Transversus abdominis plane block versus caudal block with bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine for unilateral inguinal hernia repair in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine to the same mixture in the caudal block in delivering postoperative analgesia in children after unilateral inguinal hernia surgery. METHODS: The current study included 80 children aged two to eight years who were scheduled for unilateral inguinal hernia surgery under general anesthesia. A caudal block (1 mL/kg 0.25% bupivacaine and one µg /kg dexmedetomidine) or a TAP block (1 mL/kg 0.25% bupivacaine and one µg /kg dexmedetomidine) was given to each participant at random. The time it took to request analgesia for the first time, the postoperative pain score, total analgesic use, sedation, family satisfaction, and side effects were all measured. The primary outcome was time to first analgesic request. RESULTS: The caudal block group had a considerably shorter time to first analgesic request than the TAP block group. The caudal block group received more rescue analgesia doses within 24 hours than the TAP block group. The mean total dose of intravenous paracetamol within the first 24 hours postoperatively was greater in the caudal block group. The caudal block group had much higher family satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The TAP block and caudal block provide good postoperative analgesia in children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair. Adding dexmedetomidine to the TAP block was superior to the caudal block in terms of extending the length of the initial analgesic request, lowering analgesic requirement, and lowering pain scores without causing substantial adverse effects.

Preoperative lignocaine nebulisation for attenuation of the pressor response of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients with severe preeclampsia undergoing caesarean section delivery: A randomised double-blind controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Following induction of general anaesthesia, direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation usually cause tachycardia and hypertension due to increased sympathetic activity. This response is generally exaggerated in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative lignocaine nebulisation in attenuating the pressor response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in patients with severe preeclampsia undergoing caesarean delivery. Methods: After ethical approval, we conducted this randomised, double-blind study, which included 110 patients with severe preeclampsia who underwent caesarean delivery under general anaesthesia. These patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either preoperative nebulisation of lignocaine 2% in a dose of 4.5 mg/kg (not exceeding 400 mg) in the lignocaine group or nebulisation of an equivalent volume of 0.9% NaCl in the saline group. The primary objective was the systolic blood pressure after tracheal intubation. The secondary objectives included heart rate, maternal serum cortisol and blood glucose levels, grade of cough during emergence, postoperative sore throat and hoarseness of voice, neonatal Apgar score and umbilical blood gas. Results: The systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the lignocaine group compared to the saline group at 1, 3 and 5 min after endotracheal intubation and after delivery of the foetus (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.002 and 0.019, respectively). Similarly, the heart rate was significantly lower in the lignocaine group versus saline group at 1 and 3 min after endotracheal intubation (P = 0.041 and 0.042, respectively). Conclusion: Preoperative lignocaine nebulisation in a dose of 4.5 mg/kg effectively attenuated the pressor response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in patients with severe preeclampsia undergoing caesarean delivery.

Peri-anal infiltration versus caudal block for multimodal analgesia in paediatric patients with Hirschsprung's disease undergoing transanal endorectal pull-through procedure: A randomised trial.

Background and Aims: Transanal endorectal pull-through (TERPT) is a standard procedure for managing paediatric patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). This study aimed to evaluate peri-anal infiltration versus caudal block as a part of multimodal analgesia for paediatric patients with HD undergoing the TERPT procedure. Methods: This randomised trial included 60 patients of both genders, aged 6 to 18 months who underwent the TERPT procedure under general anaesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either peri-anal infiltration or caudal block with 1 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25% and dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg in 0.5 ml normal saline. The primary outcome was the time to the first rescue analgesia. The secondary outcomes were the total consumption, the frequency of nalbuphine administration as rescue analgesia within 24 hours and the level of postoperative sedation. Results: The time to first rescue analgesia was significantly shorter in the peri-anal infiltration group versus the caudal block group (median [interquartile range] 10 [7.5-12.5] h versus 16 [13.5-18.5] h, respectively, P = 0.008). The frequency of administration and the total dose of nalbuphine was significantly higher in the peri-anal infiltration group (P = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively). The sedation score was significantly higher in the caudal block group postoperatively. Conclusion: For paediatric patients undergoing the TERPT procedure, peri-anal infiltration was less effective than caudal block in terms of the duration of postoperative analgesia. However, both techniques were comparable during the first 6 hours postoperatively.

Efficacy of Levobupivacaine Versus Levobupivacaine Plus Dexmedetomidine Infiltration for Post-Tonsillectomy Analgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The study evaluated the analgesic effects of levobupivacaine infiltration in the tonsil bed, and a combination of levobupivacaine and dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Methods: Ninety children (ages 3 to 7 years) who were scheduled for a tonsillectomy were allocated randomly into two groups. (L Group): peritonsillar infiltration with 0.25% levobupivacaine (2 ml + 0.5 ml saline 0.9% per tonsil). (LD Group): levobupivacaine 0.25% (2 ml) plus dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg diluted in 1 ml saline 0.9% (0.5 ml in each tonsil), and administered by peritonsillar infiltration (2.5 ml per tonsil) following intubation 3-5 minutes before operation. To avoid bias, infiltrate a total volume of 2.5 ml in each tonsil. The first analgesic request time was the primary outcome, with postoperative pain score, total analgesic consumption, total oral intake, sedation, and side effects as secondary outcomes. Results: The first rescue analgesia time in the LD group was longer (644.31 ± 112.89 min) than in the L group (551.51 ± 146.16 min, P-value <0.001). The number of patients who required >1 analgesic dose in the L group (n = 13) was higher than in the LD group (n = 5). The LD group consumes a lower total dose of IV paracetamol in the first 24 hours postoperatively (321.89 ± 93.25 mg) than the L group (394.89 ± 183.71 mg, P < 0.00-value < 0.050). On the first day postoperatively, patients in the LD group had a higher total oral intake (P < 0.001). Except for a slight increase in laryngospasm in the L group, there were no side effects. Conclusions: The Children's peritonsillar infiltration of levobupivacaine and dexmedetomidine improved postoperative pain after adenotonsillectomy. The topically applied levobupivacaine and dexmedetomidine were concomitant with no systemic effects, greater total oral intake on the first day postoperative, and higher family satisfaction.

Does Radial Artery Cannulation Affect the Perfusion of the Dominant Hand in Adult Patients with Normal Modified Allen's Test Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries? Data Derived from the Peripheral Perfusion Index.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of radial artery cannulation on hand perfusion in patients with normal modified Allen's test undergoing cardiac surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study. SETTING: Single institution, Assiut University Cardiothoracic Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-nine patients who underwent cardiac surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Cannulation of radial artery in the dominant hand using a 20-gauge catheter. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcomes were the mean peripheral perfusion index (PPI) >60 seconds (mean PPI60) and the thumb temperature, which were measured at different times before and during the surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean PPI60 between both hands (p = 0.033). Before skin incision, the mean PPI60 was significantly higher in the noncannulated hand (p < 0.001). Also, there was a statistically significant difference in the thumb temperature between both hands (p = 0.013). At low core body temperature, the thumb temperature was significantly lower in the noncannulated hand (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients undergoing cardiac surgeries using CPB, even with normal modified Allen's test, radial artery cannulation may affect the perfusion of the dominant hand, especially at low arterial blood pressure or low core body temperature. Since the PPI is one of the noninvasive methods used for intraoperative assessment of the peripheral perfusion, the authors recommend the use of the noncannulated hand for this purpose to not misguide this assessment.

Could Short-Term Perioperative High-Dose Atorvastatin Offer Antiarrhythmic and Cardio-Protective Effects in Rheumatic Valve Replacement Surgery?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of prophylactic high-dose atorvastatin for prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), inflammatory response attenuation, and myocardial protection after valve replacement cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Assiut University Hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four adult patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were equally divided into 2 groups. Group S received 80 mg of atorvastatin (oral tablets), 12 and 2 hours preoperatively, and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th postoperative days. Control group C received placebo at the same time periods. MEASUREMENTS: The incidence of POAF, postoperative white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and troponin I. MAIN RESULTS: Group S patients showed a lower incidence of POAF compared with the placebo group (p = 0.031). The white blood cell count showed significant reductions in group S compared with group C on the second, third, fourth, and fifth postoperative days. The C-reactive protein level showed significant reductions on the third, fourth, and fifth postoperative days in group S compared with group C (p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The serum level of interleukin 6 showed a significant reduction on the fifth postoperative day in group S compared with group C (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the troponin I level and inotropic score. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of high dose atorvastatin can decrease the incidence of POAF and attenuate the inflammatory process in adult patients undergoing isolated rheumatic cardiac valve replacement surgery.