Innovative integration of lung ultrasound and wearable monitoring for predicting pulmonary complications in colorectal surgery:A prospective study

BACKGROUND Postoperative pulmonary complications(PPCs)are common in patients who undergo colorectal surgery.Studies have focused on how to accurately diagnose and reduce the incidence of PPCs.Lung ultrasound has been proven to be useful in preoperative monitoring and postoperative care after cardiopulmonary surgery.However,lung ultrasound has not been studied in abdominal surgeries and has not been used with wearable devices to evaluate the influence of postoperative ambulation on the incidence of PPCs.AIM To investigate the relationship between lung ultrasound scores,PPCs,and postoperative physical activity levels in patients who underwent colorectal surgery.METHODS In this prospective observational study conducted from November 1,2019 to August 1,2020,patients who underwent colorectal surgery underwent daily bedside ultrasonography from the day before surgery to postoperative day(POD)5.Lung ultrasound scores and PPCs were recorded and analyzed to investigate their relationship.Pedometer bracelets measured the daily movement distance for 5 days post-surgery,and the correlation between postoperative activity levels and lung ultrasound scores was examined.RESULTS Thirteen cases of PPCs was observed in the cohort of 101 patients.The mean(standard deviation)peak lung ultrasound score was 5.32(2.52).Patients with a lung ultrasound score of≥6 constituted the high-risk group.High-risk lung ultrasound scores were associated with an increased incidence of PPCs after colorectal surgery(logistic regression coefficient,1.715;odds ratio,5.556).Postoperative movement distance was negatively associated with the lung ultrasound scores[Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient(r),-0.356,P<0.05].CONCLUSION Lung ultrasound effectively evaluates pulmonary condition post-colorectal surgery.Early ambulation and respiratory exercises in the initial two PODs will reduce PPCs and optimize postoperative care in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Analysis of the impact of ERAS-based respiratory function training on older patients’ability to prevent pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND In China,as the population grows older,the number of elderly people who have died from respiratory problems has increased.AIM To investigate whether enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)-based respiratory function training may help older patients who had abdominal surgery suffer fewer pulmonary problems,shorter hospital stays,and improved lung function.METHODS The data of 231 elderly individuals having abdominal surgery was retrospectively analyzed.Based on whether ERAS-based respiratory function training was provided,patients were divided into ERAS group(n=112)and control group(n=119).Deep vein thrombosis(DVT),pulmonary embolism(PE),and respiratory tract infection(RTI)were the primary outcome variables.Secondary outcome variables included the Borg score Scale,FEV1/FVC and postoperative hospital stay.RESULTS The percentage of 18.75%of ERAS group participants and 34.45%of control group participants,respectively,had respiratory infections(P=0.007).None of the individuals experienced PE or DVT.The ERAS group’s median postoperative hospital stay was 9.5 d(3-21 d)whereas the control groups was 11 d(4-18 d)(P=0.028).The Borg score decreased on the 4th d following surgery in the ERAS group compared to the 2nd d prior(P=0.003).The incidence of RTIs was greater in the control group than in the ERAS group among patients who spent more than 2 d in the hospital before surgery(P=0.029).CONCLUSION ERAS-based respiratory function training may reduce the risk of pulmonary complications in older individuals undergoing abdominal surgery.

Pathogenic aspects of pulmonary complications in acute pancreatitis patients

BACKGROUND:Experimental and clinical observations show that proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress are involved in the development of local and particularly systemic complications in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients. There are often pulmonary complications in such patients. The mechanisms through which lung injury is induced in AP are not fully clear. METHODS:In order to assess the role of activated neutrophils, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules at the onset and development of respiratory complications and respiratory failure, we measured the serum levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1ra, IL-10) cytokines in 51 AP patients who had been diagnosed with pancreatitis-associated lung injury with and without the development of organ dysfunction. RESULTS:When admitted to the hospital, severe AP patients had increased concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, and TNF-α. The concentration of IL-18 alone was considerably increased in the patients who later developed respiratory failure. The onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome in the AP patients was accompanied by an increase in the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-10. It was noted that in severe lung injury, myeloperoxidase activity in the blood increased significantly, but still reflected the processes taking place in the lung parenchyma. Increase in the concentrations of adhesion molecules preceded the development of pulmonary infiltration with respiratory failure symptoms, which provoked endothelial dysfunction and determined the capillary surface permeability for neutrophils and monocytes.CONCLUSIONS:In the pathogenesis of respiratory complications in AP cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules, in particular IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and E-selectin play major roles. At IL-18 concentrations >650 pg/ml, AP patients are likely to develop pulmonary dysfunction (sensitivity 58%, specificity 100%, LR-positive >58) which allows us to use it as a screening test.

Postoperative Elevations of Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and Platelet-to- lymphocyte Ratios Predict Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)are found to increase in patients who develop postoperative complications(PCs).The aim of the present study was to explore the association of the perioperative changes of NLR(ANLR)and PLR(OPLR)with PCs in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Clinical data of 509 patients,who were diagnosed with NSCLC and underwent thoracoscopic radical resection between January 1,2014 and July 31,2016 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery,West China Hospital,were reviewed.Patients were divided into PC and non-PC groups,and clinical characteristics including ANLR and APLR were compared between them.The optimal cut-off values of ONLR and APLR were determined by receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves and patients were assigned to high ANLR/APLR and low ONLR/OPLR groups in terms of the cut-off values.Clinicopathologic characteristics and the incidence of different PCs were compared between the dichotomized groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for PCs.The results showed that the ANLR and APLR in the PC group were significantly higher than those in the non-PC group(P<0.001 for both).The optimal cutoff values of ANLR and APLR were 6.6 and 49,respectively.Patients with ANLR>6.6 or 0PLR>49 were more likely to experience postoperative pulmonary complications(PPCs)(P<0.001 for both).Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that smoking[odds ratio(OR):2.450,95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.084--5.535,P=0.031)],tumor size(OR:1.225,95%CI:1.047-1.433,P=0.011),ANLR>6.6(OR:2.453,95%CI:1.2244.914,P-0.011)and APLR>49(OR:2.231,95%CI:1.182-4.212,P-0.013)were predictive of PPCs.In conclusion,the ONLR and APLR may act as novel predictors for PPCs in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical lung resection,and patients with ONLR>6.6 or APLR>49 should be treated more actively to prevent or reduce PPCs.

Multivariate analysis of the risk for pulmonary complication after gastrointestinal surgery

AIM: To identify the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) after gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: A total of 1 002 patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, during December 1999 and December 2003, were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PPC was 22.8% (228/ 1 002). Multivariate logistic analysis identified nine risk factors associated with PPC, including age odds ratio (OR = 1.040) history of respiratory diseases (OR = 2.976), serum albumin (OR = 0.954), chemotherapy 2 wk before operation (OR = 3.214), volume of preoperative erythrocyte transfusion (OR = 1.002), length of preoperative antibiotic therapy (OR = 1.072), intraoperative intratracheal intubation (OR = 1.002), nasogastric intubation (OR = 1.050) and postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.878). Logistic regression equation for predicting the risk of PPC was P(1) =q/[1+e-(-3.488+0.039×+1.090×Rd+0.001×Rbc-0.0047×Alb+0.002×Lii+ 0.049×Lni+0.630×Lmv+0.070×Dat+1.168×a)].

Reduction in pulmonary complications in high risk patients undergoing surgery for total hip replacement under general anesthesia by preoperative intensive inspiratory muscle training:A randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective： To evaluate the effects of preoperative inspiratory muscle training （IMT） on the incidence of atelectasis in patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications scheduled for elective total hip replacement surgery under general anesthesia. Methods： Thirty two high-risk patients undergoing elective total hip replacement surgery under general anesthesia were chosen from Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Nanjing First Hospital. In this single-blind randomized controlled clinical triM, patients were randomly assigned to receive preoperative inspiratory muscle training or conventional treatment （CT）. The major effectiveness outcome variables were atelectasis and duration of postoperative hospitalization. Results： Both groups were comparable prior to surgery. Seven patients in the CT group and 3 in the IMT group developed atelectasis （P = 0.25）. Median duration of postoperative hospitalization was 13 days （range, 10～17 days） in the IMT group versus 16 days （range, 11～23 days） in the CT group （Mann- Whitney U statistics, Z = -2.22, P = 0.03）. Mean postoperative inspiratory pressure was 5% higher in the IMT group. Conclusion： Preoperative intensive inspiratory muscle training appears to reduce the incidence of atelectasis and duration of postoperative hospitalization in patients at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications who were scheduled for elective total hip replacement surgery under general anesthesia.

Superiority of sugammadex in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications

Background:Postoperative pulmonary complications often lead to increased mortality and financial burden.Residual paralysis plays a critical role in postoperative pulmonary complications.This meta-analysis was performed to determine whether sugammadex overmatches neostigmine in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications.Methods:PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Medline through Ovid,Cochrane Library,Wanfang,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,and Chinese BioMedical Literature Databases were searched from their inception to 24 June,2021.Random effects models were used for all analyses.Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of RCTs,while Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess for the quality of cohort studies.Results:Seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis.Pooled data from cohort studies showed reversing neuromuscular blocking with sugammadex had less risk of compound postoperative pulmonary complications(relative risk[RR]:0.73;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.60-0.89;P=0.002;I^(2)=81%),pneumonia(RR:0.64;95%CI:0.48-0.86;I^(2)=42%)and respiratory failure(RR:0.48;95%CI:0.41-0.56;I^(2)=0%).However,pooled data from RCTs did not show any difference between the two groups in pneumonia(RR:0.58;95%CI:0.24-1.40;I^(2)=0%)and no respiratory failure was reported in the included RCTs.The difference was not found between sugammadex and neostigmine about atelectasis in pooled data from either RCTs(RR:0.85;95%CI:0.69-1.05;I^(2)=0%)or cohort studies(RR:1.01;95%CI:0.87-1.18;I^(2)=0%).Conclusion:The evidence of superiority of sugammadex was limited by the confounding factors in cohort studies and small scale of RCTs.Whether sugammadex precedes neostigmine in preventing pulmonary complications after surgery is still unknown.Well-designed RCTs with large scale are needed.Registration:PROSPERO(https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/);CRD 42020191575.

Individualized peri-operative fluid therapy facilitating early-phase recovery after liver transplantation

AIM:To investigate the correlation between peri-operative fluid therapy and early-phase recovery after liver transplantation(LT) by retrospectively reviewing 102 consecutive recipients.METHODS:Based on whether or not the patients had pulmonary complications,the patients were categorized into non-pulmonary and pulmonary groups.Twentyeight peri-operative variables were analyzed in both groups to screen for the factors related to the occurrence of early pulmonary complications.RESULTS:The starting hemoglobin(Hb) value,an intra-operative transfusion > 100 mL/kg,and a fluid balance ≤-14 mL/kg on the first day and the second or third day post-operatively were significant factors for early pulmonary complications.The extubation time,time to initial passage of flatus,or intensive care unit length of stay were significantly prolonged in patients who had not received an intra-operative transfusion ≤ 100 mL/kg or a fluid balance ≤-14 mL/kg on the first day and the second or the third day post-operatively.Moreover,these patients had poorer results in arterial blood gas analysis.CONCLUSION:It is important to offer a precise and individualized fluid therapy during the peri-operative period to the patients undergoing LT for cirrhosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy during anesthesia recovery for older orthopedic surgery patients: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Hypoxemia is a common complication in older patients during postoperative recovery and can cause pulmonary complications.Therefore,reducing the incidence of postoperative hypoxemia is a clinical concern.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen(HFNCO)in the resuscitation period of older orthopedic patients.METHODS In this prospective randomized controlled trial,60 older patients who underwent orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups:those who used conventional face mask and those who used HFNCO.All patients were treated with 60%oxygen for 1 h after extubation.Patients in the conventional face mask group were treated with a combination of air(2 L)and oxygen(2 L)using a traditional mask,whereas those in the HFNCO group were treated with HFNCO at a constant temperature of 34℃ and flow rate of 40 L/min.We assessed the effectiveness of oxygen therapy by monitoring the patients’arterial blood gas,peripheral oxygen saturation,and postoperative complications.RESULTS The characteristics of the patients were comparable between the groups.One hour after extubation,patients in HFNCO group had a significantly higher arterial partial pressure of oxygen(paO_(2))than that of patients in conventional face mask group(P<0.001).At extubation and 1 h after extubation,patients in both groups showed a significantly higher arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(paCO_(2))than the baseline levels(P<0.001).There were no differences in the saturation of peripheral oxygen,paO_(2),and paCO_(2) between the groups before anesthesia and before extubation(P>0.05).There were statistically significant differences in paO_(2) between the two groups before anesthesia and 1 h after extubation and immediately after extubation and 1 h after extubation(P<0.001).However,there were no significant differences in the oxygen tolerance score before leaving the room,airway humidification,and pulmonary complications 3 d after surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION HFNCO can improve oxygen partial pressure and respiratory function in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia.Thus,HFNCO can be used to prevent postoperative hypoxemia.

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome and Liver Transplantation:A Recent Review of the Literature

A severe and common pulmonary vascular complication of liver disease is hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).It is a triad of liver dysfunction and/or portal hypertension,intrapulmonary vascular dilatations,and increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient.Prevalence varies according to various study groups from 4%-47%.While the most common presenting symptom of HPS is dyspnea,it is usually asymptomatic,and thus all liver transplant candidates should be screened for its presence.Pulse oximetry is a useful screening method,but arterial blood gas examination is the gold standard.If there is an abnormal P (A-a)O2 gradient,microbubble transthoracic echocardiography should be done for diagnosis.Outcome is unpredictable,and there is currently no effective medical therapy.The only effective therapy is considered to be liver transplantation.Complete resolution of HPS after liver transplantation is seen within a year in most HPS patients.