INTRODUCTION: Post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) delirium is a potentially preventable condition that results in a significant long-term effect. In a multicentre prospective cohort study, we investigate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: Patients were consented and recruited from 4 major hospitals in Singapore. Research ethics approval was obtained. Patients older than 65 years undergoing non-cardiac surgery >2 hours were recruited. Baseline perioperative data were collected. Preoperative baseline cognition was obtained. Patients were assessed in the post-anaesthesia care unit for delirium 30-60 minutes after arrival using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC). RESULTS Ninety-eight patients completed the study. Eleven patients (11.2%) had postoperative delirium. Patients who had PACU delirium were older (74.6±3.2 versus 70.6±4.4 years, P=0.005). Univariate analysis showed those who had PACU delirium are more likely to be ASA 3 (63.6% vs 31.0%, P=0.019), had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of >60mL/min/1.73m2 (36.4% vs 10.6%, P=0.013), higher HbA1C value (7.8±1.2 vs 6.6±0.9, P=0.011), raised random blood glucose (10.0±5.0mmol/L vs 6.5±2.4mmol/L, P=0.0066), and moderate-severe depression (18.2% vs 1.1%, P=0.033). They are more likely to stay longer in hospital (median 8 days [range 4-18] vs 4 days [range 2-8], P=0.049). Raised random blood glucose is independently associated with increased PACU delirium on multivariate analysis.
Aged ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Delirium/etiology* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Serious pulmonary complications after lung surgery increase morbidity and mortality in perioperative period. Ketamine hydrochloride produces strong analgesic effect in spite of the psychomimetic effects. Intravenous anesthesia with ketamine was performed in lung surgery of patients with decreased pulmonary function and compared with inhalation anesthesia with enflurane. METHODS: Sixty patients, scheduled for elective lung surgery, were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients received either enflurane (Group 1, n=30) or ketamine (Group 2, n=30) as main anesthetic drug. Blood pressure and heart rate were compared in preinduction, postinduction, postintubation, postincision, intraoperative period (30 minutes, 60 minutes) and recovery room between groups, and in each group. Arterial blood gas analysis was compared in preoperative period, intraoperative period and recovery room between groups. Postoperative psychological complications evaluated in group 2. RESULTS: Blood pressure and heart rate were significantly different in postinduction, postintubation and recovery room between groups. PaO2 in group 2 was higher than in group 1 during intraoperative period and recovery room. Postoperative psychological complications occured in 4 patients (13%) in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine affords advantage over enflurane anesthesia in terms of PaO2 during intraoperative period and recovery room in lung surgery of patients with decreased pulmonary function.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Inhalation* ; Anesthesia, Intravenous* ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Enflurane* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Inhalation* ; Intraoperative Period ; Ketamine* ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Perioperative Period ; Preoperative Period ; Recovery Room

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil and sevoflurane are characterized by rapid emergence from anesthesia. Therefore, propofol-remifentanil anesthesia (PR) and sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anesthesia (SN) were compared with regard to the recovery characteristics in children. METHODS: Sixty children scheduled for tonsillectomy were randomly assigned to receive PR (n = 30) or SN (n = 30). The PR group was induced by remifentanil, propofol and vecuronium, maintained with infusion of remifentanil and propofol. The SN group was induced by sevoflurane, nitrous oxide, vecuronium maintained with sevoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide. At the end of operation, all anesthetics were discontinued and 100% oxygen was inspirated in both groups. The times to spontaneous breathing, extubation, eye opening, PACU discharge were assessed and postoperative nausea/vomiting, agitation were noted. RESULTS: Spontaneous breathing occurred after 9.29 +/- 1.02 minutes (PR) versus 6.85 +/- 0.60 minutes (SN) (P < 0.05), extubation after 9.19 +/- 0.91 minutes versus 8.87 +/- 0.67 minutes, eye opening after 9.47 +/- 1.01 minutes versus 14.85 +/- 0.80 minutes (P < 0.05) and PACU discharge after 21.32 +/- 2.01 minutes versus 27.55 +/- 1.72 minutes (P < 0.05). The occurrence of postoperative nausea/vomiting was 7% (PR) versus 13% (SN), and the incidence of agitation was 60% (PR) versus 83% (SN). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the recovery of propofol-remifentanil anesthesia was faster than that of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anesthesia, except spontaneous breathing. The incidences of postoperative nausea/vomiting were low in both groups, and the incidences of agitation were higher in SN group than in PR group.
Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Child* ; Dihydroergotamine ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Propofol ; Respiration ; Tonsillectomy ; Vecuronium Bromide

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) following the use of intermediate-acting neuromuscular blocking agents is lower than that of longer-acting neuromuscular blocking agents, it has been reported in many studies. We compared the incidence of PORC following either rocuronium or vecuronium given by intermittent bolus or continuous infusion dosing. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients were included in this study. Neuromuscular blocking drugs were administered based solely on clinical criteria, and the reversal agent pyridostigmine was given to all patients. Residual block following rocuronium infusion (Group R-I), rocuronium bolus (Group R-B), vecuronium infusion (Group V-I), or vecuronium bolus dosing (Group V-B) was evaluated on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit. Neuromuscular function was assessed acceleromyographically (using TOF-Watch(R) to measure the train-of-four (TOF) ratio) and also clinically. PORC was defined as a TOF ratio of < 0.8. RESULTS: The incidence of PORC on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit was 20% in Group R-I, 23% in Group R-B, 42% in Group V-I, and 19% in Group V-B. Mean TOF ratio in Group V-I was less than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PORC is still common following vecuronium or rocuronium, even after the block is antagonized, if neuromuscular blocking agents are administered according to clinical criteria alone.
Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Vecuronium Bromide*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of small-dose dexmedetomidine infusion on recovery of patients undergoing vertebral operation.

METHODSSixty ASA I-II patients undergoing vertebral operation were randomly divided into two groups (n=30). In group I, dexmedetomidine infusion was pumped at the rate of 0.5 µg·kg(-1)·h(-1) from tracheal intubation to incision suture, and in group II, 0.9%saline was pumped instead. The mean arterial pressure, heart rate, Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale and Ramesay sedation score were recorded at the time points of autonomous respiration (T1), eye opening (T2), extubation (T3), 1 min after extubation (T4), 10 min after extubation (T5), and 30 min after extubation (T6).

RESULTSThe recovery time of autonomous respiration and eye opening time in group I were significantly longer than those in group II, and the extubation time was significantly shorter in group I (P<0.05). Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale scores in group II were significantly higher than those in group I at T2 and T4, and Ramesay sedation scores in group I were significantly higher than those in group II at T1, T2 and T5 (P<0.05). The mean arterial pressure and heart rate at each time point was significantly lower in group I than in group II (P<0.05), especially at T3 and T4 (P<0.01). In both groups, the mean arterial pressure and heart rate at T3 and T4 were significantly higher than those at rest (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSmall-dose dexmedetomidine infusion can reduce dysphoria and lower the risks during recovery from general anesthesia following vertebral operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Dexmedetomidine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Spine ; surgery

Either tacrine (THA) with succinylcholine or alcuronium was used on a randomized basis for laparoscopic procedures in twenty young females. The technique using THA with succinylcholine was found to be more suitable and predictable for this procedure and gave a smoother anaesthetic course, brighter recovery and minimal postoperative complications.
Alcuronium - adverse effects ; Aminoacridines - adverse effects ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Laparoscopy - methods ; Postoperative Complications - prevention & ; control

The length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following general anesthesia in adults is an important issue. A model, which can predict the results of PACU stays, could improve the utilization of PACU and operating room resources through a more efficient arrangement. The purpose of study was to compare the performance of neural network to logistic regression analysis using clinical sets of data from adult patients undergoing general anesthesia. An artificial neural network was trained with 409 clinical sets using backward error propagation and validated through independent testing of 183 records. Twenty-two inputs were used to find determinants and to predict categorical values. Logistic regression analysis was performed to provide a comparison. The neural network correctly predicted in 81.4% of situations and identified discriminating variables (intubated state, sex, neuromuscular blocker and intraoperative use of opioid), whereas the figure was 65.0% in logistic regression analysis. We concluded that the neural network could provide a useful predictive model for the optimization of limited resources. The neural network is a new alternative classifying method for developing a predictive paradigm, and it has a higher classifying performance compared to the logistic regression model.
Adult ; Anesthesia Recovery Period* ; Anesthesia, General/methods* ; Female ; Human ; Length of Stay* ; Logistic Models* ; Male ; Neural Networks (Computer)* ; Postoperative Care ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Recovery Room* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test whether pre-operative visual information and parental presence had positive effects on anxiety, delirium, and pain in pediatric patients who awoke from general anesthesia in a post-surgical stage. METHODS: This study used a non equivalent control-group post test design (n=76). Independent variables were provision of pre-operative visual information and parental presence for post-surgical pediatric patients in PACU (post anesthesia care unit). Dependent variables were anxiety, delirium, and pain in the pediatric patients measured three times at 10 minute intervals after extubation in the PACU. Measurements included Numerical Rating Scale for assessing state anxiety, Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale by Sikich & Lerman (2004) for delirium, and Objective Pain Scale by Broadman, Rice & Hannallah (1988) for pain. RESULTS: Experimental group showed significantly decreased state anxiety at time points-10, 20, and 30 minutes after extubation. Delirium was significantly lower at 10 minutes and 30 minutes after extubation in the experimental group. Pain was significantly lower at 10 minutes after extubation in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that this intervention can be a safe pre-operative nursing intervention for post-surgical pediatric patients at PACU.
Adolescent ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Anesthesia, General ; *Anxiety ; Child ; *Delirium ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *Pain ; *Pain Measurement ; Parents ; Patient Education as Topic ; Postanesthesia Nursing ; Preoperative Care ; Recovery Room

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, double-blind randomized study was to compare the recovery characteristics of desflurane-remifentanil and propofol-remifentanil anesthesia in patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy under BIS monitoring. METHODS: Eight patients (ASA I-II, 20-65 yr) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to receive propofol-remifentanil anaesthesia or desflurane-remifentanil. The BIS was monitored and maintained between 45-55. At the end of surgery all anesthetics were discontinued. Time to eye opening and time to extubation was recorded. Subsequently, the patients were transported to the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) and the modified aldrete score, visual analogue scale (VAS), blood pressure, heart rate, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were recorded upon arrival at the PACU, as well as at 15 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, and 24 hr. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of PONV between the two groups. Modified aldrete scores were significantly higher in the propofol group at 15 min postoperative period (P = 0.013, Propofol = 9.87, Desflurane = 9.62). Further, VAS scores were significantly higher in the desflurane group at 30 min (P = 0.037, Propofol = 4.26, Desflurane = 5.0), and the number of antiemetic injections were significantly higher in the desflurane group at arrival to the PACU (P = 0.035, Propofol = 0, Desflurane = 0.11 +/- 0.052) and at 24 hr (P = 0.03, Propofol = 0.41 +/- 0.562, Desfluarane = 0.62 +/- 0.157). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with BIS monitoring, there is no significant differences in the incidence of PONV. The use of propofol is associated with less postoperative pain.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Anesthetics ; Blood Pressure ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Consciousness Monitors ; Eye ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Isoflurane ; Pain, Postoperative ; Piperidines ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Postoperative Period ; Propofol ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Emergence agitation (EA) is one of the most common complications after general anesthesia. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors of EA in adult patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the medical records of 5,358 adult patients who stayed in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) of our hospital after general anesthesia during the 1-year period from January 2014 to December 2014. Psychological and behavioral status in the PACU was determined by the Aono four-point scale. Grade of 3 or 4 were considered as manifestations of EA. Multiple variables assessed EA risk factors. RESULTS: Two-hundred-forty-five patients (4.6%) developed EA. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR = 1.626, P = 0.001), older age (OR = 1.010, P = 0.035), abdominal surgery (OR = 1.633, P = 0.002), spine surgery (OR = 1.777, P = 0.015), longer duration of anesthesia (OR = 1.002, P < 0.001), postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR = 20.164, P < 0.001) and postoperative pain (OR = 3.614, P < 0.001) were risk factors of EA. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender and older patients were risk factors of EA after general anesthesia in adult patients. Careful attention is needed for patients who receive abdominal or spine surgery, and who receive prolonged anesthesia. Adequate postoperative analgesia and antiemetic therapy should be provided to reduce the incidence of EA.
Adult* ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Anesthesia, General* ; Delirium ; Dihydroergotamine* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Spine