Propofol anesthesia for a patient with congenital myotonic dystrophy]

We report the anesthetic management for a five year old boy with congenital myotonic dystrophy. The patient was scheduled for bilateral orchiopexy under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 50 micrograms, vecuronium 0.6 mg and propofol 40 mg intravenously to facilitate tracheal intubation. During operation, we monitored train of four ratio (TOF) to confirm effect of muscle relaxation. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol (2 mg.kg-1.hr-1), nitrous oxide and caudal block. At the end of the operation, the patient recovered smoothly from anesthesia and post-operative course was uneventful. Congenital myotonic dystrophy presents many problems for the management of general anesthesia, because of respiratory or circulatory complications. In this case, we were careful not to use drugs which may cause respiratory or circulatory depression. We have demonstrated that anesthesia with propofol is a safe method for the anesthetic management of a patient with this disease.     

Anesthesia for laparoscopic cryptorchidpexy in a patient with congenital myopathy

A relatively high incidence of malignant hyperthermia (MH) and an unpredicted (usually increased) sensitivity to muscle relaxants are reported in patients with congenital myopathies (CM). We present a case of anesthetic management of a patient with a clinical diagnosis of CM. An 18-month-old, 11.3-kg, male patient, who had received a diagnosis of CM, was scheduled for the laparoscopic cryptorchidpexy. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl, and the trachea was intubated without muscle relaxants. An epidural catheter was inserted via the sacral hiatus, the tip of which was located at the second lumbar level for a purpose of obtaining not only pain relief but also muscle relaxation. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol, nitrous oxide and fentanyl, combined with epidural anesthesia. The anesthetic course was uneventful with enough pain relief and good muscle relaxation.     

Anesthetic management of a child with myotubular myopathy who underwent two operations under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA)

We present a case of anesthetic management in a child with myotubular myopathy. A 3-month-old, 3.0 kg, male patient, who had been suspected of a congenital myopathy, was scheduled for the muscle biopsy. He was intubated at birth in NICU. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil, and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. The results of biopsy and gene analysis led to the diagnosis of myotubular myopathy. Five months later, this 8-month-old, 4.0 kg, patient was scheduled for the tracheostomy. Anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium bromide, and maintained with propofol and fentanyl. The child underwent two operations under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and fentanyl or remifentanil. These anesthetic courses were uneventful without symptoms of malignant hyperthermia nor propofol infusion syndrome. We did not use sugammadex, because there is still no evidence to the safe use of sugammadex in infants (aged 28 days-23 months). Congenital myopathy is related to malignant hyperthermia, and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is a preferable and safe method for children with this disease.     

Anesthetic management of two patients with insulinoma using propofol--in association with rapid radioimmunoassay for insulin

We experienced anesthetic management of two patients with insulinoma in whom frequent hypoglycemic episodes with blood glucose levels of 39-42 mg.dl-1 had been observed. Each patient received epidural analgesia with a catheter inserted at the T 9/10 intervertebral space. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 80-100 mg and fentanyl 200 micrograms. Tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 6 mg. Anesthesia was maintained with continuous infusion of propofol and epidural anesthesia. Rapid measurements of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were useful for localization of insulinoma during surgery. Perioperative plasma glucose levels could be maintained within normal ranges by continuous infusion of glucose. Rebound hyperglycemic episodes were not observed, and IRI was reduced after removal of the insulinoma. General anesthesia using propofol and epidural block is a useful choice for the anesthetic management of patients undergoing an operation for removal of an insulinoma.     

Sudden increase in bispectral index during propofol anesthesia in three patients

We report 3 patients who developed a sudden unpredicted increase in bispectral index (BIS) value during propofol and fentanyl anesthesia. The patients were induced with propofol 2-mg.kg-1 and fentanyl 2-micrograms.kg-1 and muscle relaxation was obtained by vecuronium 0.12-mg.kg-1. During induction of anesthesia, BIS value went down to below 50 in all three cases, and anesthesia was maintained by continuous infusion of propofol at a rate of 5 mg.kg-1.hr-1 and intermittent administration of fentanyl. Forty to sixty min after starting the operation, BIS value increased suddenly (up to 80) and the body movement of the patients was observed. The serum concentration of propofol was approximately 2.5 micrograms.ml-1. All patients were successfully treated with increasing the infusion rate of propofol and additional administration of fentanyl. No clear recall or explicit memory during operation was observed after anesthesia, but, anesthesiologists might have to pay more attention to unpredictable changes of anesthetic depth during propofol anesthesia using target controlled infusion.     

Clinical study on total intravenous anesthesia with droperidol, fentanyl and ketamine--1. Introduction

We have developed a new method of total intravenous anesthesia with droperidol, fentanyl and ketamine and have administered it to more than 400 surgical patients, ranging in ages from 4 to 80 years. Cardiac and neurosurgical patients were excluded. After establishing a routine monitoring, droperidol 0.06-0.1 ml.kg-1 was slowly given. After 5 minutes, fentanyl 1-2 micrograms.kg-1 and ketamine 1.0-1.5 mg.kg-1 were slowly administered intravenously. Trachea was intubated following intravenous succinylcholine. A total dose of 5-15 micrograms.kg-1 of fentanyl was given intravenously with a continuous infusion of ketamine 2 mg.kg-1.hr-1 during surgical procedure. Air and O2 (FIO2 0.30-0.35) were given and muscle relaxation was achieved with necessary dose of intravenous pancuronium or vecuronium and no inhaled anesthetic was given. Total intravenous anesthesia has many advantages such as no air pollution in the operating theatre, empty bowels, no organ (hepato-renal) toxicity, good peripheral perfusion and low cost, while this method has several disadvantages to overcome such as hypertension. There are many anesthetic agents for total intravenous anesthesia. However, sufentanil, alfentanil and propofol are not available. Droperidol, fentanyl and ketamine are the best combination for this purpose in Japan so far.     

Anesthetic management of laparotomy for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease involving motor neurons. There are two major problems in anesthetic management for patients with motor neuron diseases; prolongation of the effect of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, and controversy about a use of neuraxial block. We describe the anesthetic management of laparotomy for a patient with ALS by general anesthesia alone. A 55-year-old man, suffering from ALS, was scheduled for hemicolectomy and colostomy. General anesthesia was induced by intravenous administration of ketamine, thiopental and fentanyl. After manual ventilation using sevoflurane (5% in oxygen) for 15 minutes, the trachea was intubated without using a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant. General anesthesia was maintained by sevoflurane, nitrous oxide and fentanyl. Since muscle relaxation required for tracheal intubation and surgical procedure was obtained sufficiently using sevoflurane, a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was not necessary throughout the anesthetic management. The patient emerged from general anesthesia smoothly, and was extubated without any complications. For the postoperative pain management, we administered opioids intravenously, providing good analgesia. The postoperative course was uneventful, and there was no exacerbation of neurological signs and symptoms of ALS.     

Anesthetic management for MIDCAB using the target controlled infusion and the bispectral index

We report our experience in using the target controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol combined with the bispectral index (BIS) monitoring for anesthetic management of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) in a 43-year-old-male patient with angina pectoris. After premedication, the patient was connected to the monitor with electrodes for BIS monitor. Then, anesthesia was induced with fentanyl and propofol using TCI technique. When blood concentration of propofol reached 4 micrograms.ml-1, the trachea was intubated. Before starting the operation, we evaluated the relationship between blood concentration of propofol and the value of BIS, and the standard maintenance concentration of propofol was set at 3 micrograms.ml-1. When the concentration of propofol was 3 micrograms.ml-1, the value of BIS was about 60. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide and oxygen and continuous infusion of propofol using TCI technique. When necessary, we gave additional injection of fentanyl and vecuronium bromide. Furthermore, diltiazem was infused continuously for cardiac rate control, as well as infusion of nicorandil, nitroglycerine for prevention of coronary artery spasms, and prostaglandin. After the operation, the patient was alert in 8 minutes and we could extubate in 12 minutes. The use of TCI combined with BIS monitoring for maintenance of anesthesia for MIDCAB is useful and safe.     

Anesthetic management with propofol,fentanyl TCI and BIS in two cases of secondary hyperthyroidism due to TSH secretion from pituitary adenomas

We managed two patients with secondary hyperthyroidism due to TSH secretion from pituitary adenomas using total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl. Both propofol and fentanyl were infused with target-controlled infusion (TCI) systems. The anesthesiologists controlled the target concentration of propofol to maintain the bispectral index (BIS) in a range from 40 to 60, and the target concentration of fentanyl was kept within a range of 2.0 to 3.0 ng.ml-1. Propranolol was injected in 0.4 mg increments to a total dosage of 2.4 to 3.2 mg. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was infused at a rate from 0.01 to 0.04 microgram.kg-1.min-1 to maintain a stable heart rate and stable systemic blood pressure. The anesthetic effects were excellent in both patients. The necessary concentration of propofol during anesthesia was 2.5 to 4.0 micrograms.ml-1, and the emergence concentration of propofol was 1.4 to 1.7 micrograms.ml-1. These values were almost equal to those obtained in patients without thyroid disease. In conclusion, we could maintain the anesthesia for the patients with hyperthyroidism safely and stably by titrating the concentration of propofol and fentanyl based on the BIS value, and by administrating propranolol and PGE1 to avoid hypertension and tachycardia.     

A comparison of spinal anesthesia with small-dose lidocaine and general anesthesia with fentanyl and propofol for ambulatory prostate biopsy procedures in elderly patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare operating conditions, intraoperative adverse events, recovery profiles, postoperative adverse effects, patient satisfaction, and costs of small-dose lidocaine spinal anesthesia with those of general anesthesia using fentanyl and propofol for elderly outpatient prostate biopsy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blind study. SETTING: Outpatient anesthesia unit at a municipal hospital. PATIENTS: 80 ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 65 to 80 years, scheduled for outpatient prostate biopsy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned to receive either spinal anesthesia with 10 mg of hyperbaric 1% lidocaine (L group, n=40) or anesthetic induction with fentanyl 1 microg.kg-1 IV and 1.0 mg.kg-1 propofol injected at 90 mg.kg-1.h-1, followed by continuous infusion at 6 mg.kg-1.h-1 (F/P group, n=40). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both anesthetic techniques provided acceptable operating conditions for the surgeon. However, a significantly higher frequency of intraoperative hypotension was found in the F/P group than in the L group (P<0.05). Time to home readiness was shorter in the F/P group (P<0.05). Both techniques had no major postoperative adverse effects and resulted in a high rate of patient satisfaction. Total costs were significantly lower in the L group than in the F/P group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia with 10 mg of hyperbaric 1% lidocaine may be a more suitable alternative to general anesthesia with fentanyl and propofol for ambulatory elderly prostate biopsy in terms of safety and costs.     

Anesthetic management of MIDCAB in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

We experienced the anesthetic management of a minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. A 55-year-old male had chest pain on effort and was diagnosed as having stenosis of the left coronary artery (#6). He was scheduled to undergo MIDCAB. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 5 mg, fentanyl 300 micrograms, and vecuronium 10 mg and maintained with air-oxygen, propofol, and fentanyl (27 micrograms.kg-1). Diltiazem was continuously infused at a rate of 0.5-1.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 throughout the surgery. The hemodynamic parameters were maintained stable and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia was not observed during the procedure. We conclude that the administration of propofol and a medium dose of fentanyl is useful for the anesthetic management of MIDCAB in patients with WPW syndrome and that intraoperative administration of diltiazem might be needed to avoid paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.     

Interscalene block combined with general anesthesia under spontaneous breathing in a patient with a giant bulla

Respiratory management for patients with a giant bulla during anesthesia should avoid positive-pressure ventilation to reduce the risk of barotraumas. We report a case of anesthetic management of a 42-year-old man with a giant bulla who had an elective surgery for biopsy of a tumor on his left elbow. Balanced anesthesia consisting of general anesthesia was given under spontaneous breathing combined with interscalene brachial plexus blockade for intra- and postoperative analgesia for the elbow surgery. The patient was monitored by electrocardiography, non-invasive arterial pressure, SpO2, endtidal CO2 tension and bispectral index. Ultrasound-guided interscalene block was performed with the patient awake. After injection of 0.75% ropivacaine 20 ml and 1% lidocaine 16 ml for brachial plexus block, general anesthesia was induced with a bolus of fentanyl 100 microg to reduce cough reflex and propofol using target control infusion with a 2 microg x ml(-1) plasma concentration. The airway was maintained with a size 4 LMA-Proseal, which was inserted with care under spontaneous breathing. There were no serious complications such as pneumothorax in perioperative period. We performed successful anesthetic management, without any complications, combined with interscalene brachial plexus block and spontaneous breathing in a patient with a giant bulla.     

Total intravenous anesthesia by propofol, fentanyl and ketamine for five cases of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion

We report the anesthetic management for emergency surgery of five patients with acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion. Although induction was performed with a combination of propofol, fentanyl and ketamine, their hemodynamics was relatively stable during the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Immediately after embolectomy, reperfusion of the superior mesenteric artery led to sudden hypotension, requiring the administration of fluids and vasoactive agents in two of four patients. Unfortunately, two of the five patients died of cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure in the early postoperative period. While total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, fentanyl and ketamine may provide stable anesthetic management in patients with superior mesenteric artery occlusion, it must be emphasized that in addition to careful intraoperative management, such patients require intensive and multiple organ care during the postoperative period.     

Electromyographic activity increases the bispectral index up to 98 during anesthesia

We report the patients who developed sudden unpredicted increases of bispectral index (BIS) value during sevoflurane and fentanyl anesthesia. After the epidural catheter placement, anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl, and muscular relaxation was obtained by vecuronium for tracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with 1-1.5% sevoflurane, intermittent administration of fentanyl and epidural infusion of ropivacaine. The nociceptive stimuli might be unchanged during the surgical procedure of reconstruction, but sudden increases of BIS value were found. At first, the BIS was decreased with small dose of supplemental anesthetics, but finally, it was up to 98 and the depth of anesthesia could not be assessed by BIS value. Because slight shivering was found in the patient immediately after emergence, electromyographic activity might have falsely elevated the BIS excessively. No clear recall or explicit memory during operation was observed after anesthesia, but anesthesiologists might better pay much more attentions to unpredictable changes of anesthetic depth during anesthesia.     

A clinical study of total intravenous anesthesia by using mainly propofol,fentanyl and ketamine--with special reference to its safety based on 26,079 cases

During a period of five years from January 1996 through December 2000 total intravenous anesthesia with mainly propofol, fentanyl and ketamine was administered to 26,079 patients including cardiac and neurosurgical patients at the University of Hirosaki Hospital and five other affiliated hospitals. The patients studied ranged from 1 year 8 months to 93 years in age, 9.2 kg to 135.0 kg in body weight and from 18 min to 22 hours 50 min in anesthetic time. With adequate monitoring, fentanyl 1-2 micrograms.kg-1 was given at first, then total-dose of ketamine 1 mg.kg-1 and propofol 1-2 mg.kg-1 were administered for the induction of anesthesia in adult patients. A total dose of fentanyl 3-15 micrograms.kg-1 was given combined with propofol 5-10 mg.kg-1 and ketamine 0.3-1.0 mg.kg.h-1. In craniotomy patients, ketamine was excluded. For pediatric patients, sevoflurane anesthesia was employed to establish i.v. route, and intravenous agents were given almost same as in the same manner as in adult patients. None of them developed either cardiac arrest or severe cardiovascular insufficiencies due to anesthesia alone. Their postoperative hepatic and renal functions evaluated by various biochemical indices and urine output were adequately maintained during anesthesia and for a week postoperatively. They were followed up to 3 months postoperatively only to fail to detect any adverse events related directly to this method of anesthesia. These data suggest that total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, fentanyl and ketamine has a very wide margin of safety.     

Anesthetic management for implantation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators]

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) were implanted in 44 patients at the authors' institution. The anesthetic management was reviewed retrospectively. Ten of the 44 patients received the third generation ICD devices, while the rest received the fourth generation devices. For thirteen patients receiving the fourth generation devices, implantation was performed under local anesthesia with monitored care of anesthesiologists. Propofol was infused to achieve deep sedation during induced ventricular fibrillation and later cardioversion for testing the devices. Implantation was performed under general anesthesia with combination of fentanyl and volatile anesthetics for the remaining 31 patients. Patients who received ICDs under local anesthesia had significantly greater values of ejection fraction in preoperative examination than values in patients who received ICDs under general anesthesia. Operation time of the implantation under local anesthesia was significantly shorter than that under general anesthesia. Though infusion of propofol produced a moderate decrease of blood pressure in patients who received ICDs under local anesthesia, no patient showed major complication. Local anesthesia with sedation with propofol can be an option in anesthetic management for implantation of an ICD if an anesthesiologist cares the patient whose cardiac function is not compromised.     

Anesthetic management of an emergency surgery for panperitonitis during an asthmatic attack

We report anesthetic management of an emergency surgery for panperitonitis during an asthmatic attack in a patient with angina pectoris. A 71-year-old male patient, complaining of abdominal pain and dyspnea, was diagnosed as having panperitonitis and asthmatic attack by surgeons in the emergency room. General anesthesia was induced by intravenous injection of propofol (30 mg), ketamine (30 mg), fentanyl (200 micrograms), suxamethonium (60 mg) and diltiazem (5 mg) following cannulation of the left radial artery for continuous monitoring of direct arterial pressure. Anesthesia was maintained by continuous infusion of propofol (4-10 mg.kg-1.h-1) and ketamine (1 mg.kg-1.h-1) in combination with intermittent epidural injection of local anesthetics. Although sudden onset of increased peak airway pressure occurred 45 minutes after starting operation, 50 mg of propofol injection and 500 mg of aminophyline infusion could relieve this high airway pressure. Because increased peak airway pressure appeared frequently and this could not be relieved by bolus injection of propofol, we changed the intravenous anesthesia to nitrous oxide-oxygen-isoflurane (GOI). After this change, no asthmatic attack occurred during the operation. While the mechanical ventilation was required during the early postoperative period along with infusion of aminophyline and inhalation of beta-stimulants, the patient was weaned successfully from the mechanical ventilation 12 hours postoperatively. It was speculated that the intraoperative asthmatic attack might have been caused by light level of anesthesia with propofol and ketamine. We concluded that other analgesics, such as fentanyl or epidural local anesthetics, must have been supplemented at proper timing during the continuous infusion of propofol and ketamine during the surgery.     

Simple and effective local anesthesia for transperineal extended prostate biopsy: Application to three-dimensional 26-core biopsy

Abstract:   We developed a local anesthetic procedure for three-dimensional 26-core prostate biopsy (3D26PBx), a combination of transperineal 14-core biopsy (TP14PBx) and transrectal 12-core biopsy (TR12PBx). At first, a periapical triangle, confined by the levator ani, the rhabdosphincter and the external anal sphincter muscle, was made visible by transrectal ultrasound. After administration of 1 mL of 1%-lidocaine into the midline perineal skin 1.5 cm above the anus, we inserted a spinal needle toward the periapical triangle for injection of 1.5–2.0 mL of 1%-lidocaine and performed the TP14PBx. After administration of the periprostatic nerve block with 10 mL of 1%-lidocaine, we performed the TR12PBx. The efficacy of the procedure was evaluated prospectively in 45 consecutive men undergoing the 3D26PBx. The 3D26PBx was completed with just local anesthesia in all patients. The pain levels, assessed by an 11-point visual analog scale, were not different between the TP14PBx and the TR12PBx.     

Anesthetic management of a morbidly obese patient undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery

We describe a successful anesthetic management of a morbidly obese patient, weighing 170 kg, height of 170 cm and body mass index of 58.8 kg.m-2, who received gastric bypass surgery performed using laparoscopic assist. After arriving in the operating room, an epidural catheter was inserted into the epidural space at the T 7-8 intervertebral space. The trachea was intubated nasally under bronchofiberscopic assist, after which anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with nitrous oxide and oxygen (FIO2 = 0.5), i.v. propofol, fentanyl, and epidural anesthesia. Propofol infusion rate was determined using the corrected body weight drawn by Servin et al. Anesthetic management and recovering from anesthesia were uneventful. For propofol anesthesia, infusion rates determined using the corrected body weigh, was preferable for morbidly obese patients.