Emergency Awake Laparotomy Using Neuraxial Anaesthesia: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Emergency laparotomy is a surgical procedure associated with significantly higher mortality rates compared to elective surgeries. Awake laparotomy under neuraxial anaesthesia has recently emerged as a promising approach in abdominal surgery to improve patient outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of using neuraxial anaesthesia as the primary anaesthetic technique in emergency laparotomies.

Follow-up short and long-term mortalities of tracheostomized critically ill patients in an Italian multi-center observational study.

The effects of tracheostomy on outcome as well as on intra or post-operative complications is yet to be defined. Admission of patients with tracheostomy to rehabilitation facility is at higher risk of suboptimal care and increased mortality. The aim of the study was to investigate ICU mortality, clinical outcome and quality of life up to 12 months after ICU discharge in tracheostomized critically ill patients.

Perioperative management and surgical field optimization in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

A sound anesthesiologist-surgeon collaboration is crucial for the success of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The aim of this narrative review was to describe if and how anesthetic choice can decrease bleeding and improve visibility in the surgical field (VSF) and thus contribute to successful FESS. A literature search was conducted on evidence-based practices published from 2011 to 2021 describing perioperative care, intravenous/inhalation anesthetics, and operative approaches for FESS and their effects on blood loss and VSF.

Medical Thoracoscopy and Intrapleural Fibrinolytic Therapy for the Management of Pleural Empyema: A Cohort Study.

Background: Pleural empyema is associated with relevant morbidity and mortality, and it may be classified, according to evolution and ultrasound, into three stages: stage I (free-flowing effusion), stage II (viscous effusion with the tendency to loculate), and stage III (organizing phase). According to guidelines, antibiotic therapy and pleural drainage are recommended, with surgery being performed when patients fail and/or in case of organized empyema.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to report the efficacy and safety of medical thoracoscopy in patients with pleural empyema stratified by chest ultrasound.

Italian survey on non-intubated thoracic surgery: results from INFINITY group.

Background: Non-Intubated Thoracic Surgery (NITS) is becoming increasingly adopted all over the world. Although it is mainly used for pleural operations,, non-intubated parenchymal lung surgery has been less frequently reported. Recently, NITS utilization seems to be increased also in Italy, albeit there are no multi-center studies confirming this finding.

Effectiveness of drug-induced sleep endoscopy in improving outcomes of barbed pharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea surgery: a prospective randomized trial.

Purpose: To observe the effectiveness of preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy in improving surgical results of patients undergoing single-level barbed pharyngoplasty surgery for OSA, using a prospective randomized model.

Methods: A single-center randomized controlled trial with two prospective arms was carried out to compare functional results in patients treated with barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) surgery without a preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) evaluation vs patients treated with BRP surgery performed after DISE evaluation of sites/patterns of collapse.

Results: We compared 50 patients who underwent BRP without a preoperative DISE evaluation (Group A) and 42 patients (Group B) treated with BRP surgery but preoperatively selected by means of a preoperative DISE.

Association Between Severity of COVID-19 Respiratory Disease and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Objectives: The purpose of this observational retrospective study was to evaluate, in patients with a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, the association between the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) respiratory illness and the risk of infected patients to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: Ninety-six patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection were enrolled in the study. The STOP-BANG questionnaire to investigate the risk of the OSA syndrome was filled in by the patients at admission.

Blind intubation through Laryngeal Mask Airway in a cannot intubate-difficult to ventilate patient with massive hematemesis.

Massive hematemesis could be challenging situation requiring emergency airway control and urgent surgical treatment. We report a case of difficult airway management with blind intubation through Laryngeal Mask Airway in a 56-year-old patient with massive hematemesis. After failed endoscopic attempts to stop bleeding, worsening of hemodynamics called for emergency intubation and surgery.

Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery Program After Bariatric Surgery: clinical and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are perioperative evidence-based interventions that have the purpose of making the perioperative pathway more efficient in safeguarding patient safety and quality of care. Recently, several ERAS components have been introduced in the setting of bariatric surgery (Enhanced Recovery After Bariatric Surgery, ERABS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the implementation of an ERABS program.

Olfactory function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis study.

Purpose: This meta-analysis study was designed to analyze the olfactory function in obstructive sleep apnea patients (OSA).

Methods: A comprehensive review of the English language literature regarding OSA patients and olfactory function/dysfunction was performed. The papers assessing olfactory dysfunction with Sniffin' Sticks test were taken into consideration.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae block for post-thoracotomy pain syndrome in video-assisted thoracic surgery.

This article describes our experience with 5 patients with post-thoracotomy pain syndrome after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies, treated with weekly erector spinae plane block. We injected corticosteroid and local anesthetic. At the end of the treatment period, pain scores decreased significantly.

Safety and efficacy of Staged Extubation Set in patients with difficult airway: a prospective multicenter study.

Background: A safe extubation is the extension of any airway management strategy. Despite different guidelines, a number of extubation accidents still occurs. Re-intubation failure could be fatal, thus a strategy and safe and efficient devices for this purpose are essential.

Long-Term Subjective Outcomes of Barbed Reposition Pharyngoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Treatment.

: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term subjective outcomes of barbed reposition pharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) treatment using a specific questionnaire, the Palate Postoperative Problem Score (PPOPS). : 140 patients who underwent barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) surgery in the Morgagni Pierantoni Hospital of Forlì, Italy were enrolled in the study. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated in a short- and long-term follow-up using the PPOPS questionnaire.

Perioperative Care of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undergoing Upper Airway Surgery: A Review and Consensus Recommendations.

Importance: To date, no consensus exists regarding optimal perioperative care of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing upper airway (UA) surgery. These patients are at risk related to anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, among other risks associated with difficult airway control, and may require intensified perioperative management.

Objective: To provide a consensus-based guideline by reviewing available literature and collecting expert opinion during an international consensus meeting with experts from relevant speciliaties.