Effect of coenzyme Q10 on organ damage in sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the effects of coenzyme Q10 on organ damage and survival on mice in cecal ligation perforation (CLP) model in sepsis. BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant molecule playing an important role in mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism in sepsis pathophysiology. METHODS: Nintyfour Swiss Albino male mice were divided into 8 groups. CLP was performed in Group I. Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously, was given 5 hours after CLP to Group II and 20 hours after CLP to Group III. Sham operation was performed in Group IV, 100 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 subcutaneously was given 5 hours after sham operation to Group V and 20 hours after sham operation to Group VI. No operation was performed in Group VII; coenzyme Q10, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously, was given to Group VIII. Antibiotics and fluid replacement were applied for 3 days. The mice still living were sacrificed at 576th hour. The organ damages were scored under light microscopy. RESULTS: The survival of Group I and Group II was lower than that of the control groups, but the survival in the Group III was similar to control groups. It was established that spleen, kidney, heart damage and total organ damage were decreased when compared to CLP group. CONCLUSIONS: Coenzyme Q10 is effective in decreasing histological organ damage in sepsis (Tab. 3. Fig. 1, Ref. 30).

Homocysteine levels and bad obstetric outcome among female operating room personnel occupationally exposed to nitrous oxide.

It is known that nitrous oxide (N2O) inactivates vitamin B12 and causes hyperhomocysteinemia. The personnel working at the operating theatres are repeatedly exposed to N2O in the ambient air. This prompted us to investigate the biochemical indices of vitamin B12 metabolic status among female personnel working under various levels of N2O exposure. In this study, the homocysteine and folic acid levels were assessed and bad obstetric outcome was questioned. Sixty operating theatre female personnel were examined. Vitamin B12 and folic acid, total homocysteine level, anticardiolipin IgM, IgG, antiphospholipid IgM, IgG levels were measured in serum. A questionnaire inquiring about obstetric history was given. The serum concentration of folic acid was 10 ± 3.3 nmol liter-1. The vitamin B12 level was 332 ± 134 pmol liter-1, the serum concentration of homocysteine was 9.1 ± 2.4 nmol liter-1 and all were within normal ranges. There was no difference regarding homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12 levels and the obstetric history between the subjects who had abortus history and the subjects who had not abortus history. Exposure to N2O in healthcare workers was not associated with alterations of homocysteine, folic acid status and bad obstetric outcome (Tab. 4, Ref. 18).

Impact of perioperative lidocaine infusion and bis monitorization on remifentanil dosage in hypotensive anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Combination of local and regional anesthetic agents are widely used in emergency and surgical setting and the interaction between the medications used in general anesthesia and these local and/or regional anesthetic becomes a growing concern in current patient management system. The interaction between general anesthetic agents and the local anesthetic agents given epidurally, spinally, intravenously or intramuscularly and the effects of BIS monitorisation on combined propofol-remifentanil anesthesia are examined in several studies. In literature, there is no research investigating the effect of lidocaine infusion on remifentanil and anesthetic dosage used in hypotensive anesthesia. The aim of this study is to examine this effect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 39, ASA I-II patients undergoing elective transsphenoidal endoscopic hypophyseal adenoma excision procedure. After preoperative examination and informed consent of the patient, monitorisation with non invasive blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography, pulse oxymeter and Bispectral Index (BIS) was performed. 0.9% NaCl infusion was started via a 20 G route. Lidocaine (1%) was given as 1.5 mg.kg(-1) hour-1 infusion after 1.5 mg.kg(-1) bolus dosage given in 10 minutes. Lidocaine infusion was started at the same time with anesthesia induction and was stopped after surgery. 0.9% NaCl was given as bolus dosage and as infusion in control group. Induction was maintained via propofol (1%) with 10 mg (1 ml) doses given in 5 seconds and it was applied in every 15 seconds until BIS < 45'. During maintenance of anesthesia desflurane-remifentanil-oxygen (50%)-air (50%) mixture was used. Desflurane was titrated by BIS measurement between 40 and 5012. Remifentanil infusion was started after propofol induction with 0.1 µg.kg(-1).min(-1) dosage and it was titrated between 0.1-0.5 µg.kg(-1).min(-1) levels. For intubation, rocuronium with 0.8 mg kg(-1) dosage was given during induction. After the surgical procedure, it was antagonised with neostigmine and atropine. For postoperative analgesia 1 g paracetamole was given IV after the surgery within 15 minutes and it was reapplied with 1 gr doses in every 6 hours. After extubation, the pain of the patients was examined at 15. minute at the recovery room with VRS (VRS; 0-no pain, 1-slight pain, 2-moderate pain, 3-severe pain). If VRS was greater than 2, 50 mg dolantine was given IM. For prevention of nausea and vomitting, 8 mg ondansetron was given IV. Perioperative total doses of remifentanil, desflurane (ml) (anesthesia machine records) and lidocaine (mg) were recorded after the surgery. Perioperative hemodynamic parameters (systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressures, heart rates) were recorded after monitorisation (basal), after intubation, after the start of the surgery and after extubation. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant difference between two groups with respect to patient characteristics (age, gender, weight, length, Basal Mass Index = BMI) (p > 0.05). The duration of anesthesia and surgery were also not different statistically (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant difference between two groups with respect to remifentanil dose (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant difference between two groups with respect to eye opening and extubation times (p > 0.05). When usage rates and amounts of dolantine, paracetamole and novalgine were compared, we found no statistically significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05). Basal mean arterial blood pressure measurements of the patients and mean arterial blood pressure measurements of the patients after induction, after intubation, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes after discharge of surgery and after extubation showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Basal heart rate measurements and the heart rates after induction, after intubation, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes after discharge of surgery and after extubation showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Basal BIS measurements and BIS measurements after induction, after intubation, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes after discharge of surgery and after extubation showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found no statistically significant difference between two groups about different parameters. But new investigations with different local anesthetic agents may show sigificant difference and usage of these local anesthetic agents may be advised.

Prophylactic ketamine to prevent shivering in parturients undergoing Cesarean delivery during spinal anesthesia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of ketamine 0.25 mg/kg with ketamine 0.5 mg/kg to prevent shivering in patients undergoing Cesarean delivery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Operating rooms and postoperative recovery rooms. PATIENTS: 120 ASA physical status 1 and 2 pregnant women scheduled for Cesarean delivery during spinal anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: Patient characteristics, anesthetic and surgical details, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and side effects of the study drugs were recorded. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry, tympanic temperature, severity of shivering, and degree of sedation were recorded before intrathecal injection and thereafter every 5 minutes. Patients were randomized to three groups: saline (Group C, n=30), intravenous (IV) ketamine 0.25 mg/kg (Group K-0.25, n=30), or IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (Group K-0.5, n=30). Grade 3 or 4 shivering was treated with IV meperidine 25 mg and the prophylaxis was regarded as ineffective. MAIN RESULTS: The number of shivering patients was significantly less in Group K-0.25 and in Group K-0.5 than in Group C (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). The tympanic temperature values of Group C were lower at all times of the study than in either ketamine group. Median sedation scores of Group K-0.5 were significantly higher than in Group K-0.25 or Group C at 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after spinal anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic IV ketamine 0.25 mg/kg was as effective as IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg in preventing shivering in patients undergoing Cesarean section during spinal anesthesia.

Effect of intra-articular injection of levobupivacaine on articular cartilage and synovium in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Intra-articular local anesthetics are often used for prevention of pain after arthroscopic knee surgery. However, the effect of local anesthetics other than bupivacaine on articular cartilage and synovium has not been studied. Also, complications associated with the injection of intra-articular bupivacaine have appeared in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of levobupivacaine on the articular cartilage and the synovium in rats. METHODS: Under aseptic conditions 0.25 ml (5 mg/ml) of levobupivacaine was injected into the right knee joint while 0.25 ml of saline was simultaneously injected into the left knee joint of 20 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The purpose of saline injections was to serve as a control group. Groups of five rats were killed on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 after administration of injections. The knee joint samples were evaluated for the presence of inflammation in the articular and periarticular tissues and the synovium. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the levobupivacaine and control groups with respect to inflammation in the articular and periarticular tissues and the synovium. CONCLUSIONS: Although more studies are needed before final recommendations can be made, by evaluating the results obtained from this study, the clinical use of intra-articular levobupivacaine can be recommended for arthroscopic knee surgery.

WITHDRAWN The analgesic effect of paracetamol when added to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher AIM: Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is frequently used in patients who will undergo upper extremity surgical operations for its ease of use, rapid effectiveness and short hospitalization period. Different drug combinations have been used to overcome some systemic adverse effects and to increase the postoperative analgesic effectiveness. In our study, we evaluated the effects of paracetamol (Perfalgan) when added to lidocaine for IVRA, looking specifically at tourniquet pain and postoperative pain. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing elective hand surgery with IVRA were randomly assigned to three groups to receive either IV saline and C-IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine 3 mg/kg (control group, N=30), IV saline and IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine and 20 mL paracetamol (10 mg/cc) (P-IVRA group, N=30) or IV paracetamol and IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine (L-IV group, N=30). The following were measured: 1) sensory and motor block onset and recovery time, 2) tourniquet pain after tourniquet application and at 10, 20 and 30 min after tourniquet deflation, 3) the visual analog scale (VAS) scores of tourniquet pain at 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h postoperatively, 4) the time to first analgesic requirement, 5) total analgesic consumption in 24 h and 6) side effects. RESULTS: Sensory and motor block onset and recovery times were similar in both groups. VAS scores of tourniquet pain were lower in group P-IRVA at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h, postoperatively (P<0.01). Anesthesia quality, as determined by the anesthesiologist and surgeon, was similar in both groups. The time to the first postoperative analgesic request was 67.83±57.48 min in group C-IRVA and 93±80.79 min in group P-IRVA (P<0.05). Paracetamol consumption was significantly less in group P-IRVA (1.60± 1 [tablets]) when compared with group C-IRVA (2.45±0.9; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perfalgan as an adjunct to lidocaine improves postoperative analgesia in IVRA without adverse effects.

Comparison of Flexiblade and Macintosh laryngoscopes: cervical extension angles during orotracheal intubation.

SUMMARY: The Flexiblade(TM) is a new laryngoscope with a flexible blade, a handle and a lever, allowing gradual flexion over the distal half of the blade. In this study, we aimed to compare cervical vertebral movements during tracheal intubation with the Flexiblade and Macintosh laryngoscope in 32 patients undergoing elective surgery requiring general anaesthesia (n = 16 per group). Fluoroscopic images of cervical movement were captured before, during and after intubation and evaluated by a radiologist. C1-C2 cervical vertebral movement was significantly reduced during the intubation in the Flexiblade group (p < 0.0001). C2-C3 cervical movement was similar in both groups (p = 0.81). No significant differences were noted in success rates for intubation, oxygen saturation levels, haemodynamic variables or intubation-related injury. The decreased extension angle between C1-C2 during Flexiblade laryngoscopy compared with Macintosh laryngoscopy may be an advantage where neurological damage with cervical movement is a concern.

Comparison of two ketamine-propofol dosing regimens for sedation during interventional radiology procedures.

AIM: Invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiological procedures can be painful and anxiety provoking. The combination of propofol and ketamine may minimize the need for supplemental opioid analgesics and has the potential to provide better sedation with less toxicity than either drug alone. METHODS: Seventy-two consenting ASA physical status I- III patients undergoing interventional radiological procedures under sedation were recruited according to a randomized, double-blind, institutional review board-approved protocol. Patients were randomized to two groups. Group 1 received propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1, and group 2 received propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.25 mg.kg-1 intravenously. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic characteristics and the duration of the interventional radiological procedure, hemodynamic data, oxygen saturation, or side-effects. However, the mean propofol dosage was higher in group 2 (33.7+/-39.3 mg) than in group 1 (15.5+/-22.3 mg), and the number of oversedated patients (sedation score >4) was higher in group 2 (19 patients) than group 1 (6 patients) (P=0.019 and P=0.001, respectively). Sixteen patients (44%) in group 1 and 21 (58%) patients in group 2 required additional propofol during the procedure. The mean recovery times were 12.1+/-1 minutes in group 1 and 13.8+/-0.8 minutes in group 2 (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the two different dosages of ketamine coadministered with propofol for sedation during interventional radiological procedures showed no clinically significant hemodynamic changes or side effects, and both appeared to prompt early recovery time. We recommend propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1 for sedation and analgesia during interventional radiological procedures, rather than propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.25 mg.kg-1 because the former combination is associated with reduced rescue propofol requirements and therefore less oversedation.

Profiling mitochondrial proteins in radiation-induced genome-unstable cell lines with persistent oxidative stress by mass spectrometry.

Previous work by Morgan and coworkers on radiation-induced genome instability in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines showed that unstable LS-12 cells had persistently elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were likely due to dysfunctional mitochondria. To further investigate the correlation between radiation-induced genome instability and dysfunctional mitochondria, we performed quantitative high-throughput mass spectrometry on samples enriched in mitochondrial proteins from three chromosomally unstable CHO cell lines and their stable unirradiated GM10115 parental cell line. Out of several hundred identified proteins, sufficient data were collected on 74 mitochondrial proteins to test for statistically significant differences in their abundance between unstable and stable cell lines. The LS-12 cell line, which exhibited the highest level of ROS among the three unstable cell lines, was characterized by eight significantly down-regulated mitochondrial proteins, all associated with the TCA (tricarboxylic acid). Elevated levels of ROS relative to the unirradiated parental control were also statistically significant for the CS-9 cell line. The protein profile of CS-9 revealed five significantly up-regulated mitochondrial proteins, three of which are involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Elevation of ROS in the unstable 115 cell line was nearly as large as that seen in CS-9 cells but was not statistically significant. The mitochondrial protein profile of 115 cells showed significant down-regulation of acetyl-CoA-acetyltransferase, which was also down-regulated in LS-12, and two other proteins with abundances that were significantly different from control levels but were not directly related to either the TCA or oxidative phosphorylation. These results provide further evidence that elevated ROS and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with radiation-induced genome instability; however, additional work is required to establish a firm mechanistic relationship between these end points.

Ketamine gargle for attenuating postoperative sore throat.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation is a foremost cause of trauma to the airway mucosa, resulting in postoperative sore throat (POST) with reported incidences of 21-65%. We compared the effectiveness of ketamine gargles with placebo in preventing POST after endotracheal intubation. METHODS: Forty-six, ASA I-II, patients undergoing elective surgery for septorhinoplasty under general anaesthesia were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 23 subjects each: Group C, saline 30 ml; Group K, ketamine 40 mg in saline 30 ml. Patients were asked to gargle this mixture for 30 s, 5 min before induction of anaesthesia. POST was graded at 0, 2, 4, and 24 h after operation on a four-point scale (0-3). RESULTS: POST occurred more frequently in Group C, when compared with Group K, at 0, 2, and 24 h and significantly more patients suffered severe POST in Group C at 4 and 24 h compared with Group K (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine gargle significantly reduced the incidence and severity of POST.

The postoperative analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal tramadol compared to normal saline or intravenous tramadol in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal tramadol with intravenous tramadol or normal saline in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty-one patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to one of three groups in a double-blind manner via coded syringes. All patients received an intravenous and an intraperitoneal injection after installation of the pneumoperitoneum and again before removal of the trocars. In the control group, all injections were with normal saline. In the intravenous tramadol group, patients received intravenous tramadol 100 mg and intraperitoneal saline. In the intraperitoneal tramadol group, patients received intravenous saline and intraperitoneal tramadol 100 mg. All patients had a standard anaesthetic. Postoperative analgesia was with morphine. Postoperatively, numeric pain scores for parietal and visceral pain, 1 h and 24 h morphine consumption, and adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: Parietal and visceral pain scores were lowest in the intravenous tramadol group during the first postoperative hour (P < 0.016 compared with control). The delay until the first analgesic administration was longest in the intravenous tramadol group (median 23 min, range 1-45), when compared with the intraperitoneal tramadol group (10, 1-120 min, P = 0.263) or with the control group (1, 1-30 min, P = 0.015). One-hour morphine consumption was significantly lower in the intravenous tramadol group (mean +/- SD; 3.4 mg +/- 2.5) and in the intraperitoneal tramadol group (4.4 +/- 4.3 mg) compared with the control group (6 +/- 2 mg) (P = 0.044). There was no difference between the three groups regarding pain scores, morphine consumption and incidence of shoulder pain or adverse effects at 24 h. CONCLUSION: Intravenous tramadol provides superior postoperative analgesia in the early postoperative period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared with an equivalent dose of tramadol administered intraperitoneally and with normal saline in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Dexmedetomidine and postoperative shivering in patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Post-anaesthetic shivering is one of the most common complications, occurring in 5-65% of patients recovering from general anaesthesia and 33% of patients receiving epidural anaesthesia. Our objective was to investigate the efficacy of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative shivering. METHODS: Ninety female patients, ASA I-II, 35-60 yr old, scheduled for elective total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were randomized into two groups. After endotracheal intubation one group received normal saline infusion and the other received dexmedetomidine as a loading dose of 1 microg kg(-1) for 10 min followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.4 microg kg(-1) h(-1). In the recovery room, pain was assessed using a 100 mm visual analogue scale and those patients who had a pain score of more than 40 mm were administered 1 mg kg(-1) intramuscular diclofenac sodium. Patients with shivering grades more than 2 were administered 25 mg intravenous meperidine. Patients were protected with passive insulation covers. RESULTS: Post-anaesthetic shivering was observed in 21 patients in the saline group and in seven patients in the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.001). Shivering occurred more often in the saline group. The Ramsay Sedation Scores were higher in the dexmedetomidine group during the first postoperative hour. Pain scores were higher in the saline group for 30 min after the operation. The need for intraoperative atropine was higher in the dexmedetomidine group. Intraoperative fentanyl use was higher in the saline group. Perioperative tympanic temperatures were not different between the groups whereas postoperative measurements were lower in the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion may be effective in the prevention of post-anaesthetic shivering.

Topical ketamine and morphine for post-tonsillectomy pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tonsillectomy is frequently associated with postoperative pain of considerable duration, which is usually accompanied by the substantial consumption of both opioid and non-opioid analgesics. Despite the use of different surgical and anaesthetic techniques in the search for safe and effective post-tonsillectomy pain relief, this problem remains a clinical dilemma. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the potential effects of topically administered ketamine and morphine by an oral rinse into the tonsillar fossae. METHODS: In all, 60 children, 15 for each group, aged between 3 and 12 yr scheduled for tonsillectomy were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Study drugs were administered to both tonsillar fossae for 5 min. Group K received 0.4 mL (20 mg) ketamine in 10 mL artificial saliva, Group KM received 0.4 mL (20 mg) ketamine + 5 mL (20 mg) 4 per thousand morphine aqueous solution in 5 mL artificial saliva, Group M received 5 mL (20 mg) 4 per thousand morphine aqueous solution in 5 mL artificial saliva, Group C received only 10 mL artificial saliva. Postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, sedation and bleeding were evaluated. RESULTS: Pain scores were higher in the control group at arrival in the recovery ward (P < 0.05). Morphine and ketamine groups had longer effective analgesia time than the morphine + ketamine and control groups. The 24-h analgesic consumption was significantly higher in the control group. CONCLUSION: Topical ketamine and morphine seems to be a safe and easy analgesic approach for decreasing adenotonsillectomy pain.

Subhypnotic doses of midazolam prevent nausea and vomiting during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of subhypnotic doses of midazolam and propofol for peripartum nausea and vomiting during regional anesthesia for elective cesarean section in order to prevent emesis in at least 50% of patients. METHODS: A prospective, double blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups to receive placebo (saline, N=28), propofol (20 mg bolus and 1.0 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) infusion, N=30), and midazolam (1 mg bolus and 1.0 mg x h(-1) infusion, N=30) at subhypnotic doses intravenously (i.v.) immediately after the umbilical cord was clamped. Bupivacaine hydrochloride (8-10 mg) and fentanyl (10 microg) were injected into the intervertebral space for spinal anesthesia. Blood pressure was monitored at 2 min intervals and intraoperative postdelivery emetic episodes and ephedrine consumption were recorded. The study was carried out at the Anesthesiology Department, Hacettepe University, Turkey, hospitalized care. We included 90 parturients with ASA physical status I and II between the ages of 20 and 38 years undergoing spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery to evaluate the efficacy of subhypnotic doses of propofol and midazolam and, in particular, the incidence of nausea, retching, and vomiting intraoperatively. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea, retching, and vomiting was significantly higher in the control group, compared to the propofol and midazolam groups. Total ephedrine consumption was significantly higher in the control group compared to the propofol and midazolam groups. CONCLUSION: A subhypnotic dose of midazolam (1 mg x h(-1)) was as effective as the subhypnotic dose of propofol (1 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Renal safety and extrahepatic defluorination of sevoflurane in hepatic transplantations.

BACKGROUND: The main metabolic pathway for defluorination of sevoflurane in the liver produces inorganic fluoride (Fl). The metabolism and effect of sevoflurane on the kidney is not clear during anhepatic phase in liver transplantation. The goal of the present study was to investigate the metabolism and renal effect of sevoflurane by measuring plasma and urine inorganic fluoride, urinary N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), and plasma creatinine levels in patients undergoing liver transplantations. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent, we studied nine cases of orthotopic liver transplantation after anesthesia was induced with 5 mg . kg(-1) thiopental, 1 mug . kg(-1) fentanyl intravenously, the trachea was intubated after vecuronium bromide 0.1 mg . kg(-1). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (2%), O(2), and N(2)O at a total gas flow of 6 L . min(-1) using a semiclosed circle system with a sodalime canister. Blood and urine samples were obtained to measure plasma and urine fluoride concentrations and urinary NAG excretions before induction (P0), hourly during resection (P1, P2, P3), every 15 minutes during anhepatic phase (A1, A2, A3), hourly after reperfusion (neohepatic phase) (N1, N2, N3), and postoperative first hour (Po1). Preoperative (T0) and postoperative day 1 (T1), 3 (T3), 7 (T7) plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean duration of surgery was 9:06 +/- 0:09 hours. Mean inorganic fluoride concentrations in plasma were in the range of 0.71 +/- 0.30 to 28.73 +/- 3.31 mumole . L(-1). In P3, N1, N2, N3, increases in plasma inorganic fluoride concentrations were significant (P < .05) and reached a peak value at Po1. The mean urine inorganic fluoride concentrations were 12.49 +/- 2.04 to 256.7 +/- 49.62 mumole . L(-1). In A2, A3, N1, N2, and N3, mean urine inorganic fluoride concentrations were significantly increased (P < .05) and the peak value was observed at Po1. Mean NAG concentrations in urine varied (5.6 +/- 1.6 IU . L(-1) to 12.5 +/- 1.14 IU . L(-1)) and peak level was observed at 30 minutes of the anhepatic phase (A2), which did not exceed the normal values for urine NAG levels (1.5 to 6.1 U . L(-1)). No impairment was observed in serum BUN and creatinine levels at any time. While there was only a slight increase in NAG during anhepatic phase, there was no change in plasma F1. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane seemed to have minimal effect on kidney functions of BUN and Cr levels during liver transplantation. Although urine F1 and NAG levels increased during the anhepatic phase plasma F1, BUN, and Cr levels did not, suggesting that renal F1 production may occur in the absence of hepatic function. The renal effect of sevoflurane in chronic liver disease is controversial and must be investigated in further studies.

Extrahepatic metabolism and renal effects of sevoflurane in a case of liver transplantation.

In a case of liver transplantation, sevoflurane metabolism was studied to investigate if sevoflurane has an extrahepatic metabolism or possible nephrotoxicity in the presence of chronic liver disease. Plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine and urine levels of N-acetyl glycosaminidase (NAG) and beta2 microglobulin were assessed intraoperatively and for 11 days postoperatively. We observed a close relation between urine NAG excretion and urine inorganic fluoride levels in the intraoperative period and early postoperative days. The NAG levels were greater than normal despite the peak serum inorganic fluoride concentration of 18.94 micromol/L. No impairment was observed in serum BUN or creatinine levels in these periods.

Perioperative anxiety and postoperative behavioural disturbances in children: comparison between induction techniques.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine if subhypnotic propofol reduces postoperative behavioural disturbances in children undergoing sevoflurane induction compared with intravenous propofol induction for elective adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. METHODS: Following Ethics Committee approval and parental informed consent, ASA I-II, 120 children (2-10 yr) were recruited. Parents were not allowed to accompany their child. Unpremedicated children were randomly allocated to groups receiving inhalation induction with sevoflurane, 2-2.5 mg kg-1 intravenous propofol induction or inhalation induction with sevoflurane followed by subhypnotic dose of propofol (1 mg kg-1). Anaesthesia was maintained with 2-4% sevoflurane, O2 and N2O. Anxiety on arrival to operating theatre, at anaesthesia induction and 30 min after emergence was assessed. Parents completed a state-trait anxiety inventory test preoperatively and a post hospitalization behaviour questionnaire a week later to assess children's postoperative behavioural disturbances. Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed rank sum test, Bonferroni's test, Paired t-test, t-test, Pearson and Spearman's rank correlation test, chi2-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The anxiety level at induction was high in all groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in respect to anxiety at other measurement times. A relation between preoperative anxiety level and postoperative behavioural disturbances was determined (P < 0.05). Some behavioural disturbances as nightmare/night fear and desire of sleeping with parents were rarely seen in intravenous propofol induction group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Addition of subhypnotic dose of propofol to sevoflurane induction did not reduce the incidence of postoperative behavioural disturbances.

Anaesthetists' and surgeons' estimation of preoperative anxiety by patients submitted for elective surgery in a university hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Preoperative anxiety is a challenging concept in the preoperative care of patients. The hypothesis of this study was that the doctors are able to estimate their patients' preoperative anxiety. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was performed on 67 adult patients and 26 paired anaesthetists and surgeons. The patients filled out two separate visual analogue scales for anxiety for the planned anaesthesia and surgery. After that the 'anxiety subscale' of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression's Scale was completed and a list of fearsome items was presented as the patients were asked to choose two conditions they considered the most frightening. Finally the patients were asked to select one or more items from a list of things, which they considered likely to relieve their preoperative anxiety. Similarly, the participating doctors were asked to estimate their patients' anxiety, guess their fearful conditions and their anxiety-relieving requests. RESULTS: Median scores for anxiety as estimated with visual analogue scales by anaesthetists, surgeons and patients for anaesthesia were 34, 36 and 6, respectively; and for surgery 53, 47 and 9, respectively. The anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression's Scale 8.9 +/- 4.2, 8.6 +/- 4.6 and 6.5 +/- 4.5 (mean +/- SD), respectively. Doctors' scores were significantly higher than the patients' scores (P < 0.05). Thus, the anaesthetists and the surgeons were unable to estimate their patients anxiety on any of the scales used (Kendall's tau < 0.25; P < 0.05). The proportion of correct estimation of the fearsome items was 20% for both the anaesthetists and the surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Both anaesthetists and surgeons overestimated their patients' preoperative anxiety by a wide margin and poorly predicted their patients' feared conditions and their desire for relief of anxiety.