[A new anagesic drug: pregabalin; and the first intoxications]. / Yeni bir agri kesici: Pregabalin ve ilk zehirlenmeler.

Pregabalin is an antiepileptic, analgesic and anxiolytic drug that GABA analogue with similar structure and actions to gabapentin. There are very few reports about pregabalin intoxication in the literature. A 24-year-old male presented following ingestion of 3 g of pregabalin in this report. He was managed with General Supportive Care and Symptomatic Approach (GSCSA) such as discontinuation of the drug, hydration with IV fluids, oxygenation, gastric lavage and activated charcoal administration and enhanced elimination techniques. But, it is to be noted that either the kidneys of the patients are in good functioning state or there is a hemodialysis facility in the immediate vicinity.

[Accidental hypothermia (a case report)]. / Donma (Olgu sunumu).

Severe accidental hypothermia (core body temperature of less than 28 degrees C) is a life threatening state and a medical emergency associated with a high mortality rate. The prognosis depends on underlying diseases, advanced or very early age, the duration prior to treatment, the degree of hemodynamic deterioration, and especially, the methods of treatment, including active external or internal rewarming. We report a 70-year-old male patient with severe accidental hypothermia (core temperature 28 degrees C). The homeless man was found in the street. He died, in spite of all resuscitation efforts and rewarming methods. In this case report reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of accidental hypothermia.

Carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia: single institutional experience.

The aim of this study is to review our experience and results of carotid endarterectomy performed under local anesthesia. We evaluated 300 patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy with local anesthesia in our department. Surgical indication, outcome, operative technique, and complications were assessed. The patients were 58.20+/-2.76 years old and 153 (51%) were symptomatic. The perioperative course was uneventful. A shunt was inserted because of neurological deterioration in 20 patients (6.6%) with full recovery of the deficit after shunt insertion. Operative time was 52.02+/-12.86 min. There were 9 patients with postoperative neurological complications with one patient who died after 34 days. The remaining 8 patients with reversible neurological deficits recovered and were symptom-free on discharge. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.11+/-1.34 days. Carotid endarterectomy performed under local anesthesia is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. The surgeon can assess the neurological status during the procedure and provide for a more meticulous endarterectomy. It is also associated with decreased shunt usage, decreased operative time and shorter length of hospital stay.