Effect of continuous intra-incisional bupivacaine on postoperative pain in non-traumatic spinal fixation surgeries: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Continuous injection of local anesthetics by using surgical wound catheters for postoperative pain relief has gained acceptance in recent years. However, whether this method can be alternatively used instead of systemic opioids in different surgical procedures has not yet been elucidated. Objectives The aim was to investigate the effect of continuous injection of bupivacaine through a catheter inside the surgical wound on reducing the postoperative pain of lumbar spine fusion surgeries. Methods In this clinical trial, 31 patients undergoing non-traumatic lumbar spine stabilization surgery were randomly assigned to receive (n = 15) or do not receive (n = 16) bupivacaine through a catheter inside the surgical wound, postoperatively. Pain intensity (NRS), dose of required morphine, and drug-related complications within 24 hours of intervention were assessed and compared by the Mann-Whitney and independent t-test. Results Mean pain intensity was significantly lower in the case group over the first postoperative hour in the recovery room (p < 0.001), which continued for the first 2 hours after entering the ward. The mean morphine intake was lower in the bupivacaine group during the first postoperative 24 hours (16 ± 0.88 vs. 7.33 ± 0.93 mg, p < 0.001). The two groups were not significantly different regarding drug-related complications. Conclusion Continuous intra-incisional infusion of bupivacaine helped better pain reduction during the early postoperative hours while sparing morphine consumption in the first postoperative day.

Disclosing a diagnosis of acute coronary artery disease.

Objective: The disclosure of bad news is one of the most difficult tasks of a physician. This study explores how physicians prefer to disclose bad news to patients with acute coronary disease in emergency centres in Iran, and to their families. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out during 2012–2013 on a sample of 280 patients and 180 families of patients admitted for suspected acute coronary syndrome in the emergency departments of two teaching hospitals in Tehran. Neither hospital had a stated policy on the disclosure of a diagnosis of acute coronary disease. The subjects’ demographic characteristics and attitudes to the manner in which the diagnosis was revealed were registered in a questionnaire. Results: The patients of acute coronary disease were more likely than their families to believe that the patient should be informed of the diagnosis and that the doctor-in-charge was the appropriate person to make the diagnosis known. Most participants thought that the patient should be informed immediately after the diagnosis. Nearly half the participants felt that the diagnosis should be disclosed at the patient’s bedside. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the attitudes of Iranian patients of acute coronary disease towards truth-telling differed from those of their families. Therefore, physicians should be made aware of this fact and trained to develop the skills to disclose the diagnosis in an appropriate manner.

Tubo laríngeo com sucção descartável versus reutilizável para ventilação de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica / Disposable versus reusable laryngeal tube suction for ventilation in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy / Tubo laríngeo con succión desechable versus reutilizable para la ventilación de pacientes sometidos a la colecistectomía laparoscópica

Justificativa e objetivos: O tubo laríngeo com sucção (LTS-II) é uma versão recente dos dispositivos supraglóticos reutilizáveis que permitem a drenagem gástrica. Neste estudo prospectivo e aleatório comparam-se inserção e ventilação de LTS-II descartável (LTS-D) com a reutilizável (LTS-II) para manuseio das vias aéreas em condições associadas com pressão abdominal elevada induzida por pneumoperitônio. Método: Sessenta pacientes, ASA I e II, submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica eletiva foram aleatoriamente separados para receber LTS-D (n = 30) ou LTS-II (n = 30) para manutenção das vias aéreas. Após a indução da anestesia geral, os dispositivos foram inseridos, seu correto posicionamento foi verificado e a pressão de vazamento de ar foi medida. Facilidade de inserção, qualidade do selo das vias aéreas, visualização fibrobroncoscópica, risco de insuflação gástrica, inserção do tubo nasogástrico e morbidade faríngea pós-operatória foram avaliados. Resultados: Os índices de sucesso da primeira e segunda tentativas foram comparados nos dois grupos (86 por cento versus 93 por cento e 96 por cento versus 96 por cento nos grupos LTS-D e LTS-II, respectivamente). Um paciente de cada grupo não pode ser intubado após três tentativas Após a insuflação, a ventilação falhou em um paciente no grupo LTS-D e em dois pacientes no LTS-II e os pacientes precisaram ser intubados com cânula traqueal. O tempo até o primeiro volume corrente ser fornecido pelo LTS-D e LTS-II foi de 20,8 ± 11,6 e 18,2 ± 4,8 segundos, respectivamente (p = 0,27), e o tempo de fixação e manipulação foi de 73,3 ± 18,5 e 65,5 ± 16,2 segundos, respectivamente (p = 0,096). Sonda nasogástrica foi inserida em todos os pacientes. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nas queixas pós-operatórias. Conclusões: Foi possível obter vias aéreas seguras com os dois dispositivos em condições de pressão intra-abdominal elevada.

Background and objective: The laryngeal tube suction II (LTS-II) is a recent version of reusable supraglottic airway devices allowing gastric drainage. In this prospective, randomized study we compared insertion and ventilation of disposable LTS-II (LTS-D) with reusable type (LTS-II) for airway management under conditions with elevated intra abdominal pressure induced by capnoperitoneum. Methods: 60 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive either a LTS-D (n=30) or LTS-II (n=30) for airway management. After induction of general anaesthesia the devices were inserted, their correct placement was verified and airway leak pressure was measured. Ease of insertion, quality of airway seal, fiberoptic view, risk of gastric insufflation, insertion of nasogastric tube and postoperative pharyngeal morbidity were examined. Results: First time and second time success rates were comparable for both groups (86 percent vs. 93 percent and 96 percent vs. 96 percent in LTS-D and LTS-II groups, respectively). One patient in each group could not be intubated after three attempts. After gas insufflation, ventilation of one patient in LTS-D and 2 patients in LTS-II groups was faulty and the patients were intubated with endotracheal tube. Time until delivery of first tidal volume for LTS-D and LTS-II was 20.8 ± 11.6 s, and 18.2 ± 4.8 seconds respectively (p = 0.27), fixation and manipulation time was 73.3 ± 18.5 and 65.5 ± 16.2 seconds, respectively (p = 0.096). Nasogastric tube insertion was successful in all patients. There were no significant differences in postoperative complaints. Conclusions: Both devices provide a secure airway under conditions of elevated intra abdominal pressure.

Justificativa y objetivos: El tubo laríngeo con succión (LTSII) es una versión reciente de los dispositivos supraglóticos reutilizables que permiten el drenaje gástrico. En este estudio prospectivo y aleatorio, comparamos la inserción y la ventilación de LTS-II desechable (LTS-D) con la reutilizable (LTS-II) para la administración de las vías aéreas en condiciones asociadas con la presión abdominal elevada inducida por el neumoperitoneo. Método: Sesenta pacientes ASA I y II sometidos a la colecistectomía laparoscópica electiva fueron aleatoriamente divididos para recibir el LTS-D (n = 30) o LTS-II (n = 30) para la administración de las vías aéreas. Después de la inducción de la anestesia general, los dispositivos se insertaron, y se verificó su correcta posición junto con la presión de salida de aire que también se midió. La facilidad de inserción, la calidad del sellado de las vías aéreas, la visualización fibrobroncoscópica, el riesgo de insuflación gástrica, la inserción del tubo nasogástrico y la morbilidad faríngea postoperatoria fueron evaluadas. Resultados: Los índices de éxito del primer y segundo intento se compararon en los de los grupos (86 por ciento vs. 93 por ciento y 96 por ciento vs. 96 por ciento en los grupos LTS-D y LTS-II, respectivamente); un paciente en cada grupo no pudo ser intubado después de haberlo intentado tres veces. Después de la insuflación, la ventilación de uno y de dos de los pacientes en los grupos LTS-D y LTS-II, respectivamente, falló y los pacientes necesitaron ser intubados con un tubo endotraqueal. El tiempo hasta que se suministró el primer volumen corriente a través del LTS-D y LTSII fue de 20,8 ± 11,6 y 18,2 ± 4,8 segundos, respectivamente (p = 0,27), el tiempo de fijación y manipulación fue de 73,3 ± 18,5 y 65,5 ± 16,2 segundos, respectivamente (p = 0,096). El tubo nasogástrico fue insertado en todos los pacientes. No se observaron diferencias significativas en los quejidos del postoperatorio...