Abstract: We report the case of a terminally ill cancer patient with recurrent pericardial and bilateral pleural effusions who was scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The operation was performed with the patient awake under epidural anaesthesia. The patient’s cough reflex in response to lung manipulation was successfully minimised by the inhalation of aerosolised lidocaine. Video-assisted thoracic surgery requires the exclusion of a lung from ventilation. In order to support one-lung spontaneous ventilation in this high-risk patient, we successfully used non-invasive bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation via a facemask. Based on this preliminary experience, we think that critically ill patients scheduled for palliative surgery can be successfully managed with the combination of minimally invasive surgical techniques and neuraxial block with non-invasive lung ventilation.

Authors: Iwata, M.; Inoue, S.; Kawaguchi, M.; Takahama, M.; Tojo, T.; Taniguchi, S.; Furuya, H.
Keywords: one-lung ventilation; sevoflurane; propofol; lung surgery; jugular bulb venous oxygen saturation
Abstract (English): Objective: During one-lung ventilation (OLV), systemic oxygenation can be compromised. In such a scenario, if anesthetic techniques were used that adversely affected cerebral oxygen balance, the risk for impaired cerebral oxygen balance may be increased. In this study, jugular bulb venous oxygen saturation (SjO2) during OLV under sevoflurane- or propofol-based anesthesia for lung surgery was investigated. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: University hospital. Participants: Fifty-two adult patients scheduled for elective thoracic procedures in the lateral position. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to either the sevoflurane or propofol group (n = 26). General anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane or propofol combined with epidural anesthesia. Measurements and Main Results: Arterial and jugular bulb blood samples were measured before OLV, 15 minutes after OLV, 30 minutes after OLV, and 15 minutes after the termination of OLV. SjO2 values in both sevoflurane and propofol groups significantly declined during OLV (p < 0.05). SjO2 values in the sevoflurane group were higher than in the propofol group, although SaO2 values were similar (p < 0.05). Regarding the incidence of SjO2 <50% (cerebral oxygen desaturation), there were significant differences between the sevoflurane group and the propofol group during both normally ventilated conditions (0% v 7.7%, p < 0.05, relative risk [RR]: not applicable) and OLV (1.9% v 26.9%, p < 0.05, RR = 14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.91-103). Significant increase in the incidence of SjO2 <50% during OLV was also observed only in the propofol group (from 7.7% to 26.9%, p < 0.05, RR = 3.5; 95% CI 1.29-12.4). Conclusion: Cerebral oxygen desaturation was more frequently detected during OLV under propofol- versus sevoflurane-based anesthesia. Cerebral oxygen balance during OLV for lung surgery was less impaired under sevoflurane-based anesthesia compared with propofol; however, the clinical outcome or implications for cognitive function need to be determined.

Authors: Al-Rawi, Omar Y. FRCA *; Pennefather, Stephen H. MRCP, FRCA *; Page, Richard D. FRCS +; Dave, Ishani FRCA *; Russell, Glen N. FRCA *

Institution From the Departments of *Anaesthesia and +Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Title The Effect of Thoracic Epidural Bupivacaine and an Intravenous Adrenaline Infusion on Gastric Tube Blood Flow During Esophagectomy.[Report]

Source Anesthesia & Analgesia. 106(3):884-887, March 2008.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Gastric tube necrosis is a major cause of anastomotic leak after esophagectomy. A correlation has been shown between reduced flux at the anastomotic end of the gastric tube and anastomotic leaks.

METHODS: We prospectively studied the effect of intraoperative thoracic epidural bupivacaine and subsequent adrenaline infusion on hemodynamics and flux in the gastric tube.

RESULTS: Administering the epidural bolus significantly decreased flux at the anastomotic end of the gastric tube (P < 0.01). Gastric flux was returned to baseline by an adrenaline infusion. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a thoracic epidural bolus may decrease flux at the anastomotic end of the gastric tube.

Amar, David MD; Desiderio, Dawn P. MD; Heerdt, Paul M. MD, PhD; Kolker, Anne C. MD; Zhang, Hao MD; Thaler, Howard T. PhD

Institution From the Departments of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City, New York.

Anesthesia & Analgesia. 106(2):379-383, February 2008.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Some anesthesiologists choose smaller than body size-appropriate left sided double-lumen tubes (DLTs) (“down-size”) for lung isolation in an attempt to limit the risk of airway trauma. There are few data on the effects of DLT size on intraoperative outcome measures.

METHODS: In 300 adults undergoing thoracic surgery requiring lung isolation, we conducted a prospective pilot study to evaluate whether the use of 35 FR DLT, regardless of gender and/or height (care standard of two investigators), was associated with a similar incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia, lung isolation failure, or need for DLT repositioning during surgery (noninferiority) than with the conventional goal of inserting the largest possible DLT (care standard of two other investigators). DLT insertion position was immediately confirmed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy after direct laryngoscopic placement and after lateral positioning.

RESULTS: The combined incidence of transient hypoxemia, inadequate lung isolation, or need for DLT repositioning during surgery did not differ among patients receiving 35, 37, or 39 FR DLT, regardless of gender or height. Despite the high frequency of 35 FR DLT use, 2% of patients required further down-sizing due to the inability to introduce the DLT into the left mainstem bronchus or when no inflation of the bronchial cuff was needed for lung isolation.

CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this pilot study, the use of smaller than conventionally sized DLT was not associated with any differences in clinical intraoperative outcomes.

Alvarez JM. Tan J. Kejriwal N. Ghanim K. Newman MA. Segal A. Sterret G. Bulsara MK
Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery. 133(6):1439-47, 2007 Jun.

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema is a leading cause of mortality after pneumonectomy. Postoperative hyperinflation of the remaining lung is an etiologic factor. We have demonstrated avoidance of postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema solely by changing management of the pneumonectomy space to a balanced drainage system. In sheep, we tested the following hypothesis: (1) Postoperative induced hyperinflation of the remaining lung can cause postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema. (2) A balanced drainage system can prevent its development. METHODS: We performed 37 right-sided pneumonectomies in adult sheep. In experiment 1, after surgery, 10 sheep had continuous suction (5 kPa) applied through an intercostal catheter placed in the empty hemithorax to induce mediastinal shift and hyperinflation of the left lung without adverse hemodynamic sequelae. In experiment 2, 27 sheep were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups regarding management of the residual empty right hemithorax: balanced drainage, no intercostal drainage, and clamp-release intercostal underwater drainage. A fourth group of 9 sheep served as a sham controls placebo with the same anesthetic and a right thoracotomy. RESULTS: All sheep tolerated surgery without adverse event. In experiment 1, there was significant mediastinal shift at necropsy in all sheep and 60% (n = 6) had postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema develop in the left lung (P = .023 vs sham). In experiment 2, incidences of postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema were as follows: 0 in balanced group (P = .057 vs other groups), 3 (30%) in no-drainage group, and 3 (30%) in clamp-release group. Only the 12 sheep with postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema had respiratory distress; the rest had uneventful recoveries. CONCLUSION: In a sheep model of postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema, hyperinflation from mediastinal shift is an etiologic factor. A balanced drainage system averts postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema. This is the first time such a causal relationship has been demonstrated, supporting our continued use of balanced drainage after pneumonectomy.

British Journal of Anaesthesia 2007 99(3):368-375.
T. Schilling1,*, A. Kozian1, M. Kretzschmar1, C. Huth2, T. Welte3, F. Bühling4, G. Hedenstierna5 and T. Hachenberg1

1 Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine
2 Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany
3 Department of Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
4 Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Germany
5 Department of Clinical Physiology, Uppsala University, Sweden

* Corresponding author: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany. E-mail: thomas.schilling@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de

Background: One-lung ventilation (OLV) induces a pro-inflammatory response including cytokine release and leucocyte recruitment in the ventilated lung. Whether volatile or i.v. anaesthetics differentially modulate the alveolar inflammatory response to OLV is unclear.

Methods: Thirty patients, ASA II or III, undergoing open thoracic surgery were randomized to receive either propofol 4 mg kg–1 h–1 (n = 15) or 1 MAC desflurane in air (n = 15) during thoracic surgery. Analgesia was provided by i.v. infusion of remifentanil (0.25 µg kg–1 min–1) in both groups. The patients were mechanically ventilated according to a standard protocol during two-lung ventilation and OLV. Fibre optic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of the ventilated lung was performed before and after OLV and 2 h postoperatively. Alveolar cells, protein, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM), IL10, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase were determined in the BAL fluid. Data were analysed by parametric or non-parametric tests, as indicated.

Results: In both groups, an increase in pro-inflammatory markers was found after OLV and 2 h postoperatively; however, the fraction of alveolar granulocytes (median 63.7 vs 31.1%, P < 0.05) was significantly higher in the propofol group compared with the desflurane group. The time courses of alveolar elastase, IL-8, and IL-10 differed between groups, and alveolar TNF (7.4 vs 3.1 pg ml–1, P < 0.05) and sICAM-1 (52.3 vs 26.3 ng ml–1, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the propofol group. Conclusions: These data indicate that pro-inflammatory reactions during OLV were influenced by the type of general anaesthesia. Different patterns of alveolar cytokines may be a result of increased granulocyte recruitment during propofol anaesthesia.

Authors: Iglesias, M.; Martinez, E.; Badia, J.R.; Macchiarini, P.
Abstract (English): Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of integrating an artificial, pumpless extracorporeal membrane ventilator (Novalung) to near static mechanical ventilation and its efficacy in patients with severe postresectional acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) unresponsive to optimal conventional treatment. Methods: Indications were severe postresectional and unresponsive acute respiratory distress syndrome, hemodynamic stability, and no significant peripheral arterial occlusive disease or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Management included placement of the arteriovenous femoral transcutaneous interventional lung-assist membrane ventilator, lung rest at minimal mechanical ventilator settings, and optimization of systemic oxygen consumption and delivery. Results: Among 239 pulmonary resections performed between 2005 and 2006, 7 patients (2.9%) experienced, 4 +/- 0.8 days after 5 pneumonectomies and 2 lobectomies, a severe (Murray score, 2.9 +/- 0.3) acute respiratory distress syndrome unresponsive to 4 +/- 2 days of conventional therapy. The interventional lung-assist membrane ventilator was left in place 4.3 +/- 2.5 days, and replaced only once for massive clotting. During this time, 29% +/- 0.3% or 1.4 +/- 0.36 L/min of the cardiac output perfused the device, without hemodynamic impairment. Using a sweep gas flow of 10.7 +/- 3.8 L/min, the device allowed an extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal of 255 +/- 31 mL/min, lung(s) rest (tidal volume, 2.7 +/- 0.8 mL/kg; respiratory rate, 6 +/- 2 beats/min; fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.5 +/- 0.1), early (<24 hours) significant improvement of respiratory function, and reduction of plasmatic interleukin-6 levels (p < 0.001) and Murray score (1.25 +/- 0.1; p < 0.003). All but 1 patient (14%) who died of multiorgan failure were weaned from mechanical ventilation 8 +/- 3 days after removal of the interventional lung-assist membrane ventilator, and all of them were discharged from the hospital. Conclusions: The integration of this device to near static mechanical ventilation of the residual native lung(s) is feasible and highly effective in patients with severe and unresponsive acute respiratory distress syndrome after pulmonary resection.

ny-pga-lung-protect-1207.pdf

portsmouth-med-mass-1107.pdf

Background: The oesophagectomy procedure includes the formation of a gastric tube to re-establish the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) on gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) remains unknown in clinical practice. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the microcirculatory changes induced by TEA in the early post-operative course.

Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients who underwent radical oesophagectomy with en-bloc resection and two-field lymphadenectomy for oesophageal cancer, and benefited from TEA during the post-operative course, were studied prospectively, and compared with nine patients who declined the use of TEA in the same period (control group). GMBF was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter in three consecutive time periods (before and after 1 and 18 h of TEA infusion). Post-operative monitoring also included the measurement of arterial pressure, cardiac output, gas exchange and intrathoracic blood volume index.

Results: After the first and 18th hour of infusion, TEA induced an increase in GMBF compared with baseline and the control group. The mean arterial pressure and intrathoracic blood volume index decreased after the first hour of TEA infusion with no influence on the cardiac index.

Conclusions: This clinical study demonstrates that TEA improves the microcirculation of the gastric tube in the early post-oesophagectomy period. The clinical relevance of TEA in this setting should be validated in larger studies focusing on the clinical outcome following oesophagectomy.