BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is considered less painful than open nephrectomy but is still associated with significant postoperative pain. Studies reported that intraperitoneal instillation of local anesthetics provides uncertain pain relief after laparoscopic surgery. This randomized, double-blind study evaluated the effect of intraperitoneal nebulization of ropivacaine on postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic donor nephrectomy were randomly assigned to receive either an instillation of 20 ml 0.5% ropivacaine after the induction of pneumoperitoneum or nebulization of 5 ml 1% ropivacaine before and after surgery. The primary outcome was the degree of pain relief (static and dynamic) after surgery. The secondary outcomes were postoperative fentanyl consumption, incidence of shoulder pain, unassisted walking and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Data were collected in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 6, 24, and 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Compared to patients in the instillation group, those in the nebulization group showed significant reductions in postoperative pain and fentanyl consumption, and none complained of significant shoulder pain (visual analog scale score ≥ 30 mm). Within 20 h of surgery, 13.3% of patients in the instillation group and 93.3% in the nebulization group started unassisted walking (absolute risk reduction, 38%; P = 0.001). In the nebulization group, PONV was significantly reduced in the PACU and at 6 h. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal nebulization of ropivacaine reduced postoperative pain, fentanyl consumption, referred shoulder pain, and PONV while enabling earlier mobility without any difference in the length of hospital stay.
Acute Pain ; Anesthetics, Local ; Double-Blind Method ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Shoulder Pain ; Tissue Donors ; Walking

BACKGROUND: Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), a disadvantage of laparoscopic or robotic surgery, is caused by the steep angle of the Trendelenburg position and the CO₂ pneumoperitoneum. Recently, sonographically measured optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) was suggested as a simple and non-invasive method for detecting increased ICP. This study aimed to explore the changes in ONSD in relation to different anesthetic agents used in gynecologic surgery.METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly allocated to two groups, sevoflurane (group SEV, n = 25) and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) group (group TIVA, n = 25). The ONSD was measured at five time points (T0–T4): T0 was measured 5 min after induction of anesthesia in the supine position; T1, T2, and T3 were measured at 5, 15, and 30 min after CO₂ pneumoperitoneum induction in the Trendelenburg position; and T4 was measured at 5 min after discontinuation of CO₂ pneumoperitoneum in the supine position. Respiratory and hemodynamic variables were also recorded.RESULTS: The intra-group changes in mean ONSD in the Trendelenburg position were significantly increased in both groups. However, inter-group changes in mean ONSD were not significantly different at T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4. Heart rates in group TIVA were significantly lower than those in group SEV at points T1–T4.CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the ONSD between the two groups until 30 min into the gynecologic surgery with CO₂ pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position. This study suggests that there is no difference in the ONSD between the two anesthetic methods.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Anesthetics ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Head-Down Tilt ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Methods ; Optic Nerve ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Propofol ; Supine Position ; Ultrasonography

A recent achalasia guideline suggests that peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a safe option for achalasia that is as effective as Heller myotomy. It is recommended that POEM should be performed under general anesthesia. The incidence of adverse events such as bleeding, perforation, and carbon dioxide insufflation-related complications was lower in POEM under endotracheal general anesthesia than in POEM under sedation. Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and accompanying hemodynamic instability can be caused by carbon dioxide insufflation. Treatment of possible physiological changes and adverse events during the POEM procedure from the point of view of anesthesiologists may give endoscopists a new perspective on improving patient safety. The territory of therapeutic endoscopy can be expanded through cooperation with other departments, including anesthesia services. Efforts to understand different perspectives will certainly help not only secure patient safety but also expand the area of treatment.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Carbon Dioxide ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Incidence ; Insufflation ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Patient Safety ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Pneumothorax ; Subcutaneous Emphysema

BACKGROUND: The supraglottic airway device is an appropriate alternative to tracheal intubation in laparoscopic surgery. We compared the Baska MaskⓇ with i-gelⓇ by measuring the oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) and hemodynamic and respiratory parameters during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.METHODS: A total of 97 patients were randomly allocated to either i-gel group (n = 49) or Baska Mask group (n = 48). Insertion time, number of insertion attempts, fiber-optic view of the glottis, and OLP were recorded. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, peak airway pressure (PAP), lung compliance, and perioperative complications were assessed before, during, and after pneumoperitoneum.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic data, insertion time, fiber-optic view of the glottis, and the use of airway manipulation. The OLP was higher in the Baska Mask group than in the i-gel group (29.6 ± 6.8 cmH₂O and 26.7 ± 4.5 cmH₂O, respectively; P = 0.014). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, PAP, and lung compliance were not significantly different between the groups. The incidence of perioperative complications was small and not statistically significant.CONCLUSIONS: Both the i-gel and Baska Mask provided a satisfactory airway during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Compared with the i-gel, the Baska Mask demonstrated a higher OLP.
Arterial Pressure ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Glottis ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Laparoscopy ; Laryngeal Masks ; Lung Compliance ; Masks ; Pneumoperitoneum

The goals of this study were, first, to evaluate the feasibility of inducing gastric perforation with 99% alcohol injection after electrocautery (EA-method), and, second, to observe “enhanced peritoneal stripe sign (EPSS)” and other lesions upon induction of gastric perforation. Six clinically normal beagle dogs were prepared for gastric perforation using endoscopy. After gastric perforation, EPSS and other lesions on ultrasonography were observed eventually (at 0 h, 3 h, day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5, and day 6). We graded the EPSS depending on its width and number. EPSS was observed until day 4 of the examination in all the 6 dogs. The grades of EPSS were the highest at 3 h and declined gradually. Peritoneal effusion was observed in all dogs at 3 h and on day 1. Regional bright mesenteric fat was confirmed in all dogs on days 3 and 4. In conclusion, gastric perforation can be induced by EA-method. EPSS and peritoneal effusion appear at a very early stage, and regional bright mesenteric fat was identified on days 3 and 4 in almost all dogs with gastric perforation.
Animals ; Ascitic Fluid ; Dogs ; Electrocoagulation ; Endoscopy ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic findings suggestive of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) with persistent gasless abdomen, and to investigate the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of SIP. METHODS: In total, 22 infants with birth weights less than 1,000 g who showed persistent gasless abdomen on simple abdominal radiography were included. Perinatal, neonatal, and perioperative clinical findings were retrospectively reviewed, and the risk factors for intestinal perforation were evaluated. Abdominal sonographic findings suggestive of intestinal perforation were also identified, and postoperative short-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, eight of the 22 infants (36.4%) with gasless abdomen had SIP. The number of infants with patent ductus arteriosus who were treated with intravenous ibuprofen or indomethacin was significantly higher in the SIP group than in the non-SIP group (P<0.05). Greenish or red gastric residue, abdominal distension, or decreased bowel sound were more frequent in infants with SIP (P<0.05), in addition to gray or bluish discoloration of abdomen, suggestive of meconium peritonitis (P<0.05). Pneumoperitoneum on simple abdominal radiography was found in only one of the eight infants (12.5%) with SIP. Intramural echogenicity and echogenic extramural material on abdominal ultrasonography were exclusively observed in infants with SIP. Four infants (50%) with SIP died after surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Intestinal perforation may occur in ELBWIs with gasless abdomen. As intramural echogenicity and extraluminal echogenic materials on abdominal ultrasonography are indicative of SIP, this technique could be useful for diagnosing SIP.
Abdomen ; Birth Weight ; Diagnosis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Humans ; Ibuprofen ; Indomethacin ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Perforation ; Meconium ; Peritonitis ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The current evidence on the safe use of supraglottic airway for pediatric laparoscopic surgeries is limited. Although i-gel has been successfully used in adult laparoscopic surgeries, to our knowledge, no studies have compared it to the endotracheal tube (ETT) in pediatric laparoscopic surgeries. This study evaluated the effectiveness of i-gel over ETT with regards to the respiratory and hemodynamic parameters during pediatric laparoscopic surgeries. METHODS: A total of 60 pediatric patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgeries were randomly allocated to either the i-gel or ETT groups. Anesthetics used included ketamine, sevoflurane, and rocuronium. The primary outcome measured was the peak airway pressure (PAP) and the secondary outcomes measured were leak fraction, end-tidal CO₂, respiratory rate, insertion time, heart rate, blood pressure and perioperative complications. RESULTS: The PAP during surgeries was higher in the ETT group than in the i-gel group. There were no statistically significant differences in the leak fraction, end-tidal CO₂, and respiratory rate. The i-gel group had a shorter insertion time compared with the ETT group. The changes in heart rate were comparable in both groups. However, systolic and diastolic pressures were higher in the ETT group following intubation, before and after the creation of pneumoperitoneum. The incidence of perioperative complications was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The i-gel provided adequate ventilation with lower PAP compared with ETT. In addition, it provided minimal hemodynamic changes compared with ETT. Therefore, the i-gel may provide a suitable alternative to ETT in pediatric laparoscopic surgeries.
Adult ; Anesthetics ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Ketamine ; Laparoscopy ; Pediatrics ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Respiratory Rate ; Ventilation

Early removal of a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) tube commonly causes pneumoperitoneum. However, we encountered a patient who developed pneumoperitoneum even with an indwelling PTBD tube. An 84-year-old man was admitted with type III combined duodenal and biliary obstruction secondary to metastatic bladder cancer. A biliary stent was placed using a percutaneous approach, and a duodenal stent was placed endoscopically. A large amount of subphrenic free air was detected after the procedures. Laboratory tests indicated intestinal perforation; however, peritoneal signs were absent. The patient was treated conservatively using an indwelling Levin tube. Seven days later, the massive amount of subphrenic free air disappeared. Follow-up tubography revealed unrestricted bile flow into the small intestine, and the PTBD tube was removed. Prolonged endoscopic procedures in patients with a PTBD tract communicating with the gastrointestinal tract can precipitate pneumoperitoneum. Clinicians should be careful to avoid misdiagnosing this condition as intestinal perforation.
Aged, 80 and over ; Bile ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation ; Intestine, Small ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Stents ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Vena cava syndrome is caused by central venous obstruction and can be divided into superior vena cava syndrome and inferior vena cava (IVC) syndrome. Symptoms and signs of IVC syndrome vary from no symptoms to lower limb edema, hypotension, and typical venous stasis changes of the lower extremities, such as brownish discoloration of the skin, woody edema, and ulceration. Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, lithotomy-Trendelenburg position, and abdominal obesity could increase intra-abdominal pressure. We report a patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery who showed intrathoracic herniation of peritoneal fat induced by elevated intra-abdominal pressure due to the reasons mentioned above, resulting in IVC syndrome and hypotension perioperatively. The patient was treated with a conservative approach because he was asymptomatic except for hypotension on the first postoperative day.
Carbon Dioxide ; Edema ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Laparoscopy ; Lower Extremity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Skin ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; Ulcer ; Vena Cava, Inferior

This paper presents a case report of tension pneumoperitoneum that occurred in a 4-month-old girl with intussusception during pneumatic reduction. Tension pneumoperitoneum is a rare but life threatening complication in air pressure enema that is commonly used to turn the intussuscepted bowel to its original position. The incidence of a simple pneumoperitoneum due to a bowel perforation associated with attempted pneumatic reduction for intussusception is as high as 4%. The simple pneumoperitoneum changed rapidly to tension pneumoperitoneum and immediate needle decompression was life-saving in this case. Similar to a tension pneumothorax, the diagnosis is clinical and management should not be delayed awaiting other confirmatory tests. The emergency physician must recognize this rare complication of pneumatic reduction and promptly treat the ensuing tension pneumoperitoneum after bowel perforation with immediate needle decompression as a part of the initial resuscitation.
Air Pressure ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Intussusception* ; Needles ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Pneumothorax ; Resuscitation