Leigh syndrome (LS), subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy is caused by various genetic defects, including m.9185T>C MTATP6 variant. Mechanism of LS development remains unknown. We report on the acid-base status of three patients with m.9185T>C related LS. At the onset, it showed respiratory alkalosis, reflecting excessive respiration effort (hyperventilation with low pCO2). In patient 1, the deterioration occurred in temporal relation to passive oxygen therapy. To the contrary, on the recovery, she demonstrated a relatively low respiratory drive, suggesting that a “hypoventilation” might be beneficial for m.9185T>C carriers. As long as circumstances of the development of LS have not been fully explained, we recommend to counteract hyperventilation and carefully dose oxygen in patients with m.9185T>C related LS.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11011-017-0122-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Background. Intraoperative awareness (IA) is diagnosed when patients can recall their surroundings or an event related to the surgery that occurred while they were under general anaesthesia. The female gender and Caesarean section are considered to be contributing factors. The aim of the present study was to analyse the frequency of IA in patients undergoing general anaesthesia either for Caesarean section or gynaecological procedures. Methods. ASA I and II women were included into the study. Patients were randomly allocated to 4 groups: A, B and C included patients qualified for elective gynaecological surgery, and group D comprised Caesarean section patients. Premedication was not given. Group A received total intravenous anaesthesia with TCI, and groups B, C and D received balanced anaesthesia. The depth of anaesthesia was monitored with an AEP monitor. Blinded structured interviews were conducted 2 hours after anaesthesia and on postoperative days 7 and 30. Results. 337 patients were enrolled into the study. 45 patients reported diverse sensations connected to the anaesthesia (Group A -7 patients, B -9 patients, C -2 patients, D -28 patients). There were mainly dream sensations, but IA was present in 3 cases. In all of the cases, IA was recognised during the first interview. One episode of awareness appeared in group B, and the other two appeared in group D. One Caesarean section was complicated by intraoperative haemorrhage. The patient from group B had similar sensations during previous anaesthesia. Two women enrolled in the study reported awareness in the past, which did not occur this time. Conclusion. Awareness during general anaesthesia occurs occasionally. The frequency of occurrence in a group of patients undergoing general anaesthesia for uncomplicated Caesarean section is not higher than for other procedures. The anaesthesia for Caesarean section, as well as for other procedures, may be accompanied by pleasant dreams.

IntroductionAdequate blood oxygenation and ventilation/perfusion matching should be main goal of anaesthetic and intensive care management. At present, one of the methods of improving gas exchange restricted by ventilation/perfusion mismatching is independent ventilation with two ventilators. Recently, however, a unique device has been developed, enabling ventilation of independent lungs in 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 proportions. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the device’s utility, precision and impact on pulmonary mechanics. Secondly- to measure the gas distribution in supine and lateral decubitus position.Materials and methods69 patients who underwent elective thoracic surgery were eligible for the study. During general anaesthesia, after double lumen tube intubation, the aforementioned control system was placed between the anaesthetic machine and the patient. In the supine and lateral decubitus (left/right) positions, measurements of conventional and independent (1:1 proportion) ventilation were performed separately for each lung, including the following: tidal volume, peak pressure and dynamic compliance.ResultsOur results show that conventional ventilation using Robertshaw tube in the supine position directs 47% of the tidal volume to the left lung and 53% to the right lung. Furthermore, in the left lateral position, 44% is directed to the dependent lung and 56% to the non-dependent lung. In the right lateral position, 49% is directed to the dependent lung and 51% to the non-dependent lung. The control system positively affected non-dependent and dependent lung ventilation by delivering equal tidal volumes into both lungs with no adverse effects, regardless of patient's position.ConclusionsWe report that gas distribution is uneven during conventional ventilation using Robertshaw tube in the supine and lateral decubitus positions. However, this recently released control system enables precise and safe independent ventilation in the supine and the left and right lateral decubitus positions.

Background. Crystalloids are frequently used for the correction of spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension, intraoperative bleeding, or vaporisation from surgical wounds.

Regional techniques are the gold standard of obstetric anaesthesia. In both vaginal and Caesarean section deliveries, neuraxial blocks are the most frequently used methods for relieving pain. Although it provides excellent analgesia, regional anaesthesia is associated with certain adverse side effects and possible complications. In this narrative review, we bring together all available data and create a catalogue of complications resulting from the use of perinatal neuraxial anaesthesia which we divide according to their severity and the duration of their impact on patients' health. We focus on complications that have significant or long-term consequences. Even though their incidence is low at 1:1600 neuraxial anaesthetics performed, we believe that better understanding of the possible severe problems that can result from regional anaesthesia procedures would enhance the overall safety of patients during labour, delivery, and the postpartum period. Despite the pivotal role neuraxial techniques play in providing anaesthesia for parturients, there is a lack of good quality studies on the incidence of complications. We believe that a thorough assessment of the occurrence of complications should be carried out by analysing data from nationwide medical databases. By analysing the adverse side effects, both qualitatively and quantitatively, we think it possible to further improve the quality of patient care.

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