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.

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.

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.

The effect of inhalational anaesthetics on QTc interval.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess time dependent cumulative effects of three different inhalation anaesthetics on QTc interval during the maintenance of anaesthesia. METHOD: Seventy-five ASA I-II male patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy were randomly allocated into three groups. No premedication was given. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and tracheal intubation was facilitated by vecuronium in all groups. Anaesthesia was maintained with 0.8% halothane (Group I) (n = 25), 1% isoflurane (Group II) (n = 25), or 2% sevoflurane (Group III) (n = 25) and 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Three lead electrocardiogram recordings were taken before induction, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 min after induction and after extubation. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure and SpO2 were recorded at the same time. Heart rate and corrected QT interval were evaluated by using Bazett's formula. Multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to determine intergroup and intragroup differences. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline QTc values of the groups. There was no difference between QTc values with halothane and sevoflurane. There was a difference between QTc values with isoflurane and those with the other two inhalation anaesthetics (P < 0.05). Although QTc values in the isoflurane group were higher at all times, the critical value of 440 ms was not exceeded. CONCLUSION: We conclude that halothane 0.8%, isoflurane 1% and sevoflurane 2% do not prolong QTc interval.

Anesthesia in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Anesthetic management of a 3-month-old boy with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome for bronchoscopy is reported. Management may be complicated by a difficult airway, congenital heart disease, and hypoglycemia. We did not have difficulty in airway management either with tracheal intubation or rigid bronchoscopy, but we could not extubate the baby because of tracheomalacia.

Perioperative effects of melatonin and midazolam premedication on sedation, orientation, anxiety scores and psychomotor performance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative effects of melatonin and midazolam given in premedication, on sedation, orientation, anxiety scores and psychomotor performance. METHODS: Exogenous administration of melatonin not only facilitates the onset of sleep but also improves its quality. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in 66 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were given melatonin 5 mg, midazolam 15 mg or placebo, 90 min before anaesthesia, sublingually. Sedation, orientation and anxiety were quantified before; 10, 30, 60 and 90 min after premedication; and 15, 30, 60 and 90 min after admission to the recovery room. Neurocognitive performance was evaluated at these times, using the Trail Making A and B and Word Fluency tests. The differences between the groups were analysed by ANOVA. Two-way comparisons were performed by Scheffé analysis. Sedation and amnesia were analysed by the chi2 test. RESULTS: Patients who received premedication with either melatonin or midazolam had a significant increase in sedation and decrease in anxiety before operation compared with controls. After operation, there was no difference in sedation scores of all groups. Whereas, 30, 60 and 90 min after premedication the melatonin and midazolam groups exhibited a significantly poorer performance in Trail Making A and B tests compared with placebo, there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of neuropsychological performance after the operation. Amnesia was notable only in the midazolam group for one preoperative event. CONCLUSION: Melatonin premedication was associated with preoperative anxiolysis and sedation without postoperative impairment of psychomotor performance.

General anesthesia and postoperative pain management in analgesic intolerant patients with/without asthma: is it safe?

BACKGROUND: Analgesic intolerance (AI) appears in approximately 1 % of the general population. The triad of bronchial asthma, nasal polyposis, and analgesic intolerance is called analgesic-induced asthma (AIA). These patients are frequently referred to adult allergy clinics for preoperative evaluation for possible analgesic cross reactivity and intolerance to anesthetic agents. OBJECTIVE: To determine allergic problems related to anesthesia and postoperative pain management in AI patients with and without asthma. METHODS: The medical records of 45 patients who had been diagnosed with AI between January 1991 and December 2002 in the adult allergy unit and who underwent surgery in the same hospital in the last 4 years were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 44.4 13.4 years and 30 (66.6 %) were female. Thirty-six (80 %) had AIA, 34 (75.6 %) had persistent allergic rhinitis and 21 (46.7 %) had nasal polyps. Fifty-one surgical procedures were performed in 45 patients, in whom ear, nose and throat surgery was the main procedure (64.7 %). Anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and vecuronium and was maintained by sevoflurane or isoflurane. Fentanyl was used for early postoperative pain relief. No complications appeared in relation to anesthesia or early pain management except in a 44-year-old AIA woman who had a reaction in the postoperative period after receiving an inappropriate analgesic. CONCLUSIONS: None of the patients had anesthesia-related allergic problems. Atropine and diazepam in the premedication, propofol and fentanyl during induction, muscle relaxation facilitation by vecuronium, and sevoflurane or isoflurane for maintenance seem to be a safe general anesthetic choice for analgesic intolerant patients with and without asthma.

General anesthesia and postoperative pain management in analgesic intolerant patients with/without asthma: is it safe?

Background: Analgesic intolerance (AI) appears in approximately 1 % of the general population. The triad of bronchial asthma, nasal polyposis, and analgesic intolerance is called analgesic-induced asthma (AIA). These patients are frequently referred to adult allergy clinics for preoperative evaluation for possible analgesic cross reactivity and intolerance to anesthetic agents. Objective: To determine allergic problems related to anesthesia and postoperative pain management in AI patients with and without asthma. Methods: The medical records of 45 patients who had been diagnosed with AI between January 1991 and December 2002 in the adult allergy unit and who underwent surgery in the same hospital in the last 4 years were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 44.4 ± 13.4 years and 30 (66.6 %) were female. Thirty-six (80 %) had AIA, 34 (75.6 %) had persistent allergic rhinitis and 21 (46.7 %) had nasal polyps. Fifty-one surgical procedures were performed in 45 patients, in whom ear, nose and throat surgery was the main procedure (64.7 %). Anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and vecuronium and was maintained by sevoflurane or isoflurane. Fentanyl was used for early postoperative pain relief. No complications appeared in relation to anesthesia or early pain management except in a 44-year-old AIA woman who had a reaction in the postoperative period after receiving an inappropriate analgesic. Conclusions: None of the patients had anesthesia-related allergic problems. Atropine and diazepam in the premedication, propofol and fentanyl during induction, muscle relaxation facilitation by vecuronium, and sevoflurane or isoflurane for maintenance seem to be a safe general anesthetic choice for analgesic intolerant patients with and without asthma (AU)

Información preliminar: La intolerancia a los analgésicos (IA) afecta, aproximadamente, al 1 por ciento de la población general. La tríada de asma bronquial, poliposis nasal e intolerancia a los analgésicos se denomina asma inducida por analgésicos (AIA). Con frecuencia, se envía a estos pacientes a centros para el tratamiento de alergias de adultos para una evaluación preoperatoria en busca de posible reactividad cruzada a los analgésicos e intolerancia a los anestésicos. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio era determinar la anestesia y el tratamiento del dolor postoperatorio en relación con problemas alérgicos en pacientes con/sin asma y con IA. Métodos: Se analizaron de manera retrospectiva las historias clínicas de 45 pacientes diagnosticados de IA entre enero de 1991 y diciembre de 2002 en la unidad de alergia de adultos y que habían sido operados en el mismo hospital en los últimos 4 años. Resultados: El promedio de edad de los pacientes era de 44,4 ñ 13,4 años, y 30 (66,6 por ciento) eran mujeres. Treinta y seis (80 por ciento) presentaban AIA, 34 (75,6 por ciento) padecían rinitis alérgica persistente y 21 (46,7 por ciento) tenían pólipos nasales. Se realizaron 51 procedimientos quirúrgicos en 45 pacientes; la cirugía otorrinolaringológica fue el procedimiento más frecuente (64,7 por ciento). La anestesia se indujo con propofol, fentanilo y vecuronio, y se mantuvo con sevoflurano o isoflurano. Se utilizó fentanilo para el alivio precoz del dolor postoperatorio. No surgieron complicaciones en relación con la anestesia y el tratamiento precoz del dolor, salvo en una mujer de 44 años con AIA, que experimentó una reacción en el período postoperatorio después de recibir un analgésico inapropiado. Conclusiones: Ninguno de los pacientes presentó problemas alérgicos relacionados con la anestesia. Atropina y diacepam en la premedicación, propofol y fentanilo durante la inducción, facilitación de la relajación muscular con vecuronio y sevoflurano o isoflurano para mantenimiento parecen ser las opciones seguras de anestesia general para los pacientes con/sin asma que no toleran los analgésicos (AU)

Induced hypotension for tympanoplasty: a comparison of desflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was designed to compare the effects of desflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane when combined with remifentanil for induced hypotension on surgical conditions and operative field during tympanoplasty. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing tympanoplasty were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized into three groups of 20 each to receive the inhalation anaesthetics desflurane, isoflurane or sevoflurane. Propofol 2 mg kg(-1) was administered for induction of anaesthesia in all groups. All patients received a continuous infusion of remifentanil which was titrated between 0.2 and 0.5 microg kg(-1) min(-1) to achieve a mean blood pressure (BP) of 60-70 mmHg. Nitroglycerine was infused if this BP could not be achieved. Arterial pressures were recorded continuously throughout the operation. Surgical conditions were assessed every 20 min by the blinded surgeon using a six-point category scale (0-5). RESULTS: One patient in the desflurane group and two patients in isoflurane group required nitroglycerine to maintain desired mean BP. Sustained controlled hypotension was sufficient in all of the groups throughout surgery. Category scale scores were < or =3 throughout the study, except one patient in the sevoflurane group who had a score of 4 at the 60th minute of the operation. No difference was found among groups when haemodynamic parameters and surgical category scale scores were compared. There were no postoperative respiratory and circulatory complications. CONCLUSION: Desflurane, sevoflurane or isoflurane combined with remifentanil provided adequate induced hypotension and similar operating conditions and any of them could be safely and equally used in anaesthesia for tympanoplasty.

Anaesthesia in aspirin-induced asthma.

The triad of bronchial asthma, nasal polyposis, and intolerance to aspirin and aspirin-like chemicals are designated aspirin-induced asthma (AIA) or Samter's syndrome. The exact mechanism of the disease is unknown but it is thought to be a disorder of arachidonic acid metabolism. These patients are frequently referred to allergy clinics for preoperative evaluation for possible anesthetic agent sensitivity, requiring anesthesia for nasal polypectomy or several other reasons. Anesthetists must be aware of their pulmonary dysfunction, because the anesthetic management of asthma requires a specific approach. Marked cross-sensitivity with NSAIDs, which may also precipitate severe bronchospasm and adverse reactions, is the main problem faced by anesthetists in postoperative pain management. This article discusses the relationship between AIA and anesthesia. We also present our experience with 47 patients diagnosed with AIA between 1991 and 2003 in the department of chest diseases and adult allergy unit who underwent surgery requiring general anesthesia. In conclusion, preoperative evaluation of these patients and collaboration between the allergists and anesthesiologists is essential to prevent preoperative, perioperative and postoperative complications.

Influence of total intravenous and inhalational anaesthesia on haemostasis during tympanoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Surgical trauma leads to systemic changes in haemostasis. Haematological changes activated by surgery may become so prominent that changes caused by anaesthesia might be hidden or underestimated. Therefore, we have undertaken a prospective study to compare the behaviour of selected factors involved in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. METHODS: Forty healthy adult patients scheduled for otological surgery were enrolled in the study. Upon receiving informed consent, they were randomly assigned to receive either inhalational (IA) or total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA). Platelet function (PFA100TM), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) panel, and generalized d-dimer (GFC) were studied during certain periods of anaesthesia to identify the changes in haemostasis. RESULTS: Statistically, no significant change in DIC parameters were encountered between the two groups. No statistical difference was found between the two groups in the measured coagulation parameters, but statistically GFC showed slight activation in the 1st hour of surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Presuming a minimal traumatic effect of surgical procedure on the determined variables, we conclude that different anaesthetic techniques have a negligible effect on platelet activation and fibrinolysis. The clinical relevance of coagulation activation and fibrinolysis during different anaesthetic techniques remains to be investigated.

Anaesthesia in aspirin-induced asthma

The triad of bronchial asthma, nasal polyposis, and intolerance to aspirin and aspirin-like chemicals are designated aspirin-induced asthma (AIA) or Samter's syndrome. The exact mechanism of the disease is unknown but it is thought to be a disorder of arachidonic acid metabolism. These patients are frequently referred to allergy clinics for preoperative evaluation for possible anesthetic agent sensitivity, requiring anesthesia for nasal polypectomy or several other reasons. Anesthetists must be aware of their pulmonary dysfunction, because the anesthetic management of asthma requires a specific approach. Marked cross-sensitivity with NSAIDs, which may also precipitate severe bronchospasm and adverse reactions, is the main problem faced by anesthetists in postoperative pain management. This article discusses the relationship between AIA and anesthesia. We also present our experience with 47 patients diagnosed with AIA between 1991 and 2003 in the department of chest diseases and adult allergy unit who underwent surgery requiring general anesthesia. In conclusion, preoperative evaluation of these patients and collaboration between the allergists and anesth (AU)

La tríada asma bronquial, poliposis nasal e intolerancia a la aspirina y fármacos análogos se designa como asma inducida por aspirina (AIA) o síndrome de Samter. Se desconoce el mecanismo exacto de la enfermedad, pero se sugiere que es un trastorno del metabolismo del ácido araquidónico.Este grupo de pacientes suelen remitirse a clínicas de alergología para someterse a un examen preoperatorio que determine posibles sensibilidades a agentes anestésicos. Estos pacientes se someten a anestesia en la polipectomía nasal o por otros motivos.Los anestesistas deben ser conscientes de su disfunción pulmonar, ya que el control anestésico en el asma requiere un enfoque específico.El principal problema al que se enfrentan los anestesistas en el control postoperatorio del dolor es una marcada sensibilidad cruzada a los fármacos antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE), que además puede provocar broncoespasmo y reacciones adversas graves. Este artículo trata de la relación entre el AIA y la anestesia, y muestra nuestra experiencia con 47 pacientes a los que se había diagnosticado AIA entre 1991 y 2003 en el departamento de enfermedades torácicas y la unidad de alergología de adultos. Posteriormente, los pacientes habían sido operados con anestesia general.En conclusión, el examen preoperatorio de estos pacientes y la colaboración entre alergólogos y anestesistas son importantes para la prevención de las complicaciones preoperatorias y postoperatorias (AU)

Anesthetic management of a patient with hereditary fructose intolerance and phenylketonuria.

This is a report of a five-year-old girl with phenylketonuria (PKU) and hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) who underwent elective strabismus surgery. PKU and HFI are two inborn errors of metabolism which have an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. This case report describes the anesthetic features of a patient with PKU and HFI, each defect requiring specific anesthetic management.