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Gulsah Karaoren,1 Senay Goksu Tomruk,1 Antonio M Esquinas2 1Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Istanbul Umraniye Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain We have read the article titled “Automated oxygen titration and weaning with FreeO2 in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: a pilot randomized trial” by Lellouche et al with great interest; however, there are some key aspects to take into account for proper practical implications.1 First, regarding ethical aspects, there seem to be some confusing points about disclosure and researchers. Of the researchers, one is a co-inventor of company that developed the device and two are owners of free oxygen generator. We could not clarify whether any of the authors are medical doctors. With regard to other aspects in the manuscript, the study included COPD patients (aged .40 years) with exacerbation and resting saturation ,90% at room environment in whom SpO2 increased to ,92% by 8 L/min oxygen supplementation. It was mentioned that it was impossible to obtain informed consent from patients who stayed in the hospital for .24 h, those with antibiotic-resistant infection, those who underwent intermittent nonintensive ventilation, and those with cognitive dysfunction. Also, the authors did not mention comorbid conditions, body mass index, exercise capacity, duration of COPD, current therapies received, and, most importantly, whether there is comorbid heart failure in the patients.2 The authors performed pulmonary function tests by post-bronchodilator spirometry; however, they did not take COPD grade (mild/moderate/severe) into account during standardization.3 In addition, there were no data regarding concurrent therapies given at emergency department and during admission. Did all patients undergo a standard treatment protocol? Moreover, patients of a broad range of age were included in the study. Thus, it is impossible to have no variations in exercise capacity, cognitive functions, and treatment response in this wide range of age from 40 to 80 years. The finding that use of free oxygen device was only an effective factor in improved saturation and shortened length of hospital stay by neglecting many parameters arises some questions about the results obtained in this study. In the limitations, the authors mentioned that sample size per group was small. However, no power analysis was performed. View the original paper by Lellouche F and colleagues.

Obesity is a condition that affects multiple organ systems, particularly the cardiovascular and respiratory system. In recent years, bariatric surgery has been reported to be the gold standard in the treatment of morbid obesity. Body mass index alone is insufficient to predict risks related to anaesthesia and surgery. Obesity contributes to significant postoperative atelectasis and is considered an independent risk factor for postoperative atelectasis owing to decreased functional residual capacity. The treatment and reversibility of atelectasis developed in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery are challenging. Therefore, an optimisation of pulmonary functions before surgery, lung-sparing ventilation during the perioperative period, awareness of potential postoperative complications and knowledge about preventive measures and therapeutic approaches have become increasingly important in bariatric surgery. The aim of this review was to aid clinicians in the management of atelectasis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery during the perioperative and postoperative period., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© Copyright 2019 by Turkish Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Society.)

Background: Code blue (CB) is an emergency call system developed to respond to cardiac and respiratory arrest in hospitals. However, in literature, no scoring system has been reported that can predict mortality in CB procedures. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of estimated APACHE II and PRISM scores in the prediction of mortality in patients assessed using CB to retrospectively analyze CB calls., Methods: We retrospectively examined 1195 patients who were evaluated by the CB team at our hospital between 2009 and 2013. The demographic data of the patients, diagnosis and relevant de-partments, reasons for CB, cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration, mortality calculated from the APACHE II and PRISM scores, and the actual mortality rates were retrospectively record-ed from CB notification forms and the hospital database., Results: In all age groups, there was a significant difference between actual mortality rate and the expected mortality rate as estimated using APACHE II and PRISM scores in CB calls (p<0.05). The actual mortality rate was significantly lower than the expected mortality., Conclusion: APACHE and PRISM scores with the available parameters will not help predict mortality in CB procedures. Therefore, novels scoring systems using different parameters are needed.

Background/aim: In laparoscopic procedures, intraabdominal carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation can cause decreased compliance, increased airway resistance, and impaired ventilation-perfusion ratios. We aimed to investigate the effects of intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) treatment on respiratory dynamics and elimination time of volatile anesthetic agents., Materials and Methods: In the present study, 75 ASA I-II patients were randomized into 3 groups to receive 0 cmH2O PEEP (group I), 5 cmH2O PEEP (group II), or 8 cmH2O PEEP (group III). Hemodynamic parameters, peak and plateau inspiratory airway pressures (Ppeak, Pplateau), compliance values, the ratio of the fractions of inspired and expired concentration of sevoflurane (Fi/Fexp sevoflurane) at 1 MAC, times from 1 to 0.3 and 0.1 MAC and values for pulmonary function tests (PFT) were recorded., Results: Ppeak and Pplateau in group III were higher; compliance values in group I and the extent of reduction in postoperative forced vital capacity (FVC) in group III were lower than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding times from 1 to 0.3 MAC and times from 0.3 to 0.1 MAC., Conclusion: It was found that 8 cmH2O PEEP increased compliance without clinically significant pulmonary deterioration and that 8 cmH2O PEEP led to less impairment in postoperative PFTs compared to 0 and 5 cmH2O PEEP but had no effect on sevoflurane elimination time.

Objective: This study aimed to compare 50 mg dexketoprofen vs. 1 g paracetamol that were parenterally administered before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) under sedoanalgesia with comparable anaesthesia depth regarding haemodynamic, pain, narcotic analgesic requirement, recovery and post-procedural cognitive functions., Methods: Overall, 80 ASA I-III patients aged 18-75 years who were undergoing scheduled ERCP were randomly assigned into three groups. In all patients, the mini-mental test (MMT) was conducted before the procedure. No drug was administered to controls (Group C; n=26); patients were transferred to ERCP unite 30 min after parenteral dexketoprofen (50 mg) in group D (n=27) and paracetamol (1 g) in group P (n=27). The standard monitoring was applied. After intravenously administering loading doses of midazolam (0.02 mgkg) and propofol (1 mg kg(-1)), propofol infusion was administered at a dose of 2-4 mg kg(-1) h(-1) to maintain a bispectral index value of 50-70. Fentanyl (0.05 μg kg(-1)) was intravenously administered when patients experienced pain. Haemodynamic effects, additional analgesic requirement, adverse effects during procedure, time to reach Aldrete score of 9 and satisfaction of an endoscopist and patient were recorded. MMT was repeated 3 h after completing the procedure., Results: Fentanyl requirement during the procedure was significantly low in group D (p<0.05). Apnoea during the procedure and nausea after the procedure were least common in group D while significantly lower than group C (p<0.05). There was no significant difference with respect to MMT scores and endoscopist's satisfaction, while patient satisfaction was greater in group P., Conclusion: Parenterally administered dexketoprofen provided better haemodynamic effect and pain control, thereby decreasing incidence of adverse events by reducing the requirement for narcotic analgesics.

Objective: This prospective randomised study was designed to compare the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Classic, LMA Fastrach and LMA Supreme regarding ease of insertion and insertion time as primary outcomes and reposition, success rate of trials, effects on haemodynamic parameters, provision of an adequate and safe airway, amount of leakage and oropharyngeal and systemic complications as secondary outcomes., Methods: In this clinical trial, 90 patients aged 18-70 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) group I-II were randomised into three groups as providing airway via LMA Classic, LMA Fastrach or LMA Supreme instead of tracheal intubation. No muscle relaxant was used. The allocated LMA was inserted by the same anaesthetist; bispectral index (BIS) was between 40% and 60%., Results: There was no statistical difference among the groups regarding the ease of insertion and insertion time as primary outcomes; the incidence of repositioning during placement was significantly higher in the LMA Classic group than that in other groups (p<0.05) and the rates of bloodstain on the device as well as oropharyngeal mucosal oedema were higher in the LMA Fastrach group than those in other groups (p<0.05) as secondary outcomes., Conclusion: We suggest that LMA Classic, LMA Supreme and LMA Fastrach had similar effectiveness regarding efficiency and airway safety. However, LMA Supreme seems to be more advantageous as it is more appropriate for fewer oropharyngeal complications and there was no repositioning.

Background: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of a single dose of etomidate and the use of a steroid injection prior to etomidate during rapid sequence intubation on hemodynamics and cortisol levels., Methods: Sixty patients were divided into three groups (n=20). Before intubation, and at 4 and 24 hours, blood samples were taken for cortisol measurements and hemodynamic parameters (systolic-diastolic-mean arterial pressure, heart rate), and SOFA scores were recorded. Intubation was achieved with 0.3 mg/kg etomidate IV in Group I, 0.3 mg/kg etomidate following 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone IV in Group II, and 0.15 mg/kg IV midazolam in Group III., Results: Mean arterial pressure values were lower in Group I at the 24th hour when compared to Groups II and III. In Group I, heart rate values were higher compared to the other Groups. Cortisol levels were lower in Group I at the 4th and at the 24th hour in Groups II and III., Conclusion: Administration of methylprednisolone 2-4 minutes prior to etomidate use in emergency situations can prevent adrenal insufficiency in patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation. Moreover, midazolam can be used in low induction doses as an alternative to etomidate.

Background: The association between the infusion of continuous epidural anesthesia and the anastomotic strength of colonic anastomosis was examined in an animal model., Methods: Fourteen white male New Zealand rabbits were included in the study and randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n=7) had continuous epidural 0.9% NaCl infusion (0.4 ml kg-1 bolus and 0.2 ml kg-1 h-1 infusion) and Group 2 (n=7) had continuous epidural 1% lidocaine infusion (0.4 ml kg-1 bolus and 0.2 ml kg-1 h-1 infusion). Infusions started at the beginning of the operation and were continued for six hours postoperatively. All experimental animals underwent right colon resection and colo-colonic anastomosis under general anesthesia. On the fourth postoperative day, relaparotomy was applied and the bursting pressures of the anastomosis (BPA) were measured in situ. Segments 1-cm long consisting of the complete suture lines were excised, and the levels of hydroxyproline and collagen were measured., Results: BPAs were statistically higher in the epidural lidocaine group (median: 248 mmHg; min 117 - max 300) than in the saline group (median: 109 mmHg; min 47 - max 176) (p=0.006). There was no difference between the groups in terms of hydroxyproline and collagen levels in the sample tissues (p>0.05)., Conclusion: We concluded that the strength of colonic anastomosis may be increased by epidural lidocaine infusion.