ABSTRACT
Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia offers effective perioperative pain relief in patients undergoing thoracotomies apart from attenuating stress responses. It helps in fast tracking by facilitating early mobilization and improving respiratory function. Literature on high (T1–T2 level) thoracic segmental analgesia for thoracotomy is less. Aim: The aim of present study was to compare the ease of insertion, effect on pain relief in high (T1–T2 level) vs mid (T5–T6) approach of thoracic epidural. Setting and Design: The present study was a randomized control trial conducted at our institute. Materials and Methods: About 52 patients aged between 18–65 years scheduled for elective thoracotomies under general and thoracic epidural anesthesia were randomized into two groups. Intraoperatively ease of epidural insertion, extent of blockade, and postoperatively pain relief were assessed. Ropivacaine with fentanyl was used for epidural analgesia. Statistical Analysis: Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed by the Student's t test, Chi-square test, and non-parametric test whereever applicable. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We observed that high thoracic epidural anesthesia was easier to place (time taken 123.42 vs 303.08 s) P < 0.05, with less number of attempts (1.27 vs 1.92) P < 0.05. Extent of blockade, postoperative pain scores, rescue analgesia requirement, hemodynamics, and oxygenation were comparable. Conclusion: We conclude that high thoracic epidural is easier to insert, provides adequate pain relief, and stable hemodynamics with the advantage of patient comfort and safety.
ABSTRACT
Context: Choosing appropriate-size double-lumen tube (DLT) has always been a challenge as it depends on existing guidelines based on gender, height, tracheal diameter (TD), or personal experience. However, there are no Indian data to match these recommendations. Aim: To find out whether the size of DLT used correlates with height, weight, TD, or left main stem bronchus diameter (LMBD). We also documented clinical consequences of any of our current practice. Setting and Design: Single-center observational pilot study. Subjects and Methods: Prospective, observational study of 41 patients requiring one-lung ventilation with left-side DLT. The choice of DLT was entirely on the discretion of anesthesiologist in charge of the case. Data were collected for TD, LMBD, height, weight, age, sex, and amount of air used in the tracheal and bronchial cuff. Any intraoperative complications and difficulty in isolation were also noted. Statistical Analysis: The statistical analysis was done with the National Council of Statistical Software version 11. Results: Average TD and LMBD were 16.5 ± 0.9 and 10.7 ± 0.8 mm for males and 14.2 ± 1.1 and 9.4 ± 1.1 mm for females, respectively. There was a weak correlation between DLT size and height (R2 = 0.0694), TD (R2 = 0.3396), and LMBD (R2 = 0.2382) in the case of males. For females, the correlation between DLT size and height (R2 = 0.2656), TD (R2 = 0.5302), and LMBD (R2 = 0.5003) was slightly better. Conclusion: Although there was a weak correlation between DLT size and height, TD, and LMBD, the overall intraoperative outcome and lung isolation were good.