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Objectives: To evaluate the antibiotic resistance pattern, clinical profile and predictors for adverse outcomes in children hospitalized due to staphylococcal infection; and the frequency of nasal and axillary carrier states in these children. Methods: This descriptive study enrolled 100 symptomatic children (aged 1 month - 12 years) in whom S. aureus was isolated from cultures of blood, pus or cerebrospinal fluid. All samples were processed as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using disc diffusion method; minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for vancomycin was measured using E strips. Predictors for poor recovery were determined by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Skin and soft tissue infections were the most common (47%) followed by respiratory infections (37%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 62%, out of which 63% (39/62) were multi-drug resistant. Carrier state was present in 49% (93% MRSA); 80% were axillary carriers. High MIC (>1 µg/mL) for vancomycin was seen in 65% of patients, and was the only factor associated with poor recovery [aOR (95%CI) 5.3 (1.6,18.5); P=0.008] on multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: MRSA is the predominant strain in severe staphylococcal infections requiring hospitalization, and majority of them are multidrug resistant. High MIC to vancomycin among S. aureus is an emerging concern.
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Background: Cuffed endotracheal tubes not only ensure a proper seal during positive pressure ventilation, but at the same time also prevent aspiration of gastric secretions. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare three methods of ETT cuff inflation-- palpation of the leak in suprasternal notch (Just seal), a stethoscope guided method of tracheal tube cuff inflation and PVL guided cuff inflation.Methods: After approval by institutional ethical committee, 192 patients of either sex in age group of 18-50 years belonging to ASA physical status I or II were enrolled. Each patient was randomly allocated into one of three groups: one group received standard 'just seal' method of tracheal cuff inflation (JS), the second group, the stethoscope-guided method (SG) and in third group cuff was inflated using Pressure Volume Loop (PVL). Volume of air introduced into the cuff and pressure within the cuff was recorded.Results: A total of 192 patients were recruited to the study. The median (IQR [range]) tracheal cuff pressure was 12 (10-22 [6-28]) cm H2O, 16 (12-24[6-38]) and 14 (10-22[8-32]) cmH2O in JS, SG and PVL group respectively. Cuff pressures within the recommended range of 20-30 cm H2O fell in 25% of the patients in both JS and SG group and 31% patients in PVL group. The mean volumes of air introduced in the cuff and the resultant mean cuff pressure in all groups was found to be statistically insignificant (p= 0.4, 0.18 respectively). Tidal volume discrepancy was more and 75% of cuff pressures were less than the recommended range in JS than the other two groups.Conclusions: Real time PVL displayed on most modern anaesthesia machine is a good alternative to check for proper ETT cuff inflation, avoid high cuff pressure and monitor air leak.
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Background: The present study was conducted to compare the effects of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine and 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in pregnant females undergoing caesarean section.Methods: Study was conducted on 100 pregnant females undergoing caesarean section. They were randomly divided into two groups B and L receiving 2 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 0.5% levobupivacaine respectively. Two groups were compared with regard to sensory block, motor block, haemodynamic stability and complications if any.Results: Time to achieve sensory blockade till T6 dermatome was prolonged in group B (162.52±80.55 sec) as compared to group L (139.40±49.79 seconds) (p value= 0.087). Prolonged duration of motor blockade was observed in group B (160.76±6.56 minutes) as compared to group L (131.48±14.42 minutes) (p<0.001). Less haemodynamic stability was seen in patients of group B with more incidence of hypotension and bradycardia.as compared to group L.Conclusions: Levobupivacaine is nearly equally effective to bupivacaine to produce sensory and motor blockade with comparable onset time and better haemodynamic stability with lesser side effects.
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Apert Syndrome or “Acrocephalosyndactyly” is a rare syndrome comprising of multiple congenital anomalies, like turribrachycephaly, midface hypoplasia, syndactyly, orbital hypertelorism, small mandible etc., most of which complicate the airway management. Raised intracranial pressure and difficult venous access are other major challenges in the anesthetic management. We hereby describe our experience of anesthetic management of a 5 year old child with this syndrome posted for Ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
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Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic and debilitating disease. Management of disease is a big challenge. NSAIDS play an important role but have many adverse reactions. So, this study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of natural compound rosehip versus glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate in patients of osteoarthritis.Methods: An open label, randomized, parallel group comparative study, conducted on patients of either sex with confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis on standard NSAIDs therapy, attending the outpatient department of orthopedics in a tertiary care centre. 150 patients were enrolled and divided into three groups (group A, group B and group C) of 50 each. Patients of group A were given Glucosamine plus chondroitin sulphate for 12 weeks. Group B was given rosehip for 12 weeks and group C placebo. These supplements were given as add on therapy. Patients were monitored and adverse drug reactions were noted. The data was analysed statistically using t- test for efficacy and descriptive stats for assessing the safety.Results: Efficacy was assessed by comparing mean reduction in the pain intensity between group A and B, group B gives highly significant results as compared to group A. While comparing joint tenderness, swelling around joint, mean functional capacity and improvement in the overall assessment, group B gives significant results as compared to group A. It was also observed that group A and group B were better than group C in all the efficacy parameters. All the drugs were well tolerated and systemically safe.Conclusions: There was significant difference in efficacy of rosehip compared with glaucosamine and chondroitin sulphate in patients of osteoarthritis. In comparison there was no significant difference in safety of two drugs and both were considered safe in patients.
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Background: Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation are known to cause increase in both arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Several strategies have been evolved to blunt the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation but each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Esmolol, a cardio selective Beta -1 blocking drug, can alleviate some of these problems. Esmolol, when administered parenterally, exhibits rapid onset and a short duration of action due to its rapid clearance by red blood cell esterases. Hence we conducted the present study to evaluate the efficacy and optimum time of single bolus esmolol administration in attenuating hypertensive- tachycardiac response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Materials and Methods: The randomized double blind prospective study was conducted in 60 patients, in the age group of 20-40 years, of both sexes, belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class I or II and scheduled for elective surgery requiring endotracheal intubation and general anaesthesia. The efficacy and optimum time of single bolus esmolol administration in attenuating hypertensive - tachycardiac response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation was evaluated. Patients in group I (n=20) received bolus administration of injection esmolol 1.5 mg/kg intravenously (iv) 90 seconds before intubation; in group II (n=20) three minutes before intubation and in group III (n=20) six minutes before intubation. Results: There was no clinical and statistically significant variation in heart rate in group I and II at different time intervals of the study period but in group III heart rate increased significantly one minute after tracheal intubation. (P<0.05) One minute after intubation, the increase in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure and rate pressure product was statistically significant in group I (P<0.01) and group III. (P<0.05) However, in group II increase in systolic blood pressure and rate pressure product was statistically not significant. (P>0.05) Conclusion: To conclude, single intravenous bolus dose of esmolol (1.5 mg/kg) is safe and more effective in attenuating haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation when administered three minutes prior to intubation.