Comparison of different non-pharmacological preoperative preparations on gastric fluid volume and acidity: a randomized controlled trial

Aspiration of gastric contents is one of the major causes of general anesthesia related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the effects of using different non-pharmacological preparations preoperatively on gastric fluid volume and pH. This randomized, controlled trial was conducted at a teaching hospital in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Overall, 150 patients were randomly selected from elective surgery candidates, who were 17-95 years old, fulfilled the criteria of American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] grade-I or II, and in which tracheal intubation was indicated. The patients were allocated randomly to one of the following five groups: Group A: continuously chewed bicarbonate-containing gum for 2 hours before anesthesia induction until premedication. Group B: continuously chewed standard sugar free gum 2 hours before anesthesia induction until premedication. Group C: sucked lollipop 2 hours before anesthesia induction. Group D: drank pure water 10 ml/kg 2 hours before anesthesia induction. Group E [control group]: without any intervention. The mean volume of gastric fluid was not significantly different among the study groups. In the group who chewed bicarbonate gum, the mean +/- SE gastric fluid pH was significantly higher than in other groups [5 +/- 1 vs. 3 +/- 1 respectively, P<0.001]. Increased gastric fluid pH following the use of bicarbonate gum for pre-operative preparation may have implications for preventing aspiration and enhancing anesthesia care

Pathology of pediatric liver tumors, a single center experience from south of Iran.

Background: Pediatric hepatic malignancies are rare, accounting for 1-4% of all solid childhood tumors. The histopathology of childhood hepatic tumors guides the treatment and prognosis, and is the cornerstone for precise diagnosis. Until now, there has been no documented study on pediatric liver tumor cases from this center; in this report, we show our experience about the common types of childhood hepatic tumors during five years (2002-2007) and compare them with other studies. Materials and Methods: During five years (2002-2007), all the hepatic tumors of childhood (under 18 year-old) from the pathology file of Namazi Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences are recorded. This includes both resected specimens and biopsies. All the slides were reviewed and the pathologic diagnosis was confirmed. Results: We detected 53 liver tumor cases in children (below 18 years of age). Among these tumors, 36 (67.9%) were malignant. Male to female ratio was 1.5 to 1. Hepatoblastoma was the most common liver tumor in this age group accounting for 22 patients (41.5%). The second most common primary tumor was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with five patients. Another malignant tumor was embryonal sarcoma. Benign tumors included adenoma, mesenchymal hamartoma, vascular tumors, focal nodular hyperplasia, and inflammatory pseudo tumor. There were also seven metastatic tumors during these five years. Conclusions: The spectrum of hepatic tumors in children is different from that found in the older age group (adults) and also different in different populations.

Role of rectal biopsy in predicting response to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection for obstructive symptoms after a pullthrough operation.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to correlate the pathological results and clinical response in patients who underwent botulinum toxin (BT) injection for obstructive symptoms (OS) after a pullthrough operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS: Between August 2002 and February 2006, 16 of 107 HD patients (15%) were referred with persistent OS after pull-through (PT) operation in this center. They underwent rectal biopsy and BT injection in the internal sphincter. Their responses to BT injection were evaluated by the constipation score before, and at 1, 3 and 8 months after the injection, and anorectal manometry (ARM) before and at 2 weeks, and 1 and 8 months after the injection. The association between response to BT and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining of rectal biopsy was also assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen of 16 patients (87%) had improvement in bowel function after 2 weeks, and two patients did not respond at all. Six of the 14 patients with early response had recurrence of symptoms after 2-3 months. Eight patients with normal ganglia and negative AChE had good response with no recurrence on follow-up. However, 4 of 6 recurrences were neurogenic dysfunctions and 2 were intestinal neuronal dysplasia (2-4+AChE). Two patients with no response had an aganglionic segment (4+AChE). Four of 6 patients with recurrence showed improvement with BT re-injection and only 2 did not improve. CONCLUSION: A higher degree of AChE staining is associated with lack of response to BT injection. This is also a test for predicting the severity of neurogenic dysfunction in the intestinal wall.

Gastroesophageal reflux as cause of chronic respiratory symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a relatively common disorder in infants and children. It maybe associated with severe complications. The coexistence of GER and a wide range of respiratory symptoms has been reported. The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship between chronic respiratory symptoms and GERD as an underlying cause. To our knowledge, there is not a method known study for identifying this relationship and prevalence in our area. METHODS: The study group consists of fifty-two (4 months-10 years) children who were referred to pediatric surgery ward for evaluation of GERD as a cause of chronic respiratory symptoms by 24 hours PH monitoring. Additionally, 10 patients with only one episode of pneumonia were evaluated as the control group. Chronic respiratory presentations include the following: chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, asthma, and respiratory distress. RESULTS: 24 hour esophageal PH monitoring revealed GER in 22 (42.2%) patients as a cause of their chronic respiratory symptoms, while (30 (57.7%) children did not show any evidence of GER. GER was detected in 11 of 24 (45.7%) patients with chronic cough. Thirty-three patients presented with recurrent pneumonia, 13 (39.9%) of whom had GER. In 8 patients with asthma, GER was found in 4 cases. None of the 6 patients with respiratory distress had GERD. CONCLUSION: The possibility of GERD was significantly higher in study group (children with chronic respiratory symptoms) compared to control group (p-value<0.01). All patients with chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia and asthma should be aggressively investigated for the possibility of GER. Documenting abnormal gastroesophageal reflux helps direct appropriate therapy before occurrence of major complications.