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Introduction: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA), which is used in difficult airway maintenance conditions during emergencies, is rarely used in prolonged surgery despite its advantages over endotracheal tube (ETT). In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of intraoperative gas exchanges between second-generation LMA and ETT during prolonged laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Methods: Prolonged surgery was defined as a surgery lasting more than 2 h. In total, 394 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection via either second-generation LMA or ETT were retrospectively analysed. The following parameters were compared between the two groups of patients: end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (ETCO2), tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), pH and ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fractional inspired oxygen (PFR) during surgery. In addition, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), including pulmonary aspiration, was compared. Results: The values of ETCO2, TV, RR and PIP during pneumoperitoneum were comparable between the two groups. Although PaCO2 at 2 h after induction was higher in patients in the LMA group (40.5 vs. 38.5 mmHg, P < 0.001), the pH and PFR values of the two groups were comparable. The incidence of PPC was similar. Conclusion: During prolonged laparoscopic abdominal surgery, second-generation LMA facilitates adequate intraoperative gas exchange and may serve as an alternative to ETT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) provides optimal analgesia for shoulder surgery. However, several limitations still exist, including the short duration of analgesia, rebound pain, a high incidence of unilateral diaphragmatic paresis, and potential risk of nerve damage, prompting the search for alternative techniques. Many alternatives to ISBPB have been studied to alleviate these concerns, and clinicians should choose an appropriate option based on the patient’s condition. In this mini-review, we aimed to present recent updates on ISBPB while discussing our clinical experiences in shoulder surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and intrathecal morphine are accepted analgesic strategies in laparoscopic liver resection, but their effects have not been compared after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy. This study was planned to perform this comparison.Methods: Fifty-six donors were randomized to receive bilateral posterior (QLB2, 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine on each side, 150 mg total) or preoperative injection of 0.4 mg morphine sulfate intrathecally. Primary outcome was resting pain score at 24 hour postsurgery. Secondary outcomes included cumulative opioid consumption and recovery parameters. Serial plasma ropivacaine concentrations were measured in QLB group. Only the outcome assessor was properly blinded.Results: Mean resting pain score at 24-hour postsurgery was 4.19±1.66 in QLB group (n=27) and 3.07±1.41 in intrathecal morphine group (n=27, p=0.04). Mean difference (QLB group-intrathecal morphine group) was 1.11 (95% CI 0.27 to 1.95), and the upper limit of CI was higher than prespecified non-inferiority margin (δ=1), indicating an inferior effect of QLB. Cumulative opioid consumption was significantly higher in QLB group at 24 hours and 48 hours postsurgery. QLB group exhibited lower incidence of postoperative pruritus at all time points, and there were no differences in other recovery outcomes. All measured ropivacaine concentrations were below the threshold for systemic toxicity (4.3 µg/mL).Conclusions: Bilateral posterior QLB elicited higher resting pain scores at 24-hour after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy than intrathecal morphine and did not meet the definition of non-inferiority.Trial Registration Number: KCT0005360. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Intrathecal morphine (ITM) provides effective postoperative analgesia in living donor hepatectomy but has significant adverse effects. Studies support the efficacy of erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks in laparoscopic abdominal surgery; we therefore hypothesized that they would provide non-inferior postoperative analgesia compared with ITM and reduce postoperative nausea/vomiting and pruritus. We conducted a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial to compare the analgesic efficacy of ITM and bilateral single-injection ESP blocks in laparoscopic donor hepatectomy. Methods Fifty-four donors were randomized to receive bilateral ESP blocks with 20 mL 0.5% ropivacaine (n=27) or 400 µg ITM (n=27). Primary outcome was resting pain score 24 hours postoperatively measured on an 11-point numeric rating scale. The prespecified non-inferiority limit was 1. Incidences of postoperative nausea/vomiting and pruritus were assessed. Results The mean treatment difference (ESP-ITM) in the primary outcome was 1.2 (95% CI 0.7 to 1.8). The 95% CI upper limit exceeded the non-inferiority limit. Opioid consumption and all other pain measurements were similar between groups up to 72 hours postoperatively. The ESP group had significantly lower incidences of postoperative vomiting (p=0.002) and pruritus (p<0.001). Conclusions Bilateral single-injection ESP blocks resulted in higher resting pain scores 24 hours postoperatively compared with ITM and thus did not meet the study definition of non-inferiority. However, the pain intensity with ESP blocks was mild (mean pain scores <3/10) and associated with reduced incidence of postoperative vomiting and pruritus. It warrants further investigation as an analgesic option after laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Hemidiaphragmatic paresis is common after supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SCBPB). In this randomized trial, we compared the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis in patients who had local anesthetic injected primarily in the corner pocket (defined as the intersection of the first rib and subclavian artery) during SCBPB with that of patients who underwent injection primarily inside the neural cluster.Methods: Thirty-six patients scheduled for right elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand surgery under SCBPB (using 12.5 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine and 12.5 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. In group CP, local anesthetic was injected primarily in the corner pocket (20 mL) and secondarily inside the neural cluster (5 mL). In group NC, local anesthetic was deposited primarily inside the neural cluster (20 mL) and secondarily in the corner pocket (5 mL). The primary outcome was the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis, as measured by M-mode ultrasonography 30 minutes after SCBPB.Results: The incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis was significantly lower in group CP than in group NC (27.8% vs 66.7%, P = 0.019). The median decreases in forced expiratory volume at 1 second (7.5% [interquartile range, 3.3%-17.1%] vs 24.4% [interquartile range, 10.2%-31.2%]; P = 0.010) and forced vital capacity (6.4% [interquartile range, 3.3%-11.1%] vs 19.3% [interquartile range, 13.7%-33.2%]; P = 0.001) were also lower in group CP than in group NC.Conclusions: The incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis was effectively reduced when local anesthetic was injected primarily in the corner pocket during right-sided SCBPB. However, the 28% incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis associated with the corner pocket technique may still represent a prohibitive risk for patients with preexisting pulmonary compromise.Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered at Clinical Trial Registry of Korea, identifier KCT0001769. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical plexus blocks (CPBs) have been used in various head and neck surgeries to provide adequate anesthesia and/or analgesia; however, the block is performed in a narrow space in the region of the neck that contains many sensitive structures, multiple fascial layers, and complicated innervation. Since the intermediate CPB was introduced in addition to superficial and deep CPBs in 2004, there has been some confusion regarding the nomenclature and definition of CPBs, particularly the intermediate CPB. Additionally, as the role of ultrasound in the head and neck region has expanded, CPBs can be performed more safely and accurately under ultrasound guidance. In this review, the authors will describe the methods, including ultrasound-guided techniques, and clinical applications of conventional deep and superficial CPBs; in addition, the authors will discuss the controversial issues regarding intermediate CPBs, including nomenclature and associated potential adverse effects that may often be neglected, focusing on the anatomy of the cervical fascial layers and cervical plexus. Finally, the authors will attempt to refine the classification of CPB methods based on the target compartments, which can be easily identified under ultrasound guidance, with consideration of the effects of each method of CPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study an examination was done of the effects of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) Evidence- Based Clinical Practice Guidelines on body temperature, shivering, thermal discomfort, and time to achieve normothermia in patients undergoing total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKRA) under spinal anesthesia. Methods: This study was an experimental study with a randomized controlled trial design. Participants (n=60) were patients who underwent TKRA between December 2011 and March 2012. Experimental group (n=30) received active and passive warming measures as described in the ASPAN's guidelines. Control group (n=30) received traditional care. Body temperature, shivering, thermal discomfort, time to achieve normothermia were measured in both groups at 30 minute intervals. Results: Experimental group had slightly higher body temperature compared to control group (p=.002). Thermal discomfort was higher in the experimental group before surgery but higher in the control group after surgery (p=.034). It decreased after surgery (p=.041) in both groups. Time to achieve normothermia was shorter in the experimental group (p=.010). Conclusion: ASPAN's guidelines provide guidance on measuring patient body temperature at regular intervals and on individualized and differentiated hypothermia management which can be very useful in nursing care, particularly in protecting patient safety and improving quality of nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high predilection for portal vein invasion, and the prognosis of HCC with malignant portal vein invasion is extremely poor. The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes and the prognostic factor of recurrence in HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data and outcomes of 83 HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion and 1,056 patients without portal vein invasion who underwent liver resection. Results: Increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, increased maximum tumor size, and intrahepatic metastasis were predisposing factors for malignant portal vein invasion by multivariate analysis. The median disease-free survival and overall survival of HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion was 4.5 months and 25 months, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 30.6%, 26.1%, and 21.2%, respectively, and the overall survival rates for HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion were 68.6%, 54.2%, and 41.6%, respectively. The initial detection site was the lung in HCC patients with portal vein invasion and the liver in HCC patients without portal vein invasion. C-reactive protein (CRP) was a significant independent predictor of tumor recurrence in HCC with malignant portal vein invasion after surgery. Conclusions: Increased ALP levels, increased maximum tumor size, and intrahepatic metastasis were independent predictors of malignant portal vein invasion in HCC. CRP level was closely associated with the predisposing factor of tumor recurrence in HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion after a surgical resection, and lung metastasis was common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]