The Effect of Preprocedural Low-Dose Ketamine for Pain and Anxiety in Patients during Thoracic Epidural Catheterization.

Background and Objectives: Thoracic epidural catheterization (TEC) can be both uncomfortable and fearful for patients when performed awake with the thought that the procedure may be painful. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low-dose intravenous ketamine administration on pain and anxiety during the TEC procedure. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive intravenous (IV) placebo (Group P) and IV low-dose (0.15 mg/kg) ketamine (LDK) (Group K) 3 min before the procedure in a double-blind manner. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure anxiety (VAS-A) and pain (VAS-P) scores. Vital parameters were monitored before premedication (T1), 20 min after premedication (T2), during skin anesthesia (T3), during TEC (T4), and 5 min after TEC (T5). VAS-A values were recorded at T1, T3, T4, and T5 periods, and VAS-P levels were noted at T3, T4, and T5 periods. Results: During TEC (T4), both VAS-P and VAS-A were significantly lower in Group K (p < 0.001). The mean VAS-A value was 10.6 mm lower, and the mean VAS-P value was 9 mm lower in Group K than in Group P at the T4 time point. Additionally, the mean VAS-P value was 7.7 mm lower in Group K compared to Group P at the T3 time point (p < 0.001). Both groups showed a statistically significant difference in VAS-A measurements when compared at their respective time points (p < 0.001). However, only Group P demonstrated a statistically significant difference in VAS-P measurements (p < 0.001). VAS-P values remained stable in Group K. The number of patients who did not recall the procedure was significantly higher in Group K (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the number of patients who would consent to the same procedure in the future was significantly higher in Group K (p = 0.007). Conclusions: A preprocedural LDK (0.15 mg/kg) can effectively prevent anxiety and pain experienced by patients during the TEC procedure. Administration of LDK may provide a more comfortable procedure process without causing ketamine-induced side effects (hemodynamic, respiratory, and psychological).

Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents / Ensino da prática de cateterismo epidural torácico em diferentes anos de residência em anestesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. METHODS: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. RESULTS: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p = 0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p = 0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p < 0.001, 0.005). CONCLUSION: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Esclarecer a importância do ano de residência e outros fatores que influenciam o sucesso do cateterismo epidural torácico (CET) em pacientes submetidos à toracotomia. MÉTODOS: Após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética, os dados foram retrospectivamente analisados a partir dos prontuários de 415 pacientes. Todos os pacientes assinaram os termos de consentimento informado. As tentativas de CET foram divididas em dois grupos: segundo-terceiro ano (Grupo I) e quarto ano (Grupo II), de acordo com o ano de residência. Dados demográficos, características das tentativas de CET e todas as dificuldades e complicações durante o CET foram registrados retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS: A taxa de sucesso global de CET foi semelhante entre os grupos. Os níveis de colocação do cateter, o número e a duração das tentativas não foram diferentes entre os grupos (p > 0,05). A alteração do nível de inserção da agulha foi estatisticamente maior no Grupo II (p = 0,008), enquanto que a parestesia foi significativamente maior no Grupo I (p = 0,007). As taxas de cefaleia durante e após punção dural foram maiores no Grupo I. Um índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior e o nível do local de inserção foram fatores significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório, mas independentes da experiência dos residentes (p < 0,001, 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: O IMC e o nível do local de inserção foram significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório. Pensamos que o ano de residência não é um fator significativo em termos de taxa de sucesso global para o CET, mas é importante para o resultado desses procedimentos.

Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. METHODS: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. RESULTS: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p>0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p=0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p=0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p<0.001, 0.005). CONCLUSION: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures.

[Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents]. / Ensino da prática de cateterismo epidural torácico em diferentes anos de residência em anestesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. METHODS: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. RESULTS: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p>0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p=0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p=0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p<0.001, 0.005). CONCLUSION: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures.