Association of Multimodal Pain Control with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Children Undergoing Surgery

IntroductionOur aim was to describe practices in multimodal pain management at US children's hospitals and evaluate the association between non-opioid pain management strategies and pediatric patient-reported outcomes (PROs).MethodsData were collected as part of the 18-hospital ENhanced Recovery In CHildren Undergoing Surgery (ENRICH-US) clinical trial. Non-opioid pain management strategies included use of preoperative and postoperative non-opioid analgesics, regional anesthetic blocks, and a biobehavioral intervention. PROs included perioperative nervousness, pain-related functional disability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models.ResultsAmong 186 patients, 62 (33%) received preoperative analgesics, 186 (100%) postoperative analgesics, 81 (44%) regional anesthetic block, and 135 (73%) used a biobehavioral intervention. Patients were less likely to report worsened as compared to stable nervousness following regional anesthetic block (relative risk ratio [RRR]:0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.11–0.85), use of a biobehavioral technique (RRR:0.26, 95% CI:0.10–0.70), and both in combination (RRR:0.08, 95% CI:0.02–0.34). There were no associations of non-opioid pain control modalities with pain-related functional disability or HRQoL.ConclusionUse of postoperative non-opioid analgesics have been largely adopted, while preoperative non-opioid analgesics and regional anesthetic blocks are used less frequently. Regional anesthetic blocks and biobehavioral interventions may mitigate postoperative nervousness in children.Level of evidenceIII.     

A Mixed-Methods Study of the Effect of Abdominal Binders on Opioid Use and Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Birth

ObjectiveTo compare levels of postoperative oxycodone use and incisional pain between two randomized groups—an intervention and a control.DesignMixed-methods design; quantitative data achieved via a randomized controlled trial, with qualitative data collected on binder use. The primary variable was oxycodone (in milligrams) required during the first 48 hours after birth, and the secondary variable was incisional pain levels measured on Postoperative Days 1 and 2.SettingAcute-care community hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and an acute care urban hospital in Denver, Colorado.ParticipantsA total of 220 individuals in the postpartum period after having cesarean birth.Interventions/MeasurementsParticipants were randomized to the intervention group (binder) or the control group (no binder). Data were collected on opioid usage for the first 48 hours. Participants in both groups were asked to rate their incisional pain on Postoperative Day 1 (24 hours after birth) and Postoperative Day 2 (48 hours after birth). Participants in the binder group were also asked to provide feedback on their experience wearing the binder.ResultsA total of 196 participants completed the study. The overall amount of oxycodone taken by individuals in the binder group was lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = .10). Pain scores in the binder group were significantly lower on Day 2 compared with the control group (p = .002). The majority of individuals in the binder group provided positive feedback about their experience wearing the binder.ConclusionIndividuals routinely receive medications to assist with pain management postoperatively. Because of growing concerns related to the nation’s opioid addiction crisis, there is interest in using multimodal treatments to achieve adequate pain control for individuals postoperatively. Abdominal binders are a low-cost intervention to assist with pain management and, given the results of this study, seem like a reasonable option to consider.     

Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣修复眼睑缺损的作用探讨

目的探讨眼睑恶性肿瘤切除术中应用Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣I期修复眼睑缺损的临床效果。方法将50例眼睑恶性肿瘤切除术患者按不同缝合方法分为两组,即对照组25例,术中直接缝合;观察组25例,术中行Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣I期修复;比较两组眼睑修复效果。结果观察组术后皮瓣成活率96.0%、切口Ⅰ期愈合率100%、修复满意率92.0%,均高于对照组的72.0%、68.0%、56.0%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组术后并发症发生率低于对照组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论眼睑恶性肿瘤切除术中眼睑缺损修复时,采用Z形皮瓣及推进皮瓣,眼睑修复良好,患者修复满意率高,值得推广应用。     

Functional outcomes of soft palate free flap reconstruction following oropharyngeal cancer surgery

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to assess the impact of surgical resection and free flap reconstruction of soft palate cancer on speech, swallowing and quality of life, and to identify the factors influencing functional outcomes and quality of life.Material and methodsPatients treated with surgical resection of squamous cell carcinoma and free-flap reconstruction of the soft palate were reviewed at least 12 months after surgery. Speech was assessed using the Hirose intelligibility scoring system, nasalance scoring, GRBAS scoring and the Voice Handicap Index 30 (VHI30) questionnaire. Swallowing was assessed by fiberoptic endoscopy and the Deglutition Handicap Index (DHI). Quality of life was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires.Results29 patients were included. Speech outcomes were satisfactory, demonstrating normal or slightly below normal speech intelligibility in 75.9% of the patients, moderate or no rhinolalia in 72.4% of the patients and mean overall VHI30 scores indicative of slight or no handicap in 86.2% of the patients. Swallowing outcomes were satisfactory, with mean overall DHI scores indicative of slight or no handicap in 82.8% of the patients. Patient quality of life was preserved as demonstrated by mean quality of life and functioning scales scores all superior to 80%.ConclusionThe sequelae arising from surgical resection and free-flap reconstruction of soft palate cancer are tolerable, involving slight handicap in terms of speech and swallowing and relatively little impact on quality of life.     

Digital surface scanning in flap perfusion

Monitoring vascular perfusion of transferred tissue is essential in reconstructive surgery to recognize early flap failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a digital surface scanner to detect vascular perfusion disorders through the monitoring of skin colour changes. A total of 160 surface scans of the forearm skin were performed with a TRIOS 3D scanner. Vascular compromise was simulated at different time-points by intermittent occlusion of the blood supply to the forearm skin (first the arterial blood supply and then the venous blood supply). Skin colour changes were examined according to the hue, saturation, and value colour scale. Colour differences were analysed with a paired t-test. Significant differences were observed between the colour of the normal skin and that of the vascular compromised skin (P < 0.01). The surface scanner could distinguish between arterial occlusion and venous congestion (P < 0.01). A digital surface scan is an objective, non-invasive tool to detect early vascular perfusion disorders of the skin.     

Are hand biomechanics affected following radial forearm flap harvest? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Donor site morbidity following radial forearm flap (RFF) harvest remains a controversial issue. The aim of this meta-analysis was to answer the question “Are the range of wrist movements (range of motion, ROM) and hand strength affected after RFF harvesting?” The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched (to December 2019). Self-controlled studies evaluating hand biomechanics after RFF harvest were included. Weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effects model. The outcome variables were ROM, forearm movements, grip, and pinch strengths. Thirteen studies involving a total of 335 patients were included. With the exception of grip strength and supination, which showed statistically significant reductions of about 2.40 kg and 2.86° (P < 0.05), all other ROM, forearm movements, and pinch strengths showed an insignificant difference when the operated hand was compared to the non-operated hand (P > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the method of donor site closure and size of the donor site defect had an insignificant impact on hand biomechanics. This study confirms the lack of discernible biomechanical morbidity after RFF transfer. The minimal reduction in hand biomechanics after RFF is considered to be clinically negligible.     

Islanded facial artery osteomyomucosal/osseous flap in head and neck reconstruction

A local pedicled vascularized bone flap can prevent the morbidity and cost of free bone flap surgery in small segmental bone defects or long cartilaginous defects of the head and neck. Such flaps can also be useful in patients who are high risk for surgery. The periosteal vascularity of the mandible can be used to design islanded facial artery-based bone flaps, which can be utilized to that extent. Two patients with a small segmental mandibulectomy defect and one patient with a long cricotracheal resection defect underwent reconstruction using three different designs of islanded facial artery osteomyomucosal/osseous flap (iFOMM). The patients had a minimum follow-up period of 18 months. All flaps were successful, with satisfactory healing and without any functional deficit or disease at last follow-up.     

不同修复方法修复口腔颌面部肿瘤术后缺损的效果比较

目的探讨不同修复方法修复口腔颌面部肿瘤术后缺损的效果。方法选取口腔颌面部肿瘤根治术后缺损患者89例,根据最终选取的修复方案分为A组(n=49)和B组(n=40),A组给予股前外侧嵌合皮瓣修复,B组给予串联皮瓣修复。观察2组手术情况,采用华盛顿大学头颈肿瘤生活质量量表(UW-QOL)对患者术后生活质量进行评价,检测唾液中唾液酸(SA)及癌胚抗原(CEA)水平。结果A组手术时间、胃管拔除时间和经口进食时间分别为(6.30±1.19)h、(19.77±2.81)d和(20.32±2.19)d,明显少于B组(P<0.05);但A组皮瓣制作时间为(1.20±0.28)h,明显多于B组(P<0.05)。A组术后6个月UW-QOL量表中外观、吞咽、咀嚼、言语、肩功能、情绪评分分别为(63.29±4.54)分、(54.93±5.03)分、(47.12±6.02)分、(64.49±4.33)分、(82.20±5.43)分和(75.50±7.20)分,明显高于B组(P<0.05)。A组和B组术后6个月UW-QOL量表中疼痛、活动、娱乐、味觉、唾液及焦虑评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。A组修复后1个月唾液中SA和CEA分别为(7.29±1.33)ng/dl和(50.04±16.62)ng/ml,明显低于B组(P<0.05)。A组血管危险发生率为2.04%,明显低于B组(P<0.05)。A组和B组感染、皮瓣坏死发生率差异比较无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论相比较串联皮瓣修复,股前外侧嵌合皮瓣修复口腔颌面部肿瘤根治术后缺损有较好的效果,可以改善患者生活质量。