Daily Anesthesiology Research Analysis
Three clinical randomized trials stand out today in anesthesiology: multimodal prehabilitation significantly reduced postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection; T9 erector spinae plane block improved analgesia and recovery versus subcostal TAP block after bariatric surgery; and inverse ratio ventilation (I:E 2:1) prolonged safe apnea time during induction in obese patients.
Summary
Three clinical randomized trials stand out today in anesthesiology: multimodal prehabilitation significantly reduced postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection; T9 erector spinae plane block improved analgesia and recovery versus subcostal TAP block after bariatric surgery; and inverse ratio ventilation (I:E 2:1) prolonged safe apnea time during induction in obese patients.
Research Themes
- Perioperative prehabilitation to prevent pulmonary complications
- Regional anesthesia optimization for bariatric surgery
- Ventilation strategies during anesthetic induction in obesity
Selected Articles
1. Multimodal prehabilitation before lung resection surgery: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.
In a multicentre RCT (n=122), multimodal prehabilitation reduced postoperative pulmonary complications from 55% to 34% (OR 2.29, P=0.029) and shortened hospital stay (median 9 to 7 days). The program included high-intensity respiratory muscle training and other elements.
Impact: High-quality randomized evidence demonstrates a clinically meaningful reduction in pulmonary complications and length of stay in a high-risk population undergoing lung resection.
Clinical Implications: Implementing structured prehabilitation, including respiratory muscle training, for high-risk lung resection candidates can reduce pulmonary complications and hospital length of stay.
Key Findings
- Postoperative pulmonary complications were lower with prehabilitation (34% vs 55%; OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.10–4.77; P=0.029).
- Hospital length of stay was reduced from a median of 9 (7–11) to 7 (6–9) days (P=0.038).
- The intervention used multimodal prehabilitation including high-intensity respiratory muscle training.
Methodological Strengths
- Multicentre, randomized controlled design with trial registration (NCT04826575).
- Clinically meaningful, patient-centered outcomes (pulmonary complications, length of stay).
Limitations
- Sample size is moderate (n=122), which may limit subgroup analyses.
- Details of all prehabilitation components and adherence are not fully described in the abstract.
Future Directions: Validate in broader settings, determine cost-effectiveness, and define optimal prehabilitation components and duration for maximum effect.
2. Comparison Between Erector Spinae Plane Block at T9 Level and Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Recovery in Patients with Obesity Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
In 168 obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, T9 ESP block improved postoperative analgesia and recovery compared with subcostal TAP block. The NRS difference was modest, but ESP reduced opioid consumption and accelerated recovery milestones.
Impact: Provides randomized evidence to refine regional anesthesia strategy in bariatric surgery, favoring ESP over subcostal TAP for enhanced recovery.
Clinical Implications: Consider T9 ESP block as part of multimodal analgesia for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to reduce opioid use and speed recovery.
Key Findings
- Randomized comparison showed ESP block improved postoperative analgesia versus subcostal TAP block.
- ESP block reduced postoperative opioid consumption (morphine equivalents).
- ESP block accelerated recovery milestones despite modest differences in NRS pain scores.
Methodological Strengths
- Randomized controlled design with defined primary and secondary outcomes.
- Adequate sample size for a single-procedure analgesic comparison (n=168).
Limitations
- Abstract lacks detailed effect sizes for opioid reduction and recovery endpoints.
- Blinding procedures and single- vs multicenter status are not specified in the abstract.
Future Directions: Quantify effect sizes for opioid-sparing and recovery metrics, assess longer-term outcomes, and evaluate ESP efficacy across other bariatric procedures.
3. Volume-controlled inverse ratio ventilation improves safe apnea time in obese patients during the induction of general anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.
In a randomized trial of 40 obese surgical patients, volume-controlled inverse ratio ventilation (I:E 2:1) significantly prolonged safe apnea time during induction by approximately 57 seconds compared with conventional ratio ventilation. Expired oxygen fraction was also higher with inverse ratio ventilation.
Impact: Addresses a common, high-risk scenario in obese patients by providing simple, actionable ventilator settings that extend the safety margin during induction.
Clinical Implications: Consider volume-controlled inverse ratio ventilation (I:E 2:1) during preoxygenation/induction in obese patients to extend safe apnea time; monitor hemodynamics and barotrauma risk.
Key Findings
- Safe apnea time was longer with inverse ratio ventilation: 210.4 ± 47.5 s vs 153.8 ± 41.5 s; mean difference 56.55 s (95% CI 28.00–85.10).
- Expired oxygen fraction was higher with I:E 2:1 compared to conventional ratio ventilation.
- Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups, supporting internal validity.
Methodological Strengths
- Prospective randomized controlled design focused on a clinically relevant physiologic endpoint.
- Standardized induction setting in a homogeneous obese cohort.
Limitations
- Small single-center sample (n=40) limits generalizability and safety signal detection.
- Short-term physiological outcomes without follow-up on postoperative complications.
Future Directions: Larger multicentre trials to assess safety, optimal I:E ratios, and impact on peri-induction hypoxemia and postoperative outcomes.