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Background: Delirium is an acute and fluctuating disturbance in attention, awareness, and cognition, commonly observed in hospital settings, particularly among older adults, critically ill and surgical patients. Delirium poses significant challenges in patient care, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and functional decline. Aim: The aim of this review is to map existing evidence on delirium diagnostic tools suitable for use in patients treated surgically due to hip fracture, to inform clinical practice and enhance patient care protocols in the postoperative setting. Method: We will conduct a scoping review on delirium diagnostic tools used for adult patients in the postoperative setting according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR). Eligibility criteria encompass all languages, publications dates, and study designs, with exception of case‐reports. We will systematically search multiple databases and include unpublished trials, ensuring a comprehensive review based on a predefined protocol. Results: Results will be presented descriptively, with supplementary tables and graphs. Studies will be grouped by design, surgical specialties, and diagnostic tools to identify potential variations. Conclusion: This scoping review will provide an overview of existing delirium diagnostic tools used in the postoperative setting and highlight knowledge‐gaps to support future research. Due to the large number of patients affected by postoperative delirium, evidence mapping is much needed to facilitate evidence‐based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobilisation difficulties, due to muscle weakness, and urinary retention are common reasons for prolonged admission following hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. Whether spinal anaesthesia is detrimental to early mobilisation is controversial. Previous studies have reported differences in post‐operative recovery between spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia; however, up‐to‐date comparisons in fast‐track setups are needed. Our randomized, single‐blinded, multi‐centre, clinical trials aim to compare the post‐operative recovery after total hip (THA), total knee (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA) respectively when using either spinal anaesthesia (SA) or general anaesthesia (GA) in a fast‐track setup. Included patients (74 THA, 74 TKA, and 74 UKA patients) are randomized (1:1) to receive either SA (2 mL 0.5% Bupivacaine) or GA (Induction: Propofol 1.0–2.0 mg/kg iv with Remifentanil 3–5 mcg/kg iv. Infusion: Propofol 3–5 mg/kg/h and Remifentanil 0.5 mcg/kg/min iv). Patients undergo standard primary unilateral hip and knee arthroplasty procedures in an optimized fast‐track setup with intraoperative local infiltrative analgesia in TKA and UKA, post‐operative multimodal opioid sparing analgesia, immediate mobilisation with full weightbearing, no drains and in‐hospital only thromboprophylaxis. Data will be collected on the day of surgery and until patients are discharged. The primary outcome is the ability to be safely mobilised during a 5‐m walking test within 6 h of surgery. Secondary outcomes include fulfilment of discharge criteria, post‐operative pain, dizziness, and nausea as well as patient reported recovery and opioid related side effects. Data will also be gathered on all hospital contacts within 30‐days of surgery. This study will offer insights into advantages and disadvantages of anaesthetic methods used in fast‐track arthroplasty surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This is Part 2 of the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL) using an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach. This paper addresses intra- and postoperative aspects of care. Methods: Experts in aspects of management of high-risk and emergency general surgical patients were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Medline database searches were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies on each item were selected with particular attention to randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large cohort studies and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on elective patients when appropriate. A modified Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. Some ERAS® components covered in other guideline papers are outlined only briefly, with the bulk of the text focusing on key areas pertaining specifically to EL. Results: Twenty-three components of intraoperative and postoperative care were defined. Consensus was reached after three rounds of a modified Delphi Process. Conclusions: These guidelines are based on best available evidence for an ERAS® approach to patients undergoing EL. These guidelines are not exhaustive but pull together evidence on important components of care for this high-risk patient population. As much of the evidence is extrapolated from elective surgery or emergency general surgery (not specifically laparotomy), many of the components need further evaluation in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This is Part 3 of the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy using an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach. This paper addresses organizational aspects of care. Methods: Experts in management of the high-risk and emergency general surgical patient were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE database searches were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies were selected with particular attention to randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and large cohort studies, and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on elective patients when appropriate. A modified Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. Results: Components of organizational aspects of care were considered. Consensus was reached after three rounds of a modified Delphi process. Conclusions: These guidelines are based on best current available evidence for organizational aspects of an ERAS® approach to patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and include discussion of less common aspects of care for the surgical patient, including end-of-life issues. These guidelines are not exhaustive but pull together evidence on important components of care for this high-risk patient population. As much of the evidence is extrapolated from elective surgery or emergency general surgery (not specifically laparotomy), many of the components need further evaluation in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a response to a letter to the editor regarding a study protocol comparing spinal anesthesia (SA) and general anesthesia (GA) for hip and knee arthroplasty. The authors acknowledge the potential benefits of newer short-acting local anesthetics in SA, but note that bupivacaine remains the most widely used. They explain that bupivacaine has been extensively researched and is still included in fast-track surgery programs in Denmark. The authors also mention that cost considerations are outside the scope of the current study but may be part of a secondary analysis. They conclude by stating that they are awaiting the results of their study and hope it will contribute to the evidence on anesthesia methods for these procedures. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Preoperative resuscitation strategies in patients with hip fracture (HF) are lacking. We aimed to investigate fluid‐responsiveness, peripheral perfusion index (PPI) and blood volume (BV)‐status in patients with HF undergoing resuscitation in the preoperative phase. Methods: In a prospective observational study, we evaluated preoperative fluid‐responsiveness, indices of perfusion and BV before and after lumbar epidural analgesia in 50 patients with HF shortly after admittance. Results: Initially, 18 (36%) patients were fluid‐responsive (≥10% increased SV in response to 250 ml fluid bolus) and 13 (26%) presented hypovolaemia (deviation of measured BV from estimated BV ≤ 0.9). According to fluid‐responsiveness, no difference in absolute values of cardiac index (CI) (2.7 L [2.1–3.3] vs. 2.8 L [2.3–3.4], p =.5) was seen, but cardiac output (CO) rose significantly in the hypovolaemic patients: 9% [5–18] vs. 1% [−3–7], p =.004. After epidural analgesia, 26 (52%) patients were again fluid‐responsive and 15 (30%) were hypovolaemic. CI was now significantly lower in fluid‐responsive patients (2.2 L [1.7–2.7] vs. 2.9 L [2.3–3.5], p =.001). Prior to epidural analgesia, no significant trend towards hypovolaemic patients having lower indices of perfusion was seen. After epidural analgesia, more patients with hypovolaemia presented with PPI≤1.5 (8 (53%) vs. 3 (9%), p =.001) and absolute values of PPI were also significantly lower if IBV was low (1.4 [0.9–3.2] vs. 3.2 [2.4–4.8], p =.01). PPI correlated with hypovolaemia after epidural analgesia (rho 0.4 [0.1–0.7], p =.007). Conclusions: Preoperative fluid‐responsivity in HF patients might be attributable to elements of hypovolaemia and sympathetic compensatory ability conjointly, confounding the use of SV‐guided resuscitation. PPI could be associated with BV, which may support clinicians during perioperative haemodynamic optimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Findings: What is the topic of this review?Lactate is considered an important substrate for mitochondria in the muscles, heart and brain during exercise and is the main gluconeogenetic precursor in the liver and kidneys. In this light, we review the (patho)physiology of lactate metabolism in sepsis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).What advances does it highlight?Elevated blood lactate is strongly associated with mortality in septic patients. Lactate seems unrelated to tissue hypoxia but is likely to reflect mitochondrial dysfunction and high adrenergic stimulation. Patients with severe COVID‐19 exhibit near‐normal blood lactate, indicating preserved mitochondrial function, despite a systemic hyperinflammatory state similar to sepsis. In critically ill patients, elevated plasma lactate is often interpreted as a sign of organ hypoperfusion and/or tissue hypoxia. This view on lactate is likely to have been influenced by the pioneering exercise physiologists around 1920. August Krogh identified an oxygen deficit at the onset of exercise that was later related to an oxygen 'debt' and lactate accumulation by A. V. Hill. Lactate is considered to be the main gluconeogenetic precursor in the liver and kidneys during submaximal exercise, but hepatic elimination is attenuated by splanchnic vasoconstriction during high‐intensity exercise, causing an exponential increase in blood lactate. With the development of stable isotope tracers, lactate has become established as an important energy source for muscle, brain and heart tissue, where it is used for mitochondrial respiration. Plasma lactate > 4 mM is strongly associated with mortality in septic shock, with no direct link between lactate release and tissue hypoxia. Herein, we provide evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction and adrenergic stimulation as explanations for the sepsis‐induced hyperlactataemia. Despite profound hypoxaemia and intense work of breathing, patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) rarely exhibit hyperlactataemia (> 2.5 mM), while presenting a systemic hyperinflammatory state much like sepsis. However, lactate dehydrogenase, which controls the formation of lactate, is markedly elevated in plasma and strongly associated with mortality in severe COVID‐19. We briefly review the potential mechanisms of the lactate dehydrogenase elevation in COVID‐19 and its relationship to lactate metabolism based on mechanisms established in contracting skeletal muscle and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery potentially suffer from both systemic dehydration and hypovolaemia. Data on the prevalence and clinical impact of electrolyte disturbances in this patient group, specifically the differences in patients with intestinal obstruction (IO) versus perforated viscus (PV) are lacking. Methods: Adult patients undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery in a standardized perioperative pathway were included in this retrospective single-center cohort study. Electrolytes and arterial blood gas analysis were measured during the early perioperative period. Prevalence and clinical impact of electrolyte disturbances were assessed. Results: A total of 354 patients were included in the study. Preoperative alkalemia dominated preoperatively, significantly more prevalent in IO (45 vs. 32%, p <.001), while acidosis was most pronounced postoperatively in PV (49 vs. 28%, p <.0001). Preoperative hypochloraemia and hypokalemia were more frequent in the IO (34 vs. 20% and 37 vs. 25%, respectively). Hyponatremia was highly prevalent in both IO and PV. Pre- and postoperative hypochloremia were independently associated with 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with IO (OR 2.87 (1.35, 6.23) p = 0.006, OR 6.86 (1.71, 32.2) p = 0.009, respectively). Hypochloremic patients presented with reduced long-term survival as compared with the normo- and hyperchloremic patients (p < 0.05). Neither plasma sodium nor potassium showed a significant association with outcome. Conclusion: These observations suggest that acute high-risk abdominal patients have frequent preoperative alkalosis shifting to postoperative acidosis. Both pre- and postoperative hypochloremia were independently associated with both impaired short- and long-term outcome in patients with intestinal obstruction, with potential implications for the choice of resuscitations fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Existing multimodal pathways for patients undergoing acute high‐risk abdominal surgery for intestinal obstruction (IO) and perforated viscus (PV) have focused on rescue in the immediate perioperative period. However, there is little focus on the peri‐operative pathophysiology of recovery in this patient group, as done to develop enhanced recovery pathways in elective care. Acute inflammation is the main driver of the perioperative pathophysiology leading to adverse outcomes. Pre‐operative high‐dose of glucocorticoids provides a reduction in the inflammatory response after surgery, effective pain relief in several major surgical procedures, as well as reduce fatigue and improving endothelial dysfunction. Aim: To evaluate the effect of high‐dose glucocorticoid on the inflammatory response, fluid distribution and recovery after acute high‐risk abdominal surgery in patients with IO and PV. Methods: AHA STEROID trial is a sponsor‐initiated single‐center, randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, assessing preoperative high‐dose dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) versus placebo (normal saline) in patients undergoing emergency high‐risk abdominal surgery. We plan to enroll 120 patients. Primary outcome is the reduction in C‐reactive protein on postoperative day 1 as a marker of successful attenuation of the acute stress response. Secondary outcomes include perioperative changes in endothelial and other inflammatory markers, fluid distribution, pulmonary function, pain, fatigue, and mobilization. The statistical plan is outlined in the protocol. Discussion: The AHA STEROID trial will provide important evidence to guide the potential use of high‐dose glucocorticoids in emergency high‐risk abdominal surgery, with respect to different pathophysiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose. Data on performance times for the ‘timed up and go’ (TUG) test with analyses of factors, that eventually could affect the result in patients with hip fracture, have not been published to date. The aims of the present study, therefore, were to assess normative reference values of TUG performances and determine the influence of individual and clinical factors on TUG-test scores in patients with hip fracture. Method. In this prospective, descriptive study, a total of 196 consecutive patients over the age of 60, and able to perform the TUG when discharged directly to their own homes from a specialized orthopaedic hip fracture unit, were evaluated. The association between TUG scores and categorical variables were examined, and linear regression was used to investigate the factors influencing performance times. Results. Univariate analysis showed significant differences between all categorical variables, except gender, but multivariate linear regression analyses showed that only a high pre-fracture function level, evaluated by the New Mobility Score (B = -11), was independently associated with having a good TUG score, while older age (B = 0.49), having an intertrochanteric fracture (B = 7), performing TUG with a walker (B = 15), and performing TUG in the later postoperative period (B = 0.39) were independently associated with having a poorer TUG score. Conclusions. These preliminary normative reference values of TUG performances in patients with hip fracture can be used as references, to which individuals can expect to perform. Multivariate testing suggests that clinicians should use age, pre-fracture function, fracture type and walking-aid specific data when interpreting the TUG test results. Physiotherapists should be aware of this if TUG scores are to be used predictively or as an outcome measure in patients with hip fracture, especially in research. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]