Successful use of differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation for chronic postsurgical abdominal pain.

Introduction: Recent advances in stimulation techniques have improved the efficacy and expanded the applicability of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Among these techniques, there are no reports on the efficacy of differential target multiplexed (DTM) SCS for chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after abdominal surgery. Therefore, we present the successful use of DTM SCS for CPSP after distal pancreatectomy. Methods: A 49-year-old man with hypertension and severe chronic low back pain presented with neuropathic CPSP involving the left abdomen in the area of a laparotomy incision. His pain was refractory to conservative treatment and was rated 10 on a numerical rating scale (NRS). He underwent permanent implantation of a pulse generator after a 14-day trial stimulation. Results: Chronic postsurgical pain was well controlled (NRS 1-2) at a 3-month follow-up with DTM SCS. Conclusion: Differential target multiplexed SCS can be a new treatment option for neuropathic CPSP that is resistant to conservative treatment. It is important to further examine the characteristics of CPSP and identify appropriate candidates for the successful use of DTM SCS.

Differences in 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Induced Hemodynamic Changes between Patients Undergoing Neurosurgery and Urological Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Oral 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is often used for photodynamic diagnosis-assisted glioma or bladder tumor surgery. 5-ALA affects blood pressure (BP). In fact, hypotension is a well-known adverse effect of 5-ALA in urology. However, information regarding 5-ALA-induced hemodynamic changes in neurosurgery remains limited. Furthermore, the duration of hypotension and how 5-ALA affects the heart rate (HR) are yet to be determined. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate 5-ALA-induced perioperative hemodynamic changes in neurosurgery and urological surgery by examining real-world data. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent neurosurgery (neurosurgery patients; 5-ALA-pretreated vs. non-pretreated [17 vs. 16], from January 2014 to March 2021) and urological surgery (urological surgery patients; 5-ALA-pretreated vs. non-pretreated [26 vs. 101], from August 2018 to September 2020) were enrolled. Differences in hemodynamics were evaluated using the linear mixed model. BP and HR in 5-ALA-pretreated patients were compared with those in non-pretreated patients. Differences in 5-ALA-induced preoperative BP changes were compared between the neurosurgery patients and urological surgery patients. RESULTS: 5-ALA scarcely affected the hemodynamics in neurosurgery patients, whereas 5-ALA-induced hemodynamic changes were clearly observed in urological surgery patients. Hemodynamic parameters were found to be not significantly different between 5-ALA-pretreated and non-pretreated neurosurgery patients. The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative BP in 5-ALA-pretreated urological surgery patients were significantly lower than those in the non-pretreated patients. Preoperatively, two 5-ALA-pretreated urological surgery patients had severe postural hypotension (systolic BP <50 mmHg), and one of them did not continue with the surgery because of prolonged severe hypotension. The BP in 5-ALA-pretreated urological surgery patients tended to be persistently lower for 9 h after 5-ALA pretreatment. The preoperative and postoperative HR values were higher in 5-ALA-pretreated urological surgery patients. Cumulative incidences of BP reduction and HR elevation were significantly higher in 5-ALA-pretreated urological surgery patients. The preoperative BP reduction in 5-ALA-pretreated urological surgery patients was significantly larger than that in neurosurgery patients. CONCLUSIONS: 5-ALA-induced hemodynamics may differ between neurosurgery patients and urological surgery patients. 5-ALA may affect BP for at least 9 h.

Preanesthetic severe postural hypotension following 5-aminolevulinic acid pretreatment in patients for photodynamic diagnosis-assisted urological surgery.

BACKGROUND: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is utilized for photodynamic diagnosis-assisted (PDD) surgery. However, it has been associated with vasodilation, hence, occasional hypotension. CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered two patients who had severe postural hypotension following 5-ALA pretreatment prior to an operation. They were scheduled for urological PDD surgery, but upon standing to walk to the operation room, they felt sick because of severe hypotension. One of them underwent the surgery after recovery, but the other surgery was canceled due to a prolonged hypotension that lasted for more than a day. CONCLUSIONS: Severe postural hypotension may develop as a result of the high concentration of porphyrin precursors, which may affect the nervous system. Severe postural hypotension may be due to 5-ALA-induced autonomic dysfunction as well as vasodilative action of 5-ALA. These observations suggest that in addition to the careful monitoring of patients' vital signs, standing should be avoided following 5-ALA pretreatment.

Glucose Management during Insulinoma Resection Using Real-Time Subcutaneous Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

Insulinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that causes hypoglycemia due to unregulated insulin secretion. Blood glucose management during insulinoma resection is therefore challenging. We present a case in which real-time subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring (SCGM) in combination with intermittent blood glucose measurement was used for glycemic control during surgery for insulinoma resection. The SCGM system showed the trends and peak of interstitial glucose in response to glucose loading and the change of interstitial glucose before and after insulinoma resection. These data were helpful for adjusting the glucose infusion; therefore, we think that an SCGM system as a supportive device for glucose monitoring may be useful for glucose management during surgery.

McGRATH MAC video laryngoscope for insertion of a transoesophageal echocardiography probe: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) probe insertion in anaesthetised patients can cause pharyngeal and oesophageal injuries. Kim et al. have shown that insertion assisted by a Macintosh laryngoscope can reduce such complications but it may sometimes be difficult to observe the passage of a TOE probe. The McGRATH MAC (McGRATH) has been shown to provide a better view of the glottis, piriform fossa and oesophageal inlet during tracheal intubation than the Macintosh. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesised that the McGRATH provided better visualisation of the oesophageal inlet and was useful as an aid to TOE probe placement, possibly reducing the incidence of pharyngeal injury related to insertion, compared with the Macintosh. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in a university hospital from February to December 2014. PATIENTS: One hundred patients undergoing elective surgery under intraoperative TOE monitoring were randomised to either a Macintosh group or a McGRATH group. INTERVENTIONS: Macintosh and McGRATH were used to visualise the passage of the TOE probe and guide its insertion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visibility of the oesophageal inlet, the number of TOE insertion attempts and incidence of pharyngeal mucosal injury after the TOE probe had been removed were assessed. RESULTS: The percentage of patients in whom the oesophageal inlet was visible was higher in the McGRATH group (88%) than in the Macintosh group (41%) (P < 0.01). The number of TOE probe insertion attempts was significantly smaller in the McGRATH group than in the Macintosh group (P = 0.039). The incidence of pharyngeal mucosal injury was significantly smaller in the McGRATH group (4%) than in the Macintosh group (16%; P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The McGRATH provided a better view of the oesophageal inlet and was useful as an aid to TOE probe placement, possibly reducing the incidence of pharyngeal injury related to its insertion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network in Japan (UMIN) 000012970.