These preliminary data suggest that CAS is associated with parasympathetic predominance postoperatively and may probably explain the lower systolic arterial pressure observed after CAS.

The results of our study suggest that CAS yielded less myocardial damage in the short and long term when compared with CEA. Larger randomized multicenter trials with long-term outcomes are necessary to confirm our findings.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the effect on postoperative pain, opioid consumption and the length of stay in postoperative care unit (PACU) after three different intraoperative analgesic regimens in thyroid surgery. Methods: Seventy five patients were enrolled into the study and assigned to one of three groups, fentanyl, sufentanil or remifentanil (n=25 for each group). Before the end of surgery, paracetamol 1 gr and nefopam 20 mg was also administered in all patients. Pain scores, opioid demand and the length of stay in PACU were assessed in a blind manner. Results: Post operative pain scores were significantly lower in the fentanyl and sufentanil groups compared to remifentanil group (55 ± 15, and 60 ± 10 versus 78± 12, P < 0.05). Patients in the remifentanil group stayed longer in the PACU 108± 37 min versus 78±31 and 73 ± 25 min, (P< 0.05). Conclusion: After remifentanil based analgesia, anticipation of postoperative pain with opioid analgesic appears mandatory even for surgery rated as being moderately painful, otherwise longer opioid titration due to higher pain scores might delay discharge time.

During a sustained high ambient temperature, hyperthermia can occur in critically ill infected patients and to a lesser extent in non-infected patients and health-care workers. The number of blood cultures requested rises substantially, leading to increased costs. Installation of air-conditioning is therefore recommended.