Hydroxyzine Dihydrochloride Premedication Is a Necessity for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery: An Observational Prospective Clinical Trial.

Objective: In this single-blind, observational prospective clinical trial, we aimed to determine and compare the effects of premedication with hydroxyzine plus midazolam and midazolam alone on the incidence of oculocardiac reflex (OCR). Methods: Forty-five patients were divided into three groups. Group M received 0.5 mg/kg midazolam alone, Group H received 0.5 mg/kg hydroxyzine plus 0.5 mg/kg midazolam, and Group HM received 1 mg/kg hydroxyzine plus 0.5 mg/kg midazolam. The Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS), the heart rates (HR1: after induction of anesthesia; HR2: before retraction of orbital muscle; and HR3: right after retraction of orbital muscle), the muscles with OCR, and the incidence of OCR (20% decrease of the HR right after the traction) were recorded and compared between the three groups. Results: The mean HR1, HR2, and HR3 values were significantly increased (p=0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and the incidence of OCR (p=0.004) was significantly decreased in Group H and in Group HM (for all, p < 0.01) compared to Group M. The most common orbital muscle in which OCR occurred was the rectus medialis. Conclusion: Premedication with a combination of 0.5 or 1 mg hydroxyzine with 0.5 mg midazolam significantly reduced the incidence of OCR compared to premedication with midazolam alone. This study was registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ with number NCT03806270.

The effects of intra-articular levobupivacain versus levobupivacain plus magnesium sulfate on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy: A prospective randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compared the effectiveness of intraarticular levobupivacain with levobupivacain and magnesium sulfate. METHODS: In this prospective randomized double blinded study, 96 patients (67 male, 29 female; age range: 18-65 years) with ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) score I and II, who had undergone arthroscopic meniscectomy operation, were divided to 3 groups that had postoperative analgesia with intra-articular saline injection (control group), levobupivacain injection (L group) or levobupivacain and magnesium sulfate injection (LM group). Patients were compared with postoperative VAS (Visual Analog Score) score during rest and activity, opioid analgesic need, non-opioid analgesic need and other medication needs. RESULTS: Postoperative VAS scores during rest and activation at early postoperative period were significantly lower at LM group when compared with L group and lower than control group at all time periods. Opioid analgesic need, non-opioid analgesic need and other medication needs for non-pain symptoms were lower at LM group when compared with L and control groups at all time periods. CONCLUSION: Intraarticular magnesium sulfate plus Levobupivacain injection is a safe and effective method for post operative pain management after arthroscopic meniscectomy.

Comparison of Dexamethasone-Dimenhydrinate and Dexamethasone-Ondansetron in Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Postoperative Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting is one of the most common problems after implementation of general anesthesia. The incidence can reach 80% in high-risk patients, depending on the type of surgery. In our study, we aimed to compare dexamethasone-dimenhydrinate and dexamethasone-ondansetron combinations in prevention of nausea and vomiting in postoperative patients. METHOD: Sixty 18-65-year-olds ASAI-II females who underwent rhinoplasty were included in the study. Patients were randomly included in two groups: Dexamethasone-dimenhydrinate group (group DD) and dexamethasone-ondansetron group (group DO). All patients received dexamethasone 8 mg iv after endotracheal intubation. Anesthesia continuation was established with sevoflurane, air-oxygen mixture and remifentanil infusion. At the 30th minute of the operation, group DO received ondansetron 4 mg iv and group DD received dimenhydrinate 1 mg/kg iv. For postoperative analgesia tramadol (1.5 mg/kg) iv, tenoksikam (20 mg) and afterward for postoperative patient-controlled tramadol was used. In the postoperative recovery room, nausea and vomiting were evaluated at the 30th, 60th, 120th minutes and at the end of 24 h. Total amount of tramadol was recorded. All results were statistically evaluated. OBSERVATIONS: Demographics and Apfel risk scores of both groups were similar. Surgical operation duration (p = 0.038) and total preoperative remifentanil consumption were higher in group DD (p = 0.006). In group DO, nausea at 30 and 60 min (p = 0.001, p = 0.007), retching at 30 and 60 min (p = 0.002, p = 0.006) were higher than group DD. The additional antiemetic need in group DO was significantly higher at 30 min (p = 0.001). Postoperative analgesic consumption was similar in both groups. RESULT: Our study revealed that dexamethasone-dimenhydrinate combination was more effective than dexamethasone-ondansetron in prevention of nausea and vomiting after rhinoplasty operations. 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 .

Effects of a fentanyl-propofol mixture on propofol injection pain: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Propofol injection pain is a common problem that can be very distressing for patients. We compared the effects of injection with saline followed by injection with a fentanyl-propofol mixture, injection with fentanyl followed by a propofol injection, and injection with saline followed by propofol alone on propofol injection pain. METHODS: The patients were assigned randomly to one of three groups. A rubber tourniquet was placed on the forearm to produce venous occlusion for 1 min. Before anesthesia induction, group C (control, n = 50) and group M (fentanylpropofol mixture, n = 50) received 5 ml of isotonic saline, while group F (fentanyl, n = 50) received 2 µg/kg of fentanyl. After the tourniquet was released, groups C and F received 5 ml of propofol and group M received 5 ml of a mixture containing 20 ml of propofol and 4 ml of fentanyl. At 10 s after the study drugs were given, a standard question about the comfort of the injection was asked of the patient. We used a verbal rating scale to evaluate propofol injection pain. Statistical analyses were performed with Student's t-tests and Fisher's exact tests; P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The demographic data were similar among the groups. In group M, the number of patients reporting propofol injection pain was significantly lower than in groups F and C (both P < 0.001). No patient in group F or M experienced severe pain, whereas 24 patients (48%) had severe pain in group C (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a fentanyl-propofol mixture was more effective than fentanyl pretreatment or a placebo in preventing propofol injection pain.

The Effect of Flurbiprofen on Postoperative Sore Throat and Hoarseness After LMA-ProSeal Insertion: A Randomised, Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that flurbiprofen lozenges reduce the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (LMA) related symptoms of Post Operative Sore Throat (POST), hoarseness and dysphagia compared to placebo lozenges. METHODS: Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients undergoing general anaesthesia with LMA were included in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical and single centre (university hospital) study. Group F received an 8.75 mg flurbiprofen lozenge (Strefen(®)) and Group P received a placebo lozenge 45 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia. Postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia were evaluated 30 minutes after removal of the LMA in the recovery room and then at 4, 12 and 24 h after surgery using a 4-point scale. Data were analysed using Student's t test, and Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The 8.75 mg flurbiprofen lozenges reduced the severity of early (30 mins) POST and dysphagia. The severity of dysphagia at 4 h and hoarseness at 12 h were also significantly reduced in Group F. There were no significant differences betweeen the groups regarding incidence of sore throat, dysphagia and hoarseness throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Preoperative flurbiprofen lozenges reduce the severity of early postoperative sore throat and dysphagia.

A comparison of two different doses of bupivacaine in caudal anesthesia for neonatal circumcision. A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the analgesia quality of caudal block of low volume, high concentration bupivacaine to the conventionally used volumes and concentrations of the drug in neonates undergoing circumcision with sole caudal anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty neonates, undergoing circumcision were randomly assigned to low volume high concentration (group LVHC, n=25) and control groups (group C, n=25). Both groups received a caudal injection: Group LVHC 0.5 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.375% (1.875 mg/kg) and group C 1 ml/ kg bupivacaine 0.25% (2.5 mg/kg). Hemodynamic parameters, block onsets and analgesia periods were compared among the groups. Pain scores were evaluated hourly for 3 hours postoperatively with NIPS (neonatal infant pain score). Statistical analyses were performed with Student's t-test for continuous variables. X(2) and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for nominal and/or categorical variables. RESULTS: Demographic, hemodynamic data, block onset time (group LVHC and C values were 4.9 +/- 1 vs 5.2 +/- 2 mins, respectively; p=0.53) was similar and postoperative median NIPS (a median value of 0 at postoperative 1, 2, and 3. hours) were identical among the groups (p=0.7, p=0.9, p=1). None of the neonates required additional analgesic for the first 24 hours following the surgery; therefore postoperative analgesic requirement was similar among the groups (p>0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Low volume high concentration caudal bupivacaine provided a similar perioperative analgesia quality, time and safety profile compared to conventional bupivacaine doses in awake neonates undergoing circumcision. Low volume, high concentration bupivacaine may be used to reduce the risk of local anesthetic toxicity in outpatient neonates.

Effect of morphine on lower urinary tract discomfort after transurethral resection of prostate under general anesthesia: a randomised clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract (LUT) discomfort is a common complaint after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and it may lead to agitation and restlessnes. We have evaluated the efficacy of morphine for preventing TURP-related LUT discomfort symptoms. METHODS: This was a prospective randomised study including 60 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists class I and II) who were scheduled to undergo TURP. The patients were divided into two equally sized groups (group M: morphine, group C: control). A standartized anesthesia method was used. Group M patients received morphine 0.04 mg/kg intravenous (iv) in 100 ml of normal saline followed by an infusion of morphine for 24 h (0.01 mg/kg/h); group C patients received 100 ml normal saline 20 min before the expected extubation time, followed by a normal saline infusion which looked identical to that of the morphine infusion. The incidences and severity of LUT discomfort, postoperative pain, sedation level, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and respiratory depression were recorded at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The incidence of LUT discomfort was lower in group M patients at all time points during the study (p < 0.05) except for 2 h postoperatively, and the severity of LUT discomfort was also lower this group at 0, 12 and 24 h postoperatively (p = 0.001, p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Pain (numeric rating scale) scores were lower in group M patients at 0 (p = 0.003) and 6 h (p < 0.001). The need for rescue analgesic was lower in group M patients (19 patients in group C, 10 patients in group M; p = 0.04). The incidence of PONV was higher in group M patients (p = 0.03). The incidence of pruritus, respiratory depression and over-sedation were similar among the groups. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we conclude that morphine effectively reduces LUT discomfort after TURP at a cost of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Effects of hydroxyzine-midazolam premedication on sevoflurane-induced paediatric emergence agitation: a prospective randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Anaesthesia with sevoflurane leads to a high prevalence of emergence agitation in paediatric patients. This study investigates the effects of combining hydroxyzine and midazolam on sevoflurane-induced emergence agitation in paediatric patients undergoing infraumbilical surgery with a caudal block. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four children 1-7 years of age undergoing general anaesthesia with sevoflurane and caudal block were assigned to two groups. Children in group M (n = 42) were premedicated with 0.5 mg kg oral midazolam and children in group MH (n = 42) were premedicated with 0.5 mg kg oral midazolam and 1 mg kg hydroxyzine given 30 min before anaesthesia induction. A caudal epidural block was performed following anaesthesia induction. Induction quality, parental separation scores and emergence agitation were evaluated. Emergence agitation was evaluated with the PAED score (Paediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium) every 5 min during the first 30 min after admission to recovery room. Induction quality and parental separation were assessed with 4-point scores. Postoperative pain was evaluated with the 10-point Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale. RESULTS: Median parental separation (3 vs. 2; P = 0.01), induction quality (2 vs. 2; P = 0.03) and sedation scores (3 vs. 2; P = 0.003) were significantly better in the MH group compared to the M group. Median PAED score of group M (15) was higher than that of group MH (11; P < 0.001) and the number of children with PAED scores more than 16 was also higher in group M (n = 16) compared to group MH (n = 2; P < 0.001). None of the children had a pain score more than 3 throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: The incidence of sevoflurane-induced emergence agitation was significantly lower in children premedicated with a midazolam and hydroxyzine combination compared to those premedicated with midazolam only. Furthermore, the midazolam and hydroxyzine combination provided better premedication quality than midazolam alone.

Effects of single-dose gabapentin on postoperative pain and morphine consumption after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of single-dose preoperative gabapentin on postoperative pain and morphine consumption after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study. SETTING: A single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups preoperatively either to receive 600 mg of oral gabapentin (GABA) or placebo (PLA) 2 hours before the operation. After extubation, an anesthesiologist blinded to the groups recorded pain scores both at rest and with cough with a 10-point verbal rating scale and sedation scores at 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 hours. Cumulative morphine consumption and the incidence of side effects were recorded during the study period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The total morphine consumption was lower in the GABA group (6.7 ± 2.5 mg) than in the PLA group (15.5 ± 4.6 mg, p < 0.01). Pain scores at rest were significantly lower in the GABA group than in the PLA group throughout the study period (p < 0.05 in all measurement times). Pain scores at 2, 6, and 12 hours during coughing were significantly lower in the GABA group (p < 0.05). The number of oversedated patients was significantly higher in the GABA group at 2, 6, and 12 hours of study compared with PLA (p < 0.001 at 2 and 6 hours and p < 0.02 at 12 hours). The postoperative mechanical ventilation period was significantly prolonged in the GABA group (6.6 ± 1.2 hours) compared with the PLA group (5.5 ± 1 hours, p < 0.01). Nausea incidence was significantly lower in the GABA group (n = 9) than in the PLA group (n = 18, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Oral GABA at a dose of 600 mg given before cardiac surgery significantly reduced postoperative morphine consumption and postoperative pain both at rest and with cough.

Dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to anesthetic induction to attenuate hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing fast-track CABG.

During induction of general anesthesia hypertension and tachycardia caused by tracheal intubation may lead to cardiac ischemia and arrhythmias. In this prospective, randomized study, dexmedetomidine has been used to attenuate the hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation with low dose fentanyl and etomidate in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization receiving beta blocker treatment. Thirty patients undergoing myocardial revascularization received in a double blind manner, either a saline placebo or a dexmedetomidine infusion (1 microg/kg) before the anesthesia induction. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were monitored at baseline, after placebo or dexmedetomidine infusion, after induction of general anesthesia, one, three and five minutes after endotracheal intubation. In the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP) and mean arterial pressures (MAP) were lower at all times in comparison to baseline values; in the placebo (PLA) group SAP, DAP and MAP decreased after the induction of general anesthesia and five minutes after the intubation compared to baseline values. This decrease was not significantly different between the groups. After the induction of general anesthesia, the drop in HR was higher in DEX group compared to PLA group. One minute after endotracheal intubation, HR significantly increased in PLA group while, it decreased in the DEX group. The incidence of tachycardia, hypotension and bradycardia was not different between the groups. The incidence of hypertension requiring treatment was significantly greater in the PLA group. It is concluded that dexmedetomidine can safely be used to attenuate the hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization receiving beta blockers.

Pulmonary effects of noninvasive ventilation combined with the recruitment maneuver after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the pulmonary effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) with or without recruitment maneuver (RM) after open heart surgery. METHODS: One-hundred patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were randomized into four groups after the operation: 1) RM with sustained inflation during mechanical ventilation postoperatively (RM group, n = 25); 2) RM combined with NIV applied for 1/2-h periods every 6 h in the first postoperative day after tracheal extubation (RM-NIV group, n = 25); 3) NIV after tracheal extubation (NIV group, n = 25); and 4) a control group consisting of patients receiving neither RM nor NIV (control group, n = 25). Pulmonary function tests, oxygenation index, and atelectasis on chest radiograph were evaluated and compared among the groups. RESULTS: RM provided higher arterial oxygen levels during mechanical ventilation and after tracheal extubation compared to other interventions. Oxygenation was better in the RM-NIV and NIV groups than in the control group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.008, respectively) at the end of the study. The postoperative atelectasis score of the control group (median: 1) was higher than those of the RM (1; P = 0.03), RM-NIV (0; P < 0.01) and NIV (0; P < 0.01) groups. Pulmonary function of the NIV groups on postoperative day 2 was better than in the other groups, whereas the tests were similar among the groups on postoperative day 7. CONCLUSIONS: NIV associated with RM provided better oxygenation both during and after the mechanical ventilation period. NIV either alone or in combination with RM provided lower atelectasis scores and better early pulmonary function tests compared to the control group, without a significant difference regarding the duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and the length of hospitalization. NIV combined with RM is recommended after open heart surgery to prevent postoperative atelectasis and hypoxemia.

The pulmonary and hemodynamic effects of two different recruitment maneuvers after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the pulmonary and hemodynamic effects of two different recruitment maneuvers after open heart surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were randomized into three groups after operation: recruitment maneuver with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (CPAP-40 group, n = 20), recruitment by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (PEEP-20 group, n = 20), and 5 cm H2O PEEP (PEEP-5 group, n = 20). In the CPAP-40 group, 40 cm H2O peak inspiratory pressure was applied for 30 s, then PEEP was reduced to 20 cm H2O and ventilation was continued with baseline variables with PEEP decreased until the best Pao2 was achieved. In the PEEP-20 group, 20 cm H2O PEEP was set for 2 min, tidal volume was adjusted to achieve a peak inspiratory airway pressure of 40 cm H2O during the maneuver, then PEEP was decreased until the best Pao2 had been achieved. In the PEEP-5 group, 5 cm H2O PEEP was applied postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean arterial blood pressure of the CPAP-40 group was lower than that of the PEEP-20 (P < 0.01) and PEEP-5 groups (P < 0.01) during the interventions. Oxygenation was higher in both recruitment groups than in the PEEP-5 group during the mechanical ventilation period. There was no significant difference among the groups beyond that period. The atelectasis score of the PEEP-5 group (1.3 +/- 0.9) on postoperative day 1 was higher than that of the CPAP-40 (0.65 +/- 0.6; P = 0.01) and PEEP-20 (0.65 +/- 0.5; P = 0.01) groups. CONCLUSIONS: The recruitment techniques with postmaneuver PEEP increased oxygenation and decreased atelectasis equally, whereas PEEP-20 provided more stable hemodynamic conditions than the CPAP maneuver.

Procalcitonin kinetics in pediatric patients with systemic inflammatory response after open heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as markers of inflammation severity and their value in predicting development of organ failure after pediatric open heart surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, clinical study. SETTING: Single university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three pediatric patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; n=19) and SIRS+organ failure (SIRS+OF; n=14) following open heart surgery were included. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Plasma procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were measured before and after the operation, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after surgery. Patients were evaluated daily to assess organ failure. Postoperative procalcitonin levels in the SIRS+OF group were significantly higher than in the SIRS group. C-reactive protein levels were similar between the groups throughout the study period. Peak procalcitonin levels were found to be positively correlated with aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital stay, mortality and organ failure development. Peak procalcitonin was found to be a good predictor of postoperative organ failure development and mortality. However, the predictive value of peak C-reactive protein for organ failure and mortality was found to be weak. Double-peak procalcitonin curves were observed in SIRS+OF patients with infection during the intensive care unit stay. CONCLUSION: In the SIRS+OF group peak procalcitonin levels were found to be highly predictive for mortality and organ failure development, whereas C-reactive protein levels were not. Daily procalcitonin measurements in SIRS+OF patients may help identify the postoperative infection during the follow-up period.