No abstract

This study demonstrates an increase in ONSD in patients undergoing RALRP. These findings confirm ICP rises to ≥20 mm Hg during RALRP surgery. This increase in ICP is significantly associated with increasing MAP. Patients with intracranial pathology should be counseled to the risks RALRP may pose with regard to intracranial hypertension.

Background and Objectives A hardcopy or paper cognitive aid has been shown to improve performance during the management of simulated local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) when given to the team leader. However, there remains room for improvement in order to ensure a system that can achieve perfect adherence to the published guidelines for LAST management. Recent research has shown that implementing a checklist via a designated reader may be of benefit. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the effect of an electronic decision support tool (DST) and designated ‘Reader’ role on team performance during an in-situ simulation of LAST. Methods Participants were randomized to Reader+DST (N = 16, rDST) and Control (N = 15, memory alone). The rDST group received the assistance of a dedicated Reader on the response team who was equipped with an electronic DST. The primary outcome measure was adherence to guidelines. Results For overall and critical percent correct scores, the rDST group scored higher than Control (99.3% vs 72.2%, P < 0.0001; 99.5% vs 70%, P < 0.0001, respectively). In the LAST scenario, 0 of 15 (0%) in the control group performed 100% of critical management steps, while 15 of 16 (93.8%) in the rDST group did so (P < 0.0001). Conclusions In a prospective, randomized single-blinded study, a designated Reader with an electronic DST improved adherence to guidelines in the management of an in-situ simulation of LAST. Such tools are promising in the future of medicine, but further research is needed to ensure the best methods for implementing them in the clinical arena.

Objective To investigate the association between perioperative patient characteristics and treatment modalities (eg, vasopressor use and volume of fluid administration) with complications and failure rates in patients undergoing head and neck free tissue transfer (FTT). Study Design A retrospective review of medical records. Setting Perioperative hospitalization for head and neck FTT at 1 tertiary care medical center between January 1, 2009, and October 31, 2011. Subjects and Methods Consecutive patients (N = 235) who underwent head and neck FTT. Demographic, patient characteristic, and intraoperative data were extracted from medical records. Complication and failure rates within the first 30 days were collected Results In a multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, reason for receiving flap, and type and volume of fluid given, perioperative complication was significantly associated with surgical blood loss (P = .019; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.16), while the rate of intraoperative fluid administration did not reach statistical significance (P = .06; 95% CI, 0.99-1.28). In a univariate analysis, FTT failure was significantly associated with reason for surgery (odds ratio, 5.40; P = .03; 95% CI, 1.69-17.3) and preoperative diagnosis of coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 3.60; P = .03; 95% CI, 1.16-11.2). Intraoperative vasopressor administration was not associated with either FTT complication or failure rate. Conclusions FTT complications were associated with surgical blood loss but not the use of vasoactive drugs. For patients undergoing FTT, judicious monitoring of blood loss may help stratify the risk of complication and failure.

The goal-directed hemodynamic management algorithm decreased the ICU length of stay. Judicious use of vasoactive drugs and goal-directed fluid administration has a role in improving perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing head and neck free tissue transfer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1974-E1980, 2016.