Awake craniotomy using stealth frameless stereotaxy without rigid skull fixation

The authors describe a technique using the Medtronic Stealth spinal reference array allowing awake craniotomy to be performed without cranial fixation in the Mayfield pin head rest. A Medtronic spinal reference array (four-point H-shaped LED array) is fitted to a Yasargil footplate via a three-jointed swingarm. The Yasargil footplate is directly attached to the cranium after craniotomy and following stereotactic registration the patient is awakened. The patient is free to move his head during the procedure as the reference array does not move in relation to the cranial contents and the fiducials, preserving accuracy.     

Awake craniotomy for glioblastoma in a 9-year-old child

We report the pre-operative preparation and anaesthetic management for resection of an intracerebral tumour during awake craniotomy in a 9-year-old boy. We believe this is the youngest patient reported to have undergone this procedure. The challenges of sedation and psychological care throughout the procedure are discussed. We conclude that the procedure can be performed safely and that it seems unacceptable to uphold an age restriction. We believe that it is the individual level of development of the child that determines suitability for this type of surgery.     

Awake intubation under sedation using target-controlled infusion of dexmedetomidine: five case reports

We used target-controlled infusion (TCI) of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for awake intubation under sedation in 5 patients who had a risk of pulmonary aspiration or difficult airway. Dexmedetomidine level was escalated stepwise until the patients developed tolerance to laryngoscopy. The target DEX concentrations at the time of intubation were 2.10–5.95 ng/ml and were higher than those clinically used for sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Chin lift was applied in 1 case, and therefore no assisted ventilation was required and pulse oxygen saturation was maintained at >98% throughout the procedure. Simple pharmacological interventions for blood pressure changes induced by increased target plasma DEX concentrations were needed in 4 cases. However, hemodynamics was stable, and no cardiovascular drug was needed after tracheal intubation. Conditions at laryngoscopy were excellent in all cases, and conditions at tracheal intubation were good except in 1 case. Reflex to intubation was preserved in all cases, and coughing was observed in all cases. The patients had no memory of discomfort and/or intubation. Although further investigations are needed, this method may be useful for awake intubation under sedation.     

Awake craniotomy with propofol sedation and a laryngeal mask airway: a case report

A 47-year-old man with brain tumor close to the speech center was scheduled for biopsy under awake craniotomy. Anesthesia was maintained with continuous infusion of propofol and intermittent fentanyl. Airway was secured with a laryngeal mask throughout the surgery. During cortical stimulation, his phonation was clear and there was no evidence of hypoxia.     

Awake craniotomy in a developmentally delayed blind man with cognitive deficits

Purpose

To describe the complex perioperative considerations and anesthetic management of a cognitively delayed blind adult male who underwent awake craniotomy to remove a left anterior temporal lobe epileptic focus.

Clinical features

A 28-yr-old left-handed blind cognitively delayed man was scheduled for awake craniotomy to resect a left anterior temporal lobe epileptic focus due to intractable epilepsy despite multiple medications. His medical history was also significant for retinopathy of prematurity that rendered him legally blind in both eyes and an intracerebral hemorrhage shortly after birth that resulted in a chronic brain injury and developmental delay. His cognitive capacity was comparable with that of an eight year old. Since patient cooperation was the primary concern during the awake electrocorticography phase of surgery, careful assessment of the patient’s ability to tolerate the procedure was undertaken. There was extensive planning between surgeons and anesthesiologists, and a patient-specific pharmacological strategy was devised to facilitate surgery. The operation proceeded without complication, the patient has remained seizure-free since the procedure, and his quality of life has improved dramatically.

Conclusion

This case shows that careful patient assessment, effective interdisciplinary communication, and a carefully tailored anesthetic strategy can facilitate an awake craniotomy in a potentially uncooperative adult patient with diminished mental capacity and sensory deficits.     

Alcohol consumption and incidence of proteinuria: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Previous studies report conflicting results of a dose-dependent association between alcohol consumption and incidence of chronic kidney disease. Only a few studies have assessed the clinical impact of >?45–65 g/day of critically high alcohol consumption.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 88,647 males and 88,925 females with dipstick urinary protein?≤?±?and estimated glomerular filtration rate?≥?60 mL/min/1.73 m² at their first annual health examinations between April 2008 and March 2010 in Japan. The exposure was the self-reported alcohol consumption. The outcome was proteinuria defined as dipstick urinary protein?≥?1?+?or ≥?2?+.

Results

During median 1.8 years (interquartile range 1.0–2.1) of the observational period, 5416 (6.1%) males and 3262 (3.7%) females developed proteinuria defined as dipstick urinary protein?≥?1?+. In males, a U-shape association between alcohol consumption and proteinuria was observed in a multivariable-adjusted Poisson regression model [incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval) of rare, occasional, and daily drinkers with ≤?19, 20–39, 40–59, and ≥?60 g/day: 1.00 (reference), 0.86 (0.79–0.94), 0.70 (0.64–0.78), 0.82 (0.75–0.90), 1.00 (0.90–1.11), and 1.00 (0.85–1.17), respectively], whereas a J-shape association was observed in females [1.00 (reference), 0.81 (0.75–0.87), 0.74 (0.64–0.85), 0.93 (0.78–1.11), 1.09 (0.83–1.44), and 1.45 (1.02–2.08), respectively]. Similar associations with dipstick urinary protein?≥?2?+?were shown in males and females.

Conclusions

Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with lower risk of proteinuria in both males and females. Females with ≥?60 g/day of high alcohol consumption were at higher risk of proteinuria, whereas males were not. Females were more vulnerable to high alcohol consumption, than males.

     

Perioperative implications of thoracic decortications: a retrospective cohort study

Purpose

An increasing number of thoracic decortications have been performed in Manitoba, from five in 2007 to 45 in 2014. The primary objective of this study was to define the epidemiology of decortications in Manitoba. The secondary objective was to compare patients who underwent decortication due to primary infectious vs non-infectious etiology with respect to their perioperative outcomes.

Methods

Data for this cohort study were extracted from consecutive charts of all adult patients who underwent a decortication in Manitoba from 2007-2014 inclusive.

Results

One hundred ninety-two patients underwent a decortication. The most frequent disease processes resulting in a decortication were pneumonia (60%), trauma (13%), malignancy (8%), and procedural complications (5%). The number of decortications due to complications of pneumonia rose at the greatest rate, from three cases in 2007 to 29 cases in 2014. Performing a decortication for an infectious vs a non-infectious etiology was associated with a higher rate of the composite postoperative outcome of myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, need of vasopressors for > 12 hr, and mechanical ventilation for > 48 hr (44.4% vs 24.2%, respectively; relative risk, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.9; P = 0.01).

Conclusion

There has been a ninefold increase in decortications over an eight-year period. Potential causes include an increase in the incidence of pneumonia, increased organism virulence, host changes, and changes in practice patterns. Patients undergoing decortication for infectious causes had an increased risk for adverse perioperative outcomes. Anesthesiologists need to be aware of the high perioperative morbidity of these patients and the potential need for postoperative admission to an intensive care unit.

     

9985例右美托咪定滴鼻镇静行无创检查患儿的回顾性分析

目的回顾性分析患儿使用右美托咪定滴鼻镇静术行无创性检查的安全性和有效性。方法通过提取本院手术麻醉电子病历系统中的数据,回顾性分析2017年6月至2018年4月在本院镇静镇痛中心行无创性检查的患儿9 985例,年龄≥3个月,体重5～10 kg,右美托咪定滴鼻剂量为1.5～2.5μg/kg,体重10 kg的患儿滴鼻剂量为2.5～3μg/kg,如果镇静失败,可追加一次1μg/kg。统计镇静成功率和不良事件的发生率。结果起始剂量镇静成功8 237例(82.49%),总成功率为94.27%。总计有271例(2.71%,95%CI 2.40%～3.03%)患儿发生不良事件,其中心动过缓有231例(2.31%,95%CI 2.02%～2.61%),为主要不良事件,未发生一例心跳呼吸骤停及死亡。结论右美托咪定滴鼻镇静可安全有效地用于患儿无创性检查。