scholarly journals P045: Impact of post-intubation hypotension on mortality of patients in the emergency department (ED)

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S72-S73
Author(s):  
M. Emond ◽  
J. Turgeon ◽  
J. Shields ◽  
A. Nadeau
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Endotracheal Intubation ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Post Intubation

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation is frequently used in emergency departments and is often life saving, but it is also known to cause adverse events that can potentially lead to death. The main objective of this study is to evaluate mortality rates and duration of hospitalisation in patients who experienced post-intubation hypotension (PIH). Methods: A historical cohort of patients admitted between 07/2011 and 11/2014 at the ED of a level-one trauma centre. Patients were included if they were aged 16 years old or more, were intubated in the resuscitation room,had less than 3 intubation attempts, no need of surgical airway access, and had recorded vital signs prior to intubation. All clinical data including vitals were prospectively collected using ReaScribe®. PIH was defined by one measure or more of systolic arterial blood pressure <90 mm Hg. We retrospectively analysed the occurrence of PIH at 4 time points : 5, 15, 30 minutes, and at any moments after intubation. Study outcomes were in-hospital death and hospital length of stay in days (LOS). Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed the relation between PHI and outcomes. Results: 261 patients were included in the analyses. Amongst patient who experienced PIH, incidence of mortality was, respectively for each time estimate, of 31,0%, 33,3%, 28,6% and 26,9 % compared to 25,4% (p=0,5), 24,2% (p=0,1), 24,9% (p=0,5), and 25,4 % (p=0,8) in the normotensive group. The mean duration of hospitalisation in the group exposed to PIH was respectively of 26 (12,9-53,3), 22 (13,5-35,5), 19 (13,6-27,8), and 18 days (13.5-24.8) compared to 15,6 (12,9-18,9), 15,4 (12,6-18,8), 15,3 (12,3-19,1), and 15,5 (12.1-19.7) days (p=0,4). Conclusion: There was no association between the presence of post-intubation hypotension at 4 different time estimates and the in-hospital mortality nor the hospital length of stay. Further evaluation in specific sub-group should be foreseen to prevent adverse events from endotracheal intubation.

scholarly journals P080: What is the impact of post-intubation hypotension on mortality and in-hospital length of stay?

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S92
Author(s):  
D. Lachance-Perreault ◽  
J. Turgeon ◽  
V. Boucher ◽  
M. Émond
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Resuscitation Room ◽  
Post Intubation ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Hypotension is known to severely impact the prognosis of patients in need of acute care. Endotracheal intubation (EI) is a procedure that is often used in the emergency room for patients with severe conditions. Post-intubation hypotension (PHI) is a well-known adverse effect of EI, although the impact of PHI on mortality is still unclear. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the association between post-intubation hypotension (PIH) and in-hospital mortality rates and length of stay (LOS). Methods: Design: A historical cohort of patients admitted in a university-affiliated emergency department (ED) between 06/2011 and 05/2016 was constituted. Population: Patients aged ≥16 were included if pre-EI vital signs were available, if their intubation was performed in the resuscitation room, if no surgical access was needed and if EI was performed in ≤3 attempts. Measures: All clinical data including vitals were prospectively recorded using the software ReaScribe. Hypotension was defined as a systolic blood pressure ≤90 mmHg. The occurrence of PIH was assessed at 5, 15, 30 minutes and any time after intubation. Main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and hospital length of stay. Analyses: Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed the relation between PHI and outcomes. Results: A total of 497 patients were included in our analyses. Of these patients, 63 (12.7%) suffered from PIH at 5 minutes, 120 (24,1%) at 15 minutes, 168 (33,8%) at 30 minutes and 209 (42%) at any moment after intubation. Mortality rates were 42.9% (n = 27), 35.8% (n = 43), 33.9% (n = 57) and 30.6%(n = 64) for patients who presented PIH at the 4 time periods, respectively, while 26.74% patients died in the normotensive group. PIH at 5 (p = 0.006), 15 (p = 0.04) and 30 minutes (p = 0.05) was associated with a significant increase in overall post-intubation mortality. Mean LOS for patients who suffered from PIH was 16.7, 18.9, 17.3, 17.4 days compared to 19.5 (p = 0.22) days for the normotensive group. Conclusion: Early post-intubation hypotension at 5 minutes was strongly associated with an increased mortality. As for the in-hospital length of stay, PIH was not associated with an increased LOS. Our results show that PIH within 30 minutes of intubation is associated with an increased mortality rate and should therefore be aggressively treated or prevented.

scholarly journals 1247. Multicenter Study on Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection After Exploratory Laparotomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S449-S449
Author(s):  
Túlio Alves Jeangregório Rodrigues ◽  
Guilherme Fernandes de Oliveira ◽  
Júlia G C Dias ◽  
Laís Souza Campos ◽  
Letícia Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Abdominal Surgery ◽  
Surgical Site Infection ◽  
Exploratory Laparotomy ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Site Infection ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Exploratory laparotomy surgery is abdominal operations not involving the gastrointestinal tract or biliary system. The objective of our study is to answer three questions: (a) What is the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after exploratory abdominal surgery? (b) What is the impact of SSI in the hospital length of stay and hospital mortality? (c) What are risk factors for SSI after exploratory abdominal surgery? Methods A retrospective cohort study assessed meningitis and risk factors in patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy between January 2013 and December 2017 from 12 hospitals at Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were gathered by standardized methods defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)/CDC procedure-associated protocols for routine SSI surveillance. 26 preoperative and operative categorical and continuous variables were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression). Outcome variables: Surgical site infection (SSI), hospital death, hospital length of stay. Variables were analyzed using Epi Info and applying statistical two-tailed test hypothesis with significance level of 5%. Results A sample of 6,591 patients submitted to exploratory laparotomy was analyzed (SSI risk = 4.3%): Hospital length of stay in noninfected patients (days): mean = 16, median = 6, std. dev. = 30; hospital stay in infected patients: mean = 32, median = 22, std. dev. = 30 (P < 0.001). The mortality rate in patients without infection was 14% while hospital death of infected patients was 20% (P = 0.009). Main risk factors for SSI: ügeneral anesthesia (SSI = 4.9%, relative risk – RR = 2.8, P < 0.001); preoperative hospital length of stay more than 4 days (SSI=3.9%, RR=1.8, P = 0.003); wound class contaminated or dirty (SSI = 5.4%, RR = 1.5, P = 0.002); duration of procedure higher than 3 hours (SSI = 7.1%, RR = 2.1, P < 0.001); after trauma laparotomy (SSI = 7.8%, RR = 1.9, P = 0.001). Conclusion We identified patients at high risk of surgical site infection after exploratory laparotomy: trauma patients from contaminated or dirty wound surgery, submitted to a procedure with general anesthesia that last more than 3 hours have 13% SSI. Patients without any of these four risk factors have only 1.2% SSI. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals 863. Outcomes of Healthcare-Associated Respiratory Viral Infections in a Pediatric Hospital: A Historical Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S470-S470
Author(s):  
Zachary Most ◽  
Patricia Jackson ◽  
Michael Sebert ◽  
Trish M Perl ◽  
Trish M Perl
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Charges ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Pediatric Hospitals ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections (HARVI) occur frequently at pediatric hospitals. The spectrum and attributable outcomes of these infections are unknown. Methods Using a matched historical cohort design, HARVI cases identified between July 2013 and June 2018 at a large pediatric referral hospital in Dallas, Texas were defined as patients who tested positive for one of eight respiratory viruses during their hospitalization, had new respiratory symptoms develop during hospitalization, and had symptom onset on a hospitalization day that was greater than the maximum incubation period for the specific respiratory virus. Controls were matched 1:1 for index time, meaning that the control had a hospital length of stay that was at least as long as the length of stay in the matched case prior to viral testing. Controls were also matched for year and month of infection as well as hospital unit and/or age. The primary outcome was additional length of stay following infection or index time. Additional outcomes included transfer to intensive care, need for intubation, hospital charges, and all cause in-hospital mortality. Results Over the 5-year study period, 317 definite HARVI were identified (0.62 per 1,000 admitted patient days), and only 287 (91%) had a matched control to be included in analysis. Among these cases and matched controls, the median time to index time was 19 days (IQR 10-39 days). The most common causative viruses where rhinovirus/enterovirus (188, 65.5%), RSV (30, 10.5%), parainfluenza virus (28, 9.8%), and seasonal coronaviruses (27, 9.4%). Fewer cases than controls were in an intensive care unit at index time (101 [35.2%] vs. 156 [54.4%]) The mean additional length of stay following index time was shorter in cases than controls (35.2 days vs. 48.1 days, difference = -12.9 days, 95% CI -20.95 to -4.82 days). Conclusion Hospital length of stay for cases with HARVI was not longer than for those without HARVI. Possible explanations include confounding and selection bias. Further studies with carefully selected controls are needed. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Exposure-Based Methadone and Lorazepam Weaning Protocol Reduces Wean Length in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
Alexandra K. Wilson ◽  
Carolyn E. Ragsdale ◽  
Ila Sehgal ◽  
Micah Vaughn ◽  
Eimeira Padilla-Tolentino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Shorten Hospital Stay

OBJECTIVE Determine if a standardized methadone and lorazepam weaning protocol that is based on dose and duration of exposure can reduce the length of opioid and benzodiazepine weaning and shorten hospital stay. METHODS Retrospective cohort study performed in a 24-bed medical/surgical PICU. A total of 177 patients on opioid and/or benzodiazepine infusions for &gt;3 days were included; 75 patients pre protocol (June 2012– June 2013) were compared with 102 patients post implementation of a standardized weaning protocol of methadone and lorazepam (March 2014–March 2015). The recommended wean was based on duration of infusions of &gt;3 days up to 5 days (no wean), 5 to 13 days (short wean), and ≥14 days (long wean). RESULTS Median number of days on methadone for patients on opioid infusions for 5 to 13 days was reduced from 8.5 to 5.7 days (p = 0.001; n = 45 [pre], n = 68 [post]) and for patients on opioid infusions for ≥14 days, from 29.7 to 11.5 days (p = 0.003; n = 9 [pre], n = 9 [post]) after protocol implementation. The median number of days on lorazepam for patients on benzodiazepine infusions for 5 to 13 days was reduced from 8.1 to 5.2 days (p = 0.020; n = 43 [pre], n = 55 [post]) and for patients on benzodiazepine infusions for ≥14 days, from 27.4 to 9.3 days (p = 0.011; n = 9 [pre], n = 8 [post]). There was no difference in methadone or lorazepam wean length for patients on 3 to 5 days of infusions. There was no difference in adverse events or hospital length of stay. CONCLUSIONS A methadone and lorazepam weaning protocol based on patient's exposure to opioids and benzodiazepines (dose and duration) reduces weaning length.

Hospital Length of Stay Reduction Over Time and Patient Readmission for Severe Adverse Events Following Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 272 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léa Pascal ◽  
Stéphanie Polazzi ◽  
Vincent Piriou ◽  
Eddy Cotte ◽  
Julien Wegrzyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Patient Readmission ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Severe Adverse Events ◽  
Over Time

scholarly journals 892. Meningitis after Ventricular Shunt Operations: Multicenter Study to Identify Etiology, Incidence and Risk Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S481-S481
Author(s):  
Lucca G Giarola ◽  
Handerson Dias Duarte de Carvalho ◽  
Braulio Roberto Gonçalves Marinho Couto ◽  
Carlos Ernesto Ferreira Starling
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Communicating Hydrocephalus ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Belo Horizonte

Abstract Background A Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is the main treatment for communicating hydrocephalus. Surgical site infection associated with the shunt device is the most common complication and an expressive cause of morbidity and mortality of the treatment. The objective of our study is to answer three questions: a)What is the risk of meningitis after ventricular shunt operations? b) What are the risk factors for meningitis? c) What are the main microorganisms causing meningitis? Methods A retrospective cohort study assessed meningitis and risk factors in patients undergoing ventricular shunt operations between 2015/Jul and 2018/Jun from 12 hospitals at Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were gathered by standardized methods defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)/CDC procedure-associated protocols for routine SSI surveillance. Sample size = 926. 26 variables were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression). Results 71 patients were diagnosed with meningitis which represent a risk of 7.7% (C.I.95%= 6.1%; 9.6%). From the 26 variables, three were acknoleged as risk factors: age &lt; two years old (OR = 3.20; p &lt; 0.001), preoperative hospital length of stay &gt; four days (OR = 2.02; p = 0.007) and more than one surgical procedure (OR = 3.23; p = 0.043). Patients two or more years old, who had surgery four days after hospital admission, had increased risk of meningitis from 4% to 6% (p = 0.140). If a patient &lt; two years had surgery four days post hospital admission, the risk is increased from 9% to 18% (p = 0.026). 71 meningitis = &gt; 45 (63%) the etiologic agent identified: Staphylococcus aureus (33%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (22%), Acinetobacter sp (7%), Enterococcus sp (7%), Pseudomonas sp (7%), and other (18%). Hospital length of stay in non-infected patients (days): mean = 21 (sd = 28), median = 9; hospital stay in infected patients: mean = 34 (sd = 37), median = 27 (p=0.025). Mortality rate in patients without infection was 10% while hospital death of infected patients was 13% (p=0.544). Conclusion Two intrinsic risk factors for meningitis post ventricular shunt, age under two years old and multiple surgeries, and one extrinsic risk factor, preoperative length of hospital stay, were identified. Incidence of meningitis post VP shunt decreases with urgent surgical treatment. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Predicting Hospital Length of Stay at Admission Using Global and Country-Specific Competing Risk Analysis of Structural, Patient, and Nutrition-Related Data from nutritionDay 2007–2015

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4111
Author(s):  
Noemi Kiss ◽  
Michael Hiesmayr ◽  
Isabella Sulz ◽  
Peter Bauer ◽  
Georg Heinze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Event Analysis ◽  
Related Data ◽  
The Impact

Hospital length of stay (LOS) is an important clinical and economic outcome and knowing its predictors could lead to better planning of resources needed during hospitalization. This analysis sought to identify structure, patient, and nutrition-related predictors of LOS available at the time of admission in the global nutritionDay dataset and to analyze variations by country for countries with n > 750. Data from 2006–2015 (n = 155,524) was utilized for descriptive and multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazards competing-risks analyses of total LOS from admission. Time to event analysis on 90,480 complete cases included: discharged (n = 65,509), transferred (n = 11,553), or in-hospital death (n = 3199). The median LOS was 6 days (25th and 75th percentile: 4–12). There is robust evidence that LOS is predicted by patient characteristics such as age, affected organs, and comorbidities in all three outcomes. Having lost weight in the last three months led to a longer time to discharge (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.89; 99.9% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.85–0.93), shorter time to transfer (HR 1.40; 99.9% CI 1.24–1.57) or death (HR 2.34; 99.9% CI 1.86–2.94). The impact of having a dietician and screening patients at admission varied by country. Despite country variability in outcomes and LOS, the factors that predict LOS at admission are consistent globally.

Implementing an emergency department EMR trigger tool for palliative medicine consultation and its effect on length of stay and health care costs: A retrospective study.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 167-167
Author(s):  
Dmitry Kozhevnikov ◽  
Felix Rivera ◽  
Wendy Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Palliative Medicine ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trigger Tool

167 Background: Several studies have shown that palliative medicine consultation can improve multiple patient-centered outcomes, especially when provided early. Our goal is to show that our electronic health record (EHR) trigger tool is a cost-effective way for hospitals to identify patients who may benefit from early consultation, improving outcomes such as hospital length of stay and facilitating appropriate disposition for patients with metastatic cancer. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 721 patients at an urban community hospital who were identified by a trigger system integrated into the Emergency Department (ED) EHR. Patients who met criteria for a palliative consultation as determined by ED physicians at the time of inpatient admission were tracked by the palliative medicine department as part of a pilot phase. Those that were triggered and received usual care made up the control group. The intervention group was made up of patients who were triggered and seen in consultation. Results: Patients who were seen within 3 days of trigger were found to have a mean length of stay of 7.57 days, while those seen after 3 days had a mean length of stay 10.61 days. Patients who were triggered for metastatic cancer were found to have differences in final disposition between the two groups. Discharge to subacute rehabilitation facilities (SAR) in these patients decreased from 24% in the control group to 12% in the intervention group, while use of home hospice more than doubled to 11%. The percentage of these patients dying in the hospital decreased from 18% to 12%. Conclusions: Our study showed that earlier consultation was associated with shorter hospital length of stays if patients were seen within 3 days of being flagged as having palliative care needs in the ED. We also found that our EHR trigger doubled home hospice utilization in patients with metastatic cancer, decreased the proportion of discharges to SAR, and decreased in-hospital death in these patients.

Extubation failure in infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow and univentricular physiology

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Punkaj Gupta ◽  
Rachel McDonald ◽  
Sunali Goyal ◽  
Jeffrey M. Gossett ◽  
Michiaki Imamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Pulmonary Blood Flow ◽  
Positive Pressure Ventilation ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Extubation Failure ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Positive Pressure ◽  
Arterial Blood

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the study was to identify incidence, aetiology, and outcomes of extubation failure in infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow at a single tertiary care, academic children's hospital. The second objective of this study was to determine the haemodynamic effects of transition of positive pressure ventilation to spontaneous breathing in infants with extubation failure.Patients and methodsExtubation failure for our study was defined as the need for positive pressure ventilation within 96 hours after extubation. We collected demographics, pre-operative, intra-operative, post-operative, and peri-extubation data in a retrospective, observational format in patients who underwent a modified Blalock–Taussig shunt between January, 2005 and March, 2011. Infants undergoing Norwood operation or Damus–Kaye–Stansel with modified Blalock–Taussig shunt were excluded from the study. The cardiorespiratory variables collected before extubation and immediately after extubation included heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressures, near infrared spectroscopy, oxygen saturations, and lactate levels. Clinical outcomes evaluated included the success or failure of extubation, cardiovascular intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Descriptive and univariate statistics were utilised to compare groups with extubation failure and extubation success.ResultsOf the 55 eligible patients during the study period, extubation failure occurred in 27% (15/55) of the patients. Of the 15 patients with extubation failure, 10 patients needed reintubation and five patients received continuous positive pressure ventilation without getting reintubated. There were three patients who had extubation failure in the first 2 hours after extubation, nine patients in the 2–24-hour period, and three patients in the 24–96-hour period. In all, eight patients were extubated in the second attempt after the first extubation failure, with a median duration of mechanical ventilation of 2 days (1 day, 6 days). The median age of patients at extubation was 19 days (12 days, 22 days) and median weight of patients was 3.6 kg (3.02 kg, 4.26 kg). In all, 38% (21/55) of the patients were intubated before surgery. The most common risk factors for failed extubation were lung disease in 46% (7/15), cardiac dysfunction in 26% (4/15), diaphragmatic paralysis in 13% (2/15), airway oedema in 6% (1/15), and vocal cord paralysis in 6% (1/15). The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 4 days (1 day, 10.5 days), median cardiovascular intensive care unit length of stay was 11 days (6.5 days, 23.5 days), and the median hospital length of stay was 30 days (14 days, 48 days). The overall mortality at the time of hospital discharge was 7%.ConclusionsExtubation failure in infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow and univentricular physiology is high and aetiology is diverse. Cardiopulmonary effects of removal of positive pressure ventilation are more pronounced in children with extubation failure and include escalation in the need for oxygen requirement and increase in mean arterial blood pressure. The majority of extubation failures in this select patient population occurs in the first 24 hours. Extubation failure in these patients is not associated with increased hospital length of stay or mortality.

The association of postoperative dexmedetomidine with pain, opiate utilization, and hospital length of stay in children post–Chiari malformation decompression

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Daniel T. Cater ◽  
Colin M. Rogerson ◽  
Michael J. Hobson ◽  
Laurie L. Ackerman ◽  
Courtney M. Rowan
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Chiari Malformation ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Opiate Use ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Maximum Pain ◽  
Lower Pain ◽  
Median Pain

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the association of postoperative dexmedetomidine with markers of pain in children undergoing Chiari malformation decompression. The authors hypothesized that patients receiving dexmedetomidine postoperatively would have decreased cumulative opiate use. They further hypothesized that there would be no difference in median pain scores, outcomes, or medication adverse events. METHODS An IRB-approved retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing Chiari malformation decompression from December 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018, was performed. Patients aged 0–21 years who underwent intradural Chiari malformation decompression at a single institution were included. Data for those who used dexmedetomidine postoperatively were compared with those who did not use dexmedetomidine. The primary outcome was cumulative opiate use throughout hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, ancillary medication use, adverse events, hospital and ICU length of stay, readmission rates, and hospital cost. RESULTS The authors reviewed the records of 172 patients who underwent Chiari malformation decompression. Of those patients, 86 received dexmedetomidine postoperatively and 86 did not. Demographics were not different between the groups. Patients who received dexmedetomidine postoperatively received more doses of dexamethasone and were also more frequently exposed to dexmedetomidine intraoperatively (p = 0.028). Patients who received dexmedetomidine postoperatively used fewer morphine equivalents during their admission (1.02 mg/kg vs 1.43 mg/kg, p = 0.003). The patients who received dexmedetomidine postoperatively also had lower median pain scores on postoperative day 0 (0 vs 2, p < 0.001), lower median pain scores throughout the entire admission (1 vs 2, p < 0.001), and lower maximum pain scores recorded (6 vs 8, p = 0.005). Adjusting for steroid dose number and intraoperative dexmedetomidine exposure, postoperative dexmedetomidine remained associated with lower opiate dosing, lower pain scores on postoperative day 0, lower scores throughout hospital stay, and lower maximum pain scores. Patients who received dexmedetomidine had shorter hospital lengths of stay by 19 hours (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in medication adverse events or hospital costs between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative dexmedetomidine use was associated with decreased opiate use, lower pain scores, and shorter hospital length of stay in this cohort. Dexmedetomidine may be considered as a safe adjuvant medication that may have opiate-sparing effects for this patient population.

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