Practice Algorithm of Rotational Thromboelastometry-Guided (ROTEM-Guided) Bleeding Management in Liver Transplantation.

Liver transplantation (LT) is frequently complicated by coagulopathy associated with end-stage liver disease, which is often multifactorial and associated with hemostatic disturbances affecting both the procoagulant and anticoagulant systems. This rebalanced coagulation system may lead to bleeding diathesis or increased clot formation. Conventional coagulation tests cannot reflect these complex changes because they can only illustrate deficiencies in the procoagulant system. Viscoelastic tests such as rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have been used in LT and have shown useful for detecting coagulopathy and guiding transfusions. Implementation of ROTEM-guided bleeding management algorithms has proven effectiveness in reducing bleeding, transfusion needs, complication rates, and healthcare costs in LT. This document is intended to provide a practice algorithm for the management of major bleeding and coagulopathy during LT and to encourage adaptation of the guidelines to individual institutional circumstances and resources.

Comparison of Anesthesia-Controlled Operating Room Time Between Propofol-Based Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Desflurane Anesthesia in Open Liver Resection: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Reducing anesthesia-controlled time (ACT) such as extubation time may improve operation room (OR) efficiency result from different anesthetic techniques. However, the information about the difference in ACT between desflurane (DES) anesthesia and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) techniques for open liver resection under general anesthesia is not available in the literature. METHODS: This retrospective study uses our hospital database to analyze the ACT of open liver resection after either DES/fentanyl-based anesthesia or TIVA via target-controlled infusion (TCI) with fentanyl/propofol from January 2010 to December 2011. The various time intervals including waiting for anesthesia time, anesthesia time, surgical time, extubation time, exit from OR after extubation, total OR time, and post-anesthetic care unit stay time and percentage of prolonged extubation (≥ 15 minutes) were compared between the two anesthetic techniques. RESULTS: We included 143 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, with 82 patients receiving TIVA and 61 patients receiving DES. The extubation time was faster (10.1 ± 3.2 min vs. 11.8 ± 5.2 min; P = 0.03), and the incidence of prolonged extubation was lower (9.8% vs. 26.8%; P = 0.02) in the DES group than in the TIVA group. The factors contributed to prolonged extubation were age, sex, anesthetic technique, and anesthesia time. CONCLUSION: The DES anesthesia provided faster extubation time and lower incidence of prolonged extubation compared with propofol-based TIVA by TCI in elective open liver resection. Besides, older age, male, TIVA, and lengthy anesthesia time were factors affecting prolonged extubation.

Optimal effect-site concentration of propofol for tracheal suctioning during emergence from ophthalmic surgery.

In ophthalmic surgery, coughing during emergence from general anesthesia may have a detrimental effect on intraocular pressure. Tracheal suction during emergence may elicit this reflex. The optimal effect-site concentration (EC) of propofol to prevent triggering of the cough reflex during tracheal suctioning is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the optimal EC of propofol for tracheal suctioning during emergence in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery.Twenty-one patients were enrolled, all of them American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II non-smokers undergoing ophthalmic surgery. Anesthesia was induced and maintained under total intravenous anesthesia using target-controlled infusion. During emergence from general anesthesia, tracheal suction was performed at different propofol concentrations as required for Dixon's up-and-down method with a step size of 0.2 µg/ml. A propofol concentration at which the cough reflex was not triggered during tracheal suctioning was considered successful.The EC50 of propofol for tracheal suction without cough was 1.4 µg/ml and the EC95 was 1.6 µg/ml.Tracheal suction may be accomplished without triggering the cough reflex when the propofol effect-site concentration is higher than 1.6 µg/ml.

Propofol vs desflurane on the cytokine, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and heme oxygenase-1 response during living donor liver transplantation: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of propofol vs desflurane on ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced inflammatory responses, especially in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) downregulation and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) upregulation, which may result in different clinical outcomes in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Fifty liver transplant recipients were randomized to receive propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA group, n = 25) or desflurane anesthesia (DES group, n = 25). We then measured the following: perioperative serum cytokine concentrations (interleukin 1 receptor antagonist [IL-1RA], IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10); MMP-9 and HO-1 mRNA expression levels at predefined intervals. Further, postoperative outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The TIVA group showed a significant HO-1 level increase following the anhepatic phase and a significant MMP-9 reduction after reperfusion, in addition to a significant increase in IL-10 levels after the anhepatic phase and IL-1RA levels after reperfusion. Compared to DES patients, TIVA patients showed a faster return of the international normalized ratio to normal values, lower plasma alanine aminotransferase concentrations 24 hours after transplantation, and fewer patients developing acute lung injury. Moreover, compared with DES patients, TIVA patients showed a significant reduction in serum blood lactate levels. However, there were no differences in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Propofol-based TIVA attenuated inflammatory response (elevated IL-1RA and IL-10 levels), downregulated MMP-9 response, and increased HO-1 expression with improved recovery of graft function and better microcirculation compared with desflurane anesthesia in liver transplant recipients.

Analysis of anesthesia-controlled operating room time after propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia compared with desflurane anesthesia in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Anesthesia technique may contribute to the improvement of operation room (OR) efficiency by reducing anesthesia-controlled time. We compared the difference between propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and desflurane anesthesia (DES) for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) undergoing general anesthesiaWe performed a retrospective study using data collected in our hospital to compare the anesthesia-controlled time of FESS using either TIVA via target-controlled infusion with propofol/fentanyl or DES/fentanyl-based anesthesia between January 2010 and December 2011. The various time intervals (surgical time, anesthesia time, extubation time, total OR stay time, post anesthesia care unit [PACU] stay time) and the percentage of prolonged extubation were compared between the 2 anesthetic techniques.We included data from 717 patients, with 305 patients receiving TIVA and 412 patients receiving DES. An emergence time >15 minutes is defined as prolonged extubation. The extubation time was faster (8.8 [3.5] vs. 9.6 [4.0] minutes; P = .03), and the percentage of prolonged extubation was lower (7.5% vs. 13.6%, risk difference 6.1%, P < .001) in the TIVA group than in the DES group. However, there was no significant difference between ACT, total OR stay time, and PACU stay time.In our hospital, propofol-based TIVA by target-controlled infusion provide faster emergence and lower chance of prolonged extubation compared with DES anesthesia in FESS. However, the reduction in extubation time may not improve OR efficiency.

Efficacy of sevoflurane as an adjuvant to propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia for attenuating secretions in ocular surgery.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of nasal secretions into the operative field is as high as 5% in ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia. It may induce postoperative endophthalmitis. Secretions under propofol-based total intravanous anesthesia (TIVA) are greater than sevoflurane anesthesia during surgery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after inhalational anesthesia is higher than TIVA and may increase intraocluar pressure. We investigated the effect of sevoflurane combination with propofol-based TIVA on nasopharyngeal secretions and PONV in ocular surgery. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing ocular operations were randomly assigned for propofol-based TIVA or propofol/sevoflurane anesthesia. In the TIVA group (n = 25), anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and fentanyl; in the propofol/sevoflurane group (n = 25), 1% sevoflurane anesthesia was added. RESULTS: Nasopharyngeal excretion volume was significantly higher in the propofol-based TIVA group than in the propofol/sevoflurane group (31.0 ±â€Š18.1 vs 13.7 ±â€Š12.6 ml; P < .001). No significant difference in extubation time was noted (propofol-based TIVA: 6.4 ±â€Š3.6 vs propofol/sevoflurane: 7.4 ±â€Š3.0 minutes; P = .34). No postoperative endophthalmitis or PONV in both groups was observed. CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane attenuated secretions under propofol-based TIVA and did not increase the incidence of PONV or prolonged extubation in ocular surgery.

A patient with postpolio syndrome developed cauda equina syndrome after neuraxial anesthesia: A case report.

Combined spinal anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia is widely used in orthopedic surgery. Uncommon but serious neurologic complications of neuraxial anesthesia (NA) include direct trauma during needle or catheter insertion, central nervous system infections, and neurotoxicity of local anesthetics. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare complication after NA but can result in severe neurologic deterioration that may require surgical intervention. We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with postpolio syndrome who developed CES after combined spinal anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia. Perioperative observations and follow-up examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging, revealed no evidence of direct needle- or catheter-induced trauma, spinal hematoma, spinal ischemia, intraneural anesthetic injection, or infection. We speculate that CES symptoms were observed because of enhanced sensitivity to a combination of regional anesthetic technique-related microtrauma and neurotoxicity of bupivacaine and ropivacaine. Thus, practitioners should be aware that patients with preexisting neurologic diseases may be at increased risk for CES after NA.

Removal of Laryngeal Mask Airway in Adults Under Target-Controlled, Propofol-Fentanyl Infusion Anesthesia: Awake or Deep Anesthesia?

After emergence from anesthesia, the incidence and severity of adverse airway effects caused by the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) can vary, depending on when the device was removed; nonetheless, reports differ regarding the exact optimal timing of LMA removal. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of adverse events between 2 groups: those whose LMA was removed under general anesthesia ("deep" group) or under target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol ("awake" group).Institutional Review Board approval and written informed consent were obtained; 124 patients were then randomly allocated into either the "awake" group or the "deep" group. Anesthesia was induced and maintained using TCI of propofol, as well as intravenous fentanyl. In the "deep" group, the LMA was removed after surgery while the patients were deeply anesthetized using a target effect-site propofol concentration of 2 µg/mL, whereas in the "awake" group, the device was removed while the patients followed verbal instructions. The incidence of the following adverse events was recorded: coughing, straining, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, clenching, breath holding, gross purposeful movement, airway obstruction, retching, vomiting, and oxygen desaturation. If any such event occurred, the LMA removal was considered a failure. Airway hyperreactivity was recorded and graded - based on the severity of cough, breath holding, and oxygen desaturation.The failure rate was higher in the "awake" group (15/61; 24.6%) than in the "deep" group (5/60; 8.3%). Airway hyperreactivity was mild (score, <3) in both groups.Removal of the LMA under deep anesthesia using a target-controlled, effect-site propofol concentration of 2 µg/mL may be safer and more successful than removal when patients are fully awake after surgery.

Comparison between intraoperative fentanyl and tramadol to improve quality of emergence.

BACKGROUND: Cough causes poor quality of emergence from anesthesia and risks of several complications. We compared fentanyl and an antitussive action of tramadol on the quality of emergence and postoperative outcome. METHODS: A total of 110 adults (18 to 83 y) of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III undergoing elective lumbar microdiscectomy with intubated total intravenous anesthesia were randomly divided into 2 groups of 55 each. The patients assigned to the fentanyl group received a dose of 1 µg/kg of fentanyl, whereas those assigned to the tramadol group received 1 mg/kg of tramadol, at the beginning of skin closure. We recorded the incidence of cough, quality of extubation at fixed times, maximal heart rates, maximal blood pressure during emergence, postoperative pain scores, and consumption of fentanyl. In addition, postoperative sore throat (POST), hoarseness, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and other anesthetic and surgical-related complications were recorded. RESULTS: Tramadol reduced cough incidence, improved extubation quality, and provided more stable hemodynamics during emergence. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain, fentanyl consumption, incidence and severity of POST, hoarseness, and postoperative nausea and vomiting between groups. Moreover, we found that the incidence of POST did not correlate with cough incidence. CONCLUSIONS: A dose of 1 mg/kg of tramadol administered intravenously 30 minutes before the expected extubation, compared with 1 µg/kg of fentanyl, decreased cough incidence, improved emergence quality, and provided stable hemodynamics. However, there was no significant difference between tramadol and fentanyl in pain scores and fentanyl consumption postoperatively.

Anaphylaxis to pantoprazole during general anesthesia.

The most frequent causes of anaphylaxis during anesthesia are neuromuscular blocking agents, antibiotics, and latex. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are widely used during major surgery for the prevention of stress ulcers, but cases of perioperative anaphylactic reactions to these have rarely been reported. We present a 50-year-old male patient who experienced an episode of anaphylaxis with hypoxemia, hypotension, tachycardia, and generalized erythema after intravenous injection of pantoprazole 40 mg and methylprednisolone 1 g during general anesthesia. After resuscitation, the patient recovered without any sequelae. Six months after the surgery, a skin test was positive to pantoprazole.

The effectiveness of benzydamine hydrochloride spraying on the endotracheal tube cuff or oral mucosa for postoperative sore throat.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of postoperative sore throat (POST) is considered to be the result of laryngoscopy, intubation damage, or inflated cuff compression of the tracheal mucosa. In this study, we compared the effectiveness in alleviating POST using different approaches to benzydamine hydrochloride (BH) administration by spraying the endotracheal tube (ET) cuff or the oropharyngeal cavity, or both. METHODS: Three hundred eighty patients were included in this prospective and double-blind study, which was randomized into 4 groups: group A, oropharyngeal cavity spray of BH, and distilled water on the ET cuff; group B, both the oropharyngeal cavity and the ET cuff received BH spray; group C, the ET cuff received BH spray, and the oropharyngeal cavity received distilled water; and group D, distilled water sprayed on both the ET tube and into the oropharyngeal cavity. The patients were examined for sore throat (none, mild, moderate, severe) at 0, 2, 4, and 24 hours postextubation. RESULTS: The incidence of POST was 23.2%, 13.8%, 14.7%, and 40.4% in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. POST occurred significantly less frequently in groups B and C compared with group D (odds ratio: 0.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.60; P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between groups A and D (odds ratio: 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.38-1.01). Moreover, there was no significant interaction between spraying BH over the oropharyngeal cavity and the ET cuff on the incidence of POST (P = 0.088). The severity of POST was significantly more intense in group D compared with groups B and C (P < 0.001). Group B had a significantly higher incidence of local numbness, burning, and/or stinging sensation compared with patients in group D (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that spraying BH on the ET cuff decreases the incidence and severity of POST without increased BH-related adverse effects.

Effect on postoperative sore throat of spraying the endotracheal tube cuff with benzydamine hydrochloride, 10% lidocaine, and 2% lidocaine.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication after endotracheal intubation. We compared the effectiveness on POST of spraying the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff with benzydamine hydrochloride, 10% lidocaine, and 2% lidocaine. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-two patients were randomly allocated into 4 groups. The ETT cuffs in each group were sprayed with benzydamine hydrochloride, 10% lidocaine hydrochloride, 2% lidocaine hydrochloride, or normal saline before endotracheal intubation. After insertion, the cuffs were inflated to an airway leak pressure of 20 cm H(2)O. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol. The patients were examined for sore throat (none, mild, moderate, or severe) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after extubation. RESULTS: The highest incidence of POST occurred at 6 hours after extubation in all groups. There was a significantly lower incidence of POST in the benzydamine group than 10% lidocaine, 2% lidocaine, and normal saline groups (P < 0.05) at each observation time point. At 6 hours after extubation, the incidence of POST was significantly lower in the benzydamine group (17.0%) compared with 10% lidocaine (53.7%), 2% lidocaine (37.0%), and normal saline (40.8%) groups (P < 0.05). The benzydamine group had significantly decreased severity of POST compared with the 10% lidocaine, 2% lidocaine, and normal saline groups (P < 0.05) at each observation time point. Compared with the 2% lidocaine and normal saline groups, the 10% lidocaine group had significantly increased severity of POST at 1, 6, and 12 hours after extubation. There were no significant differences among groups in local or systemic side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Spraying benzydamine hydrochloride on the ETT cuff is a simple and effective method to reduce the incidence and severity of POST.

[The current situation and trends in the clinical treatment of shock].

Shock is defined as hypoperfusion of tissues and/or organs. The initial focus of resuscitation following shock is on establishing an open airway and ensuring adequate ventilation and circulation. Causes of shock can be recognized quickly via clinical manifestations. A professional physical examination and observation of response to therapy can result in early diagnosis of the causes of unstable vital signs. Identification of shock symptoms in order to administer appropriate treatment quickly is key to saving patient lives, because "time is tissue". In all shock cases, treatments begin with an evaluation, resuscitation and immediate treatment of life-threatening symptoms. Patients may experience more than one kind of shock simultaneously, which further complicates their assessment and treatment. The critical care of shock should be done thoroughly and systematically in order to assess and manage patients so as to avoid dysfunctions in one organ damaging others. During emergency and critical management of shock patients, once a certain stage of assessment is completed, further evaluation is necessary to assess condition improvement. If improvement is confirmed, maintenance therapy may be considered. If improvement is not confirmed, it should be considered whether treatment is inadequate or misfocused, or whether the patient's response is atypically poor. In addition to timely resuscitation and ICU care, there are specific effective treatments for each type of shock. Such must be administered in accordance with guidelines, standard protocols and goal-oriented approaches. Trends in shock management currently focus on integrating guidelines, standard protocols and goal-oriented approaches into a "treatment bundle", which facilitates the implementation of clinical medical care and completes specific goals within a specified time limit to reduce the risk of multiple organ failure and death due to shock.

Transient unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after orotracheal intubation for general anesthesia.

Perioperative hypoglossal nerve palsy is a rare postoperative complication. Here, we present a case of transient unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after shoulder surgery. The cause of the hypoglossal nerve palsy in our patient was assumed to be a complication of oropharyngeal manipulation during orotracheal intubation for general anesthesia. However, direct compression of the hypoglossal nerve beneath the angle of the mandible during mask ventilation and the surgical procedure may have been a concomitant cause. Therefore, in order to prevent this complication, we must perform mask ventilation and direct laryngoscopy carefully. Head and neck manipulation should be gentle during anesthesia for shoulder surgery.