[Cytoreductive Surgery Performed Twice for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei with Pleural Extension of Mucinous Tumor].

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a condition characterized by production of a large amount of mucopolysaccharides by neoplastic epithelium, with intraabdominal cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) known to be viable treatment options. Pleural extension from an PMP is unusual and thought to be related to diaphragmatic perforation during surgery or transdiaphragmatic spreading of the disease through the lymphatic lacunae. Here, we report a patient with PMP with pleural extension of a mucinous tumor for whom CRS was performed twice. A 57-year-old female with PMP infiltrating the right chest cavity was scheduled for two separate CRS and hyperthermic chemotherapy procedures, because of the highly invasive characteristics of the surgery. For the first operation, we performed intra-abdominal surgery under general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia. To assess fluid and blood transfusion responsiveness, and reactions to vasoactive medication, we utilized an arterial pressure-based cardiac output monitor and central venous oximetry catheter. The second operation was performed 5 months later under general anesthesia with differential lung ventilation combined with epidural anesthesia. The operation and anesthesia for both surgical procedures were uneventful.

Mechanisms of action of anesthetics for the modulation of perioperative thrombosis: evidence for immune mechanisms from basic and clinical studies.

Thrombotic events occurring in either arteries or veins are the primary causes of fatal perioperative cardiovascular events. Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis, several of which are evidently associated with specific surgical procedures, are quite different from those for arterial thrombosis (e.g., aging or atherosclerotic diseases). Thrombus formed in arteries consists mainly of platelets coated with fibrin (i.e., white thrombus), while venous thrombus formed at relatively lower shear stress consists of all blood components including erythrocytes as well as leukocytes infiltrated with fibrin (red thrombus). Clinical evidence indicates beneficial roles of neuraxial anesthesia/analgesia in the prevention of VTE for patients undergoing high risk surgical procedures. To date, mechanisms of action of drugs used for neuraxial anesthesia/analgesia to prevent venous thrombosis are uncertain. However, accumulation of clinical as well as experimental findings points to the involvement of immune cells (especially monocytes) in red thrombus generation and to the interaction of anesthetics with these cells. We also suggest that adhesion molecules associated with the formation of monocyte platelet aggregates as well as substance P: neurokinin-1 receptor (SP/NK1R) pathway that involves neurogenic inflammation are crucial. Local anesthetics and NK1R antagonists are candidate drugs that may possess the capability to prevent venous thrombotic disorders in perioperative settings.

Detection of the full-length transcript variant for neurokinin-1 receptor in human whole blood associated with enhanced reinforcement of clot by substance-P.

We have recently reported that a neurotransmitter for pain, substance-P (SP), promotes platelet-dependent clot formation through neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1Rs), in which leukocytes appear to be involved (J Thromb Thrombolysis 2009;27:280-6). Two naturally occurring splice isoforms of NK1R with different signal transduction potency, namely the full-length and the truncated NK1Rs are identified. It is known that human leukocytes express truncated NK1Rs, while in vivo expression of the full-length NK1R has not yet been fully clarified. Modulatory effects of alternative splicing for NK1Rs on clot formation also remain to be evaluated. Expression of the transcript variant mRNA for NK1Rs in human whole blood (n = 20) was evaluated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A 15 min time series of the strength of clot, formed after reloading of calcium in citrated whole blood with or without SP (10 nM) and a NK1R antagonist Spantide (1 µM), was measured by using oscillating-probe viscoelastometry. The full-length transcript variant was detected in 5 samples among 20. SP significantly increased the clot strength while Spantide suppressed the SP-derived change. The extent of modulation by SP/NK1R pathway in a subgroup with expression of the full-length transcript variant was three times as potent as those in another subgroup without expression. We conclude that expression of the full-length transcript variant for NK1R can be detected in human whole blood and that such expression is associated with the enhanced reinforcement of clot by SP. Further study is required to nominate this mRNA as a biomarker for prothrombotic risks in painful conditions such as perioperative period.

[Prospective study of respiratory complications during urological retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery].

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery has recently become a common procedure for urological fields. We investigated the incidence of respiratory complications and their background during retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgical procedures performed in the kidney position. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 51 patients undergoing urological retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery, and assessed perioperative respiratory complications using postoperative chest x-ray (CXR) and physical examinations. RESULTS: CXR revealed abnormalities in 32 patients (63%), including atelectasis in 22 (43%), pneumomediastinum in 8 (16%), and subcutaneous emphysema in 4 (8%). All of the atelectasis cases occurred in a middle or inferior robe, or a lingular segment of the lower lung in the lateral decubitus position. Furthermore, atelectasis occurred chiefly in older patients or in those who underwent right side surgical procedures, while pneumomediastinum was more common in left side procedures. One case was switched to an open laparotomy procedure because of possible pneumothorax; however, postoperative respiratory status was stable in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory complications, such as atelectasis or pneumomediastinum, occurred in more than half of the patients after urological retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgical procedures in the kidney position. Careful perioperative management and postoperative CXR examinations are essential for early detection of such potentially life-threatening complications.

[Antiemetic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms seen by our palliative care team].

BACKGROUND: Antiemetic drugs, which are usually prescribed with opioids, occasionally induce extrapyramidal symptoms(EPS). METHODS: In 109 patients treated with our palliative care team, we retrospectively investigated the appearance of antiemetic-induced EPS; its incidence, latent period, onset age, symptoms, causing agents and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: EPS were observed in 6 of 109 patients. Six EPS patients, 2 men and 4 women, were between the age of 53 and 66 years. Prochlorperazine was used in all EPS patients. Two EPS were induced with unnecessary antiemetic drugs. Onset of EPS was from 11 to 162 days after beginning of antiemetic drugs. There were 5 patients with slow movement or speech, 3 patients with expressionless face, 2 patients with akathisia, and one patient with dysphagia. Five EPS patients were improved by using biperiden and one patient was by changing prochlorperazine to perospirone. CONCLUSIONS: EPS were found in 6 of 109 patients during palliative care. We concluded that it was important not to forget the appearance of antiemetic-induced EPS when prescribing antiemetic drugs in palliative

[Case of transfusion-related acute lung injury associated with severe intraoperative hypoxemia].

A 39-year-old woman, undergoing debridement and flap reconstruction for a soft tissue infection in an upper limb, developed transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and hypoxemia after an intraoperative transfusion. Perioperatively, she received 8 units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) and 5 units of fresh frozen plasma. Shortly thereafter, hemoglobin oxygen saturation decreased from 100% to 94%, as measured with a pulse oximeter. Chest radiography showed diffuse bilateral pulmonary edema without heart enlargement and echocardiography revealed normal cardiac function. Based on the findings and clinical course, we diagnosed TRALI, started respiratory support with positive endexpiratory pressure ventilation, and administrated sivelestat and dopamine. Hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular permeability were assessed using transpulmonary thermodilution method (PiCCO, PULSION Medical Systems), which enabled determination of cardiac output and extravascular lung water index (EVLWI). EVLWI is useful for quantification of pulmonary edema, a beneficial indicator of cardiorespiratory management. Pulmonary edema improved and the trachea was extubated 34 hours after surgery. Antibodies against HLA were detected in the RBC donor serum sample, and a crossmatch test between the patient lymphocytes and donor serum was positive. We concluded that perioperative transfusion of blood components has a potential to provoke serious TRALI.

[Validity of intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine in a patient with dermatomyositis-derived respiratory failure].

A 66-year-old female with dermatomyositis and severe respiratory failure from collagen lungs, dependent on domiciliary oxygen therapy, was scheduled for a mastectomy. Anesthesia was induced with dexmedetomidine (DEX) 6 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 10 minutes and maintained at 0.7 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1), along with a target controlled infusion of propofol combined with epidural anesthesia. No narcotic or muscle relaxant was used. The airway was secured using a laryngeal mask airway and spontaneous breathing was preserved. The perioperative course was uneventful without any pulmonary complications. DEX has a certain analgesic property and a mild respiratory depressant effect. Therefore, it is considered useful as a concomitant anesthetic agent for perioperative management of patients with respiratory failure.