Comparative study between tramadol and dexamethasone as an admixture to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

This is a prospective, randomized, double blind study to evaluate the postoperative analgesia following supraclavicular brachial plexus block with Tramadol or Dexamethasone as an admixture to bupivacaine in upper extremity surgery. Total 60 patients of ASA I and II undergoing upper extremity surgery under brachial plexus block with Bupivacaine were randomly divided in to two groups; one group received Tramadol (2 mg/kg) and the other group received Dexamethasone (8 mg) as an admixture to Bupivacaine. The duration of postoperative analgesia was recorded in both groups using pain VAS score which was determined by maximum VAS score of 8-10 and when patient demands for additional analgesics. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in the Dexamethasone group was 1028.00 minutes while in the tramadol group it was 453.17 minutes We concluded that Dexamethasone with local anaesthetic prolongs postoperative analgesia significantly than Tramadol (P<0.05) when used as admixture to local anaesthetic in brachial plexus block in upper extremity surgery.

Diagnostic variability and therapeutic efficacy of ECT in Nepalese sample.

BACKGROUND: Though electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used in Nepal for last twenty years, researches regarding its use, its efficacy and other data are non-existent. AIMS: The objective of this study was to know about diagnostic variability and therapeutic efficacy of the use of ECT in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This is a prospective comparative study between patients who received ECT and who did not using ICD-10 as diagnostic confirmation. Psychopathology was evaluated using Brief Psychiatric Research Scale (BPRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) between the groups at admission, at discharge, at 1st month, at 6th month and at 12th month. Functional assessment of patients was done using Global Assessment of Function (GAF). Modified ECT was performed using general anaesthetic agent. RESULTS: 47 patients received ECT as compared to 78 patients who were non-receivers. The patients with most common five diagnosis were paranoid schizophrenia (14.4%); psychotic depression (13.6%) ; undifferentiated schizophrenia (8.8%) ; bipolar mania (7.2% ) ;severe depression without psychosis (5.6%) . There was significant decrease in BPRS in ECT receiver as compared to non-receivers at discharge (p=0.0001), 1st month (p=0.0001), 6th month (p=0.0001) and 12th month (p=0.0001) ; in YMRS at discharge (p=.008), 1st month (p=.002) and at 12th month (p=.015) ; in HAMD-M at discharge (p=0.0001), at 1st month (p=0.0001), at 6th month (p=0.0001) and at 12th month (p=0.0001) ; in GAF at discharge (p=0.0001), at 6th month (p=0.0001) and at 12th month (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: There was significant improvement in overall psychopathology of patients who received ECT as compared to non-receivers. The improvement was shown by decrement in scores in BPRS, YMRS, HDRS and GAF at the time of discharge, 1st month, 6th month and 12th month which were statistically significant. Day to day functional status of patients also improved as shown by GAF. The efficacy of ECT was very significantly shown in this study with all the psychiatric spectrum disorders.

Oral administration of intravenous solution of midazolam mixed in syrup of paracetamol is an effective way of premedicating children undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of injection midazolam administered by oral route mixed in paracetamol syrup as a premedication in children undergoing surgery. METHODS: 60 children undergoing elective hernia repair under general anaesthesia were randomized into two groups: the study group (group A) was given oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg (mixed in paracetamol syrup) and the control group (group B) was given just the paracetamol syrup before bringing them inside the operating theater. They were evaluated for ease of separation from their parents, ease of i.v. cannulation and induction, and for recovery time from anaesthesia. RESULTS: it was found that in group A - 96.7% of children showed satisfactory parent child separation while in group B - only 53.3% of children showed satisfactory separation (P < 0.05). Similarly in group A - 73.3 % of children shad satisfactory induction while in group B only 33.3% of children had satisfactory induction. The recovery time from general anaesthesia did not differ in the two groups. No significant peri operative complications directly related to oral midazolam was noted. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that injection midazolam mixed in syrup paracetamol administered orally is a convenient and efficient method of premedicating children undergoing general anaesthesia. Parent-child separation and induction of anaesthesia was smooth and the recovery uneventful in children premedicated with oral midazolam.

Comparative study of esmolol and labetalol to attenuate haemodynamic responses after electroconvulsive therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of Esmolol and labetalol in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy treatment were studied according to randomized, double blind placebo controlled protocol. Ninety patients were divided into three groups with thirty patients in each group. Patients received either Esmolol (1 mg/kg), Labetalol (0.25 mg/kg) or Normal Saline (placebo) intravenously just after induction with propofol. The baseline heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. Hemodynamic parameters before and after drug therapy and after the ECT current application, were recorded at different time intervals. RESULTS: It was found that Esmolol significantly attenuated the degree of tachycardia and hypertension after ECT in comparison with placebo in the first three minutes (p<0.05), whereas the rise in HR and blood pressure was significantly blunted in the labetalol group in comparison to placebo, from three minutes onward till ten minutes. (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Esmolol is effective in blunting the hemodynamic response after ECT stimulus in the first three minutes after application of the electrical current, whereas Labetalol is effective after five minutes onwards till ten minutes.

Ultrasound: an extension of clinical examination.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the impact the use of portable ultrasound can have for the benefit of the patients when used by doctors other than radiologist, in this case surgeons. METHODS: Ultrasound performed by surgeons in the pre-operative, operative and post-operative period was studied. Patients presenting to the Hospital with acute abdomen was subjected to ultrasound. They were either pre-operative or post-operative patients. Five patients were scanned intraoperatively. The impact of these scans to the patients as well as the clinicians was studied. RESULTS: This is an ongoing study and preliminary results of the scans show two pre-operative diagnosis of acute appendicular collection and one acute hydronephrosis. In the operation room, ultrasound was done on 5 cases. On three occasions, it was to locate renal stones so that it could be extracted with ease. On two of the case, it was t to confirm the adequacy of common bile duct exploration thereby allowing primary closure of the common bile duct. Post-operatively, it was used in four cases of which in two cases post-operative hemorrhage were detected timely within hours. In the other two cases, the surgical team was assured that the patient's complaint was not surgically related. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound should be an extension of the clinical examination when indicated and all clinicians should be proficient in its use in their respective fields.

Do we have to hyperventilate during laparoscopic surgery?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of hyperventilation on patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries on haemodynamics, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and acid base status. METHODS: 60 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries under General Anaesthesia were randomized into two groups, "control group" ventilated with tidal volume of 10 ml/kg and respiratory rate of 12/minute and "study group" same tidal volume with respiratory rate of 15/ minute. Hemodynamic variables (heart rate and mean arterial pressure) recorded and End tidal C02, PaC02, pH and Bicarbonate estimation done before, during and after C02 pneumoperitoneum and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in hemodynamic variables but there was linear increase in ETC02 and PaC02 measurements in higher normal levels in control group (ETC02 33.3+/-3.20, 37.93+/-3.95 and 43.20+/-3.40; PaC02 30.08+/-2.35, 34.80+/-4.01 and 41.94+/-3.66 mmHg before, during, and after pneumoperitoneum respectively) compared to study group in which these parameters were in lower normal levels (ETC02 33.33+/-4.11, 28.00+/-4.10 and 36.73+/-2.49 mmHg and PaC02 31.80+/-2.73, 29.36+/-3.16 and 35.15+/-1.32 mmHg before, during, and after pneumoperitoneum respectively). There was highly significant difference in these parameters when intergroup comparison was done during and after pneumoperitoneum period. pH and bicarbonate levels were within normal limits but there was decreasing tendency towards acidosis side in control group. CONCLUSION: 10-15% increment in Minute Volume is beneficial during C02 pneumoperitoneum to prevent adverse effects of hypercarbia and acidosis.

Comparative study between bupivacaine heavy vs pethidine intrathecally to study early haemodynamic changes and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing caesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To study early hemodynamic changes and duration of postoperative analgesia between two study groups of intrathecal pethidine and bupivacaine heavy in patients undergoing caesarean section. METHODOLOGY: Total number of 60 patients of ASA I and II, undergoing caesarean section were enrolled in the study. All the patients were divided into two groups: Pethidine and Bupivacaine heavy. The dose of pethidine for subarachnoid block was 1mg/kg and in Bupivacaine group 2.2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine heavy was given intrathecally. Heart rate and blood pressure of all the patients were recorded before subarachnoid block. After giving spinal anesthesia, the heart rate and blood pressure were monitored and recorded in different time intervals. The duration of postoperative analgesia in all patients was recorded in postoperative ward. The APGAR Scores of the babies were recorded in 1 and 5 minutes after delivery. The data were statistically compared using independent sample t-test. CONCLUSION: The hemodynamic parameters (HR & BP) were compared in different time intervals. The difference in heart rate and blood pressure at different time intervals in the two study groups were statistically insignificant as (p > 0.05). The total duration of postoperative analgesia in patients receiving sole intrathecal pethidine was 8 hours and 30 minutes. Where as, in Bupivacaine group the duration was 2 hrs and 36 minutes. This has been found statistically significant (p<0.05).

Peripartum cardiomyopathy undergoing caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: To report a case of peripartum dilated cardiomyopathy presenting for emergency caesarean section, this was successfully managed with Epidural Anaesthesia. CLINICAL FEATURES: A parturient suffering from idiopathic peripartum cardiomyopathy (E.F. 18%) was brought for an emergency caesarean section. Epidural anaesthesia was performed and 2% Lignocaine with adrenaline total 13 ml was injected into the epidural space. The patient's haemodynamic status was monitored with NIBP, ECG, pulse oximetry. Patient's perioperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: In patients suffering from peripartum cardiomyopathy, undergoing caesarean section epidural anaesthesia is an acceptable anaesthetic alternative.

Bilateral simultaneous total knee replacement under combined spinal epidural anaesthesia.

This is a case report of 68 yrs old lady who underwent simultaneous both knee joint replacement for chronic and advanced osteoarthritis. The case was performed solely under combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia (CSE). CSE is a neuroaxial block performed for different types of lower limb and abdominal surgeries.

Tramadol along with local anaesthetics in the penile block for the children undergoing circumcision.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to find out the total duration of postoperative analgesia following circumcision in children when Tramadol was used as an adjunct to local anaesthetics in penile block. METHODS: Forty children of age 5 - 13 yrs, ASA I & II were enrolled in this study. Patients were premedicated with ketamine and atropine intramuscularly prior to separation from their parents and IV cannulation. Penile block was then performed under strict aseptic precautions with paramedian approach by 3 cm long 23 g ordinary needle where 4 ml of mixture of local anaesthetics and tramadol was given on each side of the base of penis at 11 and 2 o clock positions. Duration of analgesia was recorded from the time of completion of surgery till the patients' first complain of pain and when additional analgesic was given. Intraoperative analgesia duration achieved by the penile block was not included in this study due to unavoidable overlapping of sedation and analgesia produced by the premedicated IM Ketamine (4-5 mg/kg) ,which lasts for 25 minutes to 30 minutes. Unless complicated, this is the usual surgery time in our hospital for this procedure. Because of this reason, the sedation score was not used in this study. Moreover, paediatric sedation score remains too impractical and unreliable in our context. RESULTS: Addition of Tramadol with local anaesthetics in penile block prolonged the postoperative analgesia even up to 40 hours. CONCLUSION: Tramadol as an adjunct with Local Anaesthetics extends the duration of postoperative analgesia and can be used safely for this purpose in the children.

A comparison of haemodynamic response with pethidine vs. butorphanol in open cholecystectomy cases.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to compare the haemodynamic responses with pethidine vs. Butorphanol intraoperatively in open cholecystectomy cases in KMCTH. METHOD: In this randomized study, all together 40 patients undergoing routine cholecystectomy surgery were included. Group A received Pethidine 1 mg/kg and Group B received Butorphanol 0.04 mg/kg intraoperatively. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded before injection of the drug, after injection, before intubation, after intubation, before skin incision, after incision, before extubation and after extubation data analysis was done using independent sample t test. RESULT: Our study showed no statistical significance in haemodynamic responses with either pethidine or Butorphanol in open cholecystectomy cases. CONCLUSION: Both drugs appear equally good analgesics in our study.

A comparison of 25 gauge Quincke spinal needle with 26 gauge Eldor spinal needle for the elective Caesarian sections: insertion characteristics and complications.

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to compare the insertion characteristics and incidence of PDPH between 25 gauge Quincke needle and 26 gauge Eldor needle for spinal anaesthesia in elective c/s. METHOD: 60 pregnant women (aged 19-35 yrs and weighing 58 -67 kg) undergoing elective caesarean section were randomized into group A (Quincke spinal needle group) or group B (Eldor spinal needle group). Spinal anaesthesia was performed with 2.9 ml 0.5% heavy bupivacaine using 25 gauge Quincke spinal needle in group A and 26 Gauge Eldor spinal needle in group B. Onset, time of first identification of backflow of CSF, number of attempts, level of sensory and motor blockade, failure of anaesthesia, inadequate anaesthesia and incidence of PDPH were recorded. RESULT: Quincke spinal needle was found easy at insertion, first attempt was successful in 90% of cases, whereas Eldor spinal needle was successful at first attempt in only 60% of cases. Early identification of CSF was seen in Eldor spinal needle group in 3.5 seconds vs. 5.2 seconds in Quincke spinal needle group. Blood mixed CSF was seen in 8 Quincke spinal needle group vs. none in Eldor spinal needle group. Onset was similar between both groups i.e. in 6 minutes. Failure of anaesthesia was none in Eldor spinal needle group vs. 2 in quincke spinal needle group. Height of sensory block achieved was T4 level in 26 parturients,T6 in 1 ,T8 in 1 and no anaesthesia at all in another 2 parturient as compared to T4 level in 29 and T3 in 1 parturient in Eldor spinal needle group. The degree of motor block with the use of Bromage criteria showed a motor score of 1 or 2 in 26 parturients in Quincke spinal needle group vs. same in all cases in Eldor spinal needle group. The total incidence of PDPH was 8.3 % (5 out of 60 parturient) which occurred all in Quincke spinal needle group. 2 parturient who developed severe PDPH required epidural blood patch. CONCLUSION: 26 gauge Eldor spinal needle was found to be better than 25 gauge Quincke spinal needle for caesarian sections to decrease the incidence of PDPH, though not all insertion characteristics were in favour of the Eldor needle.

Supraclavicular brachial plexus block with and without dexamethasone - a comparative study.

To compare the analgesic efficacy of local aesthetic with and without dexamethasone in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing arm, forearm and hand surgeries were randomly selected. The forty patients were divided in two groups of 20 each. In-group one, a brachial plexus block was done with 40-50 ml of local anaesthetic with 1:200,000 adrenaline and in the other group the block was performed with the same amount of local anaesthetics with dexamethasone. The onset of action and duration of analgesia in the two groups were compared and any complications of the procedure were noted. Statistical analysis was done using the independent sample t-test. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in respect to age, sex, and weight. There was significant faster onset of action and prolonged duration of analgesia in the dexamethasone group than in the other group. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Addition of dexamethasone for brachial plexus block significantly prolongs the duration of analgesia without any unwanted effects.

Three in one block for unilateral knee arthrotomy in an old lady.

An old lady having septic arthritis of right knee joint underwent arthrotomy under three in one block for femoral, obturator and lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh in inguinal region, with catheter in situ. She was a case of chronic obstructive airway disease with ischaemic heart disease, so operation and postoperative pain management was planned under regional block. Anaesthesia was started by giving regional block with 0.25% bupivacaine at first and maintained with intermittent injection of 0.125% bupivacaine. The patient was pain free and comfortable though out the perioperative period.

Inter pleural catheter technique for perioperative pain management.

Management of pain in surgical patient is very crucial. It is more so in thoracic and upper abdominal surgery. Lots of technique and drugs have been used to control postoperative pain including thoracic epidural analgesia. We describe a case in whom Intraoperative and Postoperative pain was managed by injecting 0.5% bupivacaine 20 ml in the interpleural space through the catheter, followed by continuous infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine 10 ml/ hour for 24 hours. The whole perioperative and postoperative period was uneventful. The first series of patients in whom this technique was used was described by Murphy in 1983, (1) who used it in patients with multiple fractured ribs and in postoperative patients after gallbladder and kidney surgery. One year later, Reiestad and Kvalheim published their results of continuous intercostal nerve block for postoperative pain relief and presented their modification of the technique, which is now termed interpleural analgesia.