Comparison of haemodynamic changes between propofol and ketofol as induction agents in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia.

Background and Aims: Laparoscopic surgeries are more commonly performed procedure nowadays because of its advantages however generation of pneumoperitoneum causes significant physiological changes. Propofol is the most commonly used induction agent but its use is limited by its side effects like dose-dependent hypotension and myocardial depression. So by combining propofol with ketamine to form ketofol may result in better hemodynamic stability. The aim of this study was to compare the haemodynamic changes in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia using propofol and ketofol as induction agents. Material and Methods: In this prospective randomized double blind study, 80 patients of ASA I/II undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomized into two Groups. Group A received 1 mg/kg of propofol + 1 mg/kg ketamine made up to a total volume of 20 ml with normal saline and Group B received 2 mg/kg propofol + normal saline to make up to an equal volume. Hemodynamic profiles like HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were recorded at different time intervals until pneumoperitoneum. Postoperative recovery profile and complications were recorded. All data were entered in MS excel and analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0. Repeated measures ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to test the level of significance. Results: Demographic character and duration of surgery were comparable. SBP, DBP, MAP and HR showed statistically significant difference in both groups in various time intervals with P < 0.05 with Group A (ketofol ) having a better hemodynamic stability. Recovery profile in ketofol group took longer duration (4.95 min) compared to propofol group B (1.8 min). Postoperative nausea and vomiting were significant (P = 0.004) in ketofol group. Conclusion: We concluded that ketofol had a better hemodynamic stability compared to propofol as an induction agent, however time for recovery in ketofol group took a longer period compared to propofol group, with no complication in either groups.

A randomised double-blind trial of minimal bolus doses of oxytocin for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia: Optimal or not?

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin administration regimens are arbitrary and highly subjective. Hence, it is essential to reinvestigate the appropriate dose for effective uterine contraction with minimal bleeding and adverse effects. AIM: To determine the optimal dose of bolus oxytocin for uterine contractions for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: Ninety term mothers (37 to 41 weeks) undergoing caesarean section electively under spinal anaesthesia were considered for the trial and divided into three groups to receive oxytocin bolus of one, two or three units. The uterine tone was assessed at 2 min after oxytocin administration. Intraoperative blood loss, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and possible side effects were also compared. Paired t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test with Scheffe multiple comparisons were used as inferential statistics. RESULTS: Adequate uterine contraction was seen in 66% of participants who received one unit of oxytocin, and in 83.3% of participants who received two units of oxytocin. All those who received three units of oxytocin had an adequate uterine contraction. Blood loss was inversely related to the bolus dose of oxytocin. CONCLUSIONS: Lower bolus oxytocin doses of one and two units were inadequate for uterine contraction at elective caeserean section, while three units appeared to be effective in terms of adequate uterine contraction, reduced blood loss and stable haemodynamic system and absent side effects.

Prophylactic low dose ketamine infusion for prevention of shivering during spinal anesthesia: A randomized double blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Regional anesthesia is known to produce perioperative hypothermia and shivering. We aimed to evaluate if prophylactic low dose ketamine bolus followed by infusion would prevent intraoperative and postoperative shivering under spinal anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) 1 and 2 undergoing abdominal and lower limb surgery were randomized to receive either 0.2 mg/kg iv of ketamine bolus followed by infusion 0.1 mg/kg/hr (Group K) or5 ml of saline followed by 0.1 ml/kg/hr solution (Group S) as an infusion throughout the period of surgery. The incidence of shivering was the primary outcome of the study with degree of sedation and the hemodynamic profile between the two groups being the secondary outcomes. Hemodynamics (Heart rate, Mean Blood Pressure and temperature), Grade of shivering and grade of sedation were assessed intraoperatively and for grade of shivering and sedation two hours postoperatively. Repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the hemodynamic variables and Chisquare test/Fisher's exact test to compare the grades of shivering and sedation between the two groups. RESULTS: Intraoperative shivering was seen in eighteen patients in saline group (58.06%) and only with four patients (13.79%) with ketamine group (P < 0.001). Post operative shivering was also significantly less in ketamine group compared to saline (P = 0.01). Also, patients who received ketamine had significant sedation in the intraoperative period (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic low dose ketamine administered as a small bolus followed by an infusion was effective in preventing both intraoperative and postoperative shivering.

Comparison of Nebulized Ketamine with Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate on the Incidence of Postoperative Sore Throat.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a known complication following general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation. Its incidence ranges from 21% to 65% and remains the eighth most undesirable postoperative event. Various measures have been tried to decrease the incidence of sore throat with various success rates. AIM: This study aimed at reducing the incidence of POST with ketamine and magnesium sulfate nebulization. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study is a prospective randomized, double-blinded study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After Institutional Ethics Committee approval and written informed consent, 80 patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups to receive magnesium sulfate 250 mg in 5 ml saline in Group A and ketamine 50 mg in 5 ml saline nebulization in Group B before the start of general anesthesia. All patients received standard anesthesia protocol. After extubation, all patients were enquired about the incidence and severity of sore throat at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare hemodynamic variables and Chi-square test to compare the incidence and severity of sore throat. RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographic profile, duration of laryngoscopy, time taken to intubate, and duration of surgery between the two groups. The incidence and severity of sore throat were significantly decreased in ketamine group at 4 and 6 h when compared to magnesium sulfate group. CONCLUSION: Nebulization with ketamine 50 mg significantly decreases the incidence of POST when compared to magnesium sulfate 250 mg.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block versus Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Nerve Block with Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Analgesia in Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Various analgesic modalities have been used for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery. In this randomized clinical trial, we have compared the analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with that of ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (IIIH) nerve block with wound infiltration in patients undergoing unilateral open inguinal hernia repair. AIM: The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of postoperative analgesia of ultrasound-guided TAP block and IIIH block with wound infiltration (WI) in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia surgery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a randomized clinical trial performed in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for hernia repair were randomized into two groups, Group T and Group I. Postoperatively, under ultrasound guidance, Group T received 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine - TAP block and Group I received 10 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine - IIIH block + WI with 10 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine. The primary outcome measure was the time to rescue analgesia in the first 24 h postoperatively. Fentanyl along with diclofenac was given as first rescue analgesic when the patient complained of pain. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical comparisons were performed using Student's t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Mean time to rescue analgesia was 5.900 ± 1.881 h and 3.766 ± 1.754 h (P < 0.001) and the mean pain scores were 5.73 ± 0.784 and 6.03 ± 0.850 for Group TAP and IIIH + WI, respectively. Hemodynamics were stable in both the groups. One-third of the patients received one dose of paracetamol in addition to the rescue analgesic in the first 24 h. There were no complications attributed to the block. CONCLUSION: As a multimodal analgesic regimen, definitely both TAP block and IIIH block with wound infiltration have a supporting role in providing analgesia in the postoperative period for adult inguinal hernia repair. In this study, ultrasound-guided TAP block provided longer pain control postoperatively than IIIH block with WI after inguinal hernia repair. There were no complications attributed to the blocks in either of the group.

Analgesic Efficacy of Transverse Abdominal Plane Block after Elective Cesarean Delivery - Bupivacaine with Fentanyl versus Bupivacaine Alone: A Randomized, Double-blind Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The analgesic benefit of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for cesarean delivery remains controversial. In our study, we compared the analgesic efficacy of TAP block using local anesthetic bupivacaine and adjunct fentanyl with bupivacaine alone in patients undergoing elective cesarean section. METHODS: Our study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial where sixty patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under subarachanoid block (2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine) were randomized into two groups, A and B. At the end of the surgical procedure, bilateral TAP block was performed guided by the ultrasound. Group A received 38 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 2 ml of 50 µg of fentanyl, whereas Group B received 38 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine + 2 ml of normal saline. The total volume was divided equally and administered bilaterally. Each patient was assessed for 24 h after TAP block, for time to rescue analgesia, pain using visual analog scale (VAS) score at rest and on movement, hemodynamic parameters (heart rate and blood pressure), nausea, vomiting, and sedation. Diclofenac 75 mg was given as rescue analgesia when the patient complained of pain or when VAS score >4. RESULTS: Prolonged postoperative analgesia was noticed with both the groups, with a mean time to rescue analgesia of approximately 6.5 h. There was no significant difference in time to rescue analgesia (6.49 ± 0.477 vs. 6.5 ± 0.480) when both the groups were compared among themselves. The pain scores among the two groups when compared did not show any added benefit. Incidence of nausea, vomiting, and sedation when compared between both the groups showed no difference. CONCLUSION: The TAP block as a part of a multimodal analgesic regimen definitely has a role in providing superior analgesia in the postoperative period. However, adjunct fentanyl to local anesthetic bupivacaine was found to have no added advantage when quality and duration of analgesia was compared.

A Randomized Controlled Study of 0.5% Bupivacaine, 0.5% Ropivacaine and 0.75% Ropivacaine for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block.

INTRODUCTION: For any surgery in the upper extremity that does not involve the shoulder, a supraclavicular block is preferred, as it is a safe procedure associated with rapid onset and reliable anaesthesia. Although ropivacaine has been extensively studied for epidural anaesthesia, very few reports exist on its use in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. AIM: This study was conducted to investigate and compare the effectiveness of supraclavicular brachial plexus anaesthesia with two different concentrations of ropivacaine (0.5% and 0.75%) and to compare them with the standard 0.5% bupivacaine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients of age 18 to 60 years belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) status 1 or 2, admitted to Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences were chosen for the study and were divided into three groups. Group A received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, group B received 30 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and group C received 30 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine into the supraclavicular region, by a nerve-stimulator technique. Onset time of each of the drug was recorded both for the sensory and motor block. Duration of sensory and motor block was recorded along with peri-operative haemodynamic monitoring. RESULTS: The onset of complete sensory and motor block observed with both ropivacaine groups and bupivacaine was similar (16.85±6.67 min in group A, 17.79±5.03 min in group B and 18.48±6.14 in group C, p>0.05); onset of motor block (21.45±4.45 min in group A, 22.23±4.05 min in group B and 22.33±5.17 in group C, p < 0.05). The duration of sensory block with 0.5% bupivacaine was 11.58 hours, with 0.5% ropivacaine was 9.02 hours with 0.75% ropivacaine was 8.87 hours (p<0.001). The duration of motor block with 0.5% bupivacaine was 12.94 hours, with 0.5% ropivacaine was 8.29 hours with 0.75% ropivacaine was 7.89 hours (p<0.001). Multiple comparison test with Bonferroni correction showed there was statistically significant difference in mean duration of sensory block between Group A (0.5% bupivacaine) and Group B (0.5% ropivacaine) and also between Group A (0.5% bupivacaine) and Group C (0.75% ropivacaine). However, there were no statistically significant difference in mean duration of sensory block between Group B (0.5% ropivacaine) and Group C (0.75% ropivacaine). The preoperative, intra operative and postoperative heart rate, systolic & diastolic blood pressure and oxygen saturation were comparable among the three study groups (p>0.05). No side effects were recorded in the study. CONCLUSION: The onset of sensory and motor block was similar in all the three groups. However, when compared to bupivacaine group, recovery of motor functions was faster in both the ropivacaine groups. Patients in all the 3 groups did not experience any adverse effects.