Safety and efficacy of ayush rasayana A and B in improving functionality of the elderly – A single-arm multicenter study

Background: As per Ayurvedic classics, Ras?yana is a term used for unique therapeutic measures intended to improve cognition, memory, physical strength and delay the degenerative processes. Ayush Rasayana A & B are developed from extracts of herbs pertaining rasayana property. Aims & Objectives: To assess the safety and effectiveness of ‘Ayush Rasayana A and B’ in improving physical endurance, quality of life and cognition of elderly. Materials and Methods: This is an open label, single arm, multi-centre study among 256 apparently healthy elderly between 60?75 years. Ayush Rasayan A was given for 6 days and Ayush Rayana B for 180 days. The effect of the trial drug was seen on functional capacity, quality of life and cognitive function and, safety of the intervention was assessed through haematological and biochemical tests, clinical examination and incidence of adverse events. Results: Significant improvement in 6 minute walk test and HMSE score was observed at 187th as compared to baseline (p<0.0001). Quality of life of the participants especially in domains of physical health, social relationship and environment also improved at the end of intervention period (p<0.0001). The haematological and bio-chemical parameters showed no significant changes as compared to baseline and no adverse events were observed during the study. Conclusion: Ayush Rasayana A and Ayush Rasayana B, both were well tolerated by all the participants. This ayurvedic intervention can be safely given to apparently healthy elderly to improve their functionality, quality of life and cognition. However, a randomized controlled trial is warranted to substantiate the efficacy of this drug.

Myomectomy during cesarean section: is it a contraindication these days?

Myomectomy during the cesarean section is a debatable procedure because of raised risk of associated uncontrollable hemorrhage and postoperative morbidity. 38 years, elderly primigravida, who conceived after primary infertility with large leiomyoma in the lower uterine segment, underwent myomectomy during the cesarean section. Her intra-operative hemorrhage was within normal limits and post-partum period was uneventful. Conclusion of this study is Safety and feasibility of myomectomy along with cesarean largely depends upon the case selection, experience of the obstetrician and backup ICU and transfusion facilities.

Assessment of labor room communication skills among postgraduate students of obstetrics and gynecology

Background: “Communication with patients” is an important skill needed for every physician in their clinical practice.  These soft skills are required in dealing with patients at every step which include history taking from the patients, explaining them the diagnosis, the prognosis of the disease with associated complications. Dealing with empathy, taking informed consent, explaining the operative procedure and the complications associated with surgery, the art of breaking bad news are the mandatory skills for a good clinician. Labouring women like other patients also require special attention and empathy. So, the residents working in labor room need commitment to develop these soft skills in order to improve the labor room experience of expectant mothers. Objective of this study was to analyse role of a formal training in labor room communication skills among post graduate students of the department of obstetrics and gynecology.Methods: Faculty and students’ sensitization was done after approval from institutional ‘ethics committee’ for conducting this study. Pre-workshop assessment of residents for communication skills attitude and effective communication was done through ‘communication skill attitude scale’ (CSAS) and ‘GAP-KALAMAZOO scale’. Workshop for communication skills on the framework of Calgary Cambridge patient interview model and online teaching of students through what’s app videos, role-play demonstrations was followed by reassessment of the residents through above used scales.Results: Results depicted both improvements in attitude and effective communication skills among residents. 100% of the students were convinced and opined that good communication skills necessary for perfect clinical practice.Conclusions: The skill to communicate with patients is a fine art and needs to be mastered to be a good clinician. A formal training in effective communication skills is absolutely necessary to bring professionalism in medical practice.

A prospective randomized study to compare dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative analgesia in caesarean delivery

Background: Caesarean section is most frequently performed surgery worldwide. Patients experience moderate to severe pain in the first 48 hours post-operatively. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia in patients of caesarean section.Methods: A total 120 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective and emergency caesarean section under subarachnoid block were randomly divided into three groups B, BDM, BDX to receive bupivacaine alone or dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated for pain level at rest and on movement with a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain), time to demand of first analgesic request, number of analgesic requirements, nausea or vomiting, sedation and patient satisfaction at 0 hours and at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours.Results: VAS score was significantly higher in group B in comparison to BDM and BDX, and higher in BDX in comparison to group BDM. Mean duration of analgesia was significantly higher in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Total number of rescue analgesic demands were significantly lower in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Sedation score and satisfaction score was higher in group BDM as compared to group B and BDX.Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine reduces postoperative pain, prolongs analgesia, decreases demand for additional analgesics and provides better maternal satisfaction as compared to plain bupivacaine group in TAP block in patients undergoing caesarean section under subarachnoid block. Among dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine had prolonged analgesia as compared to dexamethasone group.

Comparative study of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy: a randomized control study

Background: Ultrasound guided TAP block is safe, simple and effective method of providing postoperative analgesia in surgeries involving abdominal wall incision by blocking anterior branches of thoracolumbar nerves originating from T6-L1. Our aim to study the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing TAH.Methods: Prospective, double blind randomized control study. Ninety ASA I and II patients scheduled for TAH were randomly assigned in a double blinded study and divided into three groups. Group L received 18ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine+2ml of NS to make total volume of 20ml on each side. Group LC and Group LD received 18ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine + 1 mcg/kg of clonidine or dexmedetomidine diluted in NS to make total volume of 20ml on each side. USG guided TAP block was given when subarachnoid block level regressed to T10 level. Postoperatively patients were assessed for pain scores, HR, SBP, DBP, nausea vomiting, sedation and satisfaction scores at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 12 and 24 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software 17. p value<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Pain scores were significantly lower in LD and LC groups as compared to L group and demand for first rescue analgesic was delayed in LD group (491.50±73.29min) and group LC (268.00±35.47min) as compared to group L (129.17±10.67min). The total number of demand doses in 24 hours were significantly less in group LD (1.00±0.00) followed by group LC (2.03±0.18) and group L (2.77±0.57) respectively. Incidence of hypotension, bradycardia and sedation was more in LD group as compared to LC and L groups.Conclusions: TAP block with dexmetomidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine provides prolonged postoperative analgesia as compared to clonidine as an adjunct and plain levobupivacaine.

Transthoracic repair of diaphragmatic hiatus hernia with esophageal shortening where laparoscopic abdominal approach does not give satisfactory results.

A 50 year old female patient presented with history of regurgitation of food, heart burn, dyspepsia. Patient was investigated and presence of large hiatus hernia was confirmed on endoscopy, computed tomogram chest and barium swallow. Patient had severe symptoms even with maximum medical management, therefore surgical intervention was planned. Left posterolateral thoracotomy was done through sixth intercostal space. Mobilization of esophagus, reduction of stomach and Belsey Mark IV 270 degree anterolateral fundoplication was done. Patient was discharged on 7th postoperative day. First follow up was I month after the discharge and patient had significant relief from the preoperative problems.