Freeman Hospitals Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
* Corresponding author. Department of Anaesthetics, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK. E-mail: i.d.conacher{at}btinternet.com
Accepted for publication August 4, 2004.
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Abstract |
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Keywords: donors, organ transplantation ; kidney, transplantation ; pain ; surgery, laparoscopy ; surgery, urological
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Introduction |
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One of us (NAS) underwent induction by visiting overseas centres with experience in urological laparoscopy. Wet-laboratory operating, assisting acknowledged experts and local supervision by experienced operators followed, before going solo and starting to teach the next generation. In contrast, the anaesthetic experience was application of the tried and tested. Cholecystectomy was used as a theoretical template for abdominal laparoscopy. The anaesthetic technique tested had proved suitable for a range of patients (ASA IIV) with significant cardiac, haemodynamic, pulmonary and renal comorbidities for major abdominal and thoracic operations. Visiting experts, overseas visits and experience have helped to change the process and guide interventions.
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Background |
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Although renal and upper urinary tract procedures have sufficient in common for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to be the model, it was anticipated that there would be other dynamics, some due to handling the genitourinary system, some organ-specific issues, some important differences in case mix and comorbidity, and some differences in positions for operations.2 3 28
Stability of renal function during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is obtained by limiting inflation pressure and minimizing movement of the kidney.16 Nevertheless, renal cortex and medullary blood flow, glomerular filtration and creatinine clearance fall, and urine production decreases. Handling the kidney increases plasma renin and antidiuretic hormone release.15 16 28
The required patient position for prostate and bladder surgery (head down/Trendelenburg) means that there is an additional carbon dioxide pressure dynamic on the cerebral circulation. Paradoxical forces act on cerebral blood flow (CBF): rises in carbon dioxide blood tension increase it, whereas intra-abdominal pressure and central haemodynamic effects reduce it.3 15 16 28 In an animal model, a rise in intra-abdominal pressure combined with adoption of the head-down position caused a 150% rise in intracranial pressure (ICP).19 20 Both CBF and ICP will tend to increase but any additional rise in carbon dioxide tension is potentially catastrophic.
The pathophysiological knowledge indicated where intervention might be required. Firstly, for renal protection and preservation a clinical decision about diuresis, its enhancement or forcing and its timing, was required. Secondly, and at a later date, it was recognized that the necessity for the Trendelenburg position would mean that measures might be required to protect the dependent cerebrum.
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Patient selection |
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The need for the Trendelenburg position negates some of the advantages of laparoscopy. Thus selection for operation depends on clinical judgement and assessment as to whether the patient could withstand a prolonged period in the head-down position. A history of significant cardiovascular comorbidity, cerebrovascular disease or glaucoma are viewed by those with extensive experience as absolute contraindications for pelvic procedures such as prostatectomy and cystectomy.25
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Anaesthetic technique |
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A 22 g i.v. cannula was dedicated to the remifentanil infusion, a 14 g cannula was used for i.v. fluid maintenance, drugs and blood, and a long antecubital or forearm line (Cavafix 50 or 75 cm) was used for central venous pressure measurements. These were sited well away from any vascular access for dialysis. In bilateral nephrectomies and for patients with major comorbidities, such as poorly controlled hypertension, a triple-lumen cannula was sited in the internal jugular vein. In five patients who had a definite or high likelihood of being rendered anephric, a large-bore (12Fr) multilumen catheter was inserted into the right internal jugular vein after induction of anaesthesia for early postoperative dialysis.
Initially, invasive radial arterial monitoring was used reluctantly. Indications were large lesions in patients with severe renal and/or hypertensive disease, patients with significant cardiac comorbidity and patients requiring prolonged Trendelenburg positioning. It was felt that arterial cannulation used unselectively would be a significant risk factor as in the early learning phases the site was potentially difficult to see for more than 6 h. Later, less reserve was shown as the time for all procedures fell to <6 h.
Analgesics and antiemetics were introduced towards the end of the procedures, usually as the remifentanil was reduced or stopped and completion of the operation was anticipated. These were usually ketorolac 1020 mg, ondansetron 4 mg and diamorphine 510 mg. Dexamethasone 4 mg was added for patients at high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting.10 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were avoided in patients with borderline renal function.
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Intravenous fluid management |
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Experience base |
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Operating positions and conduct |
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Several other precautions were taken. The upper limbs of supine patients (prostatectomy, cystectomy) were placed at the side so that surgical access was not restricted. Particular care was taken in padding pressure points. As arterial lines and venous lines were out of sight for up to 12 h, the number of junctions and three-way taps was minimized.
In some units it is routine to insert nasogastric tubes in laparoscopic prostatectomies,25 because conjunctival burns have occurred as a result of spillage of acid content on to the face. Our practice was to insist on a constant view of the patient's face, and only use nasogastric tubes in those with a history symptomatic of reflux (not implemented).
Monitoring and measuring
Much of the operation takes place in low-light conditions in order to reduce the amount of light pollution on the VDUs. Good-quality highly visible monitoring signals are essential.
In addition to routine monitoring of the ECG, non-invasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry and end-tidal gas, particular attention was paid to end-expired carbon dioxide, central venous pressure changes and urine output (when accurate). Summary data for the end-expired carbon dioxide and central venous pressure changes relative to pre-insufflation values, and if and when the Trendelenburg position was adopted, are given in Table 2.
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Accurate monitoring of urine output was regarded as important, but in several operations (pyeloplasty, nephroureterectomy, prostatectomy) there were interruptions to the urinary tract and urine flow that made it unrealistic.
Suction, made up of a mixture of flush (saline), blood and urine, was not a reliable measure of blood loss. A significant amount pooled within dependent parts of the abdomen, occasionally tracking into the thorax as a result of diaphragmatic perforations, notably, in our experience, when working in the vicinity of the spleen. In long operations and when there was evidence of excessive blood loss, haemoglobin levels (Hemocue) were measured hourly. Prior to the adoption of this practice, there were occasions when postoperative anaemia suggested that a blood loss of 100 ml h1 may not have been accounted for by estimates made during surgery.
Diuresis
Mannitol 10% or 20% at 12 g kg1 was the routine method for forcing urine flow. The rationale was intuitive and threefold: to promote urine flow to flush out and maintain urinary tract patency, to preserve renal tissue and conserve renal function, and as a prophylactic against cerebral swelling. Application and timing were empirical to the operation (Table 3). In the case of donor nephrectomy, a urine flow of 300500 ml h1 is sought.18 Frusemide may also be required to maintain this level until the kidney is removed.
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Complications |
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The surgical complication rate, again for the first 140 cases, was 6%. These were re-exploration for bleeding (as above), haematoma and ileus (two patients), diaphragmatic tear (two patients; see below), small bowel obstruction (one patient), prolonged drain loss (one patient), prolonged post-pyeloplasty urine leak (one patient) and subcutaneous haematoma requiring drainage (one patient). The non-surgical complication rate was 2.7%, and consisted of postoperative hypoxia in a patient who had previously had a pneumonectomy and was overhydrated, one readmission to hospital with a chest infection, and two patients with Clostridium difficile diarrhoea.
Neither of the deaths in the unit series has been operative, although one, totally unexpected and still largely unexplained even after post-mortem, was categorized as a cardiac event and occurred an hour after discharge to recovery. The other was that of an ASA III patient with cardiac comorbidity and a large renal cell carcinoma who had to be converted to an open procedure and later died from the complications of a massive (>5 litre) haemorrhage.
Unexpected intraoperative events were rare. In two patients with adherent kidneys, a small tear occurred in the diaphragm behind the spleen. Both events were initially suspected to be a result of changes in ventilation-compliance values and/or an unexplained rise in central venous pressure. Both were managed by intracorporeal suturing with a watching brief for pleural drainage, which was not required. In two patients in the Trendelenburg cohort there was a small amount of periorbital oedema, but operative time had been prolonged (10 h and 12 h, respectively).
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Postoperative pain considerations |
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Once in recovery, most patients needed further doses of opioid (morphine or pethidine in this series) for the first postoperative night to reinforce that administered prior to the end of the anaesthetic. The mean total morphine requirement for radical nephrectomy in our series was 35 mg (range 0116 mg), and that for nephroureterectomy was 41 mg (191 mg). Using opioid PCA systems as the default was found to be counterproductive, increasing the incidence of nausea and vomiting, delaying return of gastrointestinal function to normality and possibly prolonging hospital stay.
Essentially, this aspect of the experience has been haphazard. Currently, as the numbers involved in the service increase, so too has the number of analgesic regimens. Three of these are to be subject to audit: minimal administration of opioids, using simple analgesics (tramadol and diclofenac) in those where renal function is not at risk and opioids for any breakthrough pain; regular oral opioids; full morphine PCA systems.
Generally, the only indication for epidural-based anaestheticanalgesic techniques is cystectomy and ileal conduit formation, where the sympathetic blockade produces an easier intestine to handle and reduces the incidence of postoperative ileus. This option was used once in this series. One other patient, who had a bilateral nephrectomy with significant comorbidity and abdominal scarring, had a planned epidural for postoperative pain relief.
Port pain, low abdominal incisions (to extract the kidney), pelvic organ nociception, diaphragmatic irritation (shoulder-tip discomfort from residual pneumoperitoneum), ureteric colic and urinary catheter discomfort have in some part, and on occasion discernibly, contributed to total pain experience and could be analysed and treated using the logic of disaggregation.1 4 5 17 22 27
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Discussion |
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One of the significant lessons that has been learnt is the importance of defining the boundaries for intervention from other disciplines. There is a small requirement for high-dependency or intensive care; only a minority need these to be pre-planned (two in this unit series), and very few need them as an emergency (three in this series).
The range of renal problems faced has been large. In our experience anephric, transplant and other dialysis patients have proved the most problematical. Transplant recipients need considerable planning with their primary renal physicians before undergoing laparoscopic procedures to remove non-functioning or diseased kidneys, as do those with uncontrolled hypertension of renal origin. In the early postoperative period it is important that surgical management takes precedence, and that incidents, such as postoperative bleeding are not further complicated by imperatives for heparinization for dialysis. Four patients with bilateral renal cancer in this series were rendered anephric by surgery and had large-bore dialysis size catheters inserted into the right subclavian vein after induction of anaesthesia. Because of the close proximity of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, another patient, who was to be left with half a kidney, had a single lumen internal jugular line inserted through which a wire and dilator could be inserted. In the event, this was not required.
Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy has proved a relevant model and yardstick for the processes of surgery, measuring the effect and effectiveness of anaesthetic interventions is handicapped by a lack of robust markers, discriminatory endpoints and the presence of confounders. The routine of monitoring central venous pressure has proved informative, not least for its ability to detect problems or the risk of a potential fatal complication developing, and for monitoring the effects of mannitol infusion.14 It is recommended. The decision to focus on diuresis as specific and central to the anaesthetic management of laparoscopic urology has been intuitive and empirical. True urine output is often difficult to gauge, as much may not be captured. However, as far as can be ascertained, the policy of forcing a diuresis has not caused harm or hindrance.
In the main, the anaesthetic experience is that most of the management and techniques adopted have proved near optimal. Small adjustments have been required for the technique to be applied to, for instance, the fully fit donor nephrectomy, the pregnant patient for nephrectomy, the hepatitis B positive alcoholic, the pneumonectomy patient for nephroureterectomy and much of the spectrum of renal morbidity. On the whole, the challenges have been managed safely, counter to the prevailing perception of a need for excessive and invasive monitoring, and the aggressive use of pain-relieving techniques. It is now possible to be confident that methods, experience and proficiency have reached a level such that the application of laparoscopy can be broadened. With the operating time for laparoscopic prostatectomy approaching that of open operation and the overall investment in analgesia being less, it should be possible to downgrade the risk of raised intracranial pressure from an absolute to a relative contraindication to pelvic laparoscopy. This will make the surgery more inclusive, enabling the less fit to reap the benefits of less painful procedures and shorter hospital stays.
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