Effect of prophylactic combination of glycopyrrolate, ondansetron, and ephedrine upon hypotension during obstetric spinal anaesthesia-A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have been employed to minimise hypotension during obstetric spinal anaesthesia. We compared a prophylactic combination of glycopyrrolate, ondansetron, and ephedrine in terms of total vasopressor consumption, with standard treatment in this randomised controlled trial. METHODS: One hundred patients undergoing elective caeserean sections were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each, the study group received prophylactic ondansetron and glycopyrrolate boluses followed by an infusion of ephedrine, while the control group received ephedrine boluses as required. The total ephedrine consumption (primary objective), incidence and degree of hypotension, heart rate variations, and neonatal APGAR scores (secondary objectives) were analysed. RESULTS: The median ephedrine requirement was lesser in the study group compared to the control group [13.2 mg (10--15.75) vs. 27.7 mg (12--24)], with a P value of 0.02. Fewer participants experienced hypotension in the study group before baby delivery compared to the control group (12 vs. 36, P = 0.004). Heart rate was higher in the study group. No significant differences were observed in neonatal APGAR scores and incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSION: A combination of glycopyrrolate, ondansetron, and ephedrine might offer better haemodynamic stability and reduce vasopressor consumption in obstetric patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia as opposed to standard treatment.

Accidental Perforation of Submental Flexometallic Tube.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeries associated with complications due to endotracheal tube (ETT) damage are being reported in literature increasingly. In this case, we report a rare case of accidental perforation of a flexometallic ETT intraoperatively during an orthognathic corrective surgery, in a 19-year-old female patient in whom submental intubation had been performed. The complication was managed conservatively as the tissue debris created during the osteotomy drilling occluded the damage and caused a good seal of the damage, with minimal leak, and no airway compromise. The purpose of this article is to highlight these hazards and discuss alternative airway management approaches so that anesthesiologists can recognize these complications and be prepared to deal with them in a proper manner.