Illinois Dental Anesthesia and Sedation Survey for 1996.

Dentists in the state of Illinois who possess a permit to administer sedation or general anesthesia were surveyed. A 71% response rate was achieved. Of the respondents, 86% held permits for deep sedation/general anesthesia and 14% held permits for parenteral conscious sedation. By practice specialty, 84% were oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 11% were general dentists, 5% were periodontists, and fewer than 1% were dental anesthesiologists. Advanced Cardiac Life Support training was possessed by 85% of the respondents. The most common anesthesia team configuration (82%) was a single operator-anesthetist and two additional assistants. Only 4% reported use of a nurse anesthetist, and 2% used an additional MD or DDS anesthesiologist. The vast majority (97%) of the practitioners do not intubate in the office on a routine basis. Supplemental oxygen was used by 81% of the respondents whenever intravenous agents were used. A total of 151,335 anesthetics were administered during the year. One mortality occurred in a patient with an undisclosed pre-existing cardiac condition. Four other events were reported that required medical intervention or hospital evaluation; however, no permanent injuries were reported. Other practice characteristics were described.     

Drugs used for parenteral sedation in dental practice

The relative efficacy and safety of drugs and combinations used clinically in dentistry as premedicants to alleviate patient apprehension are largely unsubstantiated. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of agents used for parenteral sedation through controlled clinical trials, it is first necessary to identify which drugs, doses, and routes of administration are actually used in practice. A survey instrument was developed to characterize the drugs used clinically for anesthesia and sedation by dentists with advanced training in pain control. A random sample of 500 dentists who frequently use anesthesia and sedation in practice was selected from the Fellows of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. The first mailing was followed by a second mailing to nonrespondents after 30 days. The respondents report a variety of parenteral sedation techniques in combination with local anesthesia (the response categories are not mutually exclusive): nitrous oxide (64%), intravenous conscious sedation (59%), intravenous “deep” sedation (47%), and outpatient general anesthesia (27%). Drugs most commonly reported for intravenous sedation include diazepam, methohexital, midazolam, and combinations of these drugs with narcotics. A total of 82 distinct drugs and combinations was reported for intravenous sedation and anesthesia. Oral premedication and intramuscular sedation are rarely used by this group. Most general anesthesia reported is done on an outpatient basis in private practice. These results indicate that a wide variety of drugs is employed for parenteral sedation in dental practice, but the most common practice among dentists with advanced training in anesthesia is local anesthesia supplemented with intravenous sedation consisting of a benzodiazepine and an opioid or a barbiturate.     

Demand in pediatric dentistry for sedation and general anesthesia by dentist anesthesiologists: a survey of directors of dentist anesthesiologist and pediatric dentistry residencies

This study describes what training programs in pediatric dentistry and dental anesthesiology are doing to meet future needs for deep sedation/general anesthesia services required for pediatric dentistry. Residency directors from 10 dental anesthesiology training programs in North America and 79 directors from pediatric dentistry training programs in North America were asked to answer an 18-item and 22-item online survey, respectively, through an online survey tool. The response rate for the 10 anesthesiology training program directors was 9 of 10 or 90%. The response rate for the 79 pediatric dentistry training program directors was 46 of 79 or 58%. Thirty-seven percent of pediatric dentistry programs use clinic-based deep sedation/general anesthesia for dental treatment in addition to hospital-based deep sedation/general anesthesia. Eighty-eight percent of those programs use dentist anesthesiologists for administration of deep sedation/general anesthesia in a clinic-based setting. Pediatric dentistry residency directors perceive a future change in the need for deep sedation/general anesthesia services provided by dentist anesthesiologists to pediatric dentists: 64% anticipate an increase in need for dentist anesthesiologist services, while 36% anticipate no change. Dental anesthesiology directors compared to 2, 5, and 10 years ago have seen an increase in the requests for dentist anesthesiologist services by pediatric dentists reported by 56% of respondents (past 2 years), 63% of respondents (past 5 years), and 88% of respondents (past 10 years), respectively. Predicting the future need of dentist anesthesiologists is an uncertain task, but these results show pediatric dentistry directors and dental anesthesiology directors are considering the need, and they recognize a trend of increased need for dentist anesthesiologist services over the past decade.     

The use of office-based sedation and general anesthesia by board certified pediatric dentists practicing in the United States

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of office-based sedation by board-certified pediatric dentists practicing in the United States. Pediatric dentists have traditionally relied upon self-administered sedation techniques to provide office-based sedation. The use of dentist anesthesiologists to provide office-based sedation is an emerging trend. This study examines and compares these two models of office-based sedations. A survey evaluating office-based sedation of diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) based on gender, age, years in practice, practice types, regions, and years as a diplomate of the ABPD was completed by 494 active members. The results were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Relationships of dentist age, gender, and number of years in practice with the use of intravenous (IV) sedation was completed using two-way contingency tables and Mantel-Haenszel tests for ordered categorical data. Relationships of office-based sedation use and the type of one's practice were examined using Pearson chi-square tests. Of the 1917 surveys e-mailed, 494 completed the survey for a response rate of 26%. Over 70% of board-certified US pediatric dentists use some form of sedation in their offices. Less than 20% administer IV sedation, 20 to 40% use a dentist anesthesiologist, and 60 to 70% would use dentist anesthesiologists if one were available.     

Endoscopic retrograde stenting for allograft hydronephrosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ureteral obstruction occurs in 2% to 10% of all renal transplant recipients. Antegrade endourologic intervention has been the gold standard of therapy but carries significant morbidity. This study was designed to investigate the feasibility of retrograde stenting of these difficult ureters and to determine whether it can be performed with minimal morbidity without general or regional anesthesia. METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive patients were found to have renal allograft hydronephrosis by ultrasonography, between August 1993 and March 1997. Of these, 61 (63%) had confirmation of obstruction by MAG-3 imaging, with equivocal results in 25 (26%). The remaining 11 patients had a rising creatinine concentration despite Foley catheter drainage. All patients had retrograde stenting attempted under local anesthesia followed by intravenous sedation if necessary. If stent placement was unsuccessful, the procedure was repeated under regional or general anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients (88%) were managed successfully with retrograde stenting. Of these procedures, 24 (28%) were performed under local anesthesia alone, while 57 (67%) required both local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Only 4 patients (5%) required general anesthesia. No patient suffered any morbidity associated with retrograde stenting. Of the 12 patients in whom retrograde stenting failed, 2 had renal allograft rupture and 10 had ureteral necrosis at surgical exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde stenting of the hydronephrotic renal allograft can be achieved with a high success rate and minimal morbidity, usually without general or regional anesthesia. If the ureter cannot be managed in a retrograde fashion, a high index of suspicion for a serious allograft complication should exist.     

Sedation in surgical procedures using regional anesthesia in adult patients: results of a survey of Spanish anesthesiologists

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency and methods of sedation used in the context of regional anesthesia in adults by means of a national survey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a survey of participants at the courses of an anesthesiology training organization (Fundación Europea de Ense?anza en Anestesiología), held in Spain in 2006. The survey questionnaires asked about indications for sedation used during surgery under regional anesthesia as well as the form of administration, follow-up, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 375 questionnaires were sent out and 185 responses were received (49.3%). Sedation is always used to accompany regional anesthesia by 69.2% of the respondents; 13.5% of them discuss the technique to be used with the patient and come to an agreement. The same type of sedation, regardless of the regional block performed, is used by 49.2% of respondents, and 64.3% use a scale to evaluate the level of sedation. The most favored sedation technique is continuous infusion, followed by target controlled infusion and boluses on demand. The most commonly used technique is sedation with bolus injections. Sixty percent use a single agent and 38.9% use combinations. The most commonly reported adverse effects are variability of patient response (53.5%) and respiratory complications (27%). In cases of ineffective regional blockade, 49.2% of those surveyed switch to general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation is very often used to complement regional anesthesia in adult patients. Even though continuous infusion is considered to be the most appropriate form of administration, the most commonly used form is injection of boluses. Sedation with a single drug is used more frequently than drug combinations. Variability of individual response is the complication most commonly reported by the respondents.     

A national survey of the anesthetic management of tonsillectomy surgery in children

Background: Tonsillectomy in children is a common procedure; however, there appears to be a significant degree of variability in anesthetic management. Thus far, there has been no large national survey looking at the perioperative care of these children. Objectives: We conducted a national survey with the aim of determining what represents common practice in the perioperative management of children undergoing tonsillectomy surgery. We compared the respondents’ management against evidence‐based practice. Methods: The survey took the form of a questionnaire, which was sent to members of The Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists (APAGBI) and to Royal College tutors. The questionnaire was sent in paper format to the College Tutors and in digital format to APAGBI members. Emphasis was placed upon preoperative preparation, induction technique, airway management, analgesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting strategy, fluid management and emergence from anesthesia. Results: Responses were obtained from 173 individuals representing a broad cross‐section of anesthetists from teaching and district general hospitals. Findings are as follows: the application of topical anesthetic cream is commonplace (93%), with Ametop^® being the primary preparation used; the intravenous route was preferred to induce anesthesia; most practitioners intubate the trachea to maintain the airway during anesthesia (79%); a muscle relaxant was employed to assist intubation of the trachea in 47% of respondents and the routine use of suxamethonium was reported to be uncommon (9%); the administration of prophylactic ondansetron and dexamethasone was reported by 79% and 70% of respondents respectively; and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used by 77% of individuals either pre‐emptively or during the intraoperative period. Conclusions: Whilst there is individual variability in the management of these cases, the majority of anesthetists prefer the intravenous route for induction of anesthesia, after application of topical anesthetic cream. It is routine practice to intubate the trachea, administer paracetamol, NSAIDs, strong opiates and antiemetics.     

Dentists' and Parents' Attitude Toward Nitrous Oxide Use in Kuwait

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude of dentists in Kuwait toward the use of nitrous oxide sedation as a behavior management technique (BMT) for pediatric patients and assess their training in nitrous oxide sedation. In addition, we assessed parents'' knowledge of and attitude toward the use of nitrous oxide as a BMT for their children. The objective was to determine if nitrous oxide sedation is being provided and utilized as a means to enhance dental care for pediatric patients. A cross-sectional survey was randomly distributed to both groups of interest: parents accompanying their children to the dentist and licensed dentists in Kuwait. Participants had to meet certain inclusion criteria to be included in the survey and had to complete the entire questionnaire to be part of the analysis. A total of 381 parents completed the questionnaires. The majority of parents responded that they were unaware of nitrous oxide sedation and were not aware of it as a BMT (79%). Two thirds of the parent would accept nitrous oxide sedation if recommended by a dentist treating their children. Two hundred and one dentists completed the survey and met the inclusion criteria. The majority (74.5%) of dentists were willing to use nitrous oxide as a BMT. However, only 6% were utilizing nitrous oxide sedation and providing it to their child patient if indicated. The main reasons for this huge gap are lack of facilities/equipment and lack of training as indicated by the dentists. This study showed that parents are accepting nitrous oxide sedation as a BMT for their children. It also showed the willingness of the dentists to provide such BMT to their patients. The lack of training and lack of equipment are the main barriers to providing such service to the patients. More training courses and more facilities should be provided to eliminate such barriers.Key Words: Nitrous oxide, Kuwait, Minimal sedationManaging a child''s behavior during dental treatment is an important factor in delivering safe and effective dental care. Various nonpharmacological and pharmacological techniques are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to enable the dental practitioner to perform quality oral health care for the uncooperative pediatric patient, and at the same time alleviate fear and anxiety, guide the child to be cooperative, and nurture a positive dental attitude in him/her.¹ In addition to tailoring various behavior management techniques (BMTs) to the individual child, it is also important for dental practitioners to utilize techniques consistent with their level of professional education and clinical experience.²Nitrous oxide sedation has a long history of safe use in dentistry and offers the clinician predictable clinical outcomes.³ It is considered a preferred technique for the pharmacological management of anxiety in pediatric dental patients in the dental office.^4,5Nitrous oxide sedation has been accepted as a popular pharmacological BMT in many Western countries, including the United States.^6,7 In 1996, a survey of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry membership revealed that 89% of pediatric dentists utilize nitrous oxide sedation, with most of them using it more than 5 times per week.⁸ Moreover, this sedation technique is the second most accepted BMT by parents in the United States.⁹ On the contrary, several studies showed that the majority of parents in Middle East countries did not accept nitrous oxide sedation as a BMT. One study, which was conducted in 2009, demonstrated that most parents in Kuwait prefer nonpharmacological techniques over pharmacological ones, and nitrous oxide sedation was rated as one of the least acceptable techniques.¹⁰ Similar findings were found by Al-Shalan and Alammouri for Saudi Arabian and Jordanian parents, respectively.^11,12In 2010, nitrous oxide sedation was officially approved and regulated by the Kuwaiti Dental Board. Prior to that date, dentists were unable to administer nitrous oxide in their dental offices despite training in its use. Many dentists referred patients to have general anesthesia if the patient needed pharmacological anxiety management. Therefore, 3 years after the approval of its use by dentists, the aim was to investigate the attitude of dentists in Kuwait toward the use of nitrous oxide sedation as a BMT for pediatric patients and assess their training in nitrous oxide sedation. In addition, parents'' knowledge and attitude toward the use of nitrous oxide as a BMT for their children was also assessed.     

Interscalene anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy in a community-sized military hospital

The first 100 consecutive shoulder arthroscopic procedures performed under interscalene anesthesia at a small community-sized military hospital are the basis of this report. This method of anesthesia was compared with 100 shoulder arthroscopies performed in a previous 2-year time period under general anesthesia. A variety of arthroscopic and subsequent open reconstructive procedures about the shoulder were performed using both techniques. Using the interscalene method, 87 regional blocks were entirely successful. Thirteen patients required conversion to general anesthesia for adequate pain control; however, 4 of these had a complete block in the recovery room and required no postoperative narcotics. Seven patients required supplementation with local anesthetic when an open procedure became necessary. There were no major complications. Minor complications included 5 patients with transient Horner's syndrome, 4 patients who experienced anxiety, which was controlled with sedation, and 3 with nausea or pruritus. Interscalene anesthesia provided excellent intraoperative and postoperative analgesia with low morbidity. On a subsequent questionnaire, all patients with a successful block reported that they were extremely satisfied with their experience. Ten patients who had previous shoulder surgery under general anesthesia preferred the interscalene method. In summary, interscalene anesthesia proved to be an excellent method of anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy. The technique is reproducible within the resources available in most community-level hospitals.     

Comparison of intravenous sedation versus general anesthesia on the efficacy of the Doli 50 lithotriptor

PURPOSE: We compared the impact of intravenous sedation versus general anesthesia on the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1997 to May 1998, 295 patients with a single renal or upper ureteral radioopaque stone of less than 2 cm. were treated with the Doli 50 lithotriptor (Dornier Medical Systems, Marietta, Georgia). The treating anesthesiologist and patient together elected intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Of the 92 patients 60 (65%) treated under intravenous sedation and 126 of the 203 (62%) treated under general anesthesia had 3-month followup records available for review. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy was considered a failure if residual stone fragments remained after 3 months, or an auxiliary procedure or re-treatment was required. RESULTS: At 3 months the stone-free rate in patients treated under intravenous sedation was 55% compared with 87% in those treated under general anesthesia (p <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in treatment time or the power index in the 2 groups. Stone size (1 to 10 versus 11 to 20 mm.) did not significantly affect the anesthesia specific stone-free rate. CONCLUSIONS: For single renal or upper ureteral stones less than 2 cm. a significantly better 3-month stone-free rate is achieved with the Doli 50 lithotriptor when general anesthesia is used instead of intravenous sedation.     

General anesthesia without intravenous access in children--a survey of current practice among members of the APAGBI and UK regional representatives of the APAGBI and the AAGBI

Background: The establishment of intravenous (IV) access should be considered for all adults and children undergoing general anesthesia. Inhalational induction prior to the establishment of IV access remains a popular technique in pediatric practice, and most practitioners will subsequently obtain IV access at the earliest opportunity. Previous surveys have indicated that some anesthetists may elect to omit IV access for the duration of anesthesia and surgery; however, the extent of this practice is unclear. A survey of pediatric anesthetists (members of the APAGBI and regional representatives of both the APAGBI and the AAGBI) was conducted to determine the prevalence of anesthesia without IV access in children, together with the circumstances in which this would be considered by practitioners. Method: A web‐based survey was distributed via email to members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI) and regional representatives of both the APAGBI and the Association of Anesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI). In total, 1419 invitations to complete the survey were sent. Results: Seven hundred and twenty seven completed surveys were returned, indicating a response rate of 51%. Twenty‐eight respondents reported that they did not anesthetize children age <16 years. Of the remaining 699 respondents, 295 (42%) described circumstances where intravenous access was omitted during general anesthesia. The vast majority (84.7%) indicated that this was a rare occurrence. Only 44 (6.3%) respondents indicated they would always or usually undertake procedures under general anesthesia in children without IV access. Respondents suggested that short procedures, including dental extractions and myringotomy, were circumstances in which this practice was acceptable. Conclusion: The majority of respondents to this survey reported that they would usually establish IV access in children undergoing general anesthesia except in specific circumstances.     

Sedation and delirium in the intensive care unit: an Australian and New Zealand perspective

A survey was conducted to determine sedation and delirium practices in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units. The survey was in two parts, comprising an online survey of reported sedation and delirium management (unit survey) and a collection of de-identified data about each patient in a unit at a given time on a specified day (patient snapshot survey). All intensive care units throughout Australia and New Zealand were invited by email to participate in the survey. Twenty-three predominantly metropolitan, level III Australian and New Zealand intensive care units treating adult patients participated. Written sedation policies were in place in 48% of units, while an additional 44% of units reported having informal sedation policies. Seventy percent of units routinely used a sedation scale. In contrast, only 9% of units routinely used a delirium scale. Continuous intravenous infusion is the primary means of patient sedation (74% of units). While 30% of units reported routinely interrupting sedation, only 10% of sedated patients in the snapshot survey had had their sedation interrupted in the preceding 12 hours. Oversedation appears to be common (46% of patients with completed sedation scales). Use of neuromuscular blockade is low (10%) compared to other published studies. Midazolam and propofol were the most frequently used sedatives. The proportion of patients developing delirium was 21% of assessable patients. Failed and self-extubation rates were low: 3.2% and 0.5% respectively. In Australian and New Zealand intensive care units, routine use of sedation scales is common but not universal, while routine delirium assessment is rare. The use of a sedation protocol is valuable and should be encouraged.     

Perioperative and Long-term Outcomes of Carotid Endarterectomy for Japanese Asymptomatic Cervical Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Single Institution Study

As the recently developed medical treatments for asymptomatic cervical carotid artery stenosis (ACCAS) have shown excellent stroke prevention, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be carried out for more selected patients and with lower complication rates and better long-term outcomes. We have performed CEA for Japanese ACCAS patients with a uniform surgical technique and strict perioperative management. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the perioperative complications and long-term outcomes of our CEA series. A total of 147 CEAs were carried out in 139 Japanese ACCAS patients. All patients were routinely checked for their cardiac function and high risk coronary lesions were preferentially treated before CEA. All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia using a shunt system. The postoperative cerebral blood flow was routinely measured under continued sedation to prevent postoperative hyperperfusion. The 30-day perioperative morbidity rate was 2.04%, including a perioperative stroke rate of 0.68%. There were no perioperative deaths. With regard to the long-term outcomes of the 134 followed-up patients, 9 patients were dead and 5 patients suffered from strokes, including 2 patients with ipsilateral hemispheric ischemia. The annual rates of death, all stroke and ipsilateral ischemic stroke were 1.15%, 0.64%, and 0.25%, respectively. These results showed that the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of our CEAs were lower than those in the previous large trials. Furthermore, the long-term outcomes of this series were favorable to those reported in the latest medical treatment trials for ACCAS patients. CEA may be useful for preventing ischemic stroke in Japanese ACCAS patients.     

Survey of anesthetic techniques used in Catalonia: results of the analysis of 23,136 anesthesias (2003 ANESCAT study)

OBJECTIVE: To examine anesthesia practice in Catalonia in 2003 and to describe the specific characteristics and distribution of the anesthesia techniques used and the patient profiles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used the data from the ANESCAT epidemiological study that gathered information in questionnaire form on all anesthesias performed in Catalonia on 14 randomly selected days representative of practice in 2003. RESULTS: All 131 hospitals authorized to perform anesthesia participated in the study. We collected 23136 questionnaires, from which we extrapolated to estimate 603189 anesthesias for the year and a rate of 9.0 anesthesias per 100 inhabitants per year. Fifty-eight percent of the patients were women and the mean age was 52 years. The physical status of the patients was as follows: ASA 1 or 2, 73.3%; ASA 3, 213%; ASA 4 or 5, 5.4%. The mean duration of anesthesia was 60 minutes. The most common form of anesthesia was a regional block (41.4%) and spinal block was the one performed most often. General anesthesia was used in 33.5% of the cases, combined anesthesia in 3.5%, and sedation in 21.6%. In descending order, orthopedics/trauma, ophthalmology, general surgery, obstetrics, cataract surgery, vaginal delivery, inguinal hernia repair, and colonoscopy were the procedures for which anesthesia was most commonly administered. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 1 in 10 persons in Catalonia are given anesthesia each year and most of the procedures involve locoregional anesthesia or sedation. These data provide a picture of the current situation of anesthesiology and make it possible to forecast future anesthesia requirements.     

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: outcome assessment

Since its introduction as a new procedure for the surgical management of hemorrhoidal disease in 1993, stapled hemorrhoidopexy has become increasingly popular. This has been mostly the result of the reported reduction in postoperative pain. This study was designed to review retrospectively 152 patients combined from a 3-year period in a three-surgeon private colorectal practice and a 1-year period from an academic colon and rectal surgery training program. All patients had either grade II or III hemorrhoidal prolapse. There were 78 male (mean age, 52 years) and 74 female patients (mean age, 54 years). A total of 133 patients (87.5%) were treated on an ambulatory basis, with 131 patients (86%) given monitored sedation with local anesthesia. Postoperative complications were seen in 49 patients (32%); 33 were for bleeding, with four requiring operative control. Subsequent associated anorectal procedures were performed on 14 patients (9.2%). Of the original 152 patients, 78 participated in a postoperative survey. Of these patients, 67.9 per cent stated that their postoperative pain was less than expected. Seventy-one patients (91%) stated significant improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms, and 73.1 per cent returned to normal activity in less than 2 weeks. Eighty-nine per cent of patients surveyed stated they would recommend hemorrhoidopexy to others.     

儿童手术室外诊疗操作丙泊酚镇静／麻醉引起不良反应的性质和发生率：来自儿童镇静研究协会的报道

目的通过分析由一大批儿科专家提供的儿童接受手术室外镇静或麻醉的前瞻性数据资料，来描述丙泊酚镇静或麻醉引起不良反应的性质和发生率。方法数据搜集由儿童镇静研究协会完成，此协会是致力于提高儿童镇静、麻醉水平的国际性合作机构。前瞻性选取在临床操作时需辅助镇静或麻醉的患儿。初步准入标准为需要某种形式的镇静或麻醉来完成手术室外诊疗操作的患儿，没有排除标准。采用以网络为基础的数据收集工具，采集的资料有：人口统计学资料、原发病、并存疾病、临床操作、使用药物、操作时间和苏醒时间、药物剂量、麻醉结果、气道干预和不良反应。本研究评价所有使用丙泊酚作为主要镇静或麻醉药物的病例。结果在研究期间2004年7月1日至2007年9月1日，共有37家机构提供了49836例丙泊酚镇静或麻醉的病例。无一例死亡，其中心肺复苏2次，镇静或麻醉中误吸发生了4次。非严重事件中血氧饱和度低于90％持续超过30秒发生较多（每10000例发生154次）。中枢性窒息或气道梗阻每10000例中发生575次，喘鸣、喉痉挛、分泌物增多和呕吐发生率分别为每10000例50、96、341和49次。意外住院者为每10000例中7．1次。一项未经调整的分析显示，麻醉医师和其他医务人员相比，肺部不良反应的发生率不存在差别。结论本研究报道了儿童手术室外诊疗操作辅助丙泊酚镇静或麻醉的大量病例。搜集到的数据显示，在一些可以提供高质量镇静／麻醉服务的机构中，采用丙泊酚镇静或麻醉难免出现严重不良反应。但这一临床操作的安全性取决于整个系统处理非严重并发症的能力。因此，本研究揭示了培训和认证丙泊酚镇静或麻醉实施者的影响因素，以及提高此药物临床应用安全性所需的相关团队的特征。     

Comparison of Local-Only Anesthesia Versus Sedation in Patients Undergoing Staged Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Release: A Randomized Trial

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disease treated operatively. During the operation, the patient may be wide-awake or sedated. The current literature has only compared separate cohorts. We sought to compare patient experience with both local-only anesthesia and sedation. Methods: Staged bilateral carpal tunnel release utilizing open or endoscopic technique was scheduled and followed through to completion of per-protocol analysis in 31 patients. Patients chose initial hand laterality and were randomized regarding initial anesthesia method: local-only or sedation. Data collection via questionnaires began at consent and continued to 6 weeks postoperatively from second procedure. Primary outcome measures included patient satisfaction and patient anesthesia preference. Results: At final follow-up, 6 weeks postoperatively, high satisfaction (30 of 31 patients per method) was reported with both types of anesthesia. Among these patients, 17 (54%) preferred local-only anesthesia, 10 (34%) preferred sedation, 2 had no preference, and 2 opted out of response. Although anesthesia fees were approximately $390 lower with local-only anesthesia, total costs for carpal tunnel release were not significantly different with respect to the anesthesia cohorts. Total time in surgical facility was approximately 26 minutes quicker with local-only anesthesia, largely due to shorter time in the post-anesthesia care unit. Scaled comparison of worst postoperative pain following the 2 procedures revealed no difference between local-only anesthesia and sedation. Conclusions: Patients reported equal satisfaction scores with carpal tunnel release whether performed under local-only anesthesia or with sedation. In addition, local-only anesthesia was indicated as the preference of patients in 59% of cases.     

Office Surgical Incidents: 19 Months of Florida Data

BACKGROUND: In 1999-2000 a series of sensational articles were published in the lay media emphasizing the hazards of office surgery. Since then 31 state medical boards or legislatures have, or are in the process of drafting regulations restricting office procedures. OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature, incidence and scope of injuries and deaths resulting from office procedures. METHODS: Mandatory reporting by physicians to a neutral central agency of all office surgical incidents that resulted in death, serious injury, or transfer to a hospital in the State of Florida from February 2000 to September 2001. Telephone and Internet follow up to determine reporting physician board status, hospital privilege status, and office accreditation status. RESULTS: In 19 months there were 43 procedure related-complications and eight deaths. Liposuction under general anesthesia was the single most common cause of incidents and deaths. There were no injuries or deaths reported with liposuction with tumescent anesthesia. 50% of offices reporting incidents or deaths were accredited by an independent accrediting agency. There were no incidents or deaths reported due to the anesthesia when using conscious sedation anesthesia, or intramuscular sedation or analgesia 98% of physicians reporting incidents or deaths had hospital privileges and were board certified. Anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists provided all general anesthesia, and deep sedation. There were no physicians performing procedures outside their scope of specialty training. CONCLUSION: Liposuction under general anesthesia deserves closer scrutiny. Office accreditation is not associated with fewer patient injuries and deaths. Restrictions on tumescent liposuction, conscious sedation and intramuscular sedation and analgesia would not yield any saved lives or fewer injuries since these modes of anesthesia resulted in no injuries or deaths. Board certification and hospital privilege requirements for office practice would have very little effect since the vast majority of reporting physicians already had these credentials. These data do not show an emergent hazard to patients from office surgery This data strongly contradicts the lay media portrayal of the dangers of office procedures. Mandatory reporting of office incidents should be strongly supported, and this data should be available for analysis after protecting patient confidentiality.     

Arousal withiv epinephrine depends on the depth of anesthesia

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the depth of anesthesia affects the change in the bispectral index (BIS) caused by iv epinephrine during propofol anesthesia. METHODS: Forty women undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery received a propofol target controlled infusion (TCI) to maintain a modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) score of 2 (sedation period). Subsequently anesthesia was induced with propofol TCI 5 mug.mL(-1) and rocuronium 0.9 mg.kg(-1), and propofol continued so as to maintain general anesthesia at a BIS of 50 (general anesthesia period). Intravenous epinephrine at a dose of 10 mug.5 mL(-1) in normal saline (epinephrine group, n = 20) or normal saline 5 mL (control group, n = 20) was administered during both periods. The BIS, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured immediately before, and one, two, three, four, six, eight, and ten minutes after injection. The modified OAA/S scale was evaluated during the sedation period. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the modified OAA/S scale, BIS, or hemodynamic variables compared to preinjection values during either sedation or general anesthesia in the control group. Intravenous epinephrine increased the BIS and modified OAA/S scale during sedation, but there was no increase in BIS during general anesthesia. Increases in HR and MAP were observed during both periods after iv epinephrine. CONCLUSION: Intravenous epinephrine 10 mug resulted in an arousal effect and an increase in BIS during sedation, but did not change the BIS during general anesthesia. These results suggest that the arousal effect of iv epinephrine during propofol anesthesia depends on anesthetic depth.     

Regional Anesthesia for Children Undergoing Orthopedic Ambulatory Surgeries in the United States, 1996–2006

Background

Our objective was to evaluate national trends in regional anesthetic techniques among children undergoing ambulatory orthopedic procedures.

Purpose and Questions

We aimed to determine whether an increase in regional anesthetics was primarily driven by an increase in the number of peripheral nerve blocks performed rather than an increase in neuraxial techniques. We further aimed to determine whether the proportion of peripheral nerve blocks performed in conjunction with general anesthesia has increased over time.

Patients and Methods

Our study sample included any pediatric patient (i.e., <18 years old) who underwent an orthopedic ambulatory procedure in 1996 and 2006. We obtained data on ambulatory surgical procedures by accessing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery. Patient demographics (age, gender), procedure information, and anesthesia-related variables were analyzed for each year.

Results

The proportion of peripheral nerve blocks performed for ambulatory surgery more than doubled from 1996 (4.4 %) to 2006 (8.1 %). A significantly larger proportion of orthopedic procedures were being performed with a combination of peripheral nerve blocks and general anesthesia (1.2 % in 1996 and 43 % 2006). The use of neuraxial anesthesia for lower extremity surgeries decreased over the 10-year period (1.1 and 0.4 % in 1996 and 2006, respectively).

Conclusions

There was a significant increase in the use of peripheral nerve blocks for children undergoing ambulatory orthopedic procedures in the USA, while neuraxial techniques became less common over the 10-year period. The peripheral nerve blocks were frequently performed in conjunction with general anesthesia.