sample size calculation that are appropriately and incorrectly described in the published papers are presented with explanations.

Comparison of general anaesthesia and regional anaesthesia in terms of mortality and complications in elderly patients with hip fracture: a nationwide population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of anaesthesia on postoperative outcome in elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery. SETTING: Nationwide National Health Insurance Sharing Service database of Korea. PARTICIPANTS: All patients aged ≥65 years old who underwent hip fracture surgery, covered by the Korean National Health Insurance, between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Hip fracture surgery under general anaesthesia (group GA) or regional anaesthesia (group RA), with a principal diagnosis of femoral fracture. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the anaesthetic-type effect on 30-day mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative delirium requiring pharmacological intervention. RESULTS: Among the 96 289 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery, 25 593 and 70 696 patients received GA and RA, respectively. After propensity score matching, 25 593 remained in each group. Postmatching mortality was lower in the RA than in the GA group (574 (2.24%) vs 654 (2.55%), p=0·0047, 95% CI -0.0099 to 0.0159). Delirium incidence was lower in the RA than in the GA group (5187 (20.27%) vs 5828 (22.77%), p<0·0001, 95% CI 0.019 to 0.045). The incidence of intensive care unit stay and ventilator care was lower in the RA than in the GA group (5838 (22.1%) vs 8055 (31.47%), p<0·0001, 95% CI 0.046 to 0.070 and 459 (1.73%) vs 1207 (4.72%), p<0·0001, 95% CI -0.0024 to 0.023, respectively). CONCLUSION: RA was associated with better outcomes than GA, in terms of mortality, delirium, intensive care unit admission and ventilator care, in elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery.

Assessment of P values for demographic data in randomized controlled trials.

In a large number of randomized controlled trials, researchers provide P values for demographic data, which are commonly reported in table 1 of the article for the purpose of emphasizing the lack of differences between or among groups. As such, the authors intend to demonstrate that statistically insignificant P values in the demographic data confirm that group randomization was adequately performed. However, statistically insignificant P values do not necessarily reflect successful randomization. It is more important to rigorously establish a plan for statistical analysis during the design and planning stage of the study, and to consider whether any of the variables included in the demographic data could potentially affect the research results. If a researcher rigorously designed and planned a study, and performed it accordingly, the conclusions drawn from the results would not be influenced by P values, regardless of whether they were significant. In contrasts, imbalanced variables could affect the results after variance controlling, even though whole study process are well planned and executed. In this situation, the researcher can provide results with both the initial method and a second stage of analysis including such variables. Otherwise, for brief conclusions, it would be pointless to report P values in a table simply listing baseline data of the participants.

Incidence of malignant hyperthermia in patients undergoing general anesthesia: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) continues to be of potential concern for clinicians whenever inhalational anesthetic agents or succinylcholine are used, because MH is a potentially fatal metabolic disorder. METHODS: A systematic and comprehensive search will be performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, for studies published up to November 2017. Peer-reviewed prospective cohort studies, retrospective cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies or reports issued by government organizations reporting the incidence or prevalence of MH will be eligible for inclusion. The quality of included studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the modified risk of bias tool. Heterogeneity of estimates across studies as well as publication bias will be assessed. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be performed according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. All statistical analyses will be conducted using the Stata SE version 15.0. RESULTS: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis will be the first to evaluate existing research on the incidence of MH. Our study will provide an overall estimate of the incidence of MH. Subgroup analysis will assess the incidence of MH according to age, gender, geographical region, race, and the provoking agent if possible. The review will benefit patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval and informed consent are not required, as the study will be a literature review and will not involve direct contact with patients or alterations to patient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The protocol for this review has been registered in the PROSPERO network (registration number: CRD42017076628).

Comparison of Ramosetron with Palonosetron for Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Receiving Opioid-Based Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia after Gynecological Laparoscopy.

We aimed to compare the effects of ramosetron and palonosetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients that received opioid-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) after gynecological laparoscopy. We reviewed the electronic medical records of 755 adults. Patients were classified into two groups, ramosetron (group R, n = 589) versus palonosetron (group P, n = 166). Based on their confounding factors, 152 subjects in each group were selected after the implementation of propensity score matching. The overall incidence of PONV at postoperative day (POD) 0 was lower in group R compared to group P (26.9% versus 36.8%; P = 0.043). The severity of nausea was lower in group R than in group P on postoperative day (POD) 0 (P = 0.012). Also, the complete responder proportion of patients was significantly higher in group R compared to that in group P on POD 0 (P = 0.043). In conclusion, ramosetron showed a greater efficacy in the prevention of postoperative nausea at POD 0 compared to palonosetron in patients after gynecological laparoscopy.