Comparison of ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block and anterior quadratus lumborum block in patients undergoing caesarean delivery: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean section is becoming increasingly common. Well-managed postoperative analgesia improves patient comfort while encouraging early ambulation and breastfeeding. The analgesic efficacy of transversalis facial plane block (TFPB) vs. anterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) was compared in this study. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 49 pregnant women (gestation, ≥ 37weeks; age, 18-45years) scheduled for elective cesarean delivery (CD) under general anesthesia. They were randomly divided into TFPB and anterior QLB groups. All blocks were administered bilaterally with 25mL of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance prior to extubation. Postoperative morphine consumption and numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores (static and dynamic [during coughing]) were recorded at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24h. RESULTS: There was no difference in postoperative morphine consumption between the groups at the third, sixth, and ninth hours, but the anterior QLB group consumed less morphine at the 12th, 18th, and 24th hours. Except for the first hour, resting and dynamic NRS scores were comparable between the groups. The first-hour resting and dynamic NRS scores were lower in the TFPB group (resting NRS, anterior QLB group, median [interquartile range], 2 [2-3] vs. TFPB group, 2 [0-2], p = 0.046; dynamic NRS, anterior QLB group, median [interquartile range], 3 [2-4] vs. TFPB group 2 [0-3], p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing CD, anterior QLB decreased morphine consumption in the late period (9-24h) compared to TFPB, while pain scores were similar between both groups. The reduction in morphine consumption was statistically significant, but not clinically significant.

Our clinical experiences in the earthquake victims who came to our university after the 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Earthquakes are natural disasters that threaten human life and cause loss of life and property in a very short time. In our study, we aim to carry out the medical analysis of the earthquake victims who came to our hospital after the Earthquake in the Aegean Sea and to share our clinical experiences. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients the medical data records of earthquake victims brought to our hospital or the injured who applied due to the Aegean Sea earthquake. Patients demographic data, their complaints and diagnoses, hour of admission, their clinical courses, hospital arrangements (admission, discharge, and transfer), time spent until the operation, anesthesia methods, surgical intervantions, intensive care needs, crush syndrome, presence of acute renal failure, number of dialysis, mortality, and mor-bidity were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were brought to our hospital due to the earthquake. The most intense period of admission to the emergency department was the 1st 24-36 h. Mortality rate was found to be higher depending on the increase of age. While the most common cause of admission for the mortal earthquake survivors was to be trapped in the wreckage, the survivors applied for other reasons as well such as falling down. The most common type of fracture observed in survivors was the lower extremity fractures. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological studies can make an important contribution to the management and organization of the future earthquake-related injuries by healthcare institutions.

Burnout in Healthcare Professionals During the Covid-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care University Hospital: Evaluation of the Need for Psychological Support. / Üçüncü Basamak Bir Üniversite Hastanesinde Covid-19 Pandemisinde Saglik Çalisanlarinda Tükenmislik: Psikolojik Destek Ihtiyacinin Degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety, stress and burnout are observed in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the levels of anxiety and burnout and related risk factors in the healthcare workers and assistant personnel at a tertiary referral university hospital. METHOD: Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were delivered on-line to all employees of our hospital. 683 individuals were to the study who completed and returned the forms between April 15-30, 2020. RESULTS: Stress, depression and anxiety levels were significantly higher in nurses. Emotional burnout and depersonalization symptoms were higher and personal accomplishment scores were lower in resident physicians and nurses in comparison to the other groups. Being single, having a child and living away from home were factors underlying the burnout severity. Frontline work in the Covid-19 clinics did not affect the levels of anxiety, stress and depression. On the basis of the cut off points of the HADS scores; anxiety disorder (OR: 7.19) and depression (OR 3.43) were the most relevant risk factors for emotional exhaustion. Anxiety disorder was also the main risk factor for depersonalization. Depersonalization was 2.7-fold more among the nurses complaining of being overworked. Social support from the work environment and the family was protective against depersonalization. CONCLUSION: Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the wellbeing of healthcare workers. The presence of depression and anxiety increased the risk of burnout. Social support can be expected to protect against burnout. It is, therefore, of great importance to implement urgently effective psychosocial and organizational interventions in order to protect the mental health of healthcare workers and to prevent burnout.

Did We Get Lost in Space A Step Away From 2020? Bibliometric Analysis of Turkish-Based Publications from 2008 to the Present in Science Citation Index and Citation Index-Expanded Indexed Journals in the Field of Anaesthesiology.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the rapid increase in economy and general scientific activities, it is thought that the same increase may not be seen in publication quality. We aimed at evaluating the current scientific performance of our country in the field of anaesthesiology in international journals with a high impact value from 2008 to the present. METHODS: The list of anaesthesiology journals in the Science Citation Index (SCI) and SCI-Expanded (SCI/SCI-E) index and the ISSN numbers were obtained. The studies published in these journals from Turkey and from 2007 to September 2018 were listed. The year of publication, subject, method and number of citations and the conducting institution of each study were recorded. Institutions with the highest publications and institutions with the highest number of citations were identified. RESULTS: A total of 3,486 articles were found. Of them, 583 (16.7%) publications were from Turkey. The highest number of publications was in 2018 (14.4%) and the lowest was in 2015 (5.3%). CONCLUSION: Although there seems to be a significant increase in the number of publications in recent years, the same increase is not reflected in the publication quality evaluation criteria and there is no increase in the number of prospective randomised controlled trials and citations.

The effects of sufentanil added to low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine in unilateral spinal anaesthesia for outpatients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sufentanil added to low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine in unilateral spinal anaesthesia for outpatients undergoing knee arthroscopy. METHODS: Sixty two patients (ASA I-II) aged 20 to 50 who were planning on undergoing a knee arthroscopy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Unilateral spinal anaesthesia with 1ml 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was administered to Group B (n=33); and unilateral spinal anaesthesia with 0.5ml (2.5µg) sufentanil added to 1ml hyperbaric bupivacaine was administered to Group BS (n=29). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences observed between the groups in terms of demographic data, hemodynamic parameters, maximum sensorial, sympathetic and motor block levels, time to motor block resolution, and time of discharge (p>0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of two segments regression time (Group B=52 min., Group BS=59 min.), ambulation time (Group B=147 min., Group BS=157 min.) and urination time (Group B=136 min., Group BS=149 min.) (p<0.05). In this study, no itching was observed in Group B, whereas seven patients in Group BS were observed as having postoperative itching (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: All patients were successfully given unilateral spinal anaesthesia with sufentanil added to low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine for an outpatient knee arthroscopy, without affecting the time of discharge. However, for one-day interventions such as arthroscopy, it was concluded that administration of only low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine was sufficient.

Comparison of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, our goal was to compare intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in a group of outpatients who underwent hand surgery. METHODS: This is a double blind randomized study. A total of 45 patients were included, randomized into three groups. Patients in Group I (L) received 3 mg.kg-1 of 2% lidocaine 40 mL; patients in Group II (LL) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL lornoxicam; patients in Group III (LF) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL fentanyl. Our primary outcome was fi rst analgesic requirement time at postoperative period. RESULTS: Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA increased the sensory block recovery time without increasing side effects and increased fi rst analgesic requirement time at the postoperative period when compared to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) and fentanyl added to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, we also found that fentanyl decreased tourniquet pain (p < 0.01) when compared to lidocaine but showed similar analgesic effect with lornoxicam (p > 0.05) although VAS scores related to tourniquet pain were lower in fentanyl group. Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA was not superior to lidocaine IVRA in decreasing tourniquet pain. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fentanyl to lidocaine IVRA seems to be superior to lidocaine IVRA and lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA groups in decreasing tourniquet pain at the expense of increasing side effects. However, lornoxicam did not increase side effects while providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, lornoxicam could be more appropriate for clinical use.

Comparação de lornoxicam e fentanil adicionados à lidocaína em anestesia regional intravenosa / Comparison of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia / Comparación de lornoxicam y fentanilo adicionados a la lidocaína en la anestesia regional intravenosa

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: Comparar os efeitos analgésicos nos períodos intra e pós-operatório de lornoxicam e fentanil adicionados à lidocaína para anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV) em um grupo de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de mão. MÉTODOS: Estudo randômico, duplo-cego e controlado. Foram incluídos e randomizados 45 pacientes em três grupos: o Grupo I recebeu 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína a 2% (40 mL); o Grupo II recebeu 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de lornoxicam; o Grupo III recebeu 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de fentanil. O desfecho primário avaliado foi o tempo até a primeira necessidade de analgésicos no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Lornoxicam adicionado à lidocaína em ARIV aumentou o tempo de recuperação do bloqueio sensorial sem aumentar os efeitos colaterais, e o tempo até a primeira necessidade de analgésicos no pós-operatório em comparação com lidocaína sozinha (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente) e fentanil adicionado à lidocaína (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente). Além disso, também descobrimos que fentanil diminuiu a dor ocasionada pelo torniquete (p < 0,01) em comparação com lidocaína, mas mostrou efeito analgésico similar ao de lornoxicam (p > 0,05), embora os escores da escala visual analógica (EVA) relacionados à dor ocasionada pelo torniquete tenham sido menores no grupo fentanil. Lornoxicam adicionado à lidocaína em ARIV não foi superior à lidocaína sozinha para diminuir a dor ocasionada pelo torniquete. CONCLUSÃO: A adição de fentanil à lidocaína em ARIV parece ser superior à lidocaína sozinha e ao lornoxicam adicionado à lidocaína para diminuir a dor ocasionada pelo torniquete, apesar de aumentar os efeitos secundários. No entanto, lornoxicam não aumentou os efeitos secundários e proporcionou analgesia nos períodos tanto intraoperatório quanto pós-operatório. Portanto, lornoxicam pode ser mais adequado para o uso clínico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, our goal was to compare intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in a group of outpatients who underwent hand surgery. METHODS: This is a double blind randomized study. A total of 45 patients were included, randomized into three groups. Patients in Group I (L) received 3 mg.kg-1 of 2% lidocaine 40 mL; patients in Group II (LL) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL lornoxicam; patients in Group III (LF) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL fentanyl. Our primary outcome was first analgesic requirement time at postoperative period. RESULTS: Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA increased the sensory block recovery time without increasing side effects and increased first analgesic requirement time at the postoperative period when compared to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) and fentanyl added to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, we also found that fentanyl decreased tourniquet pain (p < 0.01) when compared to lidocaine but showed similar analgesic effect with lornoxicam (p > 0.05) although VAS scores related to tourniquet pain were lower in fentanyl group. Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA was not superior to lidocaine IVRA in decreasing tourniquet pain. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fentanyl to lidocaine IVRA seems to be superior to lidocaine IVRA and lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA groups in decreasing tourniquet pain at the expense of increasing side effects. However, lornoxicam did not increase side effects while providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, lornoxicam could be more appropriate for clinical use.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVO: Comparar los efectos analgésicos en los períodos intra y postoperatorio del lornoxicam y del fentanilo adicionados a la lidocaína para la anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV), en un grupo de pacientes sometidos a la cirugía de mano. MÉTODOS: Estudio aleatorio, doble ciego y controlado. Fueron incluidos y aleatorizados por el equipo de investigación 45 pacientes en tres grupos: el Grupo I recibió 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína al 2% (40 mL); el Grupo II recibió 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de lornoxicam; el Grupo III recibió 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de fentanilo. El resultado primario evaluado fue el tiempo hasta la primera necesidad de analgésicos en el postoperatorio. RESULTADOS: El Lornoxicam adicionado a la lidocaína en ARIV aumentó el tiempo de recuperación del bloqueo sensorial, sin aumentar los efectos colaterales y el tiempo hasta la primera necesidad de analgésicos en el postoperatorio en comparación con la lidocaína sola (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente) y el fentanilo adicionado a la lidocaína (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente). Además de eso, también descubrimos que el fentanilo redujo el dolor ocasionado por el torniquete (p < 0,01) en comparación con la lidocaína, pero mostró un efecto analgésico parecido con el del lornoxicam (p > 0,05), aunque las puntuaciones de la escala visual analógica (EVA) relacionadas con el efecto ocasionado por el torniquete, hayan sido menores en el grupo fentanilo. El Lornoxicam adicionado a la lidocaína en ARIV no fue superior a la lidocaína sola para reducir el dolor ocasionado por el torniquete. CONCLUSIÓN: Podemos decir que la adición del fentanilo a la lidocaína en ARIV parece ser superior a la lidocaína sola y al lornoxicam adicionado a la lidocaína para disminuir el dolor ocasionado por el torniquete, a pesar de aumentar los efectos secundarios. Sin embargo, el lornoxicam no aumentó los efectos secundarios, proporcionando una analgesia en los períodos tanto intraoperatorio como postoperatorio. Por tanto, el lornoxicam puede ser más adecuado para el uso clínico.

The effect of head rotation on intraocular pressure in prone position: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increased intraocular pressure (IOP) - which decreases perfusion pressure on the optic nerve - increases by prone positioning (1). The aim of our study was to compare the effect of head rotation 45° laterally in prone position on the increase in IOP of upper placed and lower placed eyes in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Forty-five patients were randomly divided into 2 Groups. IOP of the patients were recorded bilaterally in supine position before the operation had started. Patients were turned to prone position. The head was placed on a prone headrest without external direct compression to both eyes. Patients in Group I were kept in strictly neutral prone position where as patients in Group II were placed prone with their heads rotated 45° laterally to the right side. At the end of the operation, patients were turned to supine position and their IOP was measured immediately. RESULTS: There was no difference related to demographics, duration of surgery, blood loss and fluid input data. IOP values after surgery in prone position increased significantly compared to preoperative values in both groups (p < 0.05). After surgery in prone position IOP values of the upper positioned eyes in Group II were significantly lower than Group I and lower positioned eyes in Group II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: prone positioning increases IOP. In patients with prone position with a head rotation of 45° laterally, IOP in the upper positioned eye was significantly lower.

Efeito da rotação da cabeça na pressão intraocular em decúbito ventral: estudo randomizado / The effect of head Rotation on intraocular pressure in prone position: a randomized trial / Efecto de la rotación de la cabeza en la presión intraocular en decúbito ventral: estudio aleatorio

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A elevação da pressão intraocular (PIO), que diminui a pressão de perfusão do nervo óptico, é aumentada pelo posicionamento em decúbito ventral. O objetivo de nosso estudo foi comparar o efeito da rotação lateral da cabeça a 45º em decúbito ventral no aumento da PIO de olhos posicionados para cima e olhos posicionados para baixo em pacientes submetidos à nefrolitotomia percutânea (NLPC). MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco pacientes foram randomicamente alocados em dois grupos. A PIO dos pacientes foi registrada bilateralmente em posição supina antes do início da operação. Os pacientes foram posicionados em decúbito ventral. A cabeça foi posicionada sobre um apoio sem compressão externa direta em ambos os olhos. Os pacientes do Grupo I foram estritamente mantidos em pronação neutra, enquanto os pacientes do Grupo II foram posicionados em pronação com rotação da cabeça a 45º para o lado direito. No fim da operação, os pacientes foram reposicionados em decúbito dorsal e a PIO foi imediatamente medida. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os dados demográficos, na duração da cirurgia, perda de sangue e reposição de líquido dos pacientes. Os valores pós-cirúrgicos da PIO em decúbito ventral aumentaram significativamente em comparação com os valores pré-operatórios em ambos os grupos (p < 0,05). Após a cirurgia em decúbito ventral, os valores da PIO nos olhos posicionados para cima no Grupo II foram significativamente menores do que no Grupo I e nos olhos posicionados para baixo no Grupo II (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A posição em decúbito ventral aumenta a PIO. Nos pacientes posicionados em decúbito ventral com rotação lateral da cabeça a 45º, a PIO nos olhos posicionados para cima foi significativamente menor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increased intraocular pressure (IOP) - which decreases perfusion pressure on the optic nerve - increases by prone positioning (1). The aim of our study was to compare the effect of head rotation 45o laterally in prone position on the increase in IOP of upper placed and lower placed eyes in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Forty-five patients were randomly divided into 2 Groups. IOP of the patients were recorded bilaterally in supine position before the operation had started. Patients were turned to prone position. The head was placed on a prone headrest without external direct compression to both eyes. Patients in Group I were kept in strictly neutral prone position where as patients in Group II were placed prone with their heads rotated 45º laterally to the right side. At the end of the operation, patients were turned to supine position and their IOP was measured immediately. RESULTS: There was no difference related to demographics, duration of surgery, blood loss and fluid input data. IOP values after surgery in prone position increased significantly compared to preoperative values in both groups (p < 0.05). After surgery in prone position IOP values of the upper positioned eyes in Group II were significantly lower than Group I and lower positioned eyes in Group II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: prone positioning increases IOP. In patients with prone position with a head rotation of 45o laterally, IOP in the upper positioned eye was significantly lower.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La elevación de la presión intraocular (PIO), que disminuye la presión de perfusión del nervio óptico, es aumentada por el posicionamiento en decúbito ventral. El objetivo de nuestro estudio, fue comparar el efecto de la rotación lateral de la cabeza a 45o en decúbito ventral en el aumento de la PIO de ojos posicionados hacia arriba y ojos posicionados hacia abajo en pacientes sometidos a la nefrolitotomia percutánea (NLPC). MÉTODOS: Cuarenta y cinco pacientes fueron aleatoriamente divididos en dos grupos. La PIO de los pacientes fue registrada bilateralmente en posición supina antes del inicio de la operación. Los pacientes fueron posicionados en decúbito ventral. La cabeza fue posicionada sobre un apoyo sin compresión externa directa en ambos ojos. Los pacientes del Grupo I fueron estrictamente mantenidos en pronación neutra, mientras que los pacientes del Grupo II fueron posicionados en pronación con rotación de la cabeza a 45º hacia el lado derecho. Al final de la operación, los pacientes fueron reposicionados en supinación y la PIO fue inmediatamente medida. RESULTADOS: No hubo diferencia entre los datos demográficos, la duración de la cirugía, la pérdida de sangre y la reposición de líquido de los pacientes. Los valores postquirúrgicos de la PIO en decúbito ventral aumentaron significativamente en comparación con los valores preoperatorios en ambos grupos (p < 0,05). Después de la cirugía en decúbito ventral, los valores de la PIO en los ojos posicionados hacia arriba en el Grupo II fueron significativamente menores que en el Grupo I y en los ojos posicionados hacia abajo en el Grupo II (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La posición en decúbito ventral aumenta la PIO. En los pacientes posicionados en decúbito ventral con rotación lateral de la cabeza a 45o, la PIO en los ojos posicionados hacia arriba fue significativamente menor.

Relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin level and sciatic nerve block performance in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to explore the effects of deficiencies in glucose regulation on the onset, regression, and block performance times in a group of patients with diabetes-related foot problems. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with American Society of Anesthetists physical status 2-4 undergoing foot and ankle surgery with a popliteal fossa block were prospectively studied. Patients were stratified into cohorts based on 3 groups according to their HbA1c levels: group 1 (n = 15), HbA1c 5%-6%; group 2 (n = 16), HbA1c 7%-8%; group 3 (n = 17), HbA1c 9%-10%. A standardized local anesthetic mixture containing 10 mL of 2% prilocaine and 10 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine was used in all study groups. The primary outcome of the study was the time for regression of the sensory block. RESULTS: The onset times of sensory and motor blocks in group 3 were significantly longer than those in groups 2 and 1. Motor block regression time differed significantly between groups (P = .04), being longer in group 3 compared with group 1. In group 3, the sensory block regression time and the time of first analgesic use were significantly longer than the times in groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: We found that sensory block regression time was longer in diabetic patients with poor glycemic control than in the patients with better glycemic control. Longer block performance time, probably due to reduction in sensory and motor conduction velocity in diabetic patients with poor glycemic control, should be taken into consideration when peripheral nerve blocks are used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

The effect of head rotation on intraocular pressure in prone position: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increased intraocular pressure (IOP) - which decreases perfusion pressure on the optic nerve - increases by prone positioning (1). The aim of our study was to compare the effect of head rotation 45° laterally in prone position on the increase in IOP of upper placed and lower placed eyes in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Forty-five patients were randomly divided into 2 Groups. IOP of the patients were recorded bilaterally in supine position before the operation had started. Patients were turned to prone position. The head was placed on a prone headrest without external direct compression to both eyes. Patients in Group I were kept in strictly neutral prone position where as patients in Group II were placed prone with their heads rotated 45° laterally to the right side. At the end of the operation, patients were turned to supine position and their IOP was measured immediately. RESULTS: There was no difference related to demographics, duration of surgery, blood loss and fluid input data. IOP values after surgery in prone position increased significantly compared to preoperative values in both groups (p < 0.05). After surgery in prone position IOP values of the upper positioned eyes in Group II were significantly lower than Group I and lower positioned eyes in Group II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: prone positioning increases IOP. In patients with prone position with a head rotation of 45° laterally, IOP in the upper positioned eye was significantly lower.

Comparison of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, our goal was to compare intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in a group of outpatients who underwent hand surgery. METHODS: This is a double blind randomized study. A total of 45 patients were included, randomized into three groups. Patients in Group I (L) received 3mg.kg(-1) of 2% lidocaine 40 mL; patients in Group II (LL) received 3mg.kg(-1) lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL lornoxicam; patients in Group III (LF) received 3mg.kg(-1) lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL fentanyl. Our primary outcome was first analgesic requirement time at postoperative period. RESULTS: Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA increased the sensory block recovery time without increasing side effects and increased first analgesic requirement time at the postoperative period when compared to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) and fentanyl added to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, we also found that fentanyl decreased tourniquet pain (p < 0.01) when compared to lidocaine but showed similar analgesic effect with lornoxicam (p > 0.05) although VAS scores related to tourniquet pain were lower in fentanyl group. Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA was not superior to lidocaine IVRA in decreasing tourniquet pain. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fentanyl to lidocaine IVRA seems to be superior to lidocaine IVRA and lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA groups in decreasing tourniquet pain at the expense of increasing side effects. However, lornoxicam did not increase side effects while providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, lornoxicam could be more appropriate for clinical use.

Distal tourniquet or leg position after injection enhances the efficacy of sciatic nerve blockade by the popliteal approach.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we hypothesized that leg positioning and distal tourniquet application, when compared with neutral positioning of the leg, alters the efficacy of sciatic nerve block performed by the double-stimulation technique. METHODS: Ninety randomized, consecutive, ASA physical status I to III patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery with a popliteal fossa block (using a double-stimulation technique with the patient in prone position) were prospectively studied. Patients were randomized to have the blocked leg either kept in a neutral position immediately after the patient was turned supine (group 1), flexed 45 degrees at the thigh and maintained in that position for 15 minutes (group 2), or have a distal tourniquet applied with the leg in a neutral position and inflated during injection of the local anesthetic with the patient supine (group 3). A standardized local anesthetic mixture containing 15 mL of 2% prilocaine and 15 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine was used in all study groups. RESULTS: The onset times for sensory and motor blocks were shorter, and the time to recovery of blocks was longer, postprocedure in both group 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Similar beneficial effects might be reached with the application of a distal tourniquet during injection or elevating the patient's leg turned supine immediately after sciatic nerve block with a popliteal approach by a double-injection technique. We suggest that using the leg-up position or application of a distal tourniquet for sciatic nerve block may lead to a more proximal distribution of the local anesthetic and may result in a faster onset of sensory and motor blocks as well as longer duration of blockade.