Classification of Urgency of Surgical Procedures

1. ACC/AHA Classification (4 Categories)

2. NCEPOD Classification (UK National Standard)

The older CEPOD scheme also used the term "Scheduled" - meaning admission prioritized within a few weeks of referral.

3. Key Practical Points

• In emergency surgery, the same preoperative assessment principles apply as in elective surgery, but the window for optimization is limited by time. Treatments should begin even if they cannot be completed before the procedure. (Bailey and Love's, 28th Ed.)
• Emergency theatre cases should be prioritized according to their NCEPOD category by the surgical and anesthetic teams.
• High-risk emergency patients should be assessed early for likely need of postoperative critical care (ICU/HDU).
• Some residual risks may remain despite optimization - these must be included in the consent process when possible.
• In obstetric surgery, a parallel system exists for cesarean sections (Categories 1-4), with Category 1 requiring delivery within 30 minutes for immediate maternal or fetal threat.

Summary Table

• Barash Clinical Anesthesia, 9e, Table 23-2 (ACC/AHA 2014 adaptation)
• Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Ed., Chapter 21 - Preoperative Assessment for Emergency Surgery
• Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Planning and Scheduling of Theatre Time

DNB Final Theory - Question 8

PREOPERATIVE CONCERNS (3 marks)

1. Assessment of the Defect and Associated Anomalies

• Level of the lesion determines extent of neurological deficit - higher lesions (thoracic/lumbar) carry greater motor, sensory, and autonomic impairment
• Type - myelomeningocele (exposed neural tissue, no skin cover) is an open defect requiring early surgical closure, ideally within 24-72 hours to prevent meningitis and desiccation of neural tissue
• Associated anomalies must be identified:
  • Chiari II malformation - present in nearly all myelomeningocele cases; causes herniation of medulla and cerebellar tonsils through foramen magnum - risk of apnea, stridor, swallowing dysfunction
  • Hydrocephalus - present in ~75% of myelomeningocele patients; look for bulging fontanelle, increasing head circumference, irritability, sunset sign
  • Neurogenic bladder - assess for urinary retention/overflow

2. Airway and Respiratory Assessment

• Chiari II malformation may cause central apnea, vocal cord paralysis, or stridor - critical airway concern
• Respiratory function may be compromised by high spinal cord lesion level
• Check for any signs of aspiration from bulbar dysfunction

3. Hydration, Nutrition, and Metabolic Status

• The exposed sac continuously loses fluid and heat - assess for dehydration, electrolyte imbalance
• Blood glucose monitoring is mandatory in a neonate (risk of hypoglycemia)
• IV access should be established and fluids running to compensate losses
• NPO status: neonate should be nil-by-mouth appropriately (2 hours for clear fluids, 4 hours for breast milk)

4. Infection Status

• An uncovered/leaking defect is an open wound - check for signs of meningitis (fever, irritability, neck rigidity, altered tone) or CSF leak
• Baseline investigations: CBC, CRP, blood cultures if infection suspected
• Prophylactic antibiotics should be started preoperatively

5. Sac Dressing and Positioning

• The sac must be covered with sterile, moist saline-soaked gauze and a sterile transparent dressing
• The baby must be nursed prone or in lateral decubitus at all times to prevent rupture or pressure on the sac
• This also affects IV placement - use upper limbs or scalp veins; avoid lower limbs in presence of neurological deficit

6. Latex Allergy Precautions

• Patients with myelomeningocele have a high incidence of latex allergy (up to 40-60%) due to repeated early exposure to latex-containing medical equipment
• A latex-free environment must be established from birth - use only latex-free gloves, tubing, and equipment

7. Consent and Ethics

• Parents must be counseled regarding prognosis, the selective approach to repair, and likely long-term disability

INTRAOPERATIVE CONCERNS (5 marks)

1. Positioning

• Surgery is performed in the prone position (for posterior defect closure)
• Careful padding and support required - chest rolls to allow free diaphragmatic excursion, eyes protected, no pressure on the sac
• Venous pooling in prone position can cause hypotension - pre-load with fluids

2. Temperature Regulation (Hypothermia Prevention)

• Neonates have a large surface area-to-body weight ratio, immature thermoregulation, and minimal subcutaneous fat
• Risk is amplified by the open sac (evaporative heat loss) and the prone position
• Use: warm OR, warming mattress, forced-air warming blanket, warm IV fluids, humidified circuit gases, wrap extremities
• Monitor temperature continuously - maintain 36.5-37.5°C

3. Airway Management and Anesthesia

• General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation is required
• Patient is intubated awake or in lateral position to avoid pressure on the sac during induction
• Induction in lateral position or with the baby prone with the sac well-supported
• Succinylcholine is generally avoided in the first 24-48 hours post-denervation due to risk of hyperkalemia (use rocuronium instead; though in a neonate this needs careful consideration)
• MAC requirements may be reduced in neonates - use volatile agents (sevoflurane) titrated carefully
• Chiari II may cause difficult airway due to brainstem herniation - have difficult airway equipment ready

4. Venous Access and Fluid Management

• Two secure IV lines essential - upper limb or scalp veins preferred
• Maintain normoglycemia with glucose-containing fluids alongside normal saline/Ringer's lactate
• Estimated blood volume (EBV) in a neonate = ~85 ml/kg = ~255 ml in a 3 kg baby
• Allowable blood loss is very small - meticulous surgical hemostasis and blood conservation critical
• Have packed red cells cross-matched and available (transfuse if >10% EBV loss)

5. Latex-Free Environment

• Strict latex-free protocol intraoperatively - all gloves, catheters, syringes, IV tubing must be latex-free
• Even a single latex exposure can trigger anaphylaxis in a sensitized neonate

6. Monitoring

• Standard: SpO2, ETCO2, ECG, NIBP (cycling on upper limb), temperature probe
• Consider precordial stethoscope for breath sounds
• Urinary catheter (latex-free) for urine output monitoring (~1 ml/kg/hr)
• Neuromuscular monitoring if NMBAs used

7. Hemodynamic Stability

• Neonates are exquisitely sensitive to blood loss and volatile agent-induced hypotension
• Maintain MAP appropriate for age; have vasopressors (dopamine, epinephrine) available
• Avoid air bubbles in IV lines - neonates may have patent foramen ovale and are at risk for paradoxical air embolism (prone position elevates venous air embolism risk)

8. Analgesia

• Intraoperative: opioids (fentanyl 1-2 mcg/kg) supplemented by local infiltration by surgeon (bupivacaine 0.25% with max dose ~2 mg/kg)
• Paracetamol IV/rectal as part of multimodal analgesia

POSTOPERATIVE CONCERNS (2 marks)

1. Respiratory and Airway

• Extubation readiness must be carefully assessed - Chiari II malformation may cause postoperative apnea, stridor, or vocal cord dysfunction
• High index of suspicion for central apnea - continuous SpO2 monitoring in NICU mandatory
• Some neonates may require elective postoperative ventilation

2. Positioning and Wound Care

• Continue nursing prone or lateral to protect the surgical repair
• Wound must be observed for CSF leak, dehiscence, or infection

3. Neurological Monitoring

• Monitor for worsening of neurological function compared to baseline
• Check head circumference daily - watch for progressive hydrocephalus requiring VP shunt placement
• Chiari-related symptoms: stridor, apnea, poor feeding, neck retraction

4. Fluid Balance and Nutrition

• Continue IV fluids with glucose maintenance; transition to enteral feeds as tolerated
• Urine output monitoring; catheterize as needed for neurogenic bladder
• Avoid hypernatremia or hyponatremia (neonates have immature renal handling)

5. Pain Management

• IV paracetamol, opioids with strict respiratory monitoring in NICU
• Avoid NSAIDs in neonates <28 days

6. Infection Prophylaxis

• Continue antibiotics perioperatively
• Monitor for signs of meningitis or wound infection

7. Latex Precautions Continued

• All postoperative care to remain latex-free

Summary Table for Quick Revision

• Miller's Anesthesia, 10e - Spina Bifida, Pediatric Neuroanesthesia
• Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Ed. - Spina Bifida
• Barash Clinical Anesthesia, 9e - Classification and Neonatal Anesthesia
• ACC/AHA Perioperative Guideline 2014

Anesthetic Concerns in a Hypertensive and Diabetic Patient

PART A: HYPERTENSIVE PATIENT

Preoperative Concerns

• Determine duration, severity, and end-organ damage from hypertension
• Classify using BP values: Stage 1 (130-139/80-89), Stage 2 (≥140/90), or hypertensive crisis (>180/120)
• Evaluate for target organ damage:
  • Cardiac: LVH, IHD, CCF (ECG, Echo if indicated)
  • Renal: proteinuria, elevated creatinine (urine albumin, S. creatinine)
  • Neurological: history of TIA or stroke
  • Vascular: peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy

• Elective surgery should be deferred if diastolic BP >110 mmHg or systolic >180 mmHg until adequate control is achieved
• Mild-to-moderate hypertension (BP <180/110) is NOT an independent indication to cancel or delay surgery
• Document baseline BP and optimize antihypertensive medications preoperatively

• ECG, Chest X-ray, Serum electrolytes (especially if on diuretics - check K+), S. creatinine, urine albumin

Intraoperative Concerns

• Hypertensive patients have an exaggerated pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation - heart rate and BP rise significantly
• Hypertensive patients also respond more dramatically to:
  • Induction agents (hypotension from reduced vascular tone)
  • Surgical stimulation (hypertension)
  • Blood loss (hypotension)
• Target: maintain BP within 20% of preoperative baseline; avoid extremes

• IV lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg, 90 seconds before laryngoscopy
• Fentanyl 2-3 mcg/kg at induction
• Esmolol 0.5-1 mg/kg (short-acting beta-blocker)
• Nitroglycerin sublingual/IV
• Deep anesthesia before instrumentation
• Use of video laryngoscopy to reduce time of laryngoscopy

• Induction: Thiopentone or propofol both acceptable; propofol causes greater hypotension - titrate carefully; etomidate is most hemodynamically stable
• Maintenance: Volatile agents (sevoflurane, isoflurane) are acceptable; they reduce SVR and can be used for BP control
• Avoid ketamine for induction (stimulates sympathetic system, raises BP)

• Deepen anesthesia first
• IV vasodilators available (Box 50.9, Miller's Anesthesia):
  • Labetalol (alpha + beta blockade)
  • Hydralazine (direct arteriolar dilator)
  • Nicardipine / Clevidipine (dihydropyridine CCBs - preferred, titratable)
  • Sodium nitroprusside (most potent, risk of cyanide toxicity)
  • Nitroglycerin (mainly venodilator, useful in IHD)
  • Esmolol (short-acting, for tachycardia-driven hypertension)

• More likely due to hypovolemia (diuretic use), impaired baroreflex, or blunted vasomotor responses
• Treat with IV fluids, vasopressors (phenylephrine, norepinephrine)
• ACE inhibitor/ARB preoperatively predisposes to refractory hypotension at induction

• NIBP every 2-5 min (or invasive arterial line for major surgery or severe hypertension)
• Continuous ECG (lead II + V5) for ischemia detection
• Urine output (maintain ≥0.5 ml/kg/hr)

Postoperative Concerns

• Hypertension is common postoperatively due to pain, agitation, hypercarbia, urinary retention
• Treat the cause first (analgesia, oxygen, catheterize)
• Anti-hypertensives: IV labetalol, hydralazine, or nicardipine if BP uncontrolled
• Restart oral antihypertensives as soon as patient can swallow
• Monitor for new neurological deficits, chest pain (perioperative MI), or renal function deterioration

PART B: DIABETIC PATIENT

Preoperative Concerns

• Determine: Type 1 vs. Type 2, current medications, insulin regimen
• HbA1c is the best marker of long-term glycemic control:
  • HbA1c >8% (Type 1) or >7% (Type 2): consider delaying elective surgery for optimization
• Blood glucose on the morning of surgery

• Autonomic neuropathy predisposes to hemodynamic instability, orthostatic hypotension, and impaired baroreflex
• Peripheral neuropathy increases susceptibility to positioning injuries
• Stiff joint syndrome - glycosylation of temporomandibular, atlanto-occipital, and cervical spine joints in longstanding Type 1 DM can cause difficult intubation - perform thorough airway assessment and "prayer sign" test

• Blood glucose, HbA1c, S. electrolytes (Na+, K+), S. creatinine, urine for ketones/albumin, ECG

• Schedule as first case of the day to minimize fasting time and metabolic stress

• Gastroparesis (from autonomic neuropathy) - delayed gastric emptying → full stomach risk
• Consider RSI (rapid sequence induction) if gastroparesis suspected
• Premedicate with metoclopramide, H2 blocker, sodium citrate

Intraoperative Concerns

• Check blood glucose on arrival, and every 1-2 hours intraoperatively
• Target glucose: 140-180 mg/dL (ADA recommendation); <200 mg/dL as minimum acceptable upper limit
• Hypoglycemia is more dangerous than hyperglycemia during anesthesia - symptoms are masked by the anesthetic state
• If BG <70 mg/dL: give IV dextrose immediately

• Avoid dextrose-containing fluids routinely (worsens hyperglycemia)
• Use Ringer's Lactate or Normal Saline for maintenance
• For major surgery: use GIK (Glucose-Insulin-Potassium) infusion or a separate insulin infusion with glucose monitoring every 1-2 hours
• Type 1 diabetics must always have some basal insulin running - never completely stop insulin in Type 1 DM (risk of DKA)

• Autonomic neuropathy blunts the compensatory responses to blood loss, hypotension, and position changes
• Hypotension at induction is more common and more profound
• Monitor BP closely; vasopressors may be needed

• Stiff joint syndrome → difficult laryngoscopy/intubation
• Have video laryngoscope, bougie, and difficult airway trolley ready
• Gastroparesis → RSI if indicated

• Diabetics have impaired temperature regulation - active warming measures required

• Regional anesthesia is often preferred in diabetics as it:
  • Blunts the stress hormone response better
  • Provides better postoperative analgesia
  • Reduces hyperglycemia from surgical stress
• Caution: document pre-existing neuropathy; avoid regional if severe peripheral neuropathy (medico-legal)

Postoperative Concerns

• Continue glucose monitoring every 2-4 hours until eating normally
• Restart oral hypoglycemics only once the patient is tolerating oral intake
• Monitor for hypoglycemia - common when insulin regimens are continued but caloric intake is reduced
• Watch for PONV - common, delays resumption of oral intake and insulin regimen; use routine PONV prophylaxis
• Monitor wound healing - diabetics have impaired immunity and healing; wound infections are more common
• Assess for perioperative MI - silent ischemia is more common in diabetics (autonomic neuropathy)
• Adequate analgesia to reduce the stress response (which worsens hyperglycemia)

Coexistent Hypertension + Diabetes (Combined Concerns)

1. Cardiovascular risk is multiplicative - combined hypertension and DM dramatically increases CAD, perioperative MI, and stroke risk. Formal cardiac risk stratification (RCRI, ACC/AHA algorithm) is mandatory.
2. Renal protection - both damage the kidneys; avoid nephrotoxic drugs (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides, contrast); maintain adequate renal perfusion intraoperatively
3. Autonomic dysfunction - worsened in combined disease; hemodynamic instability is more pronounced
4. Metformin + ACE inhibitor/ARB combination - both held on day of surgery; hold ACE/ARB to prevent refractory hypotension, hold metformin to prevent lactic acidosis
5. Retinopathy + glaucoma - both can be present; avoid prone positioning if risk of IOP elevation

Summary: Key Points for Exam

• Barash Clinical Anesthesia, 9e - Diabetes Mellitus, Perioperative Glucose Management
• Miller's Anesthesia, 10e - Perioperative Hypertension, Box 50.9
• Mulholland & Greenfield's Surgery, 7e - Diabetes Mellitus
• ACC/AHA 2014 Perioperative Cardiovascular Guideline