Compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis as a positioning complication following retrosigmoid craniotomy.

The goal of surgical positioning is to provide optimal surgical access and visualization while maintaining the patient's safety, with the least physiological compromise. Here, we report a 30-year-old man with an unremarkable past medical history who developed superior vena cava syndrome after a 15-hour retrosigmoid craniotomy for removal of a right cerebellopontine (CP) angle tumor. Compartment syndrome from the head to neck and rhabdomyolysis were recognized, with extensive swelling of his head and neck, markedly swollen soft tissues and necrosis of multiple muscles revealed by computed tomography, and very high concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transaminase. Immediate intensive care and rehabilitation therapy were provided and aimed at maintaining adequate perfusion/oxygenation and decreasing tissue pressure. He was successfully weaned from ventilation on postoperative day (POD) 25, transferred to a general ward on POD 29, and discharged with mild muscular and neurological sequelae on POD 51. Careful adjustment of surgical positioning is crucial for patient safety, especially when positioned at an extreme position in association with prolonged surgery.

General anesthesia in a juvenile with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder accompanied by long-term use of methylphenidate (Concerta).

Methylphenidate, a central stimulant, is used in the treatment of individuals who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a notorious worldwide disorder with a prevalence rate of 8-12% in schoolchildren, which is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Currently, there have been few reports in the anesthetic literature examining ADHD patients who have had long-term use of methylphenidate, especially the extended-release formulation. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old boy with ADHD treated chronically with the long-acting form of methylphenidate (Concerta), and who was scheduled to receive orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia. No significant problems or fluctuations in hemodynamics were encountered during anesthesia induction, maintenance, and emergence. The patient made an uncomplicated recovery and was discharged 3 days later without incident.

Complete atrioventricular block with bradycardia after craniotomy.

We report an 82-year-old male patient who developed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) with severe bradycardia 1 hour after craniotomy. After emergency placement of a transvenous pacemaker, the patient's heart rate was restored. Serial assays of serum cardiac enzymes, echocardiography and serum digoxin concentration did not show evidence of myocardial infarction, myocardial injury, or drug toxicity. Tracing back past history, neither syncope nor arrhythmia of any form was noted. A neurogenic heart disorder, high vagal tone, and aging possibly contributed to this cardiac event in this patient. CAVB, although uncommon, is a disastrous complication following craniotomy, and needs aggressive and instantaneous management.

Bilateral tension pneumothorax and tension pneumoperitoneum secondary to tracheal tear in a patient with relapsing polychondritis.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare disease that is characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilage and connective tissues. RP can have significant airway pathology that may require procedures to maintain airway patency and thus may have serious implications for anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists must be prepared to deal with the possible complications that may occur during airway manipulation in patients with RP. Here, we present a case of life-threatening bilateral tension pneumothorax and tension pneumoperitoneum that developed after a tracheal tear during Montgomery T-tube insertion in a patient with tracheal stenosis due to RP. Correct diagnosis was delayed due to a misdiagnosis of airway obstruction. As a result, we emphasize that bilateral tension pneumothorax should be considered during refractory cardiac arrest in patients with increased airway pressure. A high index of suspicion and adequate management are mandatory for patients to survive these life-threatening complications.

Bacterial colonization of epidural catheters used for short-term postoperative analgesia: microbiological examination and risk factor analysis.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted this prospective study to determine the incidence, potential routes, and risk factors of microbial colonization of epidural catheter used for postoperative pain control. METHODS: Two-hundred five patients with epidural analgesia for postoperative pain were studied. On removal of the catheter, five samples were sent for culture: the infusate, a swab from inside the hub of the epidural catheter connector, a swab from the skin around the catheter insertion site, the subcutaneous segment, and the tip of the catheter. Clinical data related to the catheter insertion, management, and general patient conditions were collected. RESULTS: The positive culture rates for the subcutaneous and tip segments of the catheter were 10.5% and 12.2%, respectively. The most common organism in the culture was coagulase-negative staphylococcus. There was a strong linear relationship between bacterial colonization in the skin around the catheter insertion site and growth from the subcutaneous and tip segments of catheter (P = 0.000). Catheter-related events at ward, blood transfusion, and positive culture from the skin at the insertion site were risk factors for bacterial colonization of epidural catheters. Inflammation at catheter insertion site, catheter indwelling time, and level of catheter insertion were not predicators for epidural catheter colonization. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' results suggest that bacterial migration along the epidural catheter track is the most common route of epidural catheter colonization. Maintaining sterile skin around the catheter insertion site will reduce colonization of the epidural catheter tip.

Desipramine activated Bcl-2 expression and inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis in hippocampus-derived adult neural stem cells.

Desipramine (DP) is a tricyclic antidepressant used for treating depression and numerous other psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have shown that DP can promote neurogenesis and improve the survival rate of hippocampal neurons. However, whether DP induces neuroprotection or promotes the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) needs to be elucidated. In this study, we cultured NSCs derived from the hippocampal tissues of adult rats as an in vitro model to evaluate the modulation effect of DP on NSCs. First, we demonstrated that the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and nestin in 2 microM DP-treated NSCs were up-regulated and detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results of Western blotting and immunofluorescent study confirmed that Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly increased in Day 3 DP-treated NSCs. Using the Bcl-2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) method, our results further showed that DP protects the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in NSCs, in part by activating the expression of Bcl-2. Furthermore, DP treatment significantly inhibited the induction of proinflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the culture medium of LPS-treated NSCs mediated by Bcl-2 modulation. The results of high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection further confirmed that DP significantly increased the functional production of serotonin (26+/-3.5 microM, DP-treated 96 h) and noradrenaline (50+/-8.9 microM, DP-treated 96 h) in NSCs through activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway and partially mediated by Bcl-2. In conclusion, the present results indicate that DP can increase neuroprotection ability by inhibiting the LPS-induced inflammatory process in NSCs via the modulation of Bcl-2 expression, as confirmed by the siRNA method.

Successful management of severe upper airway obstruction during emergence of anesthesia in consequence of fracture of deflated laryngeal mask airway due to biting--a case report.

Biting the laryngeal mask airway during general anesthesia in the absence of a bite block as a forestallment is a common but usually uncomplicated event. We report a young healthy adult female patient who underwent removal of fixation implant in the right elbow under general anesthesia, during the emergence of which she bit and severed the airway tube of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) after cuff deflation and developed upper airway obstruction in consequence of air blockade by the displaced deflated LMA cuff remaining inside the mouth. Removal of residual part of the LMA in the mouth was successful with propofol re-anesthetization without molestation of 02 saturation. We discuss the management of this critical airway condition resulting from fracture of deflated LMA in the closed mouth.

Anesthetic management of a patient undergoing segmental resection of trachea with an endotracheal neurofibroma and nearly total occlusion of trachea.

We report a case of endotracheal (ET) neurofibroma with resultant severe airway obstruction undergoing segmental resection of the trachea. After the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system (ECMO) was set up handily for use and comprehensive monitoring system was established, ET intubation under fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was performed under mild sedation. Surgery and anesthesia proceeded uneventfully and she was discharged uneventfully. Thorough preoperative evaluation, comprehensively anesthetic planning, FOB-assisted ET intubation before induction of anesthesia were mandatory to achieve a safe and delicate anesthesia for such a patient. In critical situation, conduction of anesthesia after establishment of ECMO support would be another choice.