Simulation-based transesophageal echocardiography education enhances image acquisition skills in anesthesiology residents.

We were able to define predictors of admission for patients having LH/RAH managed with an ERAS pathway. Increased ASA physical status, being African American, and increased length of procedure were significantly associated with admission after LH/RAH performed under an ERAS pathway. In addition, the incidences of urgent clinic and ER visits, readmissions, and reoperations within 90 days of surgery were similar for patients who were discharged on the day of surgery compared to those admitted.

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Background Preliminary studies using perineural sciatic ropivacaine in rat demonstrated unexpected heat hyperalgesia after block resolution. To better characterize the time course relative to mechanical anesthesia-analgesia, we tested the hypothesis that ropivacaine 0.5% leads to transient heat hyperalgesia in rat independent of mechanical nociception. We also evaluated functional toxicity (e.g., long-term hyperalgesia and/or tactile allodynia 2 weeks post-injection). Methods Under surgical exposure, left sciatic nerve block was performed in 2 groups of adult male rats – ropivacaine (200 μL, 5 mg/mL, n=14) versus vehicle (n=11). The efficacy and duration of block was assessed with serial heat, mechanical (Randall-Selitto testing), and tactile (von Frey-like monofilaments) tests; motor-proprioceptive (rotarod) and sedation tests were employed 1 hr and 7 hr post-injection. The presence of nerve injury was assessed by repeating the heat, tactile, and motor tests 12–14 days post-injection. Results Ropivacaine-induced anesthesia was fully manifest at 1 hr post-injection. At 3 hr post-injection, heat hypersensitivity was present in the setting of resolved mechanical analgesia. All behavioral measures returned to baseline by 2 wk post-injection. There was no evidence of (i) behavioral sedation, (ii) persistent changes in heat or mechanical sensitivity, or (iii) persistent changes in proprioceptive-motor function at 12–14 days post-injection. Conclusions Ropivacaine 0.5% induces transient heat hyperalgesia in the setting of resolved mechanical analgesia, further suggestive of modality and/or nociceptive fiber specificity. Whether this finding partially translates to “rebound pain” after patients’ nerve blocks wear off requires further study.

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Background. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary perioperative care model shown to reduce complications and hospital length of stay (LOS). While some thoracic ERAS studies were inconclusive, others demonstrated that ERAS improves patient outcomes after lung resections and provides more cost-effective care. We aimed to investigate the effects of preliminary implementation of an ERAS protocol, in comparison with conventional care, on lung resection outcomes at a single academic institution.Methods. In this observational study, adult patients undergoing lung resections during the pre-ERAS (April 2014 to September 2015) and post-ERAS (January 2016 to May 2017) periods were identified. Relevant demographic, preoperative, anesthesia, and surgical variables were collected. Pre-ERAS and post-ERAS cohorts were compared in terms of hospital LOS, postoperative complications, and 30-day outcomes.Results. We identified 264 patients, half in each cohort. Pre-ERAS and post-ERAS groups were similar with respect to age, race, and comorbidities. There were no significant differences in LOS, complications, 30-day readmission and mortality rates, or patient-reported outcomes. Of the patients with prolonged LOS, 31% had pulmonary complications, almost half of which were prolonged air leaks. ERAS adherence rate was approximately 60%.Conclusions. In the first year of implementation, median LOS, complications, and 30-day outcomes did not differ significantly between the pre-ERAS and post-ERAS groups. Prolonged air leaks commonly led to prolonged LOS; therefore, thoracic ERAS protocols could include interventions to reduce air leak and consideration for discharging patients with chest tubes placed to Heimlich valves. Buy-in and adherence to a new protocol are necessary for implementation to be effective.

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