Background and Objective: Brachytherapy is the only demonstrated technique of delivering the high radiation dose required to control cervical cancer (>80 Gray [Gy]) without causing unwanted side effects. There is still limited data available in the Philippines regarding the anesthetic management of patients receiving intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer. It is the aim of this study to present the anesthetic management of these procedures performed in a non-operating site remote from the main hospital during the first 1 ½ years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective review of 446 eligible charts was made. Data collected included demographic variables, ASA physical status classification, anesthetic technique, anesthetic agents used, oxygen supplementation device, duration of procedure, intra-procedure complication, intra-procedure pain medications, post-procedure pain medications, recovery room (RR) rescue medications, time to fulfill discharge criteria, and patient disposition. Results: Four hundred forty-six (446) anesthetic encounters involving 117 patients is presented. Charts from 46 patients were excluded as it cannot be located. Mean age of the patients was 49 years with majority having normal BMI. Spinal anesthesia (SA) was more frequently (75%) used compared to total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). Less than 5% immediate anesthesia-related complications were recorded and all patients were discharged on the same day. Conclusion Spinal anesthesia and TIVA are safe and effective anesthetic techniques in patients with cervical cancer undergoing high dose intracavitary brachytherapy. Prospective studies to assess other aspects of their care as well as anesthesia-related long-term effects from repetitive anesthetic exposure is recommended.
brachytherapy ; uterine cervical neoplasm ; anesthesia, spinal ; anesthesia, intravenous

Background: Minimally invasive spine surgical techniques (MISST) are associated with less intraoperative blood loss, shorter duration of surgery, and less post-operative pain. In the last two decades, MISST have been performed on an outpatient basis in developed countries but it is still performed primarily on an inpatient basis in the Philippines. This study aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of performing MISST in an ambulatory surgical center in the Philippines.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent MISST in an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) in Manila, Philippines, from January 2014 to December 2018 was done. The different types of MISST were identified and analyzed as to patient demographic characteristics, anesthetic perioperative management, outcomes and complications.

Results: Out of 337 patients included in the review, 8 types of MISST were identified. The average patient age was 55.61 years. Majority (98.2%) of the patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. All patients had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in pain scores. ASC length of stay varied based on the complexity of the procedure ranging from 2.1 to 12.9 hours. There was a 0.89% incidence of surgery-related complications. Majority (94.4%) of the patients were discharged to home. There was no mortality.

Conclusion: Even in a developing country, transitioning MISST from inpatient to the ambulatory setting can be performed with minimal complications and unplanned hospital admissions while still achieving significant pain reduction. The key elements include careful patient selection, close coordination between the anesthesia and spine surgical teams, and provision of multimodal analgesia.

Airway management of a pediatric patient with cervical cystic hygroma can be challenging as the large neck mass may extend in the oral cavity, result in tracheal deviation, and cause possible upper airway obstruction. This is a case of a 4-year-old female admitted due to sudden enlargement of neck mass associated with dysphagia and sialorrhea. Patient was intubated under sedation while maintaining spontaneous ventilation with a pediatric flexible fiberoptic scope through a nasopharyngeal airway serving as a passage guide for ease of scoping and a protective device against trauma.
Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Airway Management ; Intubation