Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research
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Comparative Study
Speaking Up about Patient Safety in Perioperative Care: Differences between Academic and Nonacademic Hospitals in Austria and Switzerland.
Purpose of the Study: In perioperative care, communication about patient safety concerns is both difficult and valuable. Research into speaking up has mostly been conducted in single countries; the aim of this study was to compare speaking up-related climate and behaviors in academic and nonacademic hospitals. Materials and Methods: The study is based on two surveys conducted in Austria and Switzerland. ⋯ Responders higher in hierarchy felt better with speaking up in nonacademic hospitals. Conclusions: The study is one of the first to address differences in academic and nonacademic hospitals in speaking up behaviors and demonstrated differences. This analysis helps to put local data in perspective and to target further activities for improvement.
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Titration of neuromuscular block (NMB) plays a key role in intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery. The combination of neuromuscular blocking agent and timely partial reversal of NMB was investigated in both animal experiments and clinical neuro-monitored thyroidectomy. ⋯ Both porcine model and clinical application showed that precise NMB management by low-dose sugammadex was effective for intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM). The regimen ensured optimal conditions for tracheal intubation and timely neuromuscular function restoration for high-quality EMG signal.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading in Gynecological Patients Undergoing Combined Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia.
Purpose: Preoperative carbohydrate loading (CHO) could improve insulin sensitivity and promoted postoperative recovery under general anesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CHO on gynecological patients. Methods: A group of 58 female patients undergoing surgery were randomized to either fast overnight (the FAST group) or receive 800 ml of CHO the evening before and 400 ml 2 h before anesthesia (the CHO group). ⋯ Lactate, pyruvate, and lactate/pyruvate ratios for the CHO patients were also lower than those for the FAST patients. Conclusions: CHO increased perioperative comfort in gynecological patients undergoing CSEA. It also attenuated insulin resistance after the operation and reduced the number of postoperative stress reactions.
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Colorectal surgery is associated with significant pain often requiring opioid and non-opioid analgesics. Pudendal nerve blocks (PNBs) can be administered with the aim to reduce pain and improve patient satisfaction. However, there are no current accepted guidelines for the use of PNB in colorectal surgery. ⋯ The current evidence, though limited, supports the use of bilateral PNBs in colorectal surgical procedures in particular hemorrhoidectomies. PNBs can be safe and effective in improving patient outcomes particularly when using bupivacaine or lidocaine with either the anatomical landmark or neurostimulation technique.
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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sagittal balance of the cervical spine and the clinical outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and to explore whether sagittal balance is related to the incidence of postoperative axial symptoms. Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive patients who underwent ACDF for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy from January 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled in our study. Sagittal balance parameters (global lordotic angle, segmented lordotic angle, T1 slope, and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis [C2-7 SVA] were recorded in the preoperative period and at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. ⋯ The subgroup analysis within the preoperative abnormal sagittal balance group showed significant differences in postoperative and change in C2-7 SVA between patients with and without postoperative axial symptoms. Conclusion: ACDF can be applied to restore the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine and effectively improve clinical outcomes for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Sagittal balance improvement may be associated with the low incidence of postoperative axial symptoms for patients with abnormal cervical sagittal balance before surgery.