SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate maternal and fetal characteristics and factors affecting fetal outcomes in twin pregnancies delivered by cesarean section. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care referral hospital. The primary outcome was to ascertain the effects of independent factors on the 1st and 5th minute APGAR scores, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, the need for mechanical ventilation, and neonatal mortality. RESULTS: A total of 453 pregnant women and 906 newborns were included in the analysis. The final logistic regression model revealed that early gestational weeks and neonates <3rd weight percentile at the time of delivery were the most significant predictors of all poor outcome parameters in at least one of the twins (p<0.05). General anesthesia for cesarean section was associated with 1st minute APGAR<7 and the need for mechanical ventilation, and emergency surgery was correlated with the need for mechanical ventilation (p<0.05) in at least one of the twins. CONCLUSION: General anesthesia, emergency surgery, early gestational weeks, and birth weight <3rd weight percentile were strongly associated with poor neonatal outcomes in at least one of the twins delivered by cesarean section.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of continuous lung ventilation with low tidal volume on oxidation parameters, such as thiol/disulphide homeostasis and albumin-adjusted ischemia-modified albumin (AAIMA), during cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Seventy-four patients who underwent elective CABG with CPB were included in the study. Blood samples were taken in the preoperative period, 10 minutes after CPB, and six and 24 hours postoperatively. Patients were assigned to the continuous ventilation group (Group 1, n=37) and the non-ventilated group (Group 2, n=37). The clinical characteristics, thiol/disulphide homeostasis, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), and AAIMA levels of the patients were compared. Results: A significant difference was found between the groups regarding native thiol, total thiol, and IMA levels at the postoperative 24th hour (P=0.030, P=0.031, and P=0.004, respectively). There was no difference between the groups in terms of AAIMA. AAIMA levels returned to preoperative levels in Groups 1 and 2, at the 6th and 24th postoperative hours, respectively. Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in Group 1 (P<0.001) than in Group 2. Conclusion: Continuous ventilation during CPB caused an increase in native and total thiol levels, an earlier return of AAIMA levels, and shorter hospital stay. Continuous ventilation may reduce the negative effects of CPB on myocardium (Table 2, Figure 1, and Reference 31).

Resumo Justificativa O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os efeitos do tabagismo pré-operatório e o nível de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado sobre complicações respiratórias perioperatórias em pacientes submetidos a colecistectomias laparoscópicas eletivas. Métodos No total, 152 pacientes (Grupo F: fumantes; Grupo NF: não fumantes) submetidos a colecistectomias laparoscópicas sob anestesia geral foram avaliados. Os pacientes completaram o Teste para Dependência de Nicotina de Fagerstrom. Os níveis pré-operatórios de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado foram determinados usando o piCO + Smokerlyzer 12 h antes da cirurgia. As complicações respiratórias foram registradas durante a indução da anestesia, no intraoperatório, durante a extubação e na sala de recuperação. Resultados Aumentos estatisticamente significativos foram observados no Grupo F em relação à incidência de hipóxia durante a indução da anestesia, broncoespasmo intraoperatório, tratamento broncodilatador intraoperatório e broncoespasmo durante a extubação. O nível de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado, o Teste para Dependência de Nicotina de Fagerstrom e o número de cigarros fumados em 12 h no pré-operatório foram designados como covariáveis no modelo de regressão. A análise de regressão logística da indução anestésica mostrou que um aumento de uma unidade no nível de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado foi associado a um aumento de 1,16 vez do risco de hipóxia (OR = 1,16; IC de 95% 1,01–1,34; p = 0,038). A análise de regressão logística do período intraoperatório mostrou que um aumento de uma unidade no número de cigarros fumados em 12 h no pré-operatório foi associado a um aumento de 1,16 vez no risco de broncoespasmo (OR = 1,16; IC de 95% 1,04–1,30, p = 0,007). Enquanto na sala de recuperação, um aumento de uma unidade no escore do Teste para Dependência de Nicotina de Fagerstrom resultou em um aumento de 1,73 vez no risco de broncoespasmo (OR = 1,73; IC de 95% 1,04–2,88; p = 0,036). Conclusões O tabagismo mostrou aumentar a incidência de complicações respiratórias intraoperatórias sob anestesia geral. Além disso, o nível estimado de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado no pré-operatório pode servir como um indicador do risco em potencial de complicações respiratórias perioperatórias.

Abstract Background The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of preoperative cigarette smoking and the carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath on perioperative respiratory complications in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Methods One hundred and fifty two patients (smokers, Group S and non-smokers, Group NS), who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies under general anesthesia, were studied. Patients completed the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. The preoperative carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath levels were determined using the piCO+ Smokerlyzer 12 h before surgery. Respiratory complications were recorded during induction of anesthesia, intraoperatively, during extubation, and in the recovery room. Results Statistically significant increases were noted in group S with respect to the incidence of hypoxia during induction of anesthesia, intraoperative bronchospasm, bronchodilator treatment intraoperatively, and bronchospasm during extubation. The carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and number of cigarettes smoked 12 h preoperatively were designated as covariates in the regression model. Logistic regression analysis of anesthetic induction showed that a 1 unit increase in the carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath level was associated with a 1.16 fold increase in the risk of hypoxia (OR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.01–1.34; p = 0.038). Logistic regression analysis of the intraoperative course showed that a 1 unit increase in the number of cigarettes smoked 12 h preoperatively was associated with a 1.16 fold increase in the risk of bronchospasm (OR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.04–1.30; p = 0.007). While in the recovery room, a 1 unit increase in the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence score resulted in a 1.73 fold increase in the risk of bronchospasm (OR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.04–2.88; p = 0.036). Conclusions Cigarette smoking was shown to increase the incidence of intraoperative respiratory complications while under general anesthesia. Moreover, the estimated preoperative carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath level may serve as an indicator of the potential risk of perioperative respiratory complications.