Role of Gabapentin in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality among young individuals, accounting for 65% of deaths in road traffic accidents. Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a common syndrome associated with TBI. This study represents the first prospective investigation aimed at assessing the impact of gabapentin on TBI patients, focusing on the prevention of secondary brain injury and brain edema while enhancing the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Materials and methods: The study was conducted from September 2019 to July 2021 after receiving ethical committee approval. It included adult ICU patients (≥18 years) with moderate and severe GCS. Patients below 18 years, death within 48 hours, non-consenting, pregnant females, and individuals allergic to gabapentin were excluded from the study. Patients were randomly allocated in two groups: study group received 300 mg of gabapentin orally twice daily and control group received multivitamin tablets twice daily. The treatment period spanned 2 weeks. Follow-up occurred in the ICU and continued for up to 3 months post-discharge, including telephonic conversations. Results: About 60 patients were involved for analysis. Significant differences were found in GCS change from admission to discharge, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 30 and 90 days, PSH episodes, and sedation bolus per day. Glasgow Coma Scale change was 53% in the study group compared with 25% in the control group (p = 0.009). Mortality was significantly lower in the study group. Glasgow Outcome Scale change between 30 and 90 days showed a 25% improvement in cases and no change in controls (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This pioneering study underscores the potential of gabapentin in managing traumatic brain injuries. How to cite this article: Singh R, Ambasta S, Bais PS, Azim A, Kumar S, Upreti B, et al. Role of Gabapentin in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Comparative Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(2):120-125.

Smartphone Use among Anesthesiologists during Work Hours: A Survey-Based Study.

Context: Smartphone use has revolutionized life in all spheres, including the medical field. Smartphones provide immense opportunities but may also lead to negative consequences due to the element of distraction. In the medical profession and more so among anesthesiologists, multitasking has become very common, but the presence of mind is equally important. This study attempts to analyze the smartphone practices and trends among anesthesiologists during work hours in our country. Aims: The study aimed to identify recent trends and practices of smartphone use among anesthesiologists during working hours and its distribution as per designation and institutions. It also intends to determine the purposes of smartphones and their impact on patient care. Settings and Design: Online survey consisting of open-ended multiple-choice questions was conducted and circulated as Google Forms via E-mail and WhatsApp. Subjects and Methods: This survey was conducted to compare the respondents' views as per designation and workplace distribution. In addition, participants were asked about the current practices in smartphone use at their workplace, purposes of use, time spent on smartphones, and any negative medical consequences faced due to the same. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA test was used to compare the means between the groups. Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions. Results: Two hundred and sixteen (54%) were resident doctors, whereas 184 (46%) were consultants. Most of the respondents were young, with a mean age around 36 years. 31.5% of the residents used smartphones very often during anesthetized patient care compared to 10.3% of the consultants. Purposes of using smartphones were multiple, with phone calls (100%) being the most common followed by WhatsApp messaging (79.2%). 86.1% of the residents, as compared to 61% of the consultants, had anesthesia/intensive care unit-related apps on their smartphones. There was almost an equivocal response to how the smartphone has impacted patient care. 50.9% of the residents and 43% of the consultants felt improved patient care, whereas 38% of the residents and 43.5% of the consultants believed it had worsened. Conclusion: There was no clear-cut consensus whether smartphone use improved or worsened patient care. On the one hand, there can be distractions leading to adverse medical consequences, while on the other hand, the use of medical apps has been made possible because of the handy and easily accessible smartphones. Thus, the use of smartphones may be carried out with a sense of responsibility by the anesthesiologists during work hours.

Evaluation of Patterns of Trauma Reporting to the Emergency Department During the First COVID-19 Lockdown in India.

Background On March 24, 2020, the Government of India declared a nationwide lockdown and a series of measures aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This led to dynamic changes in patient inflow and management in the emergency department.This study aims to evaluate the impact of the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods on the demography of trauma in a tertiary care teaching hospitaland to compare it with the homologous period of 2019. Methods The trauma caseloads between March 25, 2020, and April 14, 2020, and that of the homologous period of 2019 were thoroughly analyzed and compared retrospectively. Results There was an overall decrease in trauma patients. Elderly male patients had an increased incidence of injury during the lockdown period with a significant p-value (0.0009). There was a significant increase in the number of minor orthopedic procedures while there was a significant decrease in the number of major orthopedic procedures. Fractures of the proximal femur were significantly increased during the lockdown period (p-value0.011) and fractures of the femur and tibia shaft were significantly decreased during the lockdown period (p-value0.002). Fractures of the distal radius were significantly increased during the lockdown period (p-value0.005) and fractures of the shaft of humerus, radius, and ulna were significantly decreased during the lockdown period (p-value0.028). Injuries following fall, trivial trauma, and animal-induced trauma were significantly increased (p-values <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.014, respectively), whereas injuries following sports and motor vehicle accidents were significantly decreased (p-value 0.006, <0.0001, respectively). The number of patients reaching within the golden hour (<1 hour) was significantly increased (p-value 0.0003). The total number of patients presenting under the influence of alcohol during the lockdown period was significantly decreased (p-value- <0.0001). The use of government-sponsored ambulances for transport to the hospital was significantly increased during the lockdown period (p <0.0001). Conclusion Strict administrative measures had a high impact on the number and epidemiology of trauma with remarkable changes. There was a decreased number of trauma cases but the mechanism, type, and management of these cases were significantly altered from the homologous period of the previous year.

Ultrasound-Guided Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Hip and Femur Surgeries: A Retrospective Analysis.

CONTEXT: Fractures of femur and hip surgeries pose a challenge because of excruciating pain. Fascia iliaca compartment block is an effective and easily learned procedure to decrease postoperative pain score and dosage of opioid. Many adjuvants are combined with local anesthetics to prolong the postoperative analgesia. AIMS: The aim was to study duration of postoperative analgesia in terms of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), number of times rescue analgesic used, any adverse effect, and patient satisfaction score. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Operation theatre of Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was retrospective study with 203 patients evaluated. Based on the combination of the anesthesia and drugs, study patients were divided into six groups. Pain scores were assessed at 6 hourly intervals for 24 h. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Kruskal-Wallis H-test used to compare NRS as well as age and duration of anesthesia. Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test used to compare the proportions. RESULTS: Postoperative analgesia was comparable and insignificant (P > 0.05) at 0, 6, 12 h in all six groups. Better postoperative analgesia was observed with dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvant at 18 h, dexmedetomidine as adjuvant in comparison to dexamethasone as adjuvant at 24 h. Rescue analgesia in postoperative period was required maximum in plain bupivacaine. Satisfaction levels were good and excellent in dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvant. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine provides longer duration, good quality postoperative analgesia, reduced requirement for rescue analgesic, lesser postoperative nausea and vomiting, and better satisfaction levels.

Back to the drawing board-relearn the clinical skills: A root cause analysis of a missed case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis being misdiagnosed as bronchial asthma has been reported in the literature on several occasions. Diagnosing this condition needs precise clinical acumen which could lead us to make an integrated diagnostic and treatment plan. Here, we report another missed case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis and the root cause analysis of the incident. This report emphasises the need for appropriate clinical examinations and workup during the pre-operative assessment.

Bilateral Discoid Medial Menisci: A Case Report.

CASE: We present the case of a 37-year-old man with features of a meniscal tear in 1 symptomatic knee and radiographic findings of discoid menisci in both knees. A provisional diagnosis of bilateral discoid medial menisci was made. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the discoid nature of the medial menisci in both knees. The symptomatic knee was managed with good results by partial meniscectomy using a routine arthroscopic procedure. CONCLUSION: Discoid medial meniscus is a relatively rare pathology of the knee joint, and bilateral cases are extremely rare. A high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis; only symptomatic knees should be treated surgically.