Newer frontiers in onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine.

Despite an increase in knowledge on the biology of cancer and newer therapeutic modalities, the incidence and mortality of cancer continue to rise. Interventions to enhance perioperative outcomes in cancer is a growing research area that targets early recovery and initiation of cancer-specific treatment. Increasing mortality in non-communicable diseases such as cancer mandates an integrated palliative care for these patients to achieve the best possible quality of life. The aim of this review is to discuss in brief the advancements in onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine that have helped improve oncological outcomes and the quality of life of patients.

Massive Lymphedema Necessitating Disarticulation of Shoulder Joint Following Treatment for Carcinoma Breast.

We report a case of massive upper-limb edema necessitating disarticulation, in a cancer survivor who tended to ignore instructions regarding preventive exercises since 2002 after completion of her treatment for breast cancer. However, she was in a family situation where she was constrained to physically involve in daily chores. Consequently, she presented 14 years later with a lymphedematous arm which weighed over 31 kg, necessitating disarticulation. We highlight the role of preventive exercises in postmastectomy patients and also the efficacy of continuous nerve block techniques in preventing the development of phantom limb pain in cases of disarticulation and amputation. The role of family support for a working female cancer survivor in a country like India needs to be addressed. We salute her commitment to her family as also her grit and determination. Shoulder disarticulation was the last choice for this woman. We also want to highlight the role of the community in monitoring and preventing such disasters.

Role of preoperative investigations in elderly patients undergoing oncosurgical procedures - A retrospective review audit.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of the current practice of various investigations and consultations being done during preanesthetic evaluation in patients undergoing oncosurgical procedures in our hospital. We also evaluated the delay caused due to these and its value in predicting postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The preanesthetic charts of 300 elderly patients >65 years of age were reviewed, and the incidence of abnormal investigations and number of consultations advised were noted. The incidence and predictive values of these were assessed. RESULTS: More than half the number of patients had more than one comorbidity and were advised various consultations based on history, National Institute of Clinical and Health Excellence (NICE) guidelines, and institutional protocol. Multiple visits to preanesthetic clinic were required in patients who had abnormal thyroid tests or respiratory complaints which was the main reason for delay in scheduling surgery. However, despite multiple comorbidities not more than 12.7% of the blood tests ordered were found to be abnormal. Abnormal blood tests were not significantly associated with higher incidence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Blood investigations do not predict postoperative complication rate and do not influence anesthetic management of elderly patients undergoing oncosurgical procedures but are rather influenced by surgical procedure and presence of comorbidities. Hence, preanesthetic clinic should assess patients based on other predictive tests rather than relying on blood investigations alone.

Anesthetic management of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (Schmidt's syndrome)--a case report-.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) are complex diseases with diverse clinical presentations resulting from involvement of multiple endocrine glands. Surgery under anesthetic in these patients is challenging. A case of Schmidt syndrome (autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 11) that developed adrenocortical insufficiency in the postoperative period is reported. Etiology, pathogenesis, types and anesthetic problems associated with these cases are discussed. CASE REPORT: A 41 yr old female patient, diagnosed to have APS (Schmidt syndrome) presented for uterine surgery. She had autoimmune glandular involvement of pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals and melanocytes and was on hormone replacements for the deficiencies incurred, which were continued till the morning of surgery. Surgery was conducted under general anesthetic combined with epidural analgesia. In spite of supplementation of steroid in physiological doses prior to surgery, she developed hemodynamic instability in the early postoperative period, but could be successfully resuscitated with additional steroid dosage and fluids. CONCLUSION: This patient presented with multiglandular endocrine involvement necessitating timely, adequate hormone replacement and appropriate fluid management. These challenges require careful approach to anesthetic management.

Continuous morphine infusions for cancer pain in resource-scarce environments: comparison of the subcutaneous and intravenous routes of administration.

Acute onset of severe pain in cancer patients may be due to multiple causes. Irrespective of the etiology, adequate analgesia has to be provided as quickly as possible. The standard practices of relieving pain by using syringe pumps (syringe drivers) or infusion pumps may not be feasible in resource-scarce developing nations where many cancer patients first present at advanced stages of disease for management. This study compared the efficacy of the subcutaneous and intravenous routes of morphine administration continuously using a simple and economic technique for cancer pain management. Both routes were found to be equally effective in producing good analgesia without side effects. The drip method is a cost-effective way of providing subcutaneous morphine infusion for cancer patients and is applicable for both inpatients and home care.

Cancer pain intensity measurements in outpatients: preferences and comparison of pain scales among patients, caregivers, physicians and nurses in southern India.

Pain is frequently encountered in outpatient oncology practice and its management often is inadequate. Effective analgesia often could be provided for these patients through simple practices like pain intensity monitoring, documentation and treatment accordingly. A survey was carried out among cancer patients attending outpatient pain clinic to evaluate scale preferences, comparison of different scales as well as proxy reporting by caregiver, health professionals, for pain management. The aim of the study was to determine preferences in Indian population and to compare our study subjects' preferences to those previously reported in other cultures. A total of 99 patients participated in the study. The majority preferred a visual analogue scale (VAS). The visual analogue scale and verbal descriptive scale (VDS) were found to be equally reliable pain rating tools. Proxy reports were found to equally representative of patient's pain. VAS was the preferred pain assessment tool. In the absence of VAS scale, VDS also could be used. Proxy reports could be relied upon for management of pain.