BMC anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Ultrasound guided continuous Quadratus Lumborum block hastened recovery in patients undergoing open liver resection: a randomized controlled, open-label trial.
Quadratus lumborum (QL) block is increasingly being used as a new abdominal nerve block technique. In some studies of mid and lower abdominal and hip analgesia, continuous QL block achieved favorable outcomes as an alternative to continuous intravenous analgesia with opioids. However, the use of continuous QL block for upper abdominal pain is less well characterized. This study aimed to investigate the effects of continuous anterior QL block (CQLB) on postoperative pain and recovery in patients undergoing open liver resection. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided anterior QL block significantly alleviated the pain during coughing after surgery, shortened the time to first out-of-bed activity and anal flatus, promoting postoperative recovery of the patients undergoing open liver resection.
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There is continuing interest among clinicians in the potential for advanced hemodynamic monitoring and "goal directed" intravenous fluid administration guided by minimally-invasive cardiac output measurement to reduce complication rates in high risk patients undergoing major surgery. However, the adoption of the available technologies has been limited, due to cost, complexity and reliability of measurements provided. We review progress in the development of new generation methods for continuous non-invasive monitoring of cardiac output from measurement of carbon dioxide elimination in ventilated patients using the Differential Fick method. ⋯ Progress in development of these technologies suggest that a robust, automated and reliable method of non-invasive cardiac output monitoring from capnography is close at hand for use in major surgery and critical care. The great advantage of this approach is that it can be fully integrated into the anesthesia machine and ventilator, using components that are already standard in modern anesthesia and intensive care workstations, and should be virtually hands-free and automatic.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Why does a point of care guided transfusion algorithm not improve blood loss and transfusion practice in patients undergoing high-risk cardiac surgery? A prospective randomized controlled pilot study.
Adult cardiac surgery is often complicated by elevated blood losses that account for elevated transfusion requirements. Perioperative bleeding and transfusion of blood products are major risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnostic and goal-directed therapies aim at the reduction of bleeding and need for allogeneic transfusions. ⋯ Blood loss via chest tube drainage and transfusion amounts were not different comparing PoC- and central lab-driven transfusion algorithms in subjects that underwent high-risk cardiac surgery. Routine PoC coagulation diagnostics do not seem to be beneficial when actual blood loss is low. High risk procedures might not suffice as a sole risk factor for increased blood loss.
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Post-operative delirium (POD) is a common post-operative complication in elderly individuals and imposes a significant health and financial burden. Identifying predictive biomarkers may help understand the pathophysiology of POD. Our objective is to summarize the evidence of pre-operative biomarkers and imaging tests to predict POD in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. ⋯ CRP is the most promising biomarker associated with POD. However, we are still in the early stages in identifying biomarkers and imaging tests that may further understanding of the pathophysiology of POD.
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Standardizing concentrations of intravenous infusions enables pre-preparation and is effective in improving patient safety by avoiding large deviations from the prescribed concentration that can occur when infusions are made individually in wards and theatres. The use of pre-prepared morphine standardized concentration infusions for paediatric nurse/patient-controlled analgesia (N/PCA) has not been previously investigated. We aimed to establish, implement and evaluate standardized concentrations of morphine in pre-filled syringes (PFS) for use in paediatric N/PCA. ⋯ A system using pre-prepared standardized concentrations of morphine for paediatric N/PCA was implemented successfully and sustainably.