Extra note of music in anaesthesia

Role of music has been identified since ancient times for alleviating anxiety. Music has been known for its potential to produce a sense of wellbeing and peace. Anaesthesia and surgery are major stress factors for any person. Preoperative anxiety is a usual phenomenon in patients posted for various surgical interventions as well as those admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Literature shows ample evidence regarding neurohormonal disturbances related to stressful situations like preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative periods. Music has been shown to attenuate release of various biochemical molecules leading to relaxing and sedative effects on the brain. Not only patients under regional anaesthesia who are awake have a positive impact, even patients under general anaesthesia have also been shown to benefit from listening to music intraoperatively. Music is a hazard free intervention which can be added to various drug combinations used by anaesthesiologists.

Foreign Body Rectum: A Case Report

Rectal foreign bodies are confronted frequently in a surgical emergency. These are often related to sexual behaviour. Due to the fear of social embarrassment, patients tend to hide the facts associated with the incident and present late. Because of the serious complications, foreign body rectum should be considered as an emergency and managed in a well-organised manner. Diagnosis can be made by clinical and radiological examination. In the majority of cases, the transanal approach is successful. Laparotomy is reserved for cases with perforation or peritonitis. Here, we report the case of a 24-year-old male who inserted an electrical beard trimmer in his rectum under alcohol intoxication. Since transanal removal failed, emergency laparotomy with successful removal of foreign body was done

Music: an effective anxiolytic during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia

Background: Parturient undergoing repeat caesarean section (CS) under spinal anaesthesia usually experience anxiety due to unpleasant operative environment. Music therapy has been found to have positive psychological impact to relieve anxiety, improve patient satisfaction and provide stable haemodyanamics.Methods: Sixty patients without any co morbidity having history of previous CS, scheduled for another caesarean under spinal anaesthesia were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group(M) patients were subjected to hearing music of their choice with the help of headphones after administration of spinal anaesthesia till the end of surgery. Group(N) patients were not made to listen to any music but headphones were applied. Haemodyanamic parameters including mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), visual analogue score for anxiety (VASA) after administering spinal block and at the end of surgery, patient satisfaction score (PSS) and comparison of anxiety with previous CS were observed and recorded.Results: Both MAP and HR in Group M started falling after 10 minutes of spinal anaesthesia as compared to Group N and difference was significant (P <0.005), VASA 2 (2.2±1.8) in Group M was significantly lower than VASA 1 (5.4±1.7). PSS was also in favour of music group (Group M) and difference was highly significant as compared to group N (p=0.018). Patient’s anxiety as compared to anxiety with previous CS was lesser in Group M as compared to Group N(p=0.009).Conclusions: Music is a non-invasive tool to relieve anxiety during intraoperative period along with higher patient satisfaction and stable haemodyanamics.

Odd hours auspicious caesarean sections

In clinical practice, various obstetrical indications lead to the need to perform caesarean section deliveries in order to ensure maternal safety and favourable neonatal out comes. World Health Organization (WHO), in accordance with scientific evidence has stated that maximum safe limit of caesarean sections in any region throughout the globe is 10-15%. However, many countries including India have shown much higher rates during researches. Socio cultural factors like auspicious dates and time of deliveries also have a hidden role to play in these rising caesarean trends, in which the babies are delivered at the desired day and time for bright future as predicted by astrologers. This practice may be full of hazards and complications for mother, baby, as well as the medical and paramedical personnel. In addition, the resource crunch created in society by unnecessary surgeries may also hamper treatment of deserving patients.