Patient-controlled Analgesia with Remifentanil in a Parturient with Ankylosing Spondylitis and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report.

Parturients with both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) present unique challenges to anesthesiologists. Neuraxial analgesia for labor remains the gold standard in obstetric patients. However, in patients with AS, this approach may be deemed difficult to impossible. Administration of systemic opioids for labor analgesia can be an option, bearing in mind the potential respiratory depressant effect to both the mother and the fetus, especially in the setting of concomitant COVID-19. This paper reports the successful management of such a patient using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous remifentanil.

Sertraline hydrochloride for reducing impulsive behaviour in male, repeat-violent offenders (ReINVEST): protocol for a phase IV, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Considerable evidence supports an association between poor impulse control (impulsivity) and violent crime. Furthermore, impulsivity and aggression has been associated with reduced levels of serotonergic activity in the brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of anti-depressants that aim to regulate brain serotonin concentrations. Several small studies in psychiatric populations have administered SSRIs to impulsive--aggressive individuals, resulting in reduced impulsivity, anger, aggression and depression. However, no clinical trial has been undertaken in a criminal justice population. This protocol describes the design and implementation of the first systematic study of the potential benefits of SSRIs in impulsive---violent offenders who are at high risk of reoffending. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A randomised, double-blinded, multicentre trial to test the clinical efficacy of an SSRI, sertraline hydrochloride, compared with placebo on recidivism and behavioural measures (including impulsivity, anger, aggression, depression and self-reported offending) over 12 months. 460 participants with histories of violence and screening positive for impulsivity are recruited at several local courts and correctional service offices in New South Wales, Australia. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Possible implications of the effectiveness of this pharmacological intervention include economic benefits of reducing prison costs and societal benefits of improving safety. This study has received ethical approval from the University of New South Wales, Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council, Corrective Services NSW and the NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12613000442707.

Narcotrend-guided intraoperative care of a Trisomy 21 paediatric patient who underwent occipitocervical fusion.

A 9-year-old female with Trisomy 21 with complex craniovertebral instability causing severe cervicomedullary compression underwent occipitocervical fusion. This paper will discuss the anaesthetic management and highlight the use of the Narcotrend monitor not only as a depth of consciousness monitor but more importantly as a tool to detect surgery-induced cerebral hypoperfusion by monitoring the right and left cerebral hemispheres independently and simultaneously.

Pulse oximetry-guided rational use of oxygen in patients for ambulatory surgical procedures under spinal anesthesia

Background: In an effort to prevent and address perioperative hypoxemia, it has become customary to provide supplemental oxygen to all surgical patients. Recently, the value of such a practice has been questioned. This study was designed to determine the incidence as well as the potential risk factors associated with perioperative hypoxemia. Methods: During a 9 - week period, 84 ASA I-II patients who underwent ambulatory surgical procedures under spinal anesthesia were observed. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was monitored using a pulse oximeter prior to induction of anesthesia, during operation and until the patient was discharged from the recovery room. Patients breathed room air during the entire perioperative course unless dyspnea and/or desaturation occurred. Descriptive statistics was used to examine differences in oxygen saturations before, during, and after surgery. The association between each of the potential risk factors and the number of patients requiring supplemental oxygen was analyzed using Fisher's exact test (for attribute data e.g. level of sensory block) and the Wilcoxon's rank sum test for continuous data (e.g. age, smoking in pack years) to calculate the probability that the proportions did not differ. A/>< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The incidence of preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative hypoxemia was 0 percent, 0 percent and 1.14 percent respectively while the need for supplemental oxygen was 2.27 percent intra-operatively and 2.27 percent postoperatively. Statistical analysis revealed that the level of block and body mass index were significant factors (P < 0.05) influencing the need for oxygen support. The need for supplemental oxygen was not associated with age, smoking history, surgical position, sedation level and Visual Analog Scale score. Conclusion: Results suggest that seemingly healthy patients who undergo lower abdominal, urologic, gynecologic or lower extremity surgical procedures under spinal anesthesia are at a low risk for hypoxemia. Pulse oximetry as part of routine monitoring may obviate the need for supplemental oxygen in this patient population. (Author)

Validation and reliability testing of FLACC behavioral pain assessment scale in Filipino postoperative pediatric patients

Background:The FLACC (Facial expression, Leg movement, Activity, Cry, Consalability) behavioral pain assessment scale was developed and validated by Merkel and colleagues among American children last 1997 for autepain assessment of children 2 months to 7 years of age. Since then, it has been validated among other nationalities. It is now being used in Scotland, Australia, Canada and Thailland. This study aimed to determine the inter-reter reliability and construct validity of the FLACC on Filipino posoperative pediatric patients. Methods: A total of 106 children less than 5 years of age (1,68+1.46 years) who were admitted in the Philippine General Hospital Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) were included. Those who are operated on an emergency basis, had neurologic impairment, had developmental delay and required menchanical ventilation postoperatively were excluded. Prior to the data collection phase, the PACU nurses were trained to use the FLACC scale using videotapes of postoperative children. Whenever possible, children were silmultaneuosly rated by two idependent ratersdurig their stay in the PACU. Those with FLACC scores>4 were given an intervention and the pain measurement was repeated and reported accordingly. Results: Inter-rater reliability was good to very good with kappa values for the pain behavior items ranging from 0.75 to 0.82. Construct validity ws established by showing a statistically significant reduction (p<0.001) beteen the pre-intervention score and post-intervention score using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Conclusion: The FLACC exhibited bith inter-rater reliability and contruct validity in the measurement of acute postoperative pain in Filipino children less than 5 years old.