Comparison of tramadol versus tramadol with paracetamol for efficacy of postoperative pain management in lumbar discectomy: A randomised controlled study.

PURPOSE: Despite developments in the treatment of pain, the availability of new drugs or increased knowledge of pain management, postoperative pain control after different surgeries remains inadequate. We aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of tramadol versus tramadol with paracetamol after lumbar discectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients undergoing lumbar discectomy were randomly assigned into two groups. METHODS: Patients in Group T (n = 30) received tramadol (1 mg/kg), and patients in Group TP (n = 30) received tramadol (1 mg/kg) with paracetamol (1 g) 30 minutes before the end of surgery and paracetamol was continued during the postoperative period at 6 hours intervals for the first 24 hours. Patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was used during the postoperative period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration, postoperative pain scores, Ramsay sedation scores, analgesic consumption, and side effects were recorded in all patients during the postoperative period. Continuous random variables were tested for normal distribution using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, than Student's t-test was used for means comparisons between groups. For discrete random variables chi-square tests and McNemar test was used. RESULTS: Demographic data, mean duration of anaesthesia and surgery were similar in both groups. Postoperative pain scores were significantly higher in Group T than Group TP at 5; 15; 20; and 30 minutes (P = .021, P = .004, P = .002, P = .018). Late postoperative pain scores were similar. Total tramadol consumption in Group T (106.12 ± 4.84 mg) was higher than Group TP (81.20 ± 2.53) during the 24 hours postoperative period. However, continuing the paracetamol at 6 hours interval did not change late postoperative pain scores. CONCLUSION: The administration of tramadol with paracetamol was more effective than tramadol alone for early acute postoperative pain therapy following lumbar discectomy. Therefore, while adding paracetamol in early pain management is recommended, continuing paracetamol for the late postoperative period is not advised.

Simple method for determining the size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children: a prospective observational study / Método simples para determinar o tamanho da máscara laríngea ProSeal em crianças: um estudo observacional, prospectivo

Abstract Background and objectives: The size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children is determined by the patient's weight. However, in some instances, an alternative method may be required. This study aimed to compare sizing by the auricle with conventional ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizing by weight in children. Methods: After approval by the institutional ethics board and written informed consent from parents, 197 children with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II who were scheduled for a routine genitourinary operation were included in the study. The correct ProSeal laryngeal mask airway size was determined according to the size of the auricle in children. The results were compared with the standard weight-based method recommended by the manufacturer's guidelines. The patients were classified into different groups depending on the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizes as determined by both methods. Agreement between both techniques was evaluated with κ coefficient statistics. Results: Insertion and adequate ventilation were achieved in 185 patients at the first attempt, and 12 patients required a second attempt. Three patients had to be intubated. Agreement between the two methods of size selection of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway was moderate using κ statistics. Conclusions: Choosing the size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children according to the auricle of the child is valid and practical. In particular, this is an alternative method in situations where the patient's weight is unknown, such as in emergency situations.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: O tamanho da máscara laríngea ProSeal (MLPS) em crianças é determinado com base no peso do paciente. No entanto, em alguns casos, pode ser necessário um método opcional. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o tamanho da MLPS convencional pela orelha e pelo peso em crianças. Métodos: Após aprovação do Comitê de Ética institucional e receber o consentimento informado assinado pelos pais, 197 crianças com estado físico ASA I-II (de acordo com a classificação da Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologistas), programadas para uma operação geniturinária de rotina, foram incluídas no estudo. O tamanho correto da MLPS foi determinado de acordo com o tamanho da orelha em crianças. Os resultados foram comparados com os do método padrão, baseado no peso, recomendado pelas diretrizes do fabricante. Os pacientes foram classificados em diferentes grupos, a depender dos tamanhos das MLPS, conforme determinado por ambos os métodos. A concordância entre as duas técnicas foi avaliada com as estatísticas do coeficiente kappa (k). Resultados: Inserção e ventilação adequada foram obtidas em 185 pacientes na primeira tentativa e 12 pacientes precisaram de uma segunda tentativa. Três pacientes precisaram ser intubados. A concordância entre os dois métodos de seleção do tamanho da MLPS foi moderada com a estatística κ. Conclusões: A escolha do tamanho da MLPS em crianças de acordo com a orelha da criança é válida e prática. Em particular, é um método opcional em situações nas quais o peso do paciente é desconhecido, como em situações de emergência.

[Simple method for determining the size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children: a prospective observational study]. / Método simples para determinar o tamanho da máscara laríngea ProSeal em crianças: um estudo observacional, prospectivo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children is determined by the patient's weight. However, in some instances, an alternative method may be required. This study aimed to compare sizing by the auricle with conventional ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizing by weight in children. METHODS: After approval by the institutional ethics board and written informed consent from parents, 197 children with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II who were scheduled for a routine genitourinary operation were included in the study. The correct ProSeal laryngeal mask airway size was determined according to the size of the auricle in children. The results were compared with the standard weight-based method recommended by the manufacturer's guidelines. The patients were classified into different groups depending on the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizes as determined by both methods. Agreement between both techniques was evaluated with κ coefficient statistics. RESULTS: Insertion and adequate ventilation were achieved in 185 patients at the first attempt, and 12 patients required a second attempt. Three patients had to be intubated. Agreement between the two methods of size selection of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway was moderate using κ statistics. CONCLUSIONS: Choosing the size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children according to the auricle of the child is valid and practical. In particular, this is an alternative method in situations where the patient's weight is unknown, such as in emergency situations.

Simple method for determining the size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children is determined by the patient's weight. However, in some instances, an alternative method may be required. This study aimed to compare sizing by the auricle with conventional ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizing by weight in children. METHODS: After approval by the institutional ethics board and written informed consent from parents, 197 children with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II who were scheduled for a routine genitourinary operation were included in the study. The correct ProSeal laryngeal mask airway size was determined according to the size of the auricle in children. The results were compared with the standard weight-based method recommended by the manufacturer's guidelines. The patients were classified into different groups depending on the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizes as determined by both methods. Agreement between both techniques was evaluated with κ coefficient statistics. RESULTS: Insertion and adequate ventilation were achieved in 185 patients at the first attempt, and 12 patients required a second attempt. Three patients had to be intubated. Agreement between the two methods of size selection of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway was moderate using κ statistics. CONCLUSIONS: Choosing the size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children according to the auricle of the child is valid and practical. In particular, this is an alternative method in situations where the patient's weight is unknown, such as in emergency situations.

Perioperative low-dose ketamine improves postoperative analgesia following Cesarean delivery with general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of perioperative uses of low dose ketamine on post-operative wound pain and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing elective Cesarean section was evaluated. METHODS: In randomized, double blind clinical trial, 52 women with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I-II identification undergoing elective Cesarean section in general anesthesia were enrolled. In the ketamine group (group K), a ketamine bolus of 0.5 mg kg(-1) IV was administered at the time of induction of general anesthesia. After induction, a ketamine infusion of 0.25 mg kg(-1) h(-1) was started and discontinued at the end of surgery. Patients allocated to the control group (group C) were given identical volumes of saline. The cumulative dose of morphine consumption after surgery was measured as the primary outcome of this study. Secondary outcomes were pain control assessed by numeric rating scale (NRS) and need for rescue analgesia and incidence of side effects. RESULTS: The mean 24-h morphine consumption was lower in group K (p = 0,001). At 15 min postoperatively, NRS values were lower in group K than group C (p = 0,001). There was no difference among groups regarding the need for supplemental analgesia (rescue diclofenac doses) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative uses of low dose ketamine decreased post-operative opioid requirements, which was observed long after the normal expected duration of ketamine.

The Effect of Flurbiprofen on Postoperative Sore Throat and Hoarseness After LMA-ProSeal Insertion: A Randomised, Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that flurbiprofen lozenges reduce the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (LMA) related symptoms of Post Operative Sore Throat (POST), hoarseness and dysphagia compared to placebo lozenges. METHODS: Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients undergoing general anaesthesia with LMA were included in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical and single centre (university hospital) study. Group F received an 8.75 mg flurbiprofen lozenge (Strefen(®)) and Group P received a placebo lozenge 45 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia. Postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia were evaluated 30 minutes after removal of the LMA in the recovery room and then at 4, 12 and 24 h after surgery using a 4-point scale. Data were analysed using Student's t test, and Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The 8.75 mg flurbiprofen lozenges reduced the severity of early (30 mins) POST and dysphagia. The severity of dysphagia at 4 h and hoarseness at 12 h were also significantly reduced in Group F. There were no significant differences betweeen the groups regarding incidence of sore throat, dysphagia and hoarseness throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Preoperative flurbiprofen lozenges reduce the severity of early postoperative sore throat and dysphagia.