Wei-Han Chou

Compatibility and stability of binary mixtures of ketorolac tromethamine and tramadol hydrochloride injection concentrate and diluted infusion solution.

OBJECTIVE Ketorolac added to tramadol as an injection mixture convenient for clinical use has been shown to be an effective balanced analgesic regimen in alleviating moderate-to-severe pain. However, analytical confirmation of the compatibility and stability of this combination is not available. This study examined the compatibility and stability of this combination. METHODS Two different mixtures containing ketorolac tromethamine and tramadol hydrochloride were examined: ketorolac (10 mg/mL) and tramadol (33.3 mg/mL) prepared as injection concentrate in ampoule mingled together in the ratio of one ampoule to one ampoule; diluted ketorolac (2 mg/mL) and tramadol (20 mg/mL) prepared in saline infusion solution, with or without pH adjustment. The mixtures were visually inspected for precipitation and color change. Quantitative chemical analysis was performed on days 0, 1, 3 and 7 by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS When stored at room temperature under ambient light, the ketorolac (10 mg/mL)-tramadol (33.3 mg/mL) injection concentrate and ketorolac (2 mg/mL)-tramadol (20 mg/mL) solution, without pH adjustment and adjusted to pH 5-8, were physico-chemically stable, and neither visible precipitation nor loss of concentration was found. With the ketorolac (2 mg/mL)-tramadol (20 mg/mL) solution adjusted to pH 9, however, precipitation occurred immediately, resulting in a significant loss of tramadol. CONCLUSION This study suggests that a ready-to-use ketorolac-tramadol mixture, either undiluted or diluted in physiological saline solution, can be prepared, with a shelf life of at least 7 days when stored at room temperature under ambient light.

Injury Location and Mechanism for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Nationwide Population-Based Case-Control Study in Taiwan

Few studies have investigated the relationship between injury location, mechanism and their association with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). We conducted a nationwide database survey to explore this issue.

The admission systemic inflammatory response syndrome predicts outcome in patients undergoing emergency surgery

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on emergency department admission and the prognostic significance of SIRS in patients undergoing emergency surgery. METHODS This is a retrospective study of 889 adults who were admitted as emergency cases and were operated on within 24 hours of admission. Data on patient demography, clinical information including comorbidities, categories of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, SIRS score, postoperative outcomes including duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay, and mortality were collected. RESULTS SIRS occurred in 43% of the patients and was associated with a significantly worse outcome in terms of duration of ventilator use (10.5 ± 15.4 vs. 3.5 ± 4.4 days, p < 0.001), ICU stay (11.2 ± 13.6 vs. 5.0 ± 5.4 days, p < 0.001), hospital length of stay (19.4 ± 22.4 vs. 7.1 ± 7.6 days, p < 0.001) and mortality (12.7% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates (including age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, comorbid conditions, and surgery categories), SIRS was independently associated with higher mortality (adjusted odd ratio, 21.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9-93.2), longer ventilator duration (adjusted coefficient, 7.8; 95% CI, 3.2-12.5), longer ICU stay (adjusted coefficient, 6.2; 95% CI, 2.6-9.8) and longer hospital stay (adjusted coefficient, 9.7; 95% CI, 7.5-11.9). CONCLUSION The presence of SIRS at admission in patients receiving emergency surgery predicted worse outcomes and higher mortality rates.

Comparison of two stroke volume variation-based goal-directed fluid therapies for supratentorial brain tumour resection: a randomized controlled trial

Background The optimal volume status for neurosurgery has yet to be determined. We compared two fluid protocols based on different stroke volume variation (SVV) cut-offs for goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) during supratentorial brain tumour resection. Methods A randomized, single-blind, open-label trial was conducted. Eighty adult patients undergoing elective supratentorial brain tumour resection were randomly divided into a low SVV and a high SVV group. The SVV cut-offs were used to determine when to initiate colloid infusion. Clinical outcomes and perioperative changes in serum neuronal biomarkers, including S100β, neurone-specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), were compared. Results Patients in the low SVV group received a higher volume of colloid [869 (SD 404) vs 569 (453) ml; P=0.0025], had a higher urine output [3.4 (2.4) vs 2.5 (1.7) ml kg-1 h-1; P=0.0416] and a higher average cardiac index [3.2 (0.7) vs 2.8 (0.6) litres min-1 m-2; P=0.0204]. Patients in the low SVV group also had a shorter intensive care unit stay [1.4 (0.7) vs 2.6 (3.3) days, P=0.0326], fewer postoperative neurological events (17.5 vs 40%, P=0.0469), attenuated changes in the NSE and GFAP levels, lower intraoperative serum lactate and a higher Barthel index at discharge (all P<0.05). Conclusions During GDFT for supratentorial brain tumour resection, fluid boluses targeting a lower SVV are more beneficial than a restrictive protocol. Clinical trial registration NCT02113358.

Metastatic breast cancer with right ventricular erosion

Cancer that has metastasized to the heart and pericardium has a dismal outcome. Individualized treatment to preserve the quality of life and reduce surgical mortality is important. We describe a 57-year old woman who had a recurrence of breast cancer 23 years after the initial complete treatment. Cardiac metastasis with poor anterior chest wall healing led to right ventricular rupture, which caused hypovolaemic shock. The right ventricular wall defect was repaired with a percutaneous patch and a myocutaneous flap without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient was discharged home after intensive wound care. Our patient shows that even with complete initial treatment, clinicians should be alert for the recurrence of breast cancer.