A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam for Conscious Sedation During Oocyte Retrieval in An In Vitro Fertilization Program.

BACKGROUND: Various sedative and analgesic techniques have been used for pain relief during oocyte retrieval which is the most painful part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. AIM: This study aimed at comparing dexmedetomidine and midazolam for conscious sedation in women undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval during an IVF program. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized double-blinded comparative study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients undergoing oocyte retrieval in their first IVF cycle were randomly allocated into two equal groups. The intervention started with giving fentanyl1 mcg/kg intravenous (IV) followed by paracervical block in both groups. Then, subjects in group (D) received dexmedetomidine at a loading dose of 1 µg/kg IV over 10 min followed by 0.5 µg/kg/h infusion until Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) reached 3-4. Patients in group (M) received a loading dose of midazolam 0.06 mg/kg IV over 10 min followed by 0.5 mg incremental doses until RSS reached 3-4. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program version 19 and EP 16 program. RESULTS: Visual analog scale scores significantly decreased in group D than group M at 5 and 10 min during the procedure (P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively), and at 20 min during postanesthesia care unit (PACU) time (P = 0.04). Intraoperative rescue sedation by propofol and postoperative rescue analgesia by acetaminophen showed a highly significant decrease (P < 0.01) in group D compared with group M. Furthermore, the time of PACU stay was significantly less (P < 0.01) in group D (49.03 ± 12.8 min) compared to group M (62.5 ± 18.34 min). Although significant bradycardia was noted in group D (23% of patients) during the procedure (P = 0.02), no cases were reported in group M. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in group D (P < 0.1). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine is an effective analgesic alternative to midazolam during oocyte retrieval for IVF. It offered not only a shorter PACU stay without significant side effects, but also better overall patient satisfaction scores.

Unilateral versus bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane blocks during ureteric shock wave lithotripsy: A prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been used for intra- and post-operative analgesia during abdominal operations and for ureteric shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) as well. AIM: This study aimed at comparing ultrasound-guided unilateral versus bilateral TAP blocks as analgesic techniques for unilateral ureteric SWL. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized comparative study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for unilateral ureteric SWL were randomly allocated into two groups: Group (U) received unilateral TAP block in the form of 25 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% (i.e., 62.5 mg), and Group (B) received bilateral TAP blocks in the form of 25 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% (i.e., 62.5 mg) on each side. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: This was performed using SPSS program version 19 ((IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and EP 16 program. RESULTS: The mean values of intra- and post-procedural visual analog scale at different time intervals were around (30), which was statistically insignificant between groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups regarding cardiopulmonary stability, postanesthesia care unit time, the total amount of rescue fentanyl and patient satisfaction scores (P > 0.05). There were no significant side effects in both groups. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided unilateral TAP block is as safe and effective analgesic technique as bilateral TAP blocks during unilateral ureteric SWL. It can be used as the sole analgesic technique during ureteric SWL.

Is scoring system of computed tomography based metric parameters can accurately predicts shock wave lithotripsy stone-free rates and aid in the development of treatment strategies?

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the predicting success of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) using a combination of computed tomography based metric parameters to improve the treatment plan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive 180 patients with symptomatic upper urinary tract calculi 20 mm or less were enrolled in our study underwent extracorporeal SWL were divided into two main groups, according to the stone size, Group A (92 patients with stone ≤10 mm) and Group B (88 patients with stone >10 mm). Both groups were evaluated, according to the skin to stone distance (SSD) and Hounsfield units (≤500, 500-1000 and >1000 HU). RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in baseline data and stone characteristics. About 92.3% of Group A rendered stone-free, whereas 77.2% were stone-free in Group B (P = 0.001). Furthermore, in both group SWL success rates was a significantly higher for stones with lower attenuation <830 HU than with stones >830 HU (P < 0.034). SSD were statistically differences in SWL outcome (P < 0.02). Simultaneous consideration of three parameters stone size, stone attenuation value, and SSD; we found that stone-free rate (SFR) was 100% for stone attenuation value <830 HU for stone <10 mm or >10 mm but total number SWL sessions and shock waves required for the larger stone group were higher than in the smaller group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, SFR was 83.3% and 37.5% for stone <10 mm, mean HU >830, SSD 90 mm and SSD >120 mm, respectively. On the other hand, SFR was 52.6% and 28.57% for stone >10 mm, mean HU >830, SSD <90 mm and SSD >120 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Stone size, stone density (HU), and SSD is simple to calculate and can be reported by radiologists to applying combined score help to augment predictive power of SWL, reduce cost, and improving of treatment strategies.

Two syringe spinal anesthesia technique for cesarean section: A controlled randomized study of a simple way to achieve more satisfactory block and less hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Multiple trials have been tried to prevent hypotension during spinal anesthesia. However, the drug choice and mode of administration is still a matter of debate. OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of spinal injection of hyperbaric bupivacaine and fentanyl separately to standard injection of mixed fentanyl with hyperbaric bupivacaine. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A randomized, controlled clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-four parturient scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly allocated into two groups, each 62 parturient: Group M received spinal anesthesia using 10 mg bupivacaine 0.5% premixed with 25 µg fentanyl in the same syringe and Group S received 25 µg fentanyl in one syringe and 10 mg bupivacaine 0.5% without barbotage in a second syringe. RESULTS: Patients with intraoperative pain that was controllable without the need for a shift to general anesthesia was significantly lower in Group S (3.2%) than in Group M (16.1%). The frequency of hypotension was significantly lower in Group S compared to Group M (P < 0.05). Time till the onset of sensory block was nonsignificantly shorter with nonsignificantly higher mean level of maximal sensory block in Group S compared to Group M (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the time till occurrence of hypotension, duration of hypotension, mean dose of ephedrine used for the treatment of hypotension and frequency of patients developed itching between the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Separate intrathecal injection of fentanyl and hyperbaric bupivacaine provided a significant improvement in the quality of sensory block and significant reduction of the frequency of hypotension compared to injection of mixed medications.

Is unilateral transversus abdominis plane block an analgesic alternative for ureteric shock wave lithotripsy?

BACKGROUND: Various sedative and analgesic techniques have been used during shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). AIM: This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of ultrasound-guided unilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block as an analgesic technique alternative during ureteric SWL. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized comparative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled for ureteric SWL were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group (F) received 1.5 mcg/kg fentanyl intravenous and group (T) received unilateral TAP block with injection of 25 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% (62.5 mg). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program version 19 and EP16 program. RESULTS: The visual analog scale was significantly less in group (T) than in group (F) both intra-operatively (at 10, 20, 30, and 40 min) and postoperatively (at 10 min intervals in the postanesthesia care unit [PACU]) (P < 0.001). Rescue analgesia with pethidine during the procedure and in the PACU was less (P < 0.001) in the group (T) than group (F) with a median of 20 mg versus 55 mg, respectively. The higher sedation scores observed in group (F) at 15, 25, and 35 min during the procedure, and at 20 min during the PACU time were statistically highly significant (P < 0.001), but only significant at 10 min (P = 0.03) and 30 min (P = 0.007) during the PACU time. There was also highly significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the time of PACU stay in group (T) (38.2 ± 6.6 min) compared with group (F) (89.2 ± 13.39 min). We recorded 6 patients in group (F) (24%) who have developed respiratory depression (respiratory rate < 10 breaths/min) compared to 0% in group (T) (P = 0.022). In addition, in group (F) nausea was noted in 8 patients (32%) and vomiting in 6 patients (24%), which was statistically significant when compared to group (T) (0%) (P = 0.01 and 0.022, respectively). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided unilateral TAP block is an effective alternative analgesic technique during ureteric SWL.

Comparative evaluation of epidural bupivacaine - dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine -fentanyl on Doppler velocimetry of uterine and umbilical arteries during labor.

OBJECTIVE: uteroplacental blood flow is affected by myometrial contractions and hypotension. Epidural analgesia is frequently complicated by hypotension. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of bupivacaine-dexmedetomidine (BD) or bupivacaine - fentanyl (BF) on uterine artery pulsatitly index (UtA-PI) and umbilical artery pulsatitly index (UA-PI) during uterine contractions and relaxations. METHODS: this was a prospective controlled observational study performed in 130 healthy full term parturients divided into 3 groups [23 cases as control, 44 cases as (BD) epidural group and 43 cases as (BF) epidural group]. Over the study duration of 120 minutes; UtA-PI and UA-PI were measured at baseline, 30, 60, 120 minutes during uterine contractions and relaxations. Maternal hemodynamic, visual analogue scale (VAS), sedation score, side effects of epidural analgesia including nausea, vomiting, pruritis and respiratory depression were assessed. RESULTS: VAS significantly decreased after epidural compared with control group. BD group showed significant improvement in onset and duration of analgesia and sedation scores with lower incidence of nausea and pruritis compared with BF group. The BF and BD groups were associated with significant maternal hypotension and bradycadia that increase the UtA-PI during uterine contractions and relaxations compared with control group. UA-PI was increased with uterine contractions compared with during uterine relaxations in the three studied groups yet the effect of epidural and uterine contractions does significantly affect newborns apgar scores or umbilical cord pH. CONCLUSION: bupivacaine-dexmedetomidine epidural analgesia showed better maternal satisfaction for labor pains control compared with bupivacaine - fentanyl without deleterious effect on utroplacental circulation and newborns outcome.