Objective:To investigate the effect of dexamethasone mixed with ropivacaine for cervical nerve pathway blockade on the postoperative swallowing function in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.Methods:This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. One hundred twenty-four patients, regardless of gender, aged 18-60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰor Ⅱ, who underwent elective thyroidectomy at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital from March to December 2023, were selected and divided into test group (DR group, n=62) and control group (R group, n=62)using a random number table method. After induction of total intravenous anesthesia, bilateral cervical nerve pathway blockade was performed, dexamethasone 5 mg and 0.25% ropivacaine 10 ml were injected in DR group, and 0.25% ropivacaine 10 ml was injected in group R. Main outcome measures: The swallowing function was assessed using Standard Swallowing Assessment scale at 1 and 6 days postoperatively, and the occurrence of swallowing dysfunction (abnormal in any indicator) was recorded. Secondary outcome measures: numerical rating scale scores were recorded immediately after tracheal extubation and at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after tracheal extubation in both static and swallowing states. Voice function was evaluated using the Voice Handicap Index-10 at 1 and 6 days postoperatively. The use of ketorolac tromethamine and occurrence of adverse reactions after surgery were recorded. Results:Sixty-one patients were finally included in DR group and 60 patients in R group. Compared with R group, the Standard Swallowing Assessment scale scores at 1 and 6 days after operation and incidence of swallowing disorders at 1 day after operation were significantly decreased, the numerical rating scale scores at 8 and 12 h after tracheal extubation in the static state and at 4-24 h after tracheal extubation in the swallowing state were decreased, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores at 1 day after operation were decreased, and the number of patients who used ketorolac tromethamine was reduced in DR group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Dexamethasone mixed with ropivacaine for cervical nerve pathway blockade can improve the postoperative swallowing function in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection.Methods:Two hundred and ninety-one elderly patients of either sex, aged ≥60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classificationⅠ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective thoracoscopic lung resection at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital from July 2022 to September 2023, were selected. Patients were divided into high GNRI group or low GNRI group based on the optimal cutoff value of GNRI (represented as a continuous variable) determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve to predict PPCs. The occurrence of PPCs was compared between the two groups within the first 7 postoperative days. The relationship between GNRI and PPCs was evaluated by the logistic regression analysis. The nonlinear correlation between GNRI score (expressed as a continuous variable) and PPCs was investigated by the restricted cubic spline. The accuracy of the GNRI, Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score, and combination of the two in predicting the occurrence of PPCs was evaluated by the areas under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval[ CI]). Results:A total of 269 patients were finally included, with 114 in high GNRI group (GNRI≥100.9) and 155 in low GNRI group (GNRI<100.9). Compared with high GNRI group, the incidence of PPCs was significantly increased compared with low GNRI group (42.6% vs 16.7%, P<0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low GNRI was a risk factor for PPCs, while elevated GNRI score was a protective factor for PPCS in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection ( P<0.05). The restricted cubic spline showed a linear correlation between GNRI score and PPCs ( P=0.947). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the GNRI, ARISCAT score, and combination of the two in predicting PPCs were 0.646 (95% CI 0.589-0.704), 0.619 (95% CI 0.564-0.674) and 0.708 (95% CI 0.647-0.769), respectively. Conclusions:Low GNRI is an independent risk factor for PPCs in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection, while elevated GNRI score is a protective factor. The combination of GNRI and ARISCAT score can predict the occurrence of PPCs.