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Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a widely preferred method for treating complex kidney stones, particularly in patients with larger or more complicated stones. Despite its advantages, such as minimal invasiveness and a shorter recovery time, postoperative complications can occur, thereby necessitating effective risk assessment tools to identify at-risk patients. This study evaluated the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) scoring system's utility in predicting postoperative complications following standard PCNL. This retrospective study included 218 patients who underwent standard PCNL from June 2020 to August 2024 at our institution. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative factors were collected and analyzed. Postoperative complications were classified using the modified Clavien–Dindo system. The E-PASS scoring system, which incorporates the Preoperative Risk Score (PRS), Surgical Stress Score (SSS), and Comprehensive Risk Score (CRS), was applied to stratify risk. Postoperative complications occurred in 38 patients (17.4%). Significant predictors included advanced age, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores, and comorbidities like diabetes and coronary artery disease. Intraoperative factors, such as prolonged operative times, number of access and greater blood loss, were also associated with complications. Multivariate analysis identified higher CRS and greater stone burden as independent predictors (p = 0.012 and p = 0.037, respectively). The CRS demonstrated moderate discrimination, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.747. The E-PASS scoring system effectively predicts postoperative complications in PCNL, underscoring the importance of thorough preoperative and intraoperative evaluation. Future studies should explore its broader applicability across other urological procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the active ingredients, related targets, and potential mechanism of Rhodiola rosea in reducing the levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoid (GC) during surgical stress based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods The TCMSP database and STRING database were employed to obtain the active ingredients of Rhodiola Rosea and the associated target genes. NCBI database and OMIM data-base were searched for the target genes of surgical stress, CRH, and GC, respectively. The core target genes of CRH and GC in the process of Rhodiola Rosea reducing surgical stress were obtained after the intersection. GO and KEEG analyses were further conducted based on the core targets. Cytoscape software was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and the top five core target genes were obtained according to the degree value. The binding energy of core target genes with the active ingredients of Rhodiola rosea was analyzed using molecular docking. Results After the screening, we identified 10 active compounds of Rhodiola rosea and 191 associated target genes. The top three effective active ingredients with the highest degree values were quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin. A total of 118 target genes related to surgical stress, including 44 targets related to CRH, and 502 targets related to GC, were obtained. After intersecting with the drug-associated targets, 16 core target genes were obtained. GO analysis showed that 136 core target genes were enriched in biological processes, 6 in cellular components, and 15 in the molecular function. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the core target genes were mainly enriched in the advanced glycation end products-receptor of advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, and human cytomegalovirus infection. The PPI network consisted of 16 nodes and 93 edges, and the top five core target genes were prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), SPP1, and TP53. Quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin all had strong binding effects with PTGS2, IL-6, SPP1, and TP53 (all binding energies ≤-5 kcal/mol). Conclusion Rhodiola rosea can reduce the levels of CRH and GC during surgical stress by regulating the expression of PTGS2, IL-6, SPP1, and TP53 through its active ingredients quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin, and the mechanism may be related to the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both tissue hypoperfusion and elevated surgical stress during surgery are involved in the pathogenesis of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Although intraoperative hypotension, which evokes renal hypoperfusion, has been reported to be associated with the development of postoperative AKI, there is no consensus on the association between surgical stress responses (e.g., hypertension and inflammation) and postoperative AKI. Given that intraoperative values of nociceptive response (NR) index are reportedly associated with surgical stress responses, the present study was performed to assess associations between intraoperative NR index and postoperative AKI in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In this single-institutional retrospective cohort study, data of the highest and lowest values of NR index during surgery were obtained in consecutive adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia from February 2022 to August 2023. Data on highest and lowest mean blood pressure (MBP) during surgery were also obtained. In 5,765 patients enrolled, multivariate regression analysis revealed that the development of early postoperative AKI was significantly associated with highest NR during surgery ≥ 0.920, lowest MBP during surgery < 54 mmHg, age ≥ 48 years, male sex, ASA-PS ≥ III, emergency, and duration of surgery ≥ 226 min. In addition to intraoperative hypotension, a higher level of intraoperative NR index is likely associated with higher incidence of early postoperative AKI in adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qingqing Xu, Xue Cheng, Hong Sun, Guangyuan Su, Yuanhui Fei, Chunhui Wang, Chao Han Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chao Han, Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu, 214200, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613961568178, Email staff940@yxph.comPurpose: This study aimed to compare the impact of remimazolam-based versus propofol-based intravenous anesthesia on surgical stress and post-operative immune function in patients undergoing gastric radical surgery.Patients and Methods: Sixty-eight patients aged 50 to 80 undergoing gastric radical surgery were randomly assigned to the remimazolam group (group R) or the propofol group (group P), receiving remimazolam or propofol-based intravenous anesthesia, respectively. The primary outcome measured was peri-operative serum stress indicators and lymphocyte subtypes. Secondary outcomes included hemodynamic vitals, recovery quality, postoperative pain profiles and potential adverse effects.Results: The demographic and surgical characteristics of the 60 analyzed patients were comparable. The absolute counts of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cell decreased significantly on POD1 compared with baseline. On POD3, the numbers of CD3+CD4+ cells in group R were lower than baseline and Group P, whereas the CD3+CD8+ cell counts in both groups were lower than baseline, with group R higher than group P. The CD3-CD16+CD56+ cell numbers in both groups on POD1 and POD3 decreased significantly compared to baseline with group P lower than group R on POD3. The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ACTH and COR rose sharply 2 hours after the beginning of surgery compared to baseline. Notably, all these parameters in group R were higher than those in group P. Additionally, blood pressure and intra-operative vasoactive drug frequency in group R were higher than that in group P. No significant differences in recovery quality, postoperative pain profiles, and potential adverse effects were observed.Conclusion: Remimazolam-based intravenous anesthesia might favour the recovery of cellular immune function in early postoperative period compared to propofol. On the contrary, remimazolam was inferior to propofol in suppressing surgical stress. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.Keywords: remimazolam, propofol, surgical stress, post-operative immune function, gastric radical surgery

Surgical stress is one of the key factors that promote tumor metastasis and recurrence. Adopting corresponding treatment strategies based on the mechanism of surgical stress promoting tumor metastasis and recurrence is of great significance for improving the postoperative prognosis of tumor patients. This article summarized the mechanisms that may affect surgical stress-induced tumor metastasis and recurrences, such as shedding and colonization of circulating tumor cells, changes in postoperative immune microenvironment and postoperative endocrine hormone levels. It also outlined the treatment strategies related to postoperative hormone levels and cytokine regulation, immunotherapy, and tumor vaccines to provide references for the treatment of tumor metastasis and recurrence after surgery.

Patients with lung cancer have a high incidence of tumor recurrence even after curative surgical resection. Some reports indicated that immunosuppressive cells induced by surgical stress could contribute to tumor recurrence after surgery; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we found that increased postoperative blood monocytes served as a risk factor for tumor recurrence in 192 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We established the lung cancer recurrent mouse model after tumor resection and showed that the surgical stress immediately increased the level of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which subsequently increased blood monocytes. These blood monocytes were rapidly recruited into distant micrometastases and became tumor growth-promoting tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). Furthermore, even after the blood MCP-1 and monocytes decreased enough 72 h after tumor resection, TAMs in micrometastases remained rich because the MCP-1 secreted by micrometastases themselves continued to recruit monocytes around the tumor. Consequently, tumor resection triggered the outgrowth of distant metastases via the MCP-1–Monocyte–TAM axis. When we administered the MCP-1 inhibitor to the lung cancer recurrent model mice, blood monocytes decreased after tumor resection, and TAMs in micrometastases also dramatically decreased. Finally, peri- and postoperative treatment with the MCP-1 inhibitor suppressed distant metastases after surgery. Targeting the MCP-1–Monocyte–TAM axis may inhibit surgical stress-induced NSCLC recurrence by attenuating postoperative immunosuppressive monocytes in micrometastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of perioperative steroid hormone usage in hepatectomy patients through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the perioperative use of steroid hormones in hepatectomy patients were systematically searched using various databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Data, and the CNKI database. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data from selected studies. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The results revealed significantly lower levels of total bilirubin (standard mean difference [SMD] = −0.7; 95% CI: −1.23 to −0.18; and p = 0.009), interleukin-6 (SMD = −1.02; 95% CI: −1.27 to −0.77; and p < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (SMD = −0 .65; 95% CI: −1 .18 to −0.11; and p = 0.02) on postoperative day 1 (POD 1), as well as a reduced incidence of postoperative complications in the steroid group compared to the placebo group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, aspartic aminotransferase (AST) levels, or specific complications such as intraabdominal infection (p = 0.72), wound infection (p = 0.1), pleural effusion (p = 0.43), bile leakage (p = 0.66), and liver failure (p = 0.16). The meta-analysis results indicate that perioperative steroid usage can effectively alleviate liver function impairment and inflammation response following hepatectomy while improving patient prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The inhibition of the pituitary gland, an increase in the production of catabolic hormones, and the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system culminate in surgical stress. These factors result in elevated hepatic glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis, decreased skeletal muscle glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis, and hyperglycaemia. Aim: To examine the effects of Subarachnoid Block (SAB) and General Anaesthesia (GA) on perioperative Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG) levels in individuals undergoing surgery lasting 1-3 hours. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study included 100 non diabetic patients undergoing surgery of 1-3 hours duration with 50 patients in each group (GA and SAB). CBG was checked 30 minutes before the administration of anaesthesia, 30 and 60 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia, and 30 minutes after shifting to the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) in both the GA and SAB groups. Differences in participant characteristics, such as age and CBG levels in the two groups (SAB and GA), were examined using the two-tailed Independent samples t-test and the Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test Results: The mean CBG levels measured 30 minutes before anaesthesia in the GA group were 105.50±21.13 mg/dL, while in the SAB group they were 99.67±19.04 mg/dL, with a p-value of 0.330. However, CBG levels measured 30 minutes after anaesthesia in the GA group were 125.69±22.95 mg/dL, compared to 104.67±20.94 mg/dL in the SAB group, with a p-value of 0.001. At 60 minutes after anaesthesia, CBG levels in the GA group were 152.41±28.97 mg/dL, while in the SAB group they were 99.65±22.69 mg/dL, with a p-value of 0.003. Finally, 30 minutes after shifting to PACU, CBG levels in the GA group were 147.49±27.20 mg/dL, compared to 92.86±24.35 mg/dL in the SAB group, with a p-value of 0.002. Conclusion: CBG levels significantly increased in individuals receiving GA for surgery. This indicates that the hormonal stress response is greater during GA compared to SAB.

Introduction: The inhibition of the pituitary gland, an increase in the production of catabolic hormones, and the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system culminate in surgical stress. These factors result in elevated hepatic glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis, decreased skeletal muscle glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis, and hyperglycaemia. Aim: To examine the effects of Subarachnoid Block (SAB) and General Anaesthesia (GA) on perioperative Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG) levels in individuals undergoing surgery lasting 1-3 hours. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study included 100 non diabetic patients undergoing surgery of 1-3 hours duration with 50 patients in each group (GA and SAB). CBG was checked 30 minutes before the administration of anaesthesia, 30 and 60 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia, and 30 minutes after shifting to the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) in both the GA and SAB groups. Differences in participant characteristics, such as age and CBG levels in the two groups (SAB and GA), were examined using the two-tailed Independent samples t-test and the Chi-square/ Fisher's exact test. Results: The mean CBG levels measured 30 minutes before anaesthesia in the GA group were 105.50±21.13 mg/dL, while in the SAB group they were 99.67±19.04 mg/dL, with a p-value of 0.330. However, CBG levels measured 30 minutes after anaesthesia in the GA group were 125.69±22.95 mg/dL, compared to 104.67±20.94 mg/dL in the SAB group, with a p-value of 0.001. At 60 minutes after anaesthesia, CBG levels in the GA group were 152.41±28.97 mg/dL, while in the SAB group they were 99.65±22.69 mg/dL, with a p-value of 0.003. Finally, 30 minutes after shifting to PACU, CBG levels in the GA group were 147.49±27.20 mg/dL, compared to 92.86±24.35 mg/dL in the SAB group, with a p-value of 0.002. Conclusion: CBG levels significantly increased in individuals receiving GA for surgery. This indicates that the hormonal stress response is greater during GA compared to SAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgery through different mechanisms causes immunosuppression in the postoperative period. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative administration of propranolol on blood levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and hematological parameters, such as white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes. Methods: Forty-five Wistar male rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 (normal control) was injected with normal saline. Groups 2 and 3 were injected subcutaneously with 4 mg/kg of the propranolol (P4) and 8 mg/kg of the propranolol (P8), respectively. Blood samples were collected (before, immediately, 6, 24, and 72 hours after surgery). Then, the IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, WBCs, and lymphocytes levels were determined at different time points. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and the Pearson-test at a significant level of P≤0.05. Results: The results showed a higher level of IL-2 in the P8 and P4 groups with a significant difference compared to the control group (P≤0.05). TNF-α was decreased significantly in the P8 compared to the P4 and control groups (P≤0.05). The P4 has shown a lower level of IFN-γ compared to the P8 and control groups with a significant diference (P≤0.05). Conclusion: It appears that propranolol has considerable immunomodulatory effects on immune responses. Therefore, perioperative use of propranolol may improve immune system function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human physiological response "to stress" includes all metabolic and hormonal changes produced by a traumatic event at the micro or macro cellular levels. The main goal of the body's first response to trauma is to keep physiological homeostasis. The perioperative non-specific adaptation response can sometimes be detrimental and can produce systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), characterized by hypermetabolism and hyper catabolism. We performed a narrative review consisting of a description of the surgical stress response's categories of changes (neurohormonal and immunological response) followed by reviewing methods found in published studies to modulate the surgical stress response perioperatively. We described various preoperative measures cited in the literature as lowering the burden of surgical trauma. This article revises the anesthetic drugs and techniques that have an impact on the surgical stress response and proven immune-modulatory effects. We also tried to name present knowledge gaps requiring future research. Our review concludes that proper preoperative measures, adequate general anesthetics, multimodal analgesia, early postoperative mobilization, and early enteral nutrition can decrease the stress response to surgery and ease patient recovery. Anesthetics and analgesics used during the perioperative period may modulate the innate and adaptive immune system and inflammatory system, with a consecutive impact on cancer recurrence and long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, the invasiveness of thoracic surgery has decreased along with technological advances and better diagnostic tools, whereas the patient's comorbidities and frailty patterns have increased, as well as the number of early cancer stages that could benefit from curative resection. Poor aerobic fitness, nutritional defects, sarcopenia and "toxic" behaviors such as sedentary behavior, smoking and alcohol consumption are modifiable risk factors for major postoperative complications. The process of enhancing patients' physiological reserve in anticipation for surgery is referred to as prehabilitation. Components of prehabilitation programs include optimization of medical treatment, prescription of structured exercise program, correction of nutritional deficits and patient's education to adopt healthier behaviors. All patients may benefit from prehabilitation, which is part of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. Faster functional recovery is expected in low-risk patients, whereas better clinical outcome and shorter hospital stay have been demonstrated in higher risk and physically unfit patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastatic processes remain the main cause of deaths in oncology. Methods of anesthesia, in particular regional anesthesia, are considered as potential modulators of the immune response and metastatic spread. The ambiguity of the available data on the effect of regional and general anesthesia on metastatic spread is partly due to the fact that general anesthetic in combined anesthesia is quite often not taken into account, and this, in turn, masks the possible influence of regional anesthesia.The purpose of this meta-analysis was to make a comparative assessment of the effect of general anesthesia and general anesthesia in combination with regional anesthesia on the relapse-free and overall survival of cancer patients after surgery.Materials and methods. We analyzed 8 randomized controlled trials involving 1822 patients and comparing the groups of cancer patients who were operated either under general anesthesia (total intravenous (TIVA) or inhalation (IA)), or general anesthesia in combination with regional anesthesia (TIVA+RA or IA+RA, respectively). Trial using combinations of inhaled and intravenous anesthetics was excluded from the analysis for a more accurate assessment of the effect of regional anesthesia. The study complies with the recommendations of the Cochrane Community and PRISMA standards. The protocol was registered on the INPLASY platform. We used PubMed, Google Scholar and CENTRAL databases. We used a subgroup analysis and GRADE tool to assess the quality of evidence.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in relapse-free and overall survival when comparing different anesthesia methods. For a relapse-free survival, comparing TIVA vs TIVA+RA resulted in no significant difference : OR=1.20 [95% CI 0.92-1.55]; when IA vs IA+RA were compared, OR=1.10 [95% CI 0.94-1.29]. Similar results were obtained for overall survival.Conclusion. Based on the meta-analysis results, regional anesthesia had no effect on relapse-free and overall survival in oncosurgery patients.

Abstract Background/aims The natural history of pancreatic branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) is still unknown. This retrospective study aims to determine the morphological changes of BD-IPMNs with attention to the history of surgical resection for extrapancreatic malignancies. Methods and materials This study included 427 subjects with BD-IPMN at the Osaka Medical College from January 2001 to December 2019; 134 patients were included. The predictive factors for the progression of BD-IPMN based on morphological changes were evaluated by univariate as well as multivariate analyses. Furthermore, the clinical features of BD-IPMNs with progressive lesions during follow-up were investigated. Results The average interval of follow-up was 35.8 months (with a range between 12.1 and 157 months). Disease progression occurred in 6 subjects (4.5%). In two of them (1.5%), IPMN-related invasive carcinoma was found. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that surgical resection for extrapancreatic malignancies was a significant predictor of BD-IPMN progression. Conclusion The history of resection of extrapancreatic malignancies should be considered during the follow-up of BD-IPMN.

Abstract The strong perioperative stress response caused by surgical anesthesia can significantly suppress immune function, and the body is in a state of immunosuppression for 3 to 4 days after surgery, which leads to an increase in the probability of postoperative infection. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that acupuncture points can "reconcile yin and yang", promote the recovery of immune function, and help reduce the incidence of postoperative infection. Macrophages are an important type of immune cells that participate in the body's innate immunity. They have powerful phagocytosis and clearance functions. They can be polarized into M1 and M2 types under the regulation of the body, and play different roles in fighting microbial infections. Among them, the M1 type can participate in the elimination of pathogens. In this study, we will investigate the perioperative acupoint electrical stimulation to alleviate the immunosuppressive state of surgical stress mice, clarify the regulation of perioperative acupoint electrical stimulation on glucocorticoids and the relationship between NF-κB molecules and macrophage polarization.The key molecules of related pathways were verified by glucocorticoid receptor inhibitors, and it was found that electrical stimulation of acupoints during the perioperative period can affect the polarization of macrophages in surgically stressed mice to the M1 type by reducing the level of glucocorticoids and promoting the expression of NF κB molecules. Further reveal the partial mechanism of electroacupuncture regulating the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory processes of macrophages in the immune response.

PurposeSurgical stress promotes tumor metastasis. Interleukin (IL)-17 plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, and high IL-17 expression predicts poor prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lidocaine may exert tumor-inhibiting effects. We hypothesize that intravenous lidocaine attenuates surgical stress and reduces serum IL-17 levels during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for NSCLC.MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 60 early-stage NSCLC patients undergoing VATS, into a lidocaine group (n = 30; intravenous lidocaine bolus 1.0 mg/kg, and 1.0 mg/kg/h until the end of surgery) or a normal saline control group (n = 30). The primary outcome was serum IL-17 level at 24 hours postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included serum IL-17 level at the time of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge, serum cortisol level at PACU discharge and postoperative 24 hours, pain scores (0-10) from PACU discharge to 48 hours postoperatively, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and arrhythmia during 0-48 hours postoperatively, and 30-day mortality. Long-term outcomes included chemotherapy, cancer recurrence, and mortality.ResultsThe lidocaine group had lower serum IL-17 at 24 hours postoperatively compared with the control group (23.0 ± 5.8 pg/mL vs 27.3 ± 8.2 pg/mL, difference [95% CI] = -4.3 [-8.4 to -0.2] pg/mL; P = 0.038). The lidocaine group also had reduced serum IL-17 (difference [95% CI] = -4.6 [-8.7 to -0.5] pg/mL), serum cortisol (difference [95% CI] = -37 [-73 to -2] ng/mL), and pain scores (difference [95% CI] = -0.7 [-1.3 to -0.1] points) at PACU discharge. During a median follow-up of 10 (IQR, 9-13) months, 2 patients in the lidocaine group and 6 patients in the control group received chemotherapy, one patient in the control group had cancer recurrence, and no death event occurred.ConclusionIntravenous lidocaine was associated with reduced serum IL-17 and cortisol following VATS procedures in early-stage NSCLC patients.Trial registrationChiCTR2000030629.

Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively reduce surgical stress reactions and promote postoperative recovery, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aims to examine the effects of EA on the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic‒pituitary‒adrenal (HPA) axis and investigate its potential mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to partial hepatectomy (HT). The results showed that HT increased the concentrations of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), corticosterone (CORT), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the peripheral blood and upregulated the expression of CRH and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) proteins in the hypothalamus. EA treatment significantly inhibited the hyperactivity of the HPA axis by decreasing the concentration of CRH, CORT, and ACTH in peripheral blood and downregulating the expression of CRH and GR in the hypothalamus. Moreover, EA treatment reversed the HT-induced downregulation of oxytocin (OXT) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular injection of the OXTR antagonist atosiban blocked the effects of EA. Thus, our findings implied that EA mitigated surgical stress-induced HPA axis dysfunction by activating the OXT/OXTR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery remains to be the mainstay of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, its therapeutic efficacy is significantly impaired by postoperative recurrence, which occurs in more than half of cases as a result of intrahepatic metastasis or de novo tumorigenesis. For decades, most therapeutic strategies on inhibiting postoperative HCC recurrence have been focused on the residual tumor cells but satisfying therapeutic outcomes are barely observed in the clinic. In recent years, a better understanding of tumor biology allows us to shift our focus from tumor cells toward the postoperative tumor microenvironment (TME), which is gradually identified to play a pivotal role in tumor recurrence. In this review, we describe various surgical stress and surgical perturbation on postoperative TME. Besides, we discuss how such alternations in TME give rise to postoperative recurrence of HCC. Based on its clinical significance, we additionally highlight the potential of the postoperative TME as a target for postoperative adjuvant therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: The natural history of pancreatic branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) is still unknown. This retrospective study aims to determine the morphological changes of BD-IPMNs with attention to the history of surgical resection for extrapancreatic malignancies. Methods and materials: This study included 427 subjects with BD-IPMN at the Osaka Medical College from January 2001 to December 2019; 134 patients were included. The predictive factors for the progression of BD-IPMN based on morphological changes were evaluated by univariate as well as multivariate analyses. Furthermore, the clinical features of BD-IPMNs with progressive lesions during follow-up were investigated. Results: The average interval of follow-up was 35.8 months (with a range between 12.1 and 157 months). Disease progression occurred in 6 subjects (4.5%). In two of them (1.5%), IPMN-related invasive carcinoma was found. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that surgical resection for extrapancreatic malignancies was a significant predictor of BD-IPMN progression. Conclusion: The history of resection of extrapancreatic malignancies should be considered during the follow-up of BD-IPMN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Surgical interventions are accompanied by acute stress reactions, which are staged and cause functional changes, primarily in the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine systems. The study of biochemical stress markers in blood provides valuable information about the state of patient's state under conditions of surgical aggression. Aim: To investigate the biochemical manifestations of stress reactions in blood of dental patients with different individual psychological characteristics during planned surgical treatments in the maxillofacial department. Materials and methods. The level of neuroticism was determined in 64 patients at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital, by testing according to the well-known Eysenck method. The level of reactive anxiety and depressive manifestations in patients was determined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Before the surgery (before premedication) and five hours after its completion, the content of cortisol, prolactin and interleukin-1ß was examined in the peripheral venous blood of the patients. Results and discussion. Before premedication, the highest levels of cortisol and prolactin in the peripheral venous blood of patients with high neuroticism and anxiety, which could not be eliminated by antistress therapy in the stage of preoperative preparation, were found. In the pre-surgery period, all patients, regardless of their level of neuroticism, had a low level of interleukin 1-ß in blood - 8.5 ± 3.6 pg/ml (p = 0.2547). Despite the satisfactory anaesthetic support of the surgical interventions, all patients had increased cortisol in blood, due to the development of an acute inflammatory reaction induced by surgical trauma. In the postsurgical period, there was also a statistically significant increase of interleukin 1-ß in the blood in all patients - up to 19.7 ± 4.6 pg/ml. There is a close relationship (ς2 = 17.89, p < 0.01) between the anxious state of the patients and the increase in the concentration of prolactin in their blood. Conclusions. Under conditions of surgical stress in dental patients before analgesia, similar changes occur at biochemical level - the blood cortisol and prolactin levels increase, the intensity of this process being more pronounced in emotionally labile patients (with a high level of neuroticism). There is a close relationship between the psycho-emotional state of patients (their level of anxiety) and the dynamics of prolactin concentration in blood, while the concentration of cortisol in blood is affected by phlogogenic factors caused by surgical trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background During the perioperative period, the surgical stress response induced by surgical trauma tends to cause a decrease in peripheral lymphocytes. Anesthetics could reduce the stress response during surgery and prevent sympathetic nerve overexcitation. The goal of this study was to investigate how BIS-guided anesthetic depth affected peripheral T lymphocytes in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. Methods A total of 60 patients having elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomly assigned and analyzed (n = 30 for deep general anesthesia, BIS 35, n = 30 for light general anesthesia, BIS 55). Blood samples were collected immediately before anesthesia induction and immediately after operation, 24 h and 5 days postoperatively. The CD4+/CD8 + ratio, T lymphocyte subsets (including CD3 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, and CD8 + T cells), and natural killer (NK) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon -ɣ (IFN-ɣ), and vascular endothelial growth factor-α (VEGF-α) were also measured. Results The CD4+/CD8 + ratio decreased 24 h after surgery in two groups, but the reduction did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). The concentration of IL-6 and the numerical rating scale (NRS) score in the BIS 55 group were significantly higher than that in the BIS 35 group 24 h after surgery (P = 0.001). There were no intergroup differences in CD3 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, NK cells, VEGF-α, or the IFN-ɣ. Statistical analyses showed no differences between the two groups in the incidence of fever and surgical site infection during hospitalization. Conclusions Despite the fact that patients in deep general anesthesia group had low levels of the IL-6 24 h after surgery, the deep general anesthesia was not associated to a positive effect on patients’ peripheral T lymphocytes during colorectal cancer surgery. We found no evidence that peripheral T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells were affected by the targeting a BIS of either 55 or 35 in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in this trial. Trial registration ChiCTR2200056624 ( www.chictr.org.cn ).

Background: Surgical stress and pain result in activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of postoperative pain and various modalities of analgesic administration on salivary and serum cortisol levels, as well as to establish the validity of salivary cortisol as a stress indicator in surgical patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involved 60 patients scheduled for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups depending on the model of postoperative analgesia. The first group (MI - morphine intermittently) included patients given morphine doses 0.1 mg/kg/6h s.c. intermittently. The second group (MPCA - morphine patient-controlled analgesia) included patients who received morphine via the PCA system - intravenous administration of morphine adjusted to a dose of 1 mg per shot and a lockout interval of 6 minutes. Results: The intensity of pain did not significantly vary until the hour 10 post-surgery. However, in the period from hour 10 to hour 18 post-surgery, higher intensity of pain was reported in group MPCA (P < 0.05). Hemodynamic instability was more prevalent in the MI group (40.0% vs 6.7%, P = 0.0048). Serum cortisol levels were almost identical in both groups (MI 509.4 nmol/L vs MPCA 511.0 nmol/L, P = 0.1473). Higher values of salivary cortisol were recorded in group MPCA; however, the difference was not statistically significant (47.1 nmol/L vs 116.3 nmol/L, P = 0.0970). Conclusion: Our study confirmed that salivary cortisol is a more sensitive stress biomarker in surgical patients as compared to blood cortisol.

The strong perioperative stress response caused by surgical anesthesia can significantly suppress immune function, and the body is in a state of immunosuppression for 3 to 4 days after surgery, which leads to an increase in the probability of postoperative infection. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that acupuncture points can "reconcile yin and yang", promote the recovery of immune function, and help reduce the incidence of postoperative infection. Macrophages are an important type of immune cells that participate in the body's innate immunity. They have powerful phagocytosis and clearance functions. They can be polarized into M1 and M2 types under the regulation of the body, and play different roles in fighting microbial infections. Among them, the M1 type can participate in the elimination of pathogens. In this study, we will investigate the perioperative acupoint electrical stimulation to alleviate the immunosuppressive state of surgical stress mice, clarify the regulation of perioperative acupoint electrical stimulation on glucocorticoids and the relationship between NF-κB molecules and macrophage polarization.The key molecules of related pathways were verified by glucocorticoid receptor inhibitors, and it was found that electrical stimulation of acupoints during the perioperative period can affect the polarization of macrophages in surgically stressed mice to the M1 type by reducing the level of glucocorticoids and promoting the expression of NF κB molecules. Further reveal the partial mechanism of electroacupuncture regulating the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory processes of macrophages in the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is accompanied by transitory left ventricular dysfunction without substantial coronary artery disease. A history of acute physical or mental stress typically precedes such a presentation. We want to highlight a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the early postoperative period in a young female patient who underwent extensive surgery for buccal mucosal carcinoma. The onset of this cardiomyopathy can be ascribed to a fear of disfigurement and prolonged surgical stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-endoscopic discectomy (MED) or microscopic discectomy (MD) have been performed for disc herniation in humans. The purpose of this study was to compare the invasiveness of the hemilaminectomy in dogs between the approach using a cylindrical retractor for the MED/MD and a conventional open surgical approaches in dogs. First, as preliminary studies, we analyzed the suitability of the cylindrical retractor for the vertebral body of small to medium-sized dogs on the X-ray computed tomographic images using the three-dimensional analysis software, and confirmed that it was possible to open a bone window of an approximate length of 1.72 clto the spinal canal with the cylindrical retractor with a diameter 17 mm using two medium-sized canine cadavers. Next, to determine difference in the invasiveness of hemilaminectomy, the magnitude of tissue damage, surgical stress and postoperative pain were compared between the conventional open approach (hemilaminectomy group: HL group, n=6) and the surgical approach using the cylindrical retractor (MD group, n=6) in 12 beagle dogs. The plasma creatine phosphokinase, C-reactive protein and cortisol concentrations, incision length and University of Melbourne Pain Scale scores after the hemilaminectomy were significantly lower in the MD group than in the HL group. There were no significant differences between the durations of surgery and the other evaluated indices. The approach using the MD can provide a less invasive hemilaminectomy than the conventional approach in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the perioperative period, the surgical stress response induced by surgical trauma tends to cause a decrease in peripheral lymphocytes. Anesthetics could reduce the stress response during surgery and prevent sympathetic nerve overexcitation. The goal of this study was to investigate how BIS-guided anesthetic depth affected peripheral T lymphocytes in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 60 patients having elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomly assigned and analyzed (n = 30 for deep general anesthesia, BIS 35, n = 30 for light general anesthesia, BIS 55). Blood samples were collected immediately before anesthesia induction and immediately after operation, 24 h and 5 days postoperatively. The CD4+/CD8 + ratio, T lymphocyte subsets (including CD3 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, and CD8 + T cells), and natural killer (NK) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon -ɣ (IFN-ɣ), and vascular endothelial growth factor-α (VEGF-α) were also measured. Results: The CD4+/CD8 + ratio decreased 24 h after surgery in two groups, but the reduction did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). The concentration of IL-6 and the numerical rating scale (NRS) score in the BIS 55 group were significantly higher than that in the BIS 35 group 24 h after surgery (P = 0.001). There were no intergroup differences in CD3 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, NK cells, VEGF-α, or the IFN-ɣ. Statistical analyses showed no differences between the two groups in the incidence of fever and surgical site infection during hospitalization. Conclusions: Despite the fact that patients in deep general anesthesia group had low levels of the IL-6 24 h after surgery, the deep general anesthesia was not associated to a positive effect on patients' peripheral T lymphocytes during colorectal cancer surgery. We found no evidence that peripheral T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells were affected by the targeting a BIS of either 55 or 35 in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in this trial. Trial registration: ChiCTR2200056624 (www.chictr.org.cn). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial dysfunction result from inflammation and excessive production of reactive oxygen species as part of the surgical stress response. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) potentially exerts anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which might stabilise the endothelial function after non-cardiac surgery. This was a single centre randomised clinical trial including 60 patients undergoing sub-acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis. Patients were randomised to RIPC or control. The RIPC procedure consisted of four cycles of five minutes of ischaemia and reperfusion of one upper extremity. Endothelial function was assessed as the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and circulating biomarkers of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability (L-arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), L-arginine/ADMA ratio, tetra- and dihydrobiopterin (BH4 and BH2), and total plasma biopterin) preoperative, 2–4 h after surgery and 24 h after surgery. RHI did not differ between the groups (p = 0.07). Neither did levels of circulating biomarkers of NO bioavailability change in response to RIPC. L-arginine and L-arginine/ADMA ratio was suppressed preoperatively and increased 24 h after surgery (p < 0.001). The BH4/BH2-ratio had a high preoperative level, decreased 2–4 h after surgery and remained low 24 h after surgery (p = 0.01). RIPC did not influence endothelial function or markers of NO bioavailability until 24 h after sub-acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In response to surgery, markers of NO bioavailability increased, and oxidative stress decreased. These findings support that a minimally invasive removal of the inflamed gallbladder countereffects reduced markers of NO bioavailability and increased oxidative stress caused by acute cholecystitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutrition therapy and administration of albumin preparations are common in postsurgical patients. However, the effects of these interventions on albumin metabolism are unclear. We elucidated the effect of postoperative albumin and/or parenteral nutrition administration on it. Methods: Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent surgery involving intestinal rubbing followed by intestinal exposure. Subsequently, they were administered experimental solutions for 48 h, their blood samples were collected at 24 and 48 h, and livers were excised at 48 h. Based on experimental solutions, rats were divided into five groups: non‐surgical (Non‐surg); glucose and electrolyte solution (GE); amino acid, glucose, and electrolyte solution (AGE); GE + rat serum albumin (Alb) (GE + Alb); and AGE + Alb. Their plasma albumin concentrations; albumin fractional synthesis rate (ALB FSR); mercaptoalbumin/total albumin ratio (MA ratio); and messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1 (HNF‐1) in the liver were measured. Results: The GE and AGE groups showed significant decline in albumin concentrations. ALB FSR was significantly enhanced in the AGE group compared with the GE group. The mRNA expression of albumin was similar to ALB FSR in all groups and that of HNF‐1 was significantly decreased in the GE + Alb and AGE + Alb groups compared with the Non‐surg group. The MA ratio in the AGE group was similar to the Non‐surg group. Conclusion: The administration of amino acids comprising parenteral nutrition after surgery augmented ALB FSR and maintained the MA ratio only without simultaneous albumin administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Various conditions with cellular decay are associated with elevated cell-free DNA (cfDNA). This study aimed to investigate if perioperatively measured cfDNA levels were associated with the surgical approach, complications, or recurrence. Methods Plasma was obtained from patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer at admission and at the time of discharge. Quantitative measurement of cfDNA was performed by amplifying two amplicons of 102 base pairs (bp) and 132 bp of Beta-2-Microglobulin (B2M) and Peptidyl-Prolyl cis–trans Isomerase A (PPIA), respectively. Results cfDNA was measured in 48 patients who underwent surgery for colonic cancer. Sixteen patients had recurrence during the follow-up period, fifteen developed a postoperative complication, and seventeen patients developed neither, acting as the control group. Postoperative cfDNA levels were significantly elevated from baseline samples, across all groups, with a median preoperatively B2M level of 48.3 alleles per mL and postoperatively of 220 alleles per mL and a median preoperatively level PPIA of 26.9 alleles per mL and postoperatively of 111.6 alleles per mL (p

Background. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist, has become a valuable component of low-opioid multimodal anesthesia, providing sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects. These features make it a useful addition to the anesthesia protocol, especially in the context of providing adequate antinociceptive protection, anti-stress effect, hemodynamic stabilization and prevention of postoperative delirium. Our work was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine for a multimodal low-opioid anesthesia program for laparoscopic renal surgery by comparing the effectiveness with general anesthesia, where traditional doses of opiates were used to provide an antinociceptive effect. Materials and methods. Fifty-five patients who underwent laparoscopic renal surgery under two types of general anesthesia were included. All patients underwent surgery under general anes­thesia with tracheal intubation. Induction: intravenous propofol 2 mg/kg, fentanyl 1.5–2 μg/kg, atracurium 0.6 mg/kg. Anesthesia maintenance: sevoflurane (MAC — 1.44 ± 0.25 vol. %). In group 1 (control group of 26 patients), analgesia was provided with fentanyl 3.89 ± 2.10 μg/kg/h. Multimodal low-opioid anesthesia with fentanyl at a dose of 2.38 ± 1.01 μg/kg/h combined with dexmedetomidine 0.7 μg/kg/h was used in group 2 (29 patients). The efficacy of antinociceptive protection was assessed by the dynamics of the levels of stress hormones, hemodynamic parameters, and blood glucose concentrations. Results. The total average doses of fentanyl used during the entire period of anesthesia were 369.23 ± 16.42 μg in group 1, 272.41 ± 10,98 μg in group 2 (p 0.05). Blood glucose concentrations in the early postoperative period in the study groups were 6.79 ± 0.31 and 6.29 ± 0.24 mmol/l, respectively (p > 0.05). Hemodynamic para­meters and BIS, which was maintained within 44.0 ± 6.4 %, indicated the adequacy of anesthesia and analgesia in all study groups. The indicators of the functional state of the kidneys were within the normal range in all patients. In group 1, in the p/o period 8 patients out of 26 (30.7 %) required additional analgesia with opioids (the level of pain on the VAS scale exceeded 4 points). In group 2, four patients (13.8 %) required opioid analgesia. In group 1, vomiting in the postoperative period occurred in 5 patients, in group 2 — in 3 patients. The standardized rate of postoperative nausea and vomi­ting in the control group was 19.2 %, in group 2 — 10.3 %. Conclusions. The use of dexmedetomidine for multimodal low-opioid anesthesia in laparoscopic renal surgery provides the greatest antinociceptive protection and reduces the stress response to surgery.

Simple Summary: A surgeon's feelings and his/her autonomic nervous system (ANS) response during interventions represent direct indicators of comfort, comfortability, dexterity, and stress during a surgical procedure. We evaluated the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and psychological responses to stress of surgeons during their surgical activity, comparing their robotic activity and their classical surgical activity via an open approach. For different reasons, the robotic approach led to less stimulation of the autonomic nervous system, producing less stress for the surgeons and ensuring greater comfort. (1) Objective: the purpose of this study was to evaluate and quantify the stress to which a surgeon is subjected during his/her surgical activity; we compared the individual clinical and psychological responses to stress of two surgeons during their surgical activities via robotic and open approaches. (2) Materials and methods: This was a prospective observational study in which we progressively collected data concerning the surgical performances of two different thoracic surgeons (October 2021–June 2022). We evaluated 20 lung resections performed via robot-assisted surgery and 20 lung resections performed via an open approach by each surgeon; in particular, we evaluated a panel of pre-, peri-, and postoperative data concerning the interventions, the patients, and other outcomes concerning the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and psychological responses to stress of the surgeons during their surgical activities. (3) Results: When analyzing data concerning the ANS activity of two surgeons, during robotic activity we found lower maximum, minimum, and mean heart rates; lower mean respiratory frequencies; lower body temperatures; and lower mean desaturations compared to the open approach activity for both surgeons. The psychological monitoring showed that the open approach created more physical fatigue and frustration but higher levels of satisfaction and performance evaluation. The robot-assisted surgeries showed higher levels of anxiety. (4) Conclusions: for different reasons, the robotic approach stimulated the ANS to a lesser degree, causing less stress for surgeons and ensuring greater comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our purpose is to define the learning curve for robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy by reporting the experience of a single surgeon. Material and methods: We progressively collected the data concerning the surgical performance of a single male thoracic surgeon, from the beginning of his robotic activity as first operator from January 2021 to June 2022. We evaluated several pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters concerning patients and intraoperative cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes of the surgeon, recorded during surgical interventions, in order to evaluate his cardiovascular stress. We used cumulative sum control charts (CUSUM) to analyze the learning curve. Results: A total of 72 lung lobectomies were performed by a single surgeon in this period. Analyzing the CUSUM of several parameters, the inflection point identifying the transition beyond the surgeon learning phase was reached at cases 28, 22, 27 and 33 when considering operating time, mean heart rate, max heart rate and mean respiratory rate, respectively. Conclusions: The learning curve for robotic lobectomy seems to be safe and feasible with a correct robotic training program. The analysis of a single surgeon from the beginning of his robotic activity demonstrates that confidence, competence, dexterity and security are achieved after about 20–30 procedures, without compromising efficiency and oncological radicality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery in animals, like in humans, leads to endocrine changes. They result from both surgical stress and drugs used in anaesthesiology. The authors of this review presented metabolic disorders resulted from surgical stress, in the first part of the article. This second part presents changes in hormones’ secretion caused by anaesthetic and analgetic drugs used in veterinary surgery practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Intracranial aneurysm (IA) has been identified in approximately 0.4%−3% of the population and associated with 3%−10% mortality. IA is the major factor attributing to spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. We aim to investigate that whether employing dexmedetomidine (DEX), an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, as a supplementation could impact the outcomes of patients with intracranial interventional embolization. Patients were randomly divided into a control group (n = 48 cases) and a DEX (0.6 μg/kg) supplement group (n = 48 cases). Patients' outcomes were evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Serum levels of norepinephrine, cortisol, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, neuron-specific enolase, and S100β were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassay. The cognitive function of patients was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment tests. DEX supplementation during anesthesia reduced adverse reaction, surgical stress, and attenuated cognitive impairment after extubation in IA patients' postintracranial interventional embolization. Our study demonstrated that employing DEX as supplementation during anesthesia could effectively reduce surgical stress and improve cognitive function, ultimately improving patients' recovery from intracranial interventional embolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immune balance is mandatory for proper postoperative (PO) courses and wound healing. Cesarean section is the commonest surgical procedure for females. The choice of anesthetic procedure may affect the mother and fetal outcomes. Objectives: Evaluation of the impact of general (GA) versus spinal anesthesia (SA) on parturient' cytokines' serum levels. Patients and methods: 73 and 59 parturients received GA and SA, respectively. Fetal APGAR scoring was determined at 1-min & 5-min PO. PO pain severity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale and the duration of analgesia was calculated. Blood samples (S1, S2, S3) were obtained for ELISA estimation of serum interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The study outcome is the effect of the anesthetic procedure on serum cytokines levels. Results: Cytokines' levels were significantly higher in S2 and S3 than in S1 samples of all parturients with significantly higher levels in samples of GA patients. Percentages of change in serum cytokines' levels were higher with GA than with SA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve defined serum levels of TNF-α as the most cytokine affected by the anesthetic procedure. APGAR scores were significantly higher at 1-min and the duration of PO analgesia was significantly longer with SA. Conclusion: SA can lessen the surgery-induced release of inflammatory cytokines, while GA augments this effect. Moreover, neonatal and maternal outcomes were superior with SA than with GA.

Purpose of Review : The stress response to surgery is essential for maintaining homeostasis and exhibits anti-tumor effects; however, an ongoing and exaggerated stress response may have adverse clinical consequences and even promote cancer progression. This review will discuss the complex relationship between surgical stress and cancer progression. Recent Findings: Surgical stress exhibits both anti-tumor and cancer-promoting effects by causing changes in the neuroendocrine, circulatory, and immune systems. Many studies have found that many mechanisms are involved in the process, and the corresponding targets could be applied for cancer therapy. Summary: Although surgical stress may have anti-tumor effects, it is necessary to inhibit an excessive stress response, mostly showing cancer-promoting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study. To improve the quality of perioperative analgesia by combined multimodal use of paracetamol and ketorolac tromethamine in children after abdominal surgery. Materials and methods. 48 children (6-17 years old) with choledochal, pancreatic cysts, hepatic echinococcosis, and abdominal trauma. The study period was from January 2021 to January 2022. Group 1 (main group, n=28): baseline analgesia - 15 min before surgery, intravenous paracetamol administration at 25-30 mg/kg. In order to prevent postoperative pain syndrome 15 minutes before the end of the surgery, we administered ketorolac and tromethamine in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Pain relief was repeated 6-8 h later with ketorolac at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Group 2 (comparison, n=20), who received 0.2 -- 0.3 mg/kg promedol (trimeperidin) in the postoperative period. Both groups received standard endotracheal anaesthesia (propofol + fentanyl + arduan against the background of Low-flow anaesthesia with sevoflurane MAK=1). Systemic haemodynamics, C-reactive protein, and glucose were investigated, and a visual analogue scale was applied at the main stages of the study. Results: Analysis of the parameters of central hemodynamics, parameters of the operational stress response and clinical data showed that in the postoperative period, sufficient analgesic effect was established only in children in group 1 with the preventive combined administration of paracetamol and ketorolac on the operating table, which allows recommending them in the practice of perioperative analgesia during abdominal surgical interventions. Conclusions. Optimised method of preventive (preoperative) use of paracetamol in children at a dose of 25-30 mg/kg during abdominal surgery followed by administration of ketorolac tromethamine (15 minutes before the end of the surgery) increases the degree of nociceptive protection. It ensures high efficiency of postoperative pain relief, which allows to recommend it in the practice of perioperative analgesia for the above abdominal surgical interventions in children [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yong-heng Hou,1,&ast; Wen-cheng Shi,2,&ast; Shu Cai,1,&ast; Hong Liu,3 Zhong Zheng,2 Fu-wei Qi,2 Chang Li,4 Xiao-mei Feng,5,6 Ke Peng,1 Fu-hai Ji1 1Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, Taicang First People’s Hospital, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Taicang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA; 4Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Anesthesiology, University of Utah health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 6Transitional Residency Program, Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ke Peng; Fu-hai JiDepartment of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-159-6215-5989; +86-512-6797-2352Email pengke0422@163.com; jifuhaisuda@163.comPurpose: Surgical stress promotes tumor metastasis. Interleukin (IL)-17 plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, and high IL-17 expression predicts poor prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lidocaine may exert tumor-inhibiting effects. We hypothesize that intravenous lidocaine attenuates surgical stress and reduces serum IL-17 levels during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for NSCLC.Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 60 early-stage NSCLC patients undergoing VATS, into a lidocaine group (n = 30; intravenous lidocaine bolus 1.0 mg/kg, and 1.0 mg/kg/h until the end of surgery) or a normal saline control group (n = 30). The primary outcome was serum IL-17 level at 24 hours postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included serum IL-17 level at the time of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge, serum cortisol level at PACU discharge and postoperative 24 hours, pain scores (0– 10) from PACU discharge to 48 hours postoperatively, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and arrhythmia during 0– 48 hours postoperatively, and 30-day mortality. Long-term outcomes included chemotherapy, cancer recurrence, and mortality.Results: The lidocaine group had lower serum IL-17 at 24 hours postoperatively compared with the control group (23.0 ± 5.8 pg/mL vs 27.3 ± 8.2 pg/mL, difference [95% CI] = − 4.3 [− 8.4 to − 0.2] pg/mL; P = 0.038). The lidocaine group also had reduced serum IL-17 (difference [95% CI] = − 4.6 [− 8.7 to − 0.5] pg/mL), serum cortisol (difference [95% CI] = − 37 [− 73 to − 2] ng/mL), and pain scores (difference [95% CI] = − 0.7 [− 1.3 to − 0.1] points) at PACU discharge. During a median follow-up of 10 (IQR, 9– 13) months, 2 patients in the lidocaine group and 6 patients in the control group received chemotherapy, one patient in the control group had cancer recurrence, and no death event occurred.Conclusion: Intravenous lidocaine was associated with reduced serum IL-17 and cortisol following VATS procedures in early-stage NSCLC patients.Trial Registration: ChiCTR2000030629.Keywords: lidocaine, interleukin-17, non-small-cell lung cancer, video-assisted thoracic surgery, surgical stress

Surgery and anesthesia cause different metabolic and endocrine responses, including post-operative immunosuppression. The "surgical stress" which occurs before, during, and after an operative procedure causes the immunosuppression. It is the end result of different stimuli such as psychological stress, tissue injury, alterations in circulation, anesthetic agents, and postoperative complications. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, sympathetic nervous system, and cytokines cooperate the stress system. In this study, the levels of serum cytokines including IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were evaluated following the use of ketoconazole and glucocorticoids (derived from HPA axis) synthesis inhibition. After the adaptation, thirty-six adult male rats were divided equally into three groups as follows: control, K15, and K30. These groups received normal saline, 15 mg/kg bw ketoconazole, and 30 mg/kg bw ketoconazole orally for 3 days every 24 h, respectively. The animals were anesthetized with propofol (100 mg/kg) and midazolam (3 mg/kg); then laparotomy, as a minor surgery, was performed. Four animals from each group were anesthetized by the same anesthetics at T0 (before surgery) and T1 and T2 (24 and 72 h after surgery respectively), blood samples were collected from the heart, and serum cytokines were analyzed by ELISA. Ketoconazole prevented IL-2 suppression and also increased TNF-α levels. This drug could increase IFN-γ levels at 30 mg/kg. Ketoconazole prevents IL-2 suppression by inhibiting corticosterone synthesis and can help to improve the disease. But this drug, by increasing TNF-α, can make various prognoses in different surgeries which may disturb improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether a severe mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS) leads to increased surgical stress, endothelial dysfunction, and postoperative morbidity in a cohort in which all patients received a single dose of methylprednisolone. Introduction: Preoperatively administered corticosteroids lower the incidence of severe MTS and may also attenuate surgical stress and endothelial damage associated with the development of severe MTS, ultimately lowering the postoperative morbidity. Methods: This exploratory study analyzed prospectively collected data from 45 patients all receiving 125 mg methylprednisolone. No control group was included. The severity of MTS was graded intraoperatively, and postoperative morbidity was assessed blinded. Blood samples for plasma prostacyclin (PGI2), IL6 and endothelial damage (Syndecan-1, sVEGRF1 and sThrombomodulin) biomarkers were obtained at predefined time points. Results: Patients undergoing either open liver surgery (n = 23) or Whipple's procedure (n = 22) were included. No differences were found in postoperative morbidity between patients developing and not developing severe MTS. Surgery led to significantly increased plasma levels of biomarkers indicative of surgical stress and endothelial damage. Further, patients developing severe MTS had increased levels of PGI2 (p = 0.05) and lower systemic vascular resistance (p < 0.05) 15 min into surgery. However, when comparing the biomarkers of surgical stress, endothelial damage no differences between patients with and without severe MTS were identified. Conclusion: This exploratory study found that surgery was associated with a pro-inflammatory response and damage to the endothelium. However, no differences were found between patients developing severe MTS and patients developing moderate/no MTS in biomarkers of surgical stress, endothelial damage, or postoperative morbidity. Corticosteroids may therefore attenuate the endothelial damage in patients developing severe MTS. However, as this was an exploratory study, these findings must be confirmed in future randomized controlled studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and Aim Objective measurements are not available for determining bowel sounds. The present study sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel bowel sound monitoring system for perioperative use in patients undergoing gastric surgery. Methods The study enrolled 14 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer at Kochi Medical School from 2017 to 2018. Preoperative and postoperative bowel sounds were recorded using a newly developed real‐time analysis system in the operating theater and recovery room. Clinical information and bowel sound count data were obtained to compare preoperative and postoperative measures. Results The median preoperative and postoperative bowel sound counts across all patients were 1.4 and 2.5 counts per minute (cpm), respectively. In patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy, the postoperative bowel sound count was significantly higher than that recorded preoperatively (2.3 vs. 1.6 cpm, P = 0.005). The findings also revealed a significant negative correlation between postoperative bowel sound count and operation time (r = −0.714, P = 0.003). Conclusions The real‐time bowel sound analysis system tested herein presents a promising diagnostic tool to quantitatively evaluate bowel movements associated with surgery. Our results suggested a need for shorter operation times for gastric procedures with respect to peristalsis recovery and supported the use of minimally invasive surgery.

Background: Various conditions with cellular decay are associated with elevated cell-free DNA (cfDNA). This study aimed to investigate if perioperatively measured cfDNA levels were associated with the surgical approach, complications, or recurrence.Methods: Plasma was obtained from patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer at admission and at the time of discharge. Quantitative measurement of cfDNA was performed by amplifying two amplicons of 102 base pairs (bp) and 132 bp of Beta-2-Microglobulin (B2M) and Peptidyl-Prolyl cis-trans Isomerase A (PPIA), respectively.Results: cfDNA was measured in 48 patients who underwent surgery for colonic cancer. Sixteen patients had recurrence during the follow-up period, fifteen developed a postoperative complication, and seventeen patients developed neither, acting as the control group. Postoperative cfDNA levels were significantly elevated from baseline samples, across all groups, with a median preoperatively B2M level of 48.3 alleles per mL and postoperatively of 220 alleles per mL and a median preoperatively level PPIA of 26.9 alleles per mL and postoperatively of 111.6 alleles per mL (p < 0.001 for B2M and p < 0.001 for PPIA). Postoperative levels of PPIA, but not B2M, were significantly higher in patients experiencing complications than in the control group (p = 0.036). However, a tendency towards an association between the surgical approach and the changes in cfDNA levels was found for PPIA (p = 0.058), and B2M (p = 0.087).Conclusions: Plasma cfDNA was increased after surgery in all patients with colon cancer. Postoperative PPIA levels were significantly higher in patients experiencing surgical complications but not in B2M levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]