6. Perioperative Anesthesia Considerations for the Aesthetic Surgery Patient
Anesthesia is an important consideration in any aesthetic procedure. Close communication between the anesthesiologist, surgeon, and patient are paramount to a safe and successful surgery. Risk stratification, proper patient selection, and optimization are needed to decrease complications.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Hypertension
Continue preexisting beta-blocker on day of surgery (DOS).
Hold diuretics on DOS.
Hold ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, ramipril, benazepril, captopril) and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) (candesartan, losartan, valsartan, irbesartan) on DOS because of exaggerated hypotension with induction of general anesthesia.
Coronary Artery Disease
Caution: Defer elective surgery if diagnosed within the last 6 months.
If history of angioplasty or stents: How many, when implanted, type, need for ongoing antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation? This is important! Consult with cardiology or primary care physician (PCP).
Cardiomyopathy
Valvular disease
Aortic stenosis is always a concern (determine mild, moderate, severe).
Note any cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) such as pacemaker or automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD).
Note:
With bipolar electrocautery ONLY, the chance of adverse CIED interruption is minimal; safe for ambulatory surgery center office.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Consider only stable, well-compensated chronic CHF for low-risk procedures.
Cerebrovascular Disease
Evaluate if there is a history of TIA or CVA, including presence of any residual effects.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Pacemakers (elective surgery) should have device checked within last 12 months.
Defibrillators (elective surgery) should have device checked within last 6 months.
If monopolar electrocautery is necessary, consider doing these cases in hospital setting.
PUlmonary DIseases
Pulmonary Hypertension
Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension are high risk and should not undergo elective cosmetic surgery.
Asthma
Prevalence in United States is 8.2%
Closed claim analysis indicates incidence of intraoperative bronchospasm or laryngospasm is as low as 2%, but 90% of these type claims were for severe brain injury or death.
Preexisting, well-controlled asthma has been associated with low increased risk of bronchospasm (1.7%). 10
Most authors conclude patients with well-controlled asthma are acceptable for ambulatory surgery.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Identified as independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality and unplanned intubations
Most frequent risk factors for postoperative complications include atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and COPD exacerbation. 3
Choose a facility that allows extended PACU stay or 23-hour observation.
Highest risk for hypoxia and hypoventilation is in the immediate postoperative period.
Smoking
Patients who smoke >1–2 packs per day are at increased risk for perioperative respiratory complications, wound infections, flap necrosis.
Smoking cessation immediately before surgery may not improve patient outcome and may actually cause increased risk of pulmonary complications because of increased secretions and increased airway reactivity.
Although no definitive consensus exists in literature, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends at least 30 days of smoking cessation before and after surgery.
Postoperative Pulmonary Complications (PPCs)
Rate across all types of surgery is 6.8%, according to recent systematic review.
More prevalent in patients with known underlying disease
Clinically significant complications include:
Atelectasis
Infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia
Respiratory failure that could result in reintubation or continued mechanical ventilation
Exacerbation of preexisting chronic conditions
Bronchospasm
Patient-related risk factors
Poor functional status
Poor general health status
ASA PS class has good correlation with risk.
ASA >II confers almost fivefold increase in risk.
Increasing age >50 years
Smoking
Obesity
Procedure-related risk factors
Site of surgery is single, most important factor.
Abdominal (upper > lower) or thoracic surgery
Abdominoplasty or massive-weight-loss procedures should promote caution.
Duration >3-4 hours
Type of anesthesia, neuraxial or regional, may confer benefit.
Residual neuromuscular blockade
PPCs are associated with increased mortality, increased length of stay, and increased cost of care.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Background
Rising incidence in United States
Male/female ratio 3:1
Clinical correlation with obesity
High index of suspicion for difficult airway
Remains largely undiagnosed in up to 80% of patients
Episodic airway obstruction results in sleep disruption/disorder and daytime hypersomnolence.
Apnea defined as cessation of airflow from mouth or nose for >10 seconds
Hypopnea defined as 50% reduction in airflow that causes slow respiration for >10 seconds
Physiologic derangement includes:
Oxygen desaturation/hypoxia
Hypercarbia
Acidosis
Polycythemia
Polysomnography is the standard diagnostic test—determines apnea-hypopnea index and stratifies into mild, moderate, or severe.
Preoperative Assessment
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) strongly recommends anesthesiologists and surgeons work together to develop protocols to evaluate patients before the day of surgery to aid in patient selection, preparation, and management.
STOP-BANG questionnaire most commonly used and recommended in SAMBA (2014) Consensus Statement on OSA and Ambulatory Surgery 17 (Fig. 6-1)