Tromboelastometría como guía de administración de hemoderivados en cirugía cardiaca

Objective

Thromboelastometry is a viscoelastometric method for haemostasis testing in a whole blood sample. The aim of this study was to assess the results of using thromboelastometry as guidance for blood management in cardiac surgery, postoperative adverse events and ICU stay.

Protocolo de manejo de la vía aérea difícil. Implicación de la Declaración de Helsinki

The “Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safety in Anesthesiology” highlights the management of the difficult airway. A difficult airway management protocol includes a set of organized strategies to aid the choice of the ventilation and intubation techniques with the greatest chance of success and the lowest risk of causing injury to the patient. The aim is to guarantee oxygenation in potentially life-threatening and rapidly changing situations that require agile decision-making, thus reducing the number and severity of critical incidents and complications.     

Predicción de hipocalcemia postiroidectomía mediante determinación de PTH rápida

IntroductionHypocalcemia is the most frequent complication after thyroidectomy. The aim of this work is to identify biochemical risk factors of hypocalcemia using quick perioperative (pre and post-thyroidectomy) intact parathyroid hormone (PTHi) and postoperative calcemias.MethodsIn a consecutive series of 310 total thyroidectomies, samples of quick PTHi at the anaesthetic induction and 10 minutes after surgery, together with serum calcemias every 12 hours were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value are analyzed and related to hypocalcemia. A control group of hemithyroidectomies is also analyzed to compare the effects of surgery on PTH secretion.ResultsOf the 310 patients, 202 (65.1%) remained normocalcemic and asymptomatic (group A), 108 (34.9%) presented hypocalcemia (Group B), requiring oral calcium (79 symptomatic). After analysis of several cut-off points, combining a PTHr drop gradient of 60% or calcemia inferior to 7.4 mg/dl at 24 hours, a sensitivity of 100% is achieved without leaving false negatives. Compared to the control group, there is a significant difference with respect to the post-operative calcemias and PTHr, p < 0.001.ConclusionsTotal thyroidectomy affects parathyroid function with evident decrease in rPTH and risk of hypocalcemia. The combination of PTHr decrease of 60% or less than 7.4 mg/dl calcemia at 24 hours gives a 100% sensitivity for predicting patients at risk of hypocalcemia.     

Monitorización de la oximetría cerebral en el manejo de la hipoxemia severa asociada a la transposición de grandes arterias mediante atrioseptostomía con balón

Transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases requiring neonatal surgical intervention. In the desperately ill neonate with TGA and the resultant hypoxaemia, acidemia, and congestive heart failure, improvement is often obtained with balloon atrial septostomy (BAS). Current methods employed to evaluate oxygen delivery and tissue consumption are frequently nonspecific. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows a continuous non-invasive measurement of tissue oxygenation which reflects perfusion status in real time. Because little is known about the direct effect of BAS on the neonatal brain and on cerebral oxygenation, we measured the effectiveness of BAS in two patients with D-TGA using NIRS before and after BAS. We concluded BAS improves cerebral oxygen saturation in neonates with D-TGA.     

Fístulas rectoneovaginales en pacientes tras cirugía de reasignación de sexo. Descripción de nuestra experiencia y revisión de la literatura

Male-to-female reassignment surgery or vaginoplasty includes those surgical procedures that aim to recreate a functional and cosmetically acceptable female perineum with minimal scarring. The technique of choice at our center is penile inversion vaginoplasty with or without scrotal skin grafts. We present 4 cases diagnosed with rectoneovaginal fistulas treated at our center with favorable evolution. The first patient was diagnosed in the late postoperative period during dilation. She underwent 2 failed vaginal repair attempts. Finally, a temporary colostomy and a rectal flap were performed. The second patient was diagnosed 2 weeks after the initial surgery due to aggressive dilation and was treated with a temporary colostomy and secondary wound closure. The third patient was diagnosed on the fifth post-operative day after removal of the vaginal packing. Dietary restriction was indicated, and a rectal flap was performed. A fourth patient was diagnosed within the late postoperative period; she was submitted to surgical exploration and a rectal wall flap was created. Rectoneovaginal fistulas after sex reassignment surgery has an incidence of about 2-17% and they are the most common type of fistula after this procedure. In most cases, it is secondary to rectal injury during the initial surgery. The management of these fistulas ranges from primary closure, diverting colostomies, conservative management, or the performance of flaps. A multidisciplinary team approach is recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of this complication.     

Oxigenación unilobar con fibroscopio durante cirugía de resección pulmonar

Lung isolation using one-lung ventilation is common during thoracic surgery procedures, as it allows proper visualisation and manipulation of the lung to be operated on. Selective lobar blockade has been described in patients that do not tolerate one-lung ventilation, and is usually achieved using endobronchial blockers. However, it depends on endobronchial blocker availability, its complexity regarding proper positioning, and the need for constant monitoring to ensure the correct placement of the bronchial seal.In the clinical case to be described, a new method was used to increase the available surface for oxygen exchange. This was accomplished by means of direct supply of oxygen through the bronchoscope's working channel to one of the not-to-be operated-on, non-ventilated lung lobes. With this technique, the surgeon had an optimal operating field, oxygenation from one-lung ventilation improved and no perioperative complications were found.     

Infusión errónea de paracetamol por vía epidural

A 45-year-old woman was accidentally administered an epidural infusion of paracetamol instead of levobupivacaine for postoperative pain therapy during the postoperative period of abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia combined with epidural analgesia.The patient had no neurological symptoms at any time, although a slight tendency to arterial hypotension that did not require treatment was observed. No rescue analgesia was necessary until 8 h after the start of epidural infusion.The incidence of these types of errors is probably underestimated, although there are several cases reported with various drugs.     

Duodenopancreatectomía en ancianos. Evaluación de resultados

IntroductionWith the increase in life expectancy, more and more resectable periampullary tumours are being diagnosed in the geriatric population. Despite the decrease in post-operative mortality, there continues to be a debate on the risk-benefit of cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CPD) in the elderly.ObjectiveTo analyse the morbidity and mortality of CPD in patients over 70 years-old.DesignProspective observational study.PatientsA total of 54 duodenopancreatectomies were performed between January 2005 and December 2010. Two groups of patients were compared: Group 1 (patients > 70 years-old, n: 24), and Group 2 (patients < 70 years-old, n: 30). The morbidity and mortality, transfusion, reinterventions, mean hospital stay, and survival were analysed.ResultsThe > 70 years group included more ASA 2 and 3 patients (P=.010), and had a higher number of previous medical problems per patient (P=.037). The post-operative mortality was higher in the older age group, although the difference was not significant (8.3 vs 3.3%). There were also no significant differences in post-operative morbidity (45.8 v. 46.6%), reintervention rate (16.6 vs 13.3%), length of hospital stay (18 vs 13%), and survival at 6 and 12 months (84 and 72% vs 90 and 86%).ConclusionsAge, in itself, does not seem to be a contraindication for CPD, but the elderly do have a higher risk of complications due to the physiological changes associated with ageing. The disparity of results demonstrates the need for more population studies at national level that may give an overall view of morbidity and mortality in CPD.     

Metodología de una revisión sistemática

Context

The objective of evidence-based medicine is to employ the best scientific information available to apply to clinical practice. Understanding and interpreting the scientific evidence involves understanding the available levels of evidence, where systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials are at the top of the levels-of-evidence pyramid.

Cirugía laparoscópica a través de incisión única

One of the aims of the new technologies and techniques in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is to achieve a surgery without or with minimal visible scars.Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) might be considered to be a paradigm of this development but it has not yet been possible to implement this universally.Nevertheless, the resultant innovation of research into NOTES has enabled “bridge technologies" to be introduced that allow MIS to be developed with the required standards of efficiency and safety.The aim of this paper is to review the concept of single incision surgery and to classify the available tools for its development and implementation.     

Perfusión de lidocaína intravenosa

Systemic lidocaine used in continuous infusion during the peri-operative period has analgesic, anti-hyperalgesic, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it capable of reducing the use of opioids and inhalational anaesthetics, and the early return of bowel function, and patient hospital stay. The aim of this narrative review was to highlight the pharmacology and indications for clinical application, along with new and interesting research areas. The clinical applications of peri-operative lidocaine infusion have been reviewed in several recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic abdominal procedures, ambulatory procedures, and other types of surgery. Peri-operative lidocaine infusion may be a useful analgesic adjunct in enhanced recovery protocols. Potential benefits of intravenous lidocaine in chronic post-surgical pain, post-operative cognitive dysfunction, and cancer recurrence are under investigation. Due to its immunomodulation properties over surgical stress, current evidence suggests that intravenous lidocaine could be used in the context of multimodal analgesia.     

¿Existe alguna indicación de colocación de drenaje en la colecistectomía laparoscópica electiva?

IntroductionClassically, a sub-hepatic drain was inserted routinely in a cholecystectomy to prevent intra-abdominal abscesses, possible post-surgical bleeding, and biliary fistulas. Over the years, it has been demonstrated that the systematic use of a drain does not have any benefits, and many studies conclude that, in special circumstances (bleeding, signs of gallbladder inflammation, incidental opening, or suspected bile leak), and depending on the experience of the individual surgeon, the insertion of a drain may be of use.Material y methodsA prospective study was conducted on 100 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed due to symptomatic cholelithiasis or gallbladder polyps. A sub-hepatic drain was inserted in 15 of them. The indications for inserting it were: in 11 patients as a “control” due to a gallbladder bed bleed controlled during surgery, and in 4 due to a gallbladder opening with the excretion of turbid-purulent bile. The main outcomes investigated were the clinical benefit achieved by the insertion of the drain, the hospital stay, and the quantifying of the pain by the patients 24 h after surgery, using a visual analogue scale.ResultsThe insertion of a drain was of no benefit to any patient. The median hospital stay increased by 1 day in patients with a drain (P=.002). The median pain score at 24 h was higher in patients with a drain inserted (P=.018).ConclusionThe insertion of a sub-hepatic drain after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy increases post-surgical pain and prolongs hospital stay, and does not prevent the occurrence of intra-abdominal abscesses.     

Medidas de prevención de la infección de localización quirúrgica en cirugía general. Documento de posicionamiento de la Sección de Infección Quirúrgica de la Asociación Española de Cirujanos

Surgical site infection is associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs, as well as a poorer patient quality of life. Many hospitals have adopted scientifically-validated guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. Most of these protocols have resulted in improved postoperative results. The Surgical Infection Division of the Spanish Association of Surgery conducted a critical review of the scientific evidence and the most recent international guidelines in order to select measures with the highest degree of evidence to be applied in Spanish surgical services. The best measures are: no removal or clipping of hair from the surgical field, skin decontamination with alcohol solutions, adequate systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (administration within 30-60 minutes before the incision in a single preoperative dose; intraoperative re-dosing when indicated), maintenance of normothermia and perioperative maintenance of glucose levels.     

Programa de Reducción de la Infección Quirúrgica del Observatorio de Infección en Cirugía (PRIQ-O). Documento de priorización y consenso Delphi de recomendaciones para la prevención de la infección de localización quirúrgica

Surgical site infection is the most frequent and avoidable complication of surgery, but clinical guidelines for its prevention are insufficiently followed. We present the results of a Delphi consensus carried out by a panel of experts from 17 Scientific Societies with a critical review of the scientific evidence and international guidelines, to select the measures with the highest degree of evidence and facilitate their implementation. Forty measures were reviewed and 53 recommendations were issued. Ten main measures were prioritized for inclusion in prevention bundles: preoperative shower; correct surgical hand hygiene; no hair removal from the surgical field or removal with electric razors; adequate systemic antibiotic prophylaxis; use of minimally invasive approaches; skin decontamination with alcoholic solutions; maintenance of normothermia; plastic wound protectors-retractors; intraoperative glove change; and change of surgical and auxiliary material before wound closure.