Background: This study aimed to compare the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) for predicting postoperative outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing esophagectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 1265 consecutive patients who underwent elective esophageal surgery. The patients were classified into no risk, low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk groups based on nutritional scores. Results: The moderate-risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–1.92, p < 0.001 in CONUT; HR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.22–2.12, p = 0.001 in GNRI; HR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.20–2.26, p = 0.002 in PNI) and high-risk groups (HR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.47–2.48, p < 0.001 in CONUT; HR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.64–3.93, p < 0.001 in GNRI; HR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.77–3.06, p < 0.001 in PNI) exhibited significantly worse 5-year overall survival (OS) compared with the no-risk group. As the nutritional status worsened, the trend in the OS rates decreased (p for trend in all indexes < 0.05). Conclusions: Malnutrition, evaluated by any of three nutritional indexes, was an independent prognostic factor for postoperative survival.

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) has recently been identified as an inflammatory marker. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of preoperative SII in patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery. In total, 213 patients who underwent isolated TV surgery between January 2000 and December 2018 were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, as follows: low SII (<455.6 × 10⁹/L), and high SII (≥455.6 × 10⁹/L). The correlation between SII and clinical outcomes was analyzed via the Cox regression and the Kaplan–Meier analyses. The primary outcomes considered were all-cause mortality and major postoperative complications within a 30-day period after isolated TV surgery, including major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, pulmonary and renal complications, stroke, sepsis, multi-organ failure, wound, and gastrointestinal complications. In total, 82 (38.5%) patients experienced postoperative complications. Multivariable analyses revealed that high preoperative SII values were independently associated with the major 30-day postoperative complications (hazard ratio 3.58, 95% confidence interval 1.62–7.95, p = 0.001). Additionally, Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the probability of undergoing major 30-day postoperative complications was significantly elevated in patients with high versus low SII values (p < 0.001). These results indicate that SII, a readily available parameter, is significantly associated with poor outcomes in patients undergoing isolated TV surgery.

“Chronic pain after spinal surgery” (CPSS) is a nonspecific term for cases in which the end result of surgery generally does not meet the preoperative expectations of the patient and surgeon. This term has replaced the previous term i.e., failed back surgery syndrome. CPSS is challenging for both patients and doctors. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and technologies, a subset of patients continue to experience persistent or recurrent pain postoperatively. This review provides an overview of the multimodal management for CPSS, ranging from conservative management to revision surgery. Drawing on recent research and clinical experience, we aimed to offer insights into the diverse strategies available to improve the quality of life of CPSS patients.

Environmental concerns, especially global warming, have prompted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Healthcare systems, including anesthesia practices, contribute to these emissions. Inhalation anesthetics have a significant environmental impact, with desflurane being the most concerning because of its high global warming potential. This study aimed to educate anesthesiologists on the environmental impact of inhalation anesthetics and assess changes in awareness and practice patterns, specifically reducing desflurane use. This study included data from patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia 1 month before and after education on the effects of inhalation anesthetics on global warming. The primary endpoint was a change in inhalational anesthetic use. Secondary endpoints included changes in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions, driving equivalent, and medical costs. After the education, desflurane use decreased by 50%, whereas sevoflurane use increased by 50%. This shift resulted in a reduction in the overall amount of inhalational anesthetics used. The total CO₂e and driving-equivalent values decreased significantly. The cost per anesthesia case decreased, albeit to a lesser extent than expected. Education on the environmental impact of inhalation anesthetics has successfully altered anesthesiologists’ practice patterns, leading to reduced desflurane usage. This change has resulted in decreased CO₂e emissions and has had a positive effect on mitigating global warming. However, further research is required to assess the long-term impact of such education and the variability in practice patterns across different institutions.

Background: Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a viable alternative to deceased-donor liver transplantation. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols that include early extubation offer short-term benefits; however, the effect of immediate extubation in the operating room (OR) on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing LDLT remains unknown. We hypothesized that immediate OR extubation is associated with improved long-term outcomes in patients undergoing LDLT.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 205 patients who underwent LDLT. The patients were classified based on the extubation location as OREX (those extubated in the OR) or NOREX (those extubated in the intensive care unit [ICU]). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), while secondary outcomes included ICU stay, hospital stay duration, and various postoperative outcomes.Results: Among the 205 patients, 98 (47.8%) underwent extubation in the OR after LDLT. Univariate analysis revealed that OR extubation did not significantly affect OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24–1.05; P = 0.066). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed no statistically significant association between OR extubation and OS (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.35–1.80; P = 0.580). However, OR extubation was significantly associated with a lower incidence of 30-day composite complications and shorter ICU and hospital stays. Multivariate analysis indicated that higher preoperative platelet counts, increased serum creatinine levels, and a longer surgery duration were associated with poorer OS.Conclusions: Immediate OR extubation following LDLT surgery was associated with fewer 30-day composite complications and shorter ICU and hospital stays; however, it did not significantly improve OS compared with ICU extubation.

In pediatric patients, a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is usually used during minor surgeries that require general anesthesia. No esophageal injury has been reported after insertion of an LMA. We report a case of an esophageal injury with intramural dissection after an i-gel® (size, 1.5; Intersurgical Ltd.) insertion in a pediatric patient. A 2-month-old male infant was hospitalized for left inguinal herniorrhaphy. After induction of anesthesia, a trained resident tried to insert an i-gel® . However, it was only successful after three attempts. Dysphagia was sustained until postoperative day 10, and the pediatrician observed duplication of the esophagus on gastroendoscopy. However, a whitish mucosal lesion, which looked like a scar, was observed, and previous lesions suggestive of esophageal duplication were almost healed on postdischarge day 11. His condition was diagnosed as dysphagia and esophagitis due to an esophageal laceration, not esophageal duplication. He was scheduled for symptomatic treatment with a proton pump inhibitor. In conclusion, although an esophageal injury or perforation in pediatric patients is rare, an LMA insertion or a procedure such as aspiration or nasogastric tube insertion should be performed gently to avoid a possible injury to the esophagus in pediatric patients.