Analgesic Effect of Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia and its Effect on TNF-α and CRP Levels in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture During Surgical Treatment

Objective:To observe the analgesic effect of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia on older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Method:One hundred and twenty elderly hip fracture surgery patients treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,with 60 cases in the experimental group and 60 in the control group.The experimental group was given combined spinal-epidural anesthesia intervention measures,while the control group was given epidural anesthesia intervention measures.The analgesic effect,tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)levels,and other observation indicators were analyzed after anesthesia intervention.Result:After the intervention,the analgesic effect and the evaluation results of the subjects in the experimental group were better than those in the control group(P<0.05);the obtained values of TNF-αand CRP levels in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined spinal-epidural anesthesia intervention demonstrated positive outcomes.The analgesic effect of patients during surgery and their inflammatory factor levels improved,which makes this intervention worthy of clinical application and promotion.

A Structured Method of Teaching Epidural Block reduces the incidence of accidental dural puncture in inexperienced trainees.

Background: The rate of accidental dural puncture is particularly high during the period of training, especially in novices. The structured epidural teaching model (SETM) includes three standardized video lessons, the construction of a 3D epidural module by trainees and practical training by using an epidural simulator with and without the CompuFlo™ Epidural instrument. In this study we report the retrospective analysis of the accidental dural puncture rate of inexperienced trainees during their 6 months clinical practice rotation in obstetrics before and after the introduction of the SETM in our Institution. Method: We evaluated the incidence of accidental dural puncture before the introduction of the SETM methodology and afterwards by analyzing our departmental database from February 2019 to January 2023. All epidural blocks were executed by trainees who had never previously performed an epidural block and were about to begin their obstetrics rotation. Results: We analyzed 7415 epidurals: 3703 were performed before the introduction of the SETM methodology (control group) and 3712 afterwards (study group). The incidence of accidental dural puncture was 0.37% for the control group and 0.13% for the study group (p<.05). The probability of making an accidental dural puncture was 64% (OR: 0.36) lower for trainees who had the training than for those who did not. Conclusions: After the introduction of the structured teaching method, we observed a significant reduction of accidental dural puncture during the training period. We hope that our observation will encourage a constructive discussion among experts about the need to use standardized and validated tools as a valuable aid in teaching epidural anesthesia.

Dynamics of vascular volume and hemodilution of lactated Ringer’s solution in patients during induction of general and epidural anesthesia

Objective： To investigate the dynamics of vascular volume and the plasma dilution of lactated Ringer＇s solution in patients during the induction of general and epidural anesthesia. Methods： The hemodilution of i.v. infusion of 1000 ml of lactated Ringer＇s solution over 60 min was studied in patients undergoing general （n=31） and epidural （n= 22） anesthesia. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and hemoglobin （Hb） concentration were measured every 5 rain during the study. Surgery was not started until the study period had been completed. Results： General anesthesia caused the greater decrease of mean arterial blood pressure （MAP） （mean 15% versus 9%; P〈0.01） and thereby followed by a more pronounced plasma dilution, blood volume expansion （VE） and blood volume expansion efficiency （VEE）. A strong linear correlation between hemodilution and the reduction in MAP （r=-0.50;P〈0.01） was found. At the end of infusion, patients undergoing general anesthesia retained 47% （SD 19%） of the infused fluid in the circulation, while epidural anesthesia retained 29% （SD 13%） （P〈0.001）. Correspondingly, a fewer urine output （mean 89 ml versus 156 ml; P〈0.05） and extravascular expansion （454 ml versus 551 ml; P〈0.05） were found during general anesthesia. Conclusion： We concluded that the induction of general anesthesia caused more hemodilution, volume expansion and volume expansion efficiency than epidural anesthesia, which was triggered only by the lower MAP.

Nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery under epidural anesthesia—Encouraging early results encourage randomized trials

Nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） that is also defined awake VATS entails thoracoscopic procedures performed by regional anesthesia in spontaneously ventilating,mildly sedated or fully awake patients.

Awake thoracoscopic surgery under epidural anesthesia: is it really safe?

Thoracoscopic surgeries usually require single-lung ventilation under general anesthesia because of the need to obtain a sufficient working space.In patients with impaired pulmonary function,if the patient can undergo general anesthesia,a more selected collapse of the lung is considered to be beneficial for intraoperative oxygenation.The selective bronchial blockade of the lobe to be resected has been reported by several investigators （1-3）.Mukaida and coworkers first reported thoracoscopic surgery for pnenmothorax under local and epidural anesthesia in 1998 in high-risk patients contraindicated for general anesthesia （4）.

SUMMARY OF CLINICAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA FOR CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Objective: TO study clinical effect and anesthetic method of acupuncture anesthesia combined with epidural administration of small dose of anesthetic for cholecystectomy. Methods: A total of 194 cases of cholecystectomy patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with epidural anesthesia group (group A, n = 66), acupoint-skin electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia group (group B, n = 63) and simple epidural anesthesia group (group C, n=65). Observations were conducted using single-bland method. Bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated electrically in group A and only stimulated electrically via cutaneous electrodes in group B. Epidural anesthetic used was 1.5% Lidocaine and the anesthetic level was controlled to reach T4-11 . Results: The class-I (excellent) rates of group A, B and C were 75.76%, 60.32% and 13.85% respectively, showing significant differences between group A and C and group B and C (P <0.001). The initial dose, doses of every hour and every case of group A and B were lower than those of group C. The dose of every hour of group C was 36.23% and 3. 75% higher then group A and B respectively (P < 0. 001), suggesting that acupuncture or acupoint-skin electrical stimulation could strengthen anesthetic effect and reduce the dose of epidural anesthetic. During operation, indexes of the life signs as HR, MAP, RR, TV, MV, SpO2 and ECG kept basically stable and all patients in group A passed surgical operation safely. Conclusion: Acupuncture or acupoint-skin electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia can be used as one of the anesthetic methods for cholecystectomy.

Peripheral Nerve Block Combined with Epidural Anesthesia for Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia Repair in a Patient with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Case Report

Background: Invasive mechanical ventilation worsens prognosis in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To avoid complications in these patients, anesthesia should be carefully considered. Case presentation: A 78-year-old man with COPD presented with dyspnea and pain from the epigastric to the umbilical regions. He was diagnosed with left incarcerated inguinal hernia and underwent radical inguinal hernia repair and surgical ileus treatment. To avoid general anesthesia with tracheal intubation, epidural anesthesia was combined with peripheral nerve blocks. An epidural catheter was inserted from T12/L1, and ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric and genitofemoral nerve blocks were performed under ultrasound guidance. No post-surgery complications or pain symptoms were noted. Conclusions: General anesthesia would likely have been challenging due to the patient’s COPD;however, management of peritoneal traction pain is difficult using peripheral nerve block alone. By combining epidural anesthesia with peripheral nerve blocks, we safely performed a procedure in a patient with severe COPD while avoiding invasive positive pressure ventilation.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA ON PLASMA CATECHOLAMINE CONTENT IN CHOLECYSTECTOMY PATIENTS

Objective: To observe changes of plasma catecholamine (CA) level in patients experiencing cholecystectomy under acupuncture anesthesia combined with epidural administration of small dose of anesthetics. Methods: 33 cholecystectomy patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with epidural anesthesia (A) group (n=11), acupoint skin electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia (B) group (n=11) and simple epidural anesthesia (C) group (n=11). Acupoints used were bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) and stimulated with parameters of frequency 2/15 Hz, intermittent waves, electric current 2～3 mA for group A and 13mA for group B. Extradural anesthetic administered was 1.5% Lidocaine 5 mL. Venous blood samples were collected one day before, during and 3 days after operation for detecting plasma NE, E and DA contents. Results: ① During operation, plasma NE of group A and B lowered in comparison with pre operation, particularly group A (P<0.01), while in group C, plasma NE level increased slightly; plasma E of group A and B increased significantly compared with pre operation (P< 0.01). Plasma DA in the 3 groups all raised during operation. ② Three days after operation, plasma NE, E and DA levels recovered basically in comparison with those of one day before operation. It indicates that acupuncture or acupoint skin electrical stimulation is capable of regulating sympathetic activity during epidural anesthesia. The anesthetic effect has a closer relation with changes of plasma NE level rather than changes of plasma E or DA levels. Conclusion: Acupuncture or acupoint surface electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia may be of reducing or releasing surgical operation generated stress response during cholecystectomy.

Eye Movement Modeling Examples as a Teaching Tool for Epidural Block

Introduction: Video examples with task demonstrations by experts, with the expert’s eye movements superimposed on the task, are known as “eye movement modeling examples” (EMME). We performed this study to evaluate if there were improvements in the performance of anesthesia novice trainees when executing the epidural technique after an EMME of epidural block procedure. Methods: We developed an eye movement modeling example (EMME) from eye tracking recordings made by experienced anesthesiologists with more than 20 years of experience. Forty-two PGY3 anesthesia trainees who had never previously performed an epidural block were randomized to receive (study group) or not receive (control group) the EMME video before their institutional training. All the trainees were evaluated every 10 epidural blocks until the end of the rotation period, by an independent, blinded observer using the Global Rating Scale for Epidural Anesthesia (GRS). Results: Trainees who received the EMME training exhibited more respect for the patient’s tissues (P Discussion: This is the first study that has used the EMME for a practical, clinical teaching purpose on real patients and that has used it as an aid in teaching epidural anesthesia. We demonstrated that inexperienced trainees who received the EMME training improved their proficiency at epidural blocks as compared to those who had no EMME training beforehand. Given this result, we welcome further studies to investigate the impact and the role of EMME on clinical teaching in the field of anesthesia.

SURVEY ON CLINICAL STUDY OF COMPOUND ACUPUNCTURE ANESTHESIA IN RECENT 10 YEARS IN CHINA

In the present paper, the authors make a review on the progresses of acupuncture anesthesia (AA) from ① historical development, ② research on acupuncture combined with local anesthesia; ③ research on acupuncture combined with epidural anesthesia; and ④ research on acupuncture combined with general anesthesia. Compound acupuncture anesthesia provides a new anesthetic measure for surgical operations and has a definite analgesic effect and many advantages, and should be investigated further.

Anesthetic management of a pregnant patient with Eisenmenger’s syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Eisenmenger’s syndrome(ES)is a rare complication of congenital heart disease that includes pulmonary artery hypertension and reversed or bidirectional shunts.The mortality rate of pregnant women with ES is 30%-70%due to pathophysiological deterioration.Successful perioperative management of a pregnant patient with ES is a challenge for anesthesiologists.CASE SUMMARY A 38-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to the cardiology department of our hospital at 22 wk of gestation with complaints of chest tightness and shortness of breath for 3 wk.Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a bidirectional shunt between the descending aorta and pulmonary artery after interventional closure of the patent ductus arteriosus and severe pulmonary hypertension.ES in pregnancy was our primary suspicion.The patient elected to terminate the pregnancy under adequate preoperative preparation,rigorous intraoperative monitoring,and perfect epidural anesthesia.She was discharged successfully on postoperative day 16.CONCLUSION Our experience in this case suggests that successful outcomes are possible in pregnant patients with ES for termination of pregnancy under epidural anesthesia and intensive monitoring.

Effects of anesthetic methods on preserving anti-tumor T-helper polarization following hepatectomy

AIM:To investigate the impact of different anesthetic techniques on T-helper(Th) cell subsets in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients undergoing hepatectomy.METHODS:Sixty-one HCC patients who received hepatectomies were randomized into an epidural combined general anesthesia(G + E;n = 31) or a general anesthesia(G;n = 30) group.Blood samples were obtained the morning before the operation(d0),and on the second(d2) and seventh(d7) day after the operation.Th cell contents were evaluated using flow cytometry,realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS:In all 61 patients,Th1 and Th2 cell frequencies,and interferon-(IFN-) mRNA expression markedly increased on d2,compared to d0.They recovered slightly on d7,and the Th1/Th2 ratio increased markedly on d7,compared with d2.In contrast,Th17,regulatory T cell(Treg),and interleukin-17(IL-17) levels and FOXP3 mRNA expression showed no significant change on d2,and then markedly decreased on d7.Similarly,plasma IFN-concentration on d2 was much higher than that on d0,and then partly recovered on d7.As compared with the G group,in the G + E group,Th1 cell frequencies and the Th1/Th2 ratio were slightly higher on d2 and significantly higher on d7,while Th2,Th17,and Treg cell frequencies were slightly lower on d2,and significantly lower on d7.Consistently,on d7,IFN-mRNA and protein levels and the IFN-/IL-4 ratio in the G + E group were higher than those in the G group.In contrast,the IL-17 mRNA level,and IL-17 and transforming growth factor-1 concentrations in the G + E group were lower than those in the G group.CONCLUSION:G + E is superior to G in shifting the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th1,while decreasing Th17 and Treg,potentially benefiting HCC patients by promoting anti-tumor Th polarization.

Accidental conus medullaris injury following combined epidural and spinal anesthesia in a pregnant woman with unknown tethered cord syndrome

In most adults, the conus medullaris ends at around the inferior margin of the first lumbar （L1） vertebral body.However, location of terminus of the conus medullaris is variable and even extends more distally in patients with diseases such as tethered cord syndrome （TCS）. Here, we reported a conus medullaris injury following combined spinal and epidural anesthesia （CSEA） in a pregnant woman with unknown TCS.

Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on the Morphine-related Side Effects in Patients Undergoing Spinal-epidural Anesthesia and Analgesia

Objective： To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the morphine-related side effects （nausea, vomiting, itchiness and gastrointestinal disorders） in patients undergoing anesthesia and analgesia and try to find the clinical mechanism of acupuncture. Methods： Patients scheduled to have transurethral prostatic resection enrolled in the study （69 patients）, characterized as Grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ by the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, were randomly assigned to three groups, 23 patients in each group： the placebo group （control group）, non-anesthesia area （NAA） group, and the anesthesia area （AA） group. After spinal anesthesia, all patients received Patients Controlled Epidural Analgesia. The vital signs, bowel sounds, visual analogue scales, itchiness, nausea and vomiting, and time for first exhaust post operation were observed. Results： Altogether, nine cases were eliminated, three in each group. Finally, sixty cases completed this study, twenty in each group. There was a significant decrease of bowel sounds after morphine spinal anesthesia in the three groups. Compared with the control or AA group, the bowel sound recovered after acupuncture, the incidences of nausea and vomiting, itchiness, and time for first exhaust after operation decreased in the NAA group （P〈0.05）. There was a significant decrease of the incidence for itchiness in the NAA group compared with the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： On the basis of this study, it is obviously seen that acupuncture could decrease the incidence of morphine-related side effects （nausea and vomiting, itchiness and gastrointestinal disorders） when the spinal cord conduct is normal. However, it decreases only the incidence of itchiness but not for gastrointestinal dysfunction when the spinal cord is blocked.

EMLA■ Cream coated on endotracheal tube with or without epidural lidocaine reduces isoflurane requirement during general anesthesia

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of tracheal topical anesthesia using EMLA■Cream(EC)coated on the endotracheal tube(ETT)with or without epidural anesthesia(EA)on isoflurane requirement during general anesthesia(GA)and investigate whether EC coated on the ETT with EA was associated with the additive effect compared with the effect when each anesthetic was administered independently.The prospective randomized,double-blinded,and controlled study included 60 ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery requiring GA.Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following groups:group 1 received GA,group 2 received EC+GA,group 3 received GA+EA,and group 4 received EC+GA+EA.Isoflurane was administered at the required concentrations to maintain the mean arterial pressure at a level not exceeding 20% of preoperative values.The percentage mean expired concentration(%MEC)was used in calculating the isoflurane requirement.Emergence agitation,postoperative sore throat,and hoarseness were recorded.Groups 2,3,and 4 exhibited a significant reduction on isoflurane requirement compared with group 1(P<0.05).The isoflurane requirement evaluated by%MEC decreased by 12%,38%,and 50% in groups 2,3,and 4,respectively.The incidence of emergence agitation was significantly lower in groups 2 and 4 than those in groups 1 and 3(P<0.05).Tracheal topical anesthesia using EC coated on ETT with or without EA reduced the isoflurane requirement during GA,indicating that EC combined with EA exhibited an additive effect on the requirement of general anesthetic.

全麻联合硬膜外麻对结肠癌手术患者免疫功能的影响

[目的]探讨全身麻醉联合硬膜外麻醉对结肠癌手术患者免疫功能的影响。[方法]结肠癌手术患者160例，按术中麻醉方式不同分为两组，每组各80例，对照组患者行全身麻醉，观察组行硬膜外麻醉联合全身麻醉，比较两组患者麻醉诱导前半小时（T1）、切皮后2h（T2）、手术结束时（T3）、手术后d1（T4）、手术后d3（T5）体内细胞免疫指标以及白细胞介素6（IL-6）的水平。[结果]两组患者CD4^＋、CD4^＋／CD8^＋水平于T2开始下降，其中对照组T1时CD4^＋，CD4^＋／CD8^＋水平显著高于T2～T5时，且差异具有显著性（P〈0．05）；观察组患者CD4^＋、CD4^＋／CD8^＋水平于T1时显著高于T3～T5时（P〈0．05）；对照组患者CD4^＋水平于T4时，CD4^＋／CD8^＋水平于T5时显著高于观察组，且差异具有显著性（P〈0．05）；两组患者CD8^＋水平、NK细胞水平于不同时期变化不明显，组间、组内比较差异均无显著性（P〉0．05）。T2时患者IL-6水平均开始上升，T1时两组IL-6水平显著低于T2-T5时，且差异有显著性（P〈0．05）；观察组患者T2～T4时IL-6水平显著低于对照组，且差异具有显著性（P〈0．05）。[结论]硬膜外麻醉联合全身麻醉对结肠癌手术患者免疫功能和IL-6水平影响较单纯全身麻醉小。

The Impact of Total Intravenous Propofol Anaesthesia versus Sevoflurane Anaesthesia on Perioperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Colonic Cancer Surgery

Background: Cancer colon is one of the most common malignancies. After colon cancer surgery patients may experience severe pain. Several studies have reported that a significant decrease in postoperative pain with propofol while other studies have showed this effect was not significant. Aim: Our goal was to assess the effect of combined epidural anaesthesia either with propofol or sevoflurane on intraoperative fentanyl consumption and postoperative pain in patients undergoing open surgical resection of colon cancer. Patients and Methods: 48 adult patients suffering from cancer colon scheduled for open surgical resection randomly allocated either to receive epidural-propofol by total intra venous anaesthesia (TIVA) (n = 24) or epidural-sevoflurane anaesthesia (n = 24), intraoperative heart rate and fentanyl consumption and postoperative pain score (verbal analogue scale, 0 - 10) were recorded. Results: In our study we found that the intensity of postoperative pain was low in all patients and the propofol based anaesthesia had relatively lower pain scores up to 24 hrs postoperatively in comparison to sevoflurane based anaesthesia, intraoperative fentanyl consumption was lower with sevoflurane and heart rate lower with propofol group. Conclusions: we recommend that use of multimodal analgesia decrease postoperative pain in all cancer colon patients undergoing open surgery who anaesthetized with either propofol or sevoflurane. Also use of propofol showed better analgesic outcomes postoperatively.

Post Dural Puncture Headache—Review and Suggested New Treatment

Objectives: After reading this article, readers should be able to recognize Post Dural Puncture Headache, understand its mechanism and diagnostic criteria, evaluate the different treatment options available, and be familiar with a novel treatment option. Background: Post-dural puncture headache is the most common serious complication resulting from lumbar puncture and epidural or spinal anesthetics. The syndrome is characterized by severe headache that occurs within 48 hours following the puncture, located in the frontal and/or occipital region, worsened in the upright position and refractory to routine analgesia. The syndrome incidence was reported to be approximately 1% with typical obstetric anesthesiology practice which reflects more than 20,000 cases per 2014 in the US. Two possible mechanisms are hypothesized as responsible for this syndrome;cerebrospinal fluid leakage and pneumocephalus. Multiple methods of treatment have been applied with wide-ranging results. Design or Methods: Review article with introduction of a novel treatment option. Results: We postulate that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can be used to treat post-dural puncture headache. The rationale for treatment is dual: enhancement of fibroblast proliferation at the site of dural puncture to facilitate faster closure of the tear and compression of air bubbles in case of pneumocephalus according to Boyle’s law. We also claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered a prophylactic treatment, if a dural tear is suspected.

Awake off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in 25 patients

Objectives To test the feasibility of the use of high thoracic epidural anesthesia as a sole anesthetic in patients undergoing off pump coronary artery bypass surgery, avoiding general anesthesia. Methods Between October 2002 to April 2003, twenty five cases underwent beating heart coronary artery revascularization without endotracheal general anesthesia, using high thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia. All the patients underwent epidural catheterization on the evening before the surgery. Resuits The patients in all received 71 grafts (single n = 11, double n = 5, triple n = 6, quadruple n = 3). Six patients underwent repeat coronary artery bypass. Except one was converted to general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass, the other patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 2 patients underwent grafting via left thoracotomy (MIDCAB) and the rest through mid sternotomy. There was no mortality. Mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 16 .2 ( 4.2 hours and hospital was 3.0(1.2 days. Conclusions Our experience confirms the feasibility of performing multiple coronary artery bypasses in conscious patients without endotracheal general anesthesia