Adam K. Jacob

Simulation education in anesthesia training: a case report of successful resuscitation of bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest linked to recent simulation training.

Simulation training is rapidly becoming an integral element of the education curriculum of anesthesia residency programs. We report a case of successful resuscitation of bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest treated with i.v. lipid emulsion by providers who had recently participated in simulation training involving a scenario nearly identical to this case. Upon debriefing, it was determined that the previous training influenced execution of the following steps: rapid problem recognition, prompt initiation of specific therapy in the setting of supportive advanced cardiac life support measures, and coordinated team efforts. Although the true cause of efficient resuscitation and ultimate recovery cannot be proven, the efficiency of the resuscitation process, including timely administration of lipid emulsion, is evidence that simulation may be useful for training providers to manage rare emergencies.

Perioperative nerve injury after total knee arthroplasty: regional anesthesia risk during a 20-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND Perioperative nerve injury (PNI) is a recognized complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Regional anesthesia (RA) techniques may increase the risk of neurologic injury. Using a retrospective cohort study, the authors tested the hypothesis that use of RA increases the risk for PNI after elective THA. METHODS All adult patients who underwent elective THA at Mayo Clinic during a 20-yr period were included. The primary outcome was the presence of a new PNI within 3 months of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate patient, surgical, and anesthetic risk factors for PNI. RESULTS Of 12,998 patients undergoing THA, 93 experienced PNI (incidence = 0.72%; 95% CI 0.58-0.88%). PNI was not associated with type of anesthesia (OR = 0.72 for neuraxial-combined vs. general; 95% CI 0.46-1.14) or peripheral nerve blockade (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.34-1.21). The risk for PNI was associated with younger age (OR = 0.79 per 10-yr increase; 95% CI 0.69-0.90), female gender (OR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.12-2.64), longer operations (OR = 1.10 per 30-min increase; 95% CI 1.03-1.18) or posterior surgical approach (OR = 1.91 vs. anterior approach; 95% CI 1.22-2.99). Neurologic recovery was not influenced by the use of RA techniques in patients with PNI. CONCLUSIONS The risk for PNI after THA was not increased with the use of neuraxial anesthesia or peripheral nerve blockade. Neurologic recovery in patients who experienced PNI was not affected by the use of RA. These results support the use of RA techniques in patients undergoing elective THA given their known functional and clinical benefits.

Venous Thromboembolism and Mortality Associated With Tranexamic Acid Use During Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

TKA and THA are associated with blood transfusion and risk for postoperative venothromboembolism (VTE). Reports show that tranexamic acid (TA) may be safe to use in high-risk orthopedic patients, but further data are needed to substantiate its use. All patients who underwent primary or revision TKA or THA in a five year period were retrospectively identified. In 13,262 elective TKA or THA procedures, neither the odds of VTE (OR=0.98; 95% CI 0.67-1.45; P=0.939) or adjusted odds of death (OR=0.26; 95% CI 0.04-1.80; P=0.171) were significant with TA administration. The major findings of this large, single center, retrospective cohort study show the odds of postoperative VTE and 30-day mortality were unchanged with TA administration.

Neuraxial vs general anaesthesia for total hip and total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review of comparative-effectiveness research

BACKGROUND This systematic review evaluated the evidence comparing patient-important outcomes in spinal or epidural vs general anaesthesia for total hip and total knee arthroplasty. METHODS MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, EBSCO CINAHL, Thomson Reuters Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until March 2015 were searched. Eligible randomized controlled trials or prospective comparative studies investigating mortality, major morbidity, and patient-experience outcomes directly comparing neuraxial (spinal or epidural) with general anaesthesia for total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or both were included. Independent reviewers working in duplicate extracted study characteristics, validity, and outcomes data. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. RESULTS We included 29 studies involving 10 488 patients. Compared with general anaesthesia, neuraxial anaesthesia significantly reduced length of stay (weighted mean difference -0.40 days; 95% confidence interval -0.76 to -0.03; P=0.03; I2 73%; 12 studies). No statistically significant differences were found between neuraxial and general anaesthesia for mortality, surgical duration, surgical site or chest infections, nerve palsies, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or thromboembolic disease when antithrombotic prophylaxis was used. Subgroup analyses failed to find statistically significant interactions (P>0.05) based on risk of bias, type of surgery, or type of neuraxial anaesthesia. CONCLUSION Neuraxial anaesthesia for total hip or total knee arthroplasty, or both appears equally effective without increased morbidity when compared with general anaesthesia. There is limited quantitative evidence to suggest that neuraxial anaesthesia is associated with improved perioperative outcomes. Future investigations should compare intermediate and long-term outcome differences to better inform anaesthesiologists, surgeons, and patients on importance of anaesthetic selection.

Perioperative seizures in patients with a history of a seizure disorder.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of perioperative seizures in patients with a preexisting seizure disorder is unclear. There are several factors unique to the perioperative period that may increase a patients risk of perioperative seizures, including medications administered, timing of medication administration, missed doses of antiepileptic medications, and sleep deprivation. We designed this retrospective chart review to evaluate the frequency of perioperative seizures in patients with a preexisting seizure disorder. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with a documented history of a seizure disorder who received an anesthetic between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2007. Patients excluded from this study include those who had an outpatient procedure or intracranial procedure, ASA classification of V, pregnant women, and patients younger than 2 years of age. The first hospital admission of at least 24 hours during which an anesthetic was provided was identified for each patient. Patient demographics, character of the seizure disorder, details of the surgical procedure, and clinically apparent seizure activity in the perioperative period (within 3 days after the anesthetic) were recorded. RESULTS: During the 6-year study period, 641 patients with a documented seizure disorder were admitted for at least 24 hours after an anesthetic. Twenty-two patients experienced perioperative seizure activity for an overall frequency of 3.4%(95% confidence interval, 2.2%–5.2%). The frequency of preoperative seizures (P < 0.001) and the timing of the most recent seizure (P < 0.001) were both found to be significantly related to the likelihood of experiencing a perioperative seizure. As the number of antiepileptic medications increased, so did the frequency of perioperative seizures (P < 0.001). Neither the type of surgery nor the type of anesthetic (general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or monitored anesthesia care) affected the frequency of perioperative seizures in this patient population. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the majority of perioperative seizures in patients with a preexisting seizure disorder are likely related to the patients underlying condition. The frequency of seizures is not influenced by the type of anesthesia or procedure. Because patients with frequent seizures at baseline are likely to experience a seizure in the perioperative period, it is essential to be prepared to treat seizure activity regardless of the surgical procedure or anesthetic technique.

Designing and implementing a comprehensive learner-centered regional anesthesia curriculum.

Education experts have suggested that many doctors know what to teach, but few know how to teach.1 This statement stems from the fact that most physicians do not receive formal instruction in education theory or methodology during their own medical training. As a result, apprenticeship models of education have prevailed as the primary mode of teaching regional anesthesia to residents in-training for the past several decades. Limitations to this style of teaching include inconsistent learning experiences and limited case numbers. Recently, Richman et al2 demonstrated that a dedicated regional anesthesia rotation may increase the number of blocks performed by residents by concentrating their learning experiences into a focused period. Although this approach represents an educational step forward, most regional anesthesia curricula continue to revolve around an apprenticeship style of training. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has also made attempts to improve resident education by implementing standardized education performance objectives (ie, competencies) and establishing minimum regional block numbers for anesthesia residents during the past decade (for complete explanation of ACGME competencies, see http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/ home/home.asp). However, it has been estimated that 40% of residents lack adequate exposure or proficiency in peripheral nerve blockade. Finally, the introduction of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) and the national spotlight on patient safety and quality care initiatives have introduced new challenges for regional anesthesia educators. In an effort to address these and many other concerns, we recently redesigned and implemented a new regional anesthesia curriculum within our institution. This curriculumVwhich describes a single institution’s approach to resident educationVis reviewed within this special article.

Neurologic complications after chlorhexidine antisepsis for spinal anesthesia

Background and Objectives Recent reports of infectious complications after neuraxial procedures highlight the importance of scrupulous aseptic technique. Although chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has several advantages over other antiseptic agents; including a more rapid onset of action, an extended duration of effect, and rare bacterial resistance, it is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use before lumbar puncture because of absence of clinical safety evidence. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to test the hypothesis that the incidence of neurologic complications associated with spinal anesthesia after CHG skin antisepsis is not different than the known incidence of neurologic complications associated with spinal anesthesia. Methods All patients 18 years or older who underwent spinal anesthesia at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 2006 to 2010 were identified. The primary outcome variable was the presence of any new or progressive neurologic deficit documented within 7 days of spinal anesthesia. The etiology of a patient’s neurologic complication was independently categorized as possibly or unlikely related to the spinal anesthetic by 3 investigators. Consensus among all reviewers was required for final category assignment. Results A total of 11,095 patients received 12,465 spinal anesthetics during the study period. Overall, 57 cases (0.46%; 95% confidence interval, 0.34%–0.58%) met criteria for neurologic complication. Spinal anesthesia was felt to be the possible etiology of 5 neurologic complications (0.04%; 95% confidence interval, 0.00%–0.08%); all completely resolved within 30 days. Discussion The incidence of neurologic complications possibly associated with spinal anesthesia (0.04%) after CHG skin antisepsis is consistent with previous reports of neurologic complications after spinal anesthesia. These results support the hypothesis that CHG can be used for skin antisepsis before spinal placement without increasing the risk of neurologic complications attributed to the spinal anesthetic.

Perioperative nerve injury after total shoulder arthroplasty: assessment of risk after regional anesthesia.

Background and Objectives One of the most debilitating complications after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is perioperative nerve injury (PNI). Interscalene blockade (ISB) improves clinical outcomes after TSA, but it may increase the risk for PNI. The objective of this large-scale, single-institution cohort study was to test the hypothesis that the use of ISB increases the risk for PNI after elective TSA. Methods All patients 18 years and older and undergoing primary elective TSA at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1993 and 2007 were identified. The primary outcome was the presence of new PNI documented within 3 months of the procedural date. The frequency of PNI was summarized using point estimates, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that were calculated using the Poisson approximation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate potential risk factors for PNI. Results A total of 1569 patients underwent elective TSA during the study period; 35 cases met criteria for PNI. The overall incidence of PNI was 2.2% (95% CI, 1.6%–3.1%). Use of ISB was associated with reduced odds for PNI (odds ratio [OR], 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24–0.93; P = 0.031). Sex (OR, 0.85; P = 0.645) and operative time (OR, 1.07 per 30-minute increase; P = 0.263) were not associated with PNI. Most patients with PNI (97%) experienced complete or partial neurologic recovery at last documentation. Conclusions The incidence of PNI (2.2%) is consistent with previous estimates in patients undergoing TSA. The use of ISB did not increase the risk for PNI. Most patients with PNI had improvement of their neurologic symptoms. These results further support the use of ISB analgesia for patients undergoing TSA.

Multimodal Analgesic Protocol and Postanesthesia Respiratory Depression During Phase I Recovery After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background Multimodal analgesia protocols have shortened hospitalizations after total joint arthroplasty. It is unclear whether individual components of these protocols are associated with respiratory depression during phase I postanesthesia recovery. Objectives To test the hypothesis that sedating analgesics used in a multimodal protocol are associated with an increased rate of phase I postanesthesia respiratory depression. Methods Our Department of Anesthesiology records were searched to identify patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty with a multimodal analgesia protocol, including peripheral nerve blockade, from 2008 through 2012. Patient records were reviewed for episodes of postanesthesia respiratory depression, and potential causative factors were abstracted and analyzed for potential associations. Respiratory depression was defined as apnea, hypopnea, oxyhemoglobin desaturations, or episodes of severe pain despite moderate to profound sedation. Results Of 11,970 patients who underwent joint arthroplasty, 2836 (23.7%; 237 per 1000 cases; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 214–262) had episodes of respiratory depression. A higher rate of respiratory depression was observed among patients who underwent general anesthesia (312 per 1000 cases; 95% CI, 301–323) than neuraxial anesthesia (144 per 1000 cases; 95% CI, 135–153) (P < 0.001). With both anesthetic techniques, respiratory depression was associated with preoperative use of gabapentin (>300 mg) (P < 0.001 for both anesthesia groups) and sustained-release oxycodone (>10 mg) (P = 0.01 for general anesthesia; P = 0.008 for neuraxial anesthesia). Conclusions Use of medications with long-acting sedative potential was associated with increased risk of respiratory depression during phase I anesthesia recovery. These effects were more pronounced when used in conjunction with general anesthesia than with neuraxial anesthesia.

Role of Regional Anesthesia in the Ambulatory Environment

The use of local anesthetics in ambulatory surgery offers multiple benefits in line with the goals of modern-day outpatient surgery. A variety of regional techniques can be used for a wide spectrum of procedures; all are shown to reduce postprocedural pain; reduce the short-term need for opiate medications; reduce adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting; and reduce the time to dismissal compared with patients who do not receive regional techniques. Growth in ambulatory procedures will likely continue to rise with future advances in surgical techniques, changes in reimbursement, and the evolution of clinical pathways that include superior, sustained postoperative analgesia. Anticipating these changes in practice, the role of, and demand for, regional anesthesia in outpatient surgery will continue to grow.