Effect of alkalinisation of lignocaine for propofol injection pain: a prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether pretreatment with alkalinised lignocaine reduced the incidence and severity of pain during propofol injection. This prospective, randomised, double-blind study included 300 adult, American Society of Anesthesiologists physcial status I to II patients undergoing elective surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group L received 0.05 ml/kg of 1% lignocaine (5 ml normal saline + 5 ml 2% lignocaine), Group A received 0.05 ml/kg alkalinised lignocaine (5 ml 2% lignocaine + 1 ml 8.4% NaHCO3 + 4 ml normal saline), and Group S, the control group, was given the same amount of normal saline (NaCl 0.9%). All drugs were given as a bolus over 20 seconds before propofol administration. A blinded researcher assessed the patient's pain level using a four-point scale. The pain score [median (range)] and the incidence of pain in Group A (6%) was significantly lower than in groups L (41%) and S (88%, P <0.001). In addition, the pain score and the incidence of pain were found to be significantly different between Group L and Group S (P <0.001). The incidence of moderate and severe pain were greater in Group S when compared with groups A and L (P <0.001). Intravenous pretreatment with alkalinised lignocaine appears to be effective in reducing the pain during propofol injection.

Remifentanil without muscle relaxants for intubation in microlaryngoscopy: a double blind randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the effect of remifentanil without muscle relaxant with succinylcholine for intubation in microlaryngoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group R (n=40) and S (n=40) received remifentanil 4 µg/kg intravenously or 1 µg/kg respectively. Anesthesia was induced with 2 mg/kg propofol in both groups. Intubation was performed after bolus administration of 10 ml saline as a placebo or 1 mg/kg of succinylcholine in Group R and S respectively. Remifentanil infusion was initiated at 0.025 µg/kg in each groups. RESULTS: Intubation conditions were similar in both groups. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) values at post-induction period were significantly lower in the Group S than in the Group R (p = 0.001). The requirement for ephedrine in Group R was found to be significantly lower than Group S (p = 0.023). Recovery times were significantly shorter (p = 0.001) and recovery scores were significantly higher (p = 0.021) in Group R. Time to patient could respond to commands was significantly longer in the Group S (p = 0.001). The surgeon's satisfaction score was significantly higher in Group R (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that remifentanil without muscle relaxants provides similar intubating conditions as that provided by succinylcholine, and remifentanil is superior to succinylcholine with regard to haemodynamic stability and recovery duration.

Sevoflurane alone and propofol with or without remifentanil for electroconvulsive therapy-a randomised, crossover study.

We compared the effectiveness of three anaesthetic regimens (propofol alone, propofol with remifentanil and sevoflurane alone), with respect to seizure duration and seizure quality in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. Thirty-nine patients underwent a total of 234 electroconvulsive therapy treatments in this prospective, observer blinded, crossover study. Each patient received either propofol 1 mg/kg alone (Group P), propofol 0.5 mg/kg and remifentanil 1 µg/kg (Group R), or sevoflurane alone 6% (Group S) for their initial electroconvulsive therapy session. The patients subsequently received an alternative regimen in their next session, such as from propofol 1 mg/kg alone to propofol 0.5 mg/kg and remifentanil 1 µg/kg, from propofol 0.5 mg/kg and remifentanil 1 µg/kg to sevoflurane alone 6%, or from sevoflurane alone 6% to a continuing alternation between drugs at each session, until their sixth session. Muscle paralysis was achieved with 1 mg/kg succinylcholine. Seizure duration, postictal suppression index, early and midictal amplitude were recorded. The mean motor and electroencephalogram seizure durations were significantly longer in Groups P and R compared to Group S (P <0.001). The postictal suppression index and early and midictal amplitude values were not significantly different among the groups. These findings indicate that the three anaesthetic regimens had similar effects on seizure quality parameters, although sevoflurane was associated with shorter seizure durations than propofol or propofol-remifentanil.

Airway management using the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in a child with Goldenhar syndrome.

Children with congenital anomalies such as Goldenhar syndrome affecting the airway can be a problem for the anaesthesiologist. We present the case of an 18 month-old child with Goldenhar syndrome, in whom the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway was successfully used for inguinal hernia surgery.

The effects of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on emergence characteristics after adenoidectomy in children.

This randomised controlled study evaluated the effects of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine on emergence characteristics of children having adenoidectomy and anaesthetised with sevoflurane. Ninety children, two to seven years of age and ASA physical status I, were studied. Children were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 30 children, with the study intervention injection given intravenously after intubation. Children in Group F received fentanyl 2.5 microg x kg(-1), children in Group D received dexmedetomidine 0.5 microG x kg(-1) and children in Group C received saline solution. Anaesthesia was induced with 50% N2O and 8% sevoflurane in O2 by mask and atracurium 0.6 mg x kg(-1) was administered for tracheal intubation. All children received paracetamol 40 mg/kg rectally one hour preoperatively and dexamethasone 0.5 mg x kg(-1) intravenously. The time to extubation was shorter in Group D than Group F. The eye-opening time was longer in Group F (16.1 +/- 5.3 minutes) than in Groups C (12.0 +/- 4.2 minutes) and D (12.7 +/- 3.2 minutes). The proportion of pain-free children in early recovery was significantly higher in Groups D (47%) and F (43%) than Group C (13%) (P < 0.05). The proportion of children with agitation scores > 3 was lower in Groups D 17% (5/30) and F 13% (4/30) than in Group C 47% (14/30) (P < 0.05). Fentanyl 2.5 microg x kg(-1) and dexmedetomidine 0.5 microg x kg(-1) had similar haemodynamic effects and emergence characteristics. Fentanyl has been safely used in children for many years. Further studies of dexmedetomidine safety and its interaction with other anaesthetic agents are required before recommending its routine use during general anaesthesia in children.

The effect of esmolol on the QTc interval during induction of anaesthesia in patients with coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether esmolol has an effect on QT interval during induction of anaesthesia using etomidate and fentanyl in patients with known coronary artery disease. Sixty patients were prospectively randomised to either a control group or the esmolol group. Esmolol was administered as a bolus 1 mg.kg(-1), followed by a continuous infusion at 250 microg.kg(-1)min(-1). All patients received etomidate 0.3 mg.kg(-1) and fentanyl 15 microg.kg(-1). The ECG was recorded prior to induction of anaesthesia (T0), 5 min following the start of drug infusions (T1), 1 min following etomidate (T2), 3 min following vecuronium (T3), 30 s (T4), 2 min (T5) and 4 min (T6) after intubation. In the esmolol group, QTc interval was significantly shorter at T1, T2 and T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, QTc interval increased following tracheal intubation during induction of anaesthesia using etomidate and fentanyl. An infusion of Esmolol attenuated the QTc interval prolongation associated with tracheal intubation.

Ketamine or alfentanil administration prior to propofol anaesthesia: the effects on ProSeal laryngeal mask airway insertion conditions and haemodynamic changes in children.

This study was designed to compare the effects of ketamine and alfentanil administered prior to induction of anaesthesia with propofol, on the haemodynamic changes and ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion conditions in children. Eighty children, aged between 3-132 months, were randomly allocated to receive either alfentanil 20 microg.kg(-1) (alfentanil group) or ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) (ketamine group) before induction of anaesthesia. Ninety seconds following the administration of propofol 4 mg.kg(-1), a PLMA was inserted. In the ketamine group, heart rate and mean arterial pressure were higher during the study period compared with the alfentanil group (p < 0.05). The time for the return of spontaneous ventilation was prolonged in the alfentanil group (p = 0.004). In conclusion, we found that the administration of ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) with propofol 4 mg.kg(-1) preserved haemodynamic stability, and reduced the time to the return of spontaneous ventilation, compared with alfentanil 20 microg.kg(-1) during PLMA placement. In addition, the conditions for insertion of the PLMA with ketamine were similar to those found with alfentanil.

Dexmedetomidine blunts acute hyperdynamic responses to electroconvulsive therapy without altering seizure duration.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the acute hyperdynamic response, duration of seizure activity and recovery times in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent a total of 84 ECT sessions as a crossover design. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either dexmedetomidine (1 mug/kg IV over a period of 10 min) or saline (control). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 1 mg/kg, and then succinylcholine 0.5 mg/kg IV was administered. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded during the study period. RESULTS: HR in the dexmedetomidine group was lower than that in the control group at 5 and 10 min after the start of study drug infusion, and at 1, 3 and 10 min after the seizure ended (P<0.05). Peak HR was lower in the dexmedetomidine group compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) values in the dexmedetomidine group were lower at 0, 1, 3 and 10 min after the seizure ended compared with the control group (P<0.05). Both motor and electroencephalography (EEG) seizure duration in the control group (35.65 +/- 14.89 and 49.07 +/- 9.94 s, respectively) were similar to that in the dexmedetomidine group (33.30 +/- 12.01 and 45.15 +/- 17.79 s, respectively) (P>0.05). Time to spontaneous breathing, eye opening and obeying commands were not different between the groups. CONCLUSION: A dexmedetomidine dose of 1 mug/kg IV administered over 10 min before the induction of anaesthesia with propofol may be useful in preventing the acute hyperdynamic responses to ECT without altering the duration of seizure activity and recovery time.

Control of shivering during regional anaesthesia: prophylactic ketamine and granisetron.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare placebo, ketamine, granisetron and a combination of ketamine and granisetron in the prevention of shivering caused by regional anaesthesia. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 160 ASA I and II patients undergoing urological surgery were included. Subarachnoid anaesthesia was performed in all patients with bupivacaine 15 mg. The patients were randomly allocated to receive saline (group P, n= 40), ketamine 0.5 mg (group K, n= 40), granisetron 3 mg (group G, n= 40) or ketamine 0.25 mg + granisetron 1.5 mg (group KG, n= 40). Shivering was graded as 0 = no shivering, 1 = piloerection or peripheral vasoconstriction but no visible shivering, 2 = muscular activity in only one muscle group, 3 = muscular activity in more than one muscle group but not generalized, and 4 = shivering involving the whole body. If 15 min after spinal anaesthesia and concomitant administration of a prophylactic dose of one of the study drugs, the patients shivered according to at least grade 3, the prophylaxis was regarded as ineffective and intravenous (i.v.) pethidine 25 mg was administered. RESULTS: After 15 min, the number of patients with observed shivering was 22 in group P, 6 in group G, 7 in group GK and 0 in group K. The difference between group K and all the other groups was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The number of patients with a shivering score of 3 was statistically significantly higher in group P compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: The prophylactic use of 0.5 mg/kg i.v. ketamine was effective in preventing shivering developed during regional anaesthesia.