During robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC), specific surgical conditions (a steep Trendelenburg position, prolonged pneumoperitoneum, effective myoresolution until the final stages of surgery) can seriously impair the outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and ileus and the quality of cognitive function at the awakening in two groups of patients undergoing different reversals. In this randomized trial, patients that were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) ≤III candidates for RARC for bladder cancer were randomized into two groups: In the sugammadex (S) group, patients received 2 mg/kg of sugammadex as reversal of neuromuscolar blockade; in the neostigmine (N) group, antagonization was obtained with neostigmine 0.04 mg/kg + atropine 0.02 mg/kg. PONV was evaluated at 30 min, 6 and 24 h after anesthesia. Postoperative cognitive functions and time to resumption of intestinal transit were also investigated. A total of 109 patients were analyzed (54 in the S group and 55 in the N group). The incidence of early PONV was lower in the S group but not statistically significant (S group 25.9% vs. N group 29%; p = 0.711). The Mini-Mental State test mean value was higher in the S group vs. the N group (1 h after surgery: 29.3 (29; 30) vs. 27.6 (27; 30), p = 0.007; 4 h after surgery: 29.5 (30; 30) vs. 28.4 (28; 30), p = 0.05). We did not observe a significant decrease of the PONV after sugammadex administration versus neostigmine use. The Mini-Mental State test mean value was greater in the S group.

In many clinical conditions that involve free flaps and tissue transplantations the possibility of minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury can be a determinant factor for the success of the surgery itself. We hypothesize that preconditioning with sevoflurane is a protective factor against ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this randomized controlled trial, patients ASA I-II undergoing breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were allocated into two groups and analyzed: group BAL included patients who received balanced anesthesia with sevoflurane for 30 min before removal of the flap and throughout the surgery. The TCI group included patients who received a total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. We evaluated regional tissue oximetry at the end of the surgery and at 4, 12 and 20 h after surgery. Other assessed parameters were: blood lactate clearance, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase. In total 54 patients, twenty-seven per group, were analyzed. There was a significant increase of the average value of regional tissue oximetry measured 4 h after surgery in the BAL group compared to the TCI group: BAL: 84.05 % (8.96 SD); TCI : 76.17 % (12.92 SD) (P = 0.03), but not at the other time frames. The creatine phosphokinase value was significantly lower in the BAL group at the end of surgery, but not at the other time-frames. There were no significant differences in blood levels of other markers. From our results, the positive preconditioning impact of sevoflurane on ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing free flap surgery is expressed in the early postoperative hours, but it does not persist in the long-term. ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT01905501 . Registered July 18, 2013

Background: The benefits of a valid pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery are counterbalanced by the possible negative effects of increased abdominal pressure and carbon dioxide (CO₂) insufflation, which are crucial factors in causing postoperative pain. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of the valveless trocar (VT) insufflation system in decreasing postoperative pain and influencing operative time, compared to a standard insufflation system. Methods: A systematic research was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Central Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Plus for studies published up to June 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on adult population evaluating the effects of VT versus a standard insufflation system in laparoscopic surgery and reporting postoperative pain level and operative time were included in the analysis. Data and study quality indicators were extracted independently by 2 authors using a standardized form. Statistical analysis was based on a random effect model, using the inverse variance method. Results: We identified 3 RCTs for a total of 245 patients. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in shoulder pain with the use of VT at 24 hours: mean difference (MD) −7.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: −1.29 to 0.29; z = 3.08; P = .002) and a nonstatistically significant increase in operation time: MD 5.80 (95% CI: −8.93 to 20.54; P = .44). Conclusion: Our study suggests a better shoulder pain control at 24 hours postoperation using new-generation VT for laparoscopic surgery compared to standard insufflation system. Weak evidence of increased operating time with the VT was observed considering only two of the three RCTs. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020191835

Aim: The effectiveness of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) algorithms in improving postoperative outcomes has extensively been suggested. Nevertheless, there is a lack of strong evidence regarding both the clinical impact and the cost–effectiveness of the GDFT protocols. The aim of this study is to evaluate the costs of patients undergoing hepatobiliopancreatic surgery when a GDFT protocol is applied. Materials & methods: Consecutive ASA I–III patients undergoing hepatobiliopancreatic surgery were included in this prospective observational study. Depending on device availability, patients were handled either by fluid therapy guided by Vigileo monitor-derived hemodynamic variables (Vigileo–GDFT group) or by standard fluid treatment (standard group). Postoperative length of stay and economic costs were analyzed. Results: In total, 147 patients were included (71 in the Vigileo–GDFT group and 76 in the standard group). The total hospital length of stay was 13 (median, 1st–3rd quartile, 9–20) days for the Vigileo–GDFT group and 14 (8–21) days for the standard group (p = 0.58); no statistically significant differences between the two groups emerged regarding costs and postoperative complications. In both groups, complications were the main contributor to total cost sustained. Conclusion: The application of a GDFT algorithm did not reduce the total length of hospital stay and the global costs, which were mainly influenced by the number of complications.