Detecting direct inferior alveolar nerve - Third molar contact and canal decorticalization by cone-beam computed tomography to predict postoperative sensory impairment.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is a severe complication of third molar (M3) surgeries that may interfere with speech, chewing, and social interactions, all of which affect quality of life. Factors such as direct IAN-M3 contact and interruption of the mandibular canal border (decorticalization) diagnosed from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images have been reported as risk factors, although their relation to postoperative sensory impairment is controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between postoperative nerve injury and direct contact between IAN and M3 or canal decorticalization defined with CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with at least one M3 tooth (total of 126 teeth) in direct contact with the IAN were included in the study. All associations were confirmed with CBCT. Nerve injuries after surgery were confirmed and follow-ups were made with information given by patients, light touch, and pinprick tests. The relationship between sensory impairment and direct contact between IAN and M3 or canal decorticalization on CBCT images was statistically assessed. RESULTS: One M3 extraction (0.8%) presented with postoperative permanent sensory impairment. No correlation between nerve injury and direct contact with the IAN or canal decorticalization on CBCT could be established. CONCLUSION: There is no association between nerve injury and direct IAN-M3 contact or canal decorticalization. Although orthopantomography is commonly used to plan M3 surgeries, consideration of CBCT as a viable alternative is warranted.

Morphometric analysis of vidian canal and its relations with surrounding anatomic structures by using cone-beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: We identified the vidian canal (VC) in a Turkish subpopulation on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and explored its anatomic relationships; the canal serves as an anatomic pathway during endonasal surgical approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronal and axial CBCT images of 100 patients (50 males and 50 females) were evaluated (slice thickness and interval, 0.5 mm). We measured the length of the VC length, extent of VC pneumatisation into the sphenoid sinus, position of the VC relative to the medial pterygopalatine plate (MPP), pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) depth, and VC-VC, VC-MPP, and VC-foramen rotundum (FR) distances, the angle between the posterior end of the middle turbinate and the lateral part of the VC anterior opening, and the angle between the VC and the palatovaginal canal. RESULTS: The mean VC length was 13.09 ± 2.07 and 13.01 ± 2.12 mm on the right and left sides, respectively. Relative to the MPP, the VC was located medially in 54.5% of patients, on the same level in 36%, and laterally in 9.5%. Pneumatisation was of grade I in 24% of patients, grade II in 33%, grade III in 23.5%, and grade IV in 19.5%. The VC-FR and VC-MPP distances were significantly greater on the left side. The angle between the posterior end of the middle turbinate and the lateral part of the anterior VC opening was significantly greater on the right side. The VC-VC distance was significantly greater when the VC lay lateral to the MPP. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic characteristics of the VC on CBCT images unique to Turkish populations should be kept in mind during surgery.

Accuracy of two different voxel sizes for presurgical evaluation of mandibular osteotomy.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two different voxel resolutions for the preoperative assessment of mandibular osteotomies. The study was conducted on 37 dry adult human mandibles. To obtain measurement standardization, heated gutta-percha cones were placed on the dry mandibles to mark 20 anatomical points. These cones were used for all measurement groups. Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scans of the mandibles were made using 0.200mm3 and 0.400mm3 voxel sizes (Planmeca Promex-3D Helsinki, Finland). The results obtained from these two groups were compared with physical measurements obtained using a digital calliper, in order to analyze their predictive value. In the study, one voxel size did not have supremacy over the other in terms of accuracy. For mandibular osteotomies, 0.400mm3 voxel size can be preferred because of lower radiation dose.

Management of upper and lower molars that are displaced into the neighbouring spaces.

Our aim was to describe our experience of retrieval of accidental displacements of upper and lower molars into neighbouring anatomical spaces. Thirteen patients were evaluated retrospectively in terms of age, sex, affected side, jaw (mandible or maxilla), surgeon's experience, whether the extracted teeth had erupted, which portion of the tooth or teeth was displaced, the anatomical space into which the fragment was displaced, postoperative complaints, timing of the retrieval, type of anaesthesia, and surgical approach. There were no significant differences in sex, affected side, which part of the tooth was displaced, whether the extracted teeth had erupted, type of anaesthesia, or timing of retrieval. We conclude that this condition should be treated, although follow-up alone may be an option. The intraoral lingual pouch approach for complications of mandibular third molars and the intraoral Caldwell-Luc operation for those in the maxilla could be successful options for retrieval.

Which maternal personality traits affect child behaviour during dental treatment.

AIM: Maternal personality traits affect child dental behaviour and have a potential link with dental treatment methods. This study aims to evaluate which maternal personality traits affect child dental behaviour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research was carried out upon 60 children aged between 3-12 years, who had been admitted to our clinic for tooth extraction. All children were evaluated by means of the Frankl Behavior Scale (FBS): degrees I and II represent negative behaviours, while III and IV positive behaviour. Thirty children with FBS degree III and IV were assigned to Group I and 30 children with FBS degree I and II were assigned to Group II. Children in Group I underwent tooth extraction with local anaesthesia. Children in Group II underwent tooth extraction under deep sedation. During the first visit, the mothers were tested with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to evaluate personality traits. All mothers in Group I and half the mothers in Group II filled a complete and valid test. RESULTS: Group I and II mothers were compared according to the test results: scores of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test were significantly higher in Group II (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We hypotetise that character features of mothers of children with negative dental behaviour and positive dental behaviour are different and affect child dental behaviour.

N2O-free low-flow anesthesia technique for children.

BACKGROUND: The use of N2O during low-flow anesthesia (LFA) causes difficulty in predicting inspired gas mixtures and oxygen concentration due to accumulation. An alternative technique, which uses a mixture of oxygen and air and a morphine infusion to replace N2O, has been evaluated in children during LFA, and the clinical effects and composition of gases in the system are presented here. METHODS: Thirty-five children aged 2-13 years undergoing major urogenital surgery were recruited into the study. Following a standardized induction, anesthesia was maintained with 2% sevoflurane in combination with a morphine infusion. After induction with 4 l min(-1), flow rates were reduced to 2 l min(-1) and finally to 1 l min(-1) at 10 min (0.5 l oxygen + 0.5 l air). The delivered oxygen concentration, oxygen saturation and the inspired and expired O2 sevoflurane and CO2 concentrations were recorded from the start of induction to the end of anesthesia. RESULTS: The duration of LFA was 132+/-89 min. The concentration of oxygen delivered by the flow meters during this period was 55-60%. Although the changes in inspired and expired oxygen and sevoflurane and inspired CO2 related to the duration of LFA were statistically significant (P < 0.0001), they were not clinically relevant. All vital parameters were stable. Four patients required supplemental morphine and nine presented emergence agitation. CONCLUSION: We concluded that an N2O-free LFA technique with 0.5 l min(-1) of air and 0.5 l min(-1) of O2 supplemented by sevoflurane and a morphine infusion is safe and effective in children. The resulting high-inspired oxygen concentration prevents occurrence of hypoxic gas mixtures, and the use of supplemental morphine compensates for the absence of N2O and overcomes the possibility of light anesthesia arising from a decrease in the inspired sevoflurane concentration.

Effects of bupivacaine used with sevoflurane on the rhythm and contractility in the isolated rat heart.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effects of sevoflurane on bupivacaine cardiotoxicity are mainly attributed to systemic effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct myocardial effects of sevoflurane on bupivacaine toxicity. METHODS: Hearts of 30 Wistar albino rats were isolated and mounted on a Langendorff apparatus perfused by modified Tyrode solution. Experimental groups were: a sevoflurane group (Group S, n = 10)--following baseline and 20 min (Stage 1) recordings, sevoflurane was added in doses of 1.4% (1 MAC) and 2.8% (2 MAC). In the two bupivacaine groups, bupivacaine 5 micromol (Group B5, n = 10) and bupivacaine 10 micromol (Group B10, n = 10) was added to the solution at Stage 1, and sevoflurane was added to the system as in Group S. Haemodynamic variables, i.e. heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, left ventricular systolic pressure, contractility (+dp/dtmax), relaxation, time to reach peak systolic pressure, change in left ventricular diastolic pressure from baseline, and rate-pressure product were recorded. RESULTS: In Group S, there was no change in cardiac rhythm. In bupivacaine groups, severe rhythm disturbances occurred and both the PR intervals and QRS complexes were prolonged significantly. All contractility variables deteriorated and the rate-pressure product decreased by 67-90% with the addition of bupivacaine. In all groups, 2 MAC sevoflurane lowered +dp/dtmax further. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane does not have any untoward effect on bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity in clinically relevant doses in the isolated rat heart.

Sugiura procedure in portal hypertensive children.

Bleeding from esophageal varices is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children with portal hypertension. The treatment protocol is planned according to the etiologic factors underlying the portal hypertension, which may be either intrahepatic or extrahepatic. Although portasystemic venous shunt operations were common previously, they are now regarded as nonphysiologic and are rarely used because of their unexpected results and complications. Today, in many centers, endoscopic procedures have become the first-step treatment modality in bleeding esophageal varices. More complicated surgical procedures, such as devascularization procedures in extrahepatic portal hypertension, and liver transplantation in patients with failing liver, should be performed when conservative measures fail. We followed up 69 patients with portal hypertension with endoscopic sclerotherapy in our department. Here we present a retrospective evaluation of the effect of the Sugiura operation on the prognosis of 12 children (6 with extrahepatic and 6 with intrahepatic portal hypertension) who were not responsive to the sclerotherapy program. No rebleeding was seen in 9 of the 12 (75%) patients after the procedure, and the mortality rate in this series was 1 of 12 (8.3%); this patient died of hepatic failure.

Epidural anaesthesia for Caesarean section in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a rare autosomal dominant disease with incomplete penetrance and variable expression and is characterized by diffuse haemangioblastomas of the central nervous system and viscera. The majority of the central nervous system lesions are located in the cerebellum. This report describes the successful management with epidural anaesthesia of a woman with a term gestation, von Hippel-Lindau disease and cerebellar haemangioblastoma.

An experimental study on the relationship of intra-abdominal pressure and renal ischemia.

This study was undertaken in order to determine whether or not the increased intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic procedures causes renal ischaemia and parenchymal pathology. Fifteen adult New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. Anaesthesia was maintained by 2% isoflurane, 50% O2 in air. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2), airway pressure (Paw) and blood gases were monitored. Rabbits in control group (group C, n = 7) and study group (group S, n = 8) had a Veress needle placed supraumbilically. Group S was insufflated with CO2 sequentially at 5, 10 and 15 mmHg of intra-abdominal pressures (IAP); each pressure level was maintained for 20 minutes. At the end of the study, laparotomy was performed and blood was withdrawn from renal vein for measurements of renin and angiotensin I levels, and the other kidney was removed simultaneously for pathological evaluation. Haemodynamic and respiratory measurements were stable in group C and were variable in group S. The renin level was 7.27 +/- 0.34 ng.mL-1 and angiotensin I was 5.01 +/- 0.32 ng.mL-1 in group C. In group S, levels of renin and angiotensin I were 26.2 +/- 5.9 ng.mL-1 and 39.4 +/- 12.1 ng.mL-1 respectively, being significantly higher than group C (p < 0.05). Pathological scores were 0.02 +/- 0.008 in group C and 0.82 +/- 0.124 in group S (p < 0.05). There were significant histological changes in group S compared with group C. During prolonged laparoscopic operations high intra-abdominal pressures may result in intra-abdominal organ ischaemia.

Diagnostic laparoscopy in prolonged jaundice.

BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of surgical jaundice in a neonate is an important step for the surgical success in extrahepatic biliary atresia. Diagnostic laparoscopy, as in many areas in surgery, is included in the conventional diagnostic methods of extrahepatic biliary atresia. METHODS: Since 1992, 24 infants with prolonged jaundice, in whom extrahepatic biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis could not be differentiated with conventional diagnostic interventions, have been evaluated laparoscopically. RESULTS: A coarse, irregular, greenish-brown liver with some degree of fine angiomatous development and an atretic gallbladder are the findings of laparoscopic evaluation in an infant with extrahepatic biliary atresia. However, in neonatal hepatitis, the liver is smooth, sharp-edged, and chocolate brown in color, and simultaneously performed cholangiography should show the passage of the contrast material both into the proximal biliary tracts and the intestinal system. In this series, 10 of 24 cases were proved to be neonatal hepatitis diagnosed by laparoscopy, so unnecessary laparotomy was avoided in 42% of the cases. CONCLUSION: When the diagnostic laparoscopy, in which the liver and the gallbladder are directly visualized, is combined with the cholangiographic examination, the most accurate and earlier diagnosis in an infant with prolonged jaundice can be achieved, and the important period of time for the surgical success in extrahepatic biliary atresia will be minimally wasted.

Lidocaine 10% in the endotracheal tube cuff: blood concentrations, haemodynamic and clinical effects.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects (common haemodynamic variables, peak cuff pressures, the incidence of reaction ('bucking') during extubation and the incidence of sore throat after operation) of lidocaine 10% instilled into the endotracheal tube cuff in intubated patients. Plasma concentrations of lidocaine were assayed. Seventy ASA class I-II patients scheduled for plastic surgery were studied. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: the cuff of the endotracheal tube was inflated with either lidocaine 10% (group L) or with saline (group S) immediately after endotracheal intubation. In group L patients, the haemodynamic changes were less (P < 0.05), and the peak cuff pressure was lower (P < 0.01) than for group S. At extubation, more patients reacted ('bucked') in group S (70.5% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.01). The incidence and severity of sore throat were significantly lower in group L 1 and 24-h after extubation. Plasma lidocaine concentrations did not reach toxic values. Lidocaine 10%, compared with saline, in the endotracheal tube cuff was associated with less disturbance of haemodynamic responses and less incidence of bucking during tracheal extubation. Lidocaine was also effective in reducing of incidence and severity of sore throat after operation.

The efficacy of pre- versus postsurgical axillary block on postoperative pain in paediatric patients.

We compared the effects of pre- and postsurgical axillary block on pain after hand and forearm surgery in 55 children in a double-blind randomized study. The successful blocks are reported here (n=49). Children aged 1-11 years and ASA I or II were allocated randomly to receive axillary block with 2 mg.kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine, either after induction but before the surgery (presurgical group, n=25) or immediately after surgery, before the end of anaesthesia (postsurgical, n=24). In all patients, a standard general anaesthesia technique was used. The Faces Pain Scale (FPS) and analgesic requirements were recorded for 24 h at various times after operation. Eight patients (32%) in the presurgical group and 20 patients (83.33%) in the postsurgical group did not require additional analgesic within the first 24 h after operation (P< 0.05). In patients who had pain during the observation period, the pain started 13.66+/-2.61 h in the presurgical group and 13.14+/-2.34 h in the postsurgical group after performing block (P> 0.05). The FPS scores were similar in both groups during the first 8 h in the postoperative period (P> 0.05). There was a significant difference at 10 h after surgery (P< 0.05). Cumulative FPS score was higher in the presurgical group (10.50+/-1.06) than in the postsurgical group (9.45+/-1.28) (P< 0.05), but both groups had effective analgesia overall, the mean FPS score being less than 2. Additional analgesic consumption was similar in these patients in both groups. A lower isoflurane concentration was used in the presurgical group (0.68% vs 1.72%, P< 0.001). We did not demonstrate the superiority of preemptive analgesia, but our results indicate that presurgical axillary block with 0.25% bupivacaine allows the use of inhalational anaesthetics at lower concentrations while providing a reasonably painless postoperative period.

Systemic stress response during operations for acute abdominal pain performed via laparoscopy or laparotomy in children.

We compared the endocrine and metabolic changes during acute emergency abdominal surgery performed using either laparoscopy or laparotomy in children. Twenty-nine children aged 1.5-14 years were assigned to undergo laparoscopy (n = 15) or laparotomy (n = 14) with a standard anaesthesia technique. Arterial blood gases and blood prolactin, cortisol, interleukin-6, glucose, insulin, lactic acid and epinephrine levels were determined 5 min after the induction of anaesthesia, 30 min into surgery and at the end of surgery. Intra-operative heart rate and mean arterial pressure were stable in both groups. In the laparoscopy group, slight respiratory acidosis occurred during surgery (p < 0.01) but there were no changes in the laparotomy group. Insulin, cortisol, prolactin, epinephrine, lactate and blood glucose levels increased in both groups (p < 0.05) although there was no difference between the groups. The surgical stress and trauma imposed by laparoscopy seems similar to that caused by laparotomy in children undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.

The cardiorespiratory effects of laparoscopic procedures in infants.

We assessed the cardiorespiratory effects of laparoscopic procedures in 27 infants aged between 36 and 365 days. Infants were monitored and anaesthetised in a standardised manner. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide and oxygen saturation were recorded, and blood gases were measured at 5 min after intubation, 15 and 30 min after carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, 5 min after desufflation and after extubation. The pH, PaO2, base excess, SaO2 and SpO2 decreased, and PCO2 increased by insufflation of carbon dioxide intraperitoneally, and improved following deflation. Changes in pH and PaO2 during the study were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The increase in PaCO2 30 min after pneumoperitoneum was statistically significant when compared with initial values. Transient arrhythmias were observed in 10 infants 1 min after pneumoperitoneum. There were no statistically significant alterations in heart rate and systolic blood pressure.

Single-injection lumbar epidural morphine for postoperative analgesia in children: a report of 175 cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since the first report of epidural opioid administration to pediatric patients, several studies have described the quality of analgesia, doses, pharmacokinetics, and side effects of this procedure. A pediatric series using an easy and cheap single-injection technique of epidural morphine administration for postoperative analgesia is presented. METHODS: Postoperative analgesia was achieved with a single lumbar epidural morphine injection (0.1 mg/kg in 0.2 mL/kg saline), which was given via a 22-gauge intramuscular needle to 153 pediatric patients (aged 4 months-17 years) following 175 lower abdominal or urologic operations. Injections were given by 43 anesthesiology residents under the supervision of pediatric anesthesiologists, after termination of surgery performed under general anesthesia. RESULTS: The success rate of epidural puncture on the first attempt was 92%. Pain control was considered excellent in 76% of patients for 24 hours. The remaining patients had analgesia lasting 10.9 +/- 5.5 hours after epidural morphine administration. No alterations in hemodynamic parameters were observed. Two patients (1.1%) developed respiratory depression during early postoperative care and one, with a history of apneic spells, had an episode of apnea 5 hours after morphine administration. The incidences of minor side effects were: nausea, 33.9%; vomiting, 42.9%; pruritus 9%; and urinary retention 12.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is easy to perform, even for trainees in anesthesiology. With appropriate patient selection and avoidance of the concomitant use of narcotics and sedatives, epidural morphine provides prompt, effective, safe, and prolonged analgesia in children.

Histological changes following epidural injection of midazolam in the neonatal rabbit.

Midazolam can produce antinociceptive effects when used via intrathecal or epidural routes. Neurotoxicity studies are scanty especially for neonates. The aim of this study was to carry out electron microscopic (EM) examinations in the neonatal rabbit to determine the histological effects of epidural midazolam on spinal cord. Twenty white New Zealand neonatal rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups receiving single dose of 0.9% saline (Group I; Control, n = 4), 0.9% saline titrated to pH = 3.9 by addition of hydrochloric acid (Group II; n = 6), midazolam 250 micrograms.kg-1 (Group III; n = 12) epidurally. Half of each group were sacrificed on the second day and the remainder on the seventh day and spinal cord sections were evaluated by EM. Control group displayed normal histology on grids. Group II and II showed a variable degree of neurotoxic effects such as degeneration of vacuoles, cytoplasm and neurofilaments, disruption of myelin sheaths, lysis of cell membranes, perivascular oedema, pyknosis of nuclei. The toxic effects of acidic saline and midazolam are similar, in view of these results the epidural use of acidic midazolam (commercially available preparations) in neonates should be avoided.

The effects of intranasal midazolam on urodynamic studies in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of midazolam on the function of the lower urinary tract when used to sedate the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urodynamic studies were performed on 20 patients (seven boys and 13 girls, mean age 4.04 years, range 1 day to 10 years) before and after the intranasal administration of 0.5 mg/kg of midazolam. The patients' heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were monitored and the level of sedation recorded by an anaesthesiologist and a surgeon during the study. RESULTS: Heart rate and respiratory rate did not change and the percentage oxygen saturation remained stable throughout the study period. The childrens' behaviour began to change 3-5 min after the intranasal administration of midazolam. The sedation lasted 2 h and the full co-operation of the patient was assured. The difference between the initial and post-midazolam evaluation of maximal cystometric capacity, contractility, compliance, intravesical pressure, maximum flow rate, intravesical pressure at maximum flow and the amount of residual urine were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Electromyographic characteristics showed no significant change with the use of midazolam (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the suggestion that benzodiazepines, especially diazepam, are useful for the relaxation of pelvic floor striated musculature in voiding dysfunctions, there was no effect on urodynamic variables when midazolam was used in a single dose intranasally. The anxiolytic and sedative effects allowed children to undergo urodynamic studies in comfort.

Diazepam serum concentration-sedative effect relationship in patients with liver disease.

Sedative effects and drug elimination characteristics after intravenous bolus administration of diazepam 0.15 mg/kg were investigated in 15 patients with liver disease (Group I), and in 15 normal patients (Group II) during diagnostic laparoscopy. Diazepam induced heavier sedation in patients with liver disease (P < 0.02). Serum concentration of diazepam 30 minutes after administration was significantly lower in Group I (group with liver disease) when compared with Group II (control group) (210.68 +/- 112.65 ng/ml vs 451.57 +/- 239.87 ng/ml, p < 0.02). The sedation scores during the laparoscopy procedures correlate negatively with serum benzodiazepine levels. The benzodiazepine concentration-time profiles of the groups vary significantly (p < 0.02). Heavier sedative effect and lower benzodiazepine concentrations in patients with liver diseases suggests that the permeability of blood brain barrier increases and that higher affinity to benzodiazepine receptors exists. Differences in concentration-time courses of diazepam in patients with liver diseases is a warning indicating the accumulation of the drug when infused or used frequently.