Publications by authors named "Hofmann-Kiefer K"

The perioperative interplay between blood pressure, vasopressors, and macrocirculation is well established. However, in the context of free flap surgery, the potential impact of these factors on microvascular flow remains elusive. The aim was to evaluate the impact of norepinephrine administration on the microcirculation of free flaps.

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Objective: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs in up to 30% of patients and its pathophysiology and mechanisms have not been completely described. Hypotension and a decrease in cardiac output are suspected to induce nausea. The hypothesis that intraoperative hypotension might influence the incidence of PONV was investigated.

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Background: Due to a multicenter study early in the coronavirus disease (COVID)-pandemic that revealed an increased risk for postoperative mortality, thromboembolic and pulmonary complications in case of surgery shortly after a COVID infection, current recommendations for planning elective surgeries suggest postponing surgery for at least 7 weeks after COVID infection. However, virus variants have evolved throughout the pandemic, leading to less severe symptoms. Besides, laparoscopic adrenal gland surgery itself is a safe procedure with low morbidity rates.

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Introduction: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs in up to 26% of patients older than 60 years 1 week after non-cardiac surgery. Intraoperative beach chair positioning (BCP) is advantageous for some types of shoulder surgery. However, this kind of positioning leads to a downward bound redistribution of blood volume, with possible hypoperfusion of the brain.

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Adverse interactions between intravenous medications which are given simultaneously are a common problem in intensive care medicine. They are usually caused by administering a high number of medications over a limited number of intravenous lines or central venous catheters; however, this issue also arises in routine anesthetic procedures during surgery. The following case report highlights a so far undocumented interaction between the combination of theodrenaline/cafedrine and various antibiotics.

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Background: Surgery around the ankle is increasingly embedded in outpatient treatment concepts. Unfortunately, the classic "ankle block" as a concept of regional anesthesia is inappropriate for surgery around the ankle because the injection sites are too distal to block this specific region.

Methods: The "high ankle block" avoids this disadvantage by dislocating the injection points 15 cm proximal to the malleoli.

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Purpose: Controlled ovarian stimulation significantly amplifies the number of maturing and ovulated follicles as well as ovarian steroid production. The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) increases capillary permeability and fluid extravasation. Vascular integrity intensely is regulated by an endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) and we have shown that ovulatory cycles are associated with shedding of EGX components.

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Background: Body core temperature is an important vital parameter during surgery and anaesthesia. It is influenced by several patient-related and surgery-related factors. Laparoscopy is considered beneficial in terms of a variety of parameters, for example, postoperative pain and length of hospital stay.

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Delirium is a common and major complication subsequent to cardiac surgery. Despite scientific efforts, there are no parameters which reliably predict postoperative delirium. In delirium pathology, natriuretic peptides (NPs) interfere with the blood-brain barrier and thus promote delirium.

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Postoperative delirium is associated with worse outcome. The aim of this study was to understand present strategies for delirium screening and therapy in German Post-Anesthesia-Caring-Units (PACU). We designed a German-wide web-based questionnaire which was sent to 922 chairmen of anesthesiologic departments and to 726 anesthetists working in ambulatory surgery.

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Objective: To identify risk factors for postoperative delirium (POD) after general oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Material And Methods: 2420 patients were screened postoperatively for POD using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NuDESC) before discharge from the post anesthesia caring unit (PACU). Basic health data and risk factors were collected.

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The supine position is still the most frequently used type of positioning during surgical procedures. Positions other than the supine position lead to physiological alterations that have a relevant influence on the course of anesthesia and surgery. As a matter of principle, hemodynamic stability is at risk because venous blood is pooled in the lower positioned body parts.

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Background: Intravenous fluids can impair coagulation and affect the endothelial glycocalyx, whereas glycocalyx shedding itself can cause an impairment of clot formation and firmness. We hypothesized that hydroxyethyl starch 6% (130/0.4) has a more distinct effect on coagulation and glycocalyx shedding than albumin 5%.

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Postoperative delirium is common and has multiple adverse consequences. Guidelines recommend routine screening for postoperative delirium beginning in the post-anaesthesia care unit. The 4 A's test (4AT) is a widely used assessment tool for delirium but there are no studies evaluating its use in the post-anaesthesia care unit.

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Introduction: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are complications of general anesthesia. Patient-specific factors, type of surgery and a variety of drugs determine the frequency. Clinical experience shows nausea and vomiting to be very frequent in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

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Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: During general anaesthesia, body core temperature is influenced by several factors that are either anaesthesia-related (type and duration of anaesthesia and fluid management), surgery-related (type of surgery and extent of the surgical procedure), or patient-related (age, gender, body weight, and preoperative body core temperature). Interestingly, data concerning body mass index (BMI) and its influence on patients' temperature are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of BMI on body core temperature under general anaesthesia.

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Background: Hemodynamic instability frequently occurs in beach chair positioning for surgery, putting patients at risk for cerebral adverse events. This study examined whether preoperative volume loading with crystalloids alone or with a crystalloid-colloid combination can prevent hemodynamic changes that may be causative for unfavorable neurologic outcomes.

Methods: The study randomly assigned 43 adult patients undergoing shoulder surgery to 3 study groups.

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The physiological state of a woman experiences multiple changes in the body during pregnancy. These alterations could be of particular importance in the medical care of pregnant women. This review article highlights the physiological developments of various organ systems throughout gestation with a focus on endocrinology, the cardiovascular system, hematology, the respiratory system and water balance.

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Background: Adverse effects of hydroxyethyl starches (HESs) have been verified in patients suffering from sepsis or kidney disease, but not in surgical patients at large. The investigation aimed to determine whether the use of HES 130/0.4 was associated with the incidence of acute postinterventional adverse events compared to Ringer's acetate alone in a perioperative setting.

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Article Synopsis
  • The use of artificial colloids in medical settings has decreased, particularly in critical care, but remains common in surgeries, prompting this study on their impact on kidney health.
  • One hundred urologic patients were randomly assigned to receive either albumin 5% or hydroxyethyl starch 6% during elective cystectomy, with kidney function measured through biomarkers like cystatin C before and after surgery.
  • The study found no significant differences in kidney function or injury between the two groups, suggesting both albumin and hydroxyethyl starch are comparably safe for noncritically ill patients undergoing major surgery.
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