British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intraoperative dexamethasone alters immune cell populations in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery.
Anaesthetists use dexamethasone principally for its anti-emetic effect. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone on cellular and metabolic components of the immune system in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgical procedures. ⋯ In female patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery, dexamethasone administration appears to attenuate inflammation and to alter immune cell counts at 24 h, with no effects identified after this time. The importance of these changes for postoperative immune function is unknown.
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Observational Study
Association of intraoperative changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postoperative delirium in older adults.
Delirium is common after surgery, although the aetiology is poorly defined. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin important in neurotransmission and neuroplasticity. Decreased levels of BDNF have been associated with poor cognitive outcomes, but few studies have characterized the role of BDNF perioperatively. We hypothesized that intraoperative decreases in BDNF levels are associated with postoperative delirium. ⋯ We observed an association between intraoperative decline in plasma BDNF and delirium. These preliminary results need to be confirmed but suggest that plasma BDNF levels may be a biomarker for postoperative delirium.
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Preoperative single high-dose glucocorticoid may have early outcome benefits in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA), but long-term safety aspects have not been evaluated. ⋯ In this detailed prospective cohort study, preoperative high-dose glucocorticoid administration was not associated with LOS >4 days, readmissions or infectious complications in TKA patients without contraindications.
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Despite evidence of high activity, the number of surgical procedures performed in UK hospitals, their cost and subsequent mortality remain unclear. ⋯ The number of surgical procedures in the UK varies widely according to definition. The number of procedures is slowly increasing whilst the number of deaths is decreasing.