A comparison of analgesic efficacy and safety of clonidine and methylprednisolone as additives to 0.25% ropivacaine in stellate ganglion block for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: a prospective randomised single blind study

Background@#The role of the sympathetic nervous system appears to be central in causing pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The stellate ganglion block (SGB) using additives with local anesthetics is an established treatment modality. However, literature is sparse in support of selective benefits of different additives for SGB.Hence, the authors aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of clonidine with methylprednisolone as additives to ropivacaine in the SGB for treatment of CRPS. @*Methods@#A prospective randomized single blinded study (the investigator blinded to the study groups) was conducted among patients with CRPS-I of the upper limb, aged 18–70 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I–III. Clonidine (15 μg) and methylprednisolone (40 mg) were compared as additives to 0.25% ropivacaine (5 mL) for SGB. After medical treatment for two weeks, patients in each of the two groups were given seven ultrasound guided SGBs on alternate days. @*Results@#There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to visual analogue scale score, edema, or overall patient satisfaction. After 1.5 months follow-up, however, the group that received methylprednisolone had better improvement in range of motion. No significant side effects were seen with either drug. @*Conclusions@#The use of additives, both methylprednisolone and clonidine, is safe and effective for the SGB in CRPS. The significantly better improvement in joint mobility with methylprednisolone suggests that it should be considered promising as an additive to local anaesthetics when joint mobility is the concern.

Clinical characteristics and management of patients with fat embolism syndrome in level I Apex Trauma Centre / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is systemic manifestation of fat emboli in the circulation seen mostly after long bone fractures. FES is considered a lethal complication of trauma. There are various case reports and series describing FES. Here we describe the clinical characteristics, management in ICU and outcome of these patients in level I trauma center in a span of 6 months.@*METHODS@#In this prospective study, analysis of all the patients with FES admitted in our polytrauma intensive care unit (ICU) of level I trauma center over a period of 6 months (from August 2017 to January 2018) was done. Demographic data, clinical features, management in ICU and outcome were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#We admitted 10 cases of FES. The mean age of patients was 31.2 years. The mean duration from time of injury to onset of symptoms was 56 h. All patients presented with hypoxemia and petechiae but central nervous system symptoms were present in 70% of patients. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 11.7 days and the mean length of ICU stay was 14.7 days. There was excellent recovery among patients with no neurological deficit.@*CONCLUSION@#FES is considered a lethal complication of trauma but timely management can result in favorable outcome. FES can occur even after fixation of the fracture. Hypoxia is the most common and earliest feature of FES followed by CNS manifestations. Any patient presenting with such symptoms should raise the suspicion of FES and mandate early ICU referral.

Fentanyl pretreatment for alleviation of perineal symptoms following preoperative administration of intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate - a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study

Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiemetic effects but causes severe perineal symptoms when given intravenously. Simultaneous administration of dexamethasone and fentanyl have been known to decrease the duration of perineal pain but its role in alleviating perineal pain has not been studied. Therefore, we hypothesized that fentanyl pretreatment could prevent the perineal symptoms associated with the dexamethasone. Material and This prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study was done in 200 patients undergoing elective surgery requiring dexamethasone. The patients were randomized into two groups of 100 each. Group BD received 5 ml normal saline followed, 5 minutes later, by 8 mg dexamethasone bolus intravenously. Group FD received 1 micro g/kg fentanyl diluted in saline to a volume of 5 ml followed by 8 mg dexamethasone bolus 5 minutes later. The time of onset, intensity, site, duration and nature of the pain after the drug administration were recorded. The demographic profile was comparable in the two groups. The incidence and severity of pain was more in females as compared to males [p value = 0]. The pain was located especially in the perineal region and was expressed as itching [62%], burning [13%] or both [25%]. The incidence of pain, its duration and severity were significantly reduced after pretreatment with fentanyl [p value = 0]. Discussion: Our study showed that the intravenous administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate leads to significant perineal symptoms. These symptoms are alleviated by pretreatment with fentanyl [1 micro g/kg] [incidence, severity and duration]. The pharmacological mechanism explaining perineal pain with intravenous administration of dexamethasone remains poorly understood, but could be related to the phosphate ester. We conclude, but intravenous administration of dexamethasone sodium sodium phosphate is associated with perineal pain an can be alleviated effectively by pretreatment with 1 micro g/ kg of fentanyl