Anaesthesia for parturients with severe cystic fibrosis: a case series

Cystic fibrosis affects 1 in 1600–2500 live births and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It primarily involves the respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, with impaired clearance of, and obstruction by, increasingly viscous secretions. Severe respiratory disease, diabetes and gastro-oesophageal reflux may result. Improvements in medical management and survival of cystic fibrosis patients means more are committing to pregnancies. Although guidance for anaesthesia in this patient group is available, management and outcome data associated with more severe cases are sparse. Patients with severe cystic fibrosis require multidisciplinary input and should be managed in a tertiary referral centre. Close monitoring of respiratory function and preoperative optimisation during pregnancy are mandatory. The risk of preterm labour and delivery is increased. Pregnancy and delivery can be managed successfully, even in patients with FEV1 <40% predicted. Neuraxial anaesthesia and analgesia should be the technique of choice for delivery. Postoperative care should be carried out in a critical care setting with the provision of postoperative ventilation if necessary.     

Anesthetic management of super-morbidly obese parturients for cesarean delivery with a double neuraxial catheter technique: a case series

Parturients with super-morbid obesity, defined as body mass index greater than 50 kg/m², represent a growing segment of patients who require anesthetic care for labor and delivery. Severe obesity and its comorbid conditions place the parturient and fetus at greater risk for pregnancy complications and cesarean delivery, as well as surgical and anesthetic complications. The surgical approach for cesarean delivery in these patients may require a supra-umbilical vertical midline incision due to a large pannus. The dense T4-level of spinal anesthesia can cause difficulties with ventilation for the obese patient during the procedure, which can be prolonged. Patients also may have respiratory complications in the postoperative period due to pain from the incision. We describe the anesthetic management of three parturients with body mass index ranging from 73 to 95 kg/m² who had a cesarean delivery via a supra-umbilical vertical midline incision. Continuous lumbar spinal and low thoracic epidural catheters were placed in each patient for intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, respectively. Continuous spinal catheters were dosed with incremental bupivacaine boluses to achieve surgical anesthesia. In one case, the patient required respiratory support with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. Two cases were complicated by intraoperative hemorrhage. All patients had satisfactory postoperative analgesia with a thoracic epidural infusion. None suffered postoperative respiratory complications or postdural puncture headache. The use of a continuous lumbar spinal catheter and a low thoracic epidural provides several advantages in the anesthetic management of super-morbidly obese parturients for cesarean delivery.     

Transversus abdominis plane blocks for rescue analgesia following Cesarean delivery: a case series

Purpose

The role of routine transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks at the time of surgery for Cesarean delivery analgesia is uncertain. Previous studies have shown no additional analgesic benefit in patients receiving intrathecal morphine. We present a series of three cases where TAP blocks were used for rescue analgesia in patients who had severe post-Cesarean delivery pain after a standard spinal anesthetic containing bupivacaine 12 mg, fentanyl 10 μg, and morphine 200 μg.

Clinical features

All three women experienced severe incisional pain in the postanesthetic care unit (PACU) after offset of spinal anesthesia. When the pain did not subside with intravenous opioids, the women were offered either additional intravenous opioids or a TAP block. They chose the latter. Bilateral TAP blocks were performed in a sterile posterior approach under ultrasound guidance with 0.375% ropivacaine 20 mL with epinephrine 1:400,000. All three patients experienced significant pain relief that lasted 10-19 hr and allowed for a timely discharge from the PACU.

Conclusion

These cases show that TAP blocks may play a valuable role as a rescue analgesic technique rather than as a routine preemptive block for all Cesarean delivery patients. Use of TAP blocks reduced the need for escalating intravenous opioid doses and potential maternal opioid-related side effects. Rescue TAP blocks should be considered after Cesarean delivery when intrathecal morphine does not provide adequate pain relief or for early breakthrough pain after offset of spinal anesthesia.     

布比卡因复合不同剂量芬太尼腰麻剖宫产的麻醉效果

目的 观察和比较布比卡因复合不同剂量芬太尼腰麻剖宫产的麻醉效果,探讨芬太尼的理想剂量.方法 单胎、足月产妇120例,随机均分为四组,均行L2～3硬膜外穿刺置管,其中B组蛛网膜下腔单用0.5％布比卡因6 mg,其它三组分别复合芬太尼5 μg(BF1组)、10μg(BF2组)、15μg(BF3组).记录感觉阻滞平面和麻醉效果,及不良反应发生情况.结果 B组麻醉阻滞平面显著高于其它三组(P＜0.05),而硬膜外及静脉用药率明显增高(P＜0.05).BF2组和BF3组麻醉效果伏良率明显高于B组和BF1组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).BF1、BF2和BF3组的瘙痒发生率明显高于B组(P＜0.05),且BF3组的瘙痒发生率显著高于BF1组和BF2组(P＜0.05).结论 剖宫产术中蛛网膜下腔注射0.5％布比卡因6 mg混合10μg芬太尼麻醉效果较好.     

The anesthetic management of triplet cesarean delivery: a retrospective case series of maternal outcomes

Spinal anesthesia for the cesarean delivery of triplets is associated with an increased incidence of maternal hypotension and placental hypoperfusion. We performed a retrospective case series analysis between January 1992 and June 2000 to evaluate the effects of regional anesthetic techniques for cesarean delivery in triplet pregnancies on maternal and neonatal outcome. Spinal and epidural anesthesia were compared with respect to intraoperative hemodynamics and neonatal outcomes. Ninety-six triplet pregnancies were delivered by cesarean section, of which 91 received regional anesthesia. A statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure was demonstrated immediately after the induction of spinal as compared with epidural anesthesia. The total volume of IV crystalloid used was significantly larger in the Spinal Anesthesia group. The number of patients receiving more than 15 mg of ephedrine and the cumulative dose of ephedrine was significantly larger in the Spinal group compared with the Epidural group. There were no differences in the rate of perioperative complications between the Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia groups. Neonatal Apgar scores were similar in both groups. The data suggest that both epidural and spinal anesthesia for triplet cesarean delivery are safe techniques, but the latter is associated with a larger initial decrease in systolic blood pressure. This decreasing of systolic blood pressure, however, remained within the physiological range and did not seem to be clinically significant. The need for more crystalloid fluids and ephedrine should be anticipated when spinal anesthesia is used for these cases. IMPLICATIONS: A large retrospective case series of the effects of spinal and epidural anesthesia on maternal hemodynamic profile during cesarean delivery for triplet gestation was performed. Our findings suggest that spinal anesthesia results in outcomes comparable to epidural anesthesia for both mother and newborns.     

COVID-19 in spinal cord injury patients at a veterans administration hospital: A case series

ObjectiveTo describe the clinical features and disease course of COVID-19 in veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignCase series of consecutive veterans with SCI treated at a single center.SettingSCI Unit at an urban Veterans Administration hospital at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.ParticipantsSeven SCI veterans with confirmed COVID-19 infection by PCR; all veterans were male, mean age was 60.6. Five had cervical level of injury, and five had complete injury (AIS A). Six veterans had a BMI > 22; three had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; three had chronic kidney disease.InterventionsNone.Outcome MeasuresPresence of co-morbidities, diagnostic values, and clinical findings.ResultsEach case presented differently; the most common presenting sign was fever. In the three individuals with critical and fatal infection, pre-existing comorbidities were more common and inflammatory markers were markedly elevated.ConclusionLevel and completeness of SCI did not appear to correlate with COVID-19 severity, as mild and asymptomatic illness was noted in persons with high grade SCI. As has been shown to be the case in the general population, pre-existing comorbidities are the most reliable predictors of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection currently available for persons with chronic SCI. Contrary to concerns that SCI may mask the cardinal signs of COVID-19, such as fever and cough, by way of compromised thermoregulation and thoracoabdominal musculature, such signs were common in our series. To facilitate early detection, prompt treatment, and minimized viral spread, the implementation of preventive strategies by SCI units is recommended.     

Peripartum anesthetic management of patients with Takayasu's arteritis: case series and review

Takayasu or pulseless disease is a rare, chronic progressive inflammatory disease that causes thrombosis and occlusion of systemic and pulmonary arteries. Almost 80% of patients are women in their childbearing years. We present three patients with Takayasu’s disease who between them had six pregnancies and discuss them in the context of a review of previously published cases. Assessment of the parturient with Takayasu’s disease should include an evaluation of the extent of disease, including organ ischemia such as cardiac, renal, cerebral and limb. A multidisciplinary approach should be taken to optimize the parturient’s status and formulate a plan for delivery. Peripartum anesthetic management should include optimization of intravascular volume and appropriate monitoring, which may be difficult in the pulseless patient. A regional anesthetic technique may be preferred over general anesthesia to allow monitoring of the cerebral circulation. A slowly titrated regional technique may prevent hemodynamic instability. Patients should be closely monitored postpartum with attention to hypertensive or end organ complications.     

Anesthetic management of parturients with pre-existing paraplegia or tetraplegia: a case series

With improvements in management and rehabilitation, more women with spinal cord injury are conceiving children. Physiologic manifestations of spinal cord injury can complicate anesthetic management during labor and delivery. Patients who delivered at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota between January 1, 2001 and May 31, 2012 with a history of traumatic spinal cord injury were identified via electronic record search of all parturients. Eight patients undergoing nine deliveries were identified. Six deliveries (67%) among five patients (63%) involved a trial of labor. Among these deliveries, three (50%) occurred vaginally, all with successful epidural analgesia. Trial of labor failed in the remaining three patients, and required cesarean delivery facilitated via epidural (n=1), spinal (n=1) and general anesthesia (n=1). Three patients (33%) underwent scheduled cesarean delivery via epidural (n=1), spinal (n=1), and general anesthesia (n=1). Four patients having five deliveries had a history of autonomic hyperreflexia before pregnancy. One patient had symptoms during pregnancy, two patients had episodes during labor and delivery, and three patients described symptoms in the immediate postpartum period. These symptoms were not reported by any patient without a history of autonomic hyperreflexia. Neuraxial labor analgesia may have a higher failure rate in patients with spinal cord injury, possibly related to the presence of Harrington rods. Postpartum exacerbations of autonomic hyperreflexia are common in patients with a history of the disorder.     

Anesthetic management of a parturient with VACTERL association undergoing Cesarean delivery

Purpose

We present the anesthetic management of a parturient with VACTERL association undergoing combined regional and general anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. Defined as a syndrome, VACTERL association comprises at least three of the following abnormalities: vertebral, anal atresia, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb.

Clinical features

The patient’s anatomic abnormalities and comorbidities comprised severe cervicothoracic scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis, congenitally fused ribs, and severe restrictive lung disease. She had a Mallampati class 3 airway, a right laterally flexed neck, and reduced mandibular protrusion. We performed a lumbar spine ultrasound for epidural placement which was used to provide peri- and postoperative analgesia. Due to the anticipated difficult tracheal intubation, the patient underwent an awake fibreoptic intubation and subsequently received general anesthesia. The patient’s trachea was extubated on the first postoperative day, and she received adequate post-Cesarean epidural analgesia.

Conclusion

This case highlights the challenges that anesthesiologists face when managing parturients at extremely high risk for perioperative anesthetic morbidity due to the presence of severe pre-existing disease, anticipated difficult airway, and major spinal abnormalities complicating neuraxial anesthesia. We used a combined general and epidural anesthetic approach to control ventilation, provide effective postoperative analgesia, and reduce the risk of anesthetic-related perioperative morbidity. An individualized approach should be considered for the anesthetic management of high-risk pregnant patients with complex and multiple medical and surgical morbidities undergoing labour and delivery.     

Retrospective analysis of anesthetic interventions for obese patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery

Study ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI), perioperative times, and anesthetic interventions in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery.DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingUniversity-affiliated hospital.MeasurementsAll patients were ranked according to BMI (kg/m²) at the time of delivery. The BMI groups were designated a priori: ≤ 29.9 kg/m² (Group C); 30-34.9 kg/m² (Group I); 35-39.9 kg/m² (Group II), and ≥ 40 kg/m² (Group III). One hundred patients (25 pts per group) underwent elective cesarean delivery. Data collected included anesthetic technique, perioperative times, anesthesia-related costs, and neonatal outcomes.Main ResultsA higher percentage of Group III patients (60%) received combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia than did Group C or Group I (18% and 16%, respectively; P < 0.05). The total intraoperative period was significantly longer in Group III (101 min) compared with Groups C, I, and II (81 min, 90 min, and 92 min, respectively; P < 0.05). Total intraoperative time increased significantly with BMI (R = 0.394 kg/m²; P < 0.001). The highest anesthesia-related costs during the study were generated by patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m².ConclusionOur single-center experience showed that choice of anesthetic technique (CSE vs. spinal anesthesia) varies according to obesity class. Longer intraoperative periods must be considered in deciding upon the mode of anesthesia for patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² who undergo elective cesarean delivery.     

Safety and efficacy of a two-screw cephalomedullary nail for intertrochanteric femur fracture fixation: a retrospective case series in 264 patients

Introduction

Recent advances have led to the design of a new cephalomedullary nail, which aims to decrease the risk of failures in patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures by allowing for insertion of two interdigitating screws into the head segment. The goal of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this two-screw cephalomedullary nailing system.

Patients/participants

Patients 18 years of age and older who underwent intramedullary nailing of their intertrochanteric femoral fracture using the InterTAN nailing system (Smith and Nephew, Memphis, TN) from 2012 to 2016 were included in this retrospective study which was performed at two urban certified level-1 trauma centers and one urban certified level-3 trauma center. The study data was collected through a retrospective chart review and review of the existing radiographic studies. Primary outcome measure was mechanical hardware failure and screw cutout. Secondary outcome measures included nonunion, malunion, medical and surgical complications.

Results

A total of 264 patients were included in this analysis. Two patients (0.75%) were found to have a screw cut out requiring revision surgery. Two other revision surgeries were performed for malrotation (n?=?1) and malunion (n?=?1). Other implant-related complications occurred in 19 cases (7.9%), which included broken distal screws (n?=?9), distal screw loosening (n?=?8), and loose lag screws (n?=?2). There was a total of 10 (3.8%) surgical wound complications, including four deep and six superficial infections.

Discussion

This modified cephalomedullary nail is a reliable, safe, and effective implant for management of intertrochanteric hip fractures. Surgical treatment of patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures can be performed in a safe fashion using this implant.

     

Up-down determination of the ED90 of oxytocin infusions for the prevention of postpartum uterine atony in parturients undergoing Cesarean delivery

Introduction

Use of the lowest effective dose of oxytocin may reduce side effects. This study was designed to determine the effective dose (ED)₉₀ of oxytocin infusion for an elective Cesarean delivery (CD) to prevent uterine atony.

Methods

The participants were ASA I and II, non-obese, non-labouring adult women undergoing an elective CD at term with a singleton gestation. The spinal anesthetic technique was standardized, and a blinded infusion of oxytocin was administered after delivery. The obstetrician rated the uterine contraction as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The initial dose of oxytocin infusion was 0.4 IU·min^?1, and the dose for the next subject was based on the response of the preceding subject as per a biased-coin design up-down sequential method. The ED₉₀ was calculated using Firth’s penalized likelihood estimation.

Results

Fifty subjects were screened, eight subjects were excluded, and two patients were withdrawn. Seven of the 40 subjects had uterine tone that was judged unsatisfactory by the obstetrician and required additional uterotonic medications. The ED₉₀, i.e., the dose at which 90% of women were judged to have satisfactory uterine tone, was 0.29 IU·min^?1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.43 IU·min^?1).

Discussion

In this study, we found the ED₉₀ of oxytocin required to prevent uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage after an elective CD to be 0.29 IU·min^?1—approximately 15 IU of oxytocin in 1 L of intravenous fluid administered over a one-hour period—(95% CI 0.15-0.43 IU·min^?1). This oxytocin infusion dose is 30% less than the clinical infusions currently in use. It remains to be seen whether this dosing will be required for higher risk individuals or for labouring parturients undergoing non-elective CD. (Clinical Trial gov. NCT00785395).     

Malignant proximal fibular tumours: a case series of 17 patients

The aim of this study was to establish whether the proximity of significant neurovascular structures around the surgical excision results in higher rates of recurrence and poorer survival outcomes. A retrospective study of all patients treated at a regional bone tumour unit for proximal fibula Ewing's tumours and osteosarcomas was conducted, and in total 17 patients were identified. The recurrence rate of all cases was 29.4% and the overall 5 year survival was 70.5%. The recurrence rate just for osteosarcoma was 50%, which compared poorly to published recurrence rates throughout the appendicular skeleton. The 5-year survival for proximal fibula osteosarcoma of 50% was also worse than generalised survivorship data reported in non-metastatic osteosarcoma. This series demonstrates that malignant proximal fibula tumours are a difficult entity to manage and recurrence rates and patient survival are poor for osteosarcoma.     

Parturients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: case series and review of pregnancy outcomes and anesthetic management of labor and delivery

BackgroundAdvances in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have resulted in increased longevity and a better quality of life of affected patients considering pregnancy. Several case series which focused predominantly on obstetric details have reported generally good outcomes. However, there remains a paucity of data on the specifics of obstetric anesthesia in women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.MethodsAfter Institutional Review Board approval, we reviewed antepartum transthoracic echocardiograms, cardiology, obstetric, anesthetic, and nursing labor records with a focus on anesthesia for labor and delivery and early postpartum complications in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who delivered between January 1993 and December 2013.ResultsThere were 23 completed pregnancies in 14 patients: 12 parturients (52%) delivered vaginally, of whom seven (30%) required assistance (forceps, vacuum), and 11 (48%) had a cesarean delivery. In 17 cases (74%) delivery was uneventful, but six patients (26%) had complications including congestive heart failure (n=3) and postpartum hemorrhage (n=3). All patients had neuraxial labor anesthesia/analgesia, and none received general anesthesia. No hemodynamic instability or fetal distress directly related to anesthesia was documented.ConclusionThe database search of approximately 160 000 deliveries over 20 years revealed only a small number of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with completed pregnancies. No maternal or neonatal deaths were documented. Overall morbidity rate was 26% with a 13% incidence of peripartum congestive heart failure. In patients with mild to moderate disease, neuraxial anesthesia was safe, effective and well tolerated with no hemodynamic instability related to administration of local anesthetics.     

不同剂量右美托咪定对丙泊酚复合瑞芬太尼用于整形外科手术患者麻醉效果的影响

目的 评价不同剂量右美托咪定对丙泊酚复合瑞芬太尼用于整形外科手术患者麻醉效果的影响.方法 择期行大面积皮肤瘢痕切除和进行皮瓣转移的手术患者60例,性别不限,年龄18～64岁,体重45 ～ 75 kg,ASA分级Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,采用随机数字表法,将患者分为3组(n=20):对照组(C组)、低剂量负荷量右美托咪定组(D1组)和高剂量负荷量右美托咪定组(D2组),D1组和D2组分别于麻醉诱导前10 min静脉输注右美托咪定0.6、1.0μg/kg负荷量,随后以0.4 μg· kg-1·h-1速率静脉输注至手术结束前30 min.麻醉诱导:靶控输注丙泊酚(血浆靶浓度4.0μg/ml)和瑞芬太尼(效应室靶浓度2.0 ng/ml),患者意识消失后静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg,气管插管后,机械通气,麻醉维持:靶控输注丙泊酚(血浆靶浓度2.0 ～ 3.5 μg/ml)和瑞芬太尼(效应室靶浓度1.5 ～ 2.5 ng/ml),维持Narcotrend指数为D级.分别于麻醉前、右美托咪定输注10 min、气管插管前即刻、气管插管后1 min、气管插管后5 min、停止输注右美托咪定、拔除气管导管前即刻、拔除气管导管后1 min、拔除气管导管后5min时记录Narcotrend指数、收缩压(SP)、舒张压(DP)和HR.记录麻醉诱导时间、丙泊酚和瑞芬太尼的用量,记录自主呼吸、定向力恢复和拔除气管导管的时间.拔除气管导管后10 min时行镇静-躁动评分,记录术中窦性心动过缓和麻醉恢复期不良事件的发生情况.结果 与C组比较,D1组和D2组丙泊酚、瑞芬太尼的总用量和拔除气管导管后10 min时镇静-躁动评分、麻醉恢复期恶心、呛咳和躁动的发生率降低,右美托咪定输注10 min时Narcotrend指数和HR降低,D2组麻醉诱导时间缩短(P＜0.05或0.01),D2组术中窦性心动过缓发生率高于C组和D1组(P＜0.05),3组间自主呼吸恢复时间、定向力恢复时间和拔除气管导管时间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).D1组和D2组气管插管前后和拔除气管导管前后SP、DP和HR差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 对于整形外科手术患者,麻醉诱导前静脉输注右美托咪定负荷量0.6 μg/kg,随后以0.4 μg·kg-1 ·h-1速率输注可缩短麻醉诱导时间,减少丙泊酚和瑞芬太尼用量,有效地抑制气管插管和拔除气管导管时的应激反应,降低了不良反应的发生.     

Increase of lung function usage bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients: Three case series in Indonesian adult

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a virus that is spread by aerosol which can cause worsening of hypoxia and bronchoscopy procedures in COVID-19 patients may be considered.MethodThe design of this study is a case series reported using the Preferred Reporting of Case Series in Surgery (PROCESS) 2020 Guideline. Data collection was carried out in the period January–April 2021. All participants underwent X-ray examination and blood gas analysis as well as signs of infection before and after bronchoscopy.ResultThree intubated patients with COVID-19 were confirmed from PCR nasopharyngeal swab present with worsening on chest X-ray. All three patients had a normal bronchial wall with some inflammation and thick mucus resulting in lung atelectasis and massive inhomogeneous opacity on chest X-ray. Patients showed improvement on chest X-ray after bronchoscopy intervention.ConclusionThe bronchoscopy procedure can improve the lung function of COVID-19 patients and if it is carried out by medical personnel who pay attention to universal precautions, it will minimize the occurrence of transmission.     

Peripartum anesthetic management in patients with left ventricular noncompaction: a case series and review of the literature

BackgroundThis retrospective review focuses on peripartum anesthetic management and outcome of a series of five pregnant women with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).MethodsThe Mayo Clinic Advanced Cohort Explorer medical database was utilized to identify women diagnosed with LVNC who had been admitted for delivery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 2001 and September 2021. Echocardiograms were independently reviewed by two board-certified echocardiographers, and those determined by both to meet the Jenni criteria and/or having compatible findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included. Electronic medical records were reviewed for information pertaining to cardiac function, labor, delivery, and postpartum management.ResultsWe identified 44 patients whose medical record included the term “noncompaction” or “hypertrabeculation” and who had delivered at our institution during the study period. Upon detailed review of the medical records, 36 did not meet criteria for LVNC, and three additional patients did not receive the diagnosis until after delivery, leaving five patients with confirmed LVNC who had undergone six deliveries during the study interval. All five patients had a history of arrhythmias or had developed arrhythmias during pregnancy. One patient underwent emergency cesarean delivery due to sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring three intra-operative cardioversions.ConclusionsThis case series adds new evidence to that already available about pregnancies among women with LVNC. Favorable obstetrical outcomes were achievable when multidisciplinary teams were prepared to manage the maternal and fetal consequences of intrapartum cardiac arrhythmias and hemodynamic instability.