Anaesthesia
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The organisation of critical care for burn patients in the UK: epidemiology and comparison of mortality prediction models.
In the UK, a network of specialist centres has been set up to provide critical care for burn patients. However, some burn patients are admitted to general intensive care units. Little is known about the casemix of these patients and how it compares with patients in specialist burn centres. ⋯ The casemix, activity and outcome in general and specialist burn intensive care units were compared and the fit of two burn-specific risk prediction models (revised Baux and Belgian Outcome in Burn Injury models) and one generic model (Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre model) were compared. Patients in burn intensive care units had more extensive injuries compared with patients in general intensive care units (median (IQR [range]) burn surface area 16 (7-32 [0-98])% vs. 8 (1-18 [0-100])%, respectively) but in-hospital mortality was similar (22.8% vs. 19.0%, respectively). The discrimination and calibration of the generic Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre model was superior to the revised Baux and Belgian Outcome in Burn Injury burn-specific models for patients managed on both specialist burn and general intensive care units.
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Animal data have demonstrated increased block duration after local anaesthetic injections in diabetic rat models. Whether the same is true in humans is currently undefined. We, therefore, undertook this prospective cohort study to test the hypothesis that type-2 diabetic patients suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy would have increased block duration after ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block when compared with patients without neuropathy. ⋯ Patients in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group had significantly prolonged median (IQR [range]) time to first opioid request (diabetic peripheral neuropathy group 1440 (IQR 1140-1440 [180-1440]) min vs. control group 710 (IQR 420-1200 [150-1440] min, p = 0.0004). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients had a time ratio of 1.57 (95%CI 1.10-2.23, p < 0.01), experienced a 59% shorter time to onset of sensory blockade (median time ratio 0.41 (95%CI 0.28-0.59), p < 0.0001) and had lower median (IQR [range]) pain scores at rest on postoperative day 1 (diabetic peripheral neuropathy group 0 (IQR 0-1 [0-5]) vs. control group 3 (IQR 0-5 [0-9]), p = 0.001). In conclusion, after an ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block, patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy demonstrated reduced time to onset of sensory blockade, with increased time to first opioid request when compared with patients without neuropathy.
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Observational Study
Implementation of a new strategy to improve the peri-operative management of neuromuscular blockade and its effects on postoperative pulmonary complications.
Inappropriate dosing of neostigmine for antagonism of neuromuscular blockade has been associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. We evaluated the effects of a quality improvement initiative tailored to optimise the use of neostigmine in antagonising neuromuscular blockade on postoperative pulmonary complications, costs and duration of hospital stay. The quality improvement initiative consisted of: a reduction in available neostigmine aliquot sizes; a cognitive aid; an educational component; and a financial incentive for the intra-operative documentation of train-of-four measurement before administration of neostigmine. ⋯ Adjusted regression analyses showed significantly a lower risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (OR 0.73 (95%CI 0.61-0.88); p = 0.001), lower costs (incidence rate ratio 0.95 (95%CI 0.93-0.97); p < 0.001) and shorter duration of hospital stay (incidence rate ratio 0.91 (95%CI 0.87-0.94); p < 0.001) after implementation of the quality improvement initiative. Analyses in a propensity-matched sample (n = 2936 per group) and interrupted time series analysis (n = 27,202 cases) confirmed the findings. Our data show that a local, multifaceted quality improvement initiative can enhance the quality of intra-operative neuromuscular blocking agent utilisation, thereby reducing the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Videolaryngoscopy vs. fibreoptic bronchoscopy for awake tracheal intubation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Awake fibreoptic intubation is often considered the technique of choice when a difficult airway is anticipated. However, videolaryngoscopes are being used more commonly. We searched the current literature and performed a meta-analysis to compare the use of videolaryngoscopy and fibreoptic bronchoscopy for awake tracheal intubation. ⋯ No difference was found in two reported adverse events: hoarseness/sore throat (three studies, 167 participants, risk ratio (95%CI) 1.07 (0.62-1.85), p = 0.81, low-quality evidence), and low oxygen saturation (five studies, 337 participants, risk ratio (95%CI) 0.49 (0.22-1.12), p = 0.09, low-quality evidence). In summary, videolaryngoscopy for awake tracheal intubation is associated with a shorter intubation time. It also seems to have a success rate and safety profile comparable to fibreoptic bronchoscopy.