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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Poor supervision of physician trainees can be detrimental not only to resident education but also to patient care and safety. Inadequate supervision has been associated with more frequent deaths of patients under the care of junior residents. We hypothesized that residents reporting more medical errors would also report lower quality of supervision scores than the ones with lower reported medical errors. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the frequency of medical errors reported by residents and their perceived quality of faculty supervision.METHODS:A cross-sectional nationwide survey was sent to 1000 residents randomly selected from anesthesiology training departments across the United States. Residents from 122 residency programs were invited to participate, the median (interquartile range) per institution was 7 (4-11). Participants were asked to complete a survey assessing demography, perceived quality of faculty supervision, and perceived causes of inadequate perceived supervision. Responses to the statements "I perform procedures for which I am not properly trained," "I make mistakes that have negative consequences for the patient," and "I have made a medication error (drug or incorrect dose) in the last year" were used to assess error rates. Average supervision scores were determined using the De Oliveira Filho et al. scale and compared among the frequency of self-reported error categories using the Kruskal-Wallis test.RESULTS:Six hundred four residents responded to the survey (60.4%). Forty-five (7.5%) of the respondents reported performing procedures for which they were not properly trained, 24 (4%) reported having made mistakes with negative consequences to patients, and 16 (3%) reported medication errors in the last year having occurred multiple times or often. Supervision scores were inversely correlated with the frequency of reported errors for all 3 questions evaluating errors. At a cutoff value of 3, supervision scores demonstrated an overall accuracy (area under the curve) (99% confidence interval) of 0.81 (0.73-0.86), 0.89 (0.77-0.95), and 0.93 (0.77-0.98) for predicting a response of multiple times or often to the question of performing procedures for which they were not properly trained, reported mistakes with negative consequences to patients, and reported medication errors in the last year, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Anesthesiology trainees who reported a greater incidence of medical errors with negative consequences to patients and drug errors also reported lower scores for supervision by faculty. Our findings suggest that further studies of the association between supervision and patient safety are warranted.
Anesthesia and analgesia 02/2013; · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Admission to an anesthesiology residency in the United States is competitive, and the odds associated with a successful match based on the applicants' characteristics have not been determined. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with admission to anesthesiology residency in the United States.
The study was a retrospective cohort evaluation of the 2010 to 2011 residency applicants. Applicants' characteristics and objective factors used to select trainees were extracted. The primary outcome was a successful match to an anesthesiology residency. Data were analyzed using conditional inference tree analysis and propensity score matching.
Data available from 1,976 applications were examined corresponding to 58% of the national sample. The odds (99% CI) for successful match were 3.6 (3.1-4.2) for U.S. medical school graduates, 2.6 (2.3 to 3.0) for applicants with United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 scores more than 210, and 1.2 (1.1 to 1.3) for female applicants. The odds (99% CI) for a successful match for international and U.S. graduate applicants younger than 29 yr was 3.3 (2.0-5.4) and (1.9 to 4.2), respectively, even after propensity matching for medical school, exam scores, and gender. The average applicant had no peer-reviewed scholarly productivity.
Although anesthesiology residency acceptance was primarily associated with U.S. medical school attendance and United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 scores, our study suggest an influence of age and gender bias in the selection process. Peer-reviewed scholarly production among applicants and prior graduate education did not appear to influence candidate selection.
Anesthesiology 06/2012; 117(2):243-51. · 5.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Purpose: To determine the impact of the neuromuscular blocking agent given for intubation on the duration of effect of multiple maintenance
doses of pancuronium and rocuronium.
Methods: Seventy-eight subjects were randomly assigned to receive one of four dosing combinations for intubation and neuromuscular
maintenance: rocuronium for intubation and maintenance, rocuronium for intubation and pancuronium for maintenance, pancuronium
for intubation and rocuronium for maintenance, or pancuronium for both. Each time that the first twitch response returned
to 25% of the baseline value, the duration of the dose was determined and another maintenance dose was administered. The duration
of action of the maintenance doses was compared between the groups.
Results: Twitch suppression from the first maintenance dose was shorter for subjects who received rocuronium for both doses (Group
RR) compared with that for subjects that received pancuronium (Groups PR & PP) as their intubation dose (17.6vs 34 & 59.8 min, respectively,P<0.05). Subjects who received rocuronium followed by pancuronium (Group RP) showed a shorter duration of twitch suppression
after first maintenance dose than the group that received pancuronium for both doses (Group PP) (21.3vs 59.8 min,P<0.05). By the third maintenance dose, the influence of the intubating dose on the maintenance dose duration had essentially
diminished.
Conclusions: For combination of rocuronium and pancuronium, the duration of twitch suppression after a maintenance dose is only dependent
on the first agent given for the first two maintenance doses administered.
Objectif: Déterminer l’impact d’un myorelaxant, administré pour l’intubation, sur la durée de l’effet de multiples doses d’entretien
de pancuronium et de rocuronium.
Méthode: Soixante-dix-huit sujets, répartis de façon aléatoire en quatre groupes, ont reçu l’une des quatre combinaisons suivantes
de médicaments pour l’intubation et le maintien du bloc neuromusculaire: du rocuronium pour les deux, du rocuronium pour l’intubation
et du pancuronium pour le maintien, du pancuronium pour l’intubation et du rocuronium pour le maintien ou du pancuronium pour
les deux. Chaque fois qu’une première réponse à la stimulation affichait une valeur équivalente à 25% de la valeur de base,
la durée de la dose était déterminée et une autre dose de maintien administrée. On a comparé le temps d’action des doses de
maintien pour les quatre groupes.
Résultats: La suppression de la réaction à la première dose de maintien a été plus courte chez les sujets qui ont reçu du rocuronium
pour les deux doses (groupe RR) comparés à ceux qui ont reçu du pancuronium (groupes PR et PP) pour l’intubation (17,6vs 34 et 59,8 min, respectivement,P<0,05). Chez les sujets qui ont reçu du rocuronium, puis du pancuronium (groupe RP), la suppression de la réaction a été de
plus courte durée après la première dose de maintien que chez les sujets qui ont reçu du pancuronium pour les deux doses (groupe
PP) (21,3vs 59,8 min,P<0,05). À la troisième dose de maintien, l’influence de la dose d’intubation sur la durée de la dose de maintien avait essentiellement
diminué.
Conclusion: Dans le cas d’une combinaison de rocuronium et de pancuronium, la durée de la suppression de la réponse à un stimulus qui
suit l’administration d’une dose de maintien dépend seulement du premier médicament donné pour les deux premières doses de
maintien.
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia 04/2012; 48(2):129-132. · 2.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Publication bias occurs because positive finding studies are more likely to be published. The dearth of studies of negative or equivalence findings can erroneously affect future research and potentially clinical care of patients. We hypothesized that positive studies were more likely to be published than negative studies in anesthesiology journals with a higher impact and circulation.
A PubMed search for controlled trials in humans published in peer-reviewed anesthesiology journals during 2008 and 2009 was performed. Fourteen anesthesiology journals and 1163 studies were evaluated. The average clinical trial impact factor (average citations per article) for each journal was determined. The quartiles for the clinical trial impact factor for the journals included in the analysis were 4, 6.1, and 9.1. Studies were scored by 2 raters as positive or negative results of the primary stated outcome. Factors previously associated with publication were also extracted. The primary outcome, the proportion of positive and negative studies in the journals in the upper quartile of the clinical trial impact factor to the lower quartiles was compared using the Fisher exact test. The odds ratio for the effect of positive study results adjusted for other characteristics associated with publication was determined using binary logistic regression. A multinomial logistic regression model was fitted for the journals with an impact factor in the upper quartile with adjustment for study trial registration, origin of publication, positive study findings, reporting of treatment blinding, reporting of subject withdrawals, study sponsorship, and description of the randomization method.
Positive finding studies were identified in 72% (425 of 588) of articles in journals with a clinical trial impact factor >9.1 compared with 53% (308 of 575) in journals <9.1 (P < 0.001). After adjusting for factors associated with publication, positive study results had an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.28 (1.76-3.01) for publication in an anesthesiology journal in the upper quartile. Multinomial logistic regression identified positive study findings associated with an increased likelihood of publication in 3 of the 4 anesthesiology journals with a clinical trial impact factor >9.1.
This study reports the presence of publication bias in the anesthesiology literature especially in higher clinical trial impact factor journals. Publication bias can have potential implications for future research and the clinical care of patients. Authors should be encouraged to submit negative studies to high impact journals and the journals should be encouraged to evaluate the editorial process as the cause of publication bias.
Anesthesia and analgesia 02/2012; 114(5):1042-8. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Processed EEG monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may help determine loss of consciousness and depth of anesthesia. This study compared the SNAP(™) II and BIS Vista monitors in patients undergoing isoflurane anesthesia with normothermic CPB.
40 subjects undergoing CPB with isoflurane anesthesia were enrolled. Subjects were premedicated with 1-2 mg midazolam approximately 5 min prior to acquisition of baseline index values and anesthesia induced with midazolam and fentanyl. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, midazolam, and fentanyl and a cis-atracurium infusion. SNAP(™) II (version 1.2.9 algorithm 1.88) and BIS Vista (application version 3.00 platform version 2.03) indices were recorded at baseline, pre-induction, post-intubation, incision, start of CPB, every 15 min during CPB, end of CPB, and end of case. Agreement between methods was determined using Pearson correlation and the Bland-Altman method with repeated observa- tions.
Twenty-four male and 12 female subjects completed the analysis. The correlation between SNAP(™) II and BIS Vista index values was 0.61 (P < 0.005). A linear relationship between the difference in the indices and the average index values was observed following the induction of anesthesia. In awake subjects, the bias between the SNAP(™) II and BIS Vista was 5 (95% CI 3-7). The limits of agreement were 23 (95% CI 19-26) and -13 (95% CI -9--16). During anesthesia, the mean difference on a log scale was 0.11 (95% CI 0.09-0.12). The limits of agreement were 0.43 (95% CI 0.40-0.45) and -0.21 (95% CI -0.18--0.24). The antilog of the mean difference demonstrated that the SNAP(™) II value was 28% (95% CI 24-33%) higher than the BIS Vista value following induction of anesthesia.
The SNAP(™) II monitor demonstrates a consistently positive bias during cardiopulmonary bypass under isoflurane anesthesia compared with the BIS Vista.
International Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing 11/2011; 25(6):365-70.
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ABSTRACT: Postoperative pain can delay functional recovery after outpatient surgery. Multimodal analgesia can improve pain and possibly improve quality of recovery. In this study, we evaluated the dose-dependent effects of a preoperative transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on patient recovery using the Quality of Recovery 40 (QoR-40) questionnaire after ambulatory gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Global QoR-40 scores range from 40 to 200, representing very poor to outstanding quality of recovery, respectively.
Healthy women undergoing outpatient gynecological laparoscopy were randomly allocated to receive a preoperative TAP block using saline, ropivacaine 0.25%, or ropivacaine 0.5%. Needle placement for the TAP blocks was performed using ultrasound guidance and 15 mL of the study solution was injected bilaterally by a blinded investigator. QoR-40 score and analgesic use were assessed 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was global QoR-40 score at 24 hours after surgery. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Post hoc pairwise comparisons were made using the Dunn test with P values and 95% confidence intervals Bonferroni corrected for 6 comparisons.
Seventy-five subjects were enrolled and 70 subjects completed the study. The median (range) for the QoR-40 score after the TAP block was 157 (127-193), 173 (133-195), and 172 (130-196) for the saline group and 0.25% and 0.5% ropivacaine groups, respectively. The median difference (99.2% confidence interval) in QoR-40 score for 0.5% bupivacaine (16 [1-30], P=0.03) and 0.25% bupivacaine (17 [2-31], P=0.01) was more than saline but not significantly different between ropivacaine groups (-1 [-16 to 12], P=1.0). Increased global QoR-40 scores correlated with decreased area under the pain score time curve during postanesthesia recovery room stay (ρ=-0.56, 99.2% upper confidence limit [UCL]=-0.28), 24-hour opioid consumption (ρ=-0.61, 99.2% UCL=-0.34), pain score (0-10 scale) at 24 hours (ρ=-0.53, 99.2% UCL=-0.25), and time to discharge readiness (ρ=-0.65, 99.2% UCL=-0.42). The aforementioned variables were lower in the TAP block groups receiving ropivacaine compared with saline.
The TAP block is an effective adjunct in a multimodal analgesic strategy for ambulatory laparoscopic procedures. TAP blocks with ropivacaine 0.25% and 0.5% reduced pain, decreased opioid consumption, and provided earlier discharge readiness that was associated with better quality of recovery.
Anesthesia and analgesia 09/2011; 113(5):1218-25. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate work-related stress as well as personal factors associated with professional burnout in program directors of anesthesiology.
Survey instrument.
Academic anesthesiology department.
Anesthesiology residency program directors (n = 132).
A 5-part structured, open-ended questionnaire evaluating program and respondents' demographic information, work-related stressors, assessment of control of respondent's personal life using the modified efficiency scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services survey (MBI-HSS), and assessment of spousal/significant relationship support.
100 program directors (76%) responded to the survey. Twenty respondents met the criteria for high burnout risk, and an additional 30 were at risk of developing burnout. Twenty-two directors reported the high likelihood that they would step down in one to two years. Forty-three percent who reported the high likelihood of stepping down stated they were significantly affected by job-related stressors compared with 18% who reported a lower likelihood of stepping down (P = 0.03). Program directors who scored in the high burnout risk category were more likely to report lower current job satisfaction (P < 0.005) and an increased likelihood of stepping down in the next two years (P = 0.009). Logistic regression analysis identified compliance issues, self-assessment of effectiveness, family/significant other support, perceived impact of stressful factors, and current job satisfaction as predictors of high burnout. The model had a sensitivity (95% CI) of 0.55 (0.34 to 0.74) and specificity of 0.99 (0.92 to 1.0) for predicting high burnout risk.
Fifty-two percent of anesthesiology program directors are at high risk for developing burnout syndrome. Job-related stress, especially with administrative duties regarding compliance, was predictive of burnout among program directors.
Journal of clinical anesthesia 03/2011; 23(3):176-82. · 1.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Burnout is a work-related psychologic syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, low personal accomplishment, and depersonalization.
By using an instrument that included the MBI-HHS Burnout Inventory, we surveyed academic anesthesiology chairpersons in the United States. Current level of job satisfaction compared with 1 and 5 yr before the survey, likelihood of stepping down as chair in the next 2 yr, and a high risk of burnout were the primary outcomes.
Of the 117 chairs surveyed, 102 (87%) responded. Nine surveys had insufficient responses for assessment of burnout. Of 93 chairs, 32 (34%) reported high current job satisfaction, which represented a significant decline compared with that reported for 1 yr (P = 0.009) and 5 yr (P = 0.001) before the survey. Of 93 chairs, 26 (28%) reported extreme likelihood of stepping down as a chair in 1-2 yr. There was no association of age (P = 0.16), sex (P = 0.82), or self-reported effectiveness (P = 0.63) with anticipated likelihood of stepping down, but there was a negative association between the modified efficacy scale scoρrgr; = -0.303, P = 0.003) and likelihood of stepping down. Of 93 chairs, 26 (28%) met the criteria for high burnout and an additional 29 (31%) met the criteria for moderately high burnout. Decreased current job satisfaction and low self-reported spousal/significant other support were independent predictors of high burnout risk.
Fifty-one percent of academic anesthesiology chairs exhibit a high incidence/risk of burnout. Age, sex, time as a chair, hours worked, and perceived effectiveness were not associated with high burnout; however, low job satisfaction and reduced self-reported spousal/significant other support significantly increased the risk.
Anesthesiology 01/2011; 114(1):181-93. · 5.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Proficiency in tracheal intubation is a difficult skill to acquire, especially when using a rigid laryngoscope. We compared success in tracheal intubation by novices using an optical laryngoscope with that achieved with a rigid laryngoscope. After structured training in laryngoscopy and 5 consecutive successful intubation attempts using both the optical and rigid laryngoscope on a high-fidelity mannequin, trainees were randomly assigned to perform their first 2 tracheal intubations using either an optical or rigid laryngoscope using the standard Macintosh blade. The success rate for intubation was higher using the optical laryngoscope (23 of 30 attempts) compared with the rigid laryngoscope (8 of 30 attempts, P < 0.001). Intubation time was shorter using the optical laryngoscope (35 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 27-44 seconds) compared with the rigid laryngoscope (75 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 59-90 seconds) in successfully intubated patients (P < 0.001). Our study demonstrated greater successful tracheal intubation and reduced intubation time during the first two attempted intubations by novices using an optical compared with a rigid laryngoscope.
Anesthesia and analgesia 01/2011; 112(3):615-8. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The increased incidence of morbid obesity has resulted in an increase of bariatric surgical procedures. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a commonly encountered comorbidity in morbidly obese patients. Sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetics alter airway tone, and airway obstruction and death have been reported in patients with OSA after minimal doses of sedatives and anesthetics, yet there is a lack of consensus regarding the care of these patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether obese patients with polysomnography-confirmed diagnosis of OSA were at significantly greater risk for postoperative hypoxemic episodes in the first 24 h after laparoscopic bariatric surgery than morbidly obese patients without a diagnosis of OSA.
Adult subjects (Body Mass Index, 35-75 kg/m(2)) scheduled to undergo laparoscopic bariatric surgery were studied. A finger pulse oximetry probe was placed preoperatively and oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) was recorded continuously. All subjects underwent preoperative polysomnography testing within 4 wk of surgery. Anesthetic management was standardized, using propofol for induction and desflurane and remifentanil for maintenance of anesthesia. Patient-controlled analgesia programmed to deliver morphine, 1 mg. every 10 minutes, was used for pain management postoperatively. Hypoxemic episodes were scored as Spo(2) >4% below the polysomnography study baseline and lasting for more than 10 s.
Eight men and 32 women were enrolled and 1 subject had incomplete data. Thirty-one of the 40 subjects had polysomnography-confirmed OSA. Eight subjects used home continuous positive airway pressure devices nightly, and six of these used their device postoperatively. Preoperatively, subjects with OSA had lower nadir Spo(2) during the polysomnography study and a larger number had an apnea/hypopnea index >10 episodes per hour compared with the non-OSA group. In the first 24 h postoperatively, there was no difference in the median Spo(2) with and without oxygen therapy, between OSA and non-OSA groups. The number of episodes of oxygen desaturation >4% below the polysomnography study baseline value and the mean number of desaturation episodes per hour did not differ between the groups.
In morbidly obese subjects, in the first 24 h after laparoscopic bariatric surgery, OSA does not seem to increase the risk of postoperative hypoxemia. Our data confirm that morbidly obese subjects, with or without OSA, experience frequent oxygen desaturation episodes postoperatively, despite supplemental oxygen therapy suggesting that perioperative management strategies in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery should include measures to prevent postoperative hypoxemia.
Anesthesia and analgesia 07/2008; 107(1):138-43. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Visual blood loss estimation often underestimates blood loss. In this study we sought to determine the effect of calibrated drape markings on blood loss estimation in a simulated vaginal delivery.
Subjects were randomized to estimate simulated blood loss (300, 500, 1000, and 2000 mL) in calibrated or noncalibrated vaginal delivery drapes and then crossover.
Visual blood loss estimation with noncalibrated drapes underestimated blood loss, with worsening accuracy at larger volumes (16% error at 300 mL to 41% at 2000 mL). The calibrated drape error was <15% at all volumes.
Calibrated vaginal delivery drapes improve blood loss estimation.
Anesthesia and analgesia 01/2008; 105(6):1736-40, table of contents. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Healthy nonpregnant and pregnant patients may ingest clear liquids until 2 h before induction of anesthesia without adversely affecting gastric volume. In this study, we compared gastric emptying in obese, term, nonlaboring pregnant women (prepregnancy body mass index >35 kg/m2) after the ingestion of 50 and 300 mL of water.
Gastric emptying was assessed in 10 obese, term pregnant volunteers using both serial gastric ultrasound examinations and acetaminophen absorption in a crossover study design. After an overnight fast, volunteers ingested 1.5 g acetaminophen and 50 or 300 mL water (randomly assigned) on two occasions separated by at least 2 days. Serial gastric antrum cross-sectional areas were determined using gastric ultrasound imaging and the half-time to gastric emptying (T([1/2])) was calculated. Areas under the plasma acetaminophen concentration versus time curve (AUC), peak concentrations (C(max)), and time to peak concentration (t(max)) for 50 mL and 300 mL ingestions were compared.
Mean prepregnancy body mass index was 41 +/- 9 kg/m(2). Gastric emptying T([1/2]) was not different after ingestion of 300 mL water compared with 50 mL (23 +/- 11 min vs 32 +/- 15 min). There were no differences between acetaminophen AUCs at 60, 90, or 120 min, C(max) or t(max) after ingestion of 300 mL compared with 50 mL of water.
Gastric emptying in obese, nonlaboring term pregnant women is not delayed after ingestion of 300 mL compared with 50 mL of water. Gastric antral volume after ingestion of 300 mL of water is similar to the baseline fasting level at 60 min.
Anesthesia and analgesia 09/2007; 105(3):751-5. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The SNAP is a processed electroencephalogram monitor that uses an algorithm based on low- and high-frequency spectral components to derive a SNAP index. In this study we sought to determine the relationship of the SNAP index with loss of consciousness in subjects receiving a bolus of propofol. Unpremedicated subjects were randomized to receive 1 of 11 doses of IV propofol (0, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, or 2.4 mg/kg; n=20 per group). The SNAP index was recorded when the subject became unconscious (end-point) or at 160 s after the injection. Sixty-five percent of subjects achieved the end-point (defined as the time at which the subject dropped a weighted syringe). The 50% effective dose for propofol was 0.97 mg/kg (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-1.07 mg/kg). The median awake SNAP index was 92 (range 78-99) and did not differ between subjects who reached the end-point and those who did not. The end-point SNAP index decreased from baseline in the subjects who dropped the syringe to a median of 76 (range, 57-94) at doses > or =1.0 mg/kg but was not different among doses. The index was not different from baseline at 160 s in subjects who did not reach the end-point. Binary logistic regression models predicted a SNAP index 95% effective dose for loss of consciousness of 71 (95% CI, 63-74) and 19 (95% CI, 16-22) for changes in SNAP index from baseline. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves for these models were 0.837 and 0.864. The SNAP index correlated with propofol-induced loss of consciousness. It appears to be a useful indicator of loss of consciousness and should be further investigated as a monitor of anesthesia depth.
Anesthesia & Analgesia 02/2005; 100(1):141-8. · 3.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Regional anesthesia has been shown to blunt the response to surgical stress and decrease the use of volatile anesthetics and the consumption of opioids, which may reduce immune compromise and potentially delay tumor recurrence. The goal of this study was to find a possible association between intraoperative regional anesthesia and decreased cancer recurrence.
Patients who underwent surgery for ovarian cancer between January 1, 2000, and October 1, 2006, were included. Subjects who had optimal surgical debulking (<1.0 cm of remaining tumor) were evaluated for time to tumor recurrence (carcinoantigen 125 >21 U/mL or computed tomography evidence of disease progression) and/or death.
One hundred eighty-two patients were evaluated; 127 did not receive epidural anesthesia/analgesia. Among the 55 who had epidural catheters placed, 26 were used intraoperatively and postoperatively; 29 were used only postoperatively. Cancer recurrence was documented in 121 patients. The median (interquartile range) time to recurrence was 40 (25-52) months. The intraoperative use epidural group had a mean (95% confidence interval) time to recurrence of 73 (56-91) months, which was longer than either the epidural postoperative group 33 (21-45) months (P = 0.002) or the no-epidural group 38 (30-47) months (P = 0.001). The postoperative-only and no-epidural groups were not different (P = 0.92). Intraoperative epidural significantly reduced (hazard ratio, 0.37 [95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.73]) tumor recurrence risk.
Intraoperative use of epidural anesthesia was associated with an increased time to tumor recurrence after surgery in ovarian cancer patients. This may be a result of preservation of the immune system function.
Regional anesthesia and pain medicine 36(3):271-7. · 4.16 Impact Factor
