Efficacy of IM dexmedetomidine in alleviating catheter related bladder discomfort and postoperative inflammatory response following percutaneous nephrolithotomy. A prospective randomized controlled study.

Background and Aims: Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) causes significant distress to the patient and requires great attention to analgesia and increases morbidity in the postoperative period. This study evaluated the efficacy of intramuscular dexmedetomidine in alleviating CRBD following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and postoperative inflammatory response. Material and Methods: A prospective randomized double-blind study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from December 2019- March 2020. Sixty seven of ASA I and II patients scheduled for elective PCNL were randomized and group I received 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine intramuscularly and group II normal saline as control 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia protocol was followed and patients were catheterized with 16 Fr Foleys after induction of anesthesia. Rescue analgesia was paracetamol if the score was moderate. Postoperatively CRBD score and inflammatory markers; total white cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and temperature were noted for 3 days. Results: There was a significant low CRBD score in group I. Ramsay sedation score was 2 in group I with p 0.00 and rescue analgesia required was very low with p 0.00. Statistical Package for social Sciences software version 20 was used for analysis. Student ttest, analysis of variance, and Chisquare test were applied for quantitative and qualitative analysis respectively. Conclusion: Single dose intramuscular dexmedetomidine is effective, simple and safe in preventing the CRBD and the inflammatory response remained uninfluenced except ESR, the reason remains largely unknown.

Influence of gender on postoperative pain in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the procedure of choice for managing large renal calculi. Although minimally invasive, it is associated with pain due to dilatation of renal capsule, parenchymal tract, and nephrostomy tube placement. Gender differences in pain perception and analgesic requirement have not been studied in PCNL surgeries. This study was done to evaluate the influence of gender on pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a prospective observational study including 60 ASA physical status I and II patients. The number of males and females were 29 and 31, respectively. Analgesic requirement and postoperative pain score were assessed by visual and dynamic visual analog scales (VAS, DVAS) score fourth hourly for first 24 h. Rescue analgesia was IV paracetamol 1 g when pain score exceeded four. VAS scores were assessed using Mann-Whitney test. Rescue analgesia was calculated as frequency and proportions. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean pain score values (VAS P = 0.361; DVAS P = 0.332) and postoperative fentanyl (P = 0.703) did not show a statistically significant difference in males and females. The requirement of rescue paracetamol was higher in females with 30 out of 31 females demanding a rescue analgesic in comparison to 15 out of 29 male patients (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: No significant difference was observed in postoperative pain among males and females in patients undergoing PCNL surgery. The analgesic requirement, however, was found to be more in females than in males.

Evaluation of nebulised dexmedetomidine in blunting haemodynamic response to intubation: A prospective randomised study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The process of laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation is associated with intense sympathetic activity, which may precipitate intra-operative complications. Taking the advantage of dexmedetomidine's good bioavailability and rapid absorption through nasal mucosa; we contemplated this study to evaluate the effects of nebulised dexmedetomidine as a premedication in blunting the haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. METHODS: This prospective, randomised, comparative study was conducted in 100 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I, II patients. The primary outcome was to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine nebulisation in blunting the stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation. The secondary outcome was to study its adverse effects. The study population was divided randomly into two groups. Control group C (n = 50) received nebulisation with 5 ml of normal saline and group D (n = 50) received 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine 5 ml 10 min before induction in sitting position. RESULTS: Demographics were comparable. Following laryngoscopy and intubation, systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), response entropy (RE) and state entropy (SE) were markedly increased in the control group whereas in group D there was a fall in SBP (at 1 min-126.64 ± 26.37; P 0.01, 5 min-109.50 ± 16.83; P 0.02, 10 min-106.94 ± 17.01; P 0.03), DBP (at 1 min-83.18 ± 17.89; P 0.001, 5 min-66.40 ± 13.88; P 0.001, 10 min- 62.56 ± 14.91; P 0.01) and MAP (at 1 min-99.68 ± 19.22; P 0.001, 5 min- 84.08 ± 13.66; P 0.003, 10 min- 81.74 ± 14.79; P 0.008), RE and SE which was statistically significant (P 0.002). There was a dose sparing effect of propofol in group D; sedation score was comparable. CONCLUSION: Nebulised dexmedetomidine effectively blunts the stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation with no adverse effects.

Effect of infraorbital nerve block on postoperative pain and 30-day morbidity at the donor site in buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Buccal mucosa harvest for substitution urethroplasty can be painful, and may be associated with long-term complications such as perioral numbness, persistent difficulty with mouth opening, and change in salivary function. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of infraorbital nerve block (IOB) in relieving postoperative pain at the donor site of the buccal mucosal graft (BMG) and its associated morbidity at 30 days. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty adults scheduled for BMG urethroplasty were enrolled in this study and were randomized to receive either no block group I (control) and IOB group II intraorally with 1 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale, intraoral morbidity, and patient satisfaction in the immediate postoperative period. All patients were reviewed after 1 month for morbidity such as perioral numbness, pain on mastication, and tightness on mouth opening. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney's U and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Median time to pain-free oral intake for liquids (group I: 2-5 days, group II: 1 day, P < 0.001) and solids (group I: 4 days, group II: 2 days, P < 0.001) was earlier in group II. At the follow-up after 1 month, one patient in group II and three patients in group I showed perioral numbness (P = 0.026), and five patients had pain on mastication in group I (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: IOB is associated with postoperative analgesia and facilitation of early food intake, mitigating the morbidity of the donor site and provides satisfaction.

Comparison of ease of intubation in sniffing position and further neck flexion.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Optimization of patient's head and neck position for the best laryngeal view is the most important step before laryngoscopy and intubation. The objective of this prospective crossover study was to determine the differences, if any, between the gold standard sniffing position (SP) and the further head elevation (HE) (neck flexion) with regard to the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy, intubation difficulty, and variables of the I ntubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) in adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the "SP" the neck must be flexed on the chest by elevating the head with a cushion under the occiput and extending the head at the atlanto-occipital joint. Our study was carried out to evaluate the glottic view in SP compared to further HE by 1.5 inches during direct laryngoscopy in elective surgeries. Patients were randomly assigned to either Group A ("SP" during first laryngoscopy and "HE" during second laryngoscopy) or vice versa in Group B. The effect of patient position on ease of intubation was assessed using a quantitative scale - The intubation difficulty scale (IDS). RESULTS: There were significant differences with regard to glottic visualization (P = 0.00), number of operators (P = 0.001), laryngeal pressure (P = 0.00), and lifting force (P = 0.00) required for intubation and IDS (P = 0.00), thus favoring further HE position. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the HE position is superior to standard SP with regard to ease of intubation as assessed by IDS.

A comparison of the efficacy of intercostal nerve block and peritubal infiltration of ropivacaine for post-operative analgesia following percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intercostal nerve blockade (ICNB) and peritubal infiltration of the nephrostomy tract are well-established regional anaesthetic techniques for alleviating pain after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This prospective study compared the efficacy of ICNB and peritubal local anaesthetic infiltration of the nephrostomy tract in providing post-operative analgesia following PCNL. METHODS: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status 1 and II patients scheduled for PCNL requiring nephrostomy tube were randomised to receive either peritubal infiltration or ICNB. At the completion of the procedure, patients in Group P received peritubal infiltration and those in Group I received ICNB at 10, 11, 12th spaces using fluoroscopy guidance. Postoperatively, patients were followed for 24 h for pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Dynamic VAS. Rescue analgesia was inj. tramadol 1 mg/kg IV when pain score exceeded 4. Time to first rescue analgesia, number of doses and patient's satisfaction were noted in all patients. RESULTS: Pain scores were lower in the group I at all points of measurement than group P. The mean time to first demand for rescue analgesia was higher in Group I (13.22 ± 4.076 h vs 7.167 ± 3.92 h P - 0.001). The number of demands and the amount of analgesics consumed were less in Group I. CONCLUSION: ICNB provided superior analgesia as evidenced by longer time to first demand of analgesic, reduced number of demands and consumption of rescue analgesic. Peritubal infiltration, although less efficacious, may be a safe and simple alternative technique.

WOUND INSTILLATION OF LOCAL ANESTHETIC BUPIVACAINE FOR POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA FOLLOWING LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY.

PURPOSE: Lumbar laminectomy is a commonly performed procedure in neurosurgical and orthopedic practice. Postoperative pain reliefhelps in early mobilization, initiation of physiotherapy, provides satisfaction to the patients and plays an important role in reducing the morbidity and mortality. This prospective study investigated the simple technique of instillation of wound with bupivacaine and leaving a contact time of 60 seconds on postoperative pain following lumbar laminectomy. METHODS: 32 ASA I and II patients scheduled for laminectomy were randomly allocated to receive either 20 ml of normal saline (group I) or 0.25% of bupivacaine (group II) into the wound after securing hemostasis. After a dwell time of 60sec the wound was closed in layers without mopping or suctioning. After extubation, the pain scores were evaluated by visual analog scale at every 4 hrs. for 24hrs and also the time for first demand of analgesia, number of analgesic demands and the total amount of analgesia consumed were noted by an independent observer.. RESULTS: The median duration of analgesia in group I was 8.8 [5-11] and in group II 13 [8.5-16] hrs. with a p = 0.04. The number of demands and the amount of analgesia consumed was also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Wound instillation technique is simple, safe and effective in management of acute pain management after lumbar laminectomy and can be used as one among the multimodal armamentarium in pain management.

Anaesthetic concerns during adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome with known hyperhomocysteinemia.

Maintenance of homeostasis during anaesthesia in the patient with two major metabolic disorders whose systemic effects either compliment or contradict each other is a challenge to the anaesthesiologist. A 25-year-old male patient with Cushing's syndrome and known hyperhomocysteinemia was scheduled for open adrenalectomy. Both these disorders compound the hypercoagulable state and differ in glucose metabolism. In addition, obesity, difficult airway, electrolyte and metabolic derangements that accompany Cushing's syndrome warrant special attention. He was on anticoagulant therapy and inferior vena cava filter following an episode of pulmonary thromboembolism with deep vein thrombosis. Perioperative hydrocortisone was administered. Thoracic epidural catheter was placed at T10-T11 interspace, standard general anaesthesia was administered without nitrous oxide. Patient was extubated following an uneventful procedure and discharged home on 10(th) post-operative day. Understanding the anaesthetic implications and the pathophysiological interactions of multiple metabolic disorders with a potential for multisystem involvement is key to the successful management of these patients.

Role of wound instillation with bupivacaine through surgical drains for postoperative analgesia in modified radical mastectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) is the commonly used surgical procedure for operable breast cancer, which involves extensive tissue dissection. Therefore, wound instillation with local anaesthetic may provide better postoperative analgesia than infiltration along the line of incision. We hypothesised that instillation of bupivacaine through chest and axillary drains into the wound may provide postoperative analgesia. METHODS: In this prospective randomised controlled study 60 patients aged 45-60 years were divided into three groups. All patients were administered general anaesthesia. At the end of the surgical procedure, axillary and chest wall drains were placed before closure. Group C was the control with no instillation; Group S received 40 ml normal saline, 20 ml through each drain; and Group B received 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and the drains were clamped for 10 min. After extubation, pain score for both static and dynamic pain was evaluated using visual analog scale and then 4(th) hourly till 24 h. Rescue analgesia was injection tramadol, if the pain score exceeds 4. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 13. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the cumulative analgesic requirement and the number of analgesic demands between the groups (P: 0.000). The mean duration of analgesia in the bupivacaine group was 14.6 h, 10.3 in the saline group and 4.3 h in the control group. CONCLUSION: Wound instillation with local anaesthetics is a simple and effective means of providing good analgesia without any major side-effects.

Unilateral neurogenic pulmonary oedema: An unusual cause for post-operative respiratory dysfunction following clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysm.

A variety of central nervous system lesions like stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, trauma and seizure activity can result in neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPE). Unilateral neurogenic pulmonary oedema is very rare. There are no reports of unilateral NPE with aneurysmal vasospasm. We present the case of a 55-year-old female who developed respiratory distress with unilateral pulmonary oedema and mild left ventricular dysfunction in the context of postoperative cerebral vasospasm following clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Neurogenic pulmonary oedema should always be in the differential diagnosis when patients with presumed neurogenic pathology develop respiratory compromise. The diagnosis of unilateral neurogenic pulmonary oedema requires a high index of suspicion. Early initiation of supportive treatment results in good outcome.

Failed rapid sequence induction in an achondroplastic dwarf.

Achondroplasia, a common cause of short limbed type of dwarfism is due to quantitative decrease in rate of endochondral ossification. This abnormal bone growth leads to disproportionate body and head structure, thus placing them under high risk for anaesthetic management. There is paucity in literatures, regarding appropriate drug dosage selection in these patients. Use of drugs as per standard dosage recommendations based on body weight or body surface area, may not be adequate in these patients owing to discrepancies in overall body weight and lean body weight, especially during rapid sequence induction. Here, we report a case of failed rapid sequence induction due to abnormal response to administered drugs in an adult achondroplastic dwarf. Standard doses of thiopentone and rocuronium had to be repeated thrice to achieve adequate conditions for intubation.

Efficacy of palatal block for analgesia following palatoplasty in children with cleft palate.

BACKGROUND: This prospective randomized controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of palatal block i.e. blocking of naso palatine, greater and also lesser palatine nerves in children with cleft palate undergoing palatoplasty by evaluating its effects on intraoperative anesthetic requirement, postoperative analgesia and parental satisfaction. METHODS: Forty-five pediatric patients aged below five undergoing cleft palate repair were randomly allocated to three groups of 15 each. After tracheal intubation, Group NB received no block for control, group S received 0.5 ml of normal saline and group B received 0.5 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine for palatal block. Postoperative pain score, the time to first demand of analgesia and number of rescue analgesic demands were noted. Finally, the parental satisfaction was graded. RESULTS: The block had no anesthetic sparing effect. The mean pain scores were significantly lower in patients who received block than in the group NB. The mean area under curve for FLACC score in group NB was 29 with 95% CI of 25-32, group S was 15 with 95% CI of 8.9-22.3 and in group B, it was 10 with 95% CI of 6-14. The time to first demand of analgesia was 6 [4.5-6] h in group NB, 18 [6-18] h in group S and 18 [18-18] h in group B (P-0.000). The number of demands of rescue analgesia was significantly less in group B 0 [0-0.25], 0 [0-2] in S group compared to group NB 3 [3-3] (P-0.000). The parental satisfaction was good in patients who received block and poor in group NB. CONCLUSION: Palatal block is technically simple, safe and effectively provides postoperative analgesia with good parental satisfaction. Injection of saline also produced palatal nerve block; however, the effect was not consistent.

Efficacy of peritubal local anesthetic infiltration in alleviating postoperative pain in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a safe and effective endourologic procedure in patients with renal calculi. It is less morbid than open surgery. However, the patient complains of pain around the nephrostomy tube and demands for good postoperative analgesia. Skin infiltration with bupivacaine around the nephrostomy tube is not effective, so we hypothesize that peritubal infiltration of bupivacaine from renal capsule to the skin along the nephrostomy tract may alleviate postoperative pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled study was designed in 40 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I patients to assess the impact of peritubal bupivacaine infiltration with 23-gauge spinal needle along the nephrostomy tract after PCNL under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were randomized to receive 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine in block group (n = 20) or no infiltration in control group (n = 20) at the conclusion of the procedure. Postoperative pain score and analgesic requirement for the first 24 hours were assessed by visual and dynamic visual analog scales second hourly. Rescue analgesia with injection tramadol Hcl 50-100 mg was given intravenously to a maximum total dose of 400 mg when pain score exceeded 4. RESULTS: Pain scores and analgesic requirement for the first 24 hours postoperatively were significantly lesser in the block group than in the control group of patients at all points of time and were statistically significant (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: In this study a significant difference in the pain scores and analgesic requirement was noted in the two groups of patients. Peritubal infiltration of 0.25% bupivacaine solution is efficient in alleviating postoperative pain after PCNL.

Routine preoperative coagulation screening detects a rare bleeding disorder.

Factor X deficiency is a rare hereditary coagulation disorder. We report a case of congenital factor X deficiency diagnosed preoperatively in an 8-yr-old female child scheduled to undergo corrective surgery for congenital thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis. Her preoperative coagulation profile revealed prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values. Further evaluation showed functional activity of factor X was <8% of the normal activity and was corrected to 10%-40% of the normal activity with fresh frozen plasma. IV tranexamic acid was also administered to reduce intraoperative blood loss. There were no postoperative bleeding complications. This case emphasizes the need for routine preoperative coagulation screening, at least for major surgical procedures.

Prolonged apnea with intramuscular ketamine: a case report.

We report a rare case of prolonged apnea following administration of ketamine. A healthy 11-month-old female child was administered intramuscular ketamine as a sole anesthetic agent for a short surgical procedure. Child developed respiratory depression and prolonged apnea requiring intubation and ventilation. She recovered completely after 90 min. This case report illustrates the potential hazard of ketamine, emphasizes the importance of being able to provide emergency airway management and monitored anesthesia care.