Objective To examine the influence of sevoflurane-based combined intravenous and inhaled anesthesia versus propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy. Study Design A randomized controlled trial. Setting The present study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Subjects and Methods Forty patients were randomly assigned to a sevoflurane-based combined intravenous and inhalation group (group S) or a propofol-based total intravenous group (group P). Anesthesia was induced with midazolam, sufentanil, propofol, and cisatracurium in both groups and was maintained with sevoflurane and remifentanil in group S and with TIVA with propofol and remifentanil in group P. IONM was performed intermittently according to the IONM formula standard. Results The time until detection of the first positive electromyographic (EMG) signal was significantly longer in group S (median, 41.0 minutes [interquartile range, 37.5-49.3]) than in group P (37.0 minutes [33.3-41.5], P = .028). All patients in group P had a positive EMG signal at initial monitoring, whereas 8 patients (40.0%) in group S did not. The rate of positive EMG signal at initial monitoring was significantly higher in group P than in group S ( P = .006). The amplitude of the evoked potentials at V1, R1, R2, and V2 were similar between the groups. Conclusion Combined intravenous and inhaled anesthesia based on sevoflurane-remifentanil prolonged the time until detection of a positive EMG signal during IONM as compared with TIVA with propofol-remifentanil in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

This study aimed to utilize concept analysis to obtain a better understanding of the concept of "continuity of care" in chronic diseases. Methods: The concept of continuity of care was analyzed using the Walker and Avant method. Covering literature in English from 1930 to 2018, the data sources included CINAHL Complete, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, PsyARTICLES, Health Source: Nursing/ Academic Edition, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library. Results: A comprehensive definition of concept of continuity of care was developed based on a systematic search and synthesis. The key defining attributes were identified as (a) care over time, (b) the relationship between an individual patient and a care team, (c) information transfer, (d) coordination, and (e) meeting changing needs. The antecedents of continuity of care were having a chronic disease, inexperienced with disease management, a poorly coordinated healthcare system, and medical care limitations. The consequences of continuity of care were decreasing hospital admissions, reducing costs, reducing emergency room visits, improving the quality of life, improving patient satisfaction, and delivering good healthcare. Conclusion: The thorough concept analysis provides insight into the nature of "continuity of care" in chronic diseases and also helps ground the concept in healthcare.