Spontaneous lateral sphenoid cephalocele (SLSC) is the herniation of intracranial contents through a bony defect in the lateral sphenoid, without predisposing factors. SLSC pathogenesis is associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH); however, the relationship between IIH and SLSC is not fully understood due to the limited number of published case reports. Here, we report a unique case of SLSC in a 39-year-old female who presented with a combination of a lateral sphenoid cephalocele and multiple radiologic findings indicative of IIH, some of which have never been described in previously published case reports. This case highlights the possibility that chronically elevated intracranial pressure may be a determining factor in SLSC development.

Spontaneous lateral sphenoid cephalocele (SLSC) is the herniation of intracranial contents through a bony defect in the lateral sphenoid, without predisposing factors. SLSC pathogenesis is associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH); however, the relationship between IIH and SLSC is not fully understood due to the limited number of published case reports. Here, we report a unique case of SLSC in a 39-year-old female who presented with a combination of a lateral sphenoid cephalocele and multiple radiologic findings indicative of IIH, some of which have never been described in previously published case reports. This case highlights the possibility that chronically elevated intracranial pressure may be a determining factor in SLSC development.

Spontaneous lateral sphenoid cephalocele (SLSC) is the herniation of intracranial contents through a bony defect in the lateral sphenoid, without predisposing factors. SLSC pathogenesis is associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH); however, the relationship between IIH and SLSC is not fully understood due to the limited number of published case reports. Here, we report a unique case of SLSC in a 39-year-old female who presented with a combination of a lateral sphenoid cephalocele and multiple radiologic findings indicative of IIH, some of which have never been described in previously published case reports. This case highlights the possibility that chronically elevated intracranial pressure may be a determining factor in SLSC development.

Background: Residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) is a frequent event after general anesthesia, which can lead to serious complications, such as upper airway obstruction. Sugammadex is useful in reversing RNMB. However, its use in infants has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, anesthesiologists can be hesitant use it, even in situations where no other choice is available.Case: A two-month-old baby presented to the hospital for umbilical polypectomy. At the end of the surgery, neostigmine was administered. Even after waiting for 30 min and injecting an additional dose of neostigmine, neuromuscular blockade was not adequately reversed. Eventually, sugammadex was administered, and spontaneous breathing returned. Conclusions If there were no particular causes of delayed return to spontaneous breathing in infants, RNMB should be considered and reversal with sugammadex would be useful.

Background: Perioperative patients are potentially at risk for pressure injuries due to anesthetic agents and surgical positioning. Pressure injury increases discomfort and pain in patients and causes complications, which lead to an increase in mortality and hospitalization duration. Most previous studies did not focus on specific types of surgery or surgical positioning. We tried to identify the incidence of perioperative pressure injury during spinal surgery and perioperative risk factors that contribute to pressure injury. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records of 663 patients who underwent spinal surgery between March 2016 and May 2018. The primary outcome was occurrence of pressure injury. Potential risk factors of pressure injury were selected based on previous studies and expert opinion, and divided into two sub-categories: preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients in the pressure injury and non-injury groups. Perioperative risk factors for pressure injury were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: Among 663 patients, the incidence of all stages of pressure injury was 5.9%. The face and inguinal regions were the most injured sites (both 28.6%). The pressure injury group showed a 13% longer hospitalization period. Preoperative plasma concentration of protein was associated with 0.5-fold lower pressure injury (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.95; P = 0.034). Conclusions The incidence of pressure injury was similar to that previously reported and occurred in the direct weight-bearing areas, which led to longer hospitalization. We found that a lower preoperative serum protein level is significantly associated with intraoperative pressure injury occurrence during spinal surgery.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) has an incidence rate of 9% to 41%. It is directly linked to decreasing cognitive function, increasing length of hospitalization and cost, as well as other complications and mortality. We aimed to assess the risk factors for POD among elderly patients by analyzing data from those who underwent spinal surgery. Methods: This study included 446 patients aged 65 years or older who underwent spinal surgery at our institution between March 2013 and May 2018. Data were collected retrospectively from the patients’ electronic medical records, and logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors associated with POD. The diagnosis of POD was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and was made through consultation with a psychiatrist during postoperative hospitalization and before discharge. Results: Seventy-eight (78/446, 17.4%) patients were diagnosed with POD. The most relevant risk factor for POD was preoperative cognitive dysfunction (odds ratio [OR], 4.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60 to 11.93; P = 0.004), followed by emergency surgery (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.27 to 5.74; P = 0.01), age (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.26; P < 0.001), and anesthesia time (OR, 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01; P = 0.002). Conclusions Preoperative cognitive dysfunction, emergency surgery, age, and anesthesia time were factors that affected POD occurrence after spinal surgery. Patients with such associated factors may be at a higher risk for POD when undergoing spinal surgery, and hence, careful management may be necessary for these patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of an optimized prolate ablation procedure for correcting residual refractive errors following laser surgery. METHODS: We analyzed 24 eyes of 15 patients who underwent an optimized prolate ablation procedure for the correction of residual refractive errors following laser in situ keratomileusis, laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy, or photorefractive keratectomy surgeries. Preoperative ophthalmic examinations were performed, and uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction values (sphere, cylinder, and spherical equivalent), point spread function, modulation transfer function, corneal asphericity (Q value), ocular aberrations, and corneal haze measurements were obtained postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved and refractive errors decreased significantly at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Total coma aberration increased at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, while changes in all other aberrations were not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant changes in point spread function were detected, but modulation transfer function increased significantly at the postoperative time points measured. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized prolate ablation procedure was effective in terms of improving visual acuity and objective visual performance for the correction of persistent refractive errors following laser surgery.
Coma ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Laser Therapy* ; Phosmet* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; Refractive Errors* ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

Shift workers experience a disruption in the circadian sleep-wake rhythm, which brings upon adverse health effects such as fatigue, insomnia and decreased sleep quality. Moreover, shift work has deleterious effects on both work productivity and safety. In this review, we present a brief overview of the current literature on the consequences of shift work, especially focusing on attention-associated cognitive decline and related behavioral changes. We searched two electronic databases, PubMed and RISS, using key search terms related to cognitive domains, deleterious effects, and shift work. Twenty studies were eligible for the final review. The consequences of shift work can be classified into the following three categories extracted from the literature review : 1) work accidents ; 2) commuting accidents such as car accidents that occur on the way to and from work ; and 3) attendance management at work (i.e., absenteeism, tardiness, and unscheduled early departure). These cognitive and behavioral consequences of shift work were also found to be associated with sleep disorders in shift workers. Thus, improvements in the shift work system are necessary in order to enhance workers' health conditions, work productivity, and safety.
Absenteeism ; Cognition ; Efficiency ; Fatigue ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Transportation

BACKGROUND: During sedation with dexmedetomidine, a dose adjustment may be needed based on the invasiveness of the procedure, the patient's general condition, and their age. We aim here to determine the effective dose (ED) of dexmedetomidine to induce an adequate depth of sedation in elderly patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. METHODS: In this study, 47 patients aged 65 years or older, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, undergoing spinal anesthesia were included. Patients were randomly allocated into group I, II, III, IV or V according to the dexmedetomidine loading dose of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 microg/kg, respectively. After spinal anesthesia, the assigned loading dose of dexmedetomidine was infused intravenously for 10 minutes, after which infusion was maintained at a rate of 0.3 microg/kg/h for the next 10 minutes in all groups. We assessed the depth of sedation with the Ramsay sedation scale every five minutes and measured vital signs and the oxygen saturation. The ED50 and ED95 of dexmedetomidine to obtain adequate sedation (Ramsay sedation score > or = 3) upon the completion of the loading dose were calculated with logistic regression. RESULTS: The ED50 and ED95 of dexmedetomidine for adequate sedation were 0.29 microg/kg (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.14-0.44) and 0.86 microg/kg (95% CI 0.52-1.20), respectively. Hypotension was frequent in groups IV, V compared to groups I, II, III (31.6 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: ED95 of dexmedetomidine loading dose for adequate sedation is 0.86 microg/kg. However, dose higher than 0.5 microg/kg can lead to hemodynamic instability.
Aged* ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Dexmedetomidine* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Logistic Models ; Oxygen ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture surgery on elderly patients is associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors related to the postoperative mortality and complications following hip fracture surgery on elderly patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the medical records of elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) who underwent hip fracture surgery from January 2011 to June 2014 were reviewed. A total of 464 patients were involved. Demographic data of the patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, preoperative comorbidities, type and duration of anesthesia and type of surgery were collected. Factors related to postoperative mortality and complications; as well as to intensive care unit admission were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative mortality, cardiovascular complications, respiratory complications and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were 1.7, 4.7, 19.6 and 7.1%, respectively. Postoperative mortality was associated with preoperative respiratory comorbidities, postoperative cardiovascular complications (P < 0.05). Postoperative cardiovascular complications were related to frequent intraoperative hypotension (P <0.05). Postoperative respiratory complications were related to age, preoperative renal failure, neurological comorbidities, and bedridden state (P < 0.05). ICU admission was associated with the time from injury to operation, preoperative neurological comorbidities and frequent intraoperative hypotension (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate treatment of respiratory comorbidities and prevention of cardiovascular complications might be the critical factors in reducing postoperative mortality in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.
Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Comorbidity ; Hip Fractures ; Hip* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*