Vetrix Anesthesiology

Citation:

Qiao Y, Zhang H, Yu J, You J, Hou K, Zhao T, Feng H. Effect of intermittent recruitment manoeuvre combined with positive end expiratory pressure on postoperative atelectasis in obese patients: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiology. 2026;[Epub ahead of print].

In a single-centre randomized controlled trial of obese adults undergoing elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Qiao and colleagues compared three intraoperative ventilation strategies: zero end-expiratory pressure with a single recruitment manoeuvre, low positive end expiratory pressure alone, and the combination of positive end expiratory pressure plus intermittent recruitment manoeuvres. Moderate-certainty evidence suggests...

Citation:

Wegner GRM, Wegner BFM, González GL, Miranda AM, Felippe VA, Spagnol LW, Spagnol VW, Nascimento TSd. Does peripartum intravenous calcium administration reduce the occurrence of uterine atony in caesarean sections? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2026;43:1–4.

This systematic review and random effects meta-analysis pooled six small randomised controlled trials of peripartum intravenous calcium in caesarean section. Intravenous calcium may reduce uterine atony and blood loss and probably reduces intraoperative fluid requirements, without a clear effect on transfusion or hypotension, but certainty is very low for most clinical outcomes. The aut...

Citation:

Zhang Y, Wang X, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Deng Z, Lei X, et al. Mechanical power during one-lung ventilation is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing lobectomy: a single-center prospective cohort study. BMC Anesthesiology. 2026; Epub ahead of print.

This single-center prospective cohort of thoracoscopic lobectomy patients found that higher mechanical power during one-lung ventilation was statistically associated with more postoperative pulmonary complications, mainly pneumonia. However, residual confounding, a single time-point exposure measure, and wide confidence intervals mean the evidence is very uncertain for a causal effect, so proposed mechanical power...

Citation:

Reysner M, Reysner T, Kowalski G, Janusz P, Mularski A, Daroszewski P, Kolasiński J, Wieczorowska-Tobis K. Erector spinae plane block in pediatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Anesthesiol. 2026; doi:10.1186/s12871-026-03617-1.

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised ten prospectively registered randomized controlled trials of erector spinae plane block in children undergoing cardiothoracic, abdominal, or hip surgery. Erector spinae plane block produced a small, high-certainty reduction in early postoperative pain compared with pooled alternatives and probably offers clear benefit over no regional block, but it showed little or n...

Citation:

Gao Z-Z, Sun Z-L, He Z-J, Zhao H-S, Song H, Sun D-F, Yang L. Dexmedetomidine reduces pulmonary complications in older patients undergoing abdominal laparoscopic surgery: a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2026. doi:10.1186/s12871-026-03633-1

Single-centre randomized data in older adults undergoing major abdominal laparoscopy suggest that adding an intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion to standard anesthesia probably reduces clinically important postoperative pulmonary complications over the first week and improves short-term lung mechanics and oxygenation, without a clear safety penalty. However, unclear randomization methods, post-randomization exclusions, and modest sample size mean the certainty...

Citation:

Tomobi O, Gouge C, Brashear A, Totzkay D, Chen F, Huffmyer J, Scalzo D, Nemergut EC, Guillow R. Evaluating Perspectives on Empathy in Anesthesiology Trainees: A Mixed-Methods Study of Pre-Anesthesia Encounters. Anesth Analg. 2026;XXX(00):1-8. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000007919

This prospective mixed-methods study from a single United States academic center followed twenty four anesthesiology trainees across one hundred fifty one pre-anesthesia encounters, measuring empathy from trainee, patient, and observer perspectives alongside trainee wellness and encounter time. Empathy scores were generally high, but statistical analyses suggested that more senior training level, trainee gender, wellness, encounter duration, and...

Citation:

Vlaeminck N, Van de Putte P, Dekeyser M, Baert N, Wallyn A, Vernieuwe L, et al. Gastric ultrasound in patients receiving semaglutide: a prospective, multicentre, matched control study. Anaesthesia. 2026. doi:10.1111/anae.70129

This episode examines a prospective matched case control study of semaglutide treated adults having elective surgery with pre operative gastric ultrasound. The study suggests semaglutide users may be more likely to have ultrasound defined full stomachs and solid gastric contents than matched non users (low certainty). Because the evidence is observational from a single small cohort, these results are hypothesis generating rather than...

Citation:

Christensen MI, Creutzburg A, Vested M, Nørskov AK, Lundstrøm LH, Afshari A. Effects of avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for facilitation of tracheal intubation in children and infants. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2026;43:1–14. doi:10.1097/EJA.0000000000002358. (PROSPERO: CRD42024518195)

Study at a glance

- Design: Systematic review + pairwise random-effects meta-analysis (Mantel–Haenszel RR) of paediatric RCTs; trial sequential analysis (TSA) for the primary outcome; GRADE Summary of Findings.

- Search: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, BIOSIS, Web of Science, CINAHL + registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, CTIS, EudraCT) and other sources; last search 8 July 2...

Citation:

Lam ND, Son LDT, Phat TM, Thu ND, Nga NT, Son VT, Hong BM. High-flow nasal oxygen versus face-mask ventilation for rapid sequence induction in non-elective surgical patients: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2026 Jan 31. doi:10.1186/s12871-026-03654-w. (Trial: NCT06879600)

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Prospective, single-centre, single-blind (outcome assessor) parallel-group RCT (1:1) in adult non-elective OR cases at Phu Tho Provincial General Hospital, Vietnam. Randomised 216; analysed 214 (107 per arm).

- Population: Adults ≥18 years, ASA I–II, non-elective surgery requiring modified RSI + tracheal intubation; mostly abdominal surgery (~97–99%). Exclud...

Citation:

Shih P-Y, Wei T-J, Lee C-T, Kang J, Shih M-C, Chen Y-H, Lee Y-S, Chen H-T, Wu C-Y. Proactive haemodynamic management using the hypotension prediction index during caesarean section: a randomised controlled study. Anaesthesia. 2026. doi:10.1111/anae.70161.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Single-centre, 3-arm randomised controlled trial (1:1:1) during elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia at National Taiwan University Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan). Screened 255; randomised 180; analysed 171.

- Population: Adults aged 20–50 years undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Key exclusions: pre-eclampsia; significant cardiovascular disease; inadequate spinal level (≤T6).

- Gr...

Citation: Haas TE, Kranke P, Stegemann MN, Helmer P, Schmid B, Diehl FM, et al. Benefits in adults allowed to drink clear liquids before anaesthesia until called to the operating room: A randomised pilot study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2025;43:207–216. doi:10.1097/EJA.0000000000002309.

Study at a glance:

- Design and setting: Prospective, three-arm, randomised controlled pilot trial at a single German academic centre (University Hospital Würzburg) in 174 adult ASA I–III patients (mainly gynaecology, trauma and urology) undergoing elective or less-urgent surgery with low aspiration risk; web-based 1:1:1 randomisation, single-blind (blinded outcome assessors), intention-to-treat analysis with 0% dropout; overall RoB 2...

Citation: Sjoblom A, Hoffman F, Hedberg M, Forsberg I-M, Jonsson Fagerlund M. Preoxygenation with high-flow nasal oxygen at various flow rates in elective surgical patients: a prospective, randomised, single-blind clinical trial. Br J Anaesth. 2025;[Epub ahead of print]. doi:10.1016/j.bja.2025.11.017.

Study at a glance:

- Design and setting: Prospective, randomised, single-blind 3-arm physiologic RCT in adults (18–84 yr, BMI

Citation: Bijkerk V, Jacobs LMC, Rijnen WHC, Keijzer C, Warlé MC, Visser J. Deep versus Moderate Neuromuscular Blockade During Total Hip Replacement Surgery on Postoperative Recovery and Immune Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2026;142(2):355-364.

Study at a glance:

- Design and setting: Single-centre double-blind RCT (Netherlands) in adults undergoing elective primary or revision total hip arthroplasty under general anaesthesia (n=100; 50 deep vs 50 moderate block).

- Interventions: Rocuronium-based moderate neuromuscular blockade (TOF 1–2, bolus dosing, sugammadex 2 mg/kg) vs deep blockade (PTC 1–2 with absent TOF, infusion, sugammadex 4 mg/kg), both with opioid-based anaesthesia and s...

Citation: de Carvalho, El-Boghdadly, Guedes, Dantas, Tome, Ramos, Gomes, Alves, Bezerra, Santos Neto, Pandit, Braz. Opioid-free vs. opioid-inclusive anaesthesia with or without regional anaesthesia for postoperative pain: a systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Anaesthesia. 2026; doi:10.1111/anae.70121.

Study at a glance:

- Design and setting: Prospectively registered systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis (PRISMA-NMA; PROSPERO CRD42022318894) of 885 RCTs including 74,880 adults (mainly elective surgery). Six intra-operative strategies were compared, grouped by opioid use (opioid-free, remifentanil-only, other opioids) and presence/absence of regional anaesthesia. Last search: 15 January 2025.

- Interventions: (1) Opioid-inclusive anaesthesia with...

Citation:

Buhre W, Díaz-Cambronero O, Schaefer S, Novacek M, Soro Domingo M, Stessel B, et al. Safety and efficacy of 6% hydroxyethyl starch in patients undergoing major surgery: The randomised controlled PHOENICS trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2025;43:1–10. doi:10.1097/EJA.0000000000002307.

Study at a glance:

- Design and setting: Double-blind, multicentre, parallel-group phase IV noninferiority RCT in adults (40–85 years, ASA II–III) undergoing elective major abdominal surgery with expected blood loss ≥500 ml in 53 European centres (N=1,946 with primary outcome data).

- Interventions: Haemodynamic-guided intra-operative and early postoperative volume replacement with balanced 6% HES 130/0.4 (Volulyte; up to 30 ml...

Citation:

Dorland G, Gama de Abreu M, Hemmes SNT, Hol L, Hollmann MW, van Meenen DMP, Nijbroek SGLH, et al. Intraoperative driving pressure–guided high PEEP vs standard low PEEP for postoperative pulmonary complications. JAMA. 2025;[published online December 3]. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.23373.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: International, multicentre, assessor-blinded parallel-group RCT in adults at intermediate/high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications undergoing open abdominal surgery (29 hospitals in 5 European countries; N=1435 analysed).

- Interventions: Individualized driving pressure–guided high PEEP with repeated recruitment maneuvers vs standard low PEEP (5 cm H2O) w...

Citation:

D'Amico F, Turi S, Manazza M, Lo Bianco G, Monti G, Zangrillo A, et al. Interventions to prevent postoperative neurocognitive complications: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. Anaesthesia. 2025;doi:10.1111/anae.70061.

Study at a glance

- Design and scope: PROSPERO-registered umbrella review of meta-analyses of RCTs in adults undergoing cardiac and non-cardiac surgery; 114 meta-analyses (257,077 patients) searched to 23 August 2025.

- Interventions: 12 intervention categories (pharmacological and non-pharmacological), including dexmedetomidine, cerebral monitoring, acupuncture, sleep interventions, steroids, antipsychotics, peripheral nerve blocks, esketamine, remimazolam, neuraxial and inhalational techniques, and remote ischaemic preconditioning.

Citation:

Raymond BL, Allen BFS, Freundlich RE, McEvoy MD, Parrish CG, Ruble SR, et al. IMpact of PerioperAtive KeTamine on Enhanced Recovery After abdominal Surgery (IMPAKT ERAS): a pragmatic randomised single-cluster trial. Br J Anaesth. 2025;135(6):1770–1778. doi:10.1016/j.bja.2025.08.001.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Pragmatic, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-centre cluster RCT by week (Vanderbilt, USA) in adults ≥18 yr undergoing elective major abdominal ERAS surgery (colorectal, surgical oncology, complex ventral hernia; N=1,522 analysed ITT).

- Interventions: Ketamine arm received 0.5 mg kg−1 i.v. bolus at induction, then 5 μg kg−1 min−1 intraoperatively and 2.5 μg...

Citation:

Gong F, Gui Q, Lan L, Zhou G, Wen Q, Wei Y, Li X, Cao X. Comparative effects of remimazolam and propofol on hemodynamic stability during sedation for painless gastroscopy: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2025;25:587. doi:10.1186/s12871-025-03484-2.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Single-centre, prospective, randomized, single-blind parallel-group trial (n=300) in adults undergoing painless gastroscopy in China.

- Population: Low-risk outpatients, 18–65 years, BMI 18–30 kg/m², ASA I–II; all received topical lidocaine, butorphanol, and nasal oxygen.

- Interventions: Remimazolam tosilate 0.2 mg/kg IV (0.1...

Citation:

O’Carroll JE, Conti D, Gao N, Carvalho B, Sultan P. Incidence of pain during cesarean delivery with neuraxial anesthesia: an international, prospective cohort study. Anesthesiology. 2025. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000005868.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Prospective, international multicenter cohort (15 mainly high-resource obstetric centers); consecutive cesarean deliveries under neuraxial anesthesia with day-1 postpartum interviews (N=3,693).

- Population and overall incidence: Women undergoing elective (n=1,684) and non-elective (n=2,009) cesarean delivery; 7.6% reported intraoperative pain (≈1 in 13), typically moderate–severe (median NRS 6/10 among those with pain).

- By neuraxial technique: Pain was least...

Citation:

Lee D, Lee H, Lee C, Lee C. The Impact of Preoperative Positive Suggestions on Dreaming With Intravenous Sedation: A Randomized Controlled, Blinded Trial. Anesth Analg. 2025;XXX(00):00-00. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000007818.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Single-centre, double-blinded 2×2 factorial RCT in adults (n=188) having elective upper extremity surgery under brachial plexus block with IV sedation (Republic of Korea).

- Interventions: Propofol vs ketamine sedation, each with or without standardised preoperative positive suggestions about pleasant dreams (four groups of 47 patients).

- Primary outcome (drug-induced dream recall, DIDR): D...

Citation:

Bastianello M, Torre M, Bonfiglio R, Calevo MG, Palomba L, Uva P, et al. Cryoanalgesia for Pain Management After Pectus Excavatum Repair (COPPER) in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatric Anesthesia. 2025;35:347–358. doi:10.1111/pan.15090.

Study at a glance

- Design and setting: Single-centre parallel-group RCT (Italy) in adolescents (≥12 years) undergoing elective MIRPE (N=88).

- Interventions: Thoracoscopic intercostal cryoanalgesia plus standard multimodal analgesia vs thoracic epidural infusion (levobupivacaine–clonidine) plus the same systemic regimen.

- Primary outcome (14-day PedsQL total): Median 67.9 with epidural vs 59.8 with cryoanalgesia; mean difference 6.5 points (95% CI −0.46 to 13; p...