Significant drop in serum C-reactive protein in patients with solid neoplasia and bacterial infection is associated with a better prognosis and identifies candidates for short-course antibiotic therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The greater predisposition to infections, as well as the possibility of a worse response to treatment, can lead to the excessive use of antimicrobials among cancer patients. C-reactive protein (CRP) has gained prominence as a tool for monitoring therapeutic responses and reducing the duration of antibiotic therapy; however, few studies have analyzed this protein in cancer patient populations. We hypothesize that cancer patients with a good response to antibiotic therapy show a faster decline in serum CRP levels, which would allow us to identify candidates for short-course treatments. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the behavior of serum CRP levels among adult cancer patients using antibiotic therapy, and its association with the duration of this treatment, therapeutic response, and clinical recurrence. METHODS: This work consisted of a retrospective study with cancer patients admitted to a university hospital between September 2018 and December 2019. Adults (age ≥ 18 years) who underwent at least one course of antibiotic therapy were included. CRP behavior over the first 7 days of treatment was classified as: i) good response: when the CRP value on the fifth day of therapy reached 50% or less of the peak value detected in the first 48 h of treatment, and ii) poor response: Maintenance, within the same interval, of a CRP value > 50% of the peak value in the first 48 h. The duration of antibiotic therapy was categorized as up to seven full days or more. Outcomes were assessed by events that occurred during the 30 days of hospitalization or until hospital discharge. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Clinical recurrence of the index infection. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: i) Death from any cause; ii) microbiological recurrence; iii) therapeutic response; iv) colitis associated with Clostridioides difficile; and v) isolation of multi-resistant bacteria, whether in clinical or surveillance samples. RESULTS: The final analysis consisted of 212 patients, with a median age (IQ) of 59.2 (48 - 67) years old and a predominance of females (65%), who were hypertensive (35%), smokers (21%), and diabetics (17.8%). There was no difference in clinical recurrence between the two groups (8.1% vs. 12.2%; p = 0.364), with a lower 30-day mortality in the good CRP response group (32.2% vs. 14.5%; p = 0.002). Despite the tendency towards a lower occurrence of other secondary outcomes in the good response group, these differences were not statistically significant. In the poor CRP response group, outcomes like clinical recurrence, mortality, and therapeutic response were significantly worse, regardless of the duration of antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: In this study, cancer patients with a good CRP response during antibiotic therapy presented lower mortality and a higher proportion of satisfactory therapeutic responses. CRP can be a useful tool when combined with other clinical information in optimizing the duration of antimicrobial treatment in a hospitalized cancer population.

Pulsed-field ablation versus thermal ablation for atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis.

Background: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is an alternative to thermal ablation (TA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving catheter-based therapy for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, its efficacy and safety have yet to be fully elucidated. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the acute and long-term efficacies and safety of PFA and TA. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials comparing PFA and TA in patients with AF undergoing their first PVI ablation. The TA group was divided into cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency subgroups. AF patients were divided into paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) subgroups for further analysis. Results: Eighteen studies involving 4998 patients (35.2% PFA) were included. Overall, PFA was associated with a shorter procedure time (mean difference [MD] -21.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] -32.81 to -10.54) but longer fluoroscopy time (MD 4.53; 95% CI 2.18-6.88) than TA. Regarding safety, lower (peri-)esophageal injury rates (odds ratio [OR] 0.17; 95% CI 0.06-0.46) and higher tamponade rates (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.27-7.00) were observed after PFA. In efficacy assessment, PFA was associated with a better first-pass isolation rate (OR 6.82; 95% CI 1.37-34.01) and a lower treatment failure rate (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.98). Subgroup analysis showed no differences in PersAF and PAF. CB was related to higher (peri)esophageal injury, and lower PVI acute success and procedural time. Conclusion: Compared to TA, PFA showed better results with regard to acute and long-term efficacy but significant differences in safety, with lower (peri)esophageal injury rates but higher tamponade rates in procedural data.

Cannabinoid products for pain management: recommendations from the São Paulo State Society of Anesthesiology.

There is growing interest in using cannabinoids across various clinical scenarios, including pain medicine, leading to the disregard of regulatory protocols in some countries. Legislation has been implemented in Brazil, specifically in the state of São Paulo, permitting the distribution of cannabinoid products by health authorities for clinical purposes, free of charge for patients, upon professional prescription. Thus, it is imperative to assess the existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of these products in pain management. In light of this, the São Paulo State Society of Anesthesiology (SAESP) established a task force to conduct a narrative review on the topic using the Delphi method, requiring a minimum agreement of 60% among panelists. The study concluded that cannabinoid products could potentially serve as adjuncts in pain management but stressed the importance of judicious prescription. Nevertheless, this review advises against their use for acute pain and cancer-related pain. In other clinical scenarios, established treatments should take precedence, particularly when clinical protocols are available, such as in neuropathic pain. Only patients exhibiting poor therapeutic responses to established protocols or demonstrating intolerance to recommended management may be considered as potential candidates for cannabinoids, which should be prescribed by physicians experienced in handling these substances. Special attention should be given to individual patient characteristics and the likelihood of drug interactions.

Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes Between Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Limited high-quality studies have compared robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) vs open retropubic radical prostatectomy. We sought to compare their postoperative outcomes in a randomized setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single center, 354 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were assessed for eligibility; 342 were randomized (1:1). The primary outcome was 90-day complication rates. Functional outcomes and quality of life were assessed over 18 months, and oncological outcomes, biochemical recurrence-free survival, and additional treatment over 36 months. RESULTS: From 2014 to 18, 327 patients underwent surgery (retropubic radical prostatectomy = 156, RALP = 171). Complications occurred in 27 (17.3%) vs 19 (11.1%; P = .107). Patients undergoing RALP experienced lower median bleeding (250.0 vs 719.5 mL; P < .001) and shorter hospitalization time. Urinary EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) median scores were better for RALP over 18 months, with higher continence rate at 3 months (80.5% vs 64.7%; P = .002), 6 months (90.1% vs 81.6%; P = .036) and 18 months (95.4% vs 78.8%; P < .001). Sexual EPIC and Sexual Health Inventory for Men median scores were higher with RALP up to 12 months, while the potency rate was superior at 3 months (23.9% vs 5.3%; P = .001) and 6 months (30.6% vs 6.9%; P < .001). Quality of life over the 18 months and oncological outcomes over 36 months were not significantly different between arms. CONCLUSIONS: Complications at 90 days were similar. RALP showed superior sexual outcomes at 1 year, improved urinary outcomes at 18 months, and comparable oncological outcomes at 36 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective Analysis of Robot-Assisted Surgery; NCT02292914. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02292914?cond=NCT02292914&draw=2&rank=1.

Children's preoperative stress according to the parental presence evaluated by salivary cortisol and mYPAS: quasi-randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to compare stress and anxiety levels in children undergoing surgical procedures with or without parental presence at induction of anesthesia by measuring salivary cortisol levels and applying the mYPAS. METHOD: Quasi-randomized trial with children aged 5-12 year, with ASA physical status I, II, or III, undergoing elective surgery. According to parents' willingness, the pair were defined as accompanied or unaccompanied group. Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, Student's t test, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman and Spearman's tests were used for statistical analyzes. RESULTS: We included 46 children; 63% were preschool children mostly accompanied by their mothers (80%). The median mYPAS score was 37.5 (quartile range, 23.4-51.6) in unaccompanied children, and 55.0 (quartile range, 27.9-65.0) in accompanied children, with an estimated median difference of +11.8 (95% CI of 0 to 23.4; p = 0.044). There were no significant differences in the mean salivary cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: The level of anxiety was higher in accompanied children. There were no differences in salivary cortisol levels between both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-9wj4qvy.

Dry needling, trigger point electroacupuncture and motor point electroacupuncture for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare trigger point (TrP) dry needling, TrP electroacupuncture and motor point electroacupuncture of the trapezius muscle for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). METHODS: This randomised clinical trial included 90 patients divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with dry needling of TrPs, group 2 with intramuscular electrical stimulation of TrPs, and group 3 with electroacupuncture of motor points and/or the spinal accessory nerve. Each group received seven treatment sessions. The outcomes were the pain score measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and quality of life evaluated by the 12-item short form (SF-12) health questionnaire. We compared the pain outcome over serial time points using growth curve analysis methods. RESULTS: Participants in the three groups experienced significant improvements in pain scores over time. The average pain level of participants in group 3 across the repeated assessments was 0.98 units lower than in group 1 (mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.74-0.23)), p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in pain scores between participants in groups 1 and 2, and there were no significant differences in quality of life across the three groups at the end of the treatment period. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that electrical stimulation of motor points and/or of the spinal accessory nerve may be superior in terms of pain relief (but not quality of life) to dry needling and possibly electrical stimulation of trigger points for the management of MPS involving the trapezius. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: TRIAL-RBR-43R7RF (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry).

Recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) for difficult airway management in pediatric care.

Difficult airway management in pediatrics during anesthesia represents a major challenge, requiring a careful approach, advanced technical expertise, and accurate protocols. The task force of the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) presents a report containing updated recommendations for the management of difficult airways in children and neonates. These recommendations have been developed based on the consensus of a panel of experts, with the objective of offering strategies to overcome challenges during airway management in pediatric patients. Grounded in evidence published in international guidelines and expert opinions, the report highlights crucial steps for the appropriate management of difficult airways in pediatrics, encompassing assessment, preparation, positioning, pre-oxygenation, minimizing trauma, and, paramountly, the maintenance of arterial oxygenation. The report also delves into additional strategies involving the use of advanced tools, such as video laryngoscopy, flexible intubating bronchoscopy, and supraglottic devices. Emphasis is placed on the simplicity of implementing the outlined recommendations, with a focus on the significance of continuous education, training through realistic simulations, and familiarity with the latest available technologies. These practices are deemed essential to ensure procedural safety and contribute to the enhancement of anesthesia outcomes in pediatrics.

Children's preoperative stress according to the parental presence evaluated by salivary cortisol and mYPAS: quasi-randomized trial / Estresse pré-operatório em crianças de acordo com a presença dos pais avaliada por cortisol salivar e mYPAS: ensaio quase-randomizado / Estrés preoperatorio en niños según la presencia de los padres evaluado mediante cortisol salival y mYPAS: ensayo cuasi-aleatorio

ABSTRACT Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare stress and anxiety levels in children undergoing surgical procedures with or without parental presence at induction of anesthesia by measuring salivary cortisol levels and applying the mYPAS. Method: Quasi-randomized trial with children aged 5-12 year, with ASA physical status I, II, or III, undergoing elective surgery. According to parents' willingness, the pair were defined as accompanied or unaccompanied group. Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, Student's t test, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman and Spearman's tests were used for statistical analyzes. Results: We included 46 children; 63% were preschool children mostly accompanied by their mothers (80%). The median mYPAS score was 37.5 (quartile range, 23.4-51.6) in unaccompanied children, and 55.0 (quartile range, 27.9-65.0) in accompanied children, with an estimated median difference of +11.8 (95% CI of 0 to 23.4; p = 0.044). There were no significant differences in the mean salivary cortisol levels. Conclusion: The level of anxiety was higher in accompanied children. There were no differences in salivary cortisol levels between both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC):RBR-9wj4qvy.

RESUMO Objetivo: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os níveis de estresse e ansiedade em crianças submetidas a procedimentos cirúrgicos com ou sem presença dos pais na indução da anestesia, medindo os níveis de cortisol salivar e aplicando o mYPAS. Método: Ensaio quaserandomizado com crianças de 5 a 12 anos, com estado físico ASA I, II ou III, submetidas a cirurgia eletiva. De acordo com a disposição dos pais, o par foi definido como grupo acompanhado ou não acompanhado. Foram utilizados testes de qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher, t de Student, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman e Spearman para as análises estatísticas. Resultados: Foram incluídas 46 crianças; 63% delas em idade préescolar, principalmente acompanhadas por suas mães (80%). A pontuação mYPAS mediana foi de 37,5 (intervalo interquartil, 23,4-51,6) em crianças não acompanhadas e de 55,0 (intervalo interquartil, 27,9-65,0) em crianças acompanhadas, com uma diferença mediana estimada de +11,8 (IC de 95% de 0 a 23,4; p = 0,044). Não houve diferenças significativas nos níveis médios de cortisol salivar. Conclusão: O nível de ansiedade foi maior em crianças acompanhadas. Não houve diferenças nos níveis de cortisol salivar entre os dois grupos. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC):RBR-9wj4qvy.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo principal de este estudio fue comparar los niveles de estrés y ansiedad en niños sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos con o sin presencia de los padres en la inducción de la anestesia mediante la medición de los niveles de cortisol salival y la aplicación del mYPAS. Método: Ensayo cuasi-aleatorio con niños de 5 a 12 años, con estado físico ASA I, II o III, sometidos a cirugía electiva. Según la disposición de los padres, se definieron como grupo acompañado o no acompañado. Se utilizaron pruebas de chi-cuadrado, exacta de Fisher, t de Student, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman y Spearman para los análisis estadísticos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 46 niños; el 63% eran niños en edad preescolar, en su mayoría acompañados por sus madres (80%). La puntuación mYPAS mediana fue de 37,5 (rango intercuartílico, 23,4-51,6) en niños no acompañados y de 55,0 (rango intercuartílico, 27,9-65,0) en niños acompañados, con una diferencia mediana estimada de +11,8 (IC del 95% de 0 a 23,4; p = 0,044). No hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles medios de cortisol salival. Conclusión: El nivel de ansiedad fue mayor en los niños acompañados. No hubo diferencias en los niveles de cortisol salival entre ambos grupos. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos (ReBEC):RBR-9wj4qvy.

Recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) for difficult airway management in pediatric care

Abstract Difficult airway management in pediatrics during anesthesia represents a major challenge, requiring a careful approach, advanced technical expertise, and accurate protocols. The task force of the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) presents a report containing updated recommendations for the management of difficult airways in children and neonates. These recommendations have been developed based on the consensus of a panel of experts, with the objective of offering strategies to overcome challenges during airway management in pediatric patients. Grounded in evidence published in international guidelines and expert opinions, the report highlights crucial steps for the appropriate management of difficult airways in pediatrics, encompassing assessment, preparation, positioning, pre-oxygenation, minimizing trauma, and, paramountly, the maintenance of arterial oxygenation. The report also delves into additional strategies involving the use of advanced tools, such as video laryngoscopy, flexible intubating bronchoscopy, and supraglottic devices. Emphasis is placed on the simplicity of implementing the outlined recommendations, with a focus on the significance of continuous education, training through realistic simulations, and familiarity with the latest available technologies. These practices are deemed essential to ensure procedural safety and contribute to the enhancement of anesthesia outcomes in pediatrics.

Chronic pain after hospital discharge on patients hospitalized for COVID-19: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the prevalence and nature of pain symptoms after hospital discharge, especially in individuals who develop moderate to severe disease forms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of chronic pain in patients discharged after hospitalization for COVID-19, and the relationship between the presence of chronic pain and intensive care stay, demographics, and risk factors for the worst Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outcome. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on patients with COVID-19 who recovered after hospitalization. Patients were recruited at the least 3 months after discharge and their hospital's health files were prospected. The variables evaluated were demographics, the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection (considering the need for intensive care), and the presence of chronic pain. The results were shown in a descriptive manner, and multivariate analysis expressed as Odds Ratios (ORs) and respective Confidence Intervals (CIs) for the outcomes studied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of 242 individuals included, 77 (31.8%) reported chronic pain related to COVID-19, with no correlation with the severity of infection. Female sex and obesity were associated with a higher risk for chronic pain with ORs of 2.69 (Confidence Interval [95% CI 1.4 to 5.0]) and 3.02 (95% CI 1.5 to 5.9). The limbs were the most affected areas of the body. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain is common among COVID-19 survivors treated in hospital environments. Female sex and obesity are risk factors for its occurrence.

Results of Fibrin Glue Applied Over the Corneal Surface Immediately After Pterygium Surgery: A Novel Pain Relief Technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the use of fibrin glue on the corneal epitheliectomy site at the end of pterygium surgery versus conventional eye patch regarding pain levels, need for oral analgesic medications, number of days feeling pain, and awakening due to pain after surgery. METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 24 patients with bilateral primary pterygium were included in this prospective, randomized, double-masked controlled trial. Each eye of the same patient was randomized to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received 2 drops of fibrin glue in the epitheliectomy site at the end of surgery and an eye patch, whereas the control group was only received an eye patch. Patients returned on the first and seventh days after surgery. Pain intensity (measured using the visual pain analog scale), need for oral analgesics, the number of days the pain lasted, and quality of sleep were assessed during follow-up visits and compared between groups. Comparison analysis accounted for sex, age, pterygium grading, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Visual analog pain scale after surgery was significantly lower in eyes receiving fibrin glue (-1.58; 95% confidence interval: -2.84 to -0.32; P = 0.014). In addition, the intervention group presented a 73% lower chance of using oral analgesics (OR: 0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.95; P = 0.041). No difference in the awakenings at night was noted ( P = 0.240) nor the mean days of ocular pain in the first week after surgery ( P = 0.474). CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue at the end of pterygium surgery effectively reduces pain and the need for oral analgesics compared with conventional eye patching. This study is the first to describe the results of this strategy.

Effects of Preoperative Acupuncture on Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting and Plasma Serotonin Values in the Hysterectomy Postoperative Period: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Nausea and vomiting are frequent complications of anesthesia in the postoperative period. Acupuncture at the pericardium point 6 (PC6) is known to be effective in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Objectives: The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture performed at the PC6 point in the prevention of PONV in women undergoing elective open hysterectomy under general inhalational anesthesia and to assess its association with plasma serotonin levels. Methods: 97 patients undergoing elective open hysterectomy were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture group (bilateral acupuncture at PC6, n = 49), and a control group (no acupuncture, n = 48). All patients prophylactically received ondansetron and dexamethasone and, as rescue medication, metoclopramide in case of occurrence of PONV. The primary outcome evaluated was occurrence of nausea and vomiting within 24 hours after surgery. Serotonin plasma levels were measured before and after acupuncture prior to anesthesia induction. For the control group, the repeat measurement was performed 30 minutes after admission to the preoperative unit. Results: Acupuncture at PC6 significantly reduced the incidence of nausea (29.2% vs. 6.1%; p > 0.003), and the need of rescue medication (metoclopramide) (33.3% vs. 10.2%; p > 0.006), but not vomiting (4.2 vs. 4.1; p > 0.98). The plasma serotonin levels between control and acupuncture groups did not differ. Conclusion: This study shows that acupuncture at PC6 resulted in a lower incidence of postoperative nausea in patients undergoing hysterectomy.