Coexistence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Superior Vena Cava Syndromes Due to Substernal Goitre in a Patient With Respiratory Failure: A Case Report.

Substernal goiter may rarely cause superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) owing to venous compression, and cause acute respiratory failure due to tracheal compression. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may rarely occur when there is a narrowing of upper airway by edema and vascular congestion resulting from SVCS

Safety of geriatric patients undergoing endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration with deep sedation: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can be performed in a wide range, from minimal sedation to general anesthesia. Advanced age increases perioperative risks related to anesthesia and is also associated with many pathological processes that further increase morbidity and mortality. The ideal sedation protocol for EBUS-TBNA has yet to be determined in geriatric patients. Deep sedation (DS) may increase the safety and performance of the procedure. There are limited studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of EBUS-TBNA under DS in elderly patients. Methods 280 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA under DS were included in this retrospective study. 156 patients aged 65 years and over (Group 1) and 124 patients under 45 (Group 2) were compared. Demographic data, comorbidities, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), hemodynamic measurements, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) before the procedure were evaluated. In addition, the duration of the EBUS-TBNA procedure, sedation agents and dosages, recovery time, and complications related to the procedure in the 24 h and applied medications and treatments were recorded. Results There was no difference in body mass index, EBUS-TBNA procedure duration, and recovery time between geriatric and young patients(p > 0.05). The proportion of female patients, pre-anesthesia SpO2, and PFTs were found to be significantly lower in geriatric patients(p < 0.05). ASA classification, frequency of comorbidities, and initial mean arterial pressure were found to be significantly higher in the geriatric group(p < 0.05). The propofol-ketamine combination was the most preferred sedative in both groups. The dose of propofol used in the regimen in which propofol was administered alone was found to be lower in the elderly group (p < 0.05). The increase in the HR was significant in Group 2 in the T4 and T5 periods with respect to T1 when the differences were compared (p < 0.05). As a complication, the frequency of high blood pressure during the procedure was higher in the elderly group (p < 0.05). Conclusions The EBUS-TBNA procedure performed under DS was safe in elderly and young patients. Our study showed that the procedure and recovery times were similar in the elderly and young groups. The incidence of temporary high blood pressure during the procedure was higher in the elderly patients. The other complication rates during the procedure were similar in groups. Decreased propofol dose in the regimen using propofol alone has shown us that anesthetists are more sensitive to the administration of sedative agents in geriatric patients, taking into account comorbidities and drug interactions

The effect of body mass index on thoracic paravertebral block analgesia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; a prospective interventional study

Abstract Background To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on intensity postoperative pain in patients who underwent thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for postoperative analgesia after video-assissted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods Patients aged 18–80 years, ASA I-III, and BMI 18–40 kg/m2 who underwent elective VATS were included in the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BMI levels. TPVB was performed under ultrasound-guidance at the fifth thoracic vertebrae, and 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was injected. The patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was performed by using morphine and multimodal analgesia was performed. As a rescue analgesic agent, 0.5 mg/kg tramadol was given to patients intravenously when a score of visual analog scale (VAS) at rest was ≥ 4. The primary outcome was determined as VAS scores at rest and cough. Secondary outcomes were determined as postoperative morphine consumption, additional analgesic requirement, and side effects. Results The post-hoc test revealed that the VAS resting scores at the 4th hour (p: 0.007), 12th hour (p: 0.014), and 48th hour (p: 0.002) were statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group II. Additionally, VAS resting scores were also statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group III at all time points (p < 0.05). Similarly, the post-hoc test indicated that the VAS coughing scores at the 4th hour (p: 0.023), 12th hour (p: 0.011), and 48th hour (p: 0.019) were statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group II. Moreover, VAS coughing scores were statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group III at all time points (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in terms of additional analgesic use between the groups (p: 0.001). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of morphine consumption via PCA and morphine milligram equivalent consumption between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions Higher postoperative VAS scores with TPVB applied in obese patients and the consequent increase in additional analgesics and complications require more specific postoperative management in this patient group

Coexistence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Superior Vena Cava Syndromes Due to Substernal Goitre in a Patient With Respiratory Failure: A Case Report

Introduction: Substernal goiter may rarely cause superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) owing to venous compression, and cause acute respiratory failure due to tracheal compression. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may rarely occur when there is a narrowing of upper airway by edema and vascular congestion resulting from SVCS. Case Presentation: We presented the clinical course and treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF) developed in a patient with SVCS and OSAS due to substernal goiter. After treatment of ARF with invasive mechanical ventilation, weaning and total thyroidectomy were successfully performed through collar incision and median sternotomy without complications. Conclusions: Our case showed that if the respiratory failure occurred due to substernal goiter and SVCS, we would need to investigate the coexistence of OSAS and SVCS

Ensino da prática de cateterismo epidural torácico em diferentes anos de residência em anestesia

ResumoJustificativa e objetivosEsclarecer a importância do ano de residência e outros fatores que influenciam o sucesso do cateterismo epidural torácico (CET) em pacientes submetidos à toracotomia.MétodosApós a aprovação do Comitê de Ética, os dados foram retrospectivamente analisados a partir dos prontuários de 415 pacientes. Todos os pacientes assinaram os termos de consentimento informado. As tentativas de CET foram divididas em dois grupos: segundo‐terceiro ano (Grupo I) e quarto ano (Grupo II), de acordo com o ano de residência. Dados demográficos, características das tentativas de CET e todas as dificuldades e complicações durante o CET foram registrados retrospectivamente.ResultadosA taxa de sucesso global de CET foi semelhante entre os grupos. Os níveis de colocação do cateter, o número e a duração das tentativas não foram diferentes entre os grupos (p>0,05). A alteração do nível de inserção da agulha foi estatisticamente maior no Grupo II (p=0,008), enquanto que a parestesia foi significativamente maior no Grupo I (p=0,007). As taxas de cefaleia durante e após punção dural foram maiores no Grupo I. Um índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior e o nível do local de inserção foram fatores significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós‐operatório, mas independentes da experiência dos residentes (p<0,001, 0,005).ConclusãoO IMC e o nível do local de inserção foram significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós‐operatório. Pensamos que o ano de residência não é um fator significativo em termos de taxa de sucesso global para o CET, mas é importante para o resultado desses procedimentos.AbstractBackground and objectivesIn this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients.MethodsAfter the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second–third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization.ResultsOverall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p>0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p=0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p=0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents’ experience (p<0.001, 0.005).ConclusionBody mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents’ grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures

The Effects of Local Anaesthetics on Qt Parameters During Thoracic Epidural Anaesthesia Combined with General Anaesthesia: Ropivacaine Versus Bupivacaine

Background: Many studies focusing on the effects of local anaesthetics on QT intervals have been performed, but the articles evaluating the relationship between thoracic epidural anaesthesia combined with general anaesthesia and QT parameters are very limited. Aims: We aimed to compare the effects of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on QT interval, corrected QT, dispersion of QT, and corrected dispersion of QT in patients undergoing lung resection under thoracic epidural anaesthesia combined with general anaesthesia. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Thirty ASA physical status 1-3 patients requiring thoracic epidural anaesthesia combined with general anaesthesia for thoracic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups, which were allocated to receive either bupivacaine (Group B) or ropivacaine (Group R) during thoracic epidural anaesthesia. Following haemodynamic monitoring, a thoracic epidural catheter was inserted. Local anaesthetic at an average dose of 1.5 mL/segment was given through an epidural catheter. The same general anaesthesia protocol was administered in both groups. Records and measurements were performed on 10 phases that were between the thoracic epidural catheter insertion to the 5th min of endobronchial intubation. In all phases, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, peripheral O-2 saturation, and electrocardiogram monitoring were performed in patients. All QT parameters were recorded by 12-lead electrocardiogram and analysed manually by a cardiologist. Results: QT intervals were similar between two groups. In Group R, corrected QT values at the 20th min of local anaesthetic injection and the 5th min of endobronchial intubation were shorter than those in Group B (p<0.05). The basal dispersion of QT and dispersion of QT values at the 1st min of propofol injection were shorter than those in Group R (p<0.05). The corrected dispersion of QT value at the 1st min of propofol injection was shorter in Group R (p<0.05). In Group R, the decrease in mean arterial pressure at the 1st min of fentanyl injection was significant compared with Group B (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to heart rate and complications. Conclusion: The corrected QT, dispersion of QT, and corrected dispersion of QT intervals were slightly longer in the patients receiving bupivacaine compared with those receiving ropivacaine in various phases of the present study.WoSScopu

Effects of epidural morphine and levobupivacaine combination before incision and after incision and in the postoperative period on thoracotomy pain and stress response

Background/aim: This study aims to investigate the effects of thoracic epidural analgesia, before and after surgical incision and in the postoperative period, on thoracotomy pain and stress response. Materials and methods: A total of 45 patients who were scheduled for posterolateral thoracotomy were included in this study. A combination of epidural levobupivacaine and morphine was administered as a bolus before incision (Group 1; n=15), after incision (Group 2; n=15), or at the end of surgery (Group 3; n=15). Additionally, infusion was used in Group 1 and Group 2 during operation. Postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia infusion pumps were connected to all patients. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and morphine consumption were recorded during the postoperative 48 h. Glucose, insulin, cortisol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were compared before surgery and at 4, 24, and 48 h after the operation. Results: There were no differences in the morphine consumption and VAS scores for all measurements among the groups (P > 0.05). Both blood glucose levels at 4 h and CRP values at 48 h were higher in Group 2 than Group 1 (P < 0.05). Cortisol levels at 4, 24, and 48 h after the operation were similar to baseline values in all groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The application of thoracic epidural analgesia before and after surgical incision and in the postoperative period did not result in a significant difference in the severity of the postthoracotomy pain and stress response in all groups. Based on our results, we suggest that epidural levobupivacaine combined with morphine provides an effective and safe analgesia and can partially suppress surgical stress response

An Uncommon Procedure for a Rare Ailment: Massive Bronchoalveolar Lavage in a Patient with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

As a rare procedure, massive bronchoalveolar lavage (MBAL) is a large-volume lavage which necessitates general anesthesia and one-lung ventilation (OLV). During MBAL isotonic saline is instilled into one lung and drained through one lumen of a double-lumen tube. MBAL is the most effective treatment for symptomatic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). A 27-year-old male with PAP was scheduled for therapeutic MBALs. After standard preoxygenation, monitoring and anesthesia induction, a double-lumen tube was placed. Tube position was verified by a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The internal jugular vein, radial and pulmonary arteries were cannulated. A temperature probe and foley catheter were inserted. The nonventilated lung was filled with 1000 mL saline and then drained in each session. The left and right lung were lavaged with an interval of 2 weeks. A total of 20 L saline was used in each MBAL without retention. MBALs were terminated after the effluent became clear. Duration of the left and right MBALs were 325 and 275 minutes, respectively. Despite increased shunt fraction, oxygenation was within acceptable limits during OLV. The trachea was extubated in the operating room uneventfully after each MBAL. The patient’s clinical and laboratory findings were evidently improved. Consequently, if proper conditions are provided, MBAL is safe and beneficial despite its risks and the long duration

Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents

Background and objectives: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. Methods: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. Results: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p = 0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p = 0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p < 0.001, 0.005). Conclusion: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures. (C) 2014 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved