Theodosia Vogiatzaki

Prophylactic intravenous ondansetron and dolasetron in intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

Pruritus is the most common side effect of intrathecal morphine for postoperative pain relief. Activation of central 5-hydroxytryptamine subtype 3 (5-HT3) receptors is one of its possible mechanisms. The role of 5-HT3 antagonists in the prevention of pruritus has not been clearly established. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic administration of ondansetron and dolasetron for the prevention of intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus. The patients were randomized into 3 groups to receive either 4 mg ondansetron IV (group O, n = 35), 12.5 mg dolasetron IV (group D, n = 35) or 5 mL placebo (group P, n = 35) 30 min before administration of spinal anesthesia with 10 to 17.5 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 0.25 mg of morphine for urologic, orthopedic, or vascular surgery. Patients were evaluated for incidence and severity of pruritus at arrival to the postanesthesia care unit and at 2, 4, 8, and 24 h postoperatively. The incidence and severity of pruritus was significantly less frequent in the ondansetron and dolasetron groups compared with placebo (34%, 20%, and 66% respectively, P < 0.01). Patients who received 5-HT3 antagonist reported significantly less total severity of pruritus compared with placebo during the first 8 h and the severe pruritus was observed only in patients within P group (P group: 4 of 35; 11%, O or D group: 0 of 35; 0%, P < 0.05). We conclude that the prophylactic use of ondansetron and dolasetron helps to reduce the incidence and severity of intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus.

Intravenous vs Topical Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty Without Tourniquet Application: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND Use of tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective and safe in reducing the blood loss in total knee arthroplasty (TKR) performed using a tourniquet, but, data in TKR performed without tourniquet are limited, and there is no study comparing the topical (T) with intravenous (IV) TXA administration. Our aim was to compare the topical (T) with intravenous (IV) TXA administration in TKR performed without tourniquet. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 120 patients undergoing unilateral TKR for knee osteoarthritis were included in a prospective randomized study. Operations were performed under spinal anesthesia, no tourniquet was used, and the postoperative regime was the same for all patients. Patients were divided into 3 groups; in group C (control), 40 patients received no TXA, in group IV, 40 patients received 1 g of TXA intravenously, and in group L, 1 g of TXA was applied locally to 40 patients. The primary outcome measures included the calculated blood loss, the transfusion rate, and quantity of allogeneic blood units, whereas secondary outcome measures were complications. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in patients demographics and perioperative results. Calculated blood loss, allogeneic blood transfusion rate, and quantity in group C were significantly higher compared with those of TXA groups (P < .001). There was no significant difference in complications rate between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study, IV or T administration of 1-g TXA significantly reduced the blood loss and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing TKR without a tourniquet (with no significant difference between the 2 routes of administration).

Epidural anesthesia followed by epidural analgesia produces less inflammatory response than spinal anesthesia followed by intravenous morphine analgesia in patients with total knee arthroplasty

Background Anesthesia and inflammatory response have been studied in major abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures, but not in major orthopaedic reconstructive procedures such as total knee arthroplasty. Most studies have compared general anesthesia with epidural anesthesia, but none has compared epidural with spinal. Material/Methods In a prospective randomized study, 2 groups of patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were evaluated regarding the inflammatory response to 2 types of regional anesthesia. In 30 patients (Group A) with spinal anesthesia followed by intravenous morphine analgesia, and in 26 patients (Group B) with epidural anesthesia followed by epidural analgesia, the inflammatory response was assessed through the calculation of leucocyte concentration (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18), TNF-a, and leucocyte activation molecules CD11b and CD62l, in 3 blood samples (immediately before induction to anesthesia, immediately after closure of the operative wound, and at 24 hours post-operatively). Results The MCP-1 values showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.02) in the group of patients with spinal anesthesia. Of the leucocyte activation molecules, a high statistically significant increase was noticed in the expression of CD11b on monocytes in the sample taken 24 hours post-operatively in the patients of group A. Similarly, CD62l expression on neutrophils showed a high statistically significant reduction in the sample taken 24 hours post-operatively in the group of patients with spinal anesthesia compared to the group of patients with epidural anesthesia. Conclusions Our results show that epidural anesthesia followed by epidural analgesia produced less inflammatory response compared with spinal anesthesia followed by intravenous morphine analgesia in patients operated on with total knee arthroplasty, and that the most sensitive markers of those investigated were the CD11b and CD62l leucocyte activation molecules.

Persistent post-surgical pain and neuropathic pain after total knee replacement

AIM To study the prevalence of persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) and neuropathic pain (NP) after total knee replacement (TKR). METHODS MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for articles published until December 2014 in English language. Published articles were included if they referred to pain that lasts at least 3 mo after primary TKR for knee osteoarthritis, and measured pain with pain specific instruments. Studies that referred to pain caused by septic reasons and implant malalignment were excluded. Both prospective and retrospective studies were included and only 14 studies that match the inclusion criteria were selected for this review. RESULTS The included studies were characterized by the heterogeneity on the scales used to measure pain and pre-operative factors related to PPSP and NP. The reported prevalence of PPSP and NP seems to be relatively high, but it varies among different studies. There is also evidence that the prevalence of post-surgical pain is related to the scale used for pain measurement. The prevalence of PPSP is ranging at 6 mo from 16% to 39% and at 12 mo from 13.1% to 23% and even 38% of the patients. The prevalence of NP at 6 mo post-operatively is ranging from 5.2% to 13%. Pre-operative factors related to the development of PPSP also differ, including emotional functioning, such as depression and pain catastrophizing, number of comorbidities, pain problems elsewhere and operations in knees with early grade of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION No firm conclusions can be reached regarding the prevalence of PPSP and NP and the related factors due to the heterogeneity of the studies.

Lack of significant intraoperative coagulopathy in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) indicates that epidural anaesthesia is a safe option

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fluctuations of coagulation parameters during cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and confirm beyond doubt that epidural anaesthesia is safe with this type of operations. Materials and methods: This is a prospective clinical study of consecutive patients who had cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. An epidural catheter was inserted into all patients. Peripheral venous blood samples in specific time points of the procedure were tested for complete blood count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalised ratio (INR), fibrinogen, D-dimer, and expression of the GpIIb/IIIa platelet receptor. Results: A total of 51 consecutive patients were included in this study. The initial mean (SD) platelet count decreased significantly to a mean of 250.6 (105.4) 109/L (p < 0.001). Fibrinogen levels decreased to 295.9 (127.4) mg/dL (p = 0.009). D-dimer levels increased to 5.3 (3.1) mg/dL (p < 0.001). APTT increased from 30.8 (5.8) s to 35.1 (4.6). The mean INR increased significantly to 1.5 (0.5) (p < 0.001). The total number of GpIIb/IIIa platelet receptors showed no significant variation throughout the measurements and was 72603.2 before HIPEC, 80772.4 during, and 77432.1 after. All the parameters examined, despite significant fluctuations remained in levels that would permit perioperative epidural analgesia. No related complications were recorded. Conclusion: Our results support the belief that epidural analgesia is a safe option in cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC despite certain intraoperative fluctuations in coagulation parameters. It is of major importance to regulate any abnormalities observed during surgery. There are no available data regarding the occurrence of coagulopathy in the post-operative period.

Open conversion after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair with the Ovation Prime™ endograft

Advances in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endograft device technology have contributed to improved outcomes and durability of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), even in complex infrarenal aortic anatomies. However, stent graft failure secondary to endoleaks, migration, endotension and sac enlargement are persistent problems that can result in aneurysm rupture following EVAR. A symptomatic infrarenal AAA (4mm proximal neck) was treated initially with an Ovation Prime™ device (TriVascular, Inc., Santa Rosa, CA) in an off-label fashion, leading to type Ia endoleak moderately reduced by additional proximal neck ballooning. A failed Chimney technique to the single patent, but severely stenosed, right renal artery preceded the use of this device. A large type Ia endoleak was evident at 6-month follow-up, but following a failed supplementary endovascular intervention with coils to seal the endoleak, the patient presented with hemorrhagic shock from AAA rupture, requiring urgent open conversion. Intraoperatively it was impossible to explant this new type of endograft. Circumferential tying of the infrarenal aorta with a Teflon band was unable to stop the bleeding. However, after dividing the body of the stent-graft below the two proximal polymer rings, the endoleak was successfully treated by suturing the graft with the proximal aortic neck. The procedure was completed with extension of the stump to the common femoral arteries using a bifurcated Dacron prosthesis. The body of an Ovation Prime™ endograft may be impossible to explant in open conversion conditions. Large prospective studies with longer follow-up are required to adequately reflect the behavior of this particular device.

Hemodynamic Monitoring During Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Using the FloTrac/Vigileo System.

Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC has provided a chance for long-term survival in selected patients. However, perioperative management remains a challenge for the anesthesiology team. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in hemodynamic parameters during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) using the FloTrac/Vigileo system. Forty-one consecutive patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC were enrolled. Heart rate (HR), esophageal temperature, and cardiac output (CO) steadily increased until the end of HIPEC. In the first half of HIPEC, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and central venous pressure (CVP) increased whereas systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased; SVR stabilized in the second half. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and stroke volume (SV) showed no significant variation. Male gender was related to increased CVP, CO, and SV, and decreased SVR; age >55 years was related to increased SBP, and peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was correlated with HR, DBP, and SV. PCI >14 was associated with increased HR and decreased DBP and MAP. American Society of Anesthesiologists score >1 was related to decreased CO and SV. Patients undergoing HIPEC develop a hyperdynamic circulatory state because of the increased temperature, characterized by a steady decrease in SVR and continuous increase in HR and CO. FloTrac/Vigileo system may provide an easy-to-handle, noninvasive monitoring tool.

Local infiltrative anesthetic effect of tramadol compared to lidocaine for excision of cutaneous lesions: pilot randomized, double-blind clinical study.

Background: In this double-blind, randomized study, the efficacy of tramadol, an atypical opioid, was tested versus lidocaine in excision of cutaneous lesions of the face. Methods: Eighty-eight patients were randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg/kg tramadol 2% plus adrenaline 1:200,000 (group T, n = 46) or 3 mg/kg lidocaine 2% plus adrenaline 1:200,000 (group L, n = 42) for excision of cutaneous lesions. Pain at the injection site, 2 and 20 minutes postinjection and 3, 6, and 12 hours postoperatively, was monitored on a 0 to 10 numerical rating scale (NRS). Irritation at the injection point and the duration of postoperative analgesia were also recorded. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic data, topography, size of the lesions removed, and operative time between the two groups. A tendency toward lower injection NRS pain scores was observed in group L compared to group T (p = .064). No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found at 2 and 20 minutes postinjection (p = .741 and p = .142, respectively); however, pain scores were significantly higher in group L at 3, 6, and 12 hours postoperatively (all p < .001). Erythema at the injection site was observed in nine group T and two group L patients (p = .076). No postoperative analgesics were required in the tramadol group of patients, whereas acetaminophen with or without codeine was administered in all but five lidocaine group patients during the first 12 hours. Conclusion: Tramadol may be used as a reliable local anesthetic agent, providing longer postoperative analgesia compared to lidocaine; however, it bears a higher incidence of irritation at the injection site.

Simultaneous Periprosthetic Fractures of the Femur and the Acetabulum After Bipolar Hip Arthroplasty

Patient: Female, 68 Final Diagnosis: Periprosthetic fractures of the acetabulum and femur after bipolar hip arthroplasty Symptoms: Inability to walk Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Revision cup and internal fixation femur Specialty: Orhopedics and Traumatology Objective: Rare co-existance of disease or pathology Background: Although periprosthetic fractures of the femur are a recognized complication of total hip arthroplasty, periprosthetic fractures of the acetabulum are rare. Simultaneous periprosthetic fractures of both the acetabulum and the femur have not been reported, to our knowledge. Case Report: We report a simultaneous fracture of the acetabulum and the femur in a 68-year-old female patient who had previously sustained a subcapital fracture of the femur, treated with a bipolar uncemented prosthesis. We discuss the possible mechanism of this combination of fractures. Conclusions: Simultaneous periprosthetic fractures of the femur and the acetabulum can occur if, in the presence of osteoporotic bone, the metallic femoral head has migrated medially in the acetabulum while the femoral stem is not loose.

Hybrid reconstruction of the upper limb in a patient with chronic limb ischemia

Aim Hybrid vascular interventions performed in patients with chronic limb ischemia are considered minimally invasive techniques for treating complex multilevel arterial occlusive disease. Methods We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a critical upper limb ischemia, who underwent angioplasty and secondary stenting of the distal-third of the axillary artery followed by a brachial–brachial bypass using an autologous graft. Results The patient had an uneventful recovery. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of hybrid vascular reconstruction in the upper limb due to atherosclerosis. Conclusion Hybrid revascularization procedure in the upper limb is technically feasible, safe for the patient, and should become a part of the armamentarium of the modern vascular surgeon.