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Leonie M Becker,1,2 Aart Jan W Teunissen,2 Joseph SHA Koopman2 1Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; 2Department of Anaesthesiology, Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsCorrespondence: Leonie M Becker, Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, Nieuwegein, 3435 CM, The Netherlands, Tel +31 88 320 09 22, Email l.becker@antoniusziekenhuis.nlAbstract: The addition of morphine to neuraxial anaesthesia leads to improved postoperative analgesia and lower opioid consumption, but is often accompanied by pruritus. Studies on preventing or treating pruritus show contradictory results. Our objective was to identify effective drugs for the prevention or treatment of pruritus by a scoping review of clinical trials. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. We identified clinical trials investigating the prevention or treatment of neuraxial morphine-induced pruritus in adults. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were screened for eligible studies. One-hundred-and-four articles were included covering 13 pharmacological groups. We conclude that dopamine antagonists, μ-opioid agonist/antagonists and neuraxial or orally administered μ-opioid antagonists prevent pruritus caused by neuraxial morphine regardless of the timing of administration. In the reviewed literature, 5HT3-antagonists prevent neuraxial morphine-induced pruritus when administered before morphine administration. For the treatment of neuraxial morphine-induced pruritus, only nalbuphine appears to be consistently effective. More research is needed to find the most effective doses and the optimal timing of the effective medication.Keywords: pruritus, prevention, treatment, morphine, epidural, spinal

Background: Low concentrations of morphine are required for safe dosing for intrathecal injections. Sometimes, manual dilution of morphine is performed to achieve these low concentrations, but risks dilution errors and bacterial contamination. The primary goal was to compare the concentrations of morphine and bupivacaine between four groups of syringes. The secondary goal was to investigate the difference in contamination rate between these groups., Methods: Twenty-five experienced anesthesia providers were asked to prepare a mixture of bupivacaine 2.0 mg/ml and morphine 60 μg/ml using 3 different methods as clean and precise as possible. The fourth method used was the aspiration of ampoules prepared by the pharmacy. The concentrations of morphine and bupivacaine were measured by High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The medication was cultured for bacterial contamination., Results: Group 1 (median 60 μg/ml; 95% CI: 59-110 μg/ml) yielded 3 outliers above 180 μg/ml morphine concentration. Group 2 (76 μg/ml; 95% CI: 72-80 μg/ml) and 3 (69 μg/ml; 95% CI: 66-71 μg/ml) were consistently higher than the target concentration of 60 μg. The group "pharmacy" was precise and accurate (59 μg/ml; 95% CI: 59-59 μg/ml). Group 2 and "pharmacy" had one contaminated sample with a spore-forming aerobic gram-positive rod., Conclusion: Manually diluted morphine is at risk for deviating concentrations, which could lead to increased side-effects. Medication produced by the hospital pharmacy was highly accurate. Furthermore, even when precautions are undertaken, contamination of the medication is a serious risk and appeared to be unrelated to the dilution process.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy causes discomfort in the immediate postoperative period. This randomised controlled trial investigated if intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine, in addition to general anaesthesia, could be beneficial for the postoperative quality of recovery. One hundred and fifty-five patients were randomly allocated to an intervention group that received intrathecal 12.5 mg bupivacaine/300 μg morphine (20% dose reduction in patients > 75 years) or a control group receiving a subcutaneous sham injection and an intravenous loading dose of 0.1 mg.kg -1 morphine. Both groups received standardised general anaesthesia and the same postoperative analgesic regimen. The primary outcome was a decrease in the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire score on postoperative day 1. The intervention group (n = 76) had less reduction in QoR-15 on postoperative day 1; median (IQR [range]) 10% (1-8 [-60% to 50%]) vs. 13% (5-24 [-6% to 50%]), p = 0.019, and used less morphine during the admission; 2 mg (1-7 [0-41 mg]) vs. 15 mg (12-20 [8-61 mg]), p < 0.001. Furthermore, they perceived lower pain scores during exertion; numeric rating scale (NRS) 3 (1-6 [0-9]) vs. 5 (3-7 [0-9]), p = 0.001; less bladder spasms (NRS 1 (0-2 [0-10]) vs. 2 (0-5 [0-10]), p = 0.001 and less sedation; NRS 2 (0-3 [0-10]) vs. 3 (2-6 [0-10]), p = 0.005. Moreover, the intervention group used less rescue medication. Pruritus was more severe in the intervention group; NRS 4 (1-7 [0-10]) vs. 0 (0-1 [0-10]), p = 0.000. We conclude that despite a modest increase in the incidence of pruritus, multimodal pain management with intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine remains a viable option for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy., (© 2019 The Authors. Anaesthesia published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association of Anaesthetists.)

Background and Objectives: Management of postoperative pain after laparoscopic segmental colonic resections remains controversial. We compared 2 methods of analgesia within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program. The goal of the study was to investigate whether administration of intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine would lead to an enhanced recovery., Methods: A single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was performed (NL43488.101.13). Patients scheduled for laparoscopic segmental intestinal resections were considered. Exclusion criteria were patients in whom contraindications to spinal anesthesia were present, conversion to open surgery, and gastric and rectal surgery. The intervention group received single-shot intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine (12.5 mg/300 μg), with an altered dose for older patients. The control group received a sham procedure and a bolus of piritramide (0.1 mg/kg). Both groups received standardized general anesthesia and a patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pump as postoperative analgesia. All patients were treated according to an ERAS protocol. A decrease in days to "fit for discharge" was the primary outcome., Results: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. Intervention group patients were fit for discharge earlier (median of 3 vs 4 days, P = 0.044). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in opioid use and lower pain scores on the first postoperative day in the intervention group. There were no differences in adverse events (except for more pruritus), time to mobilization, fluid administration, or patient satisfaction., Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial shows that intrathecal morphine is a more effective method of postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic surgery than intravenous opioids within an ERAS program. Recovery is faster and less painful with intrathecal morphine. Other studies have confirmed these results, although data on faster recovery are new and require confirmation in future trials., Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02284282.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have substantially proven their merit in diminishing recuperation durations and mitigating postoperative adverse events in geriatric populations undergoing colorectal cancer procedures. Despite this, the pivotal aspect of postoperative pain control has not garnered the commensurate attention it deserves. Typically, employing a multimodal analgesia regimen that weaves together nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, local anesthetics, and nerve blocks stands paramount in curtailing surgical complications and facilitating reduced convalescence within hospital confines. Nevertheless, this integrative pain strategy is not devoid of pitfalls; the specter of organ dysfunction looms over the geriatric cohort, rooted in the abuse of analgesics or the complex interplay of polypharmacy. Revolutionary research is delving into alternative delivery and release modalities, seeking to allay the inadvertent consequences of analgesia and thereby potentially elevating postoperative outcomes for the elderly post-colorectal cancer surgery populace. This review examines the dual aspects of multimodal analgesia regimens by comparing their established benefits with potential limitations and offers insight into the evolving strategies of drug administration and release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic surgery has emerged as a cornerstone in urological interventions, offering effectiveness and safety for patients. For anesthesiologists, this technological advancement presents a myriad of new challenges, spanning from patient selection and assessment to intraoperative dynamics and post-surgical pain management. This article aims to elucidate these challenges and provide guidance for anesthesiologists in navigating the complexities of anesthesia administration in robotic urological procedures. Through a detailed exploration of patient optimization, team coordination, intraoperative adjustments, and post-surgical care, this article serves as a valuable resource for ensuring the success of such interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The addition of intrathecal morphine to general anesthesia for laparoscopic colorectal surgery is an effective method of providing analgesia. However, the analgesia duration of approximately 24 hours poses the risk of rebound pain on the second postoperative day. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the patients' perception on postoperative pain management using the International Pain Outcomes questionnaire on both the first and second postoperative day. Methods: This prospective single-center cohort study was conducted between November 2020 and March 2021 and included forty patients. The primary outcome was a difference in postoperative pain on the first and second postoperative day. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, interference of pain with activities, side effects, and patients’ perception and satisfaction with pain treatment. Results: The intensity of postoperative pain did not increase on the second postoperative day NRS [numeric rating scale] 5 (2–7 [0–10]) vs 5 (3–7 [1–10]), p=0.414), but the percentage of time spent in severe pain increased (20% (10-40 [0-90]) vs 30% (20-50 [0-80]), p=0.010). There was no difference in opioid consumption (6 mg (0–12) [0–42] vs 6 mg (0–12) [0–29], p=0.914). Pruritis (NRS 2 (0–6 [0–10]) vs 0 (0–3 [0–8]), p=0.001) and dizziness (NRS 2 (0–7 [0–10]) vs 0 (0–2 [0–9]), p=0.002) decreased on the second postoperative day. Patients reported high satisfaction during the first two days after surgery (NRS 8 (7–9) [0–10] vs 8 (7–9) [0–10], p=0.395). Conclusion: Intrathecal morphine is a suitable analgesic modality in laparoscopic colorectal surgery within an enhanced recovery after surgery program, without causing important rebound pain. Pain scores, however, may be further reduced by adding non-opioid analgesics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the minimum number of operations required for itinerant nurses in the operating room to master the skills needed to operate the Ti-robot-assisted spinal surgery equipment. Additionally, we aimed to provide a corresponding basis for the development of qualification admission criteria and skill training for nurses who cooperate with this type of surgery. Nine operating room itinerant nurses independently performed Ti-robot equipment simulations using a spine model as a tool, with 16 operations per trainee. Four evaluation indices were recorded: time spent on equipment preparation and line connections, time spent on image acquisition and transmission, time spent on surgical spine screw placement planning, and time spent on robot arm operation. Individual and general learning curves were plotted using cumulative sum analysis. The number of cases in which the slope of the individual learning curves began to decrease was 3–11 cases, and the number of cases in which the slope of the general learning curve began to decrease was 8 cases. The numbers of cases in which the learning curves began to decrease in the four phases were the 5th, 8th, 11th, and 3rd cases. Itinerant nurses required at least eight cases to master the equipment operation skills of Ti-robot-assisted spinal surgery. Among the four phases, the image acquisition and transmission phases and the surgical spine screw placement planning phase were the most difficult and must be emphasized in future training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Single-shot intrathecal morphine (ITM) is an effective strategy for postoperative analgesia, but there are limited data on its safety, efficacy, and relationship with functional recovery among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy., Study Design: This was a retrospective review of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2014 to 2020 as identified by the institutional NSQIP Hepato-pancreato-biliary database. Patients were categorized by having received no spinal analgesia, ITM, or ITM with transversus abdominus plane block (ITM+TAP). The primary outcomes were average daily pain scores from postoperative days (POD) 0 to 3, total morphine equivalents (MEQ) consumed over POD 0 to 3, and average daily inpatient MEQ from POD 4 to discharge. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of opioid related complications, length of stay, and functional recovery., Results: A total of 233 patients with a median age of 67 years were included. Of these, 36.5% received no spinal analgesia, 49.3% received ITM, and 14.2% received ITM+TAP. Average pain scores in POD 0 to 3 were similar by mode of spinal analgesia (none [2.8], ITM [2.6], ITM+TAP [2.3]). Total MEQ consumed from POD 0 to 3 were lower for patients who received ITM (121 mg) and ITM+TAP (132 mg), compared with no spinal analgesia (232 mg) (p < 0.0001). Average daily MEQ consumption from POD 4 to discharge was lower for ITM (18 mg) and ITM+TAP (13.1 mg) cohorts compared with no spinal analgesia (32.9 mg) (p = 0.0016). Days to functional recovery and length of stay were significantly reduced for ITM and ITM+TAP compared with no spinal analgesia. These findings remained consistent through multivariate analysis, and there were no differences in opioid-related complications among cohorts., Conclusions: ITM was associated with reduced early postoperative and total inpatient opioid utilization, days to functional recovery, and length of stay among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. ITM is a safe and effective form of perioperative analgesia that may benefit patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Surgeons.)

Background: General anaesthesia is standard of care for patients undergoing robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). However, postoperative pain and bladder discomfort remains an issue, and optimising pain management could improve recovery and promote earlier home discharge. The main objective of this trial was to evaluate if patients receiving spinal anaesthesia are more frequently home ready at 8 pm on the same day compared with multimodal pain management following RALP under general anaesthesia., Methods: This pragmatic, randomised controlled, multicentre trial was performed between January 2019 to December 2021. Patients undergoing RALP under general anaesthesia were randomised to either multimodal analgesia using parecoxib and morphine intra-operatively (Group GM) or spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine and sufentanil (Group GS). The primary aim, home readiness, was assessed using a post-anaesthesia discharge scoring system., Results: Of 202 patients analysed, 27% patients reached home readiness criteria after 12 h, 46% after 24 h and 79% after 48 h, without differences between the groups. Urge to pass urine was greater in group GM than in group GS (p ⟨0.001) and lasted for a median of two hours in both groups. More patients expressed satisfaction with postoperative care in group GS (p ⟨0.001). No other significant differences were found between the groups., Discussion: We found no difference in time to home readiness between the groups. Approximately one-fourth of the patients achieved home readiness the same day after surgery without difference between the groups. Fewer patients had urge, and patient satisfaction was greater in group GS., (© 2024 The Author(s). Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Background: Thoracoscopic surgical techniques continue to advance, yet the intensity of postoperative pain remains significant, impeding swift patient recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in postoperative pain and recuperation between patients receiving intrathecal morphine paired with low-dose bupivacaine and those administered general anesthesia exclusively. Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 100 patients, who were allocated into three groups: Group M (5 μg/kg morphine intrathecal injection), Group B (5 μg/kg morphine combined with bupivacaine 3 mg intrathecal injection) and Group C (intrathecal sham injection). The primary outcome was the assessment of pain relief using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Additionally, intraoperative remifentanil consumption was quantified at the end of the surgery, and postoperative opioid use was determined by the number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCIA) compressions at 48 h post-surgery. Both the efficacy of the treatments and any complications were meticulously recorded. Results: Postoperative NRS scores for both rest and exercise at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h were significantly lower in groups M and B than in group C (P<0.05). The intraoperative remifentanil dosage was significantly greater in groups M and C than in group B (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between groups M and C (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in intraoperative propofol dosage across all three groups (P>0.05). Postoperative dosages of both sufentanil and Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were significantly less in groups M and B compared to group C (P<0.05). The time of first analgesic request was later in both groups M and B than in group C (P<0.05). Specific and total scores were elevated at 2 days postoperative when compared to scores at 1 day for all groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, at 1 day and 2 days postoperatively, both specific scores and total scores were higher in groups M and B compared to group C (P<0.05). Conclusion: Intrathecal administration of morphine combined with bupivacaine has been shown to effectively ameliorate acute pain in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Trial registration: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: ChiCTR2200058544, registered 10/04/2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The optimal analgesic modality for patients undergoing hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery remains unknown. The analgesic effects of a multimodal intrathecal analgesia (MITA) technique of intrathecal morphine (ITM) in combination with clonidine and bupivacaine compared to ITM alone have not been investigated in these patients. Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing complex HPB surgery who received ITM, bupivacaine, and clonidine (MITA group) or ITM-only (ITM group) as part of their perioperative analgesia strategy. The primary outcome was the unadjusted oral morphine equivalent daily dose (oMEDD) in milligrams on postoperative day 1. After adjusting for age, body mass index, hospital allocation, type of surgery, operation length, and intraoperative opioid use, postoperative oMEDD use was investigated using a bootstrapped quantile regression model. Other prespecified outcomes included postoperative pain scores, opioid-related adverse events, major complications, and length of hospital stay. Results: In total, 118 patients received MITA and 155 patients received ITM-only. The median (IQR) cumulative oMEDD use on postoperative day 1 was 20.5 mg (8.6:31.0) in the MITA group and 52.1 mg (18.0:107.0) in the ITM group (P < 0.001). There was a variation in the magnitude of the difference in oMEDD use between the groups for different quartiles. For the MITA group, on postoperative day 1, patients in the 25th percentile required 14.0 mg less oMEDD (95% CI: -25.9 to -2.2; P = 0.025), patients in the 50th percentile required 27.8 mg less oMEDD (95% CI: -49.7 to -6.0; P = 0.005), and patients in the 75th percentile required 38.7 mg less oMEDD (95% CI: -72.2 to -5.1; P = 0.041) compared to patients in the same percentile of the ITM group. Patients in the MITA group had significantly lower pain scores in the postoperative recovery unit and on postoperative days 1 to 3. The incidence of postoperative respiratory depression was low (<1.5%) and similar between groups. Patients in the MITA group had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative hypotension requiring vasopressor support. However, no significant differences were observed in major postoperative complications, or the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: In patients undergoing complex HPB surgery, the use of MITA, consisting of ITM in combination with intrathecal clonidine and bupivacaine, was associated with reduced postoperative opioid use and resulted in superior postoperative analgesia without risk of respiratory depression when compared to patients who received ITM alone. A randomized prospective clinical trial investigating these two intrathecal analgesic techniques is justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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As robotic prostatectomy surgery becomes more prevalent, it is important to identify any regional techniques to optimize patient's recovery. We evaluated the effectiveness of bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and rectus sheath (RS) blocks with liposomal bupivacaine. We hypothesized that these blocks would reduce perioperative opioid use and pain scores. A retrospective cohort of patients from May 2018 and May 2021 at a single large VA hospital were studied. We compared those not receiving a nerve block against those receiving the TAP and RS as part of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway starting in May 2019. The primary outcome was post-operative opioid use. Secondary outcomes were post-operative pain scores and hospital length of stay. One hundred and thirty-four patients were included in the final analysis. Eighty-one patients did not receive a block and fifty-three patients did receive a block. No difference existed between the groups in regard to median oral morphine equivalents (mg) used in PACU or any post-operative day. No difference existed in median opioid usage (mg) or pain scores between the two groups on any post-operative day. There was no difference in temporal association of median pain scores or narcotic usage between the two groups. Bilateral TAP and RS with liposomal bupivacaine did not significantly decrease post-operative opioid use, improve pain scores, or decrease hospital length of stay for patients undergoing robotic prostatectomy. Further studies need to be done to evaluate the effect of these blocks with liposomal bupivacaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited data exist concerning the management of postoperative pain after robotic‐assisted surgery. The present study was performed to investigate the efficacy of intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine to treat postoperative pain in adult women undergoing robot‐assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: The primary outcomes of this study were opioid consumption and pain scores during and after robotic surgery. 96 patients were prospectively enrolled and randomized to a nonspinal group (n = 48) and a spinal group (n = 48). The intrathecal regimen consisted of 100 μg morphine and 15 mg of bupivacaine. The numeric rating scale scores (NRS) were assessed every 15 min in the postoperative care unit (PACU) and pain was treated with iv fentanyl or morphine when NRS was above 5 and orally oxycodone when NRS was 3–5. Cumulative iv opioid‐consumption and NRS scores were compared. Results: Intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine resulted in a significantly lower cumulative total iv opioid (morphine equivalents) consumption (9.4 ± 3.9 vs. 22.8 ± 6.1 mg equivalents). Highest recorded NRS scores in the PACU were also significantly lower in the spinal group (2.0 ± 2.6 vs. 5.3 ± 3.2). Conclusion: Intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine to treat postoperative pain after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy decrease total opioid consumption and NRS pain scores. This might be of great importance to diminish the rate of other serious disadvantages related to opioids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: 1) to explore potential benefits of spinal anaesthesia as an adjunct to general anaesthesia and 2) to provide power and sample size estimations for potential differences between the groups. Primary outcome measures were postoperative pain and oral morphine equivalent (OMEq) consumption. Methods: Patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic abdominoperineal rectal amputation at the University Hospital of North Norway were randomised to spinal (n=5) or a sham spinal procedure (n=5). Numeric rating scale (NRS) and OMEq were monitored postoperatively for 72 h. Results: Age, sex, body mass index, and ASA were not significantly different between the groups. During surgery, patients in the spinal group received less remifentanil (p=0.06). NRS was lower in the spinal group 1 hr after admittance to the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) (p=0.06) and on the first postoperative day at 8 AM (p=0.03). OMEq consumption in the PACU was lower in the spinal group (p=0.008), but no differences between the groups were detected after discharge to the ward. Sample size estimations revealed that eight patients in each group would be needed to study potential NRS differences after admission to the PACU and 23 patients in each group to study potential differences in OMEq consumption on day 1. Conclusion: Spinal anaesthesia as an adjunct to general anaesthesia reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption after laparoscopic abdominoperineal rectal amputation. Data from the current study should be followed up by a sufficiently powered randomized controlled trial. Clinical Trial Registration: Trial registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05406765). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women and third most common in men. Laparoscopic resection has become the standard surgical technique worldwide given its notable benefits, mainly the shorter length of stay and less postoperative pain. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature on postoperative pain management following laparoscopic colorectal surgery and update previous procedure-specific pain management recommendations. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements. We also considered study quality, clinical relevance of trial design, and a comprehensive risk-benefit assessment of the analgesic intervention. We performed a literature search to identify randomised controlled studies (RCTs) published before January 2022. Seventy-two studies were included in the present analysis. Through the established PROSPECT process, we recommend basic analgesia (paracetamol for rectal surgery, and paracetamol with either a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or cyclo-oxygenase-2-specific inhibitor for colonic surgery) and wound infiltration as first-line interventions. No consensus could be achieved either for the use of intrathecal morphine or intravenous lidocaine; no recommendation can be made for these interventions. However, intravenous lidocaine may be considered when basic analgesia cannot be provided., (Copyright © 2024 European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.)

The majority of studies investigating maturation in football have focused on the impact of maturity status or timing upon athletic performance. There is comparatively little research investigating the impact of the adolescent growth spurt, and few research articles that have focussed on injury incidence and burden rather than performance. The aim of this study was to explore and better understand how the adolescent growth spurt impacts youth football players within professional academies. This longitudinal mixed-methods study aimed to understand youth football coaches' perceptions, experiences, and management of male adolescent football players. Players' maturity status, growth velocities, and match performance were measured and interviews with coaches were conducted in parallel. The qualitative and quantitative data were combined to generate a deeper contextualised understanding. This study revealed that academy football coaches describe adolescent growth as a 'condition'; players are diagnosed with growth through perceived signs and symptoms, which coaches must manage and treat. Growth was also seen to impact coaches' perceptions and therefore had implications for selection and release decisions. The findings from this study emphasise the complexities of experiencing and managing adolescent growth and maturation in the context of elite youth football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) are dedicated to ensuring high-quality innovative patient care for surgical patients by advancing the science, prevention, and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus as well as minimally invasive surgery. The ASCRS and SAGES society members involved in the creation of these guidelines were chosen because they have demonstrated expertise in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery and enhanced recovery. This consensus document was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus and develop clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence. While not proscriptive, these guidelines provide information on which decisions can be made and do not dictate a specific form of treatment. These guidelines are intended for the use of all practitioners, healthcare workers, and patients who desire information about the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered in these guidelines. These guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed toward obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. This clinical practice guideline represents a collaborative effort between the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and was approved by both societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In an effort to control postoperative pain more effectively in spinal fusion patients, intraoperative intrathecal morphine (ITM) administration is gaining popularity and acceptance with clinicians. This study seeks to determine the impact of intraoperative intrathecal opioid (ITO) administration following lumbar fusion surgery on postoperative pain and length of hospitalization as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes will investigate postoperative opioid intake and side effects. Methods: The retrospective analysis of collected data was performed. The study compared patients undergoing one- or two-level transforaminal interbody fusions between 2019 and 2021 who intraoperatively received two different ITO doses (n = 89) vs. the reference group (n = 48) that did not receive ITO. The patients in the ITO group received either 0.2 mg (n = 44) of duramorph or 0.2 mg duramorph + 50 mcg fentanyl (n = 45). The effect of ITO was evaluated for the first four postoperative days (POD) on pain scores (visual analog scale), length of stay (LOS, hours) and opioid requirement (MED, morphine equivalent dose). Results: In the ITO group, a significant reduction of postoperative pain scores (t(99) = 4.3, p < 0.001) and opioid intake (t(70) = 2.49, p = 0.015) was noted on POD1. Cohen's d effect sizes were 0.76 and 0.50, meaning that postoperative pain and MED intake were reduced by about ¾ to ½ standard deviations (SD) in the ITO group. Further, multivariate regression models revealed that ITO administration predicted lower postoperative pain scores for the two PODs (β = − 0.83, p < 0.001; β = − 0.63, p = 0.022) and MED intake for the first two PODs (β = − 20.8, p = 0.047; β = − 16.4, p = 0.030). Mean LOS was 15.4 h less in the ITO group (mean ± SD, 63.4 ± 37.1 vs. 78.8 ± 39.6, p = 0.10). Conclusions: In conclusion, our study provides results in a large sample of patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar fusions. The results demonstrated that ITO administration is effective in reducing POD1 pain scores and POD1–2 opioid requirement while not increasing the risk of any opioid-related side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure, but patients may still experience intense pain, especially during the early postoperative period. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) is an effective pain control method that involves a simple maneuver and has a low risk of complications. This study aimed to study the effectiveness of ITM for pain control in patients who undergo VATS. Materials and methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted who were in ASA classes 1–3, aged over 18 years, and scheduled for elective VATS. Patients were randomized into two groups: the ITM group (n = 19) received a single shot of 0.2 mg ITM before general anesthesia; and the control group (n = 19) received general anesthesia only. For 48 hours after surgery, other than intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) morphine, patients received no sedatives or opioid medications except for 500 mg acetaminophen four times daily orally. Postoperative pain scores and IVPCA morphine used, side effects, sedation at specific time-points, i.e., 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48-hours and overall treatment satisfaction scores were assessed. Results: Postoperative pain scores (median [IQR]) in ITM group were significantly lower than control group (repeated-measure ANOVA, p = 0.006) and differed at the first (7 [2, 7] vs 8 [6, 9], p = 0.007) and sixth hours (3 [2, 5] vs 5 [5, 7], p = 0.002). The cumulative dose of post-operative morphine (median [IQR]) in ITM group was also lower (6 [3, 20] vs 19 [14, 28], p = 0.006). The incidence of pruritus was significantly higher in ITM group (68.42% vs. 26.32%, p = 0.009). No significant differences in nausea and vomiting, sedation scores, and satisfaction scores were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: ITM could reduce pain scores and opioid consumption after VATS compared to IVPCA-opioids. However, pain scores and opioid consumption still remained high. No difference in patient satisfaction was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Widespread adoption of intrathecal morphine into clinical practice is hampered by concerns about its potential side‐effects. We undertook a systematic review, meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis with the primary objective of determining the efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine. Our secondary objective was to determine the dose associated with greatest efficacy and safety. We also assessed the impact of intrathecal morphine on respiratory depression. We systematically searched the literature for trials comparing intrathecal morphine with a control group in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia. Our primary efficacy outcome was rest pain score (0–10) at 8–12 hours; our primary safety outcome was the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours. Twenty‐nine trials including 1814 patients were identified. Rest pain score at 8–12 hours was significantly reduced in the intrathecal morphine group, with a mean difference (95%CI) of −1.7 (−2.0 to −1.3), p < 0.0001 (19 trials; 1420 patients; high‐quality evidence), without sub‐group differences between doses (p = 0.35). Intrathecal morphine increased postoperative nausea and vomiting, with a risk ratio (95%CI) of 1.4 (1.3–1.6), p < 0.0001 (24 trials; 1603 patients; high‐quality evidence). However, a sub‐group analysis by dose revealed that rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours were similar between groups at a dose of 100 µg, while the risk significantly increased with larger doses (p value for sub‐group difference = 0.02). Patients receiving intrathecal morphine were no more likely to have respiratory depression, the risk ratio (95%CI) being 0.9 (0.5–1.7), p = 0.78 (16 trials; 1173 patients; high‐quality evidence). In conclusion, there is good evidence that intrathecal morphine provides effective analgesia after lower limb arthroplasty, without an increased risk of respiratory depression, but at the expense of an increased rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A dose of 100 µg is a 'ceiling' dose for analgesia and a threshold dose for increased rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is the most common robotic surgical procedure, but there are little published data to inform anaesthetic practice. We aimed to characterise the range of anaesthetic practice for RALP in the United Kingdom through a national survey. We conducted an online national survey to determine current anaesthetic practice for RALP. The survey was distributed to all NHS hospitals within the UK that perform RALP. Thirty-four (79%) of 43 hospitals responded to the survey. Fourteen (41%) centres routinely provide spinal anaesthesia and 79% of these use diamorphine as their intrathecal opioid of choice. Thirty-one (91%) centres administer intravenous strong opioids intraoperatively, and a wide range of non-opioid analgesic agents are also administered. Five (15%) centres reported that they discharge a minority of patients on the day of surgery. High-volume centres are more likely to have a formalised enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway and to provide ambulatory surgery for selected patients. This represents the first UK national survey of anaesthetic practice for RALP. The results of the survey revealed significant variation in anaesthetic practice implying a lack of consensus on best perioperative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delirium is the most common postsurgical neurological complication and has a variable incidence rate. Laparoscopic surgery, when associated with the Trendelenburg position, can cause innumerable physiological changes and increase the risk of neurocognitive changes. The association of general anesthesia with a spinal block allows the use of lower doses of anesthetic agents for anesthesia maintenance and facilitates better control over postoperative pain. Our primary outcome was to assess whether a spinal block influences the incidence of delirium in oncologic patients following laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position. Our secondary outcome was to analyze whether there were other associated factors. A total of 150 oncologic patients who underwent elective laparoscopic surgeries in the Trendelenburg position were included in this randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: the general anesthesia group and the general anesthesia plus spinal block group. Patients were immediately evaluated during the postoperative period and monitored until they were discharged, to rule out the presence of delirium. Delirium occurred in 29 patients in total (22.3%) (general anesthesia group: 30.8%; general anesthesia plus spinal block: 13.8% p = 0.035). Patients who received general anesthesia had a higher risk of delirium than patients who received general anesthesia associated with a spinal block (odds ratio = 3.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.2–9.6; p = 0.020). Spinal block was associated with reduced delirium incidence in oncologic patients who underwent elective laparoscopic surgeries in the Trendelenburg position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrathecal morphine (ITM) has been widely effective in improving postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing a multitude of surgeries, including lumbar spine fusion. A major limitation of ITM administration is the increase in the incidence of respiratory depression in a dose-dependent manner. One way to bypass this is to use a more potent opioid with a shorter half-life, such as fentanyl. This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent one- or two-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions. The patients received one of two interventions: 0.2mg intrathecal duramorph/morphine (ITM group; n=70), 0.2mg duramorph + 50 mcg fentanyl (ITM + fentanyl group; n=68) and the control group (n=102). Primary outcomes included postoperative pain (Visual Analog Scale) and opioid intake (MED - morphine equivalent dosage, mg) for postoperative days (POD) 1- 4. Secondary outcomes included opioid-related side effects. One-way analyses of variance and follow-up post-hoc Tukey's honest significant difference statistical tests were used to measure treatment effects. Significantly lower POD1 pain scores for both the ITM and ITM + fentanyl groups vs. control were detected, with no difference between the ITM vs. ITM + fentanyl groups. Similar results were found for POD1 MED intake. A multivariate regression analysis controlling for confounding variables did not attenuate the differences seen in POD1 pain scores while revealing that only the ITM + fentanyl predicted a decrease in POD1 MED intake. No differences were seen for postoperative opioid-related side effects. Our study provides support for supplementing a low dose of both intrathecal morphine and fentanyl to improve postoperative outcomes., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Utilisation of regional anaesthesia is increasing globally; however, it remains challenging to determine the overall benefit of individual regional anaesthesia procedures. Like any peri-operative intervention, the benefit to the patient and healthcare system must outweigh any patient risk or resource implications. This review aims to identify markers of success in regional anaesthesia, categorise these into an objective framework and rationalise suggestions on how measuring outcomes in regional anaesthesia can be used to develop the widespread performance of this evolving subspecialty. This framework of measuring success of regional anaesthesia contains four pillars: patient-centred, population-centred, healthcare-centred and training-centred outcomes. Each pillar of success contains several outcomes which provide a structure for the measurement and development of regional anaesthesia success on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While pneumoperitoneum causes negative macrohaemodynamic effects, much less is known about microcirculatory effects of different anaesthetic techniques and laparoscopy. Therefore, we aimed to explore microcirculatory effects of combined spinal-general anaesthesia and laparoscopy, as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy over forearm and calf muscles utilising a 3-min ischemic challenge. Patients (n = 102) undergoing elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery were randomised to receive general anaesthesia alone or in combination with high-dose or low-dose spinal analgesia (levobupivacaine 7.5 mg or 3.75 mg, respectively, plus sufentanil 2.5 μg). Primary outcomes were near-infrared spectroscopy derived parameters before general anaesthesia induction, 5 min after tracheal intubation, and 15 min after pneumoperitoneum commencement. General anaesthesia resulted in impaired post-ischaemic recovery rate in the forearm (p < 0.001, within all groups), which improved during laparoscopy. For the calf, before general anaesthesia induction, high and low dose spinal analgesia significantly slowed the post-ischaemic recovery compared to control (34 ± 16% min-1 and 36 ± 13% min-1 vs. 52 ± 27% min-1, respectively; p = 0.002 and p = 0.006). General anaesthesia abolished differences between the groups (24 ± 14% min-1 and 25 ± 12% min-1 vs. 27 ± 18% min-1), while during laparoscopy high-dose spinal analgesia further reduced the post-ischaemic recovery compared to low-dose spinal and control groups (p = 0.023 and p = 0.040, respectively). During gynaecological laparoscopy patients show impaired calf but maintain forearm microcirculatory function, regardless of the anaesthetic technique. Reduction in post-ischaemic recovery with high-dose spinal analgesia is explained by its sympatholytic effects: number of perfused capillaries is increased, leading to a haemodynamically more favourable state. Blood pressure is positively correlated with the post-ischaemic recovery rate in vascular beds not affected by spinal analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study analyzed remnant kidney function recovery in living donors after laparoscopic nephrectomy to establish a risk stratification model for delayed recovery and further investigated clinically modifiable factors. Patients and methods: This retrospective study included 366 adult living donors who underwent elective donation surgery between January 2017 and November 2019 at our hospital. ITMB was included as an analgesic component in the living donor strategy for early postoperative pain relief from November 2018 to November 2019 (n = 116). Kidney function was quantified based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and delayed functional recovery of remnant kidney was defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 on postoperative day (POD) 1 (n = 240). Results: Multivariable analyses revealed that lower risk for development of eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 on POD 1 was associated with ITMB, female sex, younger age, and higher amount of hourly fluid infusion (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.783; 95% confidence interval = 0.734–0.832; p < 0.001). Propensity score (PS)-matching analyses showed that prevalence rates of eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 on PODs 1 and 7 were higher in the non-ITMB group than in the ITMB group. ITMB adjusted for PS was significantly associated with lower risk for development of eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 on POD 1 in PS-matched living donors. No living donors exhibited severe remnant kidney dysfunction and/or required renal replacement therapy at POD 7. Conclusions: We found an association between the analgesic impact of ITMB and better functional recovery of remnant kidney in living kidney donors. In addition, we propose a stratification model that predicts delayed functional recovery of remnant kidney in living donors: male sex, older age, non-ITMB, and lower hourly fluid infusion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether neuraxial analgesic procedures affect intraoperative hemodynamics and/or postoperative outcomes. Previous studies have examined effects in small samples of patients in highly controlled research environments. This study examined "real-world" data from a large sample of subjects receiving routine clinical cares. Methods: A matched case–control analysis of electronic medical records from a large, academic hospital was performed. Patients who underwent neuraxial procedures preoperatively for postoperative analgesia for abdominal surgery (n=1570) were compared with control patients matched according to age, sex, ASA class and type of surgical procedure. Intraoperative hemodynamic measures, fluids and pressor utilization were quantified. Postoperative outcomes were determined based on the changes in laboratory values, the ordering of imaging studies and admission to an intensive care unit during the seven days following surgery as well as 30-day mortality. Results: Medical records of 1082 patients who received an epidural catheter placement and 488 patients who received a lumbar intrathecal morphine injection were compared with an equal number of matched control patients. Preoperative placement of an epidural catheter for the management of postoperative pain was demonstrated to be associated with significant reductions in mean arterial pressure intraoperatively and poorer postoperative outcomes (more intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, more myocardial injuries) when compared with controls. A similar analysis of preoperatively administered intrathecal morphine injections was not associated with intraoperative alterations in blood pressure and had improved outcomes (less ICU admissions) in comparison with controls. Conclusion: In a "real-world" sample, intrathecal morphine administration proved to be highly beneficial as a neuraxial analgesic procedure as it was not associated with intraoperative hypotension and was associated with improved clinical outcomes, in contrast to opposite findings associated with epidural catheter placement. There should be a careful consideration of elective neuraxial method utilized for postoperative pain control, with the present study raising significant concerns related to the use of epidural analgesia and its potential effect on clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: patient-centred outcomes; quality metrics; recovery from surgery EN patient-centred outcomes quality metrics recovery from surgery 576 579 4 04/14/20 20200501 NES 200501 Recovery from surgery is a complex process dependent on surgical, anaesthetic and patient factors, among others. More recently, there has been a shift of emphasis towards defining recovery from a patient's perspective, with self-reported measures of recovery incorporating multiple postoperative domains [2]. In this respect, the Surgical Recovery Index (SRI) with a first measurement at postoperative day 7 and the SRS with measurements at baseline, days 3, 7, 30 and 60 would not be ideally suited, as they may miss the early recovery phase, the window during which regional anaesthesia consistently has the greatest impact on recovery. The PQRS tool is based on six domains of recovery, including nociception, with a dichotomous scoring system in which the postoperative return to a patient's previous baseline is assessed to determine adequacy of recovery. [Extracted from the article]

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Objectives We aimed to determine whether regional analgesia with intrathecal morphine (ITM) in an enhanced recovery programme (enhanced recovery after surgery [ERAS]) gives a shorter hospital stay with good pain relief and equal health-related quality of life (QoL) to epidural analgesia (EDA) in women after midline laparotomy for proven or assumed gynaecological malignancies. Design An open-label, randomised, single-centre study. Setting A tertiary referral Swedish university hospital. Participants Eighty women, 18-70 years of age, American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II, admitted consecutively to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Interventions The women were allocated (1:1) to either the standard analgesic method at the clinic (EDA) or the experimental treatment (ITM). An ERAS protocol with standardised perioperative routines and standardised general anaesthesia were applied. The EDA or ITM started immediately preoperatively. The ITM group received morphine, clonidine and bupivacaine intrathecally; the EDA group had an epidural infusion of bupivacaine, adrenalin and fentanyl. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary endpoint was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary endpoints were QoL and pain assessments. Results LOS was statistically significantly shorter for the ITM group compared with the EDA group (median [IQR]3.3 [1.5-56.3] vs 4.3 [2.2-43.2] days; p=0.01). No differences were observed in pain assessment or QoL. The ITM group used postoperatively the first week significantly less opioids than the EDA group (median (IQR) 20 mg (14-35 mg) vs 81 mg (67-101 mg); p<0.0001). No serious adverse events were attributed to ITM or EDA. Conclusions Compared with EDA, ITM is simpler to administer and manage, is associated with shorter hospital stay and reduces opioid consumption postoperatively with an equally good QoL. ITM is effective as postoperative analgesia in gynaecological cancer surgery. Trial registration number NCT02026687; Results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We explored the analgesic outcomes on postoperative day (POD) 1 in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) who received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA), rectus sheath bupivacaine block (RSB), or intrathecal morphine with bupivacaine block (ITMB)., Methods: This was a prospective, observational clinical trial. Patients were divided into three groups: IV-PCA (n = 30), RSB (n = 30), and ITMB (n = 30). Peak pain scores at rest and with coughing, cumulative IV-PCA drug consumption, the need for IV rescue opioids, and Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire scores collected on POD 1 were compared among the groups., Results: The preoperative and intraoperative findings were comparable among the groups; the ITMB group required the least remifentanil of all groups. During POD 1, the ITMB group reported lower levels of pain at rest and with coughing, compared with the other two groups. During POD 1, incidences of severe pain at rest (10.0% vs. 23.3% vs. 40.0%) and with coughing (16.7% vs. 36.7% vs. 66.7%) were the lowest in the ITMB group compared with the RSB and IV-PCA groups, respectively. After adjustment for age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and intraoperative remifentanil infusion, severe pain at rest was 0.167-fold less common in the ITMB group than in the IV-PCA group, while pain with coughing was 0.1-fold lower in the ITMB group and 0.306-fold lower in the RSB group, compared with the IV-PCA group. The ITMB group required lower cumulative IV-PCA drug infusions and less IV rescue opioids, while exhibiting a better QoR-15 global score, compared with the other two groups. Complications (nausea and pruritus) were significantly more common in the ITMB group than in the other two groups; however, we noted no ITMB- or RSB-related anesthetic complications (respiratory depression, post-dural headache, nerve injury, or puncture site hematoma or infection), and all patients were assessed as Clavien-Dindo grade I or II during the hospital stay., Conclusion: Although ITMB induced complications of nausea and pruritus, this analgesic technique provided appropriate pain relief that enhanced patient perception related to early postoperative recovery., Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea, (approval number: KCT0005040 ) on May 20, 2020.