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Purpose Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has facilitated early mobilization. Management of post-operative pain is paramount in these day case procedures. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with periportal local anaesthetic infiltration in managing post-operative pain. Methods A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients undergoing elective laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (January 2016–October 2017). The intervention group received laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with 30 ml 0.25% Bupivacaine. The control group received 15ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine at the periportal sites. Primary outcome measure was assessment of post-operative pain scores using numerical rating on visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and on coughing at 3 h. Efficacy of TAP block was assessed as reduction in mean pain scores in the order of 2 points using the VAS. Results 60 (57 males and 3 females) were enrolled; 30 patients were randomized to each group. Patient demographics, anaesthetic and surgical times were similar in both groups. Mean pain scores were significantly reduced in the intervention group at 3 (3.1 vs 1.1 p

International audience; Hemolysis drives susceptibility to bacterial infections and predicts poor outcome from sepsis. These detrimental effects are commonly considered to be a consequence of heme-iron serving as a nutrient for bacteria. We employed a Gram-negative sepsis model and found that elevated heme levels impaired the control of bacterial proliferation independently of heme-iron acquisition by pathogens. Heme strongly inhibited phagocytosis and the migration of human and mouse phagocytes by disrupting actin cytoskeletal dynamics via activation of the GTP-binding Rho family protein Cdc42 by the guanine nucleotide exchange factor DOCK8. A chemical screening approach revealed that quinine effectively prevented heme effects on the cytoskeleton, restored phagocytosis and improved survival in sepsis. These mechanistic insights provide potential therapeutic targets for patients with sepsis or hemolytic disorders.

Atelectasis occurs in the dependent parts of the lungs of most patients who are anesthetized. Development of atelectasis is associated with decreased lung compliance, impairment of oxygenation, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and development of lung injury. The adverse effects of atelectasis persist into the postoperative period and can impact patient recovery. This review article focuses on the causes, nature, and diagnosis of atelectasis. The authors discuss the effects and implications of atelectasis in the perioperative period and illustrate how preventive measures may impact outcome. In addition, they examine the impact of atelectasis and its prevention in acute lung injury.

Purpose Hypocapnia, a recognized complication of high frequency oscillation ventilation, has multiple adverse effects on lung and brain physiologyin vivo, including potentiation of free radical injury. We hypothesized that hypocapnia would potentiate the effects of mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion on bowel, liver and lung injury.

Background The management of postoperative pain is paramount to facilitate the delivery of day case surgical programs. In recent years, the complexity of procedures carried out has increased to include laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic-assisted 4-quadrant transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block vs periportal local anesthetic wound infiltration in managing postoperative pain. Study Design A prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial was conducted with patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were randomized using computerized "random number table" into a test group that received laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with bupivacaine with periportal saline injection and a control group that received a laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with saline and periportal bupivacaine. All patients received intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine in the gallbladder bed. Postoperative pain scores were recorded using numerical rating scores at rest and coughing at dedicated time points. Statistical analysis was carried out using GraphPad Prism software, version 5 (GraphPad Software) and p Results Eighty patients (70 female and 10 male) were enrolled; 40 patients were randomized to each group. Age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, operative time, and BMI were comparable between the groups. No adverse events were encountered with the administration of TAP blocks. Numerical rating scores were significantly reduced in the test group at 1, 3, and 6 hours at rest (p = 0.025, p = 0.03, and p = 0.007, respectively). Numerical rating score was significantly reduced at 1, 3, and 6 hours during coughing (p = 0.026, p = 0.02, and p = 0.03, respectively). Difference in postoperative analgesic requirements between both groups was statistically insignificant (p = 0.17). Conclusions This analysis has confirmed the therapeutic benefit of laparoscopically delivered TAP blocks in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Patients undergoing daycase surgery suffer from varying degrees of fear and anxiety. There is conflicting evidence in the literature regarding the benefit of benzodiazepine premedication in daycase surgery. We carried out a prospective, double-blind, randomized pilot study investigating the effect of benzodiazepine premedication on the stress response in patients undergoing daycase anesthesia and surgery.Group I (n = 16) received diazepam 0.1 mg*kg(-1) orally 60 min preoperatively; Group II (n = 15) received diazepam 0.1 mg*kg(-1) orally 90 min preoperatively; Group III (n = 30) received a placebo. The stress response was measured by analyzing urinary catecholamine and cortisol levels and by scoring anxiety levels using state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) scores and visual analogue scores (VAS).Anxiety scores (VAS and STAI scores) were not different between groups. We found a statistically significant reduction in urinary cortisol and noradrenaline levels in the groups receiving diazepam vs placebo.The reduction in stress hormones following diazepam premedication, in patients undergoing daycase surgery may support the role for benzodiazepine premedication in this setting. However, further studies are warranted to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

We report a case of facial nerve palsy following anaesthesia in a child with Treacher Collins syndrome. Children in whom intubation is difficult may be at increased risk of this complication.

Postoperative pulmonary complications contribute considerably to morbidity and mortality, especially after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Clinically relevant pulmonary complications include the exacerbation of underlying chronic lung disease, bronchospasm, atelectasis, pneumonia and respiratory failure with prolonged mechanical ventilation. Risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications include patient-related risk factors (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tobacco smoking and increasing age) as well as procedure-related risk factors (e.g., site of surgery, duration of surgery and general vs. regional anaesthesia). Careful history taking and a thorough physical examination may be the most sensitive ways to identify at-risk patients. Pulmonary function tests are not suitable as a general screen to assess risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Strategies to reduce the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications include smoking cessation, inspiratory muscle training, optimising nutritional status and intra-operative strategies. Postoperative care should include lung expansion manoeuvres and adequate pain control.

The first in this two-part unit discusses new British Thoracic Society guidance on using emergency oxygen in adults. This is the first national guidance on this area and the implications for possible changes to practice are highlighted here. This part outlines the philosophy behind the guideline, the differences between hypoxaemic and hypercapnic patients and essential assessments for critically ill patients who need emergency oxygen. It also discusses using this therapy for patients with lung cancer in acute situations.

This is the second of a two-part unit on the use of emergency oxygen in adults. Part 1 outlined the main recommendations of the recently published British Thoracic Society guidance. It also examined managing breathlessness in non-hypoxaemic patients. This part discusses some potential changes to clinical practice and provides practical examples on administering oxygen to patients with acute asthma and COPD. It also outlines issues around administering oxygen that lack evidence and need good-quality studies.

Purpose of review To report the impact of atelectasis on perioperative outcomes. Atelectasis occurs in the dependent parts of the lungs of most patients who are anesthetized. Development of atelectasis is associated with decreased lung compliance, impairment of oxygenation, increased pulmonary vascular resistance and development of lung injury. Here, we examine the etiology, contributing factors, consequences, diagnosis and treatment of atelectasis. Recent findings Atelectasis describes the state of absent air in alveoli attributable to collapse, but recent findings suggest that alveoli are filled with foam and fluid. It is now known that atelectasis plays an important role beyond abnormal gas exchange and that prevention or reversal of atelectasis in some populations of postoperative patients may improve outcome. Summary Atelectasis in the presence of preexisting lung disease or limited cardiopulmonary reserve may have significant consequences. Increasing understanding of the underlying nature of atelectasis and its contribution to acute lung injury will improve our approach to the prevention and management of atelectasis.

Background Atelectasis results in impaired compliance and gas exchange and, in extreme cases, increased microvascular permeability, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular dysfunction. It is not known whether such atelectasis-induced lung injury is due to the direct mechanical effects of lung volume reduction and alveolar collapse or due to the associated regional lung hypoxia. The authors hypothesized that addition of supplemental oxygen to an atelectasis-prone ventilation strategy would attenuate the pulmonary vascular effects and reduce the local levels of vasoconstrictor eicosanoids. Methods In series 1, anesthetized, atelectasis-prone mechanically ventilated rats were randomly assigned to one of six groups based on the inspired oxygen concentration and ventilated without recruitment. Series 2 was performed to determine the cardiac and pulmonary vascular effects of 21% versus 100% inspired oxygen. In series 3, computed tomography scans were performed after ventilation with a recruitment strategy (21% O2) or no recruitment strategy (21% O2 or 100% O2). In series 4, functional residual capacity was measured in animals where the gas was 21% or 100% O2. Results The partial pressure of arterial oxygen increased with increasing inspired oxygen, but the alveolar-arterial oxygenation gradient was also greater with higher inspired oxygen. Ventilation with 21% O2 (but not with 100% O2) was associated with progressive pulmonary vascular impedance and increased pulmonary vascular permeability. Prostaglandin F2alpha was increased by mechanical ventilation, especially without supplemental oxygen. Computed tomography scans demonstrated no atelectasis in recruited lungs, and atelectasis in nonrecruited lungs that was greater with supplemental oxygen. Increased atelectasis with 100% O2 (vs. 21% O2) was demonstrated by measurement of functional residual capacity. Conclusions Although supplemental oxygen worsened atelectasis in this model, it prevented the pathologic effects of atelectasis, including microvascular leak and pulmonary hypertension. Atelectasis-induced lung injury seems to be mediated by hypoxia rather than by the direct mechanical effects of atelectasis.

Atelectasis occurs in the dependent parts of the lungs of most patients who are anesthetized. Development of atelectasis is associated with decreased lung compliance, impairment of oxygenation, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and development of lung injury. The adverse effects of atelectasis persist into the postoperative period and can impact patient recovery. This review article focuses on the causes, nature, and diagnosis of atelectasis. The authors discuss the effects and implications of atelectasis in the perioperative period and illustrate how preventive measures may impact outcome. In addition, they examine the impact of atelectasis and its prevention in acute lung injury.

Hypocapnia, a recognized complication of high frequency oscillation ventilation, has multiple adverse effects on lung and brain physiology in vivo, including potentiation of free radical injury. We hypothesized that hypocapnia would potentiate the effects of mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion on bowel, liver and lung injury.Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were ventilated with high frequency oscillation and were randomized to one of four groups, exposed to either mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion or sham surgery, and to either hypocapnia or normocapnia.All animals survived the protocol. Ischemia-reperfusion caused significant histologic bowel injury. Bowel 8-isoprostane generation was greater in ischemia-reperfusion vs sham, but was attenuated by hypocapnia. Laser-Doppler flow studies of bowel perfusion confirmed that hypocapnia attenuated reperfusion following ischemia. Plasma alanine transaminase, reflecting overall hepatocellular injury, was not increased by ischemia-reperfusion but was increased by hypocapnia; however, hepatic isoprostane generation was increased by ischemia-reperfusion, and not by hypocapnia. Oxygenation was comparable in all groups, and compliance was impaired by ischemia-reperfusion but not by hypocapnia.Hypocapnia, although directly injurious to the liver, attenuates ischemia-reperfusion induced lipid peroxidation in the bowel, possibly through attenuation of blood flow during reperfusion.

Objective: Deliberate elevation of PaCO 2 (therapeutic hypercapnia) protects against lung injury induced by lung reperfusion and severe lung stretch. Conversely, hypocapnic alkalosis causes lung injury and worsens lung reperfusion injury. Alterations in lung surfactant may contribute to ventilator-associated lung injury. The potential for CO 2 to contribute to the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated lung injury at clinically relevant tidal volumes is unknown. We hypothesized that: 1) hypocapnia would worsen ventilator-associated lung injury, 2) therapeutic hypercapnia would attenuate ventilator-associated lung injury; and 3) the mechanisms of impaired compliance would be via alteration of surfactant biochemistry. Design: Randomized, prospective animal study. Setting: Research laboratory of university-affiliated hospital. Subjects: Anesthetized, male New Zealand Rabbits. Interventions: All animals received the same ventilation strategy (tidal volume, 12 mUkg; positive end-expiratory pressure, 0 cm H 2 O; rate, 42 breaths/min) and were randomized to receive FiCO 2 of 0.00, 0.05, or 0.12 to produce hypocapnia, normocapnia, and hypercapnia, respectively. Measurements and Main Results: Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was significantly lower with therapeutic hypercapnia, and peak airway pressure was significantly higher with hypocapnic alkalosis. However, neither static lung compliance nor surfactant chemistry (total surfactant, aggregates, or composition) differed among the groups. Conclusions: At clinically relevant tidal volume, CO 2 modulates key physiologic indices of lung injury, including alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and airway pressure, indicating a potential role in the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated lung injury. These effects are surfactant independent.

During mechanical ventilation, lung recruitment attenuates injury caused by high VT, improves oxygenation, and may optimize pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We hypothesized that ventilation without recruitment would induce injury in otherwise healthy lungs. Anesthetized rats were ventilated with conventional mechanical ventilation (VT 8 ml/kg; respiratory frequency 40 per minute) and 21% inspired oxygen, with or without a recruitment strategy consisting of recruitment maneuvers plus positive end-expiratory pressure, in the presence or absence of a laparotomy. Additional experiments examined the impact of atelectasis on right ventricular function using echocardiography, as well as functional residual capacity and PVR. Lack of recruitment resulted in reduced overall survival (59% nonrecruited vs. 100% recruited, p0.05), increased microvascular leak, greater impairment of oxygenation and lung compliance, increased PVR, and elevated plasma lactate. Echocardiography demonstrated that right ventricular dysfunction occurred in the absence of recruitment. Finally, samples from nonrecruited lungs demonstrated ultrastructural evidence of microvascular endothelial disruption. Although such effects clearly do not occur with comparable magnitude in the clinical context, the current data suggest novel mechanisms (microvascular leak, right ventricular dysfunction) whereby derecruitment may contribute to development of lung injury and adverse systemic outcome.

We assessed the effect of cuff inflation of the laryngeal mask airway at removal on sore throat, pharyngeal morbidity and airway complications.In a prospective randomized trial, we used a standardized technique of anesthesia and of laryngeal mask insertion in 126 consecutive day-case patients. Postoperatively, on eye opening, the masks were removed either inflated (Group A) or deflated (Group B) and examined for blood by a blinded observer. Episodes of coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, hiccups and retching, and symptoms of sore throat and hoarseness were recorded by the same observer.Demographics were similar. Bloodstaining occurred in 21% of patients in Group A (n = 63) vs 13% in Group B (n = 63; P = 0.23); the incidence of sore throat was identical (19%). Group A experienced more hoarseness (22% vs 9%; P = 0.05). Overall airway complications did not differ between groups (19% vs 11%; P = 0.21).We conclude that removal of the laryngeal mask airway inflated does not reduce the incidence of sore throat, pharyngeal morbidity or airway complications.