Orthopedic Anesthesia Flashcards
T/F: General anesthesia and regional anesthesia present the same amount of risk for DVTs during orthopedic surgery?
False; Regional anesthesia (specifically spinal anesthesia) has a lower incidence of DVTs
What is MMA?
Polymethylmethcrylate cement that fills in the gaps in bones and binds firmly to prosthetic devices
Is MMA an exothermic or endothermic reaction when hardening?
Exothermic, but not typically enough to harm tissues
What thee things lead to a >500 mmHg of pressure on the vascular system with MMA?
- Heat
- Expansion
- Hardening
What are the 8 signs of Bone Cement Implantation Syndrome?
- Hypoxia (increased pulmonary shunt)
- Hypotension
- Dysrhythmias
- Pulmonary HTN (increased PVR)
- Decreased CO
- Vasodilation
- Decreased SVR
- Tissue thromboplastin release may cause microthrombus
What are strategies to minimize effects of MMA?
- Increase FiO2 prior to MMA
- Maintain euvolemia
- Vasopressors if needed
- Surgical methods:
a. Venting distal femur
b. High pressure lavage of femoral shaft
What are the 6 major problems with using a pneumatic tourniquet in orthopedic surgery?
- Hemodynamic changes
- Pain
- Metabolic changes
- Arterial and Pulmonary embolism
- Muscle and nerve injury
- Limb cooling
What is typical cuff pressure for tourniquet use?
100 torr above SBP
usually Upper extremities 250 torr and Lower extremities 350 torr
Which type of nerve fibers are typically most stimulated by the tourniquet?
Unmylenated, slow conduction C Fibers
Do regional anesthesia techniques decrease or increase tourniquet specific pain?
Decrease
What metabolic changes can be seen with cuff deflation?
- Increase PaCO2
- Increase EtCO2
- Serum Lactic Acidosis
- Hyperkalemia
What is the maximum time period for tourniquet inflation?
2hrs (20 mins for reperfusion, then can put tourniquet up again)
What three things are associated with prolonged tourniquet inflation time (>2hrs)?
- Transient Muscular injury
- Permanent nerve injury
- Rhabdomylysis
Who’s responsibility is the tourniquet time?
Anesthesia provider
What is the triad of Fat Embolism Syndrome?
- Dyspnea
- Confusion
- Petechiae
What typically precipitates Fat Embolism Syndrome?
Classic presentation within 72 hours of long bone or pelvic fracture.
What are the two most important times during orthopedic surgery with tourniquet use?
- Tourniquet up/down
2. During device placement/removal
What is the pathology behind Fat Embolism syndrome?
Disrupted fat cells from bone fracture enter circulation causing increase in fatty acid levels. This releases vasoactive amines and prostaglandins which progresses to ARDS, cerebral capillary damage, and edema
How is fat embolism syndrome diagnosed?
- Petechiae of chest and upper extremities.
- Fat globules in retina, urine, sputum
- Coagulation abnomalities
- Progressive pulm worsening from mild hypoxia to ARDS
- Abrupt decline in EtCO2 and spO2. and Rise in PIPs
What are the 6 major risk factors for DVT and PE?
- > 60yrs
- Obesity
- Tourniquet
- > 30min procedure
- Lower extremity fracture
- Immobilization >4days
Which two surgeries place patients at the highest risk for DVT/PE?
Knee and hip replacements
T/F: Even with prophylactic anticoagulation and pneumatic leg compression, DVT/PE incidence remains the same?
False; these two thing significantly reduce incidence of DVT/PE
What age group has the highest incidence of DVT/PE?
> 70 yrs
What is Neuraxial anesthesia’s role in DVT/PE?
- Sympathectomy induces increased venous blood flow
- Anti-inflammatory effects of LAs
- Decreased platelet activity
- Decreased rise in Factor VIII and vWF
- Less fall in antithrombin III
- Less stress hormone release
What is the timeframe for epidurals and prophylactic anticoagulation?
Placement or removal should not be undertaken within 6-8hrs of SQ minidose heparin or within 12-24hrs of LMWH
What are the two hallmark signs of hematoma surrounding neuraxial anesthesia?
- Back pain
2. Lower extremity weakness.
T/F: ASA should not be given within 6-8hrs of neuraxial anesthesia?
False; ASA by itself is not a contraindication for neuraxial anesthesia
For management of a joint manipulation, is general or regional preferred?
General Anesthesia