Effect of intravenous dexamethasone on the duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia in lower abdominal surgery, Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous (IV) dexamethasone on the duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Two hundred patients between the ages of 18 and 60, of both sexes with ASA I- II classification scheduled for lower abdominal surgery under spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% were randomly divided into two groups: the dexamethasone group (Dexa group) and the control group, with 100 patients in each group. Before the administration of spinal anesthesia, the Dexa group received an intravenous infusion of 8 mg dexamethasone in 500 mL normal saline, while the control group received 500 mL normal saline only. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the effect of IV dexamethasone on the regression of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia. Secondary outcome measures included the total duration of sensory and motor blocks, VAS score, time of first analgesic request, total analgesic consumption within the first 24 h, and the occurrence of any side effects. RESULTS: The Dexa group had significantly delayed onset of 2 dermatomes regression (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Additionally, the Dexa group had significantly longer duration of both sensory block (P = 0.01) and motor block (P < 0.001). The Dexa group had significantly longer duration until the first postoperative analgesic request (P < 0.001) and a lower incidence of side effects compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Although the intravenous administration of dexamethasone had a limited effect on the duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia, it improved postoperative VAS scores compared to the control group and decreased overall postoperative analgesic consumption. Therefore, it can be considered a valuable addition to postoperative multimodal analgesia strategies, aiming to minimize total analgesic consumption. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ID: NCT04778189 (2/3/2021).

Fentanyl versus dexamethasone or both as adjuvants to bupivacaine in an ultrasound-guided paravertebral block in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy: a randomized double-blind clinical study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the effect of dexamethasone added to fentanyl and bupivacaine with the effect of either dexamethasone or fentanyl alone when combined with bupivacaine in the thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB). METHODS: Sixty female patients (aged 18-60 years), scheduled for modified radical mastectomy were enrolled. Patients received preoperative unilateral paravertebral block using 0.3 mL/kg of 0.5% bupivacaine combined with 8 mg dexamethasone (group 1), 1 µg/kg fentanyl (group 2), or 8 mg dexamethasone + 1 µg/kg fentanyl (group 3). The study drugs were diluted with normal saline 0.9% up to 25 mL volume. The primary outcome was the time to first postoperative analgesics request, Secondary outcomes were total analgesic consumption, verbal rating pain scale (VRS) over the first 24 hours postoperatively, hemodynamic parameters, and adverse effects. RESULTS: The time to first analgesic request for intravenous (IV) nalbuphine was longer in group 2 (15.75±0.9 h, P<0.001) than group 1 (10.45±1.1 h, P<0.001), while no patients requested it in group 3 (P<0.001). The total analgesic consumption of IV nalbuphine was lower in group 2 (8.6±3.5mg, P=0.04) than group 1 (11.3±2.1 mg), with a significant difference between group 2 and 3 (P<0.001). From the 8th till the 24th hours postoperatively, patients in group 3 showed the significantly lowest median VAS scores, followed by patients in group 2 (P<0.001) and lastly patients in group 1. There were no significant adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone and fentanyl combination enhances the analgesic effect of bupivacaine in TPVB.

[Oral trans-mucosal dexmedetomidine for controlling of emergence agitation in children undergoing tonsillectomy: a randomized controlled trial]. / Dexmedetomidina transmucosa oral para controle da agitação ao despertar em crianças submetidas a amigdalectomia: ensaio clínico randomizado.

OBJECTIVES: Emergence agitation is a negative behavior commonly recorded after pediatric tonsillectomy. We investigated the efficacy of preoperative premedication with oral transmucosal buccal dexmedetomidine on the incidence and severity of emergence agitation in preschool children undergoing tonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Ninety patients aged (3-6 years), ASA I-II were enrolled into three groups (n = 30) to receive oral transmucosal dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg.kg-1 (Group DEX I), 1 µg.kg-1 (Group DEX II) or saline placebo (Group C). Our primary endpoint was the Watcha agitation score at emergence in PACU. Secondary outcomes were preoperative sedation score, intraoperative hemodynamics, postoperative Objective Pain Scale (OPS) and adverse effects. RESULTS: The patients' demographics, preoperative sedation scores and extubation time showed no difference between groups. Significant differences between groups in incidence and frequency distribution of each grade of Watcha score were evident at 5 minutes (p = 0.007), 10 minutes (p = 0.034), 30 minutes (p = 0.022), 45 minutes (p = 0.034) and 60 minutes (p = 0.026), postoperatively with significant differences between DEX I and II groups. DEX groups showed lower OPS scores at 5 minutes (p = 0.011), 10 minutes (p = 0.037) and 30 minutes (p = 0.044) after arrival at PACU, with no difference between DEX I and II groups. Patients in DEX II group exhibited lower intraoperative mean heart rate at 15 minutes (p = 0.020), and lower mean arterial pressure at 30 minutes, (p = 0.040), 45 minutes (p = 0.002) and 60 minutes (p = 0.006) with no significant differences between groups in other time points. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the clinical advantage and the simple technique of oral transmucosal DEX premedication for emergence agitation in preschool children undergoing tonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia compared with saline placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov trial registry: NCT02720705.

Oral trans-mucosal dexmedetomidine for controlling of emergence agitation in children undergoing tonsillectomy: a randomized controlled trial / Dexmedetomidina transmucosa oral para controle da agitação ao despertar em crianças submetidas a amigdalectomia: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract Objectives: Emergence agitation is a negative behavior commonly recorded after pediatric tonsillectomy. We investigated the efficacy of preoperative premedication with oral transmucosal buccal dexmedetomidine on the incidence and severity of emergence agitation in preschool children undergoing tonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia. Methods: Ninety patients aged (3-6 years), ASA I‒II were enrolled into three groups (n = 30) to receive oral transmucosal dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg.kg-1 (Group DEX I), 1 µg.kg-1 (Group DEX II) or saline placebo (Group C). Our primary endpoint was the Watcha agitation score at emergence in PACU. Secondary outcomes were preoperative sedation score, intraoperative hemodynamics, postoperative Objective Pain Scale (OPS) and adverse effects. Results: The patients' demographics, preoperative sedation scores and extubation time showed no difference between groups. Significant differences between groups in incidence and frequency distribution of each grade of Watcha score were evident at 5 minutes (p= 0.007), 10 minutes (p= 0.034), 30 minutes (p= 0.022), 45 minutes (p= 0.034) and 60 minutes (p= 0.026), postoperatively with significant differences between DEX I and II groups. DEX groups showed lower OPS scores at 5 minutes (p= 0.011), 10 minutes (p= 0.037) and 30 minutes (p= 0.044) after arrival at PACU, with no difference between DEX I and II groups. Patients in DEX II group exhibited lower intraoperative mean heart rate at 15 min (p= 0.020), and lower mean arterial pressure at 30 minutes, (p= 0.040), 45 minutes (p= 0.002) and 60 minutes (p= 0.006) with no significant differences between groups in other time points. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the clinical advantage and the simple technique of oral transmucosal DEX premedication for emergence agitation in preschool children undergoing tonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia compared with saline placebo. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov trial registry: NCT02720705.

Resumo Objetivos: A agitação ao despertar da anestesia é um comportamento negativo comumente registrado após amigdalectomia pediátrica. Avaliamos a eficácia da pré-medicação com dexmedetomidina via transmucosa oral no pré-operatório sobre a incidência e gravidade da agitação ao despertar em crianças pré-escolares submetidas à amigdalectomia sob anestesia com sevoflurano. Métodos: Noventa pacientes entre três e seis anos e estado físico ASA I-II foram incluídos em três grupos (n = 30) para receber 0,5 µg.kg-1 ou 1 µg.kg-1 de dexmedetomidina via transmucosa oral (Grupo DEX I e Grupo DEX II, respectivamente) ou solução salina (Grupo C). O desfecho primário foi o escore de agitação ao despertar medido com a escala de Watcha na SRPA. Os desfechos secundários foram escore de sedação pré-operatória, hemodinâmica intraoperatória, escore OPS (Objective Pain Scale) e efeitos adversos no pós-operatório. Resultados: A demografia dos pacientes, os escores de sedação pré-operatória e o tempo de extubação não apresentaram diferença entre os grupos. Diferenças significativas entre os grupos na distribuição da incidência e frequência de cada grau do escore de Watcha foram evidentes aos 5 minutos (p = 0,007), 10 minutos (p = 0,034), 30 minutos (p = 0,022), 45 minutos (p = 0,034) e 60 minutos (p = 0,026) no pós-operatório, com diferenças significativas entre os grupos DEX I e II. Os grupos DEX apresentaram escores OPS mais baixos aos 5 minutos (p = 0,011), 10 minutos (p = 0,037) e 30 minutos (p = 0,044) após a chegada à SRPA, sem diferença entre os grupos DEX I e II. Os pacientes do grupo DEX II apresentaram menor frequência cardíaca média aos 15 minutos de intraoperatório (p = 0,020) e menor pressão arterial média aos 30 minutos, (p = 0,040), 45 minutos (p = 0,002) e 60 minutos (p = 0,006), sem diferenças significativas entre os grupos em outros momentos. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstra a vantagem clínica e a técnica simples da pré-medicação com DEX por via transmucosa oral para agitação ao despertar em crianças pré-escolares submetidas à amigdalectomia sob anestesia com sevoflurano, comparado à solução salina. Registro do estudo: Clinical Trials.gov trial registry: NCT02720705.

Analgesic and Respiratory Effects of Two Doses of Morphine as an Adjunct to Bupivacaine in Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Upper Abdominal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Opioid receptors are present at the terminals of afferent peripheral nerves; therefore, administration of opioids peripherally might provide a significant analgesic effect. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the analgesic efficacy of 2 different doses of morphine in bilateral subcostal single-injection ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in abdominal surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: We enrolled 90 patients (aged 18-60 years) who were scheduled for elective upper abdominal surgeries and received TAP block for postoperative analgesia. Patients received 20 mL bupivacaine 0.5% (group B) only or combined with 10 mg morphine (group BM10) or 15 mg morphine (group BM15). Study drugs were diluted with saline solution 0.9% to 40 mL volume and bupivacaine concentration of 0.25% and injected 20 mL on each side. Primary outcome was the verbal rating pain scale (VRS) over the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were time to first request for analgesics, total analgesic consumption, lung spirometry, and adverse effects. RESULTS: Compared with group B, patients in BM10 and BM15 groups showed significantly lower postoperative VRS scores at rest and during cough. Patients in BM15 group had lower VRS scores at the 24th hour postoperatively at rest (P = 0.034) and during cough (P = 0.040), compared with group BM10, with no significant difference at other timepoints. The median time to first request for intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) nalbuphine was 10 hours (range, 6-12 hours) in group B versus 15 hours (8-18 hours; P = 0.000) and 16 hours (10-23 hours; P = 0.000) in BM10 and BM15 groups, respectively. Total consumption of nalbuphine PCA in BM15 group was 12 mg (6-18 mg) compared with 26 mg (20-34 mg; P = 0.000) and 18 mg (12-24 mg; P = 0.000] in groups B and BM10, respectively, with a significant difference between BM10 and BM15 groups (P = 0.000) and without significant adverse effects. LIMITATIONS: A limitation was a small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of morphine to bupivacaine in single-injection subcostal TAP block controlled pain and reduced opioid requirements after abdominal surgery in a dose-dependent manner. KEY WORDS: Abdominal surgery, analgesia, transversus abdominis plane block, morphine.

[Preemptive nebulized ketamine for pain control after tonsillectomy in children: randomized controlled trial]. / Uso preventivo de cetamina nebulizada para controle da dor após amigdalectomia em crianças: estudo randômico e controlado.

OBJECTIVES: The administration of ketamine as nebulized inhalation is relatively new and studies on nebulized ketamine are scarce. We aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of nebulized ketamine (1 and 2mg.kg-1) administered 30min before general anesthesia in children undergoing elective tonsillectomy in comparison with intravenous ketamine (0.5mg.kg-1) and saline placebo. METHODS: One hundred children aged (7-12) years were randomly allocated in four groups (n=25) receive; Saline Placebo (Group C), Intravenous Ketamine 0.5mg.kg-1 (Group K-IV), Nebulized Ketamine 1mg.kg-1 (Group K-N1) or 2mg.kg-1 (Group K-N2). The primary endpoint was the total consumption of rescue analgesics in the first 24h postoperative. RESULTS: The mean time to first request for rescue analgesics was prolonged in K-N1 (400.9±60.5min, 95% CI 375.9-425.87) and K-N2 (455.5±44.6min, 95% CI 437.1-473.9) groups compared with Group K-IV (318.5±86.1min, 95% CI 282.9-354.1) and Group C (68.3±21.9min, 95% CI 59.5-77.1; p<0.001), with a significant difference between K-N1 and K-N2 Groups (p<0.001). The total consumption of IV paracetamol in the first 24h postoperative was reduced in Group K-IV (672.6±272.8mg, 95% CI 559.9-785.2), Group K-N1 (715.6±103.2mg, 95% CI 590.4-840.8) and Group K-N2 (696.6±133.3mg, 95% CI 558.8-834.4) compared with Control Group (1153.8±312.4mg, 95% CI 1024.8-1282.8; p<0.001). With no difference between intravenous and Nebulized Ketamine Groups (p=0.312). Patients in intravenous and Nebulized Ketamine Groups showed lower postoperative VRS scores compared with Group C (p<0.001), no differences between K-IV, K-N1 or K-N2 group and without significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Preemptive nebulized ketamine was effective for post-tonsillectomy pain relief. It can be considered as an effective alternative route to IV ketamine.

Preemptive nebulized ketamine for pain control after tonsillectomy in children: randomized controlled trial / Uso preventivo de cetamina nebulizada para controle da dor após amigdalectomia em crianças: estudo randômico e controlado

Abstract Objectives The administration of ketamine as nebulized inhalation is relatively new and studies on nebulized ketamine are scarce. We aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of nebulized ketamine (1 and 2 mg.kg-1) administered 30 min before general anesthesia in children undergoing elective tonsillectomy in comparison with intravenous ketamine (0.5 mg.kg-1) and saline placebo. Methods One hundred children aged (7-12) years were randomly allocated in four groups (n = 25) receive; Saline Placebo (Group C), Intravenous Ketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1 (Group K-IV), Nebulized Ketamine 1 mg.kg-1 (Group K-N1) or 2 mg.kg-1 (Group K-N2). The primary endpoint was the total consumption of rescue analgesics in the first 24 h postoperative. Results The mean time to first request for rescue analgesics was prolonged in K-N1 (400.9 ± 60.5 min, 95% CI 375.9-425.87) and K-N2 (455.5 ± 44.6 min, 95% CI 437.1-473.9) groups compared with Group K-IV (318.5 ± 86.1 min, 95% CI 282.9-354.1) and Group C (68.3 ± 21.9 min, 95% CI 59.5-77.1; p < 0.001), with a significant difference between K-N1 and K-N2 Groups (p < 0.001). The total consumption of IV paracetamol in the first 24 h postoperative was reduced in Group K-IV (672.6 ± 272.8 mg, 95% CI 559.9-785.2), Group K-N1 (715.6 ± 103.2 mg, 95% CI 590.4-840.8) and Group K-N2 (696.6 ± 133.3 mg, 95% CI 558.8-834.4) compared with Control Group (1153.8 ± 312.4 mg, 95% CI 1024.8-1282.8; p < 0.001). With no difference between intravenous and Nebulized Ketamine Groups (p = 0.312). Patients in intravenous and Nebulized Ketamine Groups showed lower postoperative VRS scores compared with Group C (p < 0.001), no differences between K-IV, K-N1 or K-N2 group and without significant adverse effects. Conclusion Preemptive nebulized ketamine was effective for post-tonsillectomy pain relief. It can be considered as an effective alternative route to IV ketamine.

Resumo Objetivos A administração de cetamina por via inalatória através de nebulizador é relativamente nova e os estudos sobre este assunto são escassos. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a eficácia analgésica da cetamina nebulizada (1 e 2 mg.kg-1) administrada 30 minutos antes da anestesia geral em crianças submetidas à amigdalectomia eletiva, em comparação com cetamina intravenosa (0,5 mg.kg-1) e placebo (soro fisiológico). Métodos Cem crianças entre 7-12 anos foram randomicamente alocadas em quatro grupos (n = 25) e receberam: soro fisiológico para controle (Grupo C); 0,5 mg.kg-1 de cetamina intravenosa (Grupo C-IV); 1 mg.kg-1 de cetamina nebulizada (Grupo C-N1); 2 mg.kg-1 de cetamina nebulizada (Grupo C-N2). O desfecho primário foi o consumo total de analgésicos de resgate nas primeiras 24 horas de pós-operatório. Resultados O tempo médio para a primeira solicitação de analgésicos de resgate foi prolongado nos grupos C-N1 (400,9 ± 60,5 min, IC 95% 375,9-425,87) e C-N2 (455,5 ± 44,6 min, IC 95% 437,1-473,9) em comparação com o Grupo C-IV (318,5 ± 86,1 min, IC 95% 282,9-354,1) e o Grupo C (68,3 ± 21,9 min, IC 95% 59,5-77,1; p < 0,001), com uma diferença significativa entre os grupos C-N1 e C-N2 (p < 0,001). O consumo total de paracetamol IV nas primeiras 24 horas de pós-operatório foi reduzido no Grupo C-IV (672,6 ± 272,8 mg, IC 95% 559,9-785,2), Grupo C-N1 (715,6 ± 103,2 mg, IC 95% 590,4-840,8) e Grupo C-N2 (696,6 ± 133,3 mg, IC 95% 558,8-834,4) em comparação com o Grupo C (1153,8 ± 312,4 mg, IC 95% 1024,8-1282,8; p < 0,001). Não houve diferença entre os grupos de cetamina intravenosa e nebulizada (p = 0,312). Os pacientes dos grupos de cetamina intravenosa e nebulizada apresentaram escores VRS pós-operatórios menores, em comparação com o Grupo C (p < 0,001), sem diferenças entre os grupos C-IV, C-N1 ou C-N2 e sem efeitos adversos significativos. Conclusão A administração preventiva de cetamina nebulizada foi eficaz no alívio da dor pós-amigdalectomia. Cetamina nebulizada pode ser considerada como uma via alternativa eficaz à cetamina IV.