The authors describe a case of pneumocephalus following epidural anaesthesia for total knee arthroplasty. Multiple attempts in locating the epidural space for the anaesthesia and the use of loss of resistance to air (LORA) technique were identified as the source of air entry. Supportive management was given including high flow oxygenation therapy and spontaneous reabsorption of air was noted five days after surgery. The presence of pneumocephalus should be kept in mind if patient develops neurological complications postoperatively following epidural anaesthesia.
Pneumocephalus ; Anesthesia, Cardiac Procedures

INTRODUCTIONOutcomes of bariatric surgery for super obese Asians are not well reported. We aimed to compare short-term outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in Asian patients with body mass index (BMI) <47.5 kg/m to those with BMI •••••• ≥47.5 kg/m.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 272 patients from Singapore university hospital who underwent LSG from 2008 to 2015 with a follow-up of at least 6 months were included in the study. Primary endpoint was weight loss at 1-year and 3-years. Morbid obesity (Group 1, G1) was defined as BMI <47.5 kg/m and super obesity (Group2, G2) was defined as BMI ≥47.5 kg/m.

RESULTSThere were 215 patients in G1 and 57 patients in G2 (mean preoperative weight: 107.3 kg and 146.8 kg; mean follow-up: 27.9 and 26.8 months, respectively). Mean total weight loss at 3-year of 41.9 kg for G2 was significantly higher ( = 0.003) than 27.2 kg for G1. Mean percentage excess weight loss (EWL) did not differ at 3-years. There was no difference in operating time, blood loss, length of stay, 30-day morbidity and readmission. There were no conversions and mortality in both groups. Remission of herpertension ( - 0.001) and dyslipidaemia ( = 0.038) were significantly associated with achieving EWL percentage (%EWL) >50 in G1.

CONCLUSIONLSG is an equally safe and effective operation in Asians with BMI ≥47.5 kg/m2 when compare to patients with BMI <47.5 kg/m in achieving significant weight loss and improvement in comorbidities. Super obese lose more weight but have lower %EWL.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Obesity, Morbid ; surgery ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Safety ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore