Postoperative pain scores and opioid use after standard bupivacaine vs. liposomal bupivacaine regional blocks for abdominal cancer surgery: A propensity score matched study.

BACKGROUND: Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) are widely used for abdominal surgery with the assumption that liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is more effective than standard bupivacaine (SB). METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients administered FPBs with LB or SB â€‹+ â€‹admixtures (dexamethasone/dexmedetomidine) for open abdominal cancer surgery. Propensity score matching generated a 2:1 (LB:SB) matched cohort. Opioid use (mg oral morphine equivalents, OME) and severe pain (≥3 pain scores ≥7 in a 24-h period) were compared. RESULTS: Opioid use was >150 â€‹mg OME in 19.9 â€‹% (29/146) LB and 16.4 â€‹% (12/73) SB patients (p â€‹= â€‹0.586). Severe pain was experienced by 44 â€‹% (64/146) LB and 53 â€‹% (39/73) SB patients (p â€‹= â€‹0.198). On multivariable analysis, SB vs LB choice was not associated with high opioid volume >150 â€‹mg or severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: FPBs with standard bupivacaine were not associated with higher 72-h opioid use or more severe pain compared to liposomal bupivacaine.

APOE E4 is associated with impaired self-declared cognition but not disease risk or age of onset in Nigerians with Parkinson's disease.

The relationship between APOE polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (PD) in black Africans has not been previously investigated. We evaluated the association between APOE polymorphic variability and self-declared cognition in 1100 Nigerians with PD and 1097 age-matched healthy controls. Cognition in PD was assessed using the single item cognition question (item 1.1) of the MDS-UPDRS. APOE genotype and allele frequencies did not differ between PD and controls (p > 0.05). No allelic or genotypic association was observed between APOE and age at onset of PD. In PD, APOE ε4/ε4 conferred a two-fold risk of cognitive impairment compared to one or no ε4 (HR: 2.09 (95% CI: 1.13-3.89; p = 0.02)), while APOE ε2 was associated with modest protection against cognitive impairment (HR: 0.41 (95% CI 0.19-0.99, p = 0.02)). Of 773 PD with motor phenotype and APOE characterized, tremor-dominant (TD) phenotype predominated significantly in ε2 carriers (87/135, 64.4%) compared to 22.2% in persons with postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) (30/135) and 13.3% in indeterminate (ID) (18/135, 13.3%) (p = 0.037). Although the frequency of the TD phenotype was highest in homozygous ε2 carriers (85.7%), the distribution of motor phenotypes across the six genotypes did not differ significantly (p = 0.18). Altogether, our findings support previous studies in other ethnicities, implying a role for APOE ε4 and ε2 as risk and protective factors, respectively, for cognitive impairment in PD.

Race, ethnicity, and the use of regional anesthesia in cancer patients undergoing open abdominal surgery: A single-center retrospective cohort study.

Background: Where applicable, regional anesthesia has been shown to be superior to opioid or non-opioid analgesic modalities alone. However, some studies have shown ethnic-based disparities in the use of regional anesthesia in patients undergoing surgical procedures. In this study of patients who had undergone major oncologic surgery, our main objective was to compare the use of regional anesthesia between patients of different ethnicities. Methods: A retrospective review of adults who had undergone major open abdominal surgical procedures between 2016 and 2021 was performed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between baseline patient characteristics and the use of regional anesthesia. Results: A total of 4,791 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 60.5 years [interquartile range, 49, 69], the majority were female (65%), and of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Class (ASA) 3 (94.7%). Regional anesthesia was used in 2,652 patients (55.4%) and was not associated with race or ethnicity (p = 0.287). Compared to White patients, the odds of regional anesthesia use in other racial/ethnic groups were: Asian {odds ratio (OR) 0.851 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.660-1.097]; p = 0.2125}, Black/African American [OR 0.807 (95% CI, 0.651-1.001); p = 0.0508], Hispanic/Latino [OR 0.957 (95% CI, 0.824-1.154); p = 0.7676], Other race [OR 0.957 (95% CI, 0.627-1.461); p = 0.8376]. In the multivariable analysis, age [OR 0.995 (95% CI, 0.991-1.000); p = 0.0309] and female gender [OR 1.231 (95% CI, 1.090-1.390); p = 0.0008] were associated with the use of regional anesthesia. Conclusion: In this single-institution retrospective study of adults who had undergone major open abdominal surgery, the use of regional anesthesia was not associated with race or ethnicity. In the multivariable analysis, age and female gender were associated with the use of regional anesthesia.

A Cross-Sectional Comprehensive Assessment of the Profile and Burden of Non-motor Symptoms in Relation to Motor Phenotype in the Nigeria Parkinson Disease Registry Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Data on non-motor symptoms (NMS) in black Africans with Parkinson's disease (PD) are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of NMS in the Nigeria PD Registry (NPDR) cohort and explore the relationship between NMS and PD motor phenotype. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of the frequency and burden of NMS, based on the non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS) and the Chaudhuri method respectively in our cohort. Baseline demographics, disease characteristics (Hoehn and Yahr stage, MDS-UPDRS total score and Part III motor score), motor phenotype (based on Stebbin et al's algorithm), and levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) were documented. RESULTS: Data are presented for 825 PD whose mean age at study was 63.7 ± 10.1 years, female sex-221 [26.8%] while median PD duration was 36 months. PD phenotypes included tremor-dominant 466 (56.5%), postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD) 259 (31.4%), and indeterminate 100 (12.1%). 82.6% were on treatment (median LEDD of 500 mg/24 hours). 804 (97.5%) endorsed at least 1 NMS. The median NMSS score was 26.0 while subscores for urinary and sexual function domains were significantly higher in males (P < 0.05). PIGD-PD had more frequent NMS and higher frequency of severe/very severe NMSS burden (P = 0.000 for both). Nocturia and fatigue were the most prevalent NMS overall and across motor subtypes. PIGD phenotype and total UPDRS scores were the independent determinants of NMSS scores (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The profile and burden of NMS, and association with motor subtype in our black African cohort is largely similar to descriptions from other populations.

The Nigeria Parkinson Disease Registry: Process, Profile, and Prospects of a Collaborative Project.

BACKGROUND: Clinical disease registries are useful for quality improvement in care, benchmarking standards, and facilitating research. Collaborative networks established thence can enhance national and international studies by generating more robust samples and credible data and promote knowledge sharing and capacity building. This report describes the methodology, baseline data, and prospects of the Nigeria Parkinson Disease Registry. METHODS: This national registry was established in November 2016. Ethics approval was obtained for all sites. Basic anonymized data for consecutive cases fulfilling the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Brain Bank criteria (except the exclusion criterion of affected family members) are registered by participating neurologists via a secure registry website (www.parkinsonnigeria.com) using a minimal common data capture format. RESULTS: The registry had captured 578 participants from 5 of 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria by July 2019 (72.5% men). Mean age at onset was 60.3 ± 10.7 years; median disease duration (interquartile range) was 36 months (18-60.5 months). Young-onset disease (<50 years) represented 15.2%. A family history was documented in 4.5% and 7.8% with age at onset <50 and ≥ 50, respectively. The most frequent initial symptom was tremor (45.3%). At inclusion, 93.4% were on treatment (54.5% on levodopa monotherapy). Per-capita direct cost for the registry was $3.37. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first published national Parkinson's disease registry in sub-Saharan Africa. The registry will serve as a platform for development of multipronged evidence-based policies and initiatives to improve quality of care of Parkinson's disease and research engagement in Nigeria. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

A retrospective evaluation of the impact of patient ethnicity on the use of epidural analgesia or blood transfusions in children undergoing major oncologic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The impact of patient ethnicity on healthcare delivery is well documented. In this study of children who had undergone open abdominal or pelvic surgery for tumor resection, we sought to compare the use of epidural analgesia or intraoperative blood transfusions between Caucasian and non-Caucasian children. METHODS: A retrospective study of 139 children was performed. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the specified perioperative factors and patient ethnicity. RESULTS: The average age (standard deviation) was 11 years (± 5), 50% were female, and 58% were Caucasian. Compared to Caucasian children, non-Caucasian children were younger (difference in mean, - 2.6 years; 95% confidence interval [- 4.3, - 0.9], p = 0.003), underwent shorter procedures (difference in mean anesthesia minutes, - 134; 95% confidence interval [-  230, - 39], p = 0.006), and had a lower proportion of patients who received epidural analgesia (66% versus 81%, p = 0.042) or blood transfusions (48% versus 65%, p = 0.039). In the adjusted model, patient ethnicity was not associated with the receipt of epidural analgesia (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval [0.23, 1.21], p = 0.132) or blood transfusions (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval [0.29, 2.04], p = 0.600). The use of epidural analgesia or blood transfusions was associated with abnormal coagulation factors (odds ratio 0.32, 95% confidence interval [0.14, 0.71], p = 0.005) and the duration of surgery (odds ratio 1.007, 95% confidence interval [1.005, 1.009], p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study of children who had undergone major oncologic surgery, the use of epidural analgesia or blood transfusions was not associated with patient ethnicity.

An analysis of the survival impact of dexmedetomidine in children undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests the α2-adrenoreceptor agonist dexmedetomidine may promote metastasis of cancer cells. In this study we sought to evaluate the impact of dexmedetomidine administration on the survival of children and adolescents with cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Comprehensive cancer center. PATIENTS: Children and adolescents who had undergone cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis. INTERVENTION: Intraoperative and/or early postoperative (within 24 hours of surgery) administration of dexmedetomidine. MEASUREMENTS: Multivariable cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between dexmedetomidine administration and progression free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). MAIN RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were identified. The median age was 12 years, 42% were female, and 35% received dexmedetomidine. There were no significant differences between the baseline and perioperative characteristics of patients who received dexmedetomidine and those who did not. In the multivariable analysis, the administration of dexmedetomidine was not associated with PFS (HR = 1.20, 95% CI [0.60-2.41], p = .606) or OS (HR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.35-1.85], p = .611). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of children and adolescents who had undergone a major oncologic surgery, the intraoperative and/or early postoperative administration of dexmedetomidine was not associated with survival.

Parkinson's Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Epidemiology, Genetics and Access to Care.

A low prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been reported in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. The genetic causes and clinical features of PD in this region have been poorly described. Very few reports have examined the availability and access to evidence-based quality care for people living with PD in this region. We reviewed all publications focusing on idiopathic PD from SSA published up to May 2016 and observed a prevalence of PD ranging from 7/100,000 in Ethiopia to 67/100,000 in Nigeria. The most recent community-based study reported a mean age at onset of 69.4 years. The infrequent occurrence of mutations in established PD genes was also observed in the region. Treatments were non-existent or at best irregular. Additionally, there is a lack of well-trained medical personnel and multidisciplinary teams in most countries in this region. Drugs for treating PD are either not available or unaffordable. Large-scale genetic and epidemiological studies are therefore needed in SSA to provide further insights into the roles of genetics and other etiological factors in the pathogenesis of PD. The quality of care also requires urgent improvement to meet the basic level of care required by PD patients.

Perioperative factors associated with persistent opioid use after extensive abdominal surgery in children and adolescents: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In adults, preoperative opioid use and higher perioperative opioid consumption have been associated with higher odds of persistent opioid use after surgery. There are limited data on the prevalence and factors associated with persistent opioid use after major oncologic surgery in children. AIMS: In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the development of persistent opioid use in a group of children and adolescents who had undergone cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients ≤19 years of age was performed. Univariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with a postdischarge persistent opioid use of up to 6 months. RESULTS: Eighty-six children were identified. The median age was 12 years, and 43% were female. The proportion of patients with persistent opioid use over the immediate 3, 6, 12 and 24 postdischarge months was 54/77 (70%), 18/51 (35%), 13/45 (29%), and 3/24 (13%), respectively. The daily average in-patient pain scores were higher in the group of children who subsequently developed persistent opioid use of up to 6 months (estimated difference 0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3, 0.8, P < .01). Furthermore, higher postoperative opioid consumption was associated with greater odds of a subsequent persistent opioid use of up to 6 months (odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.07, P = .05). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of children and adolescents who had undergone a major oncologic surgery, higher in-patient pain scores and higher postoperative opioid consumption were associated with a persistent opioid use of up to 6 months.

Identification of risk factors associated with postoperative acute kidney injury after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a postoperative complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence and risks factors for AKI after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) have not been fully studied. The purpose of this study was to identify perioperative risk factors predictive of AKI after CRS-HIPEC. METHODS: This retrospective study collected demographic, tumour-related, intraoperative and postoperative data from 475 patients who underwent CRS-HIPECs. AKI was defined using the acute kidney injury network criteria and calculated on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 7 and day of hospital discharge. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to assess the association between variables of interest and AKI. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI was 21.3%. The multivariate analysis identified six predictor factors independently associated with the development of AKI (OR: [95%CI]); age: 1.16 (1.05-1.29, p < 0.005), BMI (overweight: 1.97 [1.00-3.88], p = 0.05) and obesity: 2.88 (1.47-5.63), p < 0.002)), preoperative pregabalin: 3.04 (1.71-5.39, p < 0.037), platinum-based infusion: 3.04 (1.71-5.39, p < 0.001) and EBL: 1.77 (1.27-2.47, p < 0.001). Splenectomy had a protective effect (OR: 0.44 (0.25-0.76, p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the incidence of AKI is high. While other studies have reported that AKI is associated with platinum-based infusion, age and obesity, we report for the first time a negative association between pregabalin use and AKI. More studies are needed to confirm our results.

Assessing the survival impact of perioperative opioid consumption in children and adolescents undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Several studies in adult patients have suggested an unfavorable association between opioid consumption and cancer progression. AIMS: This study investigated the impact of opioid consumption on the survival of children and adolescents undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients <19 years who had undergone cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was performed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to identify factors associated with recurrence-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were identified. Median age was 11.6 years (range, 1.8-18.9), and 43% was female. Median perioperative opioid consumption was 18.9 morphine dose equivalents per kilogram (range, 0.6-339.6). There was no statistically significant association between opioid consumption and recurrence-free survival [hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, (0.99-1.02), P = 0.55] or overall survival [hazard ratio 1.01; 95% confidence interval (0.99-1.03), P = 0.22]. Independent prognostic factors associated with poor survival included incomplete cytoreduction and extra-abdominal disease. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of children and adolescents who had undergone cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, there was no statistically significant association between opioid consumption and recurrence-free survival or overall survival.

Beat to Beat: A Measured Look at the History of Pulse Oximetry.

It can be argued that pulse oximetry is the most important technological advancement ever made in monitoring the well-being and safety of patients undergoing anesthesia. Before its development, the physical appearance of the patient and blood gas analysis were the only methods of assessing hypoxemia in patients. The disadvantages of blood gas analysis are that it is not without pain, complications, and most importantly does not provide continuous, real-time data. Although it has become de rigueur to use pulse oximetry for every anesthetic, the road leading to pulse oximetry began long ago.

Unanticipated Compression of the Trachea in a 5-Month-Old Undergoing an MRI for Evaluation of Neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal-dominant disorder with the tendency toward the formation of tumors. Plexiform neurofibromas are the most common type of tumors seen in neurofibromatosis type 1. Approximately 50% occur in the head and neck region with a 5% incidence of airway involvement. We describe the case of a 5 month old with a plexiform neurofibroma of the neck who developed complete airway obstruction on induction of anesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a skull base neurofibroma extending to the hypopharynx and resulting in deviation of the airway. Because of the possibility of airway involvement, a careful preanesthetic evaluation as well as a slow induction with the maintenance of spontaneous ventilation should be considered in patients presenting with facial neurofibromas.

Perioperative Severe Hypotension in a Patient with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type IIb and Bilateral Adrenalectomies: Time to Review the Evidence for Stress Dose Steroids.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIb (MEN IIb) is an endocrine disorder which can manifest with tumors such as pheochromocytomas and neuromas. We present the case of a patient with MEN IIb, after bilateral adrenalectomies, on maintenance steroid replacement, who underwent a neuroma resection and developed severe hypotension. There is persistent controversy regarding the general administration of perioperative "stress dose" steroids for patients with adrenal insufficiency. While the most recent literature suggests that stress dose steroids are unnecessary for secondary adrenal insufficiency, the rarer form of primary adrenal insufficiency always requires supplemental steroids, specifically hydrocortisone, when undergoing surgical procedures.

A multi-institutional pilot survey of anesthesia practices during proton radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physicians responsible for anesthesia and/or sedation (A/S) at emerging proton radiation therapy centers (PTCs) seek information about practices at established centers. We conducted a survey of A/S practices at established PTCs to provide this information for physicians at new PTCs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A web-based survey was sent to physicians responsible for A/S at 37 established PTCs. Questions were based on practice patterns and the preferred method of A/S delivery during proton-radiation therapy. One representative per institution was surveyed. RESULTS: A response rate of 38%, with a combined case load of more than 15,000 anesthetics per year was obtained. Children younger than 4 years old often (72%) required A/S. The most favored A/S techniques involved total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and an unprotected airway (57%) or general anesthesia with sevoflurane and a laryngeal mask airway (36%). It was notable that 21% of facilities did not have dedicated recovery rooms. Also, anesthesia gas evacuation outlets were absent at 43% of treatment rooms. CONCLUSIONS: A/S is commonly delivered to patients undergoing proton radiation therapy, most often with total intravenous anesthesia. To avert potential obstacles to the safe delivery of care, anesthesiologists at emerging centers are encouraged to participate throughout the design and planning phases of new PTCs.