Neuraxial Anesthesia for Combined Left Nephrectomy and Left Hemicolectomy in a One-Lung Patient.

Monopulmonary patients undergoing major abdominal surgery represent a high-risk population. While general anesthesia is typically the standard approach, mechanical ventilation can cause significant complications, particularly in patients with pre-existing lung conditions. Tailored anesthesia strategies are essential to mitigate these risks and preserve respiratory function. We present the case of a 71-year-old female with a history of prior right pneumonectomy for lung cancer. She was scheduled for combined left nephrectomy and left hemicolectomy laparotomic surgery because of extended colon cancer. The patient was prepared according to the local Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol and underwent thoracic neuraxial anesthesia with sedation maintaining spontaneous breathing, so avoiding general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Anesthesia in the surgical field was effective, and no respiratory problems occurred intraoperatively. The patient's rapid recovery and early discharge underscore the success of our "tailored anesthesia strategy." Our experience highlights the feasibility and benefits of tailored anesthesia in monopulmonary patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. By avoiding general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation, we mitigated risks and optimized patient outcomes, emphasizing the importance of individualized approaches in high-risk surgical populations.

One-year outcome after neurosurgery for intracranial tumor in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of elderly patients proposed for brain tumor removal is increasing. Only few data on long-term functional prognosis after intracranial surgery are available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study of all patients greater than 70 year of age operated for intracranial tumors. Two scales for health status evaluation were used: Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score. Data were expressed as medians (first to third quartiles). The primary endpoint was the probability to remain nondependant (ADL>3 and KPS≥70%) after 1 year. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2007, 90 patients were included: 46 (51.1%) meningioma, 17 (18.9%) high-grade glioma, and 11 (12.2%) metastasis. At hospital admission, age was 73.50 years (71.25-76.00), American Society of Anesthesiology score 2 (2 to 3), KPS 80% (70-90), ADL 5.5 (4.5 to 6.0). Two patients died during the first 28 days, 3 others during the first year. Both KPS and ADL decreased after 1 year: KPS 80% (70 to 90; mean: 80%) at hospital admission versus 80% (60 to 90) at 1 year (mean: 70%), P=0.003; ADL 5.5 (4.5 to 6.0) at hospital admission versus 5.0 (3.25 to 5.50) at 1 year, P=0.001. In multivariate analysis, 2 preoperative parameters were associated with autonomy at 1 year: the ADL at hospital admission and meningioma as histologic type. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of elderly patients, intracranial tumor surgery was associated with low 1-year mortality. Meningioma was associated with a better postoperative functional outcome. Preoperative ADL score was a predictive of functional evolution 1 year after the surgery.

Anesthesiologist intervention during cataract surgery under topical or peribulbar anesthesia: a propensity model comparison.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence and type of anesthesiologist intervention during cataract surgery under peribulbar (PA) or topical (TLA) anesthesia in a day-surgery monitored anesthesia care setting (monitoring provided by nurses with the anesthesiologist available on an on-call basis). METHODS: From a prospective database of all phacoemulsifications performed in our hospital (January 2008-January 2009), 97 patients submitted to cataract surgery under PA were matched with 97 patients submitted to the same surgery under TA by a propensity model. The resulting groups were homogeneous as to history of antihypertensive therapy administered on the day of surgery and not administered on the day of surgery, cardiologic history, neurologic history, psychiatric history, anxiolytic assumption, and history of diabetes mellitus. We compared the incidence of intervention of the anesthesiologist between groups and the type of adverse event triggering such interventions. RESULTS: The anesthesiologist was called in 37(38.14%) cases in the PA group and in 27 (27.84%) cases in the TA group (37 [38.14%]) (p = 0.123). Only the occurrence of agitation differed significantly between groups (9 [9.28%] patients in the TA group vs 24 [24.74%] patients in the PA group; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Monitored anesthesia care is feasible for cataract surgery both under PA or TA. PA still remains an appealing alternative to TA during cataract surgery for patients incapable of keeping the operating eye in the primary position or with incoercible blinking, photophobia, or phacodonesis. A greater incidence of agitation is to be expected and adequate premedication with anxiolytics should be considered if PA is chosen.