Continuous Interscalene Brachial Plexus Blocks: An Anatomical Challenge between Scylla and Charybdis?

Brachial plexus blocks at the interscalene level are frequently chosen by physicians and recommended by textbooks for providing regional anesthesia and analgesia to patients scheduled for shoulder surgery. Published data concerning interscalene single-injection or continuous brachial plexus blocks report good analgesic effects. The principle of interscalene catheters is to extend analgesia beyond the duration of the local anesthetic's effect through continuous infusion, as opposed to a single injection. However, in addition to the recognized beneficial effects of interscalene blocks, whether administered as a single injection or through a catheter, there have been reports of consequences ranging from minor side effects to severe, life-threatening complications. Both can be simply explained by direct mispuncture, as well as undesired local anesthetic spread or misplaced catheters. In particular, catheters pose a high risk when advanced or placed uncontrollably, a fact confirmed by reports of fatal outcomes. Secondary catheter dislocations explain side effects or loss of effectiveness that may occur hours or days after the initial correct function has been observed. From an anatomical and physiological perspective, this appears logical: the catheter tip must be placed near the plexus in an anatomically tight and confined space. Thus, the catheter's position may be altered with the movement of the neck or shoulder, e.g., during physiotherapy. The safe use of interscalene catheters is therefore a balance between high analgesia quality and the control of side effects and complications, much like the passage between Scylla and Charybdis. We are convinced that the anatomical basis crucial for the brachial plexus block procedure at the interscalene level is not sufficiently depicted in the common regional anesthesia literature or textbooks. We would like to provide a comprehensive anatomical survey of the lateral neck, with special attention paid to the safe placement of interscalene catheters.

[Ultrasound-guided low-volume continuous cervical sympathetic nerve block for treatment of an electrical storm]. / Ultraschallgestützte kontinuierliche zervikale Sympathikusblockade mit Niedrigvolumina zur Therapie bei anhaltender ventrikulärer Tachykardie.

In addition to the treatment for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the stellate ganglion block is a treatment option for refractory intermittent ventricular tachycardia (VT). Despite the use of imaging techniques, such as fluoroscopy and ultrasound, numerous side effects and complications have been reported. These are a result of the complex anatomical site and the volume of injected local anesthetics. This article reports on the catheter placement for continuous block of the cervical sympathetic trunk with high-resolution ultrasound imaging (HRUI) in a patient with intermittent VT. The tip of the cannula was placed on the anterior aspect of the longus colli muscle and 20 mg prilocaine 1% (2 ml) was injected. The VT stopped and a continuous infusion of 1 ml/h ropivacaine 0,2 % was started. Nevertheless, during the next hour the patient developed hoarseness and dysphagia, so that a block of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the deep ansa cervicalis (C1-C3) was carried out. The infusion was paused and restarted later with 0.5 ml/h. The spread of the local anesthetic was controlled by ultrasound. Over the next 4 days the patient showed no VT or detectable side effects. After implantation of a defibrillator 1 day later the patient could then be discharged home on the following day. This case shows that the HRUI can be advantageously used in the catheter placement and also when adjusting the flow rate. In this way the risk of complications and side effects related to the puncture and local anesthetic volume can be reduced.

[Ultrasound-guided peripheral venepuncture under poor venous conditions]. / Ultraschallgesteuerte periphere Venenpunktion bei schlechtem Venenstatus.

Placement of a peripheral indwelling venous catheter is a routinely performed invasive procedure, in which complications are often underestimated. In difficult venous conditions multiple puncture attempts are often required, which are time consuming, unnecessarily painful for the patients and nevertheless not always successful. Due to the close anatomical relationship between superficial veins and peripheral nerves in the arm, puncture-related nerve injury is not uncommon. Despite limited data it could be shown that ultrasound-guided peripheral venepunctures are superior to traditional landmark techniques in terms of success rates, time saving, avoidance of complications and patient satisfaction. In order to successfully integrate the sonographic puncture technique for vascular access into routine processes, a structured training and further education are prerequisites. This must include anatomical knowledge, basic knowledge of ultrasound formation and training in sonographic needle guidance techniques.

The relationship between the lateral cutaneous antebrachial nerve and the superficial branch of the radial nerve and its impact on regional anesthetic and pain blocks of the thumb; What is more important: Nerves or dermatomes?

BACKGROUND: Innervation of the thumb and radial part of the dorsum of the hand is achieved primarily by the radial nerve, which is usually blocked for hand surgery. Inefficient blocks occur because the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve also extends into this area. The question then arises, whether skin innervation and peripheral blocking techniques should be directed at from the innervation by these nerves or more by the dermatome and its spinal segments. METHODS: In 68 human upper limbs embalmed with Thiel's method, the topography of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN), the superficial branch of the radial nerve (sbRN) and communicating branch (CB) were investigated by meticulous dissection from the cubital fossa to the most distal macroscopically dissectible branch, and the areas reached by these nerves were compared to the described dermatome. RESULTS: In 52.9% of all specimens, the LACN was found proximal to the rascetta, in 35.3% it extended to the base of the thumb, and in 8 cases (11.8%) it extended distally to the base of the thumb. In 50%, the LACN was anterolateral to the brachioradialis muscle, and in 38.2%, strictly lateral. Only in 8 cases (11.8%) the LACN presented itself running more dorsally and laterally. A CB was observed in 28 specimens (41.2%). Both investigated nerves were found to innervate the dermatomes of C6 and C7. CONCLUSIONS: The LACN should be considered for individual targeted blocks for surgical procedures and pain therapy within the wrist and thumb region as all nerves that might contribute to innervation of a targeted dermatome should be blocked.

Anatomy of the brachial plexus and its implications for daily clinical practice: regional anesthesia is applied anatomy.

Safety and effectiveness are mandatory requirements for any technique of regional anesthesia and can only be met by clinicians who appropriately understand all relevant anatomical details. Anatomical texts written for anesthetists may oversimplify the facts, presumably in an effort to reconcile extreme complexity with a need to educate as many users as possible. When it comes to techniques as common as upper-extremity blocks, the need for customized anatomical literature is even greater, particularly because the complex anatomy of the brachial plexus has never been described for anesthetists with a focus placed on regional anesthesia. The authors have undertaken to close this gap by compiling a structured overview that is clinically oriented and tailored to the needs of regional anesthesia. They describe the anatomy of the brachial plexus (ventral rami, trunks, divisions, cords, and nerves) in relation to the topographical regions used for access (interscalene gap, posterior triangle of the neck, infraclavicular fossa, and axillary fossa) and discuss the (interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and axillary) block procedures associated with these access regions. They indicate allowances to be made for anatomical variations and the topography of fascial anatomy, give recommendations for ultrasound imaging and needle guidance, and explain the risks of excessive volumes and misdirected spreading of local anesthetics in various anatomical contexts. It is hoped that clinicians will find this article to be a useful reference for decision-making, enabling them to select the most appropriate regional anesthetic technique in any given situation, and to correctly judge the risks involved, whenever they prepare patients for a specific upper-limb surgical procedure.

The intercarotid or alar fascia, other cervical fascias, and their adjacent spaces - a plea for clarification of cervical fascia and spaces terminology.

Due to varying descriptions and terminology of fascias of the neck, medical advice relying on this basic knowledge is insufficient. Our goal was to provide a precise anatomical description of cervical fascias and spaces with special focus on the intercarotid fascia, or the alar fascia. One hundred bodies donated to science embalmed with Thiel's method were investigated, cervical fascias were dissected layer by layer, and the results were documented by photography, with a focus on the intercarotid fascia. In addition, we performed a review of recent literature concerning cervical surgical interventions, radiological diagnostic pathways, and basic anatomical works focusing on core information on anatomical relations of cervical fascias and spaces. In another 10 bodies donated to science, the spaces of the neck were injected with coloured latex under ultrasound guidance, dissected, and documented by photography. The intercarotid fascia was a constantly developed connective tissue interconnecting the carotid sheath of both sides. In 52 of 100 specimens (52%) it crossed to the opposite side without any fusion to the ventrally situated visceral fascia. Fusion with the visceral fascia was found in 48%, either at the lateral border of the pharynx or on its dorsal side. The results of our dissections strengthen the precise description of the cervical fascias provided by Grodinsky and Holyoke in 1938. Spaces can be confirmed as described by Hafferl in 1969. The international anatomical and ENT societies should codify a unified anatomical terminology of the cervical spaces and fascias to prevent varying interpretations in the future.

The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve contributes significantly to sensory innervation of the lower leg: an anatomical investigation.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete peripheral nerve blocks distal to the popliteal region are commonly considered a sciatic and femoral/saphenous nerve block failure. The existence of a much more distal innervation area of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve (PFCN) as described has not been assumed yet. We therefore investigated the distal termination of the PFCN in the lower leg. METHODS: In 83 human lower extremities embalmed with Theil's method, the course of the PFCN was investigated from the sub-gluteal fold to the most distal macroscopically dissectible branch. The topographic connection to other landmarks, such as the small saphenous vein or small arteries, was investigated. RESULTS: Popliteal ending of the PFCN was found in 9.7% of cases. The PFCN terminated at the proximal or distal lower leg in 45.7% and 44.6% of cases, respectively. The PFCN had a close connection to the Achilles tendon in 13.2% of cases and was found distally to the medial malleolus in one case. The small saphenous vein was close to the PFCN in 90.3% of cases and can therefore be used as a landmark to identify the nerve. In 40.9% of cases, the PFCN was accompanied by a small descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery. In two cases, an innervation of the fibula or calcaneus periosteum was found. CONCLUSIONS: The PFCN has a much more distal termination in the lower leg than previously demonstrated. To ensure complete anaesthesia of the lower leg and foot, the PFCN must be included in combined peripheral nerve block procedures.

Lee mortality index as comorbidity measure in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

To investigate the recently described Lee mortality index as predictor of mortality after radical cystectomy. A total of 735 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1993 and 2010 were studied. Median patient age was 67 years and the median follow-up was 7.8 years (censored patients). The Lee mortality index was assigned based on data derived from patient history, preoperative cardiopulmonary risk assessment and discharge records. The age-adjusted Charlson score and preoperative cardiopulmonary risk assessment classifications were used for comparison. Competing risk analysis and Cox proportional hazard models for competing risks were used for the statistical analysis. The Lee mortality index predicted competing mortality in a dose-response relationship with somewhat lower 10-year mortality rates than predicted (p = 0.0120). Beside the age-adjusted Charlson score, the Lee mortality index was an independent predictor of overall mortality (hazard ratio per unit increase 1.06, p = 0.0415) and replaced the age-adjusted Charlson score as predictor of competing mortality (hazard ratio (HR) per unit increase 1.27, p < 0.0001). The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification was also an independent predictor of overall (HR for ASA 3-4 versus 1-2: 1.53, p = 0.0002) and competing mortality (HR for ASA 3-4 versus 1-2: 1.62, p = 0.0044). The Lee mortality index is a promising and easily applicable tool to predict competing mortality after radical cystectomy. It is at least equal to the age-adjusted Charlson score and may be supplemented by information provided by the ASA classification.

Relationship of the number of removed lymph nodes to bladder cancer and competing mortality after radical cystectomy.

UNLABELLED: The extent of lymph node dissection in radical cystectomy is a subject of controversy. A more extended dissection has been reported to be associated with superior survival. We analyzed the relationship between the lymph node count and different causes of death in a sample of 735 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for recurrent or muscle-invasive urothelial or undifferentiated carcinoma of the bladder. The median follow-up was 7.8 yr. The median lymph node count was 17, and the median age was 67 yr. Although there was a clear association between lymph node count and overall survival (≥21 vs. <10 lymph nodes: 10-yr rates: 59% vs. 32%, respectively; hazard ratio: 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.87; log-rank test: p=0.0056), there was no detectable relationship between bladder cancer mortality and lymph node count (narrowly congruent cumulative mortality curves, Pepe-Mori test, p values ranging between 0.40 and 0.93). The differences were virtually entirely attributable to differences in competing mortality. These observations indicate that serious bias may occur when the lymph node count is used to stratify patients undergoing radical cystectomy. The results of the ongoing randomized trials should be awaited to reliably answer the question of the degree to which more extensive dissection may improve outcome. PATIENT SUMMARY: Survival differences in patients stratified by lymph node count may be attributed to competing mortality. The results of ongoing randomized trials should be awaited to answer the question of the degree to which more extensive lymph node dissection may improve outcome.

Testing of a novel easy-to-use mortality index in a radical prostatectomy cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To test a novel and easy-to-use mortality index developed and validated in a nationally representative US sample of older adults in patients selected for radical prostatectomy. METHODS: The sample comprised 2205 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the years 1992-2005. The median age was 64 years and the median follow-up was 9.7 years. A slightly modified Lee mortality index was calculated based on information obtained by chart review. The 10-year competing mortality rates were compared with overall mortality rates previously reported in a US population-based cohort using the given confidence intervals with the 2-tailed Wald test. Cox proportional hazard models were calculated to analyze the combined effects of variables using overall mortality as study endpoint. RESULTS: The modified Lee mortality index provided a clear dose-response pattern in the radical prostatectomy cohort with 10-year competing mortality rates between 2.5% and 50%. Overall, the competing mortality rates reached only narrowly two-thirds of the values predicted by the modified Lee mortality index, reflecting selection for healthy operative candidates (chi-square homogeneity test; P = .0043). In the multivariate analysis considering the modified Lee mortality index, age, and tumor-related variables, the Lee mortality index was identified as an independent predictor of overall survival. Comorbidity measures delivering similar prognostic information as the modified Lee mortality index, however, largely replaced this index in the multivariate models. CONCLUSION: The modified Lee mortality index could be suited as comorbidity measure in men with prostate cancer. Practical use would require adjustment for selection effects.

Early hemorrhagic progression of traumatic brain contusions: frequency, correlation with coagulation disorders, and patient outcome: a prospective study.

The focus of this paper is to identify and quantify risk factors for early hemorrhagic progression of brain contusions (HPC) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to evaluate their impact on patients' outcome. Further, based on abnormal values in routine blood tests, the role of trauma-induced coagulopathy is analyzed in detail. Therefore, a prospective study of 153 TBI patients was completed at one institution between January 2008 and June 2012. The collected data included demographics, initial Glasgow Coma Scale pupillary response, initial and 6 h follow-up computed tomography scan findings, coagulation parameters (international normalized ratio, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, fibrinogen, D-dimer and factor XIII), as well as outcome data using the modified Rankin score at discharge and after one year. The overall rate of early HPC within the first 6 h was 43.5%. The frequency of coagulopathy was 47.1%. When analyzing for risk factors that independently influenced outcome in the form of mRS ≥4 at both points, the following variables appeared: elevated D-dimer level (≥10,000 µg/L), HPC, and initial brain contusions ≥3 cm. Patients sustaining early HPC had a hazard ratio of 5.4 for unfavorable outcome at discharge (p=0.002) and of 3.9 after one year (p=0.006). Overall, patients who developed early HPC were significantly more likely to be gravely disabled or to die. Unfavorable neurological outcome after an isolated TBI is determined largely by early HPC and coagulopathy, which seem to occur very frequently in TBI patients, irrespective of the severity of the trauma.

Which comorbidity classification best fits elderly candidates for radical prostatectomy?

OBJECTIVES: Comorbidity assessment may assist in the treatment choice for elderly men with prostate cancer. There is, however, no consensus on the best comorbidity classification for this purpose. In this study, we used a heuristic approach to identify an optimal comorbidity classification in elderly men selected for radical prostatectomy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 1,106 men aged 65 years or older who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer were stratified by 11 3-sided comorbidity classifications. Overall survival was the study endpoint. The comorbidity classifications were evaluated considering 4 statistical (height of hazard ratios and P values, survival difference between high and low risk patients, dose-response relationship) and 4 clinical demands (survival rates in low and high risk group, balance of the proportion of the risk groups). The 3 best classifications in each category received 3, 2, or 1 point. After adding all points, the classification with the highest score was considered best. RESULTS: With one exception, all comorbidity classifications were significant predictors of overall survival. Comparing the highest with the lowest risk group, the hazard ratios ranged between 1.67 and 3.93. Concerning the fulfillment of clinical and statistical demands, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification and 1 derivative of it that included further more clearly defined diseases were the most promising candidates. CONCLUSIONS: Stratifying candidates for radical prostatectomy according to their mortality risk using the ASA classification as a backbone supplemented by a list of more clearly defined concomitant diseases could be useful in clinical practice and outcome studies.

Which patients are at the highest risk of dying from competing causes ≤ 10 years after radical prostatectomy?

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Outcomes (cohort). Level of Evidence 2b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Several comorbidity classifications have been investigated for their suitability to assist treatment decision-making in men with early prostate cancer. In unselected patients, some serious comorbidities have been shown to be associated with a 10-year competing mortality rate clearly superseding the 50% level. The present study shows that it is hardly possible to discern meaningful subsets of patients with a 10-year risk of competing mortality of >50% by using comorbidity classifications. This finding suggests that the selecting clinicians did well in estimating the medium-term survival probability in men referred for radical prostatectomy. OBJECTIVE: • To identify subsets of patients who are most likely to die from competing causes ≤ 10 years after radical prostatectomy (RP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: • In all, 2205 consecutive patients who underwent RP for clinically localized prostate cancer between 1992 and 2005 were studied. The 10-year cumulative competing mortality rates were determined in several worst-case scenarios formed by using comorbidity classifications and combinations of them. RESULTS: • In this sample of men selected for RP, even those with the most severe comorbidity level had a competing mortality risk of <50% ≤ 10 years after RP. • Depending on the comorbidity classification used, the 10-year cumulative competing mortality rates differed between 16 and 39% in the whole sample and between 18 and 48% in men aged ≥ 65 years. CONCLUSION: • Clinicians do well in estimating the further life span in candidates for RP. Comorbidity classifications may assist treatment choice in this population but are not able to discern meaningful subsets to be excluded from curative treatment because of a life expectancy falling below a limit of 10 years.

Survival analysis in men undergoing radical prostatectomy at an age of 70 years or older.

OBJECTIVES: To compare comorbidity measures and to analyze survival rates in men undergoing radical prostatectomy at age 70 years or older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 329 consecutive patients aged 70 or more years who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1992 and 2004 were studied. The patients were stratified by 5 comorbidity classifications, tumor stage, Gleason score, and PSA value. Mortality was subdivided into overall, comorbid, competing, prostate cancer-specific, and second cancer-specific mortality. Competing risk and Kaplan-Meier survival curves as well as Mantel-Haenszel hazard ratios were calculated. Comparisons were made with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the independent significance of prognostic variables. RESULTS: Considering the dose-response relationship, P values and the discrimination of 2 risk groups, the Charlson score was the best of the tested comorbidity classifications in men selected for radical prostatectomy at age 70 years or older. Beside the tumor-related factors Gleason score 8-10 (hazard ratio 2.61, P = 0.0234) and lymph node involvement (hazard ratio 2.89, P = 0.0145), a Charlson score of 1 or greater was identified as an independent predictor of overall mortality (hazard ratio 2.16, P = 0.0441). Without comorbidity or adverse tumor-related risk factors, elderly men had an excellent 10-year overall survival probability (77% to 100%, depending on the classification used), whereas 10-year overall survival was distinctly poor in the presence of lymph node metastases (30%) or Gleason score 8-10 disease (33%). CONCLUSIONS: The Charlson comorbidity score may be used to stratify men selected for radical prostatectomy at age 70 years or older and to estimate long-term survival probability. In the absence of adverse tumor-related parameters or serious comorbidity, long-term survival probability is excellent in this subgroup.

Precision of traditional approaches for lumbar plexus block: impact and management of interindividual anatomic variability.

BACKGROUND: Traditional methods for approaching the lumbar plexus from the posterior rely on finding the intersection of lines that are drawn based on surface landmarks. These methods may be inaccurate in many cases. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of these traditional approaches and determine if modifications could increase their accuracy. METHODS: The lumbar plexus region of 48 cadavers (78 +/- 7 yr; 167 +/- 6 cm; 60 +/- 13 kg; men/women: 29/19) was dissected, and relevant anatomic structures were marked. Needle proximity curves were obtained by triangulation for the five traditional approaches and for vectors from the posterior superior iliac spine directed towards the lumbar spinous processes of L3 and towards L4. RESULTS: Proximity curves (mean +/- SD) showed that except Pandin's approach (13 +/- 5 mm too medial), all others were too lateral: Winnie (17 +/- 8 mm), Chayen (8 +/- 5 mm), Capdevila (6 +/- 4 mm), and Dekrey (17 +/- 6 mm). Further, the curves had a narrow parabolic shape and thus a narrow margin of error. Both diagonal vectors had a significantly higher proximity to the lumbar plexus as compared with traditional approaches with a wide parabola, indicating more error tolerance. Using the vector posterior superior iliac spine-L3 with a length between 1/6-1/3 (= 16-22 mm) of the distance posterior superior iliac spine-L3, a proximity to the lumbar plexus < 5.0 +/- 0.3 mm was reached. CONCLUSION: Improvement of both the proximity and the margin of error is possible by using diagonal landmark vectors. Relying on the position of the posterior superior iliac spine eliminates the sex and sided differences and individual body size, which can be problematic if firm metric distances are used in determining the entry point.

Epidural ropivacaine concentrations for intraoperative analgesia during major upper abdominal surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The postoperative beneficial effects of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) within various clinical pathways are well documented. However, intraoperative data are lacking on the effect of different epidurally administered concentrations of local anesthetics on inhaled anesthetic, fluid and vasopressor requirement, and hemodynamic changes. We performed this study among patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery under combined TEA and general anesthesia. METHODS: Forty-five patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups receiving intraoperative TEA with either 10 mL of 0.5% (Group 1) or 0.2% (Group 2) ropivacaine (both with 0.5 microg/mL sufentanil supplement), or 10 mL saline (Group 3) every 60 min. Anesthesia was maintained with desflurane in nitrous oxide (60%) initiated at an age-adapted 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) until incision. Desflurane administration was then titrated to maintain an anesthetic level between 50 and 55, as assessed by continuous Bispectral Index monitoring and the common clinical signs (PRST score). Lack of intraoperative analgesia, as defined by an increase in pulse rate, sweating, and tearing (PRST) score >2 or an increase of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) >20% of baseline, was treated by readjusting the end-tidal concentration of desflurane toward 1 MAC, and above this level by additional rescue i.v. remifentanil infusion. Hypotension, as defined as a decrease in MAP >20% of baseline, was treated by reducing the end-tidal desflurane concentration to a Bispectral Index level of 50-55 and below that with crystalloid or norepinephrine infusion, depending on central venous pressure. RESULTS: End-tidal desflurane concentration could be significantly reduced in Group 1 to 0.7 +/- 0.1 MAC (P < 0.001) and to 0.8 +/- 0.1 MAC (P < 0.001) in Group 2, but not in Group 3. Significant hypotension occurred within 20 min in all patients of Groups 1 and 2 (MAP from 80 +/- 10 to 56 +/- 5) (Group 1), 78 +/- 18 to 58 +/- 7 mm Hg (Group 2), P < 0.01, whereas MAP remained unchanged in Group 3 (74 +/- 12 to 83 +/- 15 mm Hg, P = 0.42). Heart rate did not change significantly over time within any of the groups. Furthermore, groups did not differ significantly regarding i.v. fluid and norepinephrine requirement. Patients in Group 3 received more remifentanil throughout the surgical procedure (7.2 +/- 4.9 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) when compared with Group 2 (1.6 +/- 2.2 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)), P < 0.01. Remifentanil infusion among patients receiving ropivacaine 0.5% was not necessary at any time. CONCLUSION: Epidural administration of 0.5% ropivacaine leads to a more pronounced sparing effect on desflurane concentration for an adequate anesthetic depth when compared with a 0.2% concentration of ropivacaine at comparable levels of vasopressor support and i.v. fluid requirement.

Nomogram underestimates 10-year survival in healthy men selected for radical prostatectomy at age 70 years or older.

OBJECTIVES: To externally review a nomogram developed to predict the 10-year survival probability of men selected for radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of 1910 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1992 to 2004 were studied. The mean age was 64.2 years; the mean follow-up for the surviving patients was 6.3 years. The patients were classified according to age and the Charlson comorbidity score. The 10-year survival probability was estimated for each individual patient, applying a recently published nomogram incorporating these 2 variables. The survival rates estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the mean values of the nomogram-predicted survival probabilities were compared using 1-sample Wald tests. Subgroup analyses were done after stratification by age and Charlson score. RESULTS: Even including the prostate cancer-related mortality (accounting for 5.1% at 10 years), the 10-year overall survival rate in our sample was somewhat greater than predicted by the nomogram (84.9% vs 81.9%, P = .0222). Subgroup analyses revealed that this difference was attributable to a greater than predicted survival in patients with a Charlson score of 0 and aged > or = 70 years (87.9% vs 74.7%, P < .0001). In contrast, in the other subgroups, the predicted and Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates did not differ meaningfully. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians using this nomogram should be aware of a possible underestimation of survival in healthy men aged > or = 70 years selected for radical prostatectomy.