Use of sugammadex in prevention of post-operative urinary retention in minimally invasive hernia surgery.

PURPOSE: Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) is a known complication of hernia surgery. Minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is typically done under general anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade (NMB), which is commonly reversed with an anticholinesterase inhibitor paired with an anticholinergic agent. Sugammadex is a unique NMB reversal agent that does not have to be paired with an anticholinergic. We sought to explore the role of sugammadex in reducing the rate of POUR following these procedures. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively at a single institution between February 2016 and October 2019. We identified and studied patients who underwent minimally invasive IHR and received either sugammadex or neostigmine/glycopyrrolate for NMB reversal. The primary endpoint was POUR requiring bladder catheterization. Secondary endpoints included post-operative and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS: 274 patients were included in this study (143 received neostigmine and glycopyrrolate, 131 sugammadex). The sugammadex patients were on average 5 years older than the neostigmine/ glycopyrrolate patients (63.2 vs 58.2, p = 0.003), and received less median intravenous fluids (IVF) (900 ml vs 1000 ml; p = 0.015). There was a significant difference in the rate of POUR between the sugammadex and neostigmine/glycopyrrolate patients (0.0% vs 8.4%, p ≤ 0.001). The difference remained significant after controlling for age and IVF. The odds of POUR for those who received neostigmine/glycopyrrolate were 25 × higher than the odds of those who received sugammadex. CONCLUSION: The results of this study reflect the protective role of sugammadex against POUR in minimally invasive IHR cases.

Lipoxin A4 stable analogs inhibit leukocyte rolling and adherence in the rat mesenteric microvasculature: role of P-selectin.

Three different stable lipoxin A4 (LXA4) analogs (i.e., 16-phenoxy-LXA4-Me, 15-cyclohexyl-LXA4-Me, and 15-R/S-methyl-LXA4-Me) were studied for their ability to modulate leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the rat mesenteric microvasculature. Superfusion of the rat mesentery with 50 micromol/liter NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) caused a significant, time-dependent increase in leukocyte rolling (56 +/- 8 cells/min; P < 0.01 vs. control) and leukocyte adherence (12.5 +/- 1. 2 cells/100 micron length of venule; P < 0.01 vs. control) after 120 min of superfusion. Concomitant superfusion of the rat mesentery with 10 nmol/liter of each of three lipoxin analogs consistently and markedly attenuated L-NAME-induced leukocyte rolling to 10 +/- 4 (P < 0.01), 4 +/- 1 (P < 0.01), and 32 +/- 7 (P < 0.05) cells/min, and adherence to 4 +/- 0.8 (P < 0.01), 1.1 +/- 0.4 (P < 0.01), and 7 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.05) cells/100 micron length of venule (16-phenoxy-LXA4-Me, 15-cyclohexyl-LXA4-Me, and 15-R/S- methyl-LXA4-Me, respectively). No alterations of systemic blood pressure or mesenteric venular shear rates were observed in any group. Immunohistochemical up-regulation of P-selectin expression on intestinal venular endothelium was significantly increased (P < 0.01) after exposure to L-NAME, and this was significantly attenuated by these lipoxin analogs (P < 0.01). Thus, in vivo superfusion of the rat mesentery with stable lipoxin analogs at 10 nmol/liter reduces L-NAME-induced leukocyte rolling and adherence in the mesenteric rat microvasculature by attenuating P-selectin expression. This anti-inflammatory mechanism may represent a novel and potent regulatory action of lipoxins on the immune system.

Use of shoulder flexors to achieve isometric elbow extension in C6 tetraplegic patients during weight shift.

The anterior deltoid muscle has been found to be active during elbow extension in normal volunteers and in C6 tetraplegic patients lacking a functional triceps. Using surface electromyography (EMG) on normal volunteers and on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) at the C6 motor level, we evaluated whether the anterior deltoid and biceps brachii muscles are active during closed chain elbow extension in a simulated weight shift position. Thirteen normal volunteers performed isometric contractions at 5 submaximal levels of force ranging from 4-25 kg. Six SCI patients performed isometric contractions at force levels of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Surface EMG over the right biceps, triceps, and anterior deltoid muscles was recorded for each participant and the root mean square (rms) electromyographic activity level for each muscle was determined at each level of force. Statistical analyses using repeated ANOVA with Tukey HSD post-hoc tests were performed for each level of force. The results indicated increasing rms activity of the triceps and anterior deltoid muscles with increasing force in normal volunteers to a significant degree (P < 0.05). SCI patients showed significant increasing activity of the anterior deltoid with increasing force, but showed minimal triceps rms activity. In both groups, the biceps showed minimal rms activity. SCI patients exhibited significantly greater rms activity of the anterior deltoid at low force compared with normal volunteers. The results suggest that the anterior deltoid aids in isometric elbow extension during a simulated weight shift maneuver.

Verapamil improves exercise capacity in chronic atrial fibrillation: double-blind crossover study.

Oral verapamil has previously been shown to reduce heart rate at rest and during mild exercise in chronic atrial fibrillation. Its efficacy in improving cardiovascular performance at higher levels of exercise and its safety were investigated in a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled double-blind study preceded by an open label titration phase in 20 digitalized patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Maximal exercise capacity was improved (from 522 +/- 257 to 806 +/- 348 work units, p less than 0.0005) when tested by a standardized multistage ergometry exercise test. Heart rate was also reduced at rest, at the end of 3 minutes of 300 KPM exercise, and at the point of maximal exercise. Blood pressure and double product were also reduced. Its efficacy and safety may make verapamil the treatment of choice in chronic atrial fibrillation.

The early recognition of right ventricular infarction: diagnostic accuracy of the electrocardiographic V4R lead.

The sensitivity and specificity of ST-segment elevation in the right precordial lead V4R as an early indicator of right ventricular infarction were examined in a consecutive series of 110 patients admitted for acute inferior myocardial infarction. The sensitivity was 82.7%, the specificity 76.9% and the positive predictive value 70% in 58 patients with right ventricular infarction documented by autopsy or a combination of radionuclide ventriculography and one or more of the following tests: echocardiography, technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy and hemodynamic monitoring. The negative predictive value was 87.7%. Because of its simplicity and its high sensitivity and specificity, recording of V4R should be an intrinsic part of the early evaluation and electrocardiographic examination of acute inferior wall infarction.