Perinatal complications associated with neuraxial blocks.

Regional techniques are the gold standard of obstetric anaesthesia. In both vaginal and Caesarean section deliveries, neuraxial blocks are the most frequently used methods for relieving pain. Although it provides excellent analgesia, regional anaesthesia is associated with certain adverse side effects and possible complications. In this narrative review, we bring together all available data and create a catalogue of complications resulting from the use of perinatal neuraxial anaesthesia which we divide according to their severity and the duration of their impact on patients' health. We focus on complications that have significant or long-term consequences. Even though their incidence is low at 1:1600 neuraxial anaesthetics performed, we believe that better understanding of the possible severe problems that can result from regional anaesthesia procedures would enhance the overall safety of patients during labour, delivery, and the postpartum period. Despite the pivotal role neuraxial techniques play in providing anaesthesia for parturients, there is a lack of good quality studies on the incidence of complications. We believe that a thorough assessment of the occurrence of complications should be carried out by analysing data from nationwide medical databases. By analysing the adverse side effects, both qualitatively and quantitatively, we think it possible to further improve the quality of patient care.

Presence of kynurenic acid in alcoholic beverages - Is this good news, or bad news?

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a metabolite of tryptophan formed enzymatically along kynurenine pathway in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. It was suggested that yeast may produce KYNA during the fermentation process. Since KYNA was found to interact with alcohol metabolism by inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity the aim of this study was to measure the content of KYNA in selected alcoholic beverages of various type, beer, wine, mead and spirits. Moreover, the absorption and elimination rate of KYNA administered as a beverage was investigated in humans. Twelve healthy volunteers (6 female and 6 male) were studied. Fifty six samples of alcoholic beverages were of commercial origin. KYNA was determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorometric detection. KYNA was identified in all studied beverages. The amounts of KYNA found in various types of beverages differed significantly: mead 9.4-38.1 µg/100 ml, wine 1.4-10.9 µg/100 ml, beer 0.1-5.2 µg/100 ml, spirits 0.01-0.1 µg/100 ml. In human, it was found that KYNA is rapidly absorbed from digestive tract reaching its maximal concentration in blood 30 min after administration. Thus, the potential interaction between KYNA and alcohol occurring in human body after ingestion of alcoholic beverages was proven.

Leigh syndrome in individuals bearing m.9185T>C MTATP6 variant. Is hyperventilation a factor which starts its development?

Leigh syndrome (LS), subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy is caused by various genetic defects, including m.9185T>C MTATP6 variant. Mechanism of LS development remains unknown. We report on the acid-base status of three patients with m.9185T>C related LS. At the onset, it showed respiratory alkalosis, reflecting excessive respiration effort (hyperventilation with low pCO2). In patient 1, the deterioration occurred in temporal relation to passive oxygen therapy. To the contrary, on the recovery, she demonstrated a relatively low respiratory drive, suggesting that a "hypoventilation" might be beneficial for m.9185T>C carriers. As long as circumstances of the development of LS have not been fully explained, we recommend to counteract hyperventilation and carefully dose oxygen in patients with m.9185T>C related LS.

The effect of crystalloid infusion on body water content and intra-abdominal pressure in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Crystalloids are frequently used for the correction of spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension, intraoperative bleeding, or vaporisation from surgical wounds. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to observe the effect of perioperative crystalloid infusion on intraabdominal pressure (IAP), volume excess (VE), total body water (TBW), and extracellular body water (ECW) in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult patients undergoing hip or knee replacement were studied. Changes in VE, TBW, ECW, and IAP were observed in patients who received restrictive fluid therapy (group R) and in patients who received liberal fluid therapy (group L). IAP was measured in the urinary bladder. All parameters were measured at 4 points in time: just before anesthesia (baseline value, A); just after surgery (B); 3 h after surgery (C); and on the morning of postoperative day 1 (D). Additionally, IAP was measured after anesthesia, just before surgery (A1). RESULTS: The mean baseline values of IAP, ECW, TBW, and VE were comparable between groups L and R. The induction of anesthesia reduced IAP in both groups (p < 0.001). IAP and VE increased in both groups after surgery. Significantly higher values of IAP, however, were noted in group L at time points B, C, and D. TBW and ECW increased after surgery in group L. In group R, ECW slightly increased only at time point C. IAP strongly correlated with ECW in group L (p < 0.001, r = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia reduces IAP. A perioperative increase in body water content and IAP mainly depends on the volume of the infused crystalloids.

Successful 1:1 proportion ventilation with a unique device for independent lung ventilation using a double-lumen tube without complications in the supine and lateral decubitus positions. A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate blood oxygenation and ventilation/perfusion matching should be main goal of anaesthetic and intensive care management. At present, one of the methods of improving gas exchange restricted by ventilation/perfusion mismatching is independent ventilation with two ventilators. Recently, however, a unique device has been developed, enabling ventilation of independent lungs in 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 proportions. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the device's utility, precision and impact on pulmonary mechanics. Secondly- to measure the gas distribution in supine and lateral decubitus position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 patients who underwent elective thoracic surgery were eligible for the study. During general anaesthesia, after double lumen tube intubation, the aforementioned control system was placed between the anaesthetic machine and the patient. In the supine and lateral decubitus (left/right) positions, measurements of conventional and independent (1:1 proportion) ventilation were performed separately for each lung, including the following: tidal volume, peak pressure and dynamic compliance. RESULTS: Our results show that conventional ventilation using Robertshaw tube in the supine position directs 47% of the tidal volume to the left lung and 53% to the right lung. Furthermore, in the left lateral position, 44% is directed to the dependent lung and 56% to the non-dependent lung. In the right lateral position, 49% is directed to the dependent lung and 51% to the non-dependent lung. The control system positively affected non-dependent and dependent lung ventilation by delivering equal tidal volumes into both lungs with no adverse effects, regardless of patient's position. CONCLUSIONS: We report that gas distribution is uneven during conventional ventilation using Robertshaw tube in the supine and lateral decubitus positions. However, this recently released control system enables precise and safe independent ventilation in the supine and the left and right lateral decubitus positions.

Intraoperative awareness--comparison of its incidence in women undergoing general anaesthesia for caesarean section and for gynaecological procedures.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative awareness (IA) is diagnosed when patients can recall their surroundings or an event related to the surgery that occurred while they were under general anaesthesia. The female gender and Caesarean section are considered to be contributing factors. The aim of the present study was to analyse the frequency of IA in patients undergoing general anaesthesia either for Caesarean section or gynaecological procedures. METHODS: ASA I and II women were included into the study. Patients were randomly allocated to 4 groups: A, B and C included patients qualified for elective gynaecological surgery, and group D comprised Caesarean section patients. Premedication was not given. Group A received total intravenous anaesthesia with TCI, and groups B, C and D received balanced anaesthesia. The depth of anaesthesia was monitored with an AEP monitor. Blinded structured interviews were conducted 2 hours after anaesthesia and on postoperative days 7 and 30. RESULTS: 337 patients were enrolled into the study. 45 patients reported diverse sensations connected to the anaesthesia (Group A - 7 patients, B - 9 patients, C - 2 patients, D - 28 patients). There were mainly dream sensations, but IA was present in 3 cases. In all of the cases, IA was recognised during the first interview. One episode of awareness appeared in group B, and the other two appeared in group D. One Caesarean section was complicated by intraoperative haemorrhage. The patient from group B had similar sensations during previous anaesthesia. Two women enrolled in the study reported awareness in the past, which did not occur this time. CONCLUSION: Awareness during general anaesthesia occurs occasionally. The frequency of occurrence in a group of patients undergoing general anaesthesia for uncomplicated Caesarean section is not higher than for other procedures. The anaesthesia for Caesarean section, as well as for other procedures, may be accompanied by pleasant dreams.

[Pre-emptive ketoprofen for postoperative pain relief after urologic surgery]. / Przydatnsc przedoperacyjnego zastosowania ketoprofenu w celu leczenia bólu pooperacyjnego po zabiegach urologicznych.

BACKGROUND: Effective multimodal postoperative analgesia is one of determinants of patient satisfaction after successful surgery. Following the recommendations of non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) for pre-emptive analgesia, we assessed the efficacy of ketoprofen administered before urological surgery. METHODS: Fifty-two ASA I and II adult patients, scheduled for elective urologic procedures under general anaesthesia, were enrolled in this prospective, double blind study. They were randomized to receive intravenously either 100 mg ketoprofen or placebo (0.9% saline), one hour before the procedure, and at 8, 24, 36 and 48 h after. Pethidine was given for rescue analgesia. VAS was used for pain scoring. RESULTS: Pain scores were similar in both groups and identified as severe (VAS >4) during the first 48 h after surgery. There was no difference in the number of patients requiring rescue pethidine analgesia, mostly required during the first 12 postoperative hours. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive analgesia with intravenous ketoprofen was ineffective in patients undergoing urological surgery.

[Perioperative risk in patients with sleep apnoea]. / Ryzyko okolooperacyjne u chorych z zespolem bezdechu sennego.

Patients with upper airway obstruction during sleep are at constant risk of hypoxic and hypercarbic episodes and are especially vulnerable during anaesthesia and sedation as the abnormal anatomy is compounded by drug-related respiratory depression. Elective procedures in patients with the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) should be usually delayed, allowing for the preoperative home treatment (diet, alcohol abstinence, nasal CPAP/BiPAP during night). Respiratory supportive techniques, started at home, should be continued in the hospital, both in preoperative and postoperative periods. Patients with OSA should be also thoroughly examined for possible anatomic abnormalities of the upper airway that may complicate laryngoscopy and/or intubation. Heavy premedication should be avoided; in special cases of very nervous patients oral clonidine may be used. Careful preoxygenation is mandatory, opioids should be used sparingly. Muscle relaxant should be calculated for an ideal body weight. Isoflurane should be avoided. The OPS and obese patients are usually extubated in the sitting or lateral positions to avoid limitation of FRC by elevated diaphragm. In selected cases, prolonged intubation and/or ventilation are recommended. Regional anaesthesia are usually safe in these patients, however, opioids should be used carefully. When sedation is required, ketamine or dexmedetomidine may be used.

Antimicrobial therapy of upper respiratory tract infections in children.

Respiratory tract infections still represent a serious medical problem, mainly in people with different dysfunctions of the immune system. That kind of infections frequently occurs in the children and in the elderly. The aim of the present work was to estimate paediatrician's preferences in antibiotics prescription and therapy effectiveness in cases of ambulatory bacterial upper respiratory tract infections in children. Paediatricians working in the Lublin area were asked to fill in an inquiry that estimated their preferences to the prescription of antibiotics in children. Additionally, the microbiological examinations were performed determining the treatment effectivity. The inquiry was filled by 47 persons. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was cefuroxime (93.6%), and the macrolids were prescribed rarely. During infection state, the predominant strain isolated was S. aureus (70.5%) and S. pyogenes (14.7%). After treatment, there was a significant increase in C. albicans isolation (44.1%) and H. influenzae (20.5%). There was a significant fall in isolation of S. pyogenes and S. aureus. Antibiotic prescription without earlier determination of susceptibility to antimicrobial agents had an influence on the appearance of postantimicrobial candidiosis, establishment of carrier state and increasing resistance among bacteria.