Evaluation of Preoperative Flupirtine in Ambulatory Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the mainstay therapeutic management for nasal pathologies. We evaluated flupirtine, a centrally acting analgesic, for producing perfect perioperative conditions in FESS for adults in a day-care setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients (25-40 years) scheduled for FESS under general anesthesia were randomly divided into Group F (n = 31) receiving preoperative flupirtine (100 mg) and Group C (n = 31) receiving identical-looking placebo capsule per oral 60 min before induction of anesthesia. Perioperative Nasal bleeding and surgeon's satisfaction score during operation; amount and number of patients receiving fentanyl, propofol, and esmolol infusion for analgesia; maintenance of desired bispectral index (BIS) and deliberate hypotension, respectively. Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and hospital stay, hemodynamic parameters, and side effects were all recorded for each patient. RESULTS: Significantly, less number of patients and less dosage of esmolol were required (P = 0.0040 and 0.0001, respectively) in Group F as compared to that in Group C. Again, number of patients requiring fentanyl and dosage of the same drug was significantly lower in Group F. Dose of propofol for the maintenance of BIS was significantly lower in Group F. However, the duration of controlled hypotension was almost similar in both groups. Group F patients suffered significantly less nasal bleeding and surgeon's satisfaction score was also high in this group. Discharge time from PACU and hospital was similar between two groups without any appreciable side effects. CONCLUSION: Flupirtine as a premedication found to be providing more favorable perioperative hemodynamic conditions, analgesia and thus allowing less nasal bleeding as well as more surgeons' satisfaction score.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy: An emerging problem in Southern West Bengal: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in pregnancy varies widely in different parts of our country, but it has multiple adverse outcomes in both the mother and fetus. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of SCH in pregnant women during the first trimester and to identify the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study (March 2014 to February 2015) was conducted among the pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in their first trimester at a tertiary care center. Morning samples of study participants were analyzed for free thyroxin (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab). Data expressed as mean ± standard deviation and percentage (%) as applicable. RESULTS: Of the 510 subjects, 168 had TSH value >2.5 µIU/ml (32.94%) with normal FT4 and they were diagnosed as SCH. TSH level >4.5 µIU/ml was estimated in 13.92% (71) of the subjects. TPO Ab was positive in 57 (33.93%) of subclinical hypothyroid and 5 (1.47%) of normal subjects. 70.42% (50) of the subjects with TSH >4.5 µIU/ml had positive TPO Ab. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of SCH is high in South Bengal and routine thyroid screening at the first antenatal visit should be done to reduce the social and financial burden caused by SCH.

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity during early pregnancy is associated with pregnancy complications and maternal morbidity in later life.

AIMS: We assessed the impact of detecting anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO-Ab) in the first trimester of pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes and maternal thyroid function during the postpartum period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study consisting 400 pregnant women (8-12 weeks pregnant) were screened for their thyroid profile and followed-up to 12 weeks postpartum. Patients with abnormal thyroid function at 12 weeks postpartum were further followed-up with repeated assessment of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and serum-free thyroxine-4 levels at 8 weeks interval up to 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: 11.5% of the subjects were positive for anti-TPO-Ab who had mean TSH level of 2.31 µIU/ml, which was significantly (P- 0.0001) higher than pregnant women negative for anti-TPO-Ab (1.73 µIU/ml). Increased incidence of miscarriage was observed in anti-TPO positive mothers when compared to antibody negative mothers. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction developed in 4.7% cases at 12 weeks, among them antibody positivity was observed in 81.25% of subjects. In 18.75% mothers positive for anti-TPO-Ab, the thyroid dysfunction persisted up to 12 months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid antibodies detected in early pregnancy seems to be predicting pregnancy complications and later maternal thyroid disease related morbidity.

Does a single loading dose of tranexamic acid reduce perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements after total knee replacement surgery? A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Total knee replacement (TKR) is associated with high-perioperative blood loss, which often requires allogenic blood transfusion. Among the many strategies to decrease the need for allogenic transfusion, tranexamic acid (TA) is used systemically in perioperative setting with promising outcome. Here we evaluated the efficacy of single preoperative bolus dose of TA on reduction in blood loss and red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing unilateral TKR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 70, American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients scheduled for unilateral TKR were included. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either TA (Group-TA; 20 mg/kg diluted to 25 cc with normal saline) or an equivalent volume of normal saline (Group P). Hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, platelet count, fibrinogen level, D-dimer level was measured preoperatively and at 6(th) and 24(th) h postoperative period. RESULTS: In Group P more blood, colloid and crystalloid solutions were used to replace the blood loss. 27 patients in Group TA did not require transfusion of any blood products compared to 6 patients in Group P (P < 0.0001) and only 3 units of blood was transfused in Group TA where as a total of 32 units of blood was transfused in Group P. Despite the more numerous transfusions, Hb% after 6 h and 24 h in Group P were considerably low in comparison with Group TA (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid while significantly reducing blood loss caused by TKR surgery collaterally reduced the need for postoperative blood transfusion.

Emergence agitation prevention in paediatric ambulatory surgery: A comparison between intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine.

OBJECTIVE: Emergence agitation (EA), a short-lived, self-limiting phenomenon, arises frequently after the use of inhalational agents and hampers the implementation of pediatric ambulatory surgery in spite of using so many drugs with variable efficacy. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blinded, parallel group study (2008-2009), 80 children of both sex aged 3-7 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grade I-II, undergoing sevoflurane-based general anesthesia for elective day care surgery were randomly assigned into groups C or D. Group C received 4 µg/kg intranasal clonidine, whereas group D received 1 µg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine, 45 min before induction of anesthesia. In postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the incidence of EA was assessed with Aonos four-point scale and the severity of EA was assessed with pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scale upon admission (T0), after 5 min (T5), 15 min (T15), and 25 min (T25). Extubation time, emergence time, duration of PACU stay, dose and incidence of fentanyl use for pain control were noted. FINDINGS: Based on comparable demographic profiles, the incidence and severity of EA were significantly lower in group D as compared to group C at T0, T5, T15, and T25. But time of regular breathing, awakening, extubation, and emergence were significantly delayed in group D than C. The number and dose of fentanyl used in group C were significantly higher than group D. PACU and hospital stay were quite comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: Intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg was more effective than clonidine 4 µg/kg in decreasing the incidence and severity of EA, when administered 45 min before the induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane for pediatric day care surgery. Dexmedetomidine also significantly reduced fentanyl consumption in PACU.

Evaluation of Magnesium as an adjuvant in Ropivacaine-induced supraclavicular brachial plexus block: A prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Different additives have been used to prolong brachial plexus block. We evaluated the effect of adding magnesium sulfate to ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade. The primary endpoints were the onset and duration of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia. METHODS: One hundred patients (25-55 years) posted for elective forearm and hand surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were divided into two equal groups (Groups RM and RN) in a randomized, double-blind fashion. In group RM (n = 50), 30 ml 0.5% ropivacaine plus 150 mg (in 1 ml 0.9% saline) magnesium sulfate and in group RN (n = 50), 30 ml 0.5% ropivacaine plus 1 ml normal saline were administered in supraclavicular block. Sensory and motor block onset times and block durations, time to first analgesic use, total analgesic need, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), hemodynamic variables, and side effects were recorded for each patient. FINDINGS: Though with similar demographic profile and block (sensory and motor) onset time, the sensory and motor block duration and time to first analgesic use were significantly longer and the total need for rescue analgesics was lower in group RM (P = 0.026) than group RN. Postoperative VAS values at 24 h were significantly lower in group RM (P = 0.045). Intraoperative hemodynamics was comparable among two groups and no appreciable side effect was noted throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from this study that adding magnesium sulfate to supraclavicular brachial plexus block may increase the sensory and motor block duration and time to first analgesic use, and decrease total analgesic needs, with no side effects.

Comparison between different tests and their combination for prediction of difficult intubation: An analytical study.

CONTEXT: There is an impelling need for accurate tests to predict difficult intubation, as failure to achieve endotracheal intubation causes significant morbidity and mortality in anesthetic practice. AIM: To calculate the validity of the different tests along with their combination and agreement when compared with endotracheal intubation in predicting difficult intubation. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Operation theaters, analytical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred patients aged between 16 and 60 years of American society of anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I and II, scheduled for elective surgical procedures requiring endotracheal intubation were studied during January-July 2012. Mallampati grade (MP), sternomental distance (SMD), thyromental distance (TMD), and Delilkan and Calder test were recorded for every patient. Endotracheal intubation was performed by an experienced anesthesiologist blinded to the measurements and recorded grading of intubation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), likelihood ratio (LR), odds ratio (OR), and kappa coefficient of tests individually and in combination were calculated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: IBM SPSS software (version 16.0) and Epi-info software (version 3.2). RESULTS: Difficult and failed intubation was 13.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Difficult intubation increased with age. TMD and Calder test showed highest sensitivity individually and Dellilkan's test showed least sensitivity. Among the combination of tests, MP with SMD and MP with Calder test had the highest sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Among individual test TMD and Calder are better predictive tests in terms of sensitivity. Combination of tests increases the chance of prediction of difficult intubation.

Successful resuscitation in a case of sudden cardiac arrest in an epileptic patient posted for spinal surgery.

A 17-year-old girl was posted for spinal surgery for traumatic spinal injury. The patient was a well-controlled epileptic with history of seizure since 8 years of her age. She was induced with thiopentone sodium and muscle relaxant atracurium was administered. Minutes after that, she had an episode of ventricular tachycardia, this converted to ventricular fibrillation despite of institution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR was continued for a prolonged period of 45 minutes and after 45 minutes, QRS complexes appeared and later sinus rhythm restored. Next 24 hours, she was kept on mechanical ventilation. Within 24 hours, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) improved and patient was conscious and extubated. We suggest that the neuromuscular blocking drug contributed to an anaphylactic reaction which might be the cause of cardiac arrest and highlight the importance of prolonged resuscitation and successful outcome in this scenario.