Jian-Xin Zhou

Incidence, Risk Factors and Consequences of Emergence Agitation in Adult Patients after Elective Craniotomy for Brain Tumor: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Emergence agitation is a frequent complication that can have serious consequences during recovery from general anesthesia. However, agitation has been poorly investigated in patients after craniotomy. In this prospective cohort study, adult patients were enrolled after elective craniotomy for brain tumor. The sedation-agitation scale was evaluated during the first 12 hours after surgery. Agitation developed in 35 of 123 patients (29%). Of the agitated patients, 28 (80%) were graded as very and dangerously agitated. By multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, independent predictors for agitation included male sex, history of long-term use of anti-depressant drugs or benzodiazepines, frontal approach of the operation, method and duration of anesthesia and presence of endotracheal intubation. Total intravenous anesthesia and balanced anesthesia with short duration were protective factors. Emergence agitation was associated with self-extubation (8.6% vs 0%, P = 0.005). Sedatives were administered more in agitated patients than non-agitated patients (85.7% vs 6.8%, P<0.001). In conclusion, emergence agitation was a frequent complication in patients after elective craniotomy for brain tumors. The clarification of risk factors could help to identify the high-risk patients, and then to facilitate the prevention and treatment of agitation. For patients undergoing craniotomy, greater attention should be paid to those receiving a frontal approach for craniotomy and those anesthetized under balanced anesthesia with long duration. More researches are warranted to elucidate whether total intravenous anesthesia could reduce the incidence of agitation after craniotomy. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00590499.

Randomized Prospective Study of Olecranon Fracture Fixation: Cable Pin System versus Tension Band Wiring

OBJECTIVE: This prospective, randomized study compared the effectiveness of the cable pin system (CPS) versus tension band wiring (TBW) for olecranon fracture fixation. METHODS: Patients with acute transverse or slight oblique olecranon fractures were randomly divided into two groups: one fixed by CPS and the other by TBW. Clinical outcome data were collected and analysed following a mean duration of 21 months. RESULTS: The mean ± SD fracture healing time was significantly shorter in the CPS group (n = 30; 9.73 ± 2.02 weeks) compared with the TBW group (n = 32; 11.13 ± 2.21 weeks). One patient in the CPS group and seven patients in the TBW group experienced postoperative complications; this difference was statistically significant. The mean ± SD Mayo Elbow Performance Score in the CPS group was significantly higher (88.67 ± 6.42) than that in the TBW group (80.78 ± 11.99). Logistic regression analysis showed an association between fixation method and fracture healing time, complications and elbow function. CONCLUSIONS: Internal fixation by CPS is an effective method for olecranon fracture and is associated with a shorter healing time, fewer complications and better function than TBW.

Use of Dexmedetomidine for Prophylactic Analgesia and Sedation in Patients With Delayed Extubation After Craniotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine for prophylactic analgesia and sedation in patients with delayed extubation after craniotomy. Methods: From June 2012 to July 2014, 150 patients with delayed extubation after craniotomy were randomized 1:1 and were assigned to the dexmedetomidine group that received a continuous infusion of 0.6 &mgr;g/kg/h (10 &mgr;g/mL) or the control group that received a maintenance infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride for injection. The mean percentage of time under optimal sedation (SAS3-4), the percentage of patients who required rescue with propofol/fentanyl, and the total dose of propofol/fentanyl required throughout the course of drug infusion, as well as VAS, HR, MAP, and SpO2 were recorded. Results: The percentage of time under optimal sedation was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group (98.4%±6.7% vs. 93.0%±16.2%, P=0.008). The VAS was significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group (1.0 vs. 4.0, P=0.000). The HR and mean BP were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group at all 3 time points (before endotracheal suctioning, immediately after extubation, and 30 min after extubation). No significant difference in SpO2 was observed between the 2 groups. For hemodynamic adverse events, patients in the dexmedetomidine group were more likely to develop bradycardia (5.3% vs. 0%, P=0.043) but had a lower likelihood of tachycardia (2.7% vs. 18.7%, P=0.002). Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine may be an effective prophylactic agent to induce sedation and analgesia in patients with delayed extubation after craniotomy. The use of dexmedetomidine (0.6 &mgr;g/kg/h) infusion does not produce respiratory depression, but may increase the incidence of bradycardia.

Drug concentrations in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam after craniotomy

BackgroundTo identify changes in cefoperazone/sulbactam penetration into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after craniotomy and to investigate preliminarily whether cefoperazone/sulbactam CSF concentration can reach therapeutic level when administered intravenously after neurosurgical operation.MethodsNeurosurgical patients with an indwelling ventricular drainage pipe who received prophylactic cefoperazone/sulbactam for the treatment of intracranial infection were received a cefoperazone/sulbactam 2:1, 3.0-g infusion for 3 hours every 6 hours for 24 h. Venous blood and CSF specimens were collected to determine cefoperazone/sulbactam concentrations.ResultsThe cefoperazone and sulbactam concentrations in serum were highest at the second hour (237.54±336.72 mg/L and 66.52±80.38 mg/L, respectively) and then decreased. The cefoperazone and sulbactam concentrations in CSF were highest at the 4th hour (39.22±75.55 mg/L and 6.24±8.35 mg/L, respectively) and then decreased. CSF penetration measured by the ratio of peak concentrations (CSF/serum) was 8.6%±7.2% for cefoperazone and 13.5%±11.9% for sulbactam, CSF penetration measured by the ratio of trough concentrations (CSF/serum) was 13.4%±5.3% for cefoperazone and 106.5%±87.5% for sulbactam. CSF penetration represented by the ratio of area under the curve (AUC) of CSF and serum was 14.5% for cefoperazone and 22.6% for sulbactam. Neurosurgical impairment of the blood–brain barrier may improve the CSF penetration of these drugs, but it is difficult to reach the MIC90 of resistant bacteria. If single intravenous administration time was extended to 3 hours, the serum concentrations of drugs were able to meet the PK/PD standard (T> MIC%> 50%) for treating common, highly resistant bacteria.ConclusionsThe CSF penetration of cefoperazone/sulbactam may be enhanced after neurosurgical impairment of the blood–brain barrier. This study is a pilot research of cefoperazone/sulbactam using in neurosurgical individuals, However, it needs to be confirmed by further large-scale studies.

The Prophylactic Use of Remifentanil for Delayed Extubation After Elective Intracranial Operations: a Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial.

Background: Endotracheal extubation is a painful and stressful procedure. The authors hypothesized that the prophylactic use of remifentanil would attenuate the pain intensity and stress responses resulting from extubation in neurosurgical patients. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, 160 patients with planned delay extubation after elective intracranial operation were randomized 1:1 to receive either remifentanil or normal saline (control) before their extubation. The dose regime of remifentanil was a bolus of 0.5 &mgr;g/kg over 1 minute, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.05 &mgr;g/kg/min for 20 minutes. The primary outcome was the incidence of severe pain during the periextubation period. Secondary outcomes included changes in the pain intensity and vital signs, failing to pass an extubation evaluation after the study drug infusion, severe adverse events, postextubation complications, and clinical outcomes. Results: Two patients in the remifentanil group did not pass the extubation evaluation. The incidence of severe pain during the periextubation period was significantly lower in the remifentanil group compared with the control group (25.0% vs. 41.3%, P=0.029). Compared with the control group, the visual analog scale in the remifentanil group was significantly lower after the bolus of remifentanil (12±18 vs. 25±27, P=0.001) and immediately after extubation (19±25 vs. 34±30, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in the vital signs immediately after extubation between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: The prophylactic use of remifentanil decreases the incidence of severe pain. Our preliminary findings merit a larger trial to clarify the effect of the prophylactic use of remifentanil on clinical outcomes and adverse events.

Effects of increased positive end-expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a protocol of a prospective physiological study

Introduction There are concerns that the use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with brain injury may potentially elevate intracranial pressure (ICP). However, the transmission of PEEP into the thoracic cavity depends on the properties of the lungs and the chest wall. When chest wall elastance is high, PEEP can significantly increase pleural pressure. In the present study, we investigate the different effects of PEEP on the pleural pressure and ICP in different respiratory mechanics. Methods and analysis This study is a prospective, single-centre, physiological study in patients with severe brain injury. Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome with ventricular drainage will be enrolled. An oesophageal balloon catheter will be inserted to measure oesophageal pressure. Patients will be sedated and paralysed; airway pressure and oesophageal pressure will be measured during end-inspiratory occlusion and end-expiratory occlusion. Elastance of the chest wall, the lungs and the respiratory system will be calculated at PEEP levels of 5, 10 and 15 cm H2O. We will classify each patient based on the maximal ΔICP/ΔPEEP being above or below the median for the study population. 2 groups will thus be compared. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol and consent forms were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Fujian Provincial Hospital. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number NCT02670733; pre-results.

Emergence agitation during recovery from intracranial surgery under general anaesthesia: a protocol and statistical analysis plan for a prospective multicentre cohort study

Introduction Emergence agitation after intracranial surgery is an important clinical issue during anaesthesia recovery. The aim of this multicentre cohort study is to investigate the incidence of emergence agitation, identify the risk factors and determine clinical outcomes in adult patients after intracranial surgery under general anaesthesia. Additionally, we will deliberately clarify the relationship between postoperative pneumocephalus and agitation. Methods and analysis The present study is a prospective multicentre cohort study. Five intensive care units (ICUs) in China will participate in the study. Consecutive adult patients admitted to the ICUs after intracranial surgery will be enrolled. Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) or Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) will be used to evaluate the patients 12 h after the enrolment. Agitation is defined as an SAS score of 5–7, or an RASS score of +2 to +4. According to the maximal SAS and RASS score, patients will be divided into two cohorts: the agitation group and the non-agitation group. Factors potentially related to emergence agitation will be collected at study entry, during anaesthesia and operation, during postoperative care. Univariate analyses between the agitation and the non-agitation groups will be performed. The stepwise backward logistic regression will be carried out to identify the independent predictors of agitation. Patients will be followed up for 72 h after the operation. Accidental self-extubation of the endotracheal tube and removal of other catheters will be documented. The use of sedatives and analgesics will be collected. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been obtained from each of five participating hospitals. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number NCT02318199.

Stress Index Can Be Accurately and Reliably Assessed by Visually Inspecting Ventilator Waveforms

BACKGROUND: Stress index provides a noninvasive approach to detect injurious ventilation patterns and to personalize ventilator settings. Obtaining the stress index (SI), however, requires quantitatively analyzing the shape of pressure-time curve with dedicated instruments or a specific ventilator, which may encumber its clinical implementation. We hypothesized that the SI could be qualitatively determined through a visual inspection of ventilator waveforms. METHODS: Thirty-six adult subjects undergoing volume controlled ventilation without spontaneous breathing were enrolled. For each subject, 2 trained clinicians visually inspected the pressure-time curve directly from the ventilator screen. They then qualitatively categorized the shape of pressure-time curve as linear, a downward concavity, or an upward concavity at the bedside. We simultaneously recorded airway pressure and flow signals using a dedicated instrument. A quantitative off-line analysis was performed to calculate the SI using specific research software. This quantitative analysis of the SI served as the reference method for classifying the shape of the pressure-time curve (ie, linear, a downward concavity, or an upward concavity). We compared the SI categorized by visual inspection with that by the reference. RESULTS: We obtained 200 SI assessments of pressure-time curves, among which 125 (63%) were linear, 55 (27%) were a downward concavity, and 20 (10%) were an upward concavity as determined by the reference method. The overall accuracy of visual inspection and weighted kappa statistic (95% CI) was 93% (88–96%) and 0.88 (0.82–0.94), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity to distinguish a downward concavity from a linear shape were 91% and 98%, respectively. The respective sensitivity and specificity to distinguish an upward concavity from a linear shape were 95% and 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Visual inspection of the pressure-time curve on the ventilator screen is a simple and reliable approach to assess SI at the bedside. This simplification may facilitate the implementation of SI in clinical practice to personalize mechanical ventilation. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT03096106.)

Use of the injection test to indicate the oesophageal balloon position in patients without spontaneous breathing: a clinical feasibility study

Objective To investigate the clinical feasibility of the injection test for balloon placement during oesophageal pressure measurement in patients without spontaneous breathing. Methods The injection test was performed in 12 mechanically ventilated patients under deep sedation and paralysis. During withdrawal of the balloon from the stomach and air injection into the gastric lumen of the catheter, the presence of the injection test wave in the balloon pressure tracing indicated that the whole balloon was positioned above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The positive pressure occlusion test was performed at different balloon positions. Results In each patient, the injection test wave appeared at a distinct balloon depth, with a mean ± standard deviation of 41.9 ± 3.3 cm and range from 37 cm to 47 cm. The optimal ratio of changes in the balloon and airway pressure (0.8–1.2) during the positive pressure occlusion test was obtained when the balloon was located 5 cm and 10 cm above the LES in nine (75%) and three (25%) patients, respectively. Conclusions The injection test is feasible for identification of the whole balloon position above the LES during passive ventilation. The middle third of the oesophagus might be the optimal balloon position.

Bi-frontal pneumocephalus is an independent risk factor for early postoperative agitation in adult patients admitted to intensive care unit after elective craniotomy for brain tumor: A prospective cohort study

Postoperative agitation frequently occurs after general anesthesia and may be associated with serious consequences. However, studies in neurosurgical patients have been inadequate. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for early postoperative agitation in patients after craniotomy, specifically focusing on the association between postoperative pneumocephalus and agitation. Adult intensive care unit admitted patients after elective craniotomy under general anesthesia were consecutively enrolled. Patients were assessed using the Sedation-Agitation Scale during the first 24 hours after operation. The patients were divided into two groups based on their maximal Sedation-Agitation Scale: the agitation (Sedation-Agitation Scale ≥ 5) and non-agitation groups (Sedation-Agitation Scale ≤ 4). Preoperative baseline data, intraoperative and intensive care unit admission data were recorded and analyzed. Each patient’s computed tomography scan obtained within six hours after operation was retrospectively reviewed. Modified Rankin Scale and hospital length of stay after the surgery were also collected. Of the 400 enrolled patients, agitation occurred in 13.0% (95% confidential interval: 9.7–16.3%). Body mass index, total intravenous anesthesia, intraoperative fluid intake, intraoperative bleeding and transfusion, consciousness after operation, endotracheal intubation kept at intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, hyperglycemia without a history of diabetes, self-reported pain and postoperative bi-frontal pneumocephalus were used to build a multivariable model. Bi-frontal pneumocephalus and delayed extubation after the operation were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative agitation. After adjustment for confounding, postoperative agitation was independently associated with worse neurologic outcome (odd ratio: 5.4, 95% confidential interval: 1.1–28.9, P = 0.048). Our results showed that early postoperative agitation was prevalent among post-craniotomy patients and was associated with adverse outcomes. Improvements in clinical strategies relevant to bi-frontal pneumocephalus should be considered. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02318199).