The Effect of Different Intraabdominal Pressures on Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Children Who Underwent Ambulatory Laparoscopic Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis is a significant parameter in determining the oxidative stress response after ischemia and reperfusion. We aimed to investigate the effects of applying different intraabdominal pressure (IAP) on thiol/disulfide homeostasis, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels, and hemodynamics in pediatric laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 36 pediatric patients who were planned to undergo laparoscopic surgery for nonpalpable testis or varicocele under general anesthesia, immediately after intubation as the baseline and 5 minutes after abdominal desufflation for determining the thiol/disulfide, and IMA levels. The patients were divided into two groups; group 1 received a pneumoperitoneum pressure of 8 mm Hg (n = 18), and group 2 received 12 mm Hg (n = 18). The clinical characteristics and thiol/disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels of the patients were compared. RESULTS: No difference was detected regarding the clinical features between the groups. The comparison after intubation and after desufflation in group 1 demonstrated lower native thiol (453 ± 67 versus 422 ± 57 µmol/L, P = .059) and total thiol (497 ± 73 versus 466 ± 62 µmol/L, P = .061) levels, which was statistically insignificant. The serum native thiol level was found lower than baseline in group 2 where a 12 mm Hg IAP was applied, this difference was not statistically significant (429 ± 47 versus 412 ± 53 µmol/L, P = .078). The comparison of serum IMA levels after desufflation with the baseline (0.505 ± 0.018 versus 0.632 ± 0.022) in group 2 was found statistically significantly high (P = .031). The comparison of the perioperative heart rate and SpO2 levels with before induction was found statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Neither of 8 nor 12 mm Hg IAPs in pediatric laparoscopic surgery caused any changes in novel indicators of thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters; however, 12 mm Hg IAP increased the levels of IMA.

The Effect of Peritubal Infiltration with Bupivacaine and Morphine on Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Objective. We aimed to investigate the effect of peritubal local anesthetic and opioid infiltration on pain scores and analgesic consumption in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Material and Methods. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years and ASA I-III were included in this double-blind, randomized study. The patients were divided into two groups. All patients underwent spinoepidural anesthesia. 20 mL of 0.25 percent bupivacaine + 5 mg morphine (0.5 mL), in Group P (n = 66), infiltrated the renal capsule, perinephric fat, muscles, subcutaneous tissue, and skin under fluoroscopy. In Group C (n = 64), none of the patients received a peritubal injection. In the first 24 h pain scores, time of the first analgesic demand, the mean number of analgesic demands, and postoperative complications were compared between groups. Results. The mean VAS score at postoperative 8, 12, and 24 h and dynamic VAS score at postoperative 4, 8, 12, and 24 h were significantly lower in Group P. VAS score at postoperative 4 h was not significant. Time of the first analgesic demand was significantly longer in Group P. Conclusion. Our study results suggest that peritubal infiltration of bupivacaine with morphine after percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an effective method for postoperative pain control and reduces analgesic consumption.

Knowledge of the Research Assistants Regarding Local Anaesthetics and Toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular system depression, respiratory arrest, coma, convulsions, loss of consciousness, muscle twitching, blurred vision, vertigo, dizziness and numbness of the tongue can be seen in local anaesthetic toxicity. Treatment includes 20% lipid solutions, airway control, symptomatic treatment for arrhythmia and convulsions. The aim of this study is to present the knowledge of research assistants, who used local anaesthetics in daily practice, regarding these medications and toxicity treatment and to raise awareness. METHODS: The questionnaire comprising 20 questions was administered to 115 research assistants who worked at different specialities in our hospital. RESULTS: One hundred and two (88.6%) research assistants answered the questionnaire. Participants' mean age was 28.93 years. Most of them were from the Emergency Department (15.7%). A total of 40.6% of participants worked for 2-5 years at their departments. Local anaesthetics were used in daily practice for 44.4% of them, but 70.3% of them had not been educated about local anaesthetics. Research assistants from anaesthesiology and reanimation participated at a significantly higher rate than other departments (76.9%), in terms of training programs regarding local anaesthetics. While the most popular answers about early toxicity symptoms were anaphylaxis (12.7%) and arrthymia (12.7%), late toxicity was hepatotoxicity (10.8%). However, 87.9% of participants had never encountered local anaesthetic toxicity. The great majority of participants had never heard of lipid therapy (67.4%), and those who were aware had heard it from their trainers (52.2%). Although lipid solution was available in our hospital, only 8.4% of participants knew this. CONCLUSION: We believe that additional training programs regarding local anaesthetics and toxicity are needed.

A comparison of spinal anesthesia characteristics following intrathecal bupivacaine or levobupivacaine in lumbar disc surgery.

PURPOSE: While bupivacaine is the most frequently used local anesthetic for spinal anesthesia, use of levobupivacaine in clinical practice has advanced recently. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical and anesthetic effects of isobaric bupivacaine and isobaric levobupivacaine when administered intrathecally in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: ASA I-III, 60 patients were enrolled in this study. Only patients with unilateral single-level (L4-5) lumbar disc hernia were selected and operated in each group and all were operated by the same surgeon. Patients were randomized into two groups, as group B (n = 30): 15 mg 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine, or group L (n = 30): 15 mg 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine received intrathecally. The level of sensory block dermatome, degree of motor block, intraoperative sensory and motor block characteristics, and postoperative recovery times of spinal anesthesia were evaluated. The satisfaction scores of the surgeon and patients, intraoperative hemodynamic changes, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The maximum level of sensory blockade was significantly higher in the levobupivacaine group (group L 7 ± 1.63, group B 8.6 ± 1.76 thoracic dermatome, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the onset time of sensory (group L 6 ± 3 min, group B 9 ± 4 min) and motor (in group L 7 ± 3 min, in group B 10 ± 4 min) blockade (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding duration of operation (group L 49 ± 7.3 min, group B 52 ± 8.1, p > 0.05). Recovery times of sensory (175 ± 57 min) and motor (216 ± 59 min) blockade were significantly shorter in the levobupivacaine group (p < 0.05). Mobilization was also earlier in the levobupivacaine group (339 ± 90 min, p < 0.05). Patients' satisfaction and intraoperative, postoperative complications were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that block recovery time was shorter in the levobupivacaine group, this may be a disadvantage for longer operative procedures. But with proper patient selection this can be eliminated. Recovery time was shorter in levobupivacaine group. Therefore, postoperative neurological examination can be done earlier. In addition, early mobilization can be an advantage for postoperative recovery.

Induction of anesthesia in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: the hemodynamic and analgesic effects of ketamine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and analgesic effects of ketamine by comparing it with propofol starting at the induction of anesthesia until the end of sternotomy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. INTRODUCTION: Anesthetic induction and maintenance may induce myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. A primary goal in the anesthesia of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is both the attenuation of sympathetic responses to noxious stimuli and the prevention of hypotension. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were randomized to receive either ketamine 2 mg.kg(-1) (Group K) or propofol 0.5 mg.kg(-1) (Group P) during induction of anesthesia. Patients also received standardized doses of midazolam, fentanyl, and rocuronium in the induction sequence. The duration of anesthesia from induction to skin incision and sternotomy, as well as the supplemental doses of fentanyl and sevoflurane, were recorded. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices, stroke work index, and left and right ventricular stroke work indices were obtained before induction of anesthesia; one minute after induction; one, three, five, and ten minutes after intubation; one minute after skin incision; and at one minute after sternotomy. RESULTS: There were significant changes in the measured and calculated hemodynamic variables when compared to their values before induction. One minute after induction, mean arterial pressure and the systemic vascular resistance index decreased significantly in group P (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: There were no differences between groups in the consumption of sevoflurane or in the use of additional fentanyl. The combination of ketamine, midazolam, and fentanyl for the induction of anesthesia provided better hemodynamic stability during induction and until the end of sternotomy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Induction of anesthesia in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: the hemodynamic and analgesic effects of ketamine

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and analgesic effects of ketamine by comparing it with propofol starting at the induction of anesthesia until the end of sternotomy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. INTRODUCTION: Anesthetic induction and maintenance may induce myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. A primary goal in the anesthesia of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is both the attenuation of sympathetic responses to noxious stimuli and the prevention of hypotension. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were randomized to receive either ketamine 2 mg.kg-1 (Group K) or propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 (Group P) during induction of anesthesia. Patients also received standardized doses of midazolam, fentanyl, and rocuronium in the induction sequence. The duration of anesthesia from induction to skin incision and sternotomy, as well as the supplemental doses of fentanyl and sevoflurane, were recorded. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices, stroke work index, and left and right ventricular stroke work indices were obtained before induction of anesthesia; one minute after induction; one, three, five, and ten minutes after intubation; one minute after skin incision; and at one minute after sternotomy. RESULTS: There were significant changes in the measured and calculated hemodynamic variables when compared to their values before induction. One minute after induction, mean arterial pressure and the systemic vascular resistance index decreased significantly in group P (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: There were no differences between groups in the consumption of sevoflurane or in the use of additional fentanyl. The combination of ketamine, midazolam, ...

Nutritional risk of hospitalized patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We conducted a multicentre study to assess nutritional risk at hospital admission, hospital-associated iatrogenic malnutrition and the status of nutritional support in Turkish hospitals. METHODS: A database which allowed for online submission of hospital and patient data was developed. A nutritional risk screening system (NRS-2002) was applied to all patients and repeated weekly in patients with hospital stays greater than one week and no invasive procedures. Patient-specific nutritional support was recorded during the study period. RESULTS: Thirty-four hospitals from 19 cities contributed data from 29,139 patients. On admission, 15% of patients had nutritional risk. Nutritional risk was common (52%) in intensive care unit patients and lowest (3.9%) in otorhinolaryngology patients. Only 51.8% of patients with nutritional risk received nutritional support. Nutritional risk was present in 6.25% of patients at the end of the first week and 5.2% at the end of the second week, independent of nutritional support. In patients with nutritional risk on admission who were hospitalized for two weeks and received nutritional support, the NRS-2002 score remained > or =3 in 83% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional risk is common in hospitalized Turkish patients. While patients at nutritional risk often do not receive nutritional support when hospitalized, nutritional risk occurs independent of nutritional support.

Pre-emptive infiltration of levobupivacaine is superior to at-closure administration in lumbar laminectomy patients.

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial that compared the efficacy of different protocols of local tissue infiltration with levobupivacaine or levobupivacaine-methylprednisolone at the surgical site for pain relief after lumbar discectomy. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of preemptive wound infiltration with levobupivacaine and levobupivacaine-methylprednisolone at the surgical site for pain relief. Patients usually suffer significant pain after lumbar discectomy. Wound infiltration with local anesthetics with or without corticosteroids is one method to address this. A total of 100 patients were randomly allocated to five equal groups as follows: Group I had the musculus multifidi near the operated level infiltrated with 30 mL 0.25% levobupivacaine and 40 mg methylprednisolone just before wound closure; Group II had the same region infiltrated with 30 mL 0.25% levobupivacaine alone before closure; Group III had this region infiltrated with 30 mL 0.25% levobupivacaine and 40 mg methylprednisolone before the incision was made; in Group IV this region was infiltrated with 30 mL 0.25% levobupivacaine alone before incision; and in Group C (controls) this region was infiltrated with 30 mL 0.9% NaCl just before wound closure. Demographics, vital signs, postoperative pain scores and morphine usage were recorded. All four treatment groups showed significantly better results than the control group for most parameters. The treated groups had lower parenteral opioid requirements after surgery, lower incidences of nausea and shorter hospital stays. Further, the data indicate that, compared with infiltration of these drugs at wound closure, preemptive injection of levobupivacaine or levobupivacaine-methylprednisolone into the muscle near the operative site provides more effective analgesia after lumbar discectomy. Our data suggest that preemptive infiltration of the wound site with levobupivacaine alone or combined with methylprednisolone provides effective pain control with reduced opiate dose after unilateral lumbar discectomy.

[The use of the laryngeal mask airway and the cuffed oropharyngeal airway during percutaneous tracheostomy]. / Perkütan trakeostomi sirasinda "Larengeal Maske" ve "Kafli Orofarengeal Havayolu" kullanimi.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to compare the safety and efficiency of the use of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) with the use of endotracheal tube (ETT) for maintain patent airway during percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT). METHODS: The patients were randomly assigned to LMA group (n=35, M/F; 28/7, age; 52 [18-79]), COPA group (n=31, M/F; 23/8, age; 57 [18-80]) and ETT group (n=30, M/F; 22/8, age; 49 [18-80]) with respect to use of LMA, COPA and ETT in order to maintain patent airway during PCT procedure. PT was performed as described by Griggs et al. Complications occurred during and after PCT procedure and airway manipulations required to maintain a patent airway were recorded. RESULTS: Duration of PT was longer in the ETT group comparing with the other groups (for both groups; p<0.01). The LMA failed to maintain patent airway in 1 of 35 patients (2.9%) and the COPA failed to maintain patent airway in 3 of 31 patients (9.7%). The airway intervention required to maintain patent airway was found to be higher in the COPA group (45.2%) than in the LMA group (11.4%) (p<0.01). There was no significant difference with respect to the complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, LMA and COPA were inserted easily during PCT with high success rates, but airway manipulations were higher in the COPA group. In our opinion, supra/infraglottic airway devices to maintain patent airway during PCT should be chosen according to patient's status and physician's experience.

A comparison of effects of alfentanil, fentanyl, and remifentanil on hemodynamic and respiratory parameters during stereotactic brain biopsy.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different sedative-analgesic regimens in patients with intracranial mass lesions undergoing stereotactic brain biopsy. A 135 outpatients with American Society of Anesthesiologists I to II were divided into 3 groups: group A (n = 45) received a loading dose of IV alfentanil 7.5 microg/kg followed by infusion rate of 0.25 microg/kg/min; group F (n = 45) received a bolus dose of 1 microg/kg IV fentanyl and repeated as needed; and group R (n = 45) received infusion of 0.05 microg/kg/min remifentanil. Target level of sedation was 3 to 4 of the Ramsay Sedation Scale. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheric oxygen saturation (SpO2), and end-tidal carbon dioxide were recorded at different stages of the procedures. The patients in group F had significantly lower mean heart rate than those in groups A and R, but this was not in the limits of the bradycardia. The patients in group A had significantly lower mean SpO2 than those in the other groups, but mean SpO2 values did not drop below 94%. There were no significant differences in end-tidal carbon dioxide and respiratory rate values among the groups. Our results suggest that all 3 regimens have relatively similar hemodynamic and respiratory responses. The use of bolus fentanyl technique caused less hemodynamic stability. The continuous infusion technique of remifentanil or alfentanil provided better control on hemodynamic parameters.

Combination of intrathecal morphine and remifentanil infusion for fast-track anesthesia in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the combination of intrathecal morphine and remifentanil infusion with isoflurane in off-pump coronary artery surgery, with a focus on postoperative analgesia and fast-tracking. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six patients who underwent elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive remifentanil infusion alone (control group, n = 23) or remifentanil infusion plus 10 microg/kg of intrathecal morphine (ITM group, n = 23). Induction and maintenance anesthesia were the same in both groups. Maintenance therapy was remifentanil infusion (0.25-1 microg/kg/min) and 0.5% to 1.5% isoflurane, with adjustments according to hemodynamics. After extubation, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (1-mg bolus and 5-minute lockout) was administered, and Wilson sedation scores, visual analog pain scores (scale, 0-100 mm) at rest and during coughing, and cumulative morphine consumption were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Examiners were unaware of patients' group identities. Anesthetic recovery parameters and opioid-related, spinal anesthesia-related, and cardiac complications were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups' intraoperative hemodynamic or anesthetic recovery findings. Pain scores and morphine consumption were significantly lower in the ITM group at all time points after extubation (p = 0.0001-0.05). Group frequencies of opioid-related and cardiac complications were similar. No patient had central neuroaxial hematoma or post-spinal tap headache. CONCLUSION: In the setting of isoflurane anesthesia for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, ITM combined with remifentanil infusion provides better postoperative analgesia than does remifentanil infusion alone, and does not improve or negatively affect fast-tracking.

Comparison of lumbar epidural tramadol and lumbar epidural morphine for pain relief after thoracotomy: a repeated-dose study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare lumbar epidural morphine and lumbar epidural tramadol with respect to onset and duration of analgesia, analgesic efficacy, and drug-related side effects after muscle-sparing thoracotomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical study. SETTING: Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients who underwent elective muscle-sparing thoracotomy. INTERVENTIONS: Before anesthesia induction, an epidural catheter was placed in the L2-3 or L3-4 interspace using the loss-of-resistance technique. On arrival at the intensive care unit, patients were randomized to receive doses of either 100 mg of tramadol (group T) or 4 mg of morphine (group M) via the lumbar epidural catheter. Each dose was diluted in 10 mL of normal saline. On awakening from anesthesia, if the patient's pain score on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale was above 40 mm, the initial epidural drug dose was administered. The initial injection in each case was taken as time 0. Subsequent pain scores above 40 mm were considered indications for epidural dosing; each patient was allowed 2 doses in the first 12 hours postoperatively and 2 more in the second 12 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The groups' analgesia onset times were similar, but duration of analgesia was significantly shorter in group T than in group M (p < 0.01). There were no differences between the groups with respect to pain scores at rest or during coughing at any of the time points investigated. Sedation scores were lower in group T than in group M at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 hours (p value range, 0.0001-0.05). Compared with group T, group M showed significantly greater drops in arterial oxygen tension from baseline at 3, 4, 8, and 12 hours (p value range, 0.0001-0.05). The group means for arterial carbon dioxide tension and respiratory rate were similar at all time points investigated. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the quality of analgesia achieved with repeated doses of lumbar epidural tramadol after muscle-sparing thoracotomy is comparable to that achieved with repeated doses of lumbar epidural morphine. Compared with morphine, lumbar epidural tramadol results in less sedation and a less-pronounced decrease in oxygenation.

Effects of ketamine and thiopental on ischemia reoxygenation-induced LDH leakage and amino acid release from rat striatal slices.

Increased release of glutamate is thought to contribute to ischemia-induced neuronal damage. Since general anesthetics such as thiopental and ketamine are thought to provide some degree of cerebral protection, this study was intended to 1) compare the effectiveness of ketamine and thiopental on ischemia-induced tissue damage; and, if so, 2) determine whether attenuation of the increased amino acid release is the sole mechanism for the protective effects demonstrated. Striatal slices prepared from Wistar Albino rats were incubated in an ischemic medium for 1 hour followed by 5 hours in a reoxygenation (REO) medium. Ketamine and thiopental were added medium during ischemia and/or REO periods, and the medium was collected at the end of each incubation period for measurement of amino acid release and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Ischemia significantly increased amino acid release without altering LDH leakage. Ischemia-induced increments in glutamate and aspartic acid releases returned to control levels during REO, but LDH leakage increased (P > 0.001) during this period. Although ketamine (100 microM) and thiopental (100 microM) failed to decrease ischemia-induced excitatory amino acid release, they protected the slices against REO-induced LDH leakage. Ketamine, but not thiopental, was effective even if added after ischemia (P < 0.05). These results indicate that ketamine and thiopental protect the slices against REO-induced LDH leakage. However, mechanisms other than attenuation of the enhanced glutamate release might be responsible for their protective effects.

Comparison of analgesic effects of morphine, fentanyl, and remifentanil with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of remifentanil with 2 other opioid agents, morphine and fentanyl, after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, and double-blinded study. SETTINGS: This study was performed at Uludag University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was standardized. Cases were randomized into 3 groups consisting of 25 patients in each. Groups M, F, and R were given morphine HCl (1 mg/mL) with an infusion rate of 0.3 mg/h and 1-mg bolus doses; fentanyl (50 microg/mL) with an infusion rate of 1 microg/kg/h and 10-microg bolus; and, remifentanil (50 microg/mL) with an infusion rate of 0.05 microg/kg/min and 0.5-microg/kg bolus, respectively. Continuous infusion was started immediately after the completion of the surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pain was assessed by using a visual analog scale (0-10), and sedation was assessed with the Ramsey sedation score (1-6) 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after extubation. The number of boluses and demands, time to extubation, and side effects were analyzed. Visual analog scale, sedation scores, and mean extubation times were similar in all groups. Total number of boluses and demands were statistically more in the remifentanil group. Regarding the side effects, nausea and vomiting was higher in group M (p < 0.05), whereas itching was prominent in group F (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the different durations of these 3 opioid agents, the infusion dose of remifentanil was as effective as morphine and fentanyl after OPCAB surgery with fewer side effects.

A rare complication of trigeminal nerve stimulation during radiofrequency thermocoagulation: sudden ST segment elevation.

Coronary vasospasm resulting from a sudden autonomic response associated with an intracranial procedure was encountered during percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy. Although it is very rare, careful monitoring and readiness for the occurrence of such a potentially lethal situation with necessary medications may prevent a fatal outcome.