Seven-day services in surgery and the "weekend effect" at a Japanese teaching hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals deliver 24-h, 7-day care on a 5-day workweek model, as fewer resources are available on weekends. In prior studies, poorer outcomes have been observed with weekend admission or surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 7-day service at a hospital, including outpatient consultations, diagnostic examinations and elective surgeries, on the likelihood of the "weekend effect" in surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent surgery between April 2014 and October 2016 at an academic medical centre in Tokyo, Japan. The main outcome measure was 30-day in-hospital mortality from the index surgery. The characteristics of the participants were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test or the chi-squared test as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to test for differences in the mortality rate between the two groups, and propensity score adjustments were made. RESULTS: A total of 7442 surgeries were identified, of which, 1386 (19%) took place on the weekend. Of the 947 emergency surgeries, 25% (235) were performed on the weekend. The mortality following emergency weekday surgery was 21‰ (15/712), compared with 55‰ (13/235) following weekend surgery. Of the 6495 elective surgeries, 18% (1151) were performed on the weekend. The mortality following elective weekday surgery was 2.3‰ (12/5344), compared with 0.87‰ (1/1151) following weekend surgery. After adjustment, weekend surgeries were associated with an increased risk of death, especially in the emergency setting (emergency odds ratio: 2.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-6.5 vs. elective odds ratio: 0.4, 95% confidence interval: 0.05-3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing emergency surgery on the weekend had higher 30-day mortality, but showed no difference in elective surgery mortality. These findings have potential implications for health administrators and policy makers who may try to restructure the hospital workweek or consider weekend elective surgery.

[Tooth Mobility Evaluation -A Comparison with Dental Assessment-].

BACKGROUND: Patients with mobile teeth are at an increased risk of tooth injury related to tracheal intu- bation. Although the presence/absence of mobile teeth is confirmed through interviews during preoperative visits, patients are frequently unaware of the presence of such teeth. In our facility, dental consultation is pro- vided for all patients undergoing thoracoscopically- assisted surgery as part of the management of oral hygiene. This study examined the presence/absence of mobile teeth reported by patients during preoperative visits and those identified on dental consultation, focus- ing on the inconsistency between them. METHODS: Patients who had undergone thoraco- scopically-assisted surgery in our facility between Janu- ary and October 2014 were retrospectively studied. Tooth mobility was evaluated using the Miller index. RESULTS: Among the 76 (46 males and 30 females) patients aged 36 to 88 (mean: 67.8), mobile teeth were identified on dental consultation in 13 and reported during preoperative visits by 8. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this findings, it may be nec- essary to pay sufficient attention when inserting tubes even when mobile teeth have not been reported by patients during preoperative visits.

[Anesthesia in a Patient with Giant Goiter in Whom Tracheotomy Was Performed with Standby of Percutaneous Cardiopulmonary Support].

In a 53-year-old female patient total thyroidectomy for a giant goiter under general anesthesia was scheduled. On talking, airway stenosis sounds were heard. Cervical to thoracic CT revealed left and right lobe tumors measuring 5.3 x 5.6 x 10.0 and 9.1 x 8.6 x 10.0 cm, respectively. The trachea showed stenosis at a site 3.8 to 6.5 cm below the glottis, and the narrowest lumen diameter was 3.1 mm. Due to marked tracheal stenosis, awake intubation was not selected. To maintain the airway, tracheotomy was performed under local anesthesia. Considering the risk of difficulty in ventilation during tracheostomy, 4 Fr catheter sheaths were inserted into the right femoral artery and vein for percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). Subsequently, tracheotomy was conducted in an area peripheral to the site of stenosis. After tracheotomy, general anesthesia was started. During general anesthesia, there were no problems regarding ventilation. The tracheal cannula was removed 7 days after surgery, and the patient was discharged after 14 days. For general anesthesia in patients with giant goiter, it is important to select an airway management method in consideration of tumor-related compression of the trachea. Airway management by tracheotomy under local anesthesia with standby of PCPS may be a treatment option.

[Perioperative Management of Emergency Operation for a Patient with Carcinoid Syndrome].

We report a case of carcinoid syndrome requiring an emergency operation for an upper gastrointestinal perforation. A 46-year-old man had undergone left lower lobectomy for a lung carcinoid tumor seven years previously, and liver metastasis was found five years previously. He developed cutaneous flushing and watery diarrhea, and was diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome one year previously. Although he was treated with octreotid, his symptoms became worse and he was admitted to our hospital. During the hospital stay, he underwent an emergency operation for an upper gastrointestinal perforation. Before the operation, hemodynamics were unstable. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane and propofol, and maintained with sevoflurane and remifentanil. Only vasopressin was used for the treatment of hypotension. Landiolol was used for perioperative tachyarrythmia. During anesthesia, there was no severe hypotension or hypertension. After the operation, he was managed with intubation in the ICU. Octreotid was administered again for the carcinoid syndrome. Vasopressin was necessary for the treatment of hypotension in the ICU. After improvement of hemodynamics, extubation was performed on the 3rd ICU day and he was discharged from the ICU on the 4th ICU day. In conclusion, we were able to perform good perioperative management of carcinoid syndrome accompanied by hemodynamic instability.

[Two cases of general anesthesia after recovery from ARDS].

There are few reports on general anesthesia in survivors of ARDS. Patients after recovery from ARDS are at risk for compromised pulmonary function, neuromuscular weakness and cognitive dysfunction. We report 2 cases of general anesthesia in survivors of ARDS. In Case 1, a 64-year-old man who had recovered from ARDS associated with Legionella pneumonia underwent carotid endarterectomy. In Case 2, a 69-year-old man who had recovered from ARDS associated with pneumococcal pneumonia underwent hepatectomy. Concerning the preoperative assessments, the spirometry data were almost normal but Hugh-Jones classification scale was II in both cases. Diffusion disturbance might be the cause of discrepancies between good respiratory functions and limited daily activities. In both cases, anesthesia was given with propofol, fentanyl remifentanil and sevoflurane. Peak airway pressure was maintained below 15 cmH2O with pressure control ventilation. They were extubated at the end of surgery and there were no serious complications during the perioperative period.

Reliability of central venous pressure to assess left ventricular preload for fluid resuscitation in patients with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Initial fluid resuscitation is an important hemodynamic therapy in patients with septic shock. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines recommend fluid resuscitation with volume loading according to central venous pressure (CVP). However, patients with septic shock often develop a transient decrease in cardiac function; thus, it may be inappropriate to use CVP as a reliable marker for fluid management. METHODS: We evaluated 40 adult patients with septic shock secondary to intra-abdominal infection who received active treatment and were monitored using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and CVP for 2 days after admission to our intensive care unit (ICU). We measured left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left atrial diameter (LAD), and the pressure gradient of tricuspid regurgitation (TR∆P). The shock status was treated with volume loading and inotrope/vasopressor administration according to the TTE findings. We assessed left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) as an index of left ventricular contractility and TR∆P as an index of right ventricular afterload and then examined the correlation between CVP and LVEDD/LAD/TR∆P. RESULTS: LVFS decreased to ≤30% in 42.5% and 27.5% of patients with septic shock, and severe left ventricular dysfunction with LVFS ≤20% developed in 12.5% and 15.0% of patients on the first and second ICU days, respectively, despite the use of inotropes/vasopressors. Mild pulmonary hypertension as indicated by TR∆P ≥30 mmHg was present in 27.5% and 30.0% of patients on their first and second ICU days, respectively. There was no significant correlation between CVP and LVEDD/LAD/TR∆P. The hospital mortality rate in this study was 10.0%, although the predicted mortality based on the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 58.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CVP is not a reliable marker of left ventricular preload for fluid management during the initial phase of septic shock. Assessment of left ventricular preload, right ventricular overload, and left ventricular contractility using TTE seems to be more informative than the measurement of CVP for fluid resuscitation since some patients developed left ventricular dysfunction and/or right ventricular overload.

[General anesthesia for lung resection in 7 patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 second of less than 1l].

Preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 1 l is a risk factor for anesthesia. We report perioperative management and prognosis of 7 patients with restricted lung function who underwent lung resection under general anesthesia. We assessed the patients preoperatively from the point of view of heart-lung functions such as predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second greater than 0.8 l, an ability of walking on the level for more than 5 minutes at his own speed without a rest, presence of hypercapnia, and degree of pulmonary hypertension. One patient was extubated on the first postoperative day because of an asthmatic attack, whereas the remaining 6 patients were extubated in the operating room. Although 1 patient developed postoperative complications of lung air leakage and pneumonia, he recovered with conservative therapy. All patients were discharged without any sequela. We were able to manage high-risk patients with limited lung functions successfully during the perioperative period without serious complications.

[A case of rocuronium-induced anaphylactic shock successfully treated with sugammadex].

We report a case of a 19-year-old male with rocuronium-induced anaphylactic shock. He was scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis under general anesthesia. Induction of anesthesia was done with fentanyl, propofol and sevoflurane. Just after administration of rocuronium, he developed tachycardia with extended exanthema on the face, anterior chest wall and abdomen. He was difficult to ventilate manually with mask and then intubated without difficulty. The carotid arterial pulse was not palpable and adrenaline was given intermittently to maintain blood pressure. Although the systolic blood pressure increased to 80 mmHg, hemodynamics was unstable with adrenaline. Sugammadex was then given and the blood pressure became stable without adrenaline. Exanthema also disappeared gradually. He was then transferred to ICU and extubated without any sequela. The plasma beta-tryptase increased to 46 microg x l(-1) during the shock state and returned to 14.1 microg x l(-1) 8 hrs after the event. The blood hemoglobin level also increased to 21.3 g x dl(-1) during the shock state and returned to 17.2 g x dl(-1) during the recovery phase. The laboratory data showed a marked increase in vascular permeability caused by rocuronium-induced anaphylactic shock.

[A case of delayed awakening from general anesthesia caused by psychological unresponsiveness].

We report a case of an 85-year-old woman with delayed awakening from general anesthesia caused by psychological unresponsiveness. She underwent an open reduction of the right femoral bone fracture. Induction of general anesthesia was done with fentanyl, propofol, sevoflurane, and rocuronium. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and remifentanil without any incidents. After the operation she opened her eyes and tried to extubate the endtracheal tube and then she was extubated. She developed coma and did not respond to painful stimuli after extubation, but spontaneous breathing was maintained with stable hemodynamics. Although naloxone was given, she was still comatose. Her clinical neurological findings and the brain CT scan showed no organic abnormalities. The bispectral index showed the value of 85 to 95; 2.5 hrs after operation she moved her extremities in response to pain and 3.5 hrs after operation she gradually woke up and obeyed commands. After fully awakening she showed no clinical manifestations of psychological abnormality during her postoperative period and no sequela.

A case of acquired hemophilia A with massive hemothorax.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening hemorrhagic disorder caused by the development of an inhibitor against coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). AHA is very rare, affecting approximately 1 in 1 million individuals. However, the incidence may actually be higher, because diagnosis is difficult and the disease can be overlooked. We report a case of an 80-year-old man who presented with sudden onset of severe hemothorax. The patient was diagnosed with presumed AHA based on acute onset of bleeding symptoms and unexplained isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. Diagnosis was definitely established by demonstrating a decrease in FVIII activity, presence of FVIII inhibitor activity, and normal von Willebrand factor. The patient was successfully treated with recombinant activated coagulation factor VII and transcatheter artery embolization of the intercostal arteries.

[Case of general anesthesia for subtotal thyroidectomy in a pregnant woman with 27th week gestation].

We report a case of general anesthesia for subtotal thyroidectomy in a pregnant woman with 27th week gestation. A 33-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma. We planned subtotal thyroidectomy at 27 weeks of gestation. We gave thiamylal, fentanyl and rocuronium for induction of anesthesia. Tracheal intubation was performed. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl. Because of tachycardia, we tilted the operating table to displace the uterus to the left. We continued monitoring fetal heart rate during the operation. The fetal heart rate remained between 130 and 150 beats x min(-1). The operation was performed with no trouble. She gave birth to a baby at 37th week gestation. We should pay attention to maternal safety, fetal toxicity including teratogenecity, fetal asphyxia and pre-term labor. We could successfully manage her anesthesia using intraoperative fetal heart rate monitoring.

[The efficacy of intravenous lidocaine for acute herpetic pain--placebo controlled trial].

BACKGROUND: Acute herpetic pain (AHP) which is considered not only nociceptive pain but also neuropathic pain, is often severe and intractable. Although there have been reports of the efficacy of intravenous lidocaine (IVL) for neuropathic pain, the efficacy of lidocaine for AHP is not known. Therefore, the effect of IVL for AHP was examined. METHODS: The study included 43 patients, who visited our pain management office within 90 days after skin eruption of herpes zoster. This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled design. In group A, a continuous infusion of saline 100 ml for 30 min was given followed by a continuous infusion of IVL 3 mg x kg(-1) for 30 min. In group B, IVL 3 mg x kg(-1) for 30 min was given followed by saline 100 ml for 30 min. A pain relief score (PRS) was assessed at the end of each infusion. RESULTS: In group A, PRS decreased significantly with saline and decreased furthermore with IVL. In group B, PRS decreased significantly with IVL and did not change with saline. A reduction of PRS with IVL in group B was significantly greater than that with saline in group A. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that IVL has a significant analgesic effect in patients with AHP.