Anesthetic approach to trauma patients in the city hospital after the 2023 Maras earthquake.

BACKGROUND: The February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaras earthquake caused significant destruction across our country. More than 50,000 people lost their lives, thousands were injured, and health facilities were damaged. Victims were transferred to hospitals in other provinces for treatment. This study evaluates the anesthesia approach applied to the injured who were transferred to our tertiary hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent surgery between February 6 and February 20, 2023. The study included earthquake victims who underwent emergency trauma surgery, aged 10 years and above. We recorded the date of admission to the hospital, demographic information, type of surgery, surgical site, anesthesia technique, preference for peripheral block, laboratory values, dialysis and intensive care needs, and survival rates. Data analysis was performed using the IBM® Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS®) Version 26.0. RESULTS: A total of 375 cases were included in the study. Of these, 323 patients underwent surgery for extremity injuries, and 35 for vertebral injuries. Among the extremity injuries, 61.6% were to the lower extremities, and 17.1% to the upper extremities. Debridement was performed on 147 patients, fasciotomy on 49 patients, and amputation on 33 patients. General anesthesia was applied to 352 patients, spinal anesthesia to 19 patients, and sedoanalgesia to four patients. Peripheral nerve block was performed on 33 patients. Dialysis treatment was administered to 105 patients. Twenty-six patients were lost during the treatment process. There were no intraoperative patient deaths. CONCLUSION: The predominance of extremity injuries among earthquake victims increases the inclination towards regional anesthesia. Incorporating Plan A blocks into basic anesthesia skills could enhance the preference for regional anesthesia in disaster situations. Furthermore, transferring the injured to advanced centers may reduce morbidity.

Airway management in general anesthesia for endovascular treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This retrospective and observational study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the use of the endotracheal tube (ETT) and the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) for the airway management with respect to airway safety, hemodynamic stability, adverse respiratory events, and recovery characteristics in patients who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) for cerebrovascular arteriovenous malformation under general anesthesia between 2011 and 2018. METHODS: The study included data from the patient's electronic medical records and anesthesia files. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of hemodynamic disturbances and respiratory adverse events during airway management. The secondary outcome measure was the comparison of recovery characteristics. RESULTS: The airway was secured using ETT in 41 patients and LMA in 39 patients. Airway safety was established in all patients without a complication throughout the procedure. Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were increased to > 20% of baseline levels at intubation and extubation periods in more patients in the ETT group than the LMA group (27 vs. 3; p = 0.07, and 11 vs. 2; p = 0.021). Respiratory adverse events including straining and coughing were observed in ten patients in the ETT group but only in one patient in the LMA group (p = 0.013). Time to extubation, to neurological assessment, and to discharge from the angiography unit were similar (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that LMA provided sufficient airway safety as with ETT and may be used as an alternative to ETT for EVTs under general anesthesia.

Comparison of three sitting positions for combined spinal - epidural anesthesia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective, multi-centered and multi-arm parallel randomized trial was to test the hypothesis that modified sitting positions including hamstring stretch position (HSP) and squatting position (SP) would reduce needle - bone contact events and increase the success rate of combined spinal - epidural anesthesia (CSEA) compared to traditional sitting position (TSP) in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-III patients, aged between 45-85 years were randomly allocated to one of three groups using computer-generated simple randomization: group TSP (n = 120), group HSP (n = 120), and group SP (n = 120). Primary outcome measures were the number of needle-bone contact and success rates. Secondary outcome measure was the ease of interspinous space identification. RESULTS: Seven patients in group SP and four of HSP could not tolerate their position and were excluded. Number of needle-bone contact, success rates, and grade of interspinous space identification were similar between groups (p = 1.000). Independent of positioning, the success rates were higher in patients whose interspinous space was graded as easy compared to difficult or impossible (p < 0.001). Success rates reduced, interspinous space identification became more challenging, and number of needle - bone contact increased as patient's body mass index (BMI) increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SP and HSP may be used as alternatives to the TSP. BMI and ease of interspinous space identification may be considered important determinants for CSEA success.

[The relation between preoperative anxiety and awareness during anesthesia: an observational study]. / Relação entre ansiedade pré­operatória e consciência durante a anestesia: estudo observacional.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a state of worry caused by the anticipation of external or internal danger. Awareness During Anesthesia (ADA) is an unexpected memory recall during anesthesia. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors that affect preoperative anxiety and observe the incidence of ADA, as well as to determine the anxiety levels of these patients with a history of ADA. METHODS: This study was planned to be prospective, observational, and cross-sectional. Patients in whom septoplasty was planned, who was admitted to the anesthesiology outpatients between March 2018 and September 2018, were ASA I-II, and aged 18-70 years were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of patients were recorded. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to determine anxiety during a preoperative evaluation. The modified Brice awareness score was used simultaneously to determine previous ADA. RESULTS: The anxiety scores of patients who were conscious during anesthesia were higher than other patients. The mean STAI score was 40.85±14.8 in the 799 patients who met the inclusion criteria of this study. When the anxiety scores were compared, the scores were higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The mean STAI score was found as 40.3±13.8 in patients who dreamed during anesthesia. CONCLUSION: It is important to determine the anxiety levels of patients in the preoperative period to prevent the associated complications. Preoperative anxiety, besides preventing ADA, should be dealt with in a multidisciplinary manner. ADA should be carefully questioned while evaluating previous anesthesia experiences.

The relation between preoperative anxiety and awareness during anesthesia: an observational study / Relação entre ansiedade pré-operatória e consciência durante a anestesia: estudo observacional

Abstract Background: Anxiety is a state of worry caused by the anticipation of external or internal danger. Awareness During Anesthesia (ADA) is an unexpected memory recall during anesthesia. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors that affect preoperative anxiety and observe the incidence of ADA, as well as to determine the anxiety levels of these patients with a history of ADA. Methods: This study was planned to be prospective, observational, and cross-sectional. Patients in whom septoplasty was planned, who was admitted to the anesthesiology outpatients between March 2018 and September 2018, were ASA I-II, and aged 18-70 years were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of patients were recorded. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to determine anxiety during a preoperative evaluation. The modified Brice awareness score was used simultaneously to determine previous ADA. Results: The anxiety scores of patients who were conscious during anesthesia were higher than other patients. The mean STAI score was 40.85 ± 14.8 in the 799 patients who met the inclusion criteria of this study. When the anxiety scores were compared, the scores were higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The mean STAI score was found as 40.3 ± 13.8 in patients who dreamed during anesthesia. Conclusion: It is important to determine the anxiety levels of patients in the preoperative period to prevent the associated complications. Preoperative anxiety, besides preventing ADA, should be dealt with in a multidisciplinary manner. ADA should be carefully questioned while evaluating previous anesthesia experiences.

Resumo Justificativa: A ansiedade é um estado de preocupação causado pela expectativa de perigo externo ou interno. Consciência durante a anestesia (CDA) é a evocação imprevista da memória de eventos intranestésicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os fatores que afetam a ansiedade pré-operatória, a incidência de CDA e os níveis de ansiedade nos pacientes com antecedente de CDA. Método: O estudo foi planificado como prospectivo, observacional e transversal. Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes programados para septoplastia eletiva, admitidos ao ambulatório de anestesiologia entre Março de 2018 e Setembro de 2018, com classe funcional ASA I-II e faixa etária entre 18 e 70 anos. As características demográficas dos pacientes foram registradas. O Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE) foi utilizado para determinar a ansiedade durante a avaliação pré-operatória. Simultaneamente, o escore de consciência de Brice modificado foi usado para determinar CDA anterior. Resultados: Os escores de ansiedade dos pacientes que apresentaram CDA foram mais elevados do que de outros pacientes. A pontuação média do IDATE foi 40,85±14,8 nos 799 pacientes que obedeceram aos critérios de inclusão do estudo. Quando os escores de ansiedade foram comparados, foram maiores no sexo feminino do que no masculino (p < 0,05). O escore médio do IDATE encontrado foi 40,3±13,8 nos pacientes que relataram sonhos durante a anestesia. Conclusão: É importante determinar no pré-operatório os níveis de ansiedade dos pacientes para evitar as complicações associadas. Ansiedade pré-operatória e a prevenção de CDA devem ser tratadas com abordagem multiprofissional. A CDA deve ser cuidadosamente investigada, avaliando-se as experiências vividas pelo paciente em anestesias pregressas.

Preoperative ankle block for postoperative analgesia in foot surgery.

BACKGROUND: The use of a tourniquet and patients' preference for general anesthesia (GA) limit performing ankle blocks (AB) as a sole anesthetic technique for orthopedic foot surgery. The aim of this prospective and randomized study was to test the hypothesis that administration of an AB before GA could be effective for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing outpatient hallux valgus surgery. Primary outcome measure was mean pain score and secondary outcome measures were time to mobilization of patients, time to hospital discharge, and complications. METHODS: A total of 110 adult patients were randomly assigned into two groups: group GA (n = 55) and group GA + AB (n = 55). Group GA + AB received an AB using 100 mg lidocaine 2% and 75 mg bupivacaine 0.5% before the induction of GA. Pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Mean VAS scores were higher and times to first rescue analgesic were shorter in group GA compared to group GA + AB (p = 0.001). More patients required rescue analgesic in group GA and pethidine consumption was higher (p = 0.001). Time to mobilization was shorter in GA + AB group (p = 0.001) but hospital discharge time was similar between groups (p = 0.269). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher in group GA (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Ankle block is an effective and simple technique for reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption. It reduced the time to mobilization without a delay in hospital discharge. It is concluded that the routine administration of AB before GA may be an effective and simple method for pain relief after foot surgery.

Fast-track anesthesia in patients undergoing outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: comparison of sevoflurane with total intravenous anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The use of short-acting anesthetics has introduced a "fast-track anesthesia" concept in outpatient surgery which provides discharge of the patients from operation room directly to the phase II recovery area without entering into postanesthesia care unit. The aim of this prospective and randomized study was to compare general anesthesia using sevoflurane with propofol-remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) for fast-track eligibility in patients undergoing outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The secondary aim was to compare 2 discharge scoring systems: White's Fast-Tracking Scoring System (WFTSS) and Modified Aldrete Scoring Systems (MASS) with regard to postanesthesia care unit bypass rate and postoperative problems. METHODS: After obtaining ethical approval and written informed patient consent, 80 patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: group sevoflurane (n=40) and group TIVA (n=40). Anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium in both groups and maintained with sevoflurane in group sevoflurane and with remifentanil-propofol in group TIVA. Fast-track eligibility was evaluated using both WFTSS and MASS while patients were discharged from operation room according to WFTSS. Recovery times, number of fast-track eligible patients, factors related to fast-track ineligibility, and perioperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The ratio of fast-track eligible patients was higher and times to fast-track eligibility were shorter in group TIVA compared with group sevoflurane (82.1% vs 57.5% and 8 minutes vs 12 minutes; P<.05). The primary factors that have inhibited fast-tracking were desaturation, hemodynamic instability, pain, and postoperative nausea and vomiting, respectively. Postoperative nausea and vomiting presented a major difference in the rate of fast-track ineligibility between groups (4 patients in group sevoflurane, whereas none in group TIVA; P<.05). The fast-track ratio was lower with the WFTSS compared with MASS in group sevoflurane (57.5% vs 77.5%, P<.05), but similar in group TIVA.

What is Scientific Research and How Can it be Done?

Scientific researches are studies that should be systematically planned before performing them. In this review, classification and description of scientific studies, planning stage randomisation and bias are explained.

Tizanidine for the management of acute postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair: A placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: α2-Agonists are used postoperatively as a component of multimodal analgesia. Tizanidine is a centrally acting α2-agonist with muscle relaxant properties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of tizanidine with placebo in terms of postoperative pain scores, analgesic consumption, return to daily activity and health-related quality of life. DESIGN: A randomised double-blind study. SETTING: Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital. INTERVENTIONS: After obtaining ethical approval and informed patient consent, 60 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into one of the two groups. The patients in Group T received tizanidine 4 mg orally 1 h before surgery and twice daily during the first postoperative week. The patients in Group P received the same treatment with a placebo pill. Both the groups received a standard analgesic treatment regimen comprising intravenous dexketoprofen 25 mg prior to induction of anaesthesia, dexketoprofen 25 mg orally three times daily for 1 week and intravenous paracetamol 1 g at the end of surgery. Supplemental analgesia was provided with paracetamol if the visual numerical rating scale (NRS) was at least 4 cm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative pain was assessed using the NRS. Total analgesic consumption was determined. Return to normal daily activity was evaluated using a five-point daily activity score after the first postoperative week, and health-related quality of life was evaluated using the short form-36 one month after surgery. RESULTS: The patients in Group T had significantly lower NRS pain scores than those in Group P 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively both at rest and during movement (P < 0.001), and on postoperative days 1, 2, 3 and 4. The analgesic consumption was also lower in patients who received tizanidine. Ten patients (33%) in Group T and 23 patients (77%) in Group P consumed supplemental paracetamol (P < 0.001) after discharge. The daily activity score was lower in Group T than in Group P (P < 0.001), and the short form-36 scores were significantly different in the pain dimension [74 (74 to 100) in Group T and 74 (31 to 80) in Group P, (P < 0.001)] and in the physical component summary score. CONCLUSION: The addition of tizanidine to the postoperative pain therapy after herniorrhaphy decreased postoperative pain and analgesic consumption and improved return to normal activity and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02016443 (10 October 2013, Principal investigator D. Yazicioglu).

Do the patients read the informed consent?

BACKGROUND: Informed consent is a process which consists of informing the patient about the medical interventions planned to be applied to the patient's body and making the patient active in the decision making process. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the patients read the informed consent document or not and if not, to determine why they did not read it. This was achieved via a questionnaire administered at the pre-anaesthetic visit to assess the perception of patients to the informed consent process. STUDY DESIGN: Survey study. METHODS: The patients were given a questionnaire after signing the informed consent document at the pre-anaesthetic visit. We studied whether the patients read the informed consent document or not and asked for their reasons if they did not. RESULTS: A total of 522 patients were included during the two month study (mean age: 38.1 years; 63.8% male, 36.2% female). Overall, 54.8% of patients reported that they did not read the informed consent. Among them, 50.3% did not care about it because they thought they would have the operation anyway, 13.4% did not have enough time to read it, 11.9% found it difficult to understand, 5.9% could not read because they had no glasses with them, and 5.2% found it frightening and gave up reading. Inpatients, older patients and patients with co-morbidities were less likely to read the informed consent document than outpatients, and younger and healthy patients (p<0.05). Also, 57.9% of parents whose children would be operated on had read the document. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the majority of our patients did not understand the importance of the informed consent. It is therefore concluded that informed consent documents should be rearranged to be easily read and should be supported with visual elements such as illustrations or video presentations, as informed consent is a process rather than just simply signing a form.

Comparison of randomized preemptive dexketoprofen trometamol or placebo tablets to prevent withdrawal movement caused by rocuronium injection.

Rocuronium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent which is associated with injection pain and induces withdrawal movement of the injected hand or arm or generalized movements of the body after intravenous injection. The aim of this randomized study was to compare the efficacy of pretreatment with oral dexketoprofen trometamol (Arvelles(®); Group A) with placebo (Group P) without tourniquet to prevent the withdrawal response caused by rocuronium injection. The study cohort comprised 150 American Society of Anaesthesiologists class I-III patients aged 18-75 years who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery with general anesthesia. The patients response to rocuronium was graded using a 4-point scale [0 = no response; 1 = movement/withdrawal at the wrist only, 2 = movement/withdrawal involving the arm only (elbow/shoulder); 3 = generalized response]. The overall incidence of withdrawal movement after rocuronium injection was significantly lower in Group A (30.1 %) than in Group P (64.6 %) (p < 0.001). The incidence of score 0 withdrawal movements was higher in Group A (69.9 %) than in Group P (35.4 %), that of score 1 withdrawal movements was similar between groups (Group A 21.9 %; Group B 26.1 %) (p = 0.560) and that of score 2 withdrawal movements was lower in Group A (8.2 %) than in Group P (38.5 %) (p < 0.001). There were no score 3 withdrawal movements in either group (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that the preemptive administration of dexketoprofen trometamol can attenuate the degree of withdrawal movements caused by the pain of the rocuronium injection.

Tracheal compression during shoulder arthroscopy in the beach-chair position.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress is a rare complication of outpatient shoulder arthroscopy and mostly associated with general anesthesia, pneumothorax, anaphylaxis, or phrenic nerve paralysis. OBJECTIVE: We report on a shoulder arthroscopy complicated by tracheal compression caused by extravasation of irrigation fluid into soft tissues of the upper airway while the patient was in the beach-chair position under general anesthesia. CASE SUMMARY: A 33-year-old male was scheduled for shoulder arthroscopy for impingement syndrome of the right shoulder under general anesthesia combined with interscalene brachial plexus block. During the operation, the patient's neck, right chest, and shoulder were observed to be swollen and tense on palpation. A fiberoptic bronchoscopic evaluation through the endotracheal tube revealed that the trachea was compressed to the left, but not completely obstructed. It was determined that the irrigation fluid had leaked subcutaneously from the shoulder joint to the neck. Vital signs were stable and the patient could be adequately ventilated despite the airway obstruction. The patient was transferred to the ward 16 hours after the operation with stable vital signs and discharged from the hospital on the second day. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of airway obstruction due to tracheal compression from extravasation of irrigation fluid during shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia combined with peripheral nerve block in the beach-chair position. General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation protected the patient from a possibly fatal complication.