The efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative analgesia after the cesarean section performed under general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Several methods are used to control the pain after cesarean operations. Recently, the transverse abdominis plane block (TAP) has been proposed to compensate for the problems developed by preexisting methods. In the present study, we compared the analgesic efficacy of the TAP block after caesarean section in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial. METHODS: In this study, thirty patients undergoing cesarean sections under general anesthesia were divided into two groups. Patients in Group T (n=15) on whom TAP Block with USG guidance was performed using 0.25% bupivacaine totally 60 ml. The patients in Group C were administered (n=15), 0.9% NaCl totally 60 ml (30 ml at each side) with USG guidance. Post-operative demand of meperidine using a patient-controlled analgesia device was recorded. RESULTS: First time on the need for analgesia were significantly higher in the control group (Group C). The total dose of meperidine, tenoxicam, paracetamol used for analgesia was significantly higher in the Group C. The outset times of breastfeeding and mobilization did not change between the groups. CONCLUSION: The USG-TAP block with 0.25% bupivacaine 60 ml (30 ml on each side) significantly reduced post-operative pain in patients undergoing the cesarean section. We think that TAP block is a comfortable and feasible method which reduces post-operative analgesia need and does not lead any serious complications.

Integrated Pulmonary Index (IPI) monitorization under sedation in cataract surgery with phacoemulsification technique.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate that change of IPI values after sedation of patients undergoing cataract surgery under sedation. METHODS: We included 50 patients (ASA I-III) undergoing cataract surgery under sedation by phacoemulsification method in this prospective observational study. IPI, SpO2, ETCO2, respiratory rate (RR), peripheral pulse rate (PR), hemodynamic data and BIS values and perioperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Compared to baseline values, RR value at 5th min, RR, PR, IPI values at 10th min and RR, PR values at 15th min were significantly low and heart rate value at 15th min and arterial pressure, bispectral index (BIS) values at 5th min, 10th min, 15th min, 20th min, 25th min and 30th min were lower than baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: IPI monitoring will provide guidance during sedation of patients with comorbid diseases undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification method.

Analgesia Nociception Index for perioperative analgesia monitoring in spinal surgery / Índice de analgesia/nocicepção para monitorização da analgesia perioperatória na cirurgia da coluna vertebral

Abstract Background and objectives: The Analgesia Nociception Index is an index used to measure the levels of pain, sympathetic system activity and heart rate variability during general anesthesia. In our study, Analgesia Nociception Index monitoring in two groups who had undergone spinal stabilization surgery and were administered propofol-remifentanil (Total Intravenous Anesthesia) and sevoflurane-remifentanyl anesthesia was compared regarding its significance for prediction of postoperative early pain. Methods: BIS and Analgesia Nociception Index monitoring were conducted in the patients together with standard monitoring. During induction, fentanyl 2 µg.kg-1, propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 and rocuronium 0.6 mg.kg-1 were administered. During maintenance, 1.0 MAC sevoflurane + remifentanil 0.05-0.3 µg.kg-1.min-1 and propofol 50-150 µg.kg-1.min-1 + remifentanil 0.05-0.3 µg.kg-1.min-1 were administered in Group S and Group T, respectively. Hemodynamic parameters, BIS and Analgesia Nociception Index values were recorded during surgery and 30 min postoperatively. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) values at 30 minutes were recorded. Results: While no difference was found between mean Analgesia Nociception Index at all times of measurement in both groups, Analgesia Nociception Index measurements after administration of perioperative analgesic drug were recorded to be significantly higher compared to baseline values in both groups. There was correlation between mean values of Analgesia Nociception Index and VAS after anesthesia. Conclusion: Analgesia Nociception Index is a valuable parameter for monitoring of perioperative and postoperative analgesia. In spine surgery, similar analgesia can be provided in both Total Intravenous Anesthesia with remifentanil and sevoflurane administration. Analgesia Nociception Index is efficient for prediction of the need for analgesia during the early postoperative period, and therefore is the provision of patient comfort.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: O índice de analgesia/nocicepção (ANI) é usado para medir os níveis de dor, a atividade do sistema simpático e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca durante a anestesia geral. Em nosso estudo, a monitoração do ANI em dois grupos que foram submetidos à cirurgia de estabilização da coluna vertebral e receberam propofol-remifentanil (Total Intravenous Anesthesia - TIVA) e sevoflurano-remifentanil foram comparados para identificar sua importância na previsão precoce de dor no pós-operatório. Métodos: Os pacientes foram monitorados com o uso de BIS e ANI juntamente com a monitoração padrão. Durante a indução, fentanil (2 µg.kg-1), propofol (2,5 mg.kg-1) e rocurônio (0,6 mg.kg-1) foram administrados. Durante a manutenção, 1 CAM de sevoflurano + remifentanil (0,05-0,3 µg.kg-1.min-1) e propofol (50-150 µg.kg-1.min-1) + remifentanil (0,05-0,3 µg.kg-1.min-1) foram administrados aos grupos S e T, respectivamente. Parâmetros hemodinâmicos, valores de BIS e ANI foram registrados durante a cirurgia e aos 30 minutos de pós-operatório. Os valores escala visual analógica (EVA) aos 30 minutos de pós-operatório foram registrados. Resultados: Enquanto não observamos diferença entre as médias do ANI em todos os tempos de mensuração de ambos os grupos, as mensurações do ANI após a administração do analgésico no perioperatório foram significativamente maiores do que os valores basais de ambos os grupos. Houve correlação entre as médias dos valores de ANI e EVA após a anestesia. Conclusão: ANI é um parâmetro importante para o monitoração de analgesia nos períodos perioperatório e pós-operatório. Na cirurgia da coluna vertebral, analgesia semelhante pode ser obtida com anestesia intravenosa total com remifentanil e com a administração de sevoflurano. O ANI é eficiente para prever a necessidade de analgesia durante o período pós-operatório imediato e, portanto, para proporcionar conforto ao paciente.

[Analgesia Nociception Index for perioperative analgesia monitoring in spinal surgery]. / Índice de analgesia/nocicepção para monitorização da analgesia perioperatória na cirurgia da coluna vertebral.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Analgesia Nociception Index is an index used to measure the levels of pain, sympathetic system activity and heart rate variability during general anesthesia. In our study, Analgesia Nociception Index monitoring in two groups who had undergone spinal stabilization surgery and were administered propofol-remifentanil (Total Intravenous Anesthesia) and sevoflurane-remifentanyl anesthesia was compared regarding its significance for prediction of postoperative early pain. METHODS: BIS and Analgesia Nociception Index monitoring were conducted in the patients together with standard monitoring. During induction, fentanyl 2µg.kg-1, propofol 2.5mg.kg-1 and rocuronium 0.6mg.kg-1 were administered. During maintenance, 1.0 MAC sevoflurane+remifentanil 0.05-0.3µg.kg-1.min-1 and propofol 50-150µg.kg-1.min+remifentanil 0.05-0.3µg.kg-1.min-1 were administered in Group S and Group T, respectively. Hemodynamic parameters, BIS and Analgesia Nociception Index values were recorded during surgery and 30min postoperatively. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) values at 30minutes were recorded. RESULTS: While no difference was found between mean Analgesia Nociception Index at all times of measurement in both groups, Analgesia Nociception Index measurements after administration of perioperative analgesic drug were recorded to be significantly higher compared to baseline values in both groups. There was correlation between mean values of Analgesia Nociception Index and VAS after anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Analgesia Nociception Index is a valuable parameter for monitoring of perioperative and postoperative analgesia. In spine surgery, similar analgesia can be provided in both Total Intravenous Anesthesia with remifentanil and sevoflurane administration. Analgesia Nociception Index is efficient for prediction of the need for analgesia during the early postoperative period, and therefore is the provision of patient comfort.

Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach, over 8 years, in 11 cities of Turkey.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach in Turkey and analyse predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance. DESIGN: An observational, prospective, interventional, before-and-after study was conducted from August 2003 to August 2011 in 12 intensive care units (ICU) of 12 hospitals in 11 cities. The study was divided into a baseline and a follow-up period and included random 30-minute observations for hand hygiene compliance in ICU. The hand hygiene approach included administrative support, supplies availability, education and training, reminders in the workplace, process surveillance, and performance feedback. RESULTS: We observed 21,145 opportunities for hand hygiene. Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 28.8% to 91% (95% CI 87.6-93.0, p 0.0001). Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that several variables were significantly associated with poor hand hygiene compliance: males vs. females (39% vs. 48%; 95% CI 0.79-0.84, p 0.0001), ancillary staff vs. physicians (35% vs. 46%, 95% CI 0.73-0.78, p 0.0001), and adult vs. pediatric ICUs (42% vs. 74%, 95% CI 0.54-0.60, p 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to hand hygiene was significantly increased with the INICC Hand Hygiene Approach. Specific programmes should be directed to improve hand hygiene in variables found to be predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance.

Incidence, etiology, and antibiotic resistance patterns of gram-negative microorganisms isolated from patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia in a medical-surgical intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in istanbul, Turkey (2004-2006).

The identification of microorganisms causing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is important for formulating appropriate therapies. In this study, we report the incidence, etiology, and antibiotic resistance patterns of Gram-negative microorganisms isolated from patients diagnosed with VAP in our medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) during the years 2004-2006. VAP was diagnosed by using the clinical criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibiotic resistance patterns of isolated microorganisms were defined by standard methods. The VAP incidence rate was 22.6/1,000 ventilator days. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Acinetobacter spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ninety percent of Acinetobacter spp. isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, 64% to imipenem, and 80% to ciprofloxacin. Fifty-nine percent of P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, 32% to imipenem, and 62% to ciprofloxacin. Cefoperazone-sulbactam was the most active agent against Acinetobacter spp. In conclusion, the incidence of VAP and the prevalence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms are quite high in our ICU. Comparison of the resistance rates of isolates demonstrates that certain antibiotic agents are more effective than others.