ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In everyday pediatric anesthesia practice, clinicians frequently exchange an already inserted endotracheal tube because of a leak or resistance causing significant morbidity. We investigated the accuracy of two ultrasound measurements; the transverse cricoid diameter and epiphyseal diameter of the distal radius in the prediction of endotracheal tube size that best fits in children compared to age-based formulas. PATIENTS: One hundred children (1-6 years) who underwent elective surgery with endotracheal tube whether cuffed (n = 50) or uncuffed (n = 50) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the agreement between the reference tube size for which its outer diameter was selected based on transverse cricoid diameter and the final best-fit-ETT. The Correlation and Bland Altman agreement tests were conducted between best-fit-ETT outer diameter and ultrasound-measured outer diameter, and between best-fit-ETT inner diameter and inner diameter calculated by age-based formulas. RESULTS: The agreement rate between transverse cricoid diameter-based endotracheal tube size and best-fit-ETT size was 88% in cuffed group compared to 90% in uncuffed group. A significant positive correlation was reported between the outer diameter of best-fit-ETT and the outer diameter measured by the two ultrasound methods. A lower degree of positive correlation was reported between the inner diameter of best-fit-ETT, and the inner diameter calculated by age-based formulas. Bland Altman's analysis showed agreement between best-fit-ETT outer diameter and epiphyseal diameter of the distal radius in both groups and with transverse cricoid diameter in the cuffed group, with no agreement with age-based formulas in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Both transverse cricoid diameter and epiphyseal diameter of the distal radius are reliable predictors of the size of best-fit-ETT pediatric endotracheal tube compared to age-based formulas. To save time and effort, we recommend the US measurement of the epiphyseal diameter of distal radius in the preoperative visit and documenting the predicted tube size with the preoperative assessments.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia , Trachea , Child , Humans , Trachea/diagnostic imaging , Radius , Intubation, Intratracheal/methods , Ultrasonography/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Post-spinal back pain is suggested to occur as a result of a localized inflammatory response that is often associated with some degree of muscle spasm. We aimed to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in reducing the incidence of post-spinal back pain. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly enrolled and scheduled for elective gynecological surgery under spinal anesthesia. After the subarachnoid block, group A (placebo) received 2â¯mL of sodium chloride 0.9% injected into the track of spinal needle during its withdrawal (2â¯mm after outward withdrawal in muscles and subcutaneous tissues). While patients in group B (PRP); received 2â¯ml of PRP injected into the track of the spinal needle during its withdrawal. The primary outcome was the number of patients who developed post-spinal low back pain within the first week following the subarachnoid block. Secondary outcomes included the time of the first analgesic request and total meperidine consumption during the first 24â¯h postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifteen patients in the PRP group developed low back pain during the first week following subarachnoid block compared to 26 patients in the placebo group (pâ¯=â¯0.037). There was a significant decrease in the mean meperidine consumption during first 24â¯h postoperatively in PRP group (174⯱â¯14â¯mg) compared to placebo group (210⯱â¯22â¯mg) (pâ¯<â¯0.0001). Also, the first analgesic request was significantly delayed in PRP group (243⯱â¯21â¯min.) compared to placebo group (185⯱â¯31â¯min.) (pâ¯<â¯0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the positive effects of platelet-rich plasma on the prevention of post-spinal backache.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the postoperative analgesic efficacy of epidural dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine infusion for patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for major upper abdominal cancer surgery were allocated to group bupivacaine (n =32), in which patients received epidural bupivacaine infusion (6 mL/h bupivacaine 0.1%) for 48 hours postoperatively, or group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine (n=32), in which patients received epidural dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine infusion (6 mL/h of bupivacaine 0.1% + dexmedetomidine, 0.5 µg/mL) for 48 hours postoperatively. The cumulative morphine consumption, the time to first analgesic request, and the VAS pain score were evaluated. RESULTS: The cumulative morphine consumption was significantly reduced in group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine compared with group bupivacaine: mean ± SD of 10.40±5.16 mg vs 23.23±8.37 mg with an estimated difference (95% CI) of -12.83 (-16.43, -9.24), (P<0.001). The time to the first analgesic demand was significantly delayed in group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine compared with group bupivacaine: median (IQR) of 6 (1.75, 8.25) h vs 1 (0, 4)h, (P<0.001). The mean collapsed over time of overall VAS pain scores at rest and movement was significantly reduced in group bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine compared with group bupivacaine : mean ± SE of 1.6±0.08 vs 2.38±0.08 with an estimated difference (95% CI) of -0.8 (-1, -0.86), (P<0.001), and mean ± SE of 2.17±0.07 vs 3.25±0.07 with an estimated difference (95% CI) of -1.1 (-1.27, - 0.89), (P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Epidural infusion of dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine for patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery significantly reduced morphine consumption, delayed time to first analgesic supplementation, and decreased pain intensity during the first 48 hours postoperatively without harmful derangement on hemodynamics.
