S-shaped reverse sural flap for reconstruction of tissue defect on heel.

Traumatic limb injury is a prevalent lesion in Iran. Motorcycle accidents are responsible for most of these traumatic lesions. Despite various reported techniques, the coverage of the Achilles tendon, malleoli, ankle and heel is still daunting and demanding procedure. S-shaped reverse sural flap is a modified technique of reconstruction. In this report of 6 patients underwent surgical reconstruction by this modified technique we discuss about the technique as a simple and safe technique with low morbidity rate and recommend using this technique in complex injuries.

Airway management in a toddler with a giant hemangioma of the tongue.

BACKGROUND: Induction of general anesthesia in a patient with compromised airway has always caused dilemma to anesthesiologist, especially for toddler this is paramounted. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18 month old boy had a huge sized lingual mass which not only filled entire oral cavity but protruded outside the mouth up to about 5 cm. Having in mind the diagnosis of hemangioma, prior to induction it was attempted to reduce the mass but could be reduced only minimally by manual decompression. While the tongue, still outside the mouth, with full preparedness for anesthesia was induced maintaining the spontaneous ventilation. During laryngoscopy and intubation the tongue was pulled out of the oral cavity to ease the passage of the endotracheal tube. The mass was excised successfully and patient had an uneventful postoperative course. CONCLUSION: Maintenance of spontaneous ventilation is the crucial safety element during induction.

Evaluation of a low dose ketamine in post tonsillectomy pain relief: a randomized trial comparing intravenous and subcutaneous ketamine in pediatrics.

BACKGROUND: Pain control in children is still a therapeutic dilemma. Preschool patients are affected from undesirable effects of postoperative pain more than adults. Tonsillectomy is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pain, not only complicating the recovery, but also delaying patients discharge. OBJECTIVES: Despite employing different surgical and anesthetic strategies in post-tonsillectomy pain relief, this is still a clinical problem. The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a low dose ketamine in post tonsillectomy pain relief. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our prospective randomized double blinded study enrolled 75 pediatric patients (3-10 years old) who were scheduled for a tonsillectomy procedure. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups receiving; intravenous (IV) ketamine 0.5mg/kg, subcutaneous (SC) ketamine 0.5 mg/kg and placebo at the end of the operation. Post-operative pain score was assessed using modified CHEOPS. RESULTS: In our study we did not find any significant difference among the three groups regarding sex, age, and weight, duration of operation, hemodynamic stability, and nausea and vomiting. However, in ketamine groups, pain score and analgesic consumption were significantly lower (P < 0.00). The efficacy of the both ketamine groups was similar. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that the both subcutaneous and intravenous injections of ketamine, at the end of the operation, were safe and effective for post-tonsillectomy pain control. Ketamine reduced postoperative analgesic medications consumption without increasing the risk of complications.

Subcutaneous dissociative conscious sedation (sDCS) an alternative method for airway regional blocks: a new approach.

BACKGROUND: Predicted difficult airway is a definite indication for awake intubation and spontaneous ventilation. Airway regional blocks which are commonly used to facilitate awake intubation are sometimes impossible or forbidden. On the other hand deep sedation could be life threatening in the case of compromised airway.The aim of this study is evaluating "Subcutaneous Dissociative Conscious Sedation" (sDCS) as an alternative method to airway regional blocks for awake intubation. METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized study, 30 patients with predicted difficult airway (laryngeal tumors), who were scheduled for direct laryngoscopic biopsy (DLB), underwent "Subcutaneous Dissociative Conscious Sedation" (sDCS) exerted by intravenous fentanyl 3-4ug/kg and subcutaneous ketamine 0.6-0.7 mg/kg. The tongue and pharynx were anesthetized with lidocaine spray (4%). 10 minutes after a subcutaneous injection of ketamine direct laryngoscopy was performed. Extra doses of fentanyl 50-100 ug were administered if the patient wasn't cooperative enough for laryngoscopy.Patients were evaluated for hemodynamic stability (heart rate and blood pressure), oxygen saturation (Spo2), patient cooperation (obedient to open the mouth for laryngoscopy and the number of tries for laryngoscopy), patient comfort (remaining moveless), hallucination, nystagmus and salivation (need for aspiration before laryngoscopy). RESULTS: Direct laryngoscopy was performed successfully in all patients. One patient needed extra fentanyl and then laryngoscopy was performed successfully on the second try. All patients were cooperative enough during laryngoscopy. Hemodynamic changes more than 20% occurred in just one patient. Oxygen desaturation (spo2< 90%) didn't occur in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous Dissociative Conscious Sedation (sDCS) as a new approach to airway is an acceptable and safe method for awake intubation and it can be suggested as a noninvasive substitute of low complication rate for regional airway blocks. REGISTRATION ID IN IRCT: IRCT201012075333N1.

Examination of submental space as an alternative method of airway assessment (submental sign).

BACKGROUND: Difficult airway especially failed intubation has been associated with a high incidence of mortality and morbidity. Most of mortalities occur when an anaesthesiologist encounters an unanticipated difficult airway. FINDINGS: In 1999, a 23 yr. old, 65 kg weight and 170 cm height female patient had been scheduled for arthroscopy. Despite totally normal airway assessment (thyromental distance, mouth opening, jaw and neck movement ...) I was astonished by encountering a grade IV Cormack - Lehane laryngoscopic view. Tracheal intubation was impossible and ventilation was very difficult.On attempt to attain a better laryngoscopic view, while manipulating submandibular region I encountered a bulky noncompliant submental space (Submental Sign). This event made me more alert regarding this finding. Thereafter I noted for this sign throughout the past years and I found it very helpful.These findings encouraged me to write this report, and suggest a routine examination of submental space in order to keep the safety of the patient at the heart of the care we provide. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the submental space is suggested as an alternative predictor of difficult airway and routine examination of the submental space is of value in airway assessment.

Dissociative conscious sedation, an alternative to general anesthesia for laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation: a randomized trial comparing intravenous and subcutaneous ketamine.

UNLABELLED: Laparoscopy is an effective method of implantation for peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters. Use of the laparoscopic technique is increasing because of its potential advantages over other techniques. In most patients, selection for PD is based on negative criteria, and because of the need for general anesthesia, the laparoscopic technique can be life-threatening in these patients. On the other hand, local anesthesia is insufficient for laparoscopic catheter implantation. To avoid the need for general anesthesia and to achieve patient safety and satisfaction, we designed a type of conscious sedation (dissociative conscious sedation) and compared the efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) ketamine added to narcotics in patients scheduled for laparoscopic implantation of a PD catheter. METHODS: Our prospective randomized double-blind study enrolled 60 adult patients with chronic renal failure who were scheduled for laparoscopic implantation of a PD catheter. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving IV ketamine, and the other receiving SC ketamine. In both groups, patients were premedicated with IV midazolam 0.015 mg/kg, fentanyl 1-2 µg/kg, and lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg. Patients then received 0.6 mg/kg ketamine either intravenously (IV group) or by subcutaneous injection at the anterior aspect of the forearm (SC group). If systolic blood pressure (BP) increased more than 20% from baseline or exceeded 170 mmHg, IV nitroglycerine (TNG) 50 µg was administered incrementally (repeated 50-µg doses). After a desirable level of conscious sedation was achieved, local anesthesia and nitrous oxide pneumoperitoneum were applied, and the PD catheter was implanted under laparoscopic guidance. Heart rate and BP were measured throughout the procedure. Adverse effects and recovery events were recorded. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure well. Administration of TNG was significantly more frequent in the IV ketamine group. Pain intensity during the surgery was similar in both groups. Both groups were comparable with regard to heart rate, but patients in the SC ketamine group had a significantly lower systolic BP at the 2nd measurement and a lower rate-pressure product at the 2nd, 4th, and 5th measurements. All patients in the SC ketamine group were cooperative during surgery and experienced uneventful recoveries; mild hallucinations were observed in 5 patients in the IV ketamine group. In the IV ketamine group, 3 patients lost the ability to cooperate during surgery. All catheters were successfully placed. CONCLUSIONS: Dissociative conscious sedation is an acceptable alternative to general anesthesia in laparoscopic implantation of the PD catheter. Ketamine by the SC route is as effective as, but safer than, IV ketamine.

Minimal access mediastinal surgery: One or two lung ventilation?

BACKGROUND: Minimal access mediastinal surgery (MAMS) is usually performed under general anaesthesia with double lumen tubes (DLT). The aim of this study is to evaluate two lung ventilation through single lumen tubes (SLT) during thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis and thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. METHODS: In this prospective non-randomized study, MAMS was performed in 58 patients with hyperhidrosis and 42 patients with myasthenia gravis, from January 2002 to December 2008. Patients were intubated with a DLT or SLT, 50 patients in each group. In the DLT group, endobronchial tubes were placed using the traditional blind approach and one lung ventilation was confirmed clinically. In the SLT group, the hemithorax was insufflated with CO2 in conjunction with two-lung anaesthesia. All the patients were evaluated for haemodynamic stability, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (Spo2), end-tidal Pco2 (ETPco2), times required for intubation and surgery, satisfaction of surgeon with regard to exposure and postoperative complications. RESULTS: In the SLT group, all the patients had stable haemodynamic and ventilation parameters. In the DLT group, haemodynamic instability occurred in two, decrease in Spo2 in four and increase in ETPco2 in three patients. One patient in the DLT group developed vocal cord granuloma two months later. Time required for surgery and the surgeon's opinion with regard to exposure were similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic surgery when used in cases where a well-collapsed lung may not be essential, since surgery is not performed on the lung itself, does not require DLT. SLT is safe in MAMS. It provides good surgical exposure and decreases the cost, time and undesirable complications of DLT.

Two lung ventilation through single lumen tracheal tube in thoracoscopic thymectomy: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been successfully used for thymectomy in myasthenia gravis (MG). Thoracoscopic thymectomy (TT) is usually done under general anesthesia with double lumen tubes (DLT). The aim of this study is evaluation of two lung ventilation through single lumen tubes (SLT) during TT. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, TT was done in 30 patients with MG from January 2004 to December 2007. Patients were randomly intubated with either a DLT or SLT, 15 patients in each group. All patients were evaluated for hemodynamic stability, oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (Spo2), end-tidal Pco2 (ETPco2), times required for intubation and surgery, satisfaction of surgeon about exposure and postoperative complications. RESULTS: In the SLT group, all patients had stable hemodynamic, Spo2 and ETPco2. In the DLT group, hemodynamic instability occurred in one, decrease in Spo2 in one and increase in ETPco2 in another patient. One patient in DLT group developed vocal cord granuloma two months later. Time required for surgery and surgeon's opinion about exposure were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: SLT is safe in TT. It provides good surgical exposure and decreases the cost, time and undesirable complications of DLT.