Browsing by Author "Roodt, Francois"

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    Open Access
    A study of the prevalence of preoperative anaemia and iron deficiency in adult elective surgical patients in hospitals in the western cape province, South Africa. “A multicentre prospective observational study of the prevalence of preoperative anaemia and iron deficiency in adult elective surgical patients in hospitals in western cape province, South Africa.”
    (2021) Conradie, Willem Stephanus; Roodt, Francois; Biccard, Bruce; Nejthardt, Marcin
    Background. Preoperative anaemia has been shown to be an independent risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anaemia globally. There are limited data describing the burden of perioperative anaemia and the relative contribution of iron deficiency in South Africa (SA). Objectives. To determine the prevalence and severity of preoperative anaemia in adults presenting for elective surgery in Western Cape Province, SA, and to investigate the contribution of iron deficiency as a cause of the anaemia. For this purpose, an investigative protocol from a recent consensus statement on the management of perioperative anaemia was applied. Methods. We performed a prospective, observational study in adult patients presenting for elective non-cardiac, non-obstetric surgery over a 5-day period at six Western Cape government-funded hospitals. The World Health Organization patient classification was applied, and patients with anaemia were investigated for iron deficiency. Results. The prevalence of preoperative anaemia was 28% (105/375; 95% confidence interval (CI) 23.5 - 32.5); 55/105 patients (52%) had moderate and 11/105 (11%) severe anaemia. Iron deficiency was the cause of anaemia in 37% (32/87; 95% CI 26.6 - 46.9), but only 9% of irondeficient patients received iron supplementation prior to surgery. Conclusions. Preoperative anaemia was common in this study, and more than half of the affected patients had moderate to severe anaemia. Iron deficiency was responsible for almost 40% of cases. Iron supplementation was under-utilised in the preoperative period as a means of increasing haemoglobin. The introduction of system-wide policies would empower perioperative physicians to mitigate the risk associated with preoperative anaemia in the Western Cape.
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    An audit of the prevalence of abnormal fasting blood glucose levels in patients presenting for elective surgery at a selection of Western Cape government hospitals
    (2019) Biesman-Simons, Tessa; Nejthardt, Marcin; Biccard, Bruce; Roodt, Francois
    Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common condition. The high burden of undiagnosed DM and lack of large population studies make accurate prevalence estimations difficult, especially in the surgical environment. Furthermore, poorly controlled DM is associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications and mortality. Objectives. The primary objective was to establish the prevalence of DM in elective adult non-cardiac, non-obstetric surgical patients in Western Cape hospitals. The secondary objectives were to assess the glycaemic control and compliance with treatment of known diabetics. Methods. This was a five-day, multicentre, prospective observational study performed at six government-funded hospitals in the Western Cape. Screening for DM was done using fingerprick capillary blood glucose (CBG) testing. Patients found to have a CBG of ≥ 6.5 mmol/L had an HbA1c level done. DM was diagnosed based on the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA) diagnostic criteria. Patients known with DM had an HbA1c performed and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) questionnaires completed, to assess glycaemic control and compliance with treatment. Results. Of the 379 participants, 61 were known diabetics (16.15%; 95% CI 12.4-19.8%). After exclusion of eight patients with incomplete results, a new diagnosis of DM was made in five out of 310 patients (1.6%; 95% CI 0.2-3.0%). Overall prevalence of DM was 17.8% (66/371; 95% CI 13.9-21.7%). HbA1c results were available in 57 (93.4%) of the 61 known diabetics. Of these 27 (47.4%; 95% CI 34.4-60.3%) had an HbA1c level≥8.5% and 14 (24.6%; 95% CI 13.4 - 35.8%) had an HbA1c ≤7%. Based on positive responses to two or more questions on their MMAS-4 questionnaires, 12 out of 60 participants (20%) were deemed non-compliant. Conclusion. There is a low rate of undiagnosed DM in our elective surgical population; however there is a large proportion of poorly controlled DM. Since poorly controlled DM is known to increase postoperative complications, this likely increases the burden of perioperative care. Resources should be focused on improvement of long-term glycaemic control in patients presenting for elective surgery.
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    Open Access
    Anaesthesia Preoperative Clinic (APOC) Audit
    (2016) Dass, Deshandra; Nejthardt, Marcin B; Roodt, Francois
    Background: Preoperative assessment clinics have been employed in many institutions to manage perioperative risks1. These clinics provide an opportunity to stratify patients on the basis of risk prior to surgery, to make timely multidisciplinary referrals where appropriate, and to prescribe medical therapies according to the current best evidence resulting, in fewer last-minute cancellations for medical reasons2 and a shorter inpatient pre-operative stay3. The Anaesthetic Pre-Operative Clinic (APOC-GSH) was introduced to Groote Schuur Hospital in 2009 with the aim of assessing and optimising high risk patients undergoing intermediate or high risk surgery. The vision of the clinic is to decrease perioperative morbidity and mortality, rationally and costconsciously investigate patients, as well as to reduce theatre cancellations of inappropriately assessed and managed patients. The clinic, together with relevant role players, attempts to risk stratify patients in making an informed decision whether the intended perioperative risks are acceptable. Patients referred to the clinic fall into two categories. Either the surgical date has been scheduled and patients are referred to APOC-GSH for optimization, or the referral is for assessment of suitability to undergo an anaesthetic and thus the treatment modality hinges on the fitness for surgery. Objective The intention of the audit is to create a database of the patients seen at APOC-GSH during 2014. Primary objectives are: 1 Referral pattern: - What proportion of patients are referred for improvement of medical condition? - What proportion of patients are referred for an assessment of operability? 2 What interventions were recommended? - What was the influence of interventions on operability and timing of surgery? - Does the clinic improve theatre efficiency by reducing cancellations of patients who required further interdisciplinary discussion and investigations? Methods: Data collection will be based on the review of APOC-GSH clerking notes and hospital patient records. The following information will be collected and entered into an Excel spread sheet: the surgical discipline referring the patient, the proposed surgery, patient co-morbidities, the lead-time from the first APOC-GSH assessment to surgery, number of visits to APOC-GSH by each patient, the investigations and additional interventions instituted at APOC-GSH. We shall also calculate the proportion of patients that would have likely been cancelled had they not attended APOC-GSH but rather been assessed by an anaesthetist the day before surgery. The record of the APOC-GSH consultation will be documented on a clerking sheet established for use within the clinic (Addendum A). The original form will be included in the patients' file and a duplicate will be stored within the access controlled Department Of Anaesthesia offices at GSH. The duplicate records will be used to obtain the information for the audit. Ethical approval will be sought from the UCT Human Research Ethics Committee for the establishment of the database and retrospective review of the APOC-GSH records on the understanding that patient records would be kept confidential and that the data obtained would be stored in a password protected spreadsheet. Access to the spreadsheet will be limited to the investigators involved and no identifiable patient details will be included. Patients will be counselled as to the nature of the study and will be expected to submit signed consent forms allowing their records to be reviewed. Patients will be informed that they will not be disadvantaged by refusal to sign the consent form and that the appropriate standard of care will still be applied. No remuneration will be provided for partaking either. Consent will be documented on the consent form specifically designed for use in the APOC-GSH. (Addendum B) Statistical analysis will be performed using an Excel® spreadsheet. Means, medians, rates and percentages will be used to describe the discrete categorical data. Output and future work The audit will provide an objective assessment of the population profile referred to APOC-GSH. It may guide future implementation of APOC-GSH protocol changes and assist with resource allocation depending on the surgical discipline requirements. Patient and surgeon satisfaction ratings may be embarked at a later stage juxtaposed against an adequate assessment in a cost and time conscious manner.
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    Comparison of a novel low-cost hyperangulated video intubation stylet with the Bonfils fiberscope: a simulated difficult airway manikin study.
    (2023) Jacobs, Jan; Roodt, Francois
    Introduction Optic stylets are safe, efficient airway tools, with improved intubation success rates compared to direct laryngoscopy. Economic constraints often limit access to costly difficult airway equipment. The Hyperangulated Video Intubation Stylet (HiVIS) is a novel, low-cost, stainless-steel stylet with a Wi-Fi camera connecting to a smartphone. We aim to demonstrate that performance of the HiVIS, as an alternative low-cost device, is non-inferior to the Bonfils. Methods We performed a randomised, cross-over non-inferiority study following institutional and ethics approval (UCT HREC 816/2020). Randomised participants received training (instructional video and practice intubations on a Laerdel airway manikin™) and subsequently intubated a Trucorp Airsim manikin™ simulating a difficult airway with the Bonfils and HiVIS alternately. Our primary outcome was time-to-intubation with a pre-specified non-inferiority margin of 5 seconds. Secondary outcomes were best laryngeal view, airway trauma, and number of attempts. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding device preference and overall satisfaction. Results Thirty doctors participated: 33% interns and 54% medical officers from various specialties. 63% performed ≤1 intubation per week, and 10% had optical stylet experience. Both devices had 100% first-pass intubation success: 10.4 seconds Bonfils versus 11.2 seconds HiVIS (p<0.0001). The mean difference in time-to-intubation was 0.8 seconds (90% CI -0.4; 2.1). All Bonfils intubations had a grade 1 laryngeal view compared to 83% of HiVIS intubations (27% grade 2). The Bonfils had the only incident of airway trauma. Two-thirds of participants preferred HiVIS, with similar user satisfaction scores for both devices. Conclusion The HiVIS is non-inferior to Bonfils in a single attempt difficult airway manikin simulation with predominantly novice, non-anaesthesia users. The HiVIS could be a cost-effective tool for difficult airway management in resource-constrained settings.
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    How does sevuflurane induction, followed by a ketamine maintenance infusion affect intraocular pressure? : establishment of a protocol for paediatric glaucoma examinations under anaesthesia
    (2015) Van der Walt, Jessica Gwendoline; Roodt, Francois
    Purpose: 1.To determine the effect of sevoflurane induction, followed by intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion on intraocular pressure (IOP) in the paediatric glaucoma population. 2. To establish the earliest time point at which IOP measurement most closely resembles awake values. Methods: A prospective, descriptive study of the IOP changes occurring in 25 children requiring IOP measurements at our institution. A standardised anaesthetic technique was employed; sevoflurane induction, intravenous cannulation, ketamine bolus (2mg/kg) and maintenance (4mg/kg/hr) for 15 minutes. IOP measurements and physiological variables were recorded after sevoflurane induction, then every 2 minutes for a period of 10 minutes, one at 15 minutes as well as 5 minutes after ketamine discontinuation. Results: IOP was measured in 25 patients (50 eyes). Twenty-six eyes (52%) had glaucoma. The mean patient age was 29 months (range 2-88 months). The mean IOP after sevoflurane induction was 3,68mmHg lower than that with ketamine maintenance (sevoflurane eliminated) (95% CI 1,35 to 6,02mmHg) (p=0,002)). Physiological variables return to baseline at 8 minutes, which correlates with the time taken for sevoflurane to be eliminated from exhaled gas. The difference in IOP between ketamine anaesthesia (time 15 minutes) and near wakefulness was only 0,28 mmHg (95% CI -2,23 to 2,79mmHg) (p=0,826). Mixed effects models showed similar trends but a higher baseline (7,85mmHg (6,19 to 9,51mmHg) (p<0,001)) in those with glaucoma when compared to those without. Conclusion: Sevoflurane lowers IOP significantly when compared to ketamine anaesthesia. While eyes with glaucoma had a higher baseline than those which did not have glaucoma, both groups follow similar trends in response to the anaesthetic agents. This standardised anaesthetic protocol allows reliable IOP measurement 15 minutes after termination of sevoflurane and commencement of ketamine infusion, with no reported adverse events.
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    The relationship between preoperative hypertension and intraoperative haemodynamic changes known to be associated with postoperative morbidity
    (2019) Crowther, Marcelle; Roodt, Francois; Biccard, Bruce
    Hypertension is not consistently associated with postoperative cardiovascular morbidity and therefore not considered a major peri-operative risk factor. However, hypertension may predispose to peri-operative haemodynamic changes known to be associated with perioperative morbidity and mortality, such as intra-operative hypotension and tachycardia. The objective of this study was to determine whether pre-operative hypertension was independently associated with haemodynamic changes known to be associated with adverse peri-operative outcomes. We performed a five-day multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study which included all adult inpatients undergoing elective, noncardiac, non-obstetric surgery. We recruited 343 patients of whom 164 (47.8%) were hypertensive. An intra-operative mean arterial pressure of 100 beats per minute) occurred in 126 (38.9%) patients, of which 61 (48.4%) were hypertensive. Multivariable logistic regression did not show an independent association between the stage of hypertension and either clinically significant hypotension or tachycardia, when controlled for ASA physical status, functional status, major surgery, the duration of surgery or blood transfusion. There was no association between pre-operative hypertension and peri-operative haemodynamic changes known to be associated with major morbidity and mortality. These data therefore support the recommendation of the Joint Guidelines of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) and the British Hypertension Society to proceed with elective surgery if a patient’s blood pressure is < 180/110 mmHg.