A Randomised Study To Compare Palonosetron With Ondansetron for Prophylaxis of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Following Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgeries.

Background Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in susceptible patients can be unacceptably high (70-80% reported incidence). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV in high-risk patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Methodology In this randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, non-smoking females aged 18-70 years, weighing 40-90 kg, and posted for elective laparoscopic gynecological surgeries were enrolled into ondansetron (Group A, n = 65) and palonosetron (Group B, n = 65) groups. Palonosetron (1 mcg/kg IV) or ondansetron (0.1 mg/kg IV) were administered just before induction. Postoperatively, the incidence of nausea, vomiting, PONV (scored on a scale of 0-3), need for rescue antiemetic, complete response, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects were evaluated up to 48 h following surgery. Normally distributed continuous variables were compared using Student's t-test. In addition, the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare nominal categorical data as deemed appropriate. P-value <0.05 was observed as statistically significant. Results The overall PONV scores and postoperative nausea scores during 0-2 and 24-48 hours were comparable, but PONV scores (p = 0.023) and postoperative nausea scores (p = 0.010) during 2-24 hours were significantly lesser in Group B compared to Group A. There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative vomiting score or retching during 0-48 hours. The amount of first-line rescue antiemetic used during 2-24 hours was significantly higher in Group A (56%) than in Group B (31%) (p = 0.012; p <0.05). A complete response to the drug during 2-24 hours was significantly higher (p = 0.023) in Group B (63%) compared to Group A (40%), whereas response was comparable during 0-2 and 24-48 hours. Both groups had a comparable incidence of adverse effects and patient satisfaction scores. Conclusion Palonosetron has a superior anti-nausea effect, less need for rescue antiemetics, and lesser incidence of total PONV compared to ondansetron during 2-24h and comparable effect to ondansetron during 0-2h and 24-48h postoperative period in high-risk patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

A Comparative Study of Palonosetron with Ondansetron for Prophylaxis of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Following Laparoscopic Gynaecological Surgeries.

Background: Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in susceptible patients can be unacceptably high (70-80% reported incidence). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV in high-risk patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. Methodology: In this randomised, controlled, double-blind trial, nonsmoking females 18-70 years and weighing 40-90 kg, scheduled for elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgeries, were enrolled into the ondansetron (Group A, n=65) or palonosetron (Group B, n=65) group. Palonosetron (1 mcg/kg 4) or ondansetron (0.1 mg/kg 4) were administered just before induction. Postoperatively, incidence of nausea, vomiting, PONV (scored on a scale of 0-3), need for rescue antiemetic, complete response, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects were evaluated for up to 48 h following surgery. Results: The overall PONV scores and postoperative nausea score during 0-2 h and 24-48 h were comparable, but PONV scores (P=0.023) and postoperative nausea scores (P=0.010) during 2-24 h were significantly lesser in Group B compared to Group A. There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative vomiting score or retching during 0-48 h. The amount of first-line rescue antiemetic used during 2-24 h was significantly higher in Group A (56%) than in Group B (31%) (P=0.012; P<0.05). Complete response to the drug during 2-24 h was significantly higher (P=0.023) in Group B (63%) compared to Group A (40%), whereas response was comparable during 0-2 h and 24-48 h. Both groups had comparable incidences of adverse effects and patient satisfaction scores. Conclusion: Palonosetron has superior antinausea effect, less need of rescue antiemetics, and lesser incidence of total PONV in comparison to ondansetron during 2-24 h and comparable effect to ondansetron during the 0-2 h and 24-48 h postoperative periods in high-risk patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.

A prospective observational study comparing criteria-based discharge method with traditional time-based discharge method for discharging patients from post-anaesthesia care unit undergoing ambulatory or outpatient minor surgeries under general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mostly, institutions in India have single post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) which follows traditional time-based discharge (TBD) method. Recently, it has been classified into PACU Phase I and Phase II, and criteria-based discharge (CBD) method has been used. This study primarily compares CBD versus TBD methods in moving patients through PACU, and other non-clinical factors causing delay in shifting. METHODS: One hundred patients, aged 18-65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologist's physical status I and II, scheduled for elective minor surgeries under general anaesthesia were studied. White's fast-track score in operating room (OR) and modified Aldrete's score (CBD time) in PACU were recorded. Patients were scheduled to discharge at 60 min based on TBD method. The mean CBD time and actual discharge time from PACU were statistically compared with TBD time. Other non-clinical factors delaying the discharge were also studied. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of patients achieved acceptable White's fast-track score in OR. The TBD time (60 min) was compared with the mean CBD time (10.70 ± 2.56 min) and actual discharge time (79.75 ± 12.98 min), which were found to be statistically significant. Primarily, anaesthesiologists' busy schedule was accountable for delay in discharge. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that in patients undergoing ambulatory minor surgeries, discharge times based on Criterion Based Discharge scoring systems such as modified Aldrete's and White's-fast are significantly lower in PACU Phase I as compared to the traditional Time Based Discharge method.

Comparative evaluation of gastric pH and volume in morbidly obese and lean patients undergoing elective surgery and effect of aspiration prophylaxis.

INTRODUCTION: The anesthetic management of patients with morbid obesity is challenging. There is no consensus on the routine use of aspiration prophylaxis in morbidly obese patients undergoing elective surgery. AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the risk of pulmonary aspiration and effect of premedication with ranitidine and metoclopramide on gastric pH and volume in morbidly obese and lean patients. METHODS: Gastric volume and pH were measured in 3 groups of 20 patients each: group I (lean, no aspiration prophylaxis), group II (morbidly obese, no aspiration prophylaxis), and group III (morbidly obese; tablet ranitidine, 150 mg; and tablet metoclopramide, 10 mg administered the night before and 2 hours before surgery). Patients with critical gastric volume >25 mL and critical pH <2.5 (Roberts and Shirley criteria) were considered to be at risk for pulmonary aspiration. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with gastric volume >25 mL and pH <2.5 was 5%, 30%, and 0% in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Statistically significant difference existed between groups I and II (P = .04) and groups II and III (P = .006). Premedicated morbidly obese and lean patients were comparable (P = .46). CONCLUSION: Morbidly obese patients undergoing elective surgery are at a higher risk for regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration when compared with lean patients. Preoperative aspiration prophylaxis decreases gastric volume and increases gastric pH and thus should be routinely prescribed.

Preoperative predictors of blood component transfusion in living donor liver transplantation.

CONTEXT: Extensive bleeding associated with liver transplantation is a major challenge faced by transplant surgeons, worldwide. AIMS: To evaluate the blood component consumption and determine preoperative factors that predict the same in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This prospective study was performed for a 1 year period, from March 2010 to February 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intra- and postoperative utilization of blood components in 152 patients undergoing LDLT was evaluated and preoperative patient parameters like age, gender, height, weight, disease etiology, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), platelet count (Plt), total leukocyte count (TLC), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), serum bilirubin (T. bilirubin), total proteins (T. proteins), albumin to globulin ratio (A/G ratio), serum creatinine (S. creatinine), blood urea (B. urea), and serum electrolytes were assessed to determine their predictive values. Univariate and stepwise discriminant analysis identified those factors, which could predict the consumption of each blood component. RESULTS: The average utilization of packed red cells (PRCs), cryoprecipitates (cryo), apheresis platelets, and fresh frozen plasma was 8.48 units, 2.19 units, 0.93 units, and 2,025 ml, respectively. Disease etiology and blood component consumption were significantly correlated. Separate prediction models which could predict consumption of each blood component in intra and postoperative phase of LDLT were derived from among the preoperative Hb, Hct, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, body surface area (BSA), Plt, T. proteins, S. creatinine, B. urea, INR, and serum sodium and chloride. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative variables can effectively predict the blood component requirements during liver transplantation, thereby allowing blood transfusion services in being better prepared for surgical procedure.

Immediate postoperative extubation after liver transplantation at our centre: A report of two cases.

Liver transplantation is a dynamic field undergoing continuous changes in management. Prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation has been a norm but now there is a trend towards early extubation. We developed a protocol for early extubation based on bispectral index monitoring. This protocol was applied in two cases with satisfactory outcome.