General anesthesia in an office-based plastic surgical facility: a report on more than 23,000 consecutive office-based procedures under general anesthesia with no significant anesthetic complications

The popularity of elective office-based plastic surgery has increased significantly over the past two decades. The continuing demand for improved aesthetic results has stimulated the development of ever more complex plastic surgical techniques. These techniques may require extended periods of operative time spent under anesthesia. Patients have come to expect an almost perfect anesthetic and surgical experience, with safety and comfort being their foremost concerns. Because of increasingly complex and lengthy operations, the authors believe that intravenous sedation, used for many years in their plastic surgery practice, is now suboptimal for most longer and complex surgical procedures. In their experience, under most circumstances, general anesthesia provides the optimal anesthetic experience for the patient, anesthesiologist, and surgeon. The authors present a consecutive 18-year study of general anesthesia in more than 23,000 procedures in an accredited, office-based plastic surgical facility that offers a very safe and uniformly pleasant anesthesia experience for patients. There were no intraoperative or postoperative deaths and no significant complications. The authors' experience differs from the common perception that general anesthesia is too risky for aesthetic surgery procedures.     

A new system of infiltration anesthesia and sedation for plastic surgery

This technique produces patient cooperation during the phase of local anesthetic injection by judicious use of intravenous ketamine. The addition of diazepam and a narcotic drug to low-dose ketamine may account for a low incidence of hallucinations and psychic sensations. The use of a dilute solution of lidocaine and a very low concentration of epinephrine allows large areas to be anesthetized. The ultralow concentration of epinephrine provides effective vasoconstriction. The result is good patient acceptance, a stable blood pressure and heart rate, and a low incidence of complications classically associated with local anesthetic toxicity.     

Safety and efficacy in an accredited outpatient plastic surgery facility: a review of 5316 consecutive cases

Advances in medicine have improved the delivery of health care, making it more technologically superior than ever and, at the same time, more complex. Nowhere is this more evident than in the surgical arena. Plastic surgeons are able to perform procedures safely in office-based facilities that were once reserved only for hospital operating rooms or ambulatory surgery centers. Performing procedures in the office is a convenience to both the surgeon and the patient. Some groups have challenged that performing plastic surgery procedures in an office-based facility compromises patient safety. Our study was done to determine whether outcomes are adversely affected by performing plastic surgery procedures in an accredited outpatient surgical center. A retrospective review was performed on 5316 consecutive cases completed between 1995 and 2000 at Dallas Day Surgical Center, Dallas, Texas, an outpatient surgical facility. Most cases were cosmetic procedures. All cases were analyzed for any potential morbidity or mortality. Complications requiring a return to the operating room were determined, as were infection rates. Events leading to inpatient hospitalization were also included. During this 6-year period, 35 complications (0.7 percent) and no deaths were reported. Most complications were secondary to hematoma formation (77 percent). The postoperative infection rate for patients requiring a return to the operating room was 0.11 percent. Seven patients required inpatient hospitalization following their procedure secondary to arrhythmias, angina, and pulmonary emboli. Patient safety must take precedence over cost and convenience. Any monetary savings or time gained is quickly lost if safety is compromised and complications are incurred. The safety profile of the outpatient facility must meet and even exceed that of the traditional hospital-based or ambulatory care facility. After reviewing our experience over the last 6 years that indicated few complications and no deaths, we continue to support the judicious use of accredited outpatient surgical facilities by board-certified plastic surgeons in the management of plastic surgery patients.     

Optimization of conscious sedation in plastic surgery.

The administration of conscious sedation by the plastic surgeon must be safe, efficient, and consistent. In the proper setting, with trained staff and appropriate backup, conscious sedation can allow optimal patient satisfaction with expedient recovery in addition to cost containment. The highly effective local anesthesia afforded by dilute, high-volume ("tumescent") infiltration extends the use of conscious sedation to cases previously performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation. The purpose of this analysis was to identify variables in conscious sedation that affect traditional outcome parameters in ambulatory surgery, particularly the duration of recovery and adverse events such as nausea and emesis. All perioperative and operative records of 300 consecutive patients having plastic surgical procedures under conscious sedation were carefully reviewed. Patients were ASA class I or II by requisite. Conscious sedation followed a standardized administration protocol, using incremental doses of two agents: midazolam (0.25 to 1 mg) and fentanyl (12.5 to 50 mcg). A subset of patients received preoperative oral sedation. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 8.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill.). Of the 300 patients, same-day discharge was intended for 281. Eight procedure categories were defined. No anesthetic complications occurred. As expected, recovery time was significantly correlated with the duration and type of procedure (p < 0.001) and the total dosage of both intraoperative sedative agents (p < 0.001). Interestingly, a negative correlation with advancing age existed (p < 0.001), likely reflecting the significantly higher intraoperative sedative dosing in younger patients (p < 0.001). When controlled for the effects of procedure duration and intraoperative sedative dosing, two other variables-use of preoperative oral sedation and postoperative nausea/emesis-significantly lengthened recovery time (p = 0.0001 for each). Fifteen unintended admissions occurred secondary to nausea, prolonged drowsiness, or pain control needs. Conscious sedation is an effective anesthetic choice for routine plastic surgical procedures, many of which would commonly be performed under general anesthesia. In our experience with a carefully structured and controlled conscious sedation protocol, the technique has proven to be safe and effective. This analysis of outcome parameters identified two important and potentially avoidable causes of recovery delay following conscious sedation-oral premedication and nausea/emesis. Nausea and emesis were particularly problematic in that they were responsible for 11 of 15 (73 percent) unintended admissions. Preoperative sedation is valuable in certain circumstances, and its use is not discouraged; however, its benefits must be weighed against its unwanted effects, which can include a prolongation of recovery.     

Our experience with combined procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery

The instep flap needs neither muscle nor a transposition base for survival or innervation. It can be transposed as an island fasciocutaneous flap either on the medial or lateral plantar neurovascular bundles or both, and it can be transferred also as a free flap from the opposite foot. Four cases demonstrating the use of the flap as an island and free flap are presented with follow-up ranging from 1 to 2 years. The absence of muscle in the flap provides greater stability of the heel reconstruction and results in a lesser secondary defect. Sensation in the flaps is diminished but adequate for long-term function, but hyperkeratotic reaction remains an unpredictable problem. The ability to transfer the flap as a free transfer widens the scope of the flap to reconstruct both heel and forefoot defects where local instep tissue or vascularity are inadequate for local reconstruction. The secondary defect, particularly when no muscle is included in the flap, has been minimal.     

Comparison of midazolam and diazepam for sedation during plastic surgery

A randomized double-blind study was designed to compare midazolam, a rapid-acting water-soluble benzodiazepine, with diazepam for sedation when administered as an adjuvant to ketamine during local anesthesia. In the preliminary dose-ranging study, midazolam (0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg IV) was found to produce a spectrum of central nervous system activity (e.g., sedation, amnesia) that was similar to diazepam (0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg IV). However, the slope of midazolam's dose-response curve for sedation appeared to be steeper (i.e., a narrower therapeutic dosage range). In a comparative evaluation of their relative sedative-amnestic properties and recovery characteristics, the median effective doses of the two benzodiazepines were compared. Midazolam (0.1 mg/kg IV) was found to produce more profound sedation and amnesia than diazepam (0.2 mg/kg IV). Midazolam was associated with significantly less pain on injection and a lower incidence of postoperative venoirritation. Overall patient acceptance was higher with midazolam compared to diazepam. Finally, recovery characteristics were similar for the two benzodiazepines in our outpatient setting.     

Management of post-hyperventilation apnea during dental treatment under monitored anesthesia care with propofol

Although hyperventilation syndrome generally carries a good prognosis, it is associated with the risk of developing severe symptoms, such as post-hyperventilation apnea with hypoxemia and loss of consciousness. We experienced a patient who suffered from post-hyperventilation apnea. A 17-year-old female who suffered from hyperventilation syndrome for several years developed post-hyperventilation apnea after treatment using the paper bag rebreathing method and sedative administration during a dental procedure. We subsequently successfully provided her with monitored anesthesia care with propofol. Monitored anesthesia care with propofol may be effective for the general management of patients who have severe hyperventilation attacks and post-hyperventilation apnea. This case demonstrates that appropriate emergency treatment should be available for patients with hyperventilation attacks who are at risk of developing post-hyperventilation apnea associated with hypoxemia and loss of consciousness.     

Selection and care of cardiac patients for plastic surgery

A major operation after successful coronary artery bypass surgery has been proved as safe as an operation for a patient free from coronary artery disease. Most patients with angina who demonstrate an operable coronary lesion should usually be scheduled for coronary artery bypass before undergoing nonemergency surgery. It is advisable to postpone elective plastic surgery for 6 weeks to 3 months after coronary bypass and 6 months after myocardial infarction. The life expectancy of cardiac patients must be carefully considered before elective plastic surgery, because performing an operation on a patient who cannot live to enjoy the benefits is unwise. Working together, cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, and plastic surgeons can now prolong the quantity of life and enrich its quality in properly selected and carefully managed patients.     

Safety and efficacy of human amniotic membrane in primary pterygium surgery

Grafts made from human amniotic membrane are used to prevent recurrence of pterygium after excision. The success of the procedure can be affected by the quality of preparation and preservation of the grafts. We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of cryopreserved amniotic membrane prepared at the research tissue bank of the Biotechnology Research Center in Tripoli, Libya, and used as adjunct therapy in primary pterygium excision. Twenty-six patients (15 males and 11 females) aged 21–78 years and indicated for primary pterygium excision were transplanted at the Tripoli Eye Hospital with the amniotic membrane grafts. Sixteen patients (62 %) were available for all three follow-up visits scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months post-surgery. By the third visit, two patients (12.5 %) developed granuloma and three (18.8 %) had pterygium recurrence. The grafts were used after cryopreservation for ≤180 days or >180 days, but statistical analysis showed that the complications were not associated with the length of storage. Moreover, the high rate of complications in this study was not caused by use of cryopreserved AM. In conclusion, locally produced cryopreserved AM is safe as an adjunct therapy for treatment of primary pterygium excision.     

瑞芬太尼与舒芬太尼复合异丙酚静脉麻醉在妇科腹腔镜手术的效果比较

目的:比较舒芬太尼、瑞芬太尼在妇科腹腔镜手术麻醉中的优越性.方法:60例行妇科腹腔镜手术的病人随机分成舒芬太尼组(S组):舒芬太尼+异丙酚,瑞芬太尼组(R组):瑞芬太尼+异丙酚.记录病人麻醉诱导前、麻醉诱导时、气管插管后即刻、气腹前、气腹(CO2压力达12cmH2O)后1、30、60min以及拔除气管导管后5min的SBP、DBP、HR、PErCO2;并观察记录病人术毕的清醒恢复时间及术后疼痛、恶心、呕吐的情况.结果:R组在麻醉诱导时、气管插管以及拔除气管导管后5min血液动力学变化较S组明显(p＜0.05或0.01),R组术后意识恢复时间和拔管时间明显早于S组(p＜0.05),S组术后疼痛的发生率明显少于R组(p＜0.05).恶心、呕吐的发生率无明显差异.结论:舒芬太尼在妇科腹腔镜手术麻醉中与瑞芬太尼比较在麻醉诱导时及术毕气管拔管时具有较高的血流动力学稳定性,在麻醉过程中的平稳性二者无显著差异,舒芬太尼在术后疼痛控制方面优于瑞芬太尼,而瑞芬太尼在术后意识恢复上优于舒芬太尼.     

Physical and psychosocial symptoms among 88 volunteer subjects compared with patients seeking plastic surgery procedures to the breast

In an investigation of the relationship between macromastia and physical and psychosocial symptoms, 88 female university students, 21 augmentation mammaplasty patients, and 31 breast reduction patients graded somatic and psychosocial symptoms. The intent of the study was to discover which complaints were most common among women presenting for reduction mammaplasty and to determine whether height/weight index and brassiere chest measurement and cup size might affect their symptoms. Both the student group and the augmentation mammaplasty patients differed significantly from the breast reduction patients. Eighty-one percent of the reduction patients complained of neck and back pain. Seventy-seven percent complained of shoulder pain, 58 percent complained of chafing or rash; 45 percent reported significant limitation in their activity; and 52 percent were unhappy with their appearance (p < 0.001 compared with augmentation and student groups). Physical symptoms were related to height/weight index and bra chest and cup sizes in each of the three participating groups. It was found that patients who present for symptom-related reduction mammaplasty have a disease-specific group of physical and psychosocial complaints that are more directly related to large breast size than to being overweight.     

Certificate-of-Need regulation in outpatient surgery and specialty care: implications for plastic surgeons

For plastic surgeons, independent development of outpatient surgical centers and specialty facilities is becoming increasingly common. These facilities serve as important avenues not only for increasing access and efficiency but in maintaining a sustainable, competitive specialty advantage. Certificate of Need regulation represents a major hurdle to plastic surgeons who attempt to create autonomy in this fashion. At the state level, Certificate of Need programs were initially established in an effort to reduce health care costs by preventing unnecessary capital outlays for facility expansion (i.e., managing supply of health care resources) in addition to assisting with patient safety and access to care. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Certificate of Need regulations on health care costs, patient safety, and access to care and to discuss specific implications of these regulations for plastic surgeons. Within Certificate of Need states, these regulations have done little, if anything, to control health care costs or affect patient safety. Presently, Certificate of Need effects coupled with recent provisions in the Medicare Modernization Act banning development of specialty hospitals may restrict patient access to ambulatory surgical and specialty care. For the plastic surgeon, these effects not only act as an economic barrier to entry but can threaten the efficiencies gained from providing surgical care in an ambulatory setting. An appreciation of these effects is critical to maintaining specialty autonomy and access to fiscal policy.