Atilla Erol

Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy : Combined antiemetic treatment with dexamethasone and ginger versus dexamethasone alone

AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to compare the prophylactic effects of dexamethasone plus ginger and dexamethasone alone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients undergoing general anaesthesia for thyroidectomy were enrolled in this randomised, double-blind study. Patients received oral diazepam 10mg with either oral placebo (group I) or 0.5g of ginger (group II) as premedication 1 hour prior to surgery. Standard general anaesthetic techniques and postoperative analgesia were employed. Both group I and group II received intravenous dexamethasone 150 μg/kg immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. Data were recorded over a 24-hour observation period after surgery. Results: In the dexamethasone-treated group, 14 patients experienced nausea, two patients retched, three patients vomited once, two patients vomited repeatedly, and 14 patients required a rescue antiemetic. In the dexamethasone-plus-gingertreated group, 12 patients experienced nausea, one patient retched, four patients vomited once, no patients vomited repeatedly, and 13 patients required a rescue antiemetic. Dexamethasone plus ginger did not significantly reduce nausea and vomiting compared with dexamethasone alone during the observation period. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prophylactic combination of antiemetic treatment with dexamethasone and ginger was not clinically or statistically superior to dexamethasone alone in preventing PONV in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Effectiveness of the C-MAC video laryngoscope in the management of unexpected failed intubations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to review the experiences of an anesthesiology department regarding the use of a C-MAC videolaryngoscope in unexpected failed intubation attempts. METHODS Data were analyzed from 42 patients whose intubation attempts using Macintosh direct laryngoscopes had failed, and on whom a C-MAC videolaryngoscope was utilized as the primary rescue device. The success rate of C-MAC in intubation was assessed, and laryngeal views from both devices were compared. RESULTS The Cormack and Lehane score was III in 41 patients, and IV in one patient, with the Macintosh laryngoscope, while Cormack and Lehane score was I in 27 patients, II in 14 and III in one with CMAC. Tracheal intubation with CMAC was successful on the first attempt in 36 patients (86%), and on the second attempt in 6 patients (14%). No complications were observed other than minor damage (blood on blade) in 8 patients (19%). CONCLUSION These data provide evidence for the clinical effectiveness of C-MAC videolaryngoscope in managing the unexpected failed intubations in routine anesthesia care. The C-MAC videolaryngoscope is efficient and safe as a primary rescue device in unexpected failed intubations.

Auditory function after spinal anaesthesia : the effect of differently designed spinal needles

Background and objective Recurrent, bilateral or unilateral, persistent or transient, mild or profound hearing loss has been reported after spinal anaesthesia. We studied the effects of the needle type (Quincke, ballpen, pencil-point spinal needles) on hearing loss after spinal anaesthesia with the use of pure-tone audiometry. Methods Forty-five ASA physical status I patients scheduled for elective inguinal herniorraphy with spinal anaesthesia were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group Q (n = 15) patients received spinal anaesthesia through a 25-gauge (G) Quincke spinal needle, group B (n = 15) patients received the same through a 25-G ballpen spinal needle and those in group P (n = 15) received the same through a 25-G pencil-point spinal needle. Patients were interviewed about postoperative complaints such as postdural puncture headache, vertigo, nausea–vomiting, transient neurological symptoms and major neurological deficits. Pure-tone audiometry was performed by an audiologist at specific time intervals. Results The number of patients who had greater than 10 dB hearing loss in group Q was significantly more than that found in group B and group P at 250, 500, 4000 and 6000 Hz on postoperative day 1. When group B and group P were compared for change in hearing, no statistically significant difference was detected at any frequency tested. Conclusion Because the use of ballpen and pencil-point needles reduces hearing loss after spinal anaesthesia, these needles are preferred.

The effect of environmental tobacco smoke on the dose requirements of rocuronium in children

Background:  Smoking affects the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behaviour of several drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke on onset and recovery time after single dose rocuronium in children.

Differences in tip visibility and nerve block parameters between two echogenic needles during a simulation study with inexperienced anesthesia trainees

Needle tip visualization during ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) is necessary for safety and efficacy. However, disruption of the image of the needle tip driven toward the target is a general problem, especially for beginners. The purpose of this study was to compare performance parameters between using the Sonoplex and Stimuplex D-Plus echogenic needles in a simulated ultrasound-guided interventional task by inexperienced anaesthesia residents. After a standardized training session, 28 anesthesiology residents performed simulated nerve blocks in a beef phantom with each needle. All ultrasound images were digitally stored for analysis. The absolute time the needle tip was in view, total procedure time, and angle of needle insertion were subsequently measured objectively by two single investigators. The procedures that used the Sonoplex echogenic needle had significantly better tip visibility and shorter total procedure time at insertion angles between 42° and 64° relative to the phantom surface. We have demonstrated that inexperienced users who used the Sonoplex echogenic needle were able to complete the procedure more quickly. Needles with improved visibility would be a very useful addition to UGRA for inexperienced users.

Caudal anesthesia for minor subumbilical pediatric surgery: a comparison of levobupivacaine alone and levobupivacaine plus sufentanil.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and duration of analgesia after caudal levobupivacaine 0.20% with and without the addition of sufentanil 0.5 microg kg(-1). DESIGN Prospective, randomized study. SETTING University teaching hospital. PATIENTS 40 ASA physical status I pediatric patients, aged one to 7 years, who were scheduled for elective minor subumbilical surgery. INTERVENTIONS Patients were divided into two groups to receive either a single caudal injection of one mL kg(-1) levobupivacaine 0.20% (Group L) or levobupivacaine 0.20% plus sufentanil 0.5 microg kg(-1) (Group LS). MEASUREMENTS Analgesia (Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale score), motor block (Motor Blockade Scoring), and side effects were assessed at predetermined time points during the first 24 postoperative hours. MAIN RESULTS The Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale scoring at the first hour was significantly lower in Group LS than in Group L. No significant differences were found between the two groups for pain scores at two, three, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours. Degree of motor block was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION The effect of adding sufentanil to caudal levobupivacaine on postoperative pain scores is brief after elective minor subumbilical surgery in children.

Effects of desflurane, sevoflurane and propofol on phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage

Background and objective In polymorphonuclear leucocytes, phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity are mainly responsible for bacterial killing. We aimed to investigate the effects of anaesthesia with desflurane, sevoflurane and propofol on these functional activities of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Methods Sixty patients scheduled to have tympanoplasty surgery were studied. The patients were divided into three groups (group D, desflurane; group S, sevoflurane; group P, propofol). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium in all groups. Anaesthesia was maintained with inhalation agent or propofol. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed immediately after induction of anaesthesia and after surgical procedure by a fibreoptic bronchoscope. Leucocyte respiratory burst and phagocytic activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined by flow cytometric analysis of gated leucocyte populations within 2 h after each bronchoalveolar lavage sample. Changes in leucocyte functions with time were expressed as mean fluorescence intensity. Results There were no significant differences in phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes within and between the groups. The respiratory burst function of polymorphonuclear leucocytes showed a significant increase after surgery in group P (P < 0.05). When we compared the differences between the three groups, we found the difference in mean fluorescence intensity as statistically significant between group P and group S. Conclusion This study showed that propofol anaesthesia increased the respiratory burst function of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Addition of sufentanil to bupivacaine in caudal block effect on stress responses in children.

Background: The aim of the present randomized study was to determine the effect of adding sufentanil to bupivacaine, compared with bupivacaine alone in caudal block, on the surgical stress response in children.

Determination of optimum time for intravenous cannulation after induction with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in children premedicated with midazolam

It has been shown that early placement of an intravenous line in children administered sevoflurane anesthesia increased the incidence of laryngospasm and movement. However, the optimal time for safe cannulation after the loss of the eyelash reflex during the administration of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide is not known.

Comparison of the C-MAC D-Blade, Conventional C-MAC, and Macintosh Laryngoscopes in Simulated Easy and Difficult Airways

OBJECTIVE Recently, to further enhance the potential in the management of difficult airways, the highly angulated D-Blade was added to the C-MAC system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the laryngoscopic view and intubation parameters using the new C-MAC D-Blade in comparison to the conventional C-MAC video laryngoscope and Macintosh direct laryngoscope in simulated easy and difficult airways. METHODS We recruited 26 experienced anaesthesia providers into a randomized trial. Each performed tracheal intubation of a Laerdal SimMan(®) manikin with each laryngoscope in the following laryngoscopy scenarios: (1) normal airway, (2) cervical spine immobilization, and (3) tongue edema. The intubation times, success rates, number of intubation attempts, laryngoscopic views, and severity of dental compression were recorded. RESULTS In all scenarios, video laryngoscopes provided better laryngeal exposure than the ML and appeared to produce less dental pressure. In the cervical spine immobilization scenario, D-Blade caused less dental pressure and showed better Cormack-Lehane (CL) classes than the other devices (p<0.001). There were no differences between video laryngoscopes in success of tracheal intubation (p>0.05). The CMAC provided the most rapid intubation. The rate of failure was 19% with ML. In the tongue edema scenario, the CMAC provided the most rapid and successful intubation (p<0.001). There were no differences between video laryngoscopes in laryngoscopic views according to CL classification and dental pressure (p>0.05). The rate of failure was 46% with the ML and 7% with the D-Blade. CONCLUSION The CMAC D-Blade caused less dental pressure than the conventional C-MAC and ML in the cervical immobilization scenario. The conventional CMAC performed better than the D-Blade and ML in the tongue edema scenario. These two video laryngoscopes may complement each other in various difficult airway situations.