The Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis, a prospective nationwide study: clinical signs, severity, and therapeutic agents.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of perioperative anaphylaxis is difficult because of its non-specific and variable signs and symptoms. Therapeutic agents used to treat anaphylaxis and anaesthesiologist responses also vary depending on the case, which might affect outcomes; however, only a few studies have focused on these factors. METHODS: This prospective study of perioperative anaphylaxis, a part of the Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis, investigated the clinical signs, its severity, therapeutic drugs, epinephrine administration, and anaesthesiologist responses in cases of perioperative anaphylaxis to assess trends and variability. Shock index was used to assess severity of cardiovascular collapse. RESULTS: In 43 patients analysed in this study, cardiovascular signs (88.4%) were the most frequent, followed by skin (81.4%) and respiratory signs (60.5%). The presence of signs increased during the clinical course. The median time from the first signs to diagnosis of anaphylaxis was 10 (5.0-17.8) min. The rates of epinephrine use were 30.2% (unused), 48.8% (i.v.), and 20.9% (i.m.). The median time from diagnosis of anaphylaxis to epinephrine administration was 7 (inter-quartile range: 1.5-8.0) min. Antihistamines and corticosteroids were each used in 69.8% of cases. The worst shock index was higher in patients who received i.v. epinephrine (2.77 [0.90] mean [standard deviation]) than in both no epinephrine use cases (1.35 [0.41]) and i.m. epinephrine cases (1.89 [0.77] (P<0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical signs and treatments of perioperative anaphylaxis are variable, and the choice regarding epinephrine administration is based on symptom severity. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000035350.

Clinical Implications of Determining Individualized Positive End-Expiratory Pressure Using Electrical Impedance Tomography in Post-Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Prospective, Non-Randomized Interventional Study.

Optimal positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can induce sustained lung function improvement. This prospective, non-randomized interventional study aimed to investigate the effect of individualized PEEP determined using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in post-cardiac surgery patients (n = 35). Decremental PEEP trials were performed from 20 to 4 cmH2O in steps of 2 cmH2O, guided by EIT. PEEP levels preventing ventilation loss in dependent lung regions (PEEPONLINE) were set. Ventilation distributions and oxygenation before the PEEP trial, and 5 min and 1 h after the PEEPONLINE setting were examined. Furthermore, we analyzed the saved impedance data offline to determine the PEEP levels that provided the best compromise between overdistended and collapsed lung (PEEPODCL). Ventilation distributions of dependent regions increased at 5 min after the PEEPONLINE setting compared with those before the PEEP trial (mean ± standard deviation, 41.3 ± 8.5% vs. 49.1 ± 9.3%; p < 0.001), and were maintained at 1 h thereafter (48.7 ± 9.4%, p < 0.001). Oxygenation also showed sustained improvement. Rescue oxygen therapy (high-flow nasal cannula, noninvasive ventilation) after extubation was less frequent in patients with PEEPONLINE ≥ PEEPODCL than in those with PEEPONLINE < PEEPODCL (1/19 vs. 6/16; p = 0.018). EIT-guided individualized PEEP stabilized the improvement in ventilation distribution and oxygenation. Individual PEEP varies with EIT measures, and may differentially affect oxygenation after cardiac surgery.

Abdominal compartment syndrome during hip arthroscopy for an acetabular fracture: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We encountered a case of abdominal compartment syndrome during hip arthroscopic surgery, caused by the irrigation fluid flowing into the peritoneal cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old male patient with the acetabulum fracture underwent open reduction and internal fixation with hip arthroscopy. Hypothermia, increased airway pressure (under volume-controlled ventilation) and oliguria were observed during the operation, and arterial blood gas analysis showed decreased oxygenation and metabolic acidosis. Abdominal distention was observed, and a postoperative CT revealed accumulation of a large volume of irrigation fluid in the peritoneal cavity and retroperitoneum. The patient was diagnosed as having abdominal compartment syndrome and treated by percutaneous peritoneal drainage. His subsequent course was uneventful, and he was discharged 8 weeks after the operation. Intraperitoneal extravasation of irrigation fluid may occur during hip arthroscopic surgery, and is more likely to occur in the presence of an injury. CONCLUSION: Anesthesiologists should be aware of the possible occurrence of the abdominal compartment syndrome during hip arthroscopic surgery and ensure that it is detected early.

[Hypotonic Versus Isotonic Electrolyte Solution for Perioperative Fluid Therapy in Infants].

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of perioperative administration of an isotonic electrolyte solution with 1% glucose (IT) on blood sodium (Na+) and blood glucose (BG) concentrations in pediatric patients < 1-year-old undergoing plastic surgery in comparison with a conventional hypotonic electrolyte solution with 2.6% glucose (HT). METHODS: Fifty Patients were randomly allocated to HT group and IT group. Na+ and BG were measured at induction of anesthesia (Tind), the end of surgery (Tend), and 4 hours after surgery (T4h). RESULTS: Patient characteristics were similar for the 2 groups. In the HT group, Na+ at Tend insignificantly dropped compared with that at Tind, whereas in the IT group Na+ was significantly elevated. Na+ at T4h significantly increased compared with that at Tend in each group. No cases developed new dysnatremia or dysglycemia in IT group. The incidence of hyponatremia at Tend was significantly lower in the IT group. A positive correlation between intraoperative Na+ concentration changes and the infusion duration was observed in the IT group. CONCLUSIONS: Isotonic solution with 1% glucose is suggested to be safe in infants during and after surgery.