In-Ae Song

Emergence agitation in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy: a comparison of sevoflurane vs. sevoflurane-remifentanil administration.

Sevoflurane is widely used in paediatric anaesthesia but frequently causes emergence agitation (EA). This study evaluated whether limiting the sevoflurane concentration by combining remifentanil with sevoflurane reduced the incidence of EA.

Dexmedetomidine is effective for monitored anesthesia care in outpatients undergoing cataract surgery

Background Dexmedetomidine has a sedative analgesic property without respiratory depression. This study evaluated the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an appropriate sedative drug for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) in outpatients undergoing cataract surgery on both eyes compared with combination of propofol and alfentanil. Methods Thirty-one eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups on the first operation day. Dexmedetomidine was administered in group D at 0.6 µg/kg/h, and propofol and alfentanil was infused concomitantly in group P at a rate of 2 mg/kg/h and 20 µg/kg/h, respectively. Sedation was titrated at Ramsay sedation score 3. Iowa satisfaction with anesthesia scale (ISAS) of the patients was evaluated postoperatively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded throughout the surgery. For the second operation, the group assignments were exchanged. Results Postoperative ISAS was 50.3 (6.2) in group D and 42.7 (8.7) in group P, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). SBP was significantly lower in group D compared with group P from the beginning of the operation. HR, RR, and SpO2 were comparable between the two groups. There were 8 cases (25.8%) of hypertension in group P, and 1 case (3.2%) in group D (P < 0.05). In contrast, 1 case (3.2%) of hypotension and 1 case (3.2%) of bradycardia occurred in group D. Conclusions Compared with the combined use of propofol and alfentanil, dexmedetomidine could be used appropriately for MAC in cataract surgery with better satisfaction from the patients and a more stable cardiovascular state.

Influence of a modified propofol equilibration rate constant (ke0) on the effect‐site concentration at loss and recovery of consciousness with the Marsh model

This study compared the predicted effect‐site concentration of propofol at loss and recovery of consciousness when using target‐controlled infusion devices with the same pharmacokinetic model (Marsh) but a different plasma effect‐site equilibration rate constant (ke0), the DiprifusorTM (ke0 0.26 min−1) and Base Primea™ (ke0 1.21 min−1). We studied 60 female patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia. Although the total dose of propofol and time until loss of consciousness were comparable, the effect‐site concentration at loss of consciousness was significantly lower with the Diprifusor than with the Base Primea (1.2 (0.3) μg.ml−1 vs 4.5 (0.9) μg.ml−1, respectively, p < 0.001). The effect‐site concentration at recovery of consciousness was significantly higher with the Diprifusor than with the Base Primea (1.8 (0.4) μg.ml−1 vs 1.5 (0.2) μg.ml−1, respectively, p = 0.01). In conclusion, the effect‐site concentration of propofol differs depending on the ke0, despite the use of the same pharmacokinetic model. Therefore, the ke0 should be considered when predicting loss and recovery of consciousness based on the effect‐site concentration of propofol.

Effectiveness Analysis of a Part-time Rapid Response System During Operation Versus Nonoperation*

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a part-time rapid response system on the occurrence rate of cardiopulmonary arrest by comparing the times of rapid response system operation versus nonoperation. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A 1,360-bed tertiary care hospital. Patients: Adult patients admitted to the general ward were screened. Data were collected over 36 months from rapid response system implementation (October 2012 to September 2015) and more than 45 months before rapid response system implementation (January 2009 to September 2012). Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: The rapid response system operates from 7 AM to 10 PM on weekdays and from 7 AM to 12 PM on Saturdays. Primary outcomes were the difference of cardiopulmonary arrest incidence between pre-rapid response system and post-rapid response system periods and whether the rapid response system operating time affects the cardiopulmonary arrest incidence. The overall cardiopulmonary arrest incidence (per 1,000 admissions) was 1.43. Although the number of admissions per month and case-mix index were increased (3,555.18 vs 4,564.72, p < 0.001; 1.09 vs 1.13, p = 0.001, respectively), the cardiopulmonary arrest incidence was significantly decreased after rapid response system (1.60 vs 1.23; p = 0.021), and mortality (%) was unchanged (1.38 vs 1.33; p = 0.322). After rapid response system implementation, the cardiopulmonary arrest incidence significantly decreased by 40% during rapid response system operating times (0.82 vs 0.49/1,000 admissions; p = 0.001) but remained similar during rapid response system nonoperating times (0.77 vs 0.73/1,000 admissions; p = 0.729). Conclusions: The implementation of a part-time rapid response system reduced the cardiopulmonary arrest incidence based on the reduction of cardiopulmonary arrest during rapid response system operating times. Further analysis of the cost effectiveness of part-time rapid response system is needed.

Dexmedetomidine Injection during Strabismus Surgery Reduces Emergence Agitation without Increasing the Oculocardiac Reflex in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective Dexmedetomidine is known to reduce the incidence of emergence agitation, which is a common complication after inhalational anesthesia like sevoflurane or desflurane in children. However, the dose of dexmedetomidine used for this purpose is reported variously and the most effective dose is not known. In this study, we tried to find the most effective dose of dexmedetomidine to reduce the incidence of emergence agitation in children undergoing strabismus surgery without the complications like oculocardiac reflex (OCR) or postoperative vomiting. Methods We randomized 103 pediatric patients aged 2–6 years and undergoing elective strabismus surgery into four groups. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane and maintained with desflurane. At the start of induction, dexmedetomidine, delivered at 0.25, 0.5, or 1 μg/kg, or saline was infused intravenously in the D0.25, D0.5, D1 groups, respectively. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of emergence agitation and the secondary outcome measure was the incidence of intraoperative OCR, postoperative vomiting, and desaturation events. Results The incidence of emergence agitation was 60, 48, 44, and 21% (P = 0.005) and the incidence of intraoperative OCR was 36, 36, 36, and 37% (P = 0.988) in the control, D0.25, D0.5, and D1 groups, respectively. And, postoperative vomiting rate and desaturation events were low in the all groups. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine decreased the incidence of emergence agitation without increasing intraoperative oculocardiac reflex. Dexmedetomidine delivered at 1 μg/kg was more effective at reducing emergence agitation than lower doses in children undergoing strabismus surgery under desflurane anesthesia. Trial Registration Clinical Research Information Service KCT0000141

Timing of reversal with respect to three nerve stimulator end-points from cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular block.

After elective ear surgery with cisatracurium neuromuscular blockade, 48 adults were randomly assigned to receive neostigmine: (a) at appearance of the fourth twitch of a ‘train‐of‐four’; (b) at loss of fade to train‐of‐four; or (c) at loss of fade to double‐burst stimulation, all monitored using a TOF‐Watch SX® on one arm. For each of these conditions, the recovery from train‐of‐four (TOF) ratio was measured in parallel objectively using a TOF‐Watch SX placed on the contralateral arm. The median (IQR [range]) time from administration of reversal to a train‐of‐four ratio ≥ 0.9 was 11 (9–15.5 [2–28]) min, 8 (4–13.5 [1–25]) min and 7 (4–10 [2–15]) min in the three groups, respectively. This recovery time was significantly shorter when reversal was given at loss of fade to double‐burst stimulation (c), than when given at the appearance of the fourth twitch (a), p = 0.046. However, the total time to extubation may be unaffected as it takes longer for fade to be lost after double‐burst stimulation than for four twitches subjectively to appear.

Value of Preoperative Modified Body Mass Index in Predicting Postoperative 1-Year Mortality

Serum albumin and conventional BMI (cBMI) are commonly used indices of malnutrition status. Because cBMI does not reflect fluid accumulation, modified body mass index (mBMI, serum albumin × cBMI) is a more accurate measure of malnutrition status. This study investigated the association between preoperative mBMI and postoperative 1-year mortality, in comparison with serum albumin and cBMI. Medical records of 80,969 adult patients who underwent surgical procedures in a tertiary care hospital between 1 January, 2011 and 31 December, 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative 1-year mortality increased with reduction in cBMI, mBMI, and albumin separately (P < 0.001). When considering interaction between cBMI and albumin, albumin was the only significant factor of postoperative 1-year mortality [odds ratio: 0.377, 95% confidence interval (0.245–0.579), P < 0.001], while cBMI or interaction (cBMI * albumin) was not significant (P > 0.05). Adjusted area under the curve (AUC) was highest (0.885) in the overall model (cBMI + albumin + cBMI * albumin); adjusted AUC between mBMI and albumin did not differ significantly (P = 0.558). Low albumin is the strongest independent predictor of postoperative 1-year mortality among the three variables (albumin, cBMI, mBMI). Adding cBMI to albumin does not increase the validity of the AUC of albumin.

Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes, Opioid Use, and Complications after Esophageal Cancer Surgery

Effective and adequate opioid use and prevention of postoperative complications are important for enhanced recovery after surgery. We examined the effects of postoperative opioid use and postoperative complications on overall survival and recurrence-free survival after esophageal cancer surgery. This retrospective cohort study analyzed the records of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer who underwent the Ivor Lewis operation between January 2005 and December 2011. We collected data on total opioid use for 8 days postoperatively, as well as information on postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification). One hundred and twenty-one patients were included in the final analysis. Total opioid use was not significantly associated with overall survival (p = 0.520) and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.818). In contrast, the hazard ratio of postoperative overall survival was significantly higher with respect to Clavien-Dindo classification 1–2 (hazard ratio: 2.009, p = 0.046), 3a–3b (hazard ratio: 5.759, p < 0.001), and 4a–5 (hazard ratio: 3.982, p = 0.020) complications compared to no complications. Additionally, the hazard ratio of the recurrence-free survival was significantly higher in class 1–2 complications (hazard ratio: 2.336, p = 0.028) compared to none. Our study demonstrates that postoperative opioid use is not associated with survival and recurrence-free survival after esophageal cancer surgery, while postoperative complications may increase the hazard ratio for survival and recurrence-free survival.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio Predicts 30-Day and 1-Year Mortality in Postoperative Patients after Admission to the Intensive Care Unit

C-reactive protein and albumin are associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the significance of the C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/ALB) ratio as a novel prognostic factor for 30-day or 1-year mortality after admission to the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU). This retrospective study was conducted by examining the medical records of postoperative patients aged 19 years or older admitted to the ICU at a tertiary care hospital from January 2007 to July 2016. This study included data on 11,832 postoperative patients in the analysis. The cut-off value of the CRP/ALB ratio was set at 1.75 and 1.58 for 30-day and 1-year mortality after ICU admission, respectively. In postoperative patients with a high CRP/ALB ratio (>1.75 or >1.58), the probability of death within 30 days or 1 year after ICU admission were 30% or 43% higher than that in the group with the least CRP/ALB ratio, respectively (≤1.75 or ≤1.58)(p < 0.05). This study found the CRP/ALB ratio measured immediately after ICU admission to be an independent risk factor for 30-day and 1-year mortality in postoperative patients admitted to the ICU.

Clinical usefulness of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in predicting 30-day mortality in critically ill patients: A retrospective analysis

This study aimed to examine the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (ALB) ratio among patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in predicting 30-day mortality rate. This retrospective cohort study was conducted by examining the medical records of adult patients who were admitted to the ICU at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016. Data from 6,972 individuals were included in the final analysis, and 547 of these individuals (7.1%) died within 30 days after their ICU admission. The multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that an increase of 1 for the CRP/ALB ratio was associated with an 11% increase in the risk of 30-day mortality (hazard ratio: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–1.14, P < 0.001). However, the area under curve of CRP/ALB ratio in receiver operating characteristic analysis was lower than that of Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Charlson comorbidity index, or serum albumin alone. Although an elevated CRP/ALB ratio on ICU admission was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality rate, the predictive power of CRP/ALB ratio was lower than that of albumin alone, APACHE II, and Charlson comorbidity index.