Ali Dabbagh

Intravenous magnesium sulfate for post-operative pain in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery.

Introduction: This study looks at the effect of supplementary intravenous magnesium sulfate on acute pain when administered in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery using spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine.

EFFECTS OF PULSED INFRA-RED LOW LEVEL-LASER IRRADIATION ON OPEN SKIN WOUND HEALING OF HEALTHY AND STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS BY BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of delayed wound healing. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are one of the therapeutic modalities used for the treatment of wounds. The aim of present study is to evaluate the effect of LLLT in experimentally-induced diabetic rats. Two full thickness skin incisions were made on dorsal regions of each rat. The wounds were randomly divided into laser-treated and placebo. Laser-treated wounds of the healthy (non-diabetic) animals were submitted to a pulsed-infrared 890nm laser with an 80Hz frequency and 0.03J/cm(2) for each wound point in the first healthy group and 0.2J/cm(2) in the second healthy group. Laser-treated wounds of the diabetic animals received the same pulsed-infrared laser treatments as the second group for each wound point. On day 15, a sample from each wound was extracted and submitted for tensile strength evaluation. Laser irradiation with 0.03J/cm(2) significantly decreased the maximum load for wound repair in healthy rats (p=0.015). Laser irradiation with 0.2J/cm(2) significantly increased the maximum load in wounds from the healthy control (p=0.021) and diabetic (p<001) groups. Laser treatments with a pulsed infrared laser at 0.2J/cm(2) significantly accelerated wound healing in both healthy and diabetic rats.

The duration of spinal anesthesia with 5% lidocaine in chronic opium abusers compared with nonabusers.

BACKGROUND:It has been demonstrated that chronic opium abusers have lower thresholds for pain. In this study we sought to determine whether chronic opium abuse has any effect on the duration of spinal block by local anesthetics. METHODS:In a case-controlled study, 50 opium abusers and 50 nonabusers undergoing lower abdomen operations were selected from among the patients admitted to a university hospital for elective surgery. All patients received 100 mg hyperbaric preservative-free 5% lidocaine in dextrose, intrathecally. RESULTS:The duration of anesthesia was much shorter in the opium abusers (60 ± 7 min) than in the nonabusers (83 ± 10 min) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:The study documents a shortened duration of spinal block in opium abusers.

Effects of Clonidine Premedication Upon Postoperative Shivering and Recovery Time in Patients With and Without Opium Addiction After Elective Leg Fracture Surgeries

Background Opium is a highly addictive agent and the most common narcotic often misused in Iran. The pharmacokinetic of anesthetic drugs in patients with opium addiction is one of the great challenges for anesthesiologists. Hemodynamic instability and postoperative side effects are of these challenges which should be managed correctly. Objectives In this study we aimed to assess the effects of clonidine upon post anesthesia shivering and recovery time in patients with and without opium addiction after general anesthesia to decrease the subsequent complications related to the shivering and elongation of recovery time. Patients and Methods In a randomized clinical trial, 160 patients candidates for elective leg fracture operations under general anesthesia were studied in four groups of 40 patients: Group 1 (placebo 1) were patients without addiction who got placebo 90 minutes before the operation. Group 2 (placebo 2) were patients with opium addiction which received placebo as group 1. Group 3 (Clonidine 1) patients without addiction who got clonidine 90 minutes before the operation and group 4 (Clonidine 2) who were opium addicted ones which received clonidine as premedication. Results None of the patients with and without addiction in clonidine groups had shivering after the operation but in placebo groups shivering was observed and the difference between clonidine and placebo groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Recovery time in clonidine groups of patients with and without addiction was less than placebo ones (both P < 0.01) which the magnitude of difference was higher in opium addicted than non-addicted patients (P = 0.04). Conclusions Premedication with clonidine in patients with and without opium addiction can be effective to decrease the incidence of shivering and recovery time after operation.

Perioperative risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy in women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft with cardiopulmonary bypass

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation is an important recognized complication occurring during cardiovascular surgery procedures. This study was done to assess the perioperative risk factors related to postoperative pulmonary complications and tracheostomy in women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: It was a retrospective study on 5,497 patients, including 31 patients with prolonged ventilatory support and 5,466 patients without it; from the latter group, 350 patients with normal condition (extubated in 6-8 hours without any complication) were selected randomly. Possible perioperative risk factors were compared between the two groups using a binary logistic regression model. Results: Among the 5,497 women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), 31 women needed prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), and 15 underwent tracheostomy. After logistic regression, 7 factors were determined as being independent perioperative risk factors for PMV. Discussion: Age ≥70 years old, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤30%, preexisting respiratory or renal disease, emergency or re-do operation and use of preoperative inotropic agents are the main risk factors determined in this study on women undergoing CABG.

Etomidate infusion in the critical care setting for suppressing the acute phase of Cushing's syndrome.

A 17-year-old, 55 kg girl was referred to the endocrinology department of a university hospital to determine the etiology of suspected Cushings syndrome. The patient was treated with oral ketoconazole for 3 days, but a rapid and severe elevation in her liver function test results led to selection of IV etomidate as a therapeutic option. This approach led to decreasing levels of serum cortisol, and the patient was able to tolerate surgical adrenalectomy.

A rapidly enlarging neck mass: the role of the sitting position in fiberoptic bronchoscopy for difficult intubation.

Difficult airway management is a dilemma for any anesthesiologist. Although practice guidelines and algorithms may help in such situations, the anesthesiologists judgment and vigilance remain the primary means to save lives. In the following case, we encountered an acutely enlarging thyroid mass that was compromising the airway. This huge neck mass precluded tracheostomy under local anesthesia, and the patient could breathe only in the sitting position. Therefore, there were few safe strategies for airway management for general anesthesia. We reiterate the role of awake fiberoptic intubation in such circumstances.

Acute Effect of Intravenous Administration of Magnesium Sulfate on Serum Levels of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Bypass Graft With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Background: Cardiovascular problems are among the most common health issues. A considerable number of cardiac patients undergo cardiac surgery, and coronary artery disease patients constitute about two-thirds of all these surgeries. The application of cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) usually results in some untoward effects. Objectives: Studies have suggested magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) as an anti-inflammatory agent in a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This study aimed to assess the effect of an IV MgSO4 infusion during elective CABG (with CBP) on the blood levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Materials and Methods: During a 12 month period, after review board approval and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 90 patients were selected and entered randomly into one of the two study groups (MgSO4 or placebo). Anesthesia, surgery and CBP were performed in exactly the same way, except for the use of MgSO4 or a placebo. Both preoperative and postoperative plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were checked and compared between the two groups using an ELISA. Results: There was no difference found between the two groups with regard to; gender, basic variables, Ejection Fraction (EF), CBP time and aortic cross-clamp time. The preoperative levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were not different; however, their postoperative levels were significantly higher in the placebo group (P value = 0.01 for IL-6 and 0.005 for TNF-α). Conclusions: This study showed that MgSO4 infusion could suppress part of the inflammatory response after CABG with CBP. This was demonstrated by decreased levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α in postoperative serum levels in elective CABG with CBP.

Effect of Intravenous Patient Controlled Ketamine Analgesiaon Postoperative Pain in Opium Abusers

Background: Acutepostoperative pain is among the worst experience that patient scan undergo, and many analgesics have been used to suppress it; especially in chronic opium abusers. Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist analgesic, having both anesthetic and analgesic properties, which are not affected to the same extent in chronic opium abusers. Objectives: In this study, we assessed the analgesic effects of ketamine added to morphine as a patient-controlled analgesia method for acute pain management, compared with a placebo, inchronic maleopium abusers. Patients and Methods: After institutional review board approval for ethical considerations, a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 140 male patients aged 18-65 years, undergoing orthopedic surgery, were entered into the study after matching inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients received the same anesthesia method; while the first group received ketamine (1mg/mL) and morphine (0.5 mg/mL) as a patient-controlled analgesia (70 patients), the second group received morphine (0.5 mg/mL) plus normal saline (70 patients). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The ketamine and morphine group of patients experienced less postoperative pain and required less postoperative rescue analgesia. However, the unwanted postoperative side effects were nearly the same; although increased levels of postoperative nausea and vomiting were observed in the ketamine and morphine group Conclusions: This study demonstrated improved analgesic effects after using intravenous patient controlled analgesia with ketamine on postoperative pain in opium abusers.

Effect of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 on cytokine production by endometrial cells of women with repeated implantation failure.

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is a worldwide health problem that imposes a great deal of cost on patients and health care system. Vitamin D3 has been proposed to have positive impact on the process of implantation. The present study was performed to compare the effect of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) on cytokine production by endometrial cells of women with RIF and healthy fertile controls. Whole endometrial cells (WECs) and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from RIF and normal fertile women were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3. The levels of IL-10, TGF-β, IFNγ, Il-6, IL-8 and IL-17 in culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. Also, ability of the cells from both groups to produce 1,25(OH)2D3 was evaluated and compared. 1,25(OH)2D3 down-regulated cytokine production in WECs from both groups except for IL-8 which was upraised. Similar trends were also observed in ESCs except up-regulation of TGF-β in RIF group. Endometrial cells of both groups had comparable capacity to produce 1,25(OH)2D3. Based on the minimal differential immunoregulatory effect of vitamin D3 on endometrial cells from RIF and control women, it may be suggested that circulating levels of maternal vitamin D3 be the subject of further investigation.