Comparison of the costs and recovery profiles of three anesthetic techniques for ambulatory anorectal surgery.
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BACKGROUND: Given the current practice environment, it is important to determine the anesthetic technique with the highest patient acceptance and lowest associated costs. The authors compared three commonly used anesthetic techniques for anorectal procedures in the ambulatory setting. METHODS: Ninety-three consenting adult outpatients undergoing anorectal surgery were randomly assigned to one of three anesthetic treatment groups: group 1 received local infiltration with a 30-ml mixture containing 15 ml lidocaine, 2%, and 15 ml bupivacaine, 0.5%, with epinephrine (1:200,000) in combination with intravenous sedation using a propofol infusion, 25-100 microg. kg-1. min-1; group 2 received a spinal subarachnoid block with a combination of 30 mg lidocaine and 20 microg fentanyl with midazolam, 1-2-mg intravenous bolus doses; and group 3 received general anesthesia with 2.5 mg/kg propofol administered intravenously and 0.5-2% sevoflurane in combination with 65% nitrous oxide. In groups 2 and 3, the surgeon also administered 10 ml of the previously described local anesthetic mixture at the surgical site before the skin incision. RESULTS: The mean costs were significantly decreased in group 1 ($69 +/- 20 compared with $104 +/- 18 and $145 +/- 25 in groups 2 and 3, respectively) because both intraoperative and recovery costs were lowest (P < 0.05). Although the surgical time did not differ among the three groups, the anesthesia time and times to oral intake and home-readiness were significantly shorter in group 1 (vs. groups 2 and 3). There was no significant difference among the three groups with respect to the postoperative side effects or unanticipated hospitalizations. However, the need for pain medication was less in groups 1 and 2 (19% and 19% vs. 45% for group 3; P < 0.05). Patients in group 1 had no complaints of nausea (vs. 3% and 26% in groups 2 and 3, respectively). More patients in group 1 (68%) were highly satisfied with the care they received than in groups 2 (58%) and 3 (39%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of local anesthesia with sedation is the most cost-effective technique for anorectal surgery in the ambulatory setting. (+info)
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of combination antiemetic prophylaxis for day-case gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.
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In a randomized, double-blind trial, we compared i.v. ondansetron 4 mg (control), i.v. ondansetron 4 mg and cyclizine 50 mg (combination) and i.v. saline 0.9% (placebo), given after induction of standardized anaesthesia, for the prevention of nausea and vomiting (PONV) after day-case gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. Compared with placebo, fewer patients in the control group vomited (9/20 versus 11/59, P = 0.02) or needed rescue antiemetic (7/20 versus 9/59, P = 0.06) before discharge. Compared with the control, fewer patients in the combination group (n = 60) vomited (11/59 versus 2/60, P = 0.01) or needed rescue antiemetic (29/59 versus 2/60, P = 0.03) before discharge. The incidence of vomiting in the combination group was less than 5% overall. Compared with the control, the combination group had a significantly lower incidence (P = 0.001) and severity (P < 0.001) of nausea after discharge and more patients with no PONV at any time during the study (15/59 versus 27/60, P = 0.03). Unlike the placebo and control groups, no patient receiving combination prophylaxis was admitted overnight for PONV management. (+info)
Early results of inguinal hernia repair by the 'mesh plug' technique--first 200 cases.
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INTRODUCTION: Inguinal hernia repair is the most common surgical procedure performed in the UK. Evidence from several earlier studies suggests that primary inguinal hernia repair has a high recurrence rate of 10-15%. The Royal College of Surgeons of England guidelines suggested the use of layered suture (Shouldice) or prosthetic (Lichtenstein) repair. Per-fix plugs have been used in the US for more than a decade with excellent results. This study was a series of 200 consecutive cases. The aim was to evaluate the mesh plug technique in the repair of all types of inguinal hernias and its results in one consultant practice within a district general hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a 15-month period between 1997 and 1998, all patients with inguinal hernias presenting to the general surgical clinic of one consultant were recruited to the study. All had mesh plug repair under local (n = 40), regional (n = 50) or general (n = 110) anaesthesia either by the consultant, associate specialist or specialist registrar (following initial training), using the same standard technique. The majority 80% (n = 160) were done as day cases. The results were evaluated by questionnaire and personal outpatient review initially at 3 weeks, then at 1 year (9-13 months). RESULTS: 200 consecutive patients with inguinal hernias underwent mesh plug repair; mean age was 54 years (95% CI, 46-61). The majority of patients had primary (n = 180) and others had recurrent (n = 20) hernia. All types of hernia (Gilbert's I-VII) were included. Median follow-up was 1 year (9-15 months). Groin pain, which was the leading symptom at presentation, was relieved in 96% of the patients; 79% returned to previous jobs within 4 weeks (95% CI, 0.71-0.87). All retired patients resumed normal life activities within 2 days. Postoperative pain was minimal; 28 patients did not require any postoperative analgesia. There were very few minor (n = 6) and no major complications. During the follow-up, one recurrence occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh plug repair is associated with minimal postoperative pain, quick recovery and return to work. It is an ideal technique for day-case surgery. Although longer follow-up will be required to assess true recurrence rate, so far the recurrence rate at 0.5% is acceptable, particularly in the light of other published series. (+info)
Sedation in outpatient bronchoscopy.
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Bronchoscopy is a procedure that is likely to provoke anxiety as the patient is surrounded by monitoring and bronchoscopy equipment, and care is administered by strangers who perform intimate, invasive, and sometimes, painful procedures. Sedation is needed, therefore, to allay anxiety and reduce stress, improve patient comfort and co-operation, provide amnesia and facilitate the bronchoscopic procedure. In this review we try to summarize the current knowledge on currently used sedation protocols with special reference to the commonly used pharmacological agents. We believe sedation should be used routinely in fiberoptic bronchoscopy in order to achieve a safe and pleasant procedure for both the patient and the pulmonologist. (+info)
Total intravenous anaesthesia with methohexitone or propofol for knee arthroscopy in day-case surgery.
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The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of methohexitone and propofol in total intravenous anaesthesia applied during planned knee joint arthroscopy in day-case surgery. Studies comprised 186 patients divided into 2 groups depending on the anaesthetic used (methohexitone n = 112 or propofol n = 74). ECG, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and blood saturation using pulsoxymetry were monitored during anaesthesia. The time of regaining consciousness was measured and the orientation test was performed 5 and 10 minutes after regaining consciousness. Our results and observations confirm that total intravenous anaesthesia is useful in day-case surgery for knee joint arthroscopy. Both methohexitone and propofol cause cardiac and respiratory depression. Patients on propofol regain psychomotoric efficiency earlier then patients who received methohexitone. (+info)
Paediatric day-case surgery in a district general hospital: a safe option in a dedicated unit.
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Currently, there is a trend towards the centralisation of paediatric surgery in specialist regional units. This study reports the results of 4 years' experience of paediatric day-case surgery in a dedicated unit within a district general hospital. Since its inception in 1993, data have been collected on all individuals undergoing surgery. Between 1993-1997, 804 operations were performed with 80% of procedures being undertaken by a consultant. There were 7 (< 1%) known complications and 7 (< 1%) patients required admission postoperatively. These results compare favourably with those of specialist institutions. (+info)
Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: home visit versus telephone follow-up.
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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the post-discharge follow-up required for patients who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy on an outpatient basis and to determine if there was a significant difference in mean concern scores and satisfaction level of patients followed up by a home visit versus a telephone call. DESIGN: Prospective 2-group comparison. SETTING: A 221-bed acute care community hospital in western Canada. PATIENTS: One hundred and forty-nine patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy and agreed to be discharged on the day of operation. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were systematically allocated to receive either a home visit (HV, n = 72) or a telephone call (TC, n = 77) from a registered nurse on the evening of operation. During the follow-up, patient concerns were self-rated, interventions provided by the nurse were recorded, and nurses' perceptions of the need for the home visit were reported. A 48-hour telephone survey was used to determine patient satisfaction. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient concern scores, patient satisfaction with follow-up, readmission rates and use of emergency room services within 30 days of operation. RESULTS: Subjects in the TC group had a significantly lower mean concern score (p < 0.001) and were significantly more satisfied with their follow-up (p = 0.034) than those in the HV group. Nurses perceived that 75% of the home visits were not necessary. Readmission rate was less than 1% (1 HV) and use of emergency room services was 6% (3 HV, 6 TC). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone contact is an acceptable method of follow-up for patients who have undergone outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The call should be made later in the evening on the day of operation or the next morning. (+info)
Evolution of an inguinal hernia surgery practice.
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BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia surgery has undergone numerous advances in the last few years. This study analysed the changes in the practice of one surgeon in a district general hospital over a seven year interval. The effect of changing from Bassini to Lichtenstein repair in 1994 was evaluated. METHODS: The study involved two parts: first a search of a computerised database of inguinal hernia procedures, and second, postal audits of men who had an inguinal hernia repair in 1993 and 1994 with outpatient follow up for those with a possible recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 1037 hernias were repaired over the seven years. There was an increase in the proportion of day cases from 18% to 70% and the number of operations performed under local anaesthetic rose from 1% to 45%. The postal audits had response rates of 79% (1993) and 66% (1994). Some 5/98 (5%) recurrent hernias were identified from the 1993 (Bassini) patients compared with 1/67 (1.5%) from the 1994 (Lichtenstein) cohort. CONCLUSION: Lichtenstein hernia repair can be performed safely as a day case using local anaesthetic in the majority of patients and appears to have a lower recurrence rate than Bassini repair. (+info)