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Multimodal analgesia is a strategy that can be used to improve pain management in the perioperative period for patients undergoing surgery of the spine. However, no review evidence is available on the quantitative models of multimodal analgesia within this clinical setting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effects of maximal (≥3 analgesic agents) multimodal analgesic medication for patients undergoing surgery of the spine.We included randomized controlled trials that had evaluated the use of ≥3 multimodal analgesia components (maximal multimodal analgesia) in patients undergoing spinal surgery. We excluded patients who had received neuraxial or regional analgesia. The control group consisted of placebo, standard care (any therapeutic modality including ≤2 analgesic components). The primary outcomes were the postoperative pain scores at rest evaluated at 24 and 48 hours. We searched MEDLINE via OvidSP, EMBASE via OvidSP, and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL). We used the Cochrane standard methods.We identified consistently improved analgesic endpoints across all predetermined primary and secondary outcomes. A total of 11 eligible studies had evaluated the primary outcome of pain at rest at 24 hours. The patients who had received maximal multimodal analgesia were identified to have had lower pain scores with an average mean difference of -1.03 (P0.00001). The length of hospital stay was shorter for the patients who had received multimodal analgesia (mean difference, -0.55; P0.00001).Perioperative maximal multimodal analgesia consistently improved the visual analog scale scores for an adult population in the immediate postoperative period, with a moderate quality of evidence. We found a significant decrease in the hospital length of stay for patients who had received maximal multimodal analgesia with a high level of evidence and no statistical heterogeneity.

Objective We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the impact of perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion on pain management scores, opioid consumption, adverse events, and hospital length of stay in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods We included randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of perioperative intravenous lidocaine in adult and pediatric patients undergoing spinal surgery. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores at rest and at 2, 4–6, 24, and 48 hours and adverse events attributable to lidocaine administration. We searched electronic databases from their inception to the present. We used Cochrane’s standard methods. We used a random-effects model to synthetize data. We conducted three subgroup analyses: patients undergoing major surgery vs patients undergoing minor surgery, patients with chronic pain conditions vs patients without, and adult vs pediatric patients. Results A total of eight studies were included that compared patients having intravenous lidocaine (n = 349) with controls (n = 343). Intravenous lidocaine administration was associated with significantly reduced visual analog pain scores at 2 hours (mean difference [MD] = −1.13), 4–6 hours (MD = −0.79), and 24 hours (MD = −0.50) postoperatively. In the adults, efficacy of treatment was extended to 48 hours (MD = −0.72). Perioperative intravenous lidocaine administration was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption at 24 and 48 hours, as well as decreased hospital length of stay. Conclusion Perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion consistently improves analgesic measures in adult and pediatric populations in the first 24 hours, with an effective decrease in opioid consumption noted to 48 hours. These results are most generalizable in the adult population in the first 4–6 to 24 postoperative hours.

Highlights • Although PAPRs have been recommended for high risk procedures on suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, this recommendation remains controversial due to lack of evidence. • Guidelines for appropriate use of PAPR during the current pandemic are sparse; • In well-resourced PAPR availability and deployment have formed a cornerstone of pandemic preparedness; • Field observational studies do not indicate a difference in healthcare worker infection utilizing PAPR devices versus other compliant respiratory equipment, The last two decades have seen an increasing frequency of zoonotic origin viral diseases including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2. Respiratory component of the infectious disease program against SARS-CoV-2 incorporates use of protective airborne respiratory equipment. In this narrative review, we explore the features of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) as well as logistical and evidence based advantages and disadvantages. Simulation study findings support increased heat tolerance and wearer comfort with a PAPR. Although PAPRs have been recommended for high risk procedures on suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, this recommendation remains controversial due to lack of evidence. International regulatory bodies do not mandate the use of PAPR for high risk aerosol generating procedures in patients with SARS-CoV-2. Current reports of the choice of protective respiratory technology during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are disparate. Patterns of use appear to be related to geographical locations. Field observational studies do not indicate a difference in healthcare worker infection utilizing PAPR devices versus other compliant respiratory equipment in healthcare workers performing AGPs. Whether a higher PAPR filtration factor translates to decreased infection rates of HCWs remains to be elucidated. Utilization of PAPR with high filtration efficiency may represent an example of “precautionary principle”. Action taken to reduce risk may be guided by logistical advantages of the PAPR system, rather than high level evidence.

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at particular risk during pandemics and epidemics of highly virulent diseases with significant morbidity and case fatality rate. These diseases include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola. With the current (SARS-CoV-2) global pandemic, it is critical to delineate appropriate contextual respiratory protection for HCWs. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR’s) as part of respiratory protection versus another device (egN95/FFP2) on HCW infection rates and contamination.MethodsOur primary outcomes included HCW infection rates with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, Ebola or MERS when utilizing PAPR. We included randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and observational studies. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL). Two reviewers independently screened all citations, full-text articles, and abstracted data. Due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity, we did not conduct a meta-analysis. Where applicable, we constructed Evidence Profile (EP) tables for each individual outcome. Confidence in cumulative evidence for each outcome was classified according to the GRADE system.ResultsWe identified 689 studies during literature searches. We included 10 full text studies. A narrative synthesis was provided. Two on-field studies reported no difference in the rates of healthcare workers performing airway procedures during care of critical patients with SARS-CoV-2. A single simulation trial reported a lower level of cross-contamination of participants using PAPR compared to alternative respiratory protection. There is moderate quality evidence that PAPR use is associated with greater heat tolerance but lower scores for mobility and communication ability. We identified a trend toward greater self-reported wearer comfort with PAPR technology in low quality observational simulation studies.ConclusionField observational studies do not indicate a difference in healthcare worker infection utilizing PAPR devices versus other compliant respiratory equipment. Greater heat tolerance accompanied by lower scores of mobility and audibility in PAPR were identified. Further pragmatic studies are needed in order to delineate actual effectiveness and provider satisfaction with PAPR technology.Please note: Protocol for this review was prospectively registered with the International Register of Systematic Reviews identification number CRD42020184724.

IntroductionPostcraniotomy pain protocols use opioids, which are considered suboptimal analgesia following this procedure. Multimodal analgesia components are sparse. Our null hypothesis states that sumatriptan is not different to placebo in addition to usual intravenous opioids, for the treatment of acute postcraniotomy pain.Methods and analysisThis is a prospective single-centre randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial comparing subcutaneous sumatriptan injection in the recovery area with placebo for the treatment of postcraniotomy pain. Eligible adult patients (18 years and older) undergoing craniotomy will be identified preoperatively. Both patient groups will receive a subcutaneous injection at a point where recovery-nursing staff would initiate the usual intravenous opioid analgesia as per standardised pain management protocol. In both groups, further pain management will be followed by the usual intravenous opioid administration. Primary outcome will consist of the difference in pain experienced by the two groups of patients in recovery area 60 min after the study drug administration. Postcraniotomy pain will be measured at regular intervals using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in recovery area. The minimal clinically important difference of 10 mm on the VAS between the two groups will be considered as statistically significant. We will include selected clinical and patient-reported outcomes as secondary endpoints. Univariate regression will be conducted on each one of the clinically plausible potential confounders. We will enrol a total 136 patients, with the study duration of 2 years. This trial will commence recruitment on the 1 July 2019.Ethics and disseminationThis trial protocol has achieved approval by the Austin Health Research Committee, HREC/17/Austin/596. This trial was prospectively registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on the 10/05/2018 with a unique trial identifier U1111-1209-9072 and registration Number ACTRN12618000793213P. Findings of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed academic journals.Trial registration numberU1111-1209-9072, ACTRN12618000793213P

Background Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in critically ill patients for the ease of access, long-term medication and total parenteral nutrition administration. There is a perception of equivalent utility of PICC lines with a lower incidence of complications as compared to central venous lines. Despite the perception of relative safety, complications can occur. Case Presentation We describe a case of a patient who developed increasing signs and symptoms of sepsis, shortness of breath, and hypoxemia following combined liver and renal transplant 11 days following the initial procedure. Computerised tomography of neck and chest demonstrated pneumo-mediastinum, extensive retropharyngeal and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient returned to theatre on post-operative day 12, for flexible bronchoscopy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and mediastinal washout. Following a further clinical and imaging review, an un-anticipated diagnosis of extravasated peripherally inserted central venous cannula (PICC) as a causative factor of multiple pathologies was made. PICC line was removed. Mediastinal and thoracoscopic examinations were performed and drains inserted. The patient returned to the intensive care unit for ongoing supportive management, with a gradual improvement of sepsis and resolution of mediastinal air distribution. Conclusions Peripherally inserted central venous catheters have an ease of insertion and appreciable favourable health economic outcomes. Recent reviews however have demonstrated an increased risk of catheter tip malposition, in addition to increased risk of thrombosis as compared to central venous lines. Due to the characteristic mobility of these devices, mediastinal and intra-thoracic extravasation of these catheters can occur with consequent severe morbidity. Awareness of the tip position and accompanying clinical and radiological enquiry, must be performed both in the differential diagnosis of chest pathology and prior to use of PICC lines in critically ill patients.

Background Perioperative hypothermia has been reported to increase the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. By increasing the activity of sympathetic nervous system, perioperative hypothermia also has the potential to increase cardiac injury and dysfunction associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods The Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial randomized patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery to intraoperative hypothermia (n = 499, 33.3 degrees +/- 0.8 degrees C) or normothermia (n = 501, 36.7 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees C). Cardiovascular events (hypotension, arrhythmias, vasopressor use, myocardial infarction, and others) were prospectively followed until 3-month follow-up and were compared in hypothermic and normothermic patients. A subset of 62 patients (hypothermia, n = 33; normothermia, n = 29) also had preoperative and postoperative (within 24 h) measurement of cardiac troponin-I and echocardiography to explore the association between perioperative hypothermia and subarachnoid hemorrhage-associated myocardial injury and left ventricular function. Results There was no difference between hypothermic and normothermic patients in the occurrence of any single cardiovascular event or in composite cardiovascular events. There was no difference in mortality (6%) between groups, and there was only a single primary cardiovascular death (normothermia). There was no difference between hypothermic and normothermic patients in postoperative versus preoperative left ventricular regional wall motion or ejection fraction. Compared with preoperative values, hypothermic patients had no postoperative increase in cardiac troponin-I (median change 0.00 microg/l), whereas normothermic patients had a small postoperative increase (median change + 0.01 microg/l, P = 0.038). Conclusion In patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery, perioperative hypothermia was not associated with an increased occurrence of cardiovascular events.

Background Although hypothermia and barbiturates improve neurologic outcomes in animal temporary focal ischemia models, the clinical efficacy of these interventions during temporary occlusion of the cerebral vasculature during intracranial aneurysm surgery (temporary clipping) is not established. Methods A post hoc analysis of patients from the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial who underwent temporary clipping was performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to test for associations between hypothermia, supplemental protective drug, and short- (24-h) and long-term (3-month) neurologic outcomes. An odds ratio more than 1 denotes better outcome. Results Patients undergoing temporary clipping (n = 441) were assigned to intraoperative hypothermia (33.3 degrees +/- 0.8 degrees C, n = 208) or normothermia (36.7 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees C, n = 233), with 178 patients also receiving supplemental protective drug (thiopental or etomidate) during temporary clipping. Three months after surgery, 278 patients (63%) had good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score = 1). Neither hypothermia (P = 0.847; odds ratio = 1.043, 95% CI = 0.678-1.606) nor supplemental protective drug (P = 0.835; odds ratio = 1.048, 95% CI = 0.674-1.631) were associated with 3-month Glasgow Outcome Score. The effect of supplemental protective drug did not significantly vary with temperature. The effects of hypothermia and protective drug did not significantly vary with temporary clip duration. Similar findings were made for 24-h neurologic status and 3-month Neuropsychological Composite Score. Conclusion In the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial, neither systemic hypothermia nor supplemental protective drug affected short- or long-term neurologic outcomes of patients undergoing temporary clipping.

Background Predicting outcome from ischemic-hypoxic brain injury can be difficult in patients rushed to the operating room for time-critical emergency surgery. The authors chose to evaluate the prognostic ability of bispectral index (BIS) in this setting. Methods Twenty-five critically ill, unconscious patients with ischemic-hypoxic brain injury undergoing emergency surgery were prospectively studied. Clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, BIS, and burst suppression ratio were recorded before and during surgery. Neurologic outcome of the patients was measured according to the Glasgow outcome scale at 30 days after injury, with poor neurologic outcome defined as severe disability or death. Results The incidence of poor neurologic outcome was 68%. Neither clinical judgment (P = 0.40) nor pupillary responses (P = 0.21) were predictive of neurologic outcome after surgery. An abnormal BIS trace was strongly associated with poor neurologic outcome, positive likelihood ratio 6.6 (95% CI 1.7-36.4; exact test P = 0.002). Some BIS values were significantly different when comparing patients with and without poor outcome: c-statistics for the average BIS and maximal electroencephalographic burst-suppression were 0.80 (95% CI 0.62-0.98; P = 0.017) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.68-0.99; P = 0.007), respectively. A normal BIS (P < 0.0005) but not clinical judgment (P = 0.16) could identify a group of patients more likely to survive with a good neurologic outcome. Conclusions BIS, when compared with clinical judgment and routine laboratory tests, provides useful information that may identify patients with a good chance of recovery after ischemic-hypoxic brain injury requiring emergency surgery.

UNLABELLED Remifentanil may be beneficial in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, by promoting hemodynamic stability, reducing drug requirements, and attenuating the neurohumoral "stress response." We enrolled 77 cardiac surgical patients in a double-blinded, randomized trial and randomly allocated them to one of three groups: remifentanil infusion at 0.83 micro g. kg(-1). min(-1) (Group R); fentanyl bolus, small dose, at 12 micro g/kg (Group FLD); and fentanyl bolus, moderate dose, at 24 micro g/kg (Group FMD). We found a significant difference in the median time to tracheal extubation: Group FLD, 6.5 h; Group R, 7.3 h; and Group FMD, 9.7 h (P = 0.025). Group R patients had similar times to those of Groups FLD (P = 0.14) and FMD (P = 0.30). Group FLD patients had a longer length of hospital stay (P = 0.030). Patients in Group R had a significantly infrequent rate of hypertension but a frequent rate of hypotension (P < 0.01). The urinary cortisol excretion was larger in Group FLD patients (P < 0.0005), and urine flow was smaller (P < 0.0005). Remifentanil was associated with a propofol dose reduction (P = 0.0005) and a concomitant higher bispectral index (P = 0.032). Three Group FLD patients, but none in groups FMD and R, had postoperative myocardial infarctions (P = 0.032). Remifentanil has larger drug acquisition costs but does not increase the total hospital costs associated with cardiac surgery. IMPLICATIONS Remifentanil did not significantly reduce the duration of tracheal intubation after cardiac surgery. Remifentanil, when compared with fentanyl (total doses of approximately 15 and 28 micro g/kg), blunts the hypertensive responses associated with cardiac surgery but is associated with more hypotension; when compared with fentanyl 15 micro g/kg, remifentanil reduces cortisol excretion. Larger-dose opioids (remifentanil 0.85 micro g. kg(-1). min(-1) or fentanyl 28 micro g/kg) were associated with a decreased rate of myocardial infarction after cardiac surgery.

Bilateral lung volume reduction surgery was introduced into Australia in 1995 for treatment of selected patients with emphysema. We present our experience of the anaesthetic management of our first 55 cases and describe factors associated with outcome. There were four postoperative deaths (7%). Mean (SD) total operation time was 231 (72) minutes. Median intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 26 hours. There was a significant improvement in postoperative lung function (FEV1, VC, 6-minute walk test, all P2=0.25, P=0.001), which itself was the only significant predictor of hospital stay duration (R2=0.36, P

Hypothesis This project tested the hypothesis that computer-aided decision support during the first 30 minutes of trauma resuscitation reduces management errors. Design Ours was a prospective, open, randomized, controlled interventional study that evaluated the effect of real-time, computer-prompted, evidence-based decision and action algorithms on error occurrence during initial resuscitation between January 24, 2006, and February 25, 2008. Setting A level I adult trauma center. Patients Severely injured adults. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome variable was the error rate per patient treated as demonstrated by deviation from trauma care algorithms. Computer-assisted video audit was used to assess adherence to the algorithms. Results A total of 1171 patients were recruited into 3 groups: 300 into a baseline control group, 436 into a concurrent control group, and 435 into the study group. There was a reduction in error rate per patient from the baseline control group to the study group (2.53 to 2.13, P = .004) and from the control group to the study group (2.30 to 2.13, P = .04). The difference in error rate per patient from the baseline control group to the concurrent control group was not statistically different (2.53 to 2.30, P = .21). A critical decision was required every 72 seconds, and error-free resuscitations were increased from 16.0% to 21.8% ( P = .049) during the first 30 minutes of resuscitation. Morbidity from shock management ( P = .03), blood use ( P P = .046) were decreased. Conclusions Computer-aided, real-time decision support resulted in improved protocol compliance and reduced errors and morbidity. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00164034

OBJECTIVE: We examined the incidence of perioperative fever and its relationship to outcome among patients enrolled in the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial. METHODS: One thousand patients with initial World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades of I to III undergoing clipping of intracranial aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage were randomized to intraoperative normothermia (36 degrees C-37 degrees C) or hypothermia (32.5 degrees C-33.5 degrees C). Fever (> or =38.5 degrees C) and other complications (including infections) occurring between admission and discharge (or death) were recorded. Functional and neuropsychologic outcomes were assessed 3 months postoperatively. The primary outcome variable for the trial was dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale (good outcome versus all others). RESULTS: Fever was reported in 41% of patients. In 97% of these, fever occurred in the postoperative period. The median time from surgery to first fever was 3 days. All measures of outcome were worse in patients who developed fever, even in those without infections or who were World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade I. Logistic regression analyses were performed to adjust for differences in preoperative factors (e.g., age, Fisher grade, initial neurological status). This demonstrated that fever continued to be significantly associated with most outcome measures, even when infection was added to the model. An alternative stepwise model selection process including all fever-related measures from the preoperative and intraoperative period (e.g., hydrocephalus, duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss) resulted in the loss of significance for dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale, but significant associations between fever and several other outcome measures remained. After adding postoperative delayed ischemic neurological deficits to the model, only worsened National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Barthel Activities of Daily Living index, and discharge destination (home versus other) remained independently associated with fever. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that fever is associated with worsened outcome in surgical subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, although, because the association between fever and the primary outcome measure for the trial is dependent on the covariates used in the analysis (particularly operative events and delayed ischemic neurological deficits), we cannot rule out the possibility that fever is a marker for other events. Only a formal trial of fever treatment or prevention can address this issue.

We report the case of an orthotopic heart transplant in a patient with multiple previous cardiac surgeries. The case was prolonged and complicated by severe coagulopathy and bleeding despite the use of full-dose aprotinin throughout. Bleeding was not controlled after 30 U of platelets, 20 U of fresh frozen plasma, and 10 U of cryoprecipitate. However, after the administration of recombinant factor VIIa 90 microg/kg, the rate of bleeding slowed dramatically and no further factor replacement was required. There was no evidence of unwanted clot formation within the newly transplanted heart or around the intraaortic balloon pump that remained in situ for 72 h postoperatively. With the combined risks of coagulopathy and bleeding as well as acute right ventricular failure with increases in pulmonary vascular resistance, the re-do sternotomy for heart transplant seems to be an ideal situation in which to consider the use of recombinant factor VIIa.

Objectives: To review the experience of anesthesia for bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BSLTx) and describe factors associated with outcome. Design: Case series. Setting: University hospital. Participants: Sixty-four adult patients undergoing BSLTx. Interventions: Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Measurements and Main Results: Details of anesthetic technique, patient, and perioperative characteristics are presented. Mean (SD) lung allograft ischemic times were 320 (81) minutes for the first lung and 446 (93) minutes for the second lung. Mean (SD) duration of surgery was 8.5(2) hours, and median time to extubation was 28 hours. There was a reduction in the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, from 10 of 19 (53%) in 1992 to 1993 to 10 of 45 (22%) in 1994 to 1996, p = 0.016. There was an association between time to extubation and duration of surgery (Spearman rank correlation, p = 0.33, p = 0.008), but no association with intraoperative fluid administration (p = 0.18, p = 0.16), or inotrope requirements (p = 0.06, p = 0.65). Predictors of in-hospital mortality were preoperative renal impairment (p = 0.034), early reoperation (p = 0.005), and delay in extubation (p = 0.013); and for 12-month mortality was patient age (p = 0.01). The actuarial survival rates were 90%, 73%, and 58% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Conclusions: Anesthesia for BSLTx is a most challenging procedure, for which maintenance of tissue oxygenation and right ventricular perfusion are essential. Recent advances include use of inhaled nitric oxide, ventilator management that reduces dynamic hyperinflation, and permissive hypercapnia. Analysis of outcome from a large case series such as this enables the anesthesiologist to be more aware of the important features of anesthesia for BSLTx, as well as identify potential areas of improvement.

Lung volume reduction surgery(LVRS) can provide symptomatic improvement in patients with advanced emphysema. Both the open and video-assisted approaches to LVRS are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Selective bronchoscopic placement of prostheses into segmental bronchi has the potential to achieve LVRS by promoting absorption atelectasis without an incision or intercostal drainage. Aim: this phase 1 study reports the safety and efficacy of BLVR. Methods: following successful sheep experiments, patients with apical emphysema and hyperinflation (otherwise acceptable for standard approach LVR) had apical bronchoscopic segmental airway placement of one-way valves under general anesthesia. The 4 or 6mm valves were silicone based and mounted in a Nitinol bronchial stent (Emphasys Medical Inc, CA, USA). Placement was over a guidewire under bronchoscopic and fluoroscopic control. Results: 5 patients(2M,3F, age 57-69yrs)underwent BLVR. Mean preoperative FEV1 was 0.72L(0.38-1.02L, 23-34% predicted)with a 6minute walk of 354m(315-402m).6-11 prostheses per patient took 90-135 minutes to obstruct most or all upper lobe segments bilaterally. Inpatient stay was 2-8 days. Relatively minor complications seen include minor exacerabtion of COPD(n 3), hemoptysis, pneumothorax(managed with aspiration only) and lower lobe pneumonia(n 1 for each). Symptomatic improvement is noted in 3 of 5 and the other 2 are currently stable. At 1 month lung function is unchanged in 4 patients and imaging shows collapse in only 1 patient. Conclusion: BLVR is a potentially useful novel therapy for emphysema. This pilot study shows that BLVR protheses can be safely placed into the human lung. The absence of xray lung reduction or spirometric improvement likely indicates significant collateral ventilation is occurring, possibly from previously undescribed interlobar collaterals. Alternatively, valve leakage remains possible. Extended followup studies, with active attempts to collapse the obstructed segments are pending.

Major trauma patients who are intubated and ventilated are exposed to the potential risk of iatrogenic hypercapnic and hypocapnic physiological stress. In the pre-hospital setting, end-tidal capnography is used as a practical means of estimating arterial carbon dioxide concentrations and to guide the adequacy of ventilation. In our study, potentially deleterious hypercapnia (mean 47 mmHg, range 26 to 83 mmHg) due to hypoventilation was demonstrated in 49% of 100 intubated major trauma patients arriving at a major Australian trauma centre. A mean gradient of 15 mmHg arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration difference was found, highlighting the limitations of capnography in this setting. Moreover, 80% of the patients in the study had a head injury. Physiological deadspace due to hypovolaemia in these patients is commonly thought to contribute to the increased arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide gradient in trauma patients. However in this study, scene and arrival patient hypoxia was more predictive of hypoventilation and an increased arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide gradient than physiological markers of shock. Greater vigilance for hypercapnia in intubated trauma patients is required. Additionally, a larger study may confirm that lower end-tidal carbon dioxide levels could be safely targeted in the pre-hospital and emergency department ventilation strategies of the subgroup of major trauma patients with scene hypoxia.

There is an increasing number of specialties performing office-based procedures, with many different providers practising in this field. Office Based Anaesthesia Solutions is a private enterprise designed to be a high-quality general anaesthesia and sedation service delivering care across 18 dental practices in Victoria. We undertook a criterion-based audit of our practice standards and outcomes. Following ethics approval, we retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients managed by our service between March 2014 and July 2017. We collected demographic data, information about anaesthesia technique, and surgical features. We assessed our findings against the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) day surgery policy documents. During the specified period, we provided anaesthesia or sedation for 1,323 patients. Their ages ranged from two to 93 years (mean [standard deviation] 33.3 [18.6] years). Ninety-three percent of patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification 1 or 2. Patient demographics were in line with ANZCA day surgical policy documents. Total intravenous anaesthesia was used in 1,054 of the 1,096 documented general anaesthesia cases. There were three unplanned hospital transfers (annual incidence 0.07%). As this was the first Australian criteria-based audit of office-based anaesthesia (OBA) for dental procedures, we cannot compare our findings directly to previous studies. However, we feel that our patient demographics fell within acceptable ANZCA day procedure standards and our adverse event rate was both very low and similar to other published international adverse event rates. Our audit indicates that with careful screening processes, patient selection and medical governance, OBA is a viable model of care for patients undergoing dental procedures.