L. Gistelinck, G. Heylens, S. Schelfout, Glenn Lemmens
{"title":"Oral and buccal abuse of transdermal opioids : an underdetected but potentially lethal practice","authors":"L. Gistelinck, G. Heylens, S. Schelfout, Glenn Lemmens","doi":"10.56126/72.2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.2.2","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives : Transdermal opioid patches (TOPs) are effective and well tolerated in patients with moderate to severe chronic pain syndromes. Their specific pharmacological properties, however, make them prone to abuse. The objective of this article is to describe the practice of oral and buccal abuse of TOPs and to discuss its clinical implications.\u0000\u0000Methods : We present the case of a patient admitted to the intensive care unit after oral abuse of transdermal opioid patches. Additionally, a narrative literature review on the topic is conducted, referring to Pubmed and Embase.\u0000\u0000Results : Oral or buccal TOP abuse is the most frequent method of TOP abuse, followed by intravenous injection, inhaling, and applying multiple patches. The main reasons for TOP abuse include drug addiction, suicidal behavior and self-medication. Oral ingestion is potentially lethal because of the high doses of fentanyl that are found in a single patch. Buccal abuse results in fast elevations of fentanyl serum concentrations, caused by transmucosal absorption of fentanyl, thus bypassing hepatic metabolism. During emergency management, naloxone should be administered in a continuous infusion, given the high risk of recurrence of symptoms. Evidence suggests that transdermal buprenorphine is safer in terms of abuse potential. This is explained by its ceiling effect for respiratory depression and its lower peak effects in supratherapeutic doses. Risk factors for abuse include history of substance use disorder, prior opioid overdose and mental illness. Patients with suspected opioid abuse should be referred to pain clinics, mental health specialists or drug addiction facilities.\u0000\u0000Conclusion : Oral or buccal abuse is the most reported non-dermal form of TOP abuse. When ingested or chewed, TOPs pose considerable health risks. It is critical to screen patients with chronic opioid therapy regularly for opioid use disorder. When confronted with patients at risk of abuse, close monitoring and referral to specialist care is advised.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46243677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A challenge for anaesthesiologists of the future: To reduce our foot- print on this planet","authors":"M. Carella, G. Hans","doi":"10.56126/72.2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.2.1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43678258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intraoperative management and hemodynamic monitoring for ma- jor abdominal surgery : a narrative review","authors":"A. Russo, B. Romano","doi":"10.56126/72.2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.2.3","url":null,"abstract":"Background : Several trials suggest that postoperative outcomes may be improved by the use of hemodynamic monitoring, but a survey by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) showed that cardiac output is monitored by only 34% of ASA and ESA respondents and central venous pressure is monitored by 73% of ASA respondents and 84% of ESA respondents.\u0000Moreover, 86.5% of ASA respondents and 98.1% of ESA respondents believe that their current hemodynamic management could be improved (1). The interaction of general anesthesia and surgical stress is the main problem and the leading cause for postoperative morbidity and mortality. The choice of a suitable hemodynamic monitoring system for patients at high anesthesiological risk is of crucial importance to reduce the incidence of major postoperative complications. The aim of the present review is to summarize the benefits of a defined path beginning before surgery, and discuss the available evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of an individualized hemodynamic approach for major abdominal surgery.\u0000\u0000Objective : To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a perioperative hemodynamic therapy algorithm in high risk patients","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45210587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Renders, S. Gijsbrechts, K. Bijleveld, F. V. van Loon
{"title":"Establishing changes in endotracheal cuff pressure with continuous monitoring in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in Trende- lenburg position","authors":"T. Renders, S. Gijsbrechts, K. Bijleveld, F. V. van Loon","doi":"10.56126/72.2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.2.6","url":null,"abstract":"Background : After endotracheal intubation, the endotracheal cuff gets inflated to a sufficiently high pressure to prevent air leaking. Placing a patient in Trendelenburg position and establishing a pneumoperitoneum affects the endotracheal cuff pressure.\u0000\u0000Objectives : Determine the impact of these factors on the endotracheal cuff pressure.\u0000\u0000Design and setting : This prospective, observational study was conducted in the Catharina Hospital (Eindhoven, the Netherlands).\u0000\u0000Methods : This study included adult patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. A routine endotracheal tube was inserted, in which the cuff pressure was continuously monitored.\u0000\u0000Main outcome measures : The outcome of interest was a change in endotracheal cuff pressure after establishment of a pneumoperitoneum and/ or placing a patient in a Trendelenburg position.\u0000\u0000Results : 39 patients were included. Cuff pressures in- creased significantly from the moment of pneumo-peritoneum, placing a patient into a Trendelenburg position increased endotracheal cuff pressure and peak pressures even more. The highest endotracheal cuff pressure was 67 cm H2O, the highest registered peak pressure was 35 cm H2O.\u0000\u0000Conclusion : Both endotracheal cuff pressure and peak pressure increased during laparoscopic surgical procedures with a pneumoperitoneum and the patient placed in Trendelenburg position. Measuring the endo-tracheal cuff pressure only after endotracheal intubation is insufficient and should be repeated during surgery on fixed moments.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48787776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The practice of regional anesthesia in Belgium – a national survey","authors":"P. Goffin, J. Lecoq, L. Sermeus","doi":"10.56126/72.2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.2.5","url":null,"abstract":"Background : National surveys are useful to assess the state of regional anaesthesia (RA) practice in a particular country. Given that such information was lacking in Belgium, we conducted a survey to evaluate the Belgian practice of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) with a particular focus on its safety aspects.\u0000\u0000Methods : A survey was sent by email to 1510 Belgian anesthesiologists. No identifying information was collected. Data were collected between September 2019 and October 2019.\u0000\u0000Results : We collected 324 questionnaires (response rate 21%). Eighty five percent of respondents perform regularly PNB. 99% place a venous access before performing a block, and more than 90% monitor patients with minimum peripheral pulse oximetry.\u0000The majority monitor patients for a minimum of 30 minutes after the injection of local anesthetic (LA). Ultrasound-guided technique for RA is used by 89% of respondents. Neurostimulation is totally abandoned by 20% of them. Monitoring of injection pressures is performed by 21% of respondents. More than 50% of respondents use sterile gloves, surgical drapes and a mask. With regards to the solution of LA used, 52% of respondents never mix LAs. An adjuvant is always used by 15% of the respondents while 10% of them never use them.\u0000\u0000Conclusions : This survey suggests that the practice of PNBs in Belgium is in line with the current international guidelines. This survey can serve as a benchmark for future evaluation and comparison between RA techniques. These observations should be taken into account for the implementation of national guidelines and therefore for the improvement of safety in the practice of PNBs.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45879739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Nijs, N. Castelein, L. Salimans, I. Callebaut, I. de Pauw, V. Swinnen, M. Van de Velde, Björn Stessel
{"title":"Perception and knowledge of anesthesia and the role of anesthesiologists : a Belgian single-center cross-sectional survey","authors":"K. Nijs, N. Castelein, L. Salimans, I. Callebaut, I. de Pauw, V. Swinnen, M. Van de Velde, Björn Stessel","doi":"10.56126/72.2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.2.4","url":null,"abstract":"Study Objective : To assess the knowledge of anesthesia and the role of anesthesiologists and evaluate the prevalence of concerns of certain risks of anesthesia and surgery in Belgian patients.\u0000Design : Observational mono-center cross-sectional survey.\u0000Setting : Preoperative patients planned for elective surgery in Jessa Hospital, Belgium.\u0000\u0000Interventions : An observational survey in Dutch.\u0000\u0000Measurements : Patient demographics and characteristics, perception of the patient of the expertise, role, and responsibility of the anesthesiologist, knowledge of the patient regarding anesthesia, and patients´ fear of specific risks and side effects of anesthesia and surgery. Associations were analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient or the Spearman rank’s correlation coefficient.\u0000\u0000Main Results : In total 361 patients completed the survey. Patient demographics were as follows : 54.8% males, mean age (± SD) 58,84 ± 16,38 years. Most patients (87.3%) recognized anesthesiologists as specially trained medical doctors but more than 50% underestimated their different perioperative responsibilities. Patients underestimated the dura-tion of education of an anesthesiologist in 84.2%. Their role at the intensive care unit (69.3%), the emergency department (71.2%), and the delivery room (71.2%) were relatively well known. Their role at the chronic pain management clinic (44.8%) and the preoperative anesthesia consultation (40.7%) was less well known. Some patients thought that general anesthesia frequently results in brain damage (22.7%). Older age and lower educational level were associated with lower knowledge. In general, 8.3% of all patients were very anxious about anesthesia, 22.7% somewhat, and 69% not at all. Female gender and lower educational level were positively correlated with a higher risk of fear. : Most patients in this single-center Belgian cohort were aware that anesthesiologists are specialized medical doctors. Overall, the patient´s knowledge of the anesthesiologist’s expertise and responsibilities and anesthesia was rather limited.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43736196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Cavens, J. Baekelandt, P. Van de Putte, P. D. De Mulder
{"title":"Spinal anaesthesia for a NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) total hysterectomy in a pre-lung transplant patient : a case report","authors":"L. Cavens, J. Baekelandt, P. Van de Putte, P. D. De Mulder","doi":"10.56126/72.1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.1.6","url":null,"abstract":"We describe the first case of a vaginal NOTES total hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia in the head- down position without sedation or additive analgesia in a patient with end-stage COPD. This report adds to the growing evidence that neuraxial techniques are a good alternative for general anesthesia in select cases for laparoscopic surgery.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48150013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Minguet, T. Franck, E. Cavalier, C. Daniel, D. Serteyn, J. Brichant, J. Joris
{"title":"A preliminary study to assess neutrophil and endothelial response to knee arthroplasty with the use of a tourniquet : effects of spinal or sevoflurane anesthesia","authors":"G. Minguet, T. Franck, E. Cavalier, C. Daniel, D. Serteyn, J. Brichant, J. Joris","doi":"10.56126/72.1.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.1.2","url":null,"abstract":"Background : During orthopedic surgery, the use of a pneumatic tourniquet results in side effects secondary to ischemia-reperfusion phenomena. We tested the hypothesis that total knee arthroplasty with a tourniquet is associated with increase in plasma concentrations of biomarkers of neutrophil activation and endothelial injury. The second aim was to compare these changes during spinal or general inhalational anesthesia.\u0000\u0000Methods : 40 adult ASA I-II patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty with a tourniquet under spinal or sevoflurane anesthesia were included. Venous blood samples were collected before surgery, 1 h, 3 h, and 24 h after tourniquet deflation. To assess neutrophil activation, plasma concentrations of total and active fractions of myeloperoxidase, as well as elastase concentrations and proteolytic activity were measured. Endothelial injury was assessed by measurement of plasma concentrations of syndecan-1, soluble thrombomodulin, soluble E-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Results were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.\u0000\u0000Results : Plasma concentrations of active but not total myeloperoxidase and elastase significantly increased following tourniquet deflation. The level of syndecan-1, soluble thrombomodulin, soluble E-selectin, but not vascular endothelial growth factor, significantly decreased postoperatively. These changes of biomarkers were similar during spinal and sevoflurane anesthesia.\u0000\u0000Conclusions : Total knee arthroplasty with pneumatic tourniquet is associated with systemic release of markers of neutrophil activation which was comparable during spinal or sevoflurane anesthesia. Systemic expression of endothelial injury was not detected in our clinical conditions.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44672484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Jabbour, M. Abou Haidar, K. Jabbour, A. Abi Lutfallah, H. Abou Zeid, I. Ghanem, N. Naccache, E. Ayoub
{"title":"Effect of prone position without volume expansion on pulse pressure variation in spinal surgery : a prospective observational study","authors":"H. Jabbour, M. Abou Haidar, K. Jabbour, A. Abi Lutfallah, H. Abou Zeid, I. Ghanem, N. Naccache, E. Ayoub","doi":"10.56126/72.1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.1.3","url":null,"abstract":"Background : Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is a predictor of fluid responsiveness in supine patients under mechanical ventilation. Its use has also been validated in the prone position. The aim of this study was to assess changes in PPV induced by prone position in patients undergoing spinal surgery.\u0000\u0000Methods : Ninety-six patients aged 12 to 75 years, scheduled for elective spinal surgery were included. Patients were excluded if they had clinical signs related to any organ failure, or if they required vasoactive drugs and/or volume expansion during the early stages of anesthesia. Patients received a standardized anesthesia protocol. Fluid expansion was not allowed from induction until 10 minutes after positioning. Hemodynamic measurements recorded before the induction of anesthesia (T0) included : arterial pressure (systolic (SAP) diastolic (DAP) and mean (MAP)) and heart rate (HR). Radial artery was cannulated after intubation and measurements, as well as PPV, were noted in supine position (T1). Patients were then placed in prone position hemodynamics and PPV measurements were repeated (T2).\u0000\u0000Results : Forty-eight patients completed the study. Anesthesia induction induced a significant decrease in SAP, DAP, and MAP with no effect on HR. Prone position did not induce any significant changes in SAP, MAP, DAP, and HR. A significant difference was found between PPV values in supine (Mean=10.5, SD=4.5) and prone positions (Mean=15.2, SD=7.1) ; t=-4.15 (p<0.001). The mean increase in PPV was 4.7%.\u0000\u0000Conclusion : Prone position without prior volume expansion induces a significant increase in PPV prior to any modification in arterial blood pressure and heart rate.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45835585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Wolfskeil, Y. Devriendt, A. Dumoulin, P. Lormans
{"title":"Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in Covid-19 : a case of complete resolution despite invasive positive pressure ventilation","authors":"M. Wolfskeil, Y. Devriendt, A. Dumoulin, P. Lormans","doi":"10.56126/72.1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56126/72.1.5","url":null,"abstract":"We present the case of a 65-year-old patient who was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to Covid-19 respiratory failure. During his hospital stay, he developed a spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP). To date, there have been few reports of SP associated with Covid-19 and even less is known about the impact of positive pressure ventilation on these patients.\u0000\u0000Our patient was first treated with high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC). Because of further respiratory deterioration, he was supported with non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Later, he required intubation and ventilation with invasive positive pressure ventilation. Despite this, a complete spontaneous resolution of the pneumomediastinum was observed 13 days after the initial diagnosis.","PeriodicalId":7024,"journal":{"name":"Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48811792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}