Comparison of Different Ultrasound Parameters for Airway Assessment in Patients Undergoing Surgery under General Anaesthesia.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate ultrasound measurement of airway parameters with the Cormack- Lehane (CL) grading observed under direct laryngoscopy for prediction of difficult airway. METHODS: This prospective, observational study was conducted in a tertiary care institute. Ninety-six patients were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia and tracheal intubation. They were categorised as having easy (CL grades 1, 2a, and 2b) or difficult (CL grades 3a, 3b, and 4) laryngoscopy. The sonographically measured airway parameters included anterior neck soft tissue thickness at vocal cord level (ANS-VC), hyomental distance ratio (HMDr), and tongue volume (TV). These parameters were compared and correlated with the CL grading. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS: Difficult laryngoscopy was observed in 17.7% patients. Significant difference was noted in ANS-VC 0.28 6 0.09; 0.39 6 0.12, (P < .0001) and HMDr, 1.2 6 0.09; 1.15 6 0.13, (P » .006) for easy and difficult laryngoscopy, respectively. ANS-VC had a sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 71.1% (AUC-0.816) followed by HMDr (AUC-0.713) and TV (AUC-0.608). Combined ultrasound parameters had significantly higher AUC value (0.867). CONCLUSIONS: ANS-VC was the most significant parameter with a value of >0.29 cm being a sensitive predictor of difficult intubation. Combined sonographic parameters (ANS-VC, HMDr, and TV) were better predictors of difficult intubation.

Impact of Different Approaches of Epidural Steroid Injection on Outcome of Patients Treated for Low Backache.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of epidural steroid injections through different approaches using pain relief and improvement in functional capacity as outcome measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with low backache and unilateral radiculopathy were randomly assigned to three groups of twenty patients each, for undergoing lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) through midline, transforaminal, and paramedian approaches under fluoroscopic guidance. All the patients were assessed at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postintervention using visual analog scale (VAS) score, Quebec disability score, and depression score. RESULTS: The primary and secondary outcome measured in terms of improvement of VAS showed statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05) when compared to preprocedure baseline readings on both intragroup analysis (Groups I, II and III) at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up. However, on intergroup comparison, the difference in improvement of VAS score noted was statistically insignificant with P value of 0.07 (Group I/II), 0.19 (Group II/III), 0.85 (Group I/III) at final 3rd month follow-up. In addition, intergroup comparison for secondary outcome showed statistically insignificant improvement (P value for Quebec score 0.73 [Group I/II], 0.34 [Group II/III], 0.79 [Group I/III] and depression score 0.78 [Group I/II], 0.67 [Group II/III], 0.98 [Group I/III]) at final 3rd month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: All three LESI approaches proved highly effective individually in terms of short-term pain relief, improvement in the quality of life, and depression; however, none proved to be better than the other.

A feasibility study to assess vallecula and pyriform sinus using protocol-based ultrasonic evaluation of floor of mouth and upper airway.

PURPOSE: The current study aimed to systematically evaluate the sonoanatomy of floor of the mouth and upper airway using protocol-based ultrasonography (USG); and to assess the feasibility of imaging the valleculae and pyriform fossae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institutional prospective observational study was planned on fifty volunteers of all ages and both sexes, attending outpatient department for nonairway-related diseases. Protocol for ultrasonographic systemic evaluation was designed before starting the trial. All the patients were positioned supine with neck extended (sniffing position), seven steps of ultrasonographic protocol were followed and visualization of structures denoted in each step was documented. Furthermore, time taken to complete each scan was noted. RESULTS: The USG was completed, and checklist successfully followed in all cases. Floor of mouth structures was easy to evaluate and visualized with ease in all the cases. Epiglottis was visualized in 100% cases in transverse plane. Valleculae and pyriform fossae were identified in 82% and 90% of the cases, respectively, and they appeared either as paired air-filled round structures or air-lined linear structures. Complete visualization of vocal cords was seen in 78% females and 63% males. The average time taken to complete the protocol-based study was 10.4 ± 1.4 min. CONCLUSIONS: Application of protocol-based USG for upper airway can allow the examination of structures from tongue to thyroid cartilage in a thorough, convenient, and timely manner. The air filled/lined structures such as valleculae, pyriform fossae, and vocal cords can be visualized in majority of the cases.

Correlation of quality of life scores to clinical outcome of lumbar epidural steroids in chronic low back pain.

CONTEXT AND AIM: The assessment of severity of low back pain includes subjective questionnaires to quantify the impact on routine life. The objective of current study was to correlate various quality of life (QOL) scores to the clinical outcome measured as improvement in Visual Analog Score (VAS) after interventional treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive chronic low backache patients were assessed for pain intensity using VAS, revised Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Quebec's, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), and depression score at presentation. All subjects received interventional therapy complemented with physiotherapy; changes in scores were evaluated at 2 weekly intervals till 12 weeks. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective, observational, cohort study. RESULTS: All scores depicted highly significant statistical improvement over baseline scores (P < 0.001). The Pearson correlation of VAS with rest of the scores showed that all variables correlate well with VAS at various time periods till 3 months. However, the best outcome predictor for VAS in QOL scores was Oswestry score as well as depression score which had an additive predictive effect. Among the QOL scores best intercorrelation was found with ODI and RMDQ scores at baseline as well as at all treatment follow-ups. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: ODI and depression score closely parallel trends of reduction in VAS indicating that these scores may be the best outcome predictor after interventional treatment of pain. Among QOL scores ODI and RMDQ evaluated in the current study record comparable degree of physical incapacity; the exception is Quebec's score.

Correlation between Epidurographic Contrast Flow Patterns and Clinical Effectiveness in Chronic Lumbar Discogenic Radicular Pain Treated with Epidural Steroid Injections Via Different Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injections are an accepted procedure for the conservative management of chronic backache caused by lumbar disc pathology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidurographic findings for the midline, transforaminal and parasagittal approaches in lumbar epidural steroid injections, and correlating them with the clinical improvement. METHODS: Sixty chronic lower back pain patients with unilateral radiculitis from a herniated/degenerated disc were enrolled. After screening the patients according to the exclusion criteria and randomly allocating them to 3 groups of 20 patients, fluoroscopic contrast enhanced epidural steroids were injected via midline (group 1), transforaminal (group 2) and parasagittal interlaminar (group 3) approaches at the level of the pathology. The fluoroscopic patterns of the three groups were studied and correlated with the clinical improvement measured by the VAS over the next 3 months; any incidences of complications were recorded. RESULTS: The transforaminal group presented better results in terms of VAS reduction than the midline and parasagittal approach groups (P < 0.05). The epidurography showed a better ventral spread for both the transforaminal (P < 0.001) and the paramedian approaches (P < 0.05), as compared to the midline approach. The nerve root filling was greater in the transforaminal group (P < 0.001) than in the other two groups. The ventral spread of the contrast agent was associated with improvement in the VAS score and this difference was statistically significant in group 1 (P < 0.05), and highly significant in groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). In all the groups, any complications observed were transient and minor. CONCLUSIONS: The midline and paramedian approaches are technically easier and statistically comparable, but clinically less efficacious than the transforaminal approach. The incidence of ventral spread and nerve root delineation show a definite correlation with clinical improvement. However, an longer follow-up period is advisable for a better evaluation of the actual outcom.

Postspinal hypotension in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, prophylactic ephedrine versus polygeline 3.5.

CONTEXT: Perioperative fluid management in elderly poses considerable challenge to the anesthesiologist. The conventional crystalloid loading may not be a preferred regime in this subgroup of patients since an exaggerated hemodynamic response is expected due to blunted sympathetic response and compromised cardiorespiratory system. AIMS: This study was designed in the elderly patient for comparing efficacy, side-effects and limitations of prophylactic ephedrine 30 mg (intramuscular [i.m.]) versus polygeline 3.5% 500 ml (intravenous [i.v.]) for the maintenance of blood pressure after subarachnoid block (SAB). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The sample size of 100 elderly (age > 50 years) patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries was administered SAB using bupivacaine 0.5% heavy. The primary outcome of this study was the attenuation of hypotension due to SAB using ephedrine or polygeline 3.5%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients were randomly allocated to receive ephedrine 30 mg i.m. 10 min before the institution of SAB in Group I and preloading with 500 ml of polygeline 3.5% i.v. over 10 min prior to SAB in Group II. Patients in both groups were closely monitored for pulse rate, systolic blood pressure; any hypotension, requirement of rescue therapy and adverse effects. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results were interpreted using Student's t-test for parametric and Chi-square tests for nonparametric data. RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension and requirement for rescue therapy was statistically less in Group I compared with Group II (P < 0.05). Heart rates were better maintained in Group I than Group II, with few hemodynamic adverse effects in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ephedrine 30 mg i.m. given as pretreatment before SAB in elderly patients was more effective for the prevention of post-SAB hypotension.

A comparison of Epidural Butorphanol and Tramadol for Postoperative Analgesia Using CSEA Technique.

BACKGROUND: Post operative analgesia in patients undergoing lower limb surgery is very essential for immediate postoperative pain relief which can be provided by oral or parentral medication, epidural analgesia, local blocks etc.The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of epidural butorphanol and tramadol for postoperative pain relief. PATIENTS #ENTITYSTARTX00026; METHODS: This was randomized, prospective, double blind study was conducted on 60 patients, ASA grade I&II, age 18-60 undergoing lower limb surgeries after approval from hospital ethics committee. Group allocation - Group I I (n=30) received 2 mg butorphanol as bolus epidurally, 1 mg for top up dose. Group II (n=30) received 100mg tramadol as bolus, 50 mg for top up. All the drugs were diluted to 10 ml normal saline & the observer was blinded to the drugs given. Postoperatively VAS, sedation score, vitals & side effects were observed. Top ups were given on achieving VAS>4. Diclofenac 75mg was given as rescue analgesia. RESULTS: Duration of analgesia was 5.35±0.29 hr and 6.25±1.58 hrs in Butorphanol and Tramadol groups respectively and the difference was found to be statistically significant. Pain scores were also significantly lower statistically in Group I as compared to Group II. Sedation scores were significantly higher in butorphanol group, whereas nausea vomiting was seen in tramadol group only (4 patients).No other side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both butorphanol and tramadol were effective for relieving postoperative pain, however quality of analgesia & patient satisfaction was more with butorphanol.

Challenges in paediatric laparoscopic surgeries.

SUMMARY: Today in the era of minimally invasive surgery, paediatric laparoscopy has become widely popular.The anaesthetic management in these cases poses special problems due to pneumoperitoneum created and extremes of position adopted in addition to the fact that paediatric anaesthesia itself is a challenge. Mostly the physiological as well as anaesthetic consideration are same except that child is not a small adult. The pressure of pnemoperitoneum needs to be kept between 6-12cm H(2)O, flow of gas about 0.9l, ventilation to be controlled, temperature monitoring being essential, use of atropine as premedicant, intravenous fluid management to be meticulous, induction with sevoflurane preferred as children may not allow i.v.puncture, intraoperative surgical complications being more, one needs to be very vigilant to diagnose and treat it. Using periumbilical area in paediatric age group should be avoided because the umbilical vessels have not involuted and can get punctured.Thus careful management in paediatric laparoscopic surgery will assume an important place in paediatric surgery.