The impact of the Apfel scoring system for prophylaxis of post-operative nausea and vomiting: A randomized controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common, undesirable, and stressful following surgery. By focusing attention and resources on those groups of patients most likely to develop PONV, the quality of care provided to the patients can be improved. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of PONV after implementation of the Apfel scoring system with the control group receiving prophylaxis for every surgery. The secondary objective was to identify the effect on the patient's expenditure/savings with respect to management of PONV. Material and Methods: This prospective randomized controlled double-blinded study enrolled 70 patients undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized to group A (control group - all received PONV prophylaxis) and group B (Apfel stratification performed for PONV prophylaxis). Based on the Apfel system, the risk of PONV was classified as the grades low, moderate, and high risk. Patients at moderate and high risk received PONV prophylaxis in group B. Patients were monitored for PONV during 24 h after surgery and rescue medication given as required. The effect of implementing Apfel risk stratification on the incidence of PONV (primary outcome measure) and on patient expenditure was compared. Results: Compared to administering prophylaxis for all patients, the incidence of PONV [group A-5 patients (14.3%)] did not increase (P = 0.428) after implementing the Apfel scoring system [group B-2 patients (5.7%)]. The number of patients spending on prophylaxis for PONV in group A [35 (100%)] was higher than that in group B [17 (48%)], without increasing expenditure on PONV treatment. Conclusion: Withholding prophylaxis on the basis of the Apfel scoring system did not increase the incidence of PONV compared to providing prophylaxis for all the patients. The overall cost of prevention and treatment of PONV is less when the Apfel scoring system is used.

Influence of Physical Activity of the Rescuer on Chest Compression Duration and its Effects on Hemodynamics and Fatigue Levels of the Rescuer: A Simulation-based Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving skill performed during the cardiac arrest. Various factors of rescuer affect CPR quality, and rescuers physical fitness is one among the important factors needs to be explored for improved CPR quality. This study aimed to assess the physical activity (PA) levels of the health care providers (HCPs) who were trained in basic life support (BLS) and its relationship on chest compression duration, hemodynamic parameters, and fatigue levels of the rescuers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted on 48 HCPs who were trained in BLS within one year. Eligible participants were contacted by email, and the responders' level of PA was determined using the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). The participants were recruited for chest compression-only cardiac arrest scenarios. Each subject performed continuous chest compression on the manikin until they perceived maximum fatigue. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and fatigue level were assessed at baseline, immediately after and following two minutes of cessation of chest compressions. The total duration of chest compression was also documented. RESULTS: Most participants (24, 50%) reported high levels of PA while 22 (45.83%) and 2 (4.17%) reported moderate and low intensity of PA, respectively. The mean age of the 35 participants was 26.08 ± 4.60 years. The mean duration of chest compressions was 193.25 seconds with higher times reported for those with high PA when compared to those with moderate PA (p = 0.017). Similar findings were also observed for fatigue. CONCLUSION: Rescuers who reported high PA had lower levels of fatigue and could perform longer duration of chest compressions. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Nayak VR, Babu A, Unnikrishnan R, Babu AS, Krishna HM. Influence of Physical Activity of the Rescuer on Chest Compression Duration and its Effects on Hemodynamics and Fatigue Levels of the Rescuer: a Simulation-based Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(6):409-413.

Two manoeuvres to facilitate the oral insertion of LMA CTrach™.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: LMA CTrachTM, a new intubating conduit, has a thicker shaft compared to that of the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) due to the embedded optical fibres of the system. This causes difficulty during insertion despite normal mouth opening. Utility of two manoeuvres to overcome this was evaluated. METHODS: From our experience with LMA CTrachTM we found that two manoeuvres can be helpful to facilitate the insertion of LMA (a) dorsal and downward pressure over the shaft at the point where it hinges against the incisors while continuing the one handed rotational insertion of LMA (b) Lateral insertion of the LMA till the cuff is inside the oral cavity and then rotation of the LMA by 90° and then complete the insertion. A retrospective analysis of 200 insertions of LMA CTrachTM was done to evaluate the utility of these manoeuvres. RESULTS: Out of 200 insertions, 15 were found to be difficult. Manoeuvre "a" was applied in 13 cases to facilitate the insertion and manoeuvre "b" was applied in 2 cases where insertion was not possible despite manoeuvre "a'. Insertion was successful in these cases after the application of the described manoeuvres. CONCLUSION: The two manoeuvres described above can be useful when LMA CTrachTM insertion into the oral cavity is obstructed by the incisor teeth.

A prospective comparative study between prewarming and cowarming to prevent intraoperative hypothermia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia defined as the perioperative core temperature of <36°C is a common problem in day-to-day anesthesia practice. It is not clear from the literature whether prewarming, that is, initiation of convective warming of the patient at a time point prior to induction of anesthesia is superior or comparable to cowarming, that is, initiation of convective warming simultaneously with induction of anesthesia. We conducted this study to find whether cowarming is as good as prewarming in preventing the occurrence of intraoperative hypothermia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-two adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to receive either prewarming for 60 min at 40° C or cowarming using the Level 1® Equator ® body warmer. All patients who were prewarmed also received cowarming during induction of anesthesia. In both the groups, convective warming was continued during intraoperative period. Incidence of intraoperative hypothermia, core, and peripheral body temperatures were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among 27 patients in each group who completed the study core temperature decreased to <35° C toward the end of surgery in 17 patients in group prewarming [mean (SD) 34.59 (1.17° C)] and 18 patients in group cowarming [mean (SD) 34.31 (1.34° C)]. The incidence of intraoperative hypothermia and the core temperature at the end of surgery were comparable (P = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Cowarming is as effective as prewarming to prevent intraoperative hypothermia.

Iatrogenic tracheobronchial tear during paediatric thoracoscopic oesophageal repair: an anaesthetic challenge.

Iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury is rare. Limited data is available on such injuries in infants and management of these is challenging. We present a 7-month-old male infant who was diagnosed with oesophageal stricture, and was planned for thoracoscopic repair of the same. Anaesthetic management with a single lumen tracheal tube ensued. However, an intraoperative loss of capnogram and desaturation led to the diagnosis of iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury. After unsuccessful pursuits with a Fogarty catheter through the tracheobronchial tear and through the right bronchus for lung isolation, blind left endobronchial intubation with a smaller tube and one lung ventilation was successful. The rent was repaired by an open procedure, and oesophageal surgery completed. However, the child succumbed and died of multiorgan failure 3 days later.

Tracheal intubation through laryngeal mask airway CTrach™ with polyvinyl chloride tube: Comparison between two orientations of the tracheal tube.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Higher success rate of intubation is observed with the reverse orientation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tracheal tube while intubating through laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Fastrach™. It is not clear whether the same is true during intubation through LMA CTrach™ visualizing the process of intubation. The primary aim of this study was to compare the influence of the PVC tracheal tube orientation on the success rate of intubation while intubating through LMA CTrach™. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred and fifty patients belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists status I-II, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to either group normal orientation or group reverse orientation. A maximum of 3 intubation attempts within a span of 3 min was allowed in each group before the change over to the other group. If intubation failed with the other orientation of the tube also, then intubation through LMA CTrach™ was abandoned and intubation done by direct laryngoscopy. The success of intubation, time, maneuvers, postoperative sore throat, and hoarseness were recorded. RESULTS: Tracheal intubation through LMA CTrach™ with PVC tube was successful in 94.5% of patients in group normal orientation and in 98.6% of patients in group reverse orientation. The first attempt success rate was 75.3% and 86.3% in group normal and group reverse orientation, respectively. The incidence of a sore throat was higher in the group normal orientation than in the reverse orientation (31.8% and 26.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Overall success rate of intubation was comparable between the two groups. Though statistically insignificant, the first attempt success rate was higher in group reverse orientation.

Comparison between intravenous dexmedetomidine and local lignocaine infiltration to attenuate the haemodynamic response to skull pin head holder application during craniotomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Skull pin application is intensely painful and can be accompanied by detrimental haemodynamic changes. We compared intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine with local infiltration of lignocaine at pin application sites to attenuate haemodynamic changes associated with pin application. METHODS: Fifty-two patients undergoing craniotomy were randomised to either group dexmedetomidine (received 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine over 10 min starting at induction of anaesthesia) or group lignocaine (received 3 ml of 2% lignocaine infiltration at pin application sites before pin application). Anaesthetic protocol was standardised. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at the following time intervals, pre-induction baseline, pre-infiltration, post-infiltration, pre-pin application and post-pin application at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 15 min. Statistical analysis was done using independent samples t-test, Fisher exact test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: HR and MAP were comparable between the groups at all the study intervals. The incidence of adverse haemodynamic effects attributable to pin application (tachycardia and/or hypertension) was comparable between the groups (2 patients in group dexmedetomidine and 5 in group lignocaine). However, the incidence of hypotension and/or bradycardia was significantly greater in the dexmedetomidine group (19 patients in group dexmedetomidine and 5 patients in group lignocaine; P = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: IV dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg over 10 min is comparable to local infiltration of 2% lignocaine at pin application sites to attenuate the haemodynamic response associated with skull pin application. However, use of dexmedetomidine is associated with significantly higher incidence of hypotension and bradycardia.

Premedication with gabapentin, alprazolam or a placebo for abdominal hysterectomy: Effect on pre-operative anxiety, post-operative pain and morphine consumption.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Utility of gabapentin for pre-operative anxiolysis as compared to commonly administered alprazolam is not evident. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of pre-operative oral gabapentin 600 mg, alprazolam 0.5 mg or a placebo on pre-operative anxiety along with post-operative pain and morphine consumption. METHODS: Seventy five patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy under general anaesthesia were included. Groups gabapentin, alprazolam and placebo, received oral gabapentin 600 mg, alprazolam 0.5 mg and one capsule of oral B-complex forte with Vitamin C respectively, on the night prior to surgery and 2 h prior to surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure the anxiety and post-operative pain. All patients received patient-controlled analgesia. Statistical tests used were Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Alprazolam provided significant anxiolysis (median [interquartile range] baseline VAS score 35 [15.5, 52] to 20 [6.5, 34.5] after drug administration; P = 0.007). Gabapentin did not provide significant decrease in anxiety (median [interquartile range] VAS score 21 [7.5, 41] to 20 [6.5, 34.5]; P = 0.782). First analgesic request time (median [interquartile range in minutes]) was longer in group gabapentin (17.5 [10, 41.25]) compared to group placebo (10 [5, 15]) (P = 0.019) but comparable to that in group alprazolam (15 [10, 30]). Cumulative morphine consumption at different time periods and total morphine consumption (mean [standard deviation]) at the end of study period (38.65 [18.04], 39.91 [15.73], 44.29 [16.02] mg in group gabapentin, alprazolam and placebo respectively) were comparable. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin 600 mg does not have significant anxiolytic effect compared to alprazolam 0.5 mg. Alprazolam 0.5 mg was found to be an effective anxiolytic in the pre-operative period. Neither alprazolam nor gabapentin, when compared to placebo showed any opioid sparing effects post-operatively.

Adult face mask for inhalational induction in a child with maxillofacial injury.

We report the anesthetic management in a 4-year-old child with maxillofacial injuries for emergency reduction of mandibular fracture. The problem of leakage of anesthetic gases through the externally communicating wound was successfully overcome by the use of an adult-sized face mask for inhalational induction of anesthesia in this case.

Does the newer preparation of propofol, an emulsion of medium/long chain triglycerides cause less injection pain in children when premixed with lignocaine?

BACKGROUND: Injection pain during propofol administration can be particularly distressing in children. The newly available emulsion of propofol in medium and long chain triglycerides (LCT) is reported to cause less injection pain because of lower concentrations of free propofol. This study compared the incidence of injection pain during administration of propofol emulsion of LCT and propofol emulsion of medium and long chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) both premixed with lignocaine in children. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double blind study was conducted after obtaining institutional ethics committee approval, parental consent and included 84 children aged 5-15 years. Preoperatively, an intravenous cannula was inserted in all children. four children were excluded. Those included, depending on the randomization, received 3 mg x kg(-1) of either propofol LCT or propofol MCT/LCT both premixed with lignocaine (0.1%). The incidence and intensity of injection pain was assessed. RESULTS: Pain on injection of propofol LCT with lignocaine was observed in 16/40 children (40%), five of these children complained of severe pain. In comparison, 14/40 (35%) children complained of pain following propofol MCT/LCT premixed with lignocaine (P = 0.644), the intensity being severe in two children (P = 0.698). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol MCT/LCT and propofol LCT premixed with lignocaine are both associated with pain on injection in children; the incidence and intensity of the injection pain are similar.