Perioperative non-invasive haemodynamic optimisation using photoplethysmography: A randomised controlled trial and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of a haemodynamic algorithm using SV maximisation by non-invasive photoplethysmography (interventional group) on the incidence of postoperative complications compared with a control group using intermittent mean arterial pressure. METHODS: The non-blinded parallel-group trial randomised low-risk patients undergoing colorectal surgery into either interventional group or control group. The primary outcome was the incidence of patients with at least one complication during the 30 days following surgery. The secondary outcomes were the total number of complications, the length of hospital stay and postoperative mortality. A meta-analysis of randomised trials comparing perioperative haemodynamic optimisation (interventional group) using photoplethysmography with control group was performed to assess the external validity. RESULTS: Among 160 randomised patients, 159 were analysed (80 and 79 in interventional and control groups, respectively). Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Postoperative complications occurred in 40 (50%) and 34 (43%) patients in the interventional and control groups, respectively (P=0.471). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the total number of complications (P=0.078), the hospital length of stay (P=0.960), or postoperative mortality (P=1.000). In the meta-analysis including 1089 patients in 7 randomised controlled studies, 203 (38%) and 221 (40%) patients suffered from at least one complication following surgery [risk ratio 0.89 (95% CI 0.68-1.17), P=0.407] in interventional and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the present study and meta-analysis, a haemodynamic perioperative algorithm using SV maximisation by non-invasive photoplethysmography cannot reduce postoperative morbidity.

Perioperative hemodynamic optimization using the photoplethysmography in colorectal surgery (the PANEX3 trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Photoplethysmography with a digital sensor (ClearSight, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) connected to a dedicated monitor (EV 1000, Edwards Lifesciences) was recently proposed for use in performing hemodynamic optimization during surgery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of photoplethysmography on the incidence of postoperative complications compared with the conventional hemodynamic algorithm, which uses mean arterial pressure. METHODS/DESIGN: The hemodynamic optimization using photoplethysmography (PANEX3) trial is a monocentric, randomized, single-blind, controlled, two parallel arm, superiority trial, randomizing 160 patients with an intermediate risk of postoperative complications after colorectal surgery. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The hemodynamic optimization is conducted using a specified hemodynamic algorithm either with photoplethysmography (the photoplethysmography group) or with conventional mean arterial pressure (the control group). The anesthesiologist performed a 1:1 randomization the day before surgery using a scratch card, which is available 24/7. The randomization sequence is generated using permutated blocks. Both the patients and surgeons are blinded to the allocation group. The primary outcome is the incidence of at least one postoperative complication during the 30 days following surgery. Two independent experts, who were blinded to the group allocations, validate the complication for each patient using an a priori classification. The secondary outcomes are to study the total number of postoperative complications, the real length of hospital stays, and the postoperative mortality between each group. DISCUSSION: The PANEX3 trial is the first randomized controlled study conducted to investigate whether perioperative hemodynamic optimization using photoplethysmography during colorectal surgery could decrease the incidence of patients having at least one postoperative complication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02343601.

Postpneumonectomy-like syndrome after lobectomy: An exceptional situation.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare complication occurring after pneumonectomy. It is defined as extrinsic compression of a bronchus associated with a significant shift of the mediastinum. A man aged 45 years with history of C7 tetraparesis, presented with a postpneumonectomy-like syndrome 2 months after a right lower lobectomy. We performed a right pneumonectomy combined with implantation of 2 intrathoracic inflatable mammary implants. The patient remained asymptomatic after 6 months of follow-up. We believe this is the first reported case of a postpneumonectomy-like syndrome occurring after lobectomy.

Comparison of plastic and metallic single-use and metallic reusable laryngoscope blades: a randomised controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Plastic single-use laryngoscope blades have been found to increase the difficulty of intubation. Metallic single-use blades may represent an alternative. OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of intubation failure at first laryngoscopy using metallic single-use, plastic single-use and metallic reusable laryngoscope blades. DESIGN: Randomised, superiority, single-centre, controlled trial. SETTING: Operating theatres at a University Hospital from January 2008 to August 2009. PATIENTS: A total of 1863 adults requiring general anaesthesia. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomised to one of three laryngoscope blades: metallic single-use, plastic single-use or metallic reusable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary end-point was the number of intubation failures at first laryngoscopy. Secondary end-points were glottic exposure and the Intubation Difficulty Scale. RESULTS: The failure rate (absolute difference: 95% confidence interval) at the first attempt was greater for the plastic single-use blades (8.1%) than for the metallic reusable [3.2% (4.9%: 2.2 to 7.6%); P < 0.001] and metallic reusable blades [4.0% (4.0%: 1.2 to 6.9%); P < 0.006]. No difference was found between the metallic reusable and metallic single-use groups (0.9%: -1.3 to 3.1%). Scoring on the Intubation Difficulty Scale [median (interquartile range)] was higher in the plastic single-use group [1 (0 to 2)] than in the metallic groups [metallic reusable: 0 (0 to 1); P < 0.001 and metallic single-use: 0 (0 to 1); P < 0.007] groups. Glottic exposure was significantly better in the metallic reusable group (modified Cormack & Lehane score III and IV: 3.7%) compared with the plastic single-use group (modified Cormack & Lehane score III and IV: 9.4%; P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: The rates of failed intubation at first laryngoscopy were similar in the metallic reusable and metallic reusable groups, but greater in the plastic single-use group.

A single 24F Blake drain after wedge resection or lobectomy: a study on 100 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of chest drainage using one 24F Blake drain after standard thoracic operations (wedge resection and lobectomy). METHODS: In 2005, 100 consecutive patients underwent drainage of their pleural cavity following lobectomy or wedge resection(s). There were 70 men and 30 women, with a mean age of 55 years (17-83). There were 47 lobectomies (23 upper, 5 middle, 19 lower), 3 bilobectomies (2 right upper and middle, 1 right lower and middle), and 2 anatomical segmentectomies. All these anatomical resections were performed by standard thoracotomy, mainly for cancer diseases (45 cases). Furthermore, 48 atypical resections by single or multiple wedge(s) were realized, 20 of them by VATS. They included 14 various benign diseases, 16 malignant diseases, 8 significant emphysema bullous, and 10 blebs. Chest X rays were performed regularly in the postoperative period to detect residual pleural effusion or pneumothorax necessitating additional drainage or reoperation. Patients were controlled one month after discharge. RESULTS: One patient with pleural carcinosis died of pulmonary embolus on day 8. Neither replacement of chest tube nor reoperation was necessary for pleural space problems. Median duration of drainage was 5 days (3-15), 6 days after lobectomy and 4 days after wedge resection. In 15 cases, the duration of drainage was more than 8 days: 11 persistent air leaks and 4 drainages exceeding 150-200 cm3 daily. Ninety percent of patients were discharged the day following the drain removal. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative courses after standard thoracic procedures using a single 24F Blake drainage appear similar to that accounting after a classical semi-rigid drainage. Such single drainage may appear now as an acceptable option. The flexible quality of the drain, its reduced caliber, and the character unique of the drainage, may contribute to improve comfort of the operated patients.

Propofol decreases reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in a model of "border zone" between normal and ischemic-reperfused guinea pig myocardium.

UNLABELLED: We examined the effect of propofol on the main mechanisms involved in ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias (i.e., spontaneous arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and dispersion of repolarization) in vitro. In a double-chamber bath, guinea pig right ventricular muscle strips were subjected to 30 min of simulated ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion (altered zone; AZ) and to standard conditions (normal zone; NZ). Action potential (AP) parameters were recorded in the NZ and AZ. We studied the effects of Intralipid(R) and of propofol at 10(-6), 10(-5), and 2 x 10(-5) M on the occurrence of spontaneous sustained arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and the dispersion of repolarization. In NZ, Intralipid and propofol did not significantly modify the AP parameters. Propofol, but not Intralipid, lessened the ischemia-induced decrease in AP duration (APD) at 90% of repolarization (APD(90)) and attenuated the APD dispersion around the "border zone." Propofol did not modify the occurrence of ischemia-induced arrhythmias. Propofol 10(-6) M, but not Intralipid or propofol at 10(-5) and 2 x 10(-5) M, decreased the occurrence of ischemia-induced conduction blocks. Propofol decreased the occurrence of reperfusion-induced spontaneous sustained arrhythmias. We conclude that, in vitro, propofol attenuated the ischemia-induced APD(90) dispersion around the "border zone" and decreased the occurrence of spontaneous arrhythmias related to myocardial reperfusion injury. IMPLICATIONS: In isolated guinea pig ventricular myocardium propofol, but not Intralipid(R), attenuated the ischemia-induced shortening of action potential and, thus, the dispersion of repolarization and decreased the occurrence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmia related to reperfusion injury. This result may be important for propofol-based anesthesia in patients at high risk for intraoperative ischemia.