CC BY 4.0 · J Neuroanaesth Crit Care 2023; 10(02): 094-101
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1767828
Original Article

Perioperative Outcomes of Hyperlactatemia during Craniotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 1,832 Patients

1   Anaesthesia Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
,
2   Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
,
3   Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
,
4   Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
,
Ahmed S. Aljabali
5   Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
,
Hazem S. Ghaith
6   Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
› Institutsangaben
 

Abstract

Background Hyperlactatemia, is common in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. Several studies have identified potential risk factors for developing hyperlactatemia in neurosurgical patients, including body mass index, surgery duration, tumour volume, and certain drugs such as volatile anesthetic agents and corticosteroids. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the evidence of the association between perioperative lactate levels in patients undergoing brain surgery and postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Methods Using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Medline, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, a systematic literature search was conducted for studies examining the association between perioperative hyperlactatemia and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing brain surgery. Two authors independently evaluated the full-text papers for eligibility, and then data extraction and meta-analyses of similar studies were conducted (using a random effect model for each outcome measure). The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias (NOS scale).

Results Seven observational studies were included, and a total of 1,832 patients were assessed in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The quality of the included studies ranged from poor to high quality according to the NOS quality assessment tool. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant association between perioperative hyperlactatemia and postoperative new neurological deficits (five studies: odds ratio [OR] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.50–1.87], p = 0.92; heterogeneity: I 2 = 38%, p = 0.18). Similarly, perioperative hyperlactatemia was neither significantly associated with increased 30-day postoperative mortality (two studies; OR = 0.20, 95% CI [0.02–2.00], p = 0.17; heterogeneity: I 2 = 0%, p = 0.59) nor 6 months survival rate (three studies; OR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.75–1.47], p = 0.79; heterogeneity: I 2 = 0%, p = 0.51). Moreover, there was no difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups (four studies: mean difference = –0.85, 95% CI [–1.73 to 0.03], p = 0.06). Pooled studies were not homogenous (I 2 = 68%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion Perioperative hyperlactatemia is benign in neurosurgical patients and is not associated with significant postoperative outcomes, such as developing new postoperative neurological deficit, 30-day mortality, 6-month survival, or prolonged hospital stay.


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Introduction

A high mortality rate is associated with lactic acidosis (type A hyperlactatemia).[1] Hyperlactatemia type B, or increased serum lactate without acidosis, is a condition with poorly understood underlying causes and prognosis.[2] Contrary to type A, type B hyperlactatemia is unrelated to hypoxia or inadequate perfusion of tissues.[3] Hyperlactatemia of type B is quite prevalent among patients undergoing neurosurgery; however, it is unknown whether or not this condition influences the outcome in neurosurgical patients, with a prevalence of up to 67% of patients following brain tumour resection.[4] [5] [6] Additionally, there are several explanations for why hyperlactatemia develops in patients undergoing craniotomies.

Hyperlactatemia is always linked to hypoperfusion, but not during neurosurgical procedures.[1] Lactate is generated from pyruvate in the glycolysis pathway. Normal aerobic conditions produce and metabolize lactate continuously. In low or interrupted oxygen, anaerobic metabolism increases serum lactate.[7] During craniotomies, systemic hypoperfusion from volume under resuscitation or concomitant medical issues (such as congestive heart failure) can cause high blood lactate.[1] In some cases, hyperlactatemia may indicate local alterations in cerebral metabolism induced by tumor loads and brain retraction.[8] [9] [10] Several studies have linked hyperlactatemia to body mass index (BMI), surgical time, tumour volume, volatile anesthetic drugs, corticosteroids, and mannitol infusion.[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

A high lactate level has been considered an early sign of cerebral hypoperfusion.[17] [18] The surgeon can utilize this data to search for correctable reasons like retraction or clips, and the anesthesiologist can use it to increase cerebral perfusion. Meanwhile, higher lactate levels might arise from preoperative dehydration, intraoperative hypothermia, and surgical complexity.[6]

Prolonged surgical time increases blood lactate levels,[4] [11] as prolonged immobility during anesthesia may explain this.[19] Studies linking tumour growth to serum lactate levels have produced contradictory results.[8] [11] [15] Some authors suggest that lactate acts as a biomarker for glioblastoma progression and therapeutic response,[8] but others have not verified this.[15] A high BMI may contribute to higher blood lactate levels.[20] Hyperlactatemia is caused by muscle ischemia and tissue disintegration, and a high BMI worsens the problem. The elevated blood lactate levels in obese people may result from insulin resistance, a side effect of weight gain.[21]

The objective of this study is to review the relevant literature regarding the clinical significance of hyperlactatemia in patients undergoing brain surgeries; this would help clinicians determine whether elevated serum lactate can predict outcomes and thus guide the management.


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Methods

The study protocol has been registered with the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO identifier: CRD42022354030). We followed the most recent version of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA statement 2020) guidelines during the preparation of this article.[22]

Inclusion Criteria

Studies satisfying the following criteria were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis:

Population: Adult patients scheduled for craniotomy, either elective or emergency, for any brain space-occupying lesion or any neurovascular system lesion, neuroendocrine system lesion, or dural-meningeal system.

Control group: Craniotomy patients with normal lactate perioperatively (normal lactate).

Experimental group: Craniotomy patients with high lactate perioperatively (hyperlactatemia).

Outcomes:

Primary outcome: New postoperative neurological deficit.

Secondary outcomes: Thirty days mortality rate, length of hospital stay, and survival at 6 months.

Study design: Studies with comparative designs compare the outcomes of normal and elevated lactate levels, either randomized controlled trials or observational studies.


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Exclusion Criteria

Studies that included patients with comorbid conditions that might cause increased lactate levels, including preexisting severe liver or kidney disease and sepsis, were excluded.


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Information Sources

We comprehensively searched these electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Medline, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to June 2022.


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Search Strategy

We used the following search query (hyperlactatemia OR “High Lactate level” AND “Brain surgery” OR “Brain tumour resection” OR “Intracranial tumours resection” OR “Intracranial tumours Surgery” OR “Craniotomy” OR” Craniectomy”) in the seven databases with no filters or limitations.


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Selection Process

Retrieved records from the literature search were screened in two steps manner. In the first step, the title and abstracts of all articles were screened for eligibility. Then, the full-text articles of the eligible abstracts were conducted for the reliability of data for meta-analysis and its eligibility for the systematic review. Two independent authors did the screening, and a third solved the disagreement.


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Data Collection Process and Data Items

Data were extracted to a uniform data extraction sheet. The extracted data included (1) characteristics of the population of included studies, (2) characteristics of the included studies, (3) risk of bias domains, and (4) outcome measures.


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Assessment of Risk of Bias

Two independent authors did the risk of bias assessment, and the disagreements were resolved by consensus. As all included studies in this review were observational studies, we used the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS scale) for their assessment.[23]


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Data Synthesis and Statistical Analysis

For continuous data, the mean difference (MD) between the two groups from the baseline to endpoint, with its standard deviation, and the total number of patients in each group were pooled in the inverse variance method with the random-effects model for each efficacy measure. While in dichotomous data, the frequency of events and the total number of patients in each group were pooled as the odds ratio (OR) between the two groups in the inverse variance method with the random-effects model. We applied the random-effects model because contrasting to the fixed-effects model, it accommodates a larger standard error in the pooled estimate, making it suitable for controversial or inconsistent estimates. The heterogeneity of the included studies was examined by visual inspection of the forest plots and assessed by the Cochrane Q and I 2 tests using RevMan version 5.3 for Windows. For heterogeneity testing, a p-value < 0.1 and an I 2 > 50% were considered for significant heterogeneity.


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Results

Literature Search Results

Our search yielded 1,171 citations. Of these, 540 citations were retrieved and screened for title and abstract eligibility after duplicates were removed (n = 631) and irrelevant studies were excluded (n = 520). Twenty full-text articles were screened for eligibility, and seven studies (n = 1,832 patients) were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis[4] [5] [6] [11] [15] [17] [18] (see the PRISMA flow diagram in [Fig. 1]).

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 PRISMA flow diagram of the retrieved, excluded, and included articles for this systematic review and meta-analysis. PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PICO, patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes.

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Study Characteristics

A summary of the design and main findings of included studies is given in [Table 1], and the baseline characteristics of their populations are displayed in [Table 2].

Table 1

Summary of findings

Study ID

Title

Study design

Study Arms

Outcomes measured

Main findings

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

de Smalen et al

2020[4]

Hyperlactatemia after intracranial tumor surgery does not affect 6-month survival: a retrospective case series

Retrospective cohort study

Normal serum lactate (≤ 2 mmol/L)

High serum lactate (> 2 mmol/L)

 • Six-month survival

 • Hospital length of stay

 • Worsening of the neurological condition after surgery

• The need for rehabilitation

Hyperlactatemia was common following intracranial tumour resection. High serum lactate level had no impact on the 6-month survival and had no relation to the deterioration of the neurological condition. On the other hand, patients stayed in the hospital for extended periods

Romano et al

2019[6]

Clinical impact of intraoperative hyperlactatemia during craniotomy

Cohort study

Max lactate < 2 mmol/L

Max lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L

 • Length of hospital stays

 • 30 days mortality

 • Development of neurological complications at 6 hours and 2 weeks following the surgery

 • Development of postoperative systemic complications

No association was found between intraoperative hyperlactatemia and the development of new postsurgical neurological abnormalities, renal failure, myocardial infarction, or death within 30 days of surgery. However, it was associated with a lengthier hospital stay

Kohli-Seth et al 2012[5]

Frequency and outcomes of hyperlactatemia after neurosurgery

Retrospective analysis

Serum lactate < 2 mmol/L

Serum lactate = 2–4.9 mmol/L

Serum lactate ≥ 5 mmol/L

 • Reason for admission

 • Length of stay

 • Serum lactate levels

 • Survival to hospital discharge

Hyperlactatemia was common after neurosurgery and seemed to be benign in nature. Results showed no significant association between hyperlactatemia and either survival or length of stay in the hospital

Fazili et al

2021[17]

Correlation between intraoperative serum lactate and new-onset postoperative neurodeficits in patients undergoing

elective craniotomies

Prospective observational study

Normal intraoperative lactate

Increased intraoperative lactate

 • Prevalence of intraoperative hyperlactatemia

 • Development of postoperative fresh-onset neurological deficits

Hyperlactatemia occurred in more than half of the study population following craniotomy. Moreover, it was not significantly related to postoperative new neurodeficits

Cata et al

2017[15]

Intraoperative serum lactate is not a predictor of survival after

glioblastoma surgery

Retrospective study

Serum lactate < 2.3 mmol/L

Serum lactate ≥ 2.3 mmol/L

 • The progression-free survival (PFS)

• Overall survival (OS) rates

The analysis found no independent relationship between variations in survival and intraoperative lactate levels in patients who had glioblastoma surgery

Brallier et al

2017[18]

Elevated intraoperative serum lactate during

craniotomy is associated with new neurological

deficit and longer length of stay

Retrospective cohort study

Maximum lactate < 2.2 mmol/L

Maximum lactate ≥ 2.2 mmol/L

 • Development of new neurodeficits following surgery

 • Length of stay in hospital

• 30-day mortality following the surgery

In craniotomy patients, Intraoperative hyperlactatemia has been linked to postoperative fresh-onset neurological abnormalities and more extended hospital stay. It was, however, unrelated to 30-day mortality or other end-organ dysfunction such as renal failure or myocardial infarction

Yoshikawa et al 2018[11]

Early postoperative hyperlactatemia in elective neurosurgical patients: a retrospective study

Retrospective study

Serum lactate < 2 mmol/L

Serum lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L

• Lactate level measurement

• Length of stay in the ICU

• Postoperative adverse events (e.g., neurological, cardiovascular, and others)

• Postoperative vital signs measurement

Results showed an association between early postsurgical high lactate levels and extended long ICU stay. On the contrary, no relations were found between hyperlactatemia and other postoperative outcomes like adverse neurological and cardiovascular events. Brain tumour surgeries and preoperative hyperlactatemia are among the risk factors for early postoperative hyperlactatemia

Abbreviation: ICU, intensive care unit.


Table 2

Baseline characteristics

Study ID

Groups

Sample size

Age (y)

Mean (SD)

Sex, male

n (%)

BMI (kg/m2)

Mean (SD)

Surgery duration (min)

Mean (SD)

Hypertension

n (%)

Coronary artery disease

n (%)

Congestive heart failure

n (%)

Renal disease

n (%)

Diabetes

n (%)

Total blood loss (mL)

Mean (SD)

Total IV fluids are given (mL)

Preoperative neurological deficits

n (%)

de Smalen et al

2020[4]

Normal lactate

239

59.3 (48.3–69.3)[a]

NR

25.7 (23.0–28.8)[a]

368 (213–353)[a]

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

200 (100–400)[a]

NR

NR

Elevated lactate

257

58.8 (47.4–67.5)[a]

NR

26.0 (23.7–29.4)[a]

293 (241–378) [a]

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

300 (150–500)[a]

NR

NR

Romano et al

2019[6]

Normal lactate

55

51.6 (13.6)

29 (52.7)

27.4 (6.6)

217 (162–282)[a]

22 (40)

3 (5.4)

0 (0.0)

0 (0.0)

10 (18.2)

150 (100–200)[a]

2,000 (1,500–2,500)[a]

37 (67.3)

Elevated lactate

26

48.5 (14.9)

17 (65.4)

27.1 (5.3)

258 (172–417)[a]

10 (38.5)

0 (0.0)

0 (0.0)

1 (3.8)

1 (3.8)

200 (150–400)[a]

3,125 (2,000–4,000)[a]

22 (84.6)

Fazili et al

2021[17]

Normal lactate

41

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

25 (29)

Elevated lactate

45

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

Cata et al

2017[15]

Normal lactate

134

58 (49–66)[a]

175 (68)

27.18 (23.99–30.27)[a]

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

Elevated lactate

141

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

Brallier et al

2017[18]

Normal lactate

205

55.5 (15.1)

27.83 (7.3)

233 (116)

82 (40)

7 (3.4)

8 (3.4)

2 (1.0)

31 (15)

NR

2,000 (1,800–3,000)[a]

NR

Elevated lactate

231

52.4 (15.6)

28.26 (6.5)

285 (135)

86 (37)

1 (0.4)

3 (1.2)

2 (0.9)

33 (14)

NR

3,000 (2,000–4,000)[a]

NR

Yoshikawa et al

2018[11]

Normal lactate

176

62 (15)

95 (54)

22.7 (3.8)

270 (156)

NR

NR

NR

4 (2)

28 (16)

144 (262)

NR

NR

Elevated lactate

49

58 (15)

26 (53)

22.8 (4.4)

360 (114)

NR

NR

NR

0 (0)

5 (10)

299 (275)

NR

NR

Kohli-Seth et al 2012[5]

Normal lactate

94

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

Elevated lactate

130

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; IQR, interquartile range; IV, intravenous; NR, not reported; SD, standard deviation.


a Median (IQR).



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Quality Assessment

All included studies showed good quality except Yoshikawa et al. This was fair due to the exposed cohort's lack of representativeness and no demonstration that the outcome of interest was not present at the start of the study ([Fig. 2]). The details of each domain are presented in [Supplementary Table S1] (available in the online version).

Zoom Image
Fig. 2 (A) Risk of bias assessment of the included studies. (B) The overall risk of bias.

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Outcomes

Primary Outcome

Development of new neurological deficit

Five comparative studies[4] [6] [11] [17] [18] were included, 716 normal and 608 elevated serum lactate patients. The odds of having new neurological deficits after lactate elevation was insignificant compared to the normal lactate (OR = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.50–1.87], p = 0.92). There was a significant heterogeneity (I 2 = 62%, p = 0.03), and after excluding Fazili et al, no heterogeneity (I 2 = 38%, p = 0.18) was present, but the overall OR still did not favor either of the two groups concerning this outcome (OR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.42–1.30], p = 0.29) ([Fig. 3]).

Zoom Image
Fig. 3 Forest plot displaying the development of postoperative new neurological deficits in patients with elevated lactate levels compared to those with normal lactate levels. The forest plot showing the disappearance of heterogeneity after the exclusion of Fazili et al. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio with 95% CI. CI, confidence interval; Random, random effect model; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.

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Secondary Outcomes

  • 1. Duration of hospitalization

Four comparative studies[4] [5] [6] [18] were included, 593 patients with normal lactate and 644 with elevated serum lactate levels. There was no difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups (MD = –0.85, 95% CI [–1.73 to 0.03], p = 0.06). Pooled studies were not homogenous (I 2 = 68%, p = 0.03), and the leave-one-out test did not resolve it ([Fig. 4]).

Zoom Image
Fig. 4 Forest plot displaying the postoperative duration of hospital stay in patients with elevated lactate levels compared to those with normal lactate. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the mean difference with 95% CI. SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; Random, random effect model; IV, inverse variance.
  • 2. Mortality at 30 days

Brallier et al and Romano et al[6] [18] included a collective total of 517 patients, 260 with normal lactate and 257 with elevated lactate, and both studies reported a 30-day postoperative mortality rate. There was no difference between the two groups (OR = 0.20, 95% CI [0.02–2.00], p = 0.17), and pooled studies were homogenous (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.59) ([Supplementary Fig. S1], available in the online version). Thirty-day mortality was also comparable in both groups (0.4 and 1.6% for normal and elevated lactate, respectively).

  • 3. Survival at 6 months

Three comparative studies[4] [5] [15] included 467 normal and 528 elevated serum lactate patients. No significant differences were observed regarding the 6-month survival rate between the normal and elevated lactate groups (OR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.75–1.47], p = 0.79). Pooled studies were homogenous (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.51) ([Supplementary Fig. S2], available in the online version).


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Discussion

Summary of the Outcomes

Our analysis included four comparisons with 1,832 individuals divided into two groups, high lactate levels versus normal lactate levels for patients who underwent craniotomy for different brain procedures. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of new neurological deficits postoperatively, the 30-day mortality rate, the survival at 6 months, and the hospital length of stay.


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Explanation of the Outcomes

Lactate has been used as a guide for fluid resuscitation; however, studies show that too much fluid following general anesthesia might be harmful.[24] Brallier et al[18] found that hyperlactatemia patients given liters of crystalloids showed neurological impairments postoperatively. It has been claimed that stricter fluid management for hyperlactatemia, especially in neurosurgical patients, may improve patient safety and reduce difficulties and expenses.[4]

The pooled analysis found no difference in postoperative neurological impairments. Only Brallier et al[18] documented additional neurological impairments postoperatively among the five studies included in this outcome. However, this was a retrospective study, and the same team who conducted this study conducted another prospective study, Romano et al.[6] Compared to a retrospective review,[18] the outcomes of prospective screening for new neurologic impairments utilizing these criteria may vary and yield different results as neurologic status was evaluated in more detail than in the previous retrospective analysis. Also, evaluations were taking place at regular intervals and utilizing a set of common impairments that neurosurgeons had defined in Romano et al.[6]

Romano et al[6] focused solely on elective craniotomies when recruiting patients, whereas Brallier et al[18] may have included inpatients, emergency surgeries, and patients with altered mental status. Patients who did not have their lactate levels collected were much healthier in a sensitivity analysis conducted in the retrospective study by Romano et al.[6] Because these were elective outpatient craniotomies, it is possible that the anesthesiologists performing the procedures did not do arterial blood gas analyses (ABGs) on the patients intraoperatively, meaning that many of these individuals were left out of the prior study. This suggests that the two studies had distinct study populations, which could explain the discrepancy in detecting new neurologic deficits.[6]

A study by Fazili et al,[17] reported a higher incidence of new neurodeficits postoperatively in patients with normal lactate compared to higher lactate; this may be attributed to the large variety of complex pathologies that patients had. They hypothesized that elevated serum lactate levels in individuals undergoing craniotomies occurred due to localized metabolic shifts or direct brain compression. Consistent with these results, de Smalen et al[4] and Kohli-Seth et al[5] found that postoperative hyperlactatemia is common in neurosurgical patients but seems benign and unrelated to mortality.

Patients with hyperlactatemia had hospitalization days comparable to those with normal lactate levels.[4] [6] [18] Romano et al,[6] in their prospective analysis, reported that the underlying mechanisms of prolonged hospital stay among hyperlactatemia patients are unclear. Consequently, some postoperative factors like infection, deep vein thrombosis, subclinical cerebral ischemia, or other factors could be measured in future studies to validate or better explain this association. As per Brallier et al,[18] in their retrospective analysis, it is unclear whether the prolonged hospitalization is due to hyperlactatemia or its treatment.

On the other hand, recently conducted research has shown that lactate, a substrate for oxidation, can play a neuroprotective role. Hypertonic sodium lactate can moderate cerebral metabolism,[25] which may reduce brain damage following trauma. Although this data is controversial,[26] the possibility that an intrinsic protective mechanism is triggered after iatrogenic brain injury is intriguing, like during a craniotomy. After brain injury, Rice et al[27] found that infusing the animals with lactate significantly improved their cognitive abilities compared to saline infusion. The authors argue that this impact has clinical significance, suggesting that lactate may be a viable therapeutic alternative for patients with moderate brain injury.

Neither the 30-day mortality nor the 6-month survival rates vary significantly between the two groups. According to Kohli-Seth et al,[5] individuals with hyperlactatemia showed no symptoms of systemic hypoxemia, hypoperfusion, or liver failure. They concluded that these patients should be characterized as having benign postoperative hyperlactatemia. Benign postoperative hyperlactatemia in patients recovering from neurosurgery procedures has no apparent cause.


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Significance of the Work

This study expands the literature by providing evidence that perioperative hyperlactatemia is not linked with postoperative neurological deficits, death risk, 6-month survival rate, or hospital stay.


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Strengths and Limitations

This study has several strengths (1) this is the first meta-analysis conducted on hyperlactatemia in neurosurgical patients; (2) all steps were strictly conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis; (3) the literature search was rigorous and conducted on multiple databases to identify all relevant studies as possible; (4) the research question was supported by clear eligibility criteria; and (5) each step in the review was done by two reviewers to ensure accuracy. On the other hand, the major limitation of our meta-analysis is that all of the included studies are observational, which is known to be susceptible to confounding bias and unreliable in establishing a causal association between the intervention and the clinical outcome. In addition, the majority of included studies were retrospective, meaning that the collected data may not have matched the nature of the study, creating the possibility of bias.


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Conclusion

During brain surgery, hyperlactatemia is frequent. Hyperlactatemia can be caused by systemic hypoperfusion or regional cerebral ischemia. Their management varies; therefore, it is essential to differentiate between both. In neurosurgical patients, hyperlactatemia has been associated with several risk factors, including high BMI and tumour volume. This meta-analysis of 1,832 neurosurgical patients having an intracranial procedure with high or normal serum lactate levels pointed out that hyperlactatemia is not associated with unfavorable outcomes.


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Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Supplementary Material

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  • 20 Garavaglia M, Timothy MH, Cusimano M. et al. Hyperlactatemia during craniotomy: evidence of muscle hypoperfusion? Conference Abstract. Can J Anaesth 2013; 60 (01) S68
  • 21 Adeva-Andany M, López-Ojén M, Funcasta-Calderón R. et al. Comprehensive review on lactate metabolism in human health. Mitochondrion 2014; 17: 76-100
  • 22 Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM. et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021; 372 (71) n71
  • 23 Sidwell K. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality if nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses. J Hell Stud 1993; 113: 198-199
  • 24 Ogbu OC, Murphy DJ, Martin GS. How to avoid fluid overload. Curr Opin Crit Care 2015; 21 (04) 315-321
  • 25 Millet A, Cuisinier A, Bouzat P. et al. Hypertonic sodium lactate reverses brain oxygenation and metabolism dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. Br J Anaesth 2018; 120 (06) 1295-1303
  • 26 Hollyer TR, Bordoni L, Kousholt BS, van Luijk J, Ritskes-Hoitinga M, Østergaard L. The evidence for the physiological effects of lactate on the cerebral microcirculation: a systematic review. J Neurochem 2019; 148 (06) 712-730
  • 27 Rice AC, Zsoldos R, Chen T. et al. Lactate administration attenuates cognitive deficits following traumatic brain injury. Brain Res 2002; 928 (1-2): 156-159

Address for correspondence

Mahfouz M. Sharapi, FCAI
Anaesthesia Department
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin D09V2N0
Ireland   

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. Mai 2023

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Zoom Image
Fig. 1 PRISMA flow diagram of the retrieved, excluded, and included articles for this systematic review and meta-analysis. PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PICO, patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes.
Zoom Image
Fig. 2 (A) Risk of bias assessment of the included studies. (B) The overall risk of bias.
Zoom Image
Fig. 3 Forest plot displaying the development of postoperative new neurological deficits in patients with elevated lactate levels compared to those with normal lactate levels. The forest plot showing the disappearance of heterogeneity after the exclusion of Fazili et al. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio with 95% CI. CI, confidence interval; Random, random effect model; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.
Zoom Image
Fig. 4 Forest plot displaying the postoperative duration of hospital stay in patients with elevated lactate levels compared to those with normal lactate. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the mean difference with 95% CI. SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; Random, random effect model; IV, inverse variance.