Ultrasound-guided carotid sheath block for carotid endarterectomy surgery in a high-risky patient and literature review.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery is generally performed for patients who under the risk of ischemic cerebral stroke due to the critical obstruction of the carotid artery. Ischemic complications may occur during the surgery. So, the awakeness of the patient is very important during the surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques may be performed instead of general anesthesia for shunt placement during CEA surgery. Herein, we aimed to share our successful US-guided carotid sheath block experience for anesthesia management during CEA surgery.

Comparison of the effects of clinical observation and protocol-based weaning on antioxidant stress factors.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the effects of observation of the physician (POB) or by adhering to the protocol-based (PB) weaning methods on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels and weaning success levels. METHODS: Our study was conducted on patients admitted from the emergency department between January 2015 and January 2018 in the intensive care unit of our hospital. During the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), when one of the criteria specified in developed, SBT was terminated and the previous mechanical ventilator parameters were returned. The patient was planned to be taken to SBT again the next morning. If the SBT was successful, extubation was decided. The extubation decision based on physician observation was made according to the patient's state of consciousness and adequate chest expansion during the daily visit. RESULTS: The decrease in TAC average value before and after extubation was found to be significant in the POB group patients (p=0.001). The decrease in the average TAC value of the PB group patients before and after extubation was found to be significant (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: In our study, TAC values were found to be higher in the PB group than in the POB group, and in addition, the reintubation rate was found to be lower. We think that the management of weaning as a PB may contribute to maintaining the balance between TAC and TOS and reduce the rate of reintubation.

Erector spinae plane block vs interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia management in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is the gold standard method used for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ESPB and ISB after shoulder arthroscopy. The primary outcome is the comparison of the perioperative and postoperative opioid consumptions. METHODS: Sixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. ESPB was planned in Group ESPB (n = 30), and ISB was planned in Group ISB (n = 30). Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia was administered to both groups in the postoperative period. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid and analgesic consumption of both groups, side effects and complications related to opioid use, postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic use were recorded in the first 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group in the first 4 h postoperatively than in the ISB group (p < 0.05). The total fentanyl consumption and number of patients using rescue analgesics in the postoperative period were significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea in the postoperative period was significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, it was seen that ISB provided more effective analgesia management compared to ESPB in patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy surgery.

A comparison of adductor canal block before and after thigh tourniquet during knee arthroscopy: a randomized, blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Adductor canal block (ACB) provides effective analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery. However, there is insufficient data regarding whether ACB should be performed before or after inflation of a thigh tourniquet. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of ACB performed before and after placement of a thigh tourniquet and evaluate associated quadriceps motor weakness. METHODS: ACB was performed before tourniquet inflation in the PreT group, and it was performed after inflation in the PostT group. In the PO group, ACB was performed at the end of surgery after deflation of the tourniquet. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data. There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in terms of total postoperative opioid consumption (P = 0.513). Patient satisfaction and the amount of rescue analgesia administered were also not significantly different between the groups. There was no significant difference in terms of static and dynamic visual analog scale scores between the groups (for 24 h: P = 0.306 and P = 0.271, respectively). The incidence of motor block was higher in the PreT group (eight patients) than in the PostT group (no patients) and the PO group (one patient) (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Using a tourniquet before or after ACB did not result in differences in terms of analgesia quality; however, applying a tourniquet immediately after ACB may lead to quadriceps weakness.

High Thoracic Erector Spinae Plane Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Prospective Double-Blind Study.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate to severe pain may occur following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. An erector spinae plane block (ESPB) may be used for painful conditions of the shoulder. The primary hypothesis of this trial is that ultrasound-guided ESPB would provide effective analgesia by reducing opioid consumption. The secondary hypothesis is that ESPB would result in low pain scores and reduce the use of rescue analgesia. DESIGN: Randomized prospective double-blind study. SETTING: Academic university hospital. SUBJECTS: Sixty patients aged between 18 and 65 years designated as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II who underwent unilateral arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia were included in the study. METHODS: Patients were equally divided into two groups-either the ESPB group (n=30) or the sham block group (n=30). ESPB was performed with 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine at the T2 level in the ESPB group and sham block with 30 mL saline at the T2 level in the sham block group. Twenty minutes before the end of the operation, 100 mg tramadol was administered intravenously to the patients. Intravenous ibuprofen 400 mg 3 × 1 was ordered for the patients during the postoperative period. A patient control analgesia device including a dose of 10 µg/mL fentanyl was connected to the patients. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between groups in terms of demographical data. Postoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the sham block group (96.66 µg ±105.57 µg and 230 µg ±247.17 µg, respectively) (P=0.009). The need for rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the sham block group (26.66 mg ±35.43 mg and 48.5 mg ±35.45 mg, respectively) (P=0.020). Overall, the visual analog scale scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the sham block group. CONCLUSIONS: ESPB may provide effective analgesia treatment following arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

A Randomized Trial to Compare Serratus Anterior Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block for Pain Management Following Thoracoscopic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. The primary outcome was to compare perioperative and postoperative (48 hours) opioid consumption. METHODS: A total of 60 patients were randomized into two groups (N = 30): an ESPB group and an SAPB group. All the patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia and ibuprofen 400 mg intravenously every eight hours. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption at 0-8, 8-16, and 16-24 hours and rescue analgesic use were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). Static/dynamic VAS scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between static VAS scores at the fourth hour. There were no differences between adverse effects. Block procedure time and one-time puncture success were similar between groups (P > 0.05 each). CONCLUSION: US-guided ESPB may provide better pain control than SAPB after VATS. QUESTION: Even though there are studies about analgesia management after VATS, clinicians want to perform the technique that is both less invasive and more effective. FINDINGS: This randomized trial showed that US-guided ESPB provides effective analgesia compared with SAPB. MEANING: Performing single-injection ESPB reduces VAS scores and opioid consumption compared with SAPB.

The effect of vitamin D status on different neuromuscular blocker agents reverse time

Background/aim: This study is aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D levels on sugammadex and neostigmine reversal times. Material and methods: Eighty patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years, with ASA I-III status who were undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were included in the study. A double blind fashion was used to randomly divide all the patients into two groups. At the end of the operation, sugammadex 2 mg/kg was administered to one group (Group sugammadex) and atropine and neostigmine was administered to the other group (Group neostigmine) intravenously. In the data analysis stage, the group was divided into two subgroups according to sugammadex and group neostigmine in itself, with vitamin D levels above and below 30 ng/mL. Statistical analysis was performed on these 4 groups (Group neostigmine and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL), (Group neostigmine and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL), ( Group sugammadex and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL), (Group sugammadex and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL). When two responses to train of four (TOF) stimulation were taken, the following times were recorded until extubation phase. The time until TOF value 50%, 70%, 90%, and extubation were recorded. Results: There were statistically significant differences between Group sugammadex and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL and Group sugammadex and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL (P = 0.007) for extubation times and 50% TOF reach times (P = 0.015). However, there was no difference observed between Group neostigmine and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL and Group neostigmine and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL (P = 0.999). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is important for anesthesiologists in terms of muscle strength and extubation time. Vitamin D deficiency seems to affect sugammadex reverse times but seems not to affect neostigmine reverse times. This conclusion needs further studies.

Effects of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia on Metabolic and Inflammatory Mediators.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of perioperative undesirable hypothermia on inflammatory (interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23 and pentraxin (PTX)-3) and metabolic responses (cortisol and insulin) and recovery time. METHODS: A total of 60 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years who were in the lumbar stabilisation operation were included in the study. In this prospective, randomised controlled study, two groups were constituted as with warmed (Group N) and not warmed (Group C) patients before and during the operation. Diuresis, blood loss, body temperature and side effects were recorded with IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23, PTX-3, cortisol and insulin levels. RESULTS: Perioperative diuresis was significantly higher in Group C. Aldrete score was significantly higher in Group N with less shivering and vomiting in the postoperative period. IL-10, PTX-3 and cortisol levels were found to be significantly higher in Group C in the first postoperative hour. PTX-3 and cortisol were found to be significantly higher in Group C after 24 h of the operation. Insulin was significantly higher in Group N. In 72 h, IL-8 in Group N and cortisol level in Group C were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Positive effects of heating the patients in the perioperative period on haemorrhage, diuresis, complications and recovery time were observed in our study. In addition, maintenance of normothermia appeared to modulate the biomarkers that indicate the inflammatory and metabolic responses.

SAPS III or APACHE IV: Which score to choose for acute trauma patients in intensive care unit?

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) III and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV in the prediction of in-hospital mortality in surviving multi-trauma patients. METHODS: This study was conducted in the 13-bed intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital. A retrospective review of multi-trauma patients whose care was managed in the ICU was performed. Data collection included details of age, gender, ICU admission, and outcome. APACHE IV and SAPS III scores, as well as the predicted mortality rate (PMR), were calculated using web-based calculators. RESULTS: Of the 90 patients 20% (n=18) were female and 80% (n=72) were male. The overall mortality rate was 25.6%. The mean APACHE IV, Acute Physiology Score (APS) and SAPS III score was 69.27+-34.51, 66.42+-33.72, and 26.36+-27.14, respectively. The mean PMR according to the APACHE IV and the SAPS III was 26.36+-27.14 and 17.07+-24.88, respectively. The area under the curve result of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.87 for the APACHE IV and 0.93 for the SAPS III. CONCLUSION: The performance of the SAPS III was more sensitive and discriminative than the APACHE IV scoring system for multi-trauma ICU patients.

The Efficacy of Different Volumes on Ultrasound-Guided Type-I Pectoral Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Subpectoral Breast Augmentation: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: PECS type-1 block, a US-guided superficial interfacial block, provides effective analgesia after breast surgery. Aesthetic breast augmentation is one of the most common surgical procedures in plastic surgery. Subpectoral prostheses cause severe pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different volumes of the solution on the efficacy of PECS type-I block for postoperative analgesia after breast augmentation surgery. METHODS: Ninety ASA status I-II female patients aged between 18 and 65 years who scheduled breast augmentation surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 30 patients each (Group 20 = 20 ml of anaesthetic solution, Group 30 = 30 ml anaesthetic solution, and Group K = Control group). Postoperative assessment was performed using the VAS score. The VAS scores were recorded postoperatively at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h. RESULTS: Fentanyl consumption was statistically significantly lower in Group 20 and Group 30 compared to the Control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in fentanyl consumption between Group 20 and Group 30. The right and left VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in Groups 20 and 30 than in the Control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in terms of VAS scores between Group 20 and Group 30. The use of rescue analgesia was statistically lower in Groups 20 and 30. CONCLUSIONS: PECS type-1 block using 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine can provide effective analgesia after breast augmentation surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Comparison of Intravenous Ibuprofen and Paracetamol for Postoperative Pain Management after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is defined as the first-step bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity. Opioid analgesics are often preferred for pain management because of their strong analgesic potentials. However, opioids have undesirable adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the influence of IV forms of ibuprofen and paracetamol on pain management and opioid consumption on patients undergoing LSG surgery. SETTING: This study was conducted at Istanbul Medipol University Hospital. METHODS: Patients were stratified into three groups. Group I (group ibuprofen, n = 30) was administered 800 mg of IV ibuprofen, group P (group paracetamol, n = 30) was administered 1000 mg of IV paracetamol, and group C (control group, n = 30) was given 100 ml of saline solution. We evaluated opioid consumption and VAS scores postoperatively. RESULTS: This study included 90 patients who underwent LSG. The use of rescue medication in group I was statistically lower than the other groups. VAS scores in group I and group P at recovery and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h were lower than those in group C. In particular, the VAS scores in group I at the first 2 h postoperatively were significantly lower than those in group P (p < 0.05). Opioid consumption in group C was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that IV ibuprofen resulted in lower pain scores compared to paracetamol by reducing postoperative opioid use in the first 24 h in patients undergoing LSG surgery.

Are Fetuin-A levels beneficial for estimating timing of sepsis occurrence?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluated Fetuin-A levels of patients admitted in the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of sepsis. Methods: This study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital, Çanakkal, Turkey, between February 2015 and October 2015. Forty septic patients were included in the study. Subsequent to clinical suspicion of sepsis, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin; and white blood cell (WBC) counts were evaluated at 3 time-points: 0 (basal), 24, and 72 hours. Results: The mean Fetuin-A levels at the 3 time-points were 58.5 ± 29.2 ng/mL, 40.9 ± 23.6 ng/mL, and 47.8 ± 25.7 ng/mL, respectively. Fetuin-A levels at 24 hours were significantly lower than the basal level (p greater than 0.05), where as no significant difference was observed between the basal levels and those at 72 hours (p greater than 0.05). Correlation between the temporal changes in Fetuin-A levels and the changes in other inflammatory markers (CRP, procalcitonin and WBC) was examined. Fetuin A was found to have only a negative correlation with serum procalcitonin level (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, serum Fetuin-A levels in septic patients decreased significantly in the first 24 hours, followed by an insignificant increase at 72 hours. These findings suggest that monitoring of Fetuin-A levels may help predict the time of occurrence of sepsis and  prognosis of sepsis.

Analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block using different volumes and concentrations of local analgesics after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Objective To evaluate the effects of an ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane (US-TAP) block used for postoperative pain relief by comparing the efficacy of two different volumes/concentrations of the local anaesthetic bupivacaine in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Methods This randomized study enrolled patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies. They were randomized to two groups: group A received a 20 ml US-TAP block (50 mg bupivacaine +10 ml saline solution) and group B received a 30 ml US-TAP block (50 mg bupivacaine + 20 ml saline solution). The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, the requirement for postoperative rescue analgesics, patient satisfaction scores, postoperative complications, and postoperative pain as measured by a visual analogue scale at 20 min, 12 h, and 24 h were recorded. Results A total of 60 patients enrolled in the study. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to demographic characteristics, duration of anaesthesia and patient satisfaction scores. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, postoperative VAS scores (20 min, 12 h and 24 h) and the requirement for postoperative analgesics were all significantly lower in group B who received a larger volume but a lower concentration of local anaesthetic solution compared with group A. Conclusion A US-TAP block can form part of a balanced postoperative analgesic regimen following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Effect of Smoking on Reversing Neuromuscular Block.

OBJECTIVE: Rocuronium is a non-depolarising, intermediate-acting, monoquaternary amino steroid and was brought into clinical use as a potentially ideal muscle relaxant. Post-operative residual curarisation (PORC) results from the prolonged effects of non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agents. This is a common problem and seriously affects patient safety. No recent study has investigated the effects of sugammadex on smokers, which is often used to restore neuromuscular block and avoid PORC. This study compares the severity of the effects of sugammadex used for antagonising rocuronium bromide and antagonism durations in smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: This randomised, prospective study included 40 patients scheduled for elective surgery and belonging to classes I and II based the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, who were either smokers for at least 10 years or non-smokers. Patients underwent routine and neuromuscular monitoring. At induction, 2 mg kg-1 propofol and 1 mcg kg-1 intravenous fentanyl were applied. After the loss of eyelash reflex, 0.6 mg kg-1 intravenous rocuronium was administered. Patients were intubated at train of four (TOF) 2. Anaesthesia was continued with 50% O2+50% air and 2% sevoflurane. Rocuronium, 0.15 mg kg-1, was administered at TOF 2 during the operation. At the end of the operation, 2 mg kg-1 sugammadex was administered. The times until TOF 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 were recorded. RESULTS: Intubation time was 132.8±46.4 s for smokers and 127.6±32.7 s for non-smokers. After sugammadex administration, the time to TOF 0.7 was 153.3±54.7 s in smokers and 125±67.2 s in non-smokers. The times were 178.4±58.8 and 146.6±72.6 s for TOF 0.8 and 200.8±55.8 s and 170.4±77.8 s for TOF 0.9 in smokers and non-smokers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although not statistically significant, the time to reach each TOF was longer for smokers. Larger populations and different perspectives are needed to find if sugammadex use is affected by smoking, which has negative effects on the body.

The acute effects of preoperative ozone theraphy on surgical wound healing.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of preoperative rectal ozone insufflation on surgical wound healing over the proinflammatory cytokines and histopathological changes. METHODS: Twenty one rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Sham, surgical wound, and ozone applied (6 sessions, every other day 70 µg/mL in 12 mL O2-O3 mixture rectally) surgical wound groups were created. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels from all rabbits were studied at the basal, 24th hour, and 72nd hour. The histopathological examination was done by removing the surgical scar tissue at the end of 72nd hour. RESULTS: TNF-alfa and IL-6 levels were significantly lower compared to the control group, in the rabbits treated with ozone. The increase in angiogenesis, the decrease in the number of inflammatory cells, epidermal and dermal regeneration, better collagen deposition, and increased keratinisation in stratum corneum were observed in the histopathological examination. It was determined that the wound healing noticeably accelerated in the ozone group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative rectal ozone insufflation had a positive effect on surgical wound healing in acute period.