ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Blind ophthalmic anaesthetic techniques may have serious complications. AIM: To assess the safety of ultrasound as a guide in ophthalmic blocks. METHODS: Fifty adult patients undergoing cataract surgery under peribulbar block anaesthesia were randomly assigned to ultrasound-guided and conventional block groups. In the ultrasound-guided block group, a large amount of the standard ultrasound gel was applied to the closed eyelids. The globes were scanned in both sagittal and transverse planes. The patients were asked to look straight ahead with closed eyes without clenching the eyelids. The depth and gain were adjusted before performing the block. The primary outcome was the rate of complications. Secondary outcomes included the volume of injected anaesthetics and surgeon and patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: The local anaesthetic volume used was not significantly different between the two groups (7.08 ± 1.66 and 6.72 ± 1.97ml). The block onset, time and quality were comparable in both groups. No complications were reported, and there were no significant differences regarding surgeons' or patients' satisfaction with either procedure. CONCLUSION: The ultrasound-guided local ophthalmic block is as safe as the conventional method. Although its use was not superior to the conventional procedure, direct visualisation with ultrasound may be important to avoid vulnerable structures such as staphylomas.
Subject(s)
Cataract Extraction , Cataract , Adult , Humans , Anesthetics, Local , Anesthesia, Local/methods , Ultrasonography, InterventionalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in patients with significant carotid stenosis and may be performed under general anaesthesia (GA) or regional anaesthesia (RA). This study aimed to compare RA and GA with regard the jugular venous bulb blood lactate and pyruvate levels. METHODS: This randomised-controlled trial was done between October-2013 and September-2015. Thirty-six patients were randomised into either GA or RA groups, with six excluded after randomisation. In the RA group, combined deep and superficial cervical plexus blocks were performed. In the GA group, anaesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl. In both groups, monitoring of neurological function was done. Sampling of the contralateral jugular bulb blood was done. The main outcome measures were lactate and pyruvate in the jugular venous blood. For comparing categorical data, Chi-square test was used, and for the numerical variables, t-test was used. RESULTS: Demographics were comparable in the two Groups. Serum lactate and pyruvate levels were higher in the GA group than RA group. At 120 min under anaesthesia, lactate and pyruvate levels under RA vs. GA, respectively were 0.76±0.03 mEq/L vs. 1.14±0.06, p-0.001 mEq/L, and 0.08± 0.00 mEq/L vs. 0.10±0.01 mEq/L, p=0.006. Lactate/ pyruvate ratios were normal in both groups. The mean blood pressure was significantly lower in the GA group during anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing Carotid endarterectomy, serum levels of both lactate and pyruvate were higher under general versus regional anaesthesia.
ABSTRACT
Continuous, noninvasive hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring provides clinicians with the trending of changes in hemoglobin, which has the potential to alter red blood cell transfusion decision making. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of SpHb monitoring on blood transfusions in high blood loss surgery. In this prospective cohort study, eligible patients scheduled for neurosurgery were enrolled into either a Control Group or an intervention group (SpHb Group). The Control Group received intraoperative hemoglobin monitoring by intermittent blood sampling when there was an estimated 15% blood loss. If the laboratory value indicated a hemoglobin level of ≤10 g/dL, a red blood cell transfusion was started and continued until the estimated blood loss was replaced and a laboratory hemoglobin value was >l0 g/dL. In the SpHb Group patients were monitored with a Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter for continuous noninvasive hemoglobin values. Transfusion was started when the SpHb value fell to ≤l0 g/dL and was continued until the SpHb was ≥l0 g/dL. Blood samples were taken pre and post transfusion. Percent of patients transfused, average amount of blood transfused in those who received transfusions and the delay time from the hemoglobin reading of <10 g/dL to the start of transfusion (transfusion delay) were compared between groups. The trending ability of SpHb, and the bias and precision of SpHb compared to the laboratory hemoglobin were calculated. Compared to the Control Group, the SpHb Group had fewer units of blood transfused (1.0 vs 1.9 units for all patients; p ≤ 0.001, and 2.3 vs 3.9 units in patients receiving transfusions; p ≤ 0.0 l), fewer patients receiving >3 units (32 vs 73%; p ≤ 0.01) and a shorter time to transfusion after the need was established (9.2 ± 1.7 vs 50.2 ± 7.9 min; p ≤ 0.00 l). The absolute accuracy of SpHb was 0.0 ± 0.8 g/dL and trend accuracy yielded a coefficient of determination of 0.93. Adding SpHb monitoring to standard of care blood management resulted in decreased blood utilization in high blood loss neurosurgery, while facilitating earlier transfusions.
