A novel modified PAIR technique using a trocar catheter for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: a six-year experience.

PURPOSE: We aimed to demonstrate the success and reliability of a novel puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique in liver hydatid cysts. METHODS: Percutaneous treatment with ultrasonographic guidance was performed in 493 hepatic hydatid cysts in 374 patients. Patients were treated with a new PAIR technique by single puncture method using a 6F trocar catheter. The results of this novel technique were evaluated with regards to efficacy and safety of the procedure and complication rates. RESULTS: Out of 493 cysts, 317 were Gharbi type I (WHO CE 1) and 176 were Gharbi type II (WHO CE 3A). Of all cysts, 13 were referred to surgery because of cystobiliary fistulization. Recurrence was observed in 11 cysts one month later. Therefore, the success rate of the PAIR technique was 97.7% (469/480). Minor complications (fever, urticaria-like reactions, biliary fistula) were seen in 44 treated patients (12%, 44/374); the only major complication was reversible anaphylactic shock which was observed in two patients (0.5%, 2/374). CONCLUSION: This novel modified PAIR technique may be superior to catheterization by Seldinger technique due to its efficiency, easier application, lower severe complication rate, and lower cost. Further comparative studies are required to confirm our observations.

Effects of anesthesia type on short-term postoperative cognitive function in obstetric patients following cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effects of general and spinal anesthesia on cognitive functions in pregnant patients undergoing elective cesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-five American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) I pregnant patients aged 18-40 years who were scheduled to undergo elective cesarean section were divided into three groups. Group sevoflurane (Group S) and Group desflurane (Group D) were administered general anesthesia, whereas Group regional (Group R) was administered spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamic variables, bispectral index, oxygen saturation were measured at baseline, after induction, spinal injection, and during the surgery. Extubation and eye opening time and Aldrete scores were recorded. Mini-mental state examination, Trieger dot test, and clock drawing test were performed one day before the surgery and repeated at the 1(st), 3(rd) and 24(th) h postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of demographic data and duration of surgery (p>0.05). Durations of anesthesia for Group S, Group R, and Group D were significantly different (p<0.05). Duration of anesthesia for Group R was significantly longer than for Groups S and D (p<0.0001). Aldrete recovery scores and total remifentanil consumption were significantly higher in Group D than in Group S (p<0.05). Extubation and eye opening times were significantly shorter in Group D than in Group S (p<0.01). According to TDT, statistical significance was found among Group S, Group R, and Group D at the 3rd and 24th h postoperatively (p<0.05), and there was a statistically high significant difference in Groups S and R (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that general anesthesia with sevoflurane or desflurane and spinal anesthesia had no effects on cognitive functions in patients undergoing cesarean operation.

Hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation performed with video and direct laryngoscopy in patients scheduled for major cardiac surgery.

This study aims to compare the hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation performed with direct and video laryngoscope in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery and to assess the airway and laryngoscopic characteristics. One hundred ten patients were equally allocated to either direct Macintosh laryngoscope (n = 55) or indirect Macintosh C-MAC video laryngoscope (n = 55). Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were recorded prior to induction anesthesia, and immediately and two minutes after intubation. Airway characteristics (modified Mallampati, thyromental distance, sternomental distance, mouth opening, upper lip bite test, Wilson risk sum score), mask ventilation, laryngoscopic characteristics (Cormack-Lehane, percentage of glottic opening), intubation time, number of attempts, external pressure application, use of stylet and predictors of difficult intubation (modified Mallampati grade 3-4, thyromental distance < 6 cm, upper lip bite test class 3, Wilson risk sum score ≥ 2, Cormack-Lehane grade 3-4) were recorded. Hemodynamic parameters were similar between the groups at all time points of measurement. Airway characteristics and mask ventilation were no significant between the groups. The C-MAC video laryngoscope group had better laryngoscopic view as assessed by Cormack-Lehane and percentage of glottic view, and a longer intubation time. Number of attempts, external pressure, use of stylet, and difficult intubation parameters were similar. Endotracheal intubation performed with direct Macintosh laryngoscope or indirect Macintosh C-MAC video laryngoscope causes similar and stable hemodynamic responses.

Is intra-articular magnesium effective for postoperative analgesia in arthroscopic shoulder surgery?

BACKGROUND: Various medications are used intra-articularly for postoperative pain reduction after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Magnesium, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, may be effective for reduction of both postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements. METHODS: A total of 67 patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were divided randomly into two groups to receive intra-articular injections of either 10 mL magnesium sulphate (100 mg/mL; group M, n=34) or 10 mL of normal saline (group C, n=33). The analgesic effect was estimated using a visual analogue scale 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 8 h, 12 h, 18 h and 24 h after operation. Postoperative analgesia was maintained by intra-articular morphine (0.01%, 10 mg) + bupivacaine (0.5%, 100 mL) patient-controlled analgesia device as a 1 mL infusion with a 1 mL bolus dose and 15 min lock-out time; for visual analogue scale scores >5, intramuscular diclofenac sodium 75 mg was administered as needed during the study period (maximum two times). RESULTS: Intra-articular magnesium resulted in a significant reduction in pain scores in group M compared with group C 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 8 h and 12 h after the end of surgery, respectively, at rest and with passive motion. Total diclofenac consumption and intra-articular morphine + bupivacaine consumption were significantly lower in group M. Postoperative serum magnesium levels were significantly higher in group M, but were within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium causes a reduction in postoperative pain in comparison to saline when administered intra-articularly after arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and has no serious side effects.

[Comparison the effects of prilocaine and the addition of dexketoprofen and dexamethasone to prilocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia]. / Intravenöz rejyonel anestezi tekniginde prilokain, prilokaine eklenen deksketoprofen ve deksametazonun etkinliklerinin karsilastirilmasi

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the anesthetic and analgesic effects of prilocaine alone, prilocaine added dexketoprofen and dexamethasone during intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA). METHODS: Forty five patients undergoing forearm or hand surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups to receive (Group P) 3 mg/kg 0.5% prilocaine; (Group PDK) 3 mg/kg 0.5% prilocaine plus 50 mg dexketoprofen; (Group PDM) 3 mg/kg 0.5% prilocaine plus 8 mg dexamethasone in total 40 ml volume for IVRA. The onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks, hemodynamic datas, duration of analgesia and tourniquet, time to first analgesic requirement, visual analog scale (VAS), total analgesic consumption in 24 hours and patient satisfaction score were assessed and recorded. RESULTS: Time to onset of sensory block was found to be longer in Group P (p<0.05), though no significance was found according to sensory block recovery times amoung groups. Time to onset of motor block was found to be longer and recovery time of motor block was found to be shorter in Group P (p<0.05). Time to first analgesic requirement was found to be longer in Group PDK,and was found to be high in Group PDM than Group PDK(p<0.05). The VAS scores was found to be high and patient satisfaction scale was found to be low in Group P (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of dexketoprofen and dexamethasone to prilocaine during IVRA improves the quality of both anesthesia and analgesia moreover dexketoprofen provides beter postoperative analgesia during the first 24 hour after surgery.

Ultrasound-guided multiple peripheral nerve blocks in a superobese patient.

The number of obese patients has increased dramatically worldwide. Morbid obesity is associated with an increased incidence of medical comorbidities and restricts the application choices in anesthesiology. We report a successfully performed combined ultrasound-guided blockade of the femoral, tibial, and common peroneal nerve in a superobese patient. We present a case report of a 31-year-old, ASA-PS II, super obese man (190 kg, 180 cm, BMI: 58 kg/m(2)) admitted to the emergency department with a type II segmental tibia shaft fracture and ankle dislocation after a vehicle accident. After two failed spinal anesthesia attempts, we decided to apply a femoral block combined with a sciatic block. Femoral blocks were successfully performed with US guided in-plane technique. Separate blocks of the tibial and common peroneal nerves were planned after the sciatic nerve could not be located due to the thick subcutaneous tissue. We performed a tibial nerve block at 2 cm above the popliteal crease and common peroneal nerve at the level of the fibular head with US guided in-plane technique. The blocks were successful and no block-related complications were noted. Ultrasound guidance allows new approaches for multiple peripheral nerve blocks with low local anesthetic doses in obese patients.

Where is the apex of the sacral hiatus for caudal epidural block in the pediatric population? A radio-anatomic study.

PURPOSE: Caudal epidural block (CEB), administered through the sacral hiatus, is a regional anesthetic technique commonly used in children. To facilitate and optimize pediatric CEB, morphometric data that may be important for the sacral hiatus have been obtained using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: This study is the first radio-anatomic study designed to address this topic in children. Images of 79 children (39 girls and 40 boys between 1 and 9 years old) were divided into three groups according to age [group I (ages 1-3), group II (ages 4-6), and group III (ages 7-9)] and were retrospectively examined. Data were gathered via 3D volume-rendered images. Measurements included the height and width of the sacral hiatus, S2-S4 (sacral vertebra) distance, the distances between the poles of the unfused spinous process of each sacral vertebra, and the dimensions of an imaginary triangle formed between the right and left posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS) and the apex of the sacral hiatus. RESULTS: The most frequently fused spinous process was at S2 level. The mean S2-S4 distance was 1.36 cm for group I, 1.78 cm for group II, and 2.17 cm for group III. There was not the imaginary equilateral triangle used in the method of finding the sacral hiatus for CEB, and the apex of this triangle did not occur at the standard level (S4) in most of the children. It was observed that the apex deriving from the most distal fused spinous process was at the level of S2 in one of two children. CONCLUSION: Dural puncture is inevitable for CEB applied at the S2 level. Consequently, CEB should be applied below this level (range, 1.36-2.17 cm) from the midpoint of the interspinous distance between the PSIS (at the same level with S2) in children aged 1-9 years.

Limited-Form Wegener Granulomatosis Case: Anaesthetic Approach and Literature Review.

Wegener granulomatosis (WG) is a kind of vasculitis that affects small and medium-sized arteries. Necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and necrotizing glomerulonephritis of the kidneys are present. WG affects mainly Caucasian individuals between 15-75 years old, with a mean age of onset of 41 years. It affects both males and females equally. Kidney involvement is not present in the limited form of WG. Peripheral nerve blocks are good alternatives when general anaesthesia is risky. Popliteal block is blockade of the sciatic nerve at the popliteal region. Popliteal block is a kind of peripheral block for surgeries below the knee level. In this article, we report on the anaesthesia management of a 61-year-old limited-form WG patient for whom general anaesthesia was risky because of lung involvement.

Prevention of propofol injection pain in children: a comparison of pretreatment with tramadol and propofol-lidocaine mixture.

BACKGROUND: The pain on propofol injection is considered to be a common and difficult to eliminate problem in children. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of pretreatment with tramadol 1 mg.kg(-1)and propofol-lidocaine 20 mg mixture for prevention of propofol induced pain in children. METHODS: One hundred and twenty ASA I-II patients undergoing orthopedic and otolaryngological surgery were included in this study and were divided into three groups with random table numbers. Group C (n=39) received normal saline placebo and Group T (n=40) received 1 mg.kg(-1) tramadol 60 sec before propofol (180 mg 1% propofol with 2 ml normal saline) whereas Group L (n=40) received normal saline placebo before propofol-lidocaine mixture (180 mg 1% propofol with 2 ml %1 lidocaine). One patient in Group C was dropped out from the study because of difficulty in inserting an iv cannula. Thus, one hundred and nineteen patients were analyzed for the study. After given the calculated dose of propofol, a blinded observer assessed the pain with a four-point behavioral scale. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics and intraoperative variables (p>0.05) except intraoperative fentanyl consumption and analgesic requirement one hr after surgery among the groups (p<0.05). Both tramadol 1 mg.kg(-1) and lidocaine 20 mg mixture significantly reduced propofol pain when compared with control group. Moderate and severe pain were found higher in control group (p<0.05). The incidence of overall pain was 79.4% in the control group, 35% in tramadol group, 25% in lidocaine group respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with tramadol 60 sec before propofol injection and propofol-lidocaine mixture were significantly reduced propofol injection pain when compared to placebo in children.

Oral magnesium lozenge reduces postoperative sore throat: a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is an undesirable complaint after orotracheal intubation. Magnesium is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist thought to be involved in the modulation of pain. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative administration of oral magnesium lozenge on POST. METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing orthopedic surgery were randomly allocated into two groups, to either receive placebo (control) or magnesium lozenges (magnesium) to be dissolved by sucking 30 min preoperatively. Patients were assessed for incidence and severity (four-point scale, 0-3) of POST at 0, 2, 4, and 24 h postoperatively. The primary outcome was sore throat at 4 h after surgery. The secondary outcome was the severity of POST at four evaluation time-points postoperatively. RESULTS: The incidence of POST at 4 h was higher in control group than in magnesium group (95% CI: 26%, 14-42%; P=0.032). The highest incidence of POST occurred at the second hour after surgery, with the rate of 23% in the magnesium group and 57% in the control group (95% CI: 34%, 20-51%; P=0.007). The severity of POST was significantly lower in the magnesium group at 0 (P=0.007) and 2 h (P=0.002). The incidences of POST at 0 and 24 h and severity scores at 4 and 24 h were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of magnesium lozenge 30 min preoperatively is effective to reduce both incidence and severity of POST in the immediate postoperative period.

A comparison of ketamine and paracetamol for preventing remifentanil induced hyperalgesia in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study was to compare the effects of ketamine and paracetamol on preventing remifentanil induced hyperalgesia. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to one of three groups to receive (I) either saline infusion; (II) 0.5 mg/kg ketamine iv bolus or (III) 1000 mg iv paracetamol infusion before induction of anesthesia. Until the skin closure, anesthesia was maintained with 0.4 µg/kg/min remifentanil infusion in all groups, additionally Group II received 5 µg/kg/min ketamine infusion. Pressure pain thresholds were measured the day before surgery during the preoperative visit for baseline measurements and repeated postoperatively at 24 and 48 hours (hrs). Pressure pain thresholds were established by digital algometer on three different peri- incisional regions for calculating mean pressure pain threshold values. The visual analogue scale (VAS), sedation scores, total morphine consumption and side effects were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics, duration of surgery and anesthesia were similar in the three groups. Pain thresholds at the incision region were significantly lower at 24 and 48 hrs postoperatively in Group I than the other Groups (p<0.05). In Group І, pain thresholds were lower compared with preoperative baseline values. Thresholds in Group ІІ and Group ІІІ were higher compared with preoperative baseline values (p<0.05) The VAS scores at all evaluation times were significantly higher in Group І when compared to Group ІІ and at 2, 4, 6 ,12 hrs were higher in Group I than Group ІІІ (p<0.05). The morphine consumption was higher in Group ІІІ at 24 and 48 hrs postoperatively (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was shown that ketamine and paracetamol were both effective in preventing remifentanil induced hyperalgesia.

Regional anesthesia with a single spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine in a child with arthroglyposis multiplex congenita.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) consists of complex congenital anomalies characterized by multiple contractures. Anesthetic management of these patients requires special care: as this disease often progresses until dysfunction of multiple organ systems occur, it may have an impact on the anesthetic management. Here, we report a case of AMC undergoing urgent surgery for open tibia fracture who had difficult airway management because of limited mouth opening. The anesthetic management of this patient is represented in light of the literature.

Effects of preoperative oral melatonin medication on postoperative analgesia, sleep quality, and sedation in patients undergoing elective prostatectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Our intention was to assess the effectiveness of preoperative oral melatonin medication on sedation, sleep quality, and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing elective prostatectomy. METHODS: Fifty-two ASA I-II patients undergoing elective prostatectomy were included in this study, randomly divided into two groups. Patients received an oral placebo (n = 26) or 6 mg melatonin (n = 26) the night before and 1 h before surgery. All patients received a standard anesthetic protocol. At the end of surgery, all patients received tramadol i.v. via a PCA device. Extubation time, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, and recovery time were assessed at the end of the operation. Pain scores, tramadol consumption, and sedation scores were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h postoperatively, and sleep quality and subjective analgesic efficacy were assessed at 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic data between the groups. Extubation time and recovery time from anesthesia were significantly longer in the melatonin group (P < 0.05). Intraoperative fentanyl usage, pain scores, and tramadol consumption were significantly lower in the melatonin group (P < 0.05). The postoperative sleep quality of patients was significantly better in the melatonin group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative VAS of pain was significantly lower in the melatonin group compared with the control group at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h postoperatively (P < 0.05). Subjective analgesic efficacy of patients was significantly different between groups (P < 0.05). The sedation scores were significantly higher in the melatonin group than in the control group at 1 h and 2 h after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oral melatonin administration decreased pain scores and tramadol consumption and enhanced sleep quality, sedation scores, and subjective analgesic efficacy during the postoperative period.

Prevention of pain on injection of propofol: a comparison of lidocaine with different doses of paracetamol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of pretreatment with paracetamol 0.5 mg kg(-1), 1 mg kg(-1), 2 mg kg(-1) and lidocaine 0.5 mg kg(-1) for prevention of propofol induced pain. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 250 adult patients ASA I or II, scheduled to undergo elective surgery, were randomly assigned into five groups of 50 each. Group P0.5, group P1 and group P2 received 0.5, 1 and 2 mg kg(-1) paracetamol respectively; group L received 0.5 mg kg(-1) lidocaine; and the control group, group C, received isotonic saline pretreatment in the dorsum of the hand, followed by propofol 1 min later. A blinded researcher assessed the patient's pain level via a four-point scale. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics among the groups. The incidence of propofol injection pain in all treatment groups was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.001). When the paracetamol 0.5 mg kg(-1) group was compared with both the paracetamol 1 mg kg(-1) group (P < 0.01) and the paracetamol 2 mg kg(-1) group (P < 0.001), significant differences were observed. In the lidocaine 0.5 mg kg(-1) group propofol injection pain was significantly reduced compared with the paracetamol 0.5 mg kg(-1) group (P < 0.01). However, in the paracetamol 2 mg kg(-1) group pain was more significantly reduced than in the lidocaine 0.5 mg kg(-1) group (P < 0.001). In the paracetamol 2 mg kg(-1) group the incidence of pain was significantly less than in paracetamol 1 mg kg(-1) group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: When given as venous retention pretreatments 1 min before propofol, paracetamol 1 mg kg(-1) and lidocaine 0.5 mg kg(-1) were equally effective in attenuating pain during intravenous (i.v.) injection of propofol whereas pretreatment with paracetamol 2 mg kg(-1) was shown to be the most effective treatment.