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Biomedical subjects

Jay B Brodsky

Publications and source records attributed to Jay B Brodsky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Anesthesia for thoracic surgery in morbidly obese patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review considers the anesthetic management of obese patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Extremely or morbidly obese patients differ from patients of normal weight in several ways. Obese patients have altered anatomy and physiology, and usually have associated comorbid medical conditions that may complicate their operative course and increase their risks for postoperative complications. RECENT FINDINGS: During anesthetic induction and laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation the morbidly obese patient should be in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the head and neck elevated above the table. Placement of a double-lumen tube should be no more difficult in an obese patient than in a normal-weight patient. There are no clear advantages for any of the commonly available inhalational anesthetic agents and each can be used for general anesthesia. SUMMARY: With proper attention to their special needs, the morbidly obese patient can safely undergo thoracic surgery and one-lung ventilation.

Anesthesia↗

The dose of succinylcholine in morbid obesity.

The appropriate dose of succinylcholine (SCH) in morbidly obese patients is unknown. We studied 45 morbidly obese (body mass index >40 kg/m2) adults scheduled for gastric bypass surgery. The response to ulnar nerve stimulation of the adductor pollicis muscle at the wrist was recorded using the TOF-Watch SX acceleromyograph. In a randomized double-blind fashion, patients were assigned to one of three study groups. In Group I, patients received SCH 1 mg/kg ideal body weight, in Group II 1 mg/kg lean body weight, and in Group III 1 mg/kg total body weight. After SCH administration, endotracheal intubating conditions were scored. The recovery from neuromuscular block was recorded for 20 min. There was no difference in the onset time of maximum neuromuscular blockade among groups, but maximum block was significantly less in Group I. The recovery intervals were significantly shorter in Groups I and II. In one third of the patients in Group I, intubating conditions were rated poor, whereas no patient in Group III had poor intubating conditions. Our study demonstrates that for complete neuromuscular paralysis and predictable laryngoscopy conditions, SCH 1 mg/kg total body weight is recommended.

Adult↗

Orogastric tube complications in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Recent national efforts have focused on improving patient safety in surgical procedures including examining adverse events. An adverse event in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) which has not received much scrutiny involves orogastric tube complications during gastric pouch formation. METHODS: Retrospective review was conducted of all LRYGBPs (n=727) performed by 5 surgeons over 5 years at 2 institutions. Cases with intraoperative orogastric tube (OGT) related complications (n=9) were identified. RESULTS: 9 patients (1.2%) had preventable orogastric tube-related complications. Mean patient demographics were as follows: age 47 years, female 56%, pre-op BMI 52 kg/m(2), co-morbidities 3.5 and mortality 0%. 7 of 9 patients' cases were complicated by stapling of an orogastric tube during gastric pouch formation. The remaining 2 patients had complications involving suturing of the Levacuator tube during gastrojejunostomy formation. All complications required gastric pouch or anastomotic revision. 2 patients required conversion to an open procedure, 2 required re-operation for anastomotic leak, and 1 had respiratory failure and prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Orogastric tube complications can occur during laparoscopic RYGBP, but are seldom reported and can be associated with significant morbidity. Treatment options are dependent upon the situation. More importantly, prevention strategies must include constant communication with the anesthesiologist and removal or manipulation of an OGT prior to stapling or suturing, use of large bore OGTs for increased visual or tactile recognition, retraction of the OGT proximal to the anastomosis during gastrojejunal construction and employing alternatives to esophageal temperature probes (i.e. Foley temperature probes).

Adult↗

Estimating blood volume in obese and morbidly obese patients.

Preoperative assessment of blood volume (BV) is important for patients undergoing surgery. The mean value for indexed blood volume ((In)BV) in normal weight adults is 70 mL/kg. Since (In)BV decreases in a non-linear manner with increasing weight, this value cannot be used for obese and morbidly obese patients. We present an equation that allows estimation of (In)BV over the entire range of body weights.

Blood Volume↗

Intra-operative fluid volume influences postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is a commonly performed operation for morbid obesity. A significant number of patients experience postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following this procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the effect, if any, of intra-operative fluid replacement on PONV. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic (RYGBP) for morbid obesity during a 12-month period were included in this retrospective analysis. Demographic data including age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Perioperative data also included total volume of intra-operative fluids administered, rate of administration, urine output, length of surgery, and incidence of PONV as determined by nursing or anesthesia records in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Data were analyzed by t-test. RESULTS: The table below depicts demographic and perioperative data, comparing patients who experienced PONV (n=125) in the PACU with those who did not (n=55). Values are mean +/- standard deviation. CONCLUSIONS: PONV is a common complication after laparoscopic RYGB. Patient who did not experience PONV received a larger volume of intravenous fluid at a faster rate than similar patients who complained of PONV.

Adult↗

Anesthetic management of morbidly obese and super-morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric operations: hospital course and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although the implications for the anesthetic and perioperative care of severely obese patients undergoing weight loss operations are considerable, current anesthetic management of super-obese (SO) patients (BMI > or =50 kg/m(2)), including super-super-obese (BMI > or =60) derives from experience with morbidly obese (MO) patients (BMI 40-49.9 kg/m(2)). We compared anesthetic and perioperative data of SO patients and MO patients undergoing weight loss operations to evaluate if anesthetic management influenced outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 150 consecutive patients (119 MO, 31 SO) undergoing bariatric surgery between May 2000 and March 2005. Data analyzed included preoperative anesthetic assessment, anesthetic management, postoperative care, and intra- or postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were no differences in anesthetic management or in postoperative course or outcome between MO and SO patients. Intraoperative surgical complications occurred in 26% (n=8) in the SO group and 14% (n=15) in the MO group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in outcome occurred between MO and SO patients undergoing bariatric operations under similar anesthetic management. Anesthesia for weight loss surgery can be safely performed on SO patients with the understanding that these patients are not at risk per se due to their higher BMI. The degree of obesity influenced only the incidence of intraoperative surgical complications.

Adult↗

Anesthetic drugs and bariatric surgery.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. For severely obese patients, bariatric surgery is the only effective option for sustained weight loss and associated health improvement. As a consequence, the number of bariatric surgical procedures being performed is growing exponentially. Systematic knowledge regarding the effect of obesity on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic agents is generally lacking, and data for morbidly obese (body mass index [BMI] 40-49 kg/m2)) and super-obese patients (BMI > 50 kg/m2) are almost completely non-existent. Most drug-dosing guidelines are based on results from relatively small studies in moderately obese patients. Future systematic pharmacological research is needed for improved and more rational peri-operative care of morbidly obese patients.

Anesthetics↗

Tracheal width and left double-lumen tube size: a formula to estimate left-bronchial width.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine which patient parameters best predict left bronchial width (LBW) when selecting the correct size double-lumen tube (DLT). If LBW is known, a DLT that will fit that bronchus can be chosen. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: Three hundred twenty-one consecutive patients scheduled for thoracic surgery and for whom there was a chest radiograph and for whom tracheal width (TW) and LBW could be measured. MEASUREMENTS: Tracheal width and LBW were directly measured from the chest radiograph. Patient demographic data were recorded and then analyzed to see which factor(s) best predicted LBW. Parameters often used for DLT selection (age, sex, height, and weight) as well as TW were compared by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis to see which factor(s) most accurately predicted LBW. MAIN RESULTS: There were weak but significant correlations between age and height and LBW in men, and height and LBW in women. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that, for both men and women, TW was the best predictor of LBW. Sex, height, and weight did not improve predictability over TW alone. The equation that best predicts LBW for both sexes is: LBWmm = (0.50)(TWmm) + 3.7 mm. This model explains 46% of the variance in LBW. As structures measured from a chest radiograph are magnified by 10%, the formula to predict LBW, which normalizes for this magnification factor, is: LBWmm = (0.45)(TWmm(CXR)) + 3.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Direct airway measurement is the most accurate way to select an appropriate DLT. However, when direct measurement of LBW cannot be performed, estimating LBW from TW is a better predictor of LBW than either sex, height, or weight.

Adult↗

The evolution of thoracic anesthesia.

The specialty of thoracic surgery has evolved along with the modem practice of anesthesia. This close relationship began in the 1930s and continues today. Thoracic surgery has grown from a field limited almost exclusively to simple chest wall procedures to the present situation in which complex procedures, such as lung volume reduction or lung transplantation, now can be performed on the most severely compromised patient. The great advances in thoracic surgery have followed discoveries and technical innovations in many medical fields. One of the most important reasons for the rapid escalation in the number and complexity of thoracic surgical procedures now being performed has been the evolution of anesthesia for thoracic surgery. There has been so much progress in this area that numerous books and journals are devoted entirely to this subject. The author has been privileged to work with several surgeons who specialized in noncardiac thoracic surgery. As a colleague of 25 years, the noted pulmonary surgeon James B.D. Mark wrote, "Any operation is a team effort... (but) nowhere is this team effort more important than in thoracic surgery, where near-choreography of moves by all participants is essential. Exchange of information, status and plans are mandatory". This team approach between the thoracic surgeon and the anesthesiologist reflects the history of the two specialties. With new advances in technology, such as continuous blood gas monitoring and the pharmacologic management of pulmonary circulation to maximize oxygenation during one-lung ventilation, in the future even more complex procedures may be able to be performed safely on even higher risk patients.

Anesthesia↗

The preoperative anesthesia evaluation.

Thorough and timely anesthesia preoperative evaluation is essential for good patient outcomes. Perioperative care is becoming more complex and comprehensive, while older and sicker patients are being considered for major thoracic surgery. In addition to pulmonary and wound care, prevention of cardiac complications with beta-blocker therapy, multimodal pain control, tighter glycemic control, nutritional support, and prevention of thromboembolism are important perioperative goals. Early identification of significant medical and nonmedical issues allows for complete evaluation and planning and decreases the likelihood of delays, cancellations, and complications. Good communication and preparation benefit everyone. The implementation of an anesthesia preoperative assessment program or clinic can help achieve these important goals.

Anesthesia↗

Estimating ideal body weight--a new formula.

A simple formula for estimating ideal body weight (IBW) in kilograms for both men and women is presented. The equation IBW = 22 x H2, where H is equal to patient height in meters, yields weight values midway within the range of weights obtained using published IBW formulae.

Body Height↗