Intraoperative Catastrophes during Robotic Lung Resection: A Single-Center Experience and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is increasingly used in the treatment of lung disease. Intraoperative catastrophes, despite their low incidence, are currently a critical aspect of this approach. This study aims to identify the incidence and management of catastrophic events in patients who underwent robotic anatomical pulmonary resection; (2) Methods: Data from all patients who underwent robotic anatomical pulmonary resection from 2014 to 2021 for lung disease were collected and analyzed. Catastrophic intraoperative events are defined as events that demanded emergency management for life-threatening bleeding, with or without undocking and thoracotomy; (3) Results: Catastrophic events occurred in seven (1.4%) procedures; all of them consisted of vascular damage during lobectomy. Most of the catastrophic events occurred during left upper lobectomies (57%). Patients in this group had a higher ASA class and a higher pathological stage compared to the control group; (4) Conclusions: Intraoperative catastrophes are unpredictable events which also occur in experienced surgical teams. Given the widespread use of robotic surgery, it is essential to develop well-defined crisis management strategies to better manage catastrophic events in robotic thoracic surgery and improve clinical outcomes.

Comparison of Robotic and Open Lobectomy for Lung Cancer in Marginal Pulmonary Function Patients: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with reduced respiratory function represents a challenge for thoracic surgeons. Minimally invasive surgery seems to be beneficial for these patients because it reduces tissue trauma and its impact on respiratory mechanics. Application of the robotic technique, the use of CO2 insufflation and longer surgical time are factors that could influence the outcomes of marginal pulmonary function patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the robotic technique on the postoperative outcomes of patients with poor lung function. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed data from consecutive marginal respiratory function patients who underwent robotic or open lobectomy for NSCLC. Data regarding clinical, operative and postoperative details were compared between the open and robotic approaches. RESULTS: The outcomes of 100 patients with reduced respiratory function were evaluated, of whom 59 underwent open lobectomies and 41 underwent robotic lobectomies. Robotic lobectomy was characterized by a longer operative time, a reduced hospital stay and a lower incidence of postoperative complications (22% vs. 33.9%), when compared to the open approach. CONCLUSION: Robotic lobectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for patients with marginal pulmonary function.

Robotic Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment in High-Risk Patients.

Robotic-assisted pulmonary resection has greatly increased over the last few years, yet data on the application of robotic surgery in high-risk patients are still lacking. The objective of this study is to evaluate the perioperative outcomes in ASA III-IV patients who underwent robotic-assisted lung resection for NSCLC. Between January 2010 and December 2017, we retrospectively collected the data of 148 high-risk patients who underwent lung resection for NSCLC via a robotic approach at our institution. For this study, the prediction of operative risk was based on the ASA-PS score, considering patients in ASA III and IV classes as high-risk patients: of the 148 high-risk patients identified, 146 patients were classified as ASA III (44.8%) and two as ASA IV (0.2%). Possible prognostic factors were also analysed. The average hospital stay was 6 days (8-30). Post-operative complications were observed in 87 (58.8%) patients. Patients with moderate/severe COPD developed in 33 (80.5%) cases post-operative complications, while elderly patients in 25 (55%) cases, with a greater incidence of high-grade complications. No difference was observed when comparing the data of obese and non-obese patients. Robotic surgery appears to be associated with satisfying post-operative results in ASA III-IV patients. Both marginal respiratory function and advanced age represent negative prognostic factors. Due to its safety and efficacy, robotic surgery can be considered the treatment of choice in high-risk patients.

Joint consensus on anesthesia in urologic and gynecologic robotic surgery: specific issues in management from a task force of the SIAARTI, SIGO, and SIU.

INTRODUCTION: Proper management of patients undergoing robotic-assisted urologic and gynecologic surgery must consider a series of peculiarities in the procedures for anesthesiology, critical care medicine, respiratory care, and pain management. Although the indications for robotic-assisted urogynecologic surgeries have increased in recent years, specific guidance documents are still lacking. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A multidisciplinary group including anesthesiologists, gynecologists, urologists, and a clinical epidemiologist systematically reviewed the relevant literature and provided a set of recommendations and unmet needs on peculiar aspects of anesthesia in this field. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nine core contents were identified, according to their requirements in urogynecologic robotic-assisted surgery: patient position, pneumoperitoneum and ventilation strategies, hemodynamic variations and fluid therapy, neuromuscular block, renal surgery and prevention of acute kidney injury, monitoring the Department of anesthesia, postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction, prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain management in endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus document provides guidance for the management of urologic and gynecologic patients scheduled for robotic-assisted surgery. Moreover, the identified unmet needs highlight the requirement for further prospective randomized studies.

A randomized controlled trial of levosimendan to reduce mortality in high-risk cardiac surgery patients (CHEETAH): Rationale and design.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk of perioperative low cardiac output syndrome due to postoperative myocardial dysfunction. Myocardial dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is a potential indication for the use of levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer with 3 beneficial cardiovascular effects (inotropic, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory), which appears effective in improving clinically relevant outcomes. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter randomized trial. SETTING: Tertiary care hospitals. INTERVENTIONS: Cardiac surgery patients (n = 1,000) with postoperative myocardial dysfunction (defined as patients with intraaortic balloon pump and/or high-dose standard inotropic support) will be randomized to receive a continuous infusion of either levosimendan (0.05-0.2 µg/[kg min]) or placebo for 24-48 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary end point will be 30-day mortality. Secondary end points will be mortality at 1 year, time on mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, decision to stop the study drug due to adverse events or to start open-label levosimendan, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. We will test the hypothesis that levosimendan reduces 30-day mortality in cardiac surgery patients with postoperative myocardial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: This trial is planned to determine whether levosimendan could improve survival in patients with postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. The results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial may provide important insights into the management of low cardiac output in cardiac surgery.

Effect of fenoldopam on use of renal replacement therapy among patients with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: No effective pharmaceutical agents have yet been identified to treat acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether fenoldopam reduces the need for renal replacement therapy in critically ill cardiac surgery patients with acute kidney injury. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study from March 2008 to April 2013 in 19 cardiovascular intensive care units in Italy. We randomly assigned 667 patients admitted to intensive care units after cardiac surgery with early acute kidney injury (≥50% increase of serum creatinine level from baseline or oliguria for ≥6 hours) to receive fenoldopam (338 patients) or placebo (329 patients). We used a computer-generated permuted block randomization sequence for treatment allocation. All patients completed their follow-up 30 days after surgery, and data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous infusion of fenoldopam or placebo for up to 4 days with a starting dose of 0.1 µg/kg/min (range, 0.025-0.3 µg/kg/min). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was the rate of renal replacement therapy. Secondary end points included mortality (intensive care unit and 30-day mortality) and the rate of hypotension during study drug infusion. RESULTS: The study was stopped for futility as recommended by the safety committee after a planned interim analysis. Sixty-nine of 338 patients (20%) allocated to the fenoldopam group and 60 of 329 patients (18%) allocated to the placebo group received renal replacement therapy (P = .47). Mortality at 30 days was 78 of 338 (23%) in the fenoldopam group and 74 of 329 (22%) in the placebo group (P = .86). Hypotension occurred in 85 (26%) patients in the fenoldopam group and in 49 (15%) patients in the placebo group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery, fenoldopam infusion, compared with placebo, did not reduce the need for renal replacement therapy or risk of 30-day mortality but was associated with an increased rate of hypotension. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00621790.

Reducing mortality in acute kidney injury patients: systematic review and international web-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To identify all interventions that increase or reduce mortality in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and to establish the agreement between stated beliefs and actual practice in this setting. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic literature review and international web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: More than 300 physicians from 62 countries. INTERVENTIONS: Several databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, were searched with no time limits (updated February 14, 2012) to identify all the drugs/techniques/strategies that fulfilled all the following criteria: (a) published in a peer-reviewed journal, (b) dealing with critically ill adult patients with or at risk for acute kidney injury, and (c) reporting a statistically significant reduction or increase in mortality. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 18 identified interventions, 15 reduced mortality and 3 increased mortality. Perioperative hemodynamic optimization, albumin in cirrhotic patients, terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome type 1, human immunoglobulin, peri-angiography hemofiltration, fenoldopam, plasma exchange in multiple-myeloma-associated AKI, increased intensity of renal replacement therapy (RRT), CVVH in severely burned patients, vasopressin in septic shock, furosemide by continuous infusion, citrate in continuous RRT, N-acetylcysteine, continuous and early RRT might reduce mortality in critically ill patients with or at risk for AKI; positive fluid balance, hydroxyethyl starch and loop diuretics might increase mortality in critically ill patients with or at risk for AKI. Web-based opinion differed from consensus opinion for 30% of interventions and self-reported practice for 3 interventions. CONCLUSION: The authors identified all interventions with at least 1 study suggesting a significant effect on mortality in patients with or at risk of AKI and found that there is discordance between participant stated beliefs and actual practice regarding these topics.

Randomized evidence for reduction of perioperative mortality.

OBJECTIVE: With more than 220 million major surgical procedures performed annually, perioperative interventions leading to even minor mortality reductions would save thousands of lives per year. This international consensus conference aimed to identify all nonsurgical interventions that increase or reduce perioperative mortality as suggested by randomized evidence. DESIGN AND SETTING: A web-based international consensus conference. PARTICIPANTS: More than 1,000 physicians from 77 countries participated in this web-based consensus conference. INTERVENTIONS: Systematic literature searches (MEDLINE/PubMed, June 8, 2011) were used to identify the papers with a statistically significant effect on mortality together with contacts with experts. Interventions were considered eligible for evaluation if they (1) were published in peer-reviewed journals, (2) dealt with a nonsurgical intervention (drug/technique/strategy) in adult patients undergoing surgery, and (3) provided a statistically significant mortality increase or reduction as suggested by a randomized trial or meta-analysis of randomized trials. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fourteen interventions that might change perioperative mortality in adult surgery were identified. Interventions that might reduce mortality include chlorhexidine oral rinse, clonidine, insulin, intra-aortic balloon pump, leukodepletion, levosimendan, neuraxial anesthesia, noninvasive respiratory support, hemodynamic optimization, oxygen, selective decontamination of the digestive tract, and volatile anesthetics. In contrast, aprotinin and extended-release metoprolol might increase mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Future research and health care funding should be directed toward studying and evaluating these interventions.

Anesthetic management of transcatheter aortic valve implantation with transaxillary approach.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the anesthetic management of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the transaxillary approach. DESIGN: An observational cohort study. SETTING: Two university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients with severe aortic stenosis (± regurgitation) at high risk for surgical valve replacement, with contraindications for transfemoral TAVI (81 ± 4.9 years; logistic EuroSCORE, 27% ± 16.9%). INTERVENTION: General anesthesia or local anesthesia plus sedation followed by postoperative care. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Local anesthesia plus sedation and general anesthesia were used in 14 and 8 patients, respectively. Two patients undergoing local anesthesia were monitored with transesophageal echocardiography and supported with noninvasive mask ventilation during the procedure. Main complications included hemodynamic instability requiring inotropes (2 patients), severe postimplant aortic regurgitation requiring immediate second valve-in-valve implantation (1 patient), valve embolization requiring open-valve surgery (1 patient), subclavian artery dissection compromising the flow to a mammary artery graft (1 patient), ascending aortic dissection (1 patient), stroke (2 patients), and atrioventricular block requiring pacemaker implantation (3 patients). Four patients experienced an increased (baseline value × 1.5) postoperative serum creatinine. Five patients required red blood cell tranfusions (2 units). Intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were 6 (4-23) hours and 8 (8-9) days, respectively. All patients were alive 30 days after the procedure. The 6-month mortality was 9%. CONCLUSIONS: Transaxillary TAVI is feasible in high-risk patients with aortic stenosis and peripheral vasculopathy. Nevertheless, severe procedural complications are possible, and anesthesiologists should be prepared to assist in the management of these conditions.

Non-invasive ventilation-aided transoesophageal echocardiography in high-risk patients: a pilot study.

AIMS: Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may require patient sedation, eventually leading to respiratory depression, a risky condition in severe cardiac disease. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been applied during diagnostic manoeuvres, but its use during TEE has not been reported. We describe NIV-aided continuous TEE monitoring under sedation in the supine position in three consecutive orthopnoeic patients with severe aortic valve stenosis: two of them underwent percutaneous aortic valve implantation, and one underwent aortic valvuloplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: The TEE probe was passed through a hole performed with a surgical cutter in an NIV face-mask. Pulsoximetry, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, patients' comfort, and patient's sedation were monitored throughout the procedure. Percutaneous aortic valve implantation procedures lasted almost 2 h, while the valvuloplasty procedure lasted 70 min. Non-invasive ventilation and continuous TEE were performed throughout the procedures without technical problems or respiratory or haemodynamic complications, and all patients felt always comfortable. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive ventilation through a modified face-mask allowed to perform continuous TEE examination and to avoid tracheal intubation and general anaesthesia in three high-risk patients undergoing beating heart treatment of aortic valve stenosis.