Anil Thakur

Intrathecal clonidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy: A randomized double-blinded study.

Background: Clonidine is added to intrathecal local anesthetics to improve intraoperative analgesia and to increase the duration of sensory and motor block. Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of addition of two different doses of clonidine (15 and 30 mcg) to 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy surgery under spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five patients enrolled in the study were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each. Group I patients received 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine, whereas groups II and III received 15 mcg and 30 mcg clonidine, respectively, as an adjuvant to 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine. The volume of solution was kept constant to 2.4 ml by adding saline wherever needed. Results: Highest level of sensory block, time to achieve this level, and highest Bromage scale recorded were comparable among the groups. The mean time to two-segment regression, regression of sensory block to L3 dermatome, and mean duration of motor block were the greatest in group III followed by group II and group I. There was significant fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in groups II and III as compared to group I (P = 0.04). Episodes of hypotension were more in group III than in group II. Conclusion: 30 mcg clonidine was associated with more incidence and duration of hypotension than 15 μg of clonidine. 15 mcg clonidine added to 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine provides better sensory and motor blockade for inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Posterior fossa oligodendroglioma.

Oligodendroglioma are the tumors of glial cells. They are rare in children and are more common in the cerebral hemispheres. A rare case of infratentorial oligodendroglioma in a female child is being reported here.

Trapezius squeeze test as an indicator for depth of anesthesia for laryngeal mask airway insertion in children

Background: Clinical tests, such as loss of verbal contact, eyelash reflex, corneal reflex, and jaw relaxation, are used to assess the depth of anesthesia. “Trapezius squeeze test” (TST) is one such clinical test. It is a simple test to perform in which 1–2 inches of trapezius muscle is held and squeezed in full thickness and response is evaluated in the form of toe/body movement. Materials and Methods: One hundred pediatric patients between 3 and 5 years of age, scheduled to undergo elective surgery, were included in this study. We evaluated negative TST as an indicator for optimal anesthesia depth for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion in anesthetized spontaneously breathing children. Anesthesia was induced using 4% sevoflurane in oxygen. As the child lost the verbal contact or loss of body movement, TST was performed. Test was repeated every 15 s till it became negative. When the TST became negative, a well lubricated, appropriate-size LMA was inserted. Results: Mean time for TST to become negative in our study was 271.80 ± 55.8 s and ease of insertion was excellent in 91 patients and acceptable in 9 patients. LMA was successfully inserted in first attempt in 96% patients. Conclusions: Negative TST is a reliable indicator for placement of LMA in spontaneously breathing children. Excellent conditions for LMA placement are present in majority of the patients without any untoward effects at this point of time.

Comparative evaluation of subclavian vein catheterisation using supraclavicular versus infraclavicular approach

Background and Aims: Infraclavicular (IC) approach of subclavian vein (SCV) catheterisation is widely used as compared to supraclavicular (SC) approach. The aim of the study was to compare the ease of catheterisation of SCV using SC versus IC approach and also record the incidence of complications related to either approach, if any. Methods: In the study, 60 patients enrolled were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each. In Gp. SC right SCV catheterisation was performed using SC approach and in Gp. IC catheterisation was performed using IC approach. Access time, success rate of cannulation, number of attempts to cannulate vein, ease of guidewire and catheter insertion and length of catheter inserted and any associated complications were recorded. Results: The mean access time in group SC for SCV catheterisation was 4.30 ± 1.02 min compared to 6.07 ± 2.14 min in group IC. The overall success rate in catheterisation of the right SCV using SC approach (29 out of 30) was better as compared with group IC (27 out of 30) using IC approach. First attempt success in the SC group was 75.6% as compared with 59.25% in the IC group. All successful subclavian vein  catheterisations in SC group and IC group were associated with smooth insertion of guidewire following subclavian venipuncture. Conclusion: The SC approach of SCV catheterisation is comparable to IC approach in terms of landmarks accessibility, success rate and rate of complications.

Retrieval of surgical blade by open thoracotomy – A case report of an iatrogenic complication

Abstract Presence of foreign body in thoracic cavity is very uncommon. Most common etiologies for the presence of such foreign bodies are accidental, traumatic or iatrogenic. We report the management of a case with a rare foreign body in the thorax i.e. surgical blade. While inserting ICD the surgical blade slipped from the scalpel and was sucked into the pleural cavity. FB migrated in the mediastinum and Contrast Tomographic scan showed elongated radio-opaque object of metallic density in the mediastinum, just abutting the superior vena cava. An immediate open thoracotomy was planned to retrieve the blade.