Birsel Ekici

Ultrasound-assisted transversus abdominis plane block vs wound infiltration in pediatric patient with inguinal hernia: randomized controlled trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and wound infiltration during the first postoperative 24hours. DESIGN A prospective, observer-blinded, randomized, and controlled study SETTING Operating room of a university hospital. PATIENTS Forty patients received a TAP block (TAP group) and 40 patients received wound infiltration (INF group) at the end of the surgery. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive a TAP block or wound infiltration. Postoperative analgesics were administered on request and selected based on pain severity. MEASUREMENTS Pain scores, analgesic drug requirement, and side effects were observed for 24hours. MAIN RESULTS Postoperative pain scores were lower in TAP group compared to INF group (P<.001). Analgesic consumption was significantly higher at the 5th minute and 1st, 6th, and 12th hours in the INF group (P<.001). The frequency of additional analgesic use in home and the total analgesic used during the postoperative 24hours were significantly higher in INF group (P<.001). Side effects were lower in the TAP group. Parents satisfaction scores were higher in TAP group. CONCLUSION Transversus abdominis plane block is effective method with convenient technique, drug dosage, and volume in pediatric patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery.

Comparison of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and IV Patient-Controlled Analgesia after Lower Abdominal Surgery.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the first 24-hour postoperative analgesic efficiency of ultrasound (USG)-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block to IV morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery. METHODS Fifty ASA I-III patients were included into this randomised, prospective clinical study. At end of surgery, Group 1 received 1 mg kg(-1) 0.5% bupivacaine and 1 mg kg(-1) 1% lidocaine in a 30-mL volume during TAP-block. Group 2 received 1 mg kg(-1) tramadol IV 10 minutes before extubation, and PCA was started with 1 mL morphine IV at a concentration of 1 mg kg(-1) and a 10-min lock time. Visual analogue scale (VAS), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), additional analgesic need and nausea-vomiting at the postoperative 30(th) minute and 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours were evaluated. In both groups, when VAS values were >4, patients were given 1 mg kg(-1) tramadol IV in first evaluation at the 30(th) minute or 15 mg kg(-1) paracetamol at other evaluations. RESULTS No difference was observed between groups in terms of VAS values. No difference was observed in terms of HR in the within-group comparison, but Group 1 HR values were lower compared to Group 2 (p<0.01). No difference was observed in additional analgesic need at any times. Nausea-vomiting score was higher in Group 2 in the between-group comparison at the 30(th) minute (p<0.04), but no difference was observed after the 1(st) hour. CONCLUSION Transversus abdominis plane block is effective as IV morphine-PCA in postoperative pain therapy in lower abdominal surgery, when given in a 30-mL volume. It may be preferable to IV-PCA, as the analgesic effect starts earlier and decreases the systemic effect of the morphine used in PCA.

Procedural sedation and analgesia as an adjunct to periprostatic nerve block for prostate biopsy: A prospective randomized trial.

To assess whether patient comfort could be increased by adding procedural sedation and analgesia (PSAA) to periprostatic nerve block (PNB) in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostatic biopsy (TRUS‐PB).

Effects of different modes of ventilation and head position on the size of the vena jugularis interna.

PURPOSE Right internal jugular vein (RIJV) catheterisation is a common procedure in patients undergoing surgery. We aimed to compare diameters and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the RIJV when the head is in a neutral or 30-degree rotated position during mechanical ventilation in various modes and spontaneous ventilation. METHODS Thirty patients undergoing surgery were included in the study. In each patient, still ultrasound images of the vena jugularis interna were taken with the head in a neutral position and with the neck rotated 30 degrees to the left, first under spontaneous ventilation (group S), then after the induction of anaesthesia under volume-controlled ventilation (group V) and under pressure-controlled ventilation (group P). The six still images were evaluated in terms of transverse and anteroposterior diameters and CSA. RESULTS Diameters in the neutral and lateral positions in group S were significantly smaller than in group P and group V (neutral transverse p = 0.01, anteroposterior p = 0.041, rotated transverse p = 0.01, anteroposterior p = 0.03). The CSAs of the RIJV in the neutral and lateral positions were significantly larger in group P and group V than Group S (lateral CSA p = 0.001, neutral CSA p = 0.002). CSA increased significantly only in group P when the head was rotated 30 degrees laterally (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION We conclude that both pressure-controlled and volume-controlled mechanical ventilation have similar effects on the CSA and diameters of the RIJV. Positioning of the head with a 30-degree rotation laterally has different effects on CSA depending on the ventilation mode used. A neutral position should be preferred with spontaneous ventilation whereas 30 degree rotation should be preferred in patients under pressure-controlled and volume-controlled ventilation.

Perioperative Temperature Monitoring and Patient Warming: A Survey Study

OBJECTIVE Hypothermia is defined as the decrease of core body temperature under 36°C. Hypothermia is observed at a rate of 50-90% in the perioperative period. In our study, we aimed to measure the perception of hypothermia in our country, to evaluate the measures taken by physicians to intercept hypothermia, to determine the frequency and the methods used to monitor body temperature and the techniques used in warming the patients. Another aim was to develop a guideline for preventing perioperative hypothermia. METHODS The questionnaire consisted of 26 multiple-choice questions. The time needed to answer the questions was 8-10 minutes. RESULTS Of the 1380 individuals, 312 (22.6%) answered the questions in the questionnaire. Of these, 148 (47.4%) declared they were working in university hospitals, 80 (25.6%) in training and research hospitals, 51 (16.4%) in government hospitals and 33 (10.6%) in various private hospitals. Of the 312 individuals, 134 (42.9%) were specialists, 107 (34.3%) were resident physicians, 71 (22.8%) were academics. In addition, 212 (67.9%) reported working in operating rooms, 49 (15.7%) in intensive care units and 42 (13.5%) both in operating rooms and intensive care units. In the answers, there was variation among the hospital types in applications of body temperature monitoring and warming the patient. Another finding was that the individuals had different approaches to the concepts on perioperative hypothermia and its consequences. CONCLUSION The perceptions of physicians and the allied health personnel in government and private hospitals should be enhanced by informing them about the passive and active heating systems to prevent hypothermia. Although the situation in university and training and research hospitals seems to be better, defects are still observed in practice. Preparation of a national guideline for prevention of perioperative hypothermia is needed.

Comparison and Evaluation of the Effects of Administration of Postoperative Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Methods (CPAP and BIPAP) on Respiratory Mechanics and Gas Exchange in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of two different methods of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) and oxygen support under spontaneous ventilation on respiration mechanics, gas exchange, dry mouth and face mask lesion during an early postoperative period in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery. METHODS Eighty patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with laparotomy, between the age of 25 and 75 years and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score (ASA) II-III with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis were included to the study. Subjects were randomly allocated in to four groups. During the first postoperative hour, the first group received BIPAP, second group received high-flow CPAP, third group received low-flow CPAP and fourth group received deep breathing exercises, respiratory physiotherapy and O2 therapy. Preoperative, postoperative before and after treatment PaO2, PaCO2, SpO2, tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate (RR) levels were recorded. Subjects with dry mouth or face mask lesion were recorded. RESULTS In all groups, PaO2 and TV measurements were higher at the postoperative first hour than the postoperative zero hour. We found that low-flow CPAP increased PaO2 and SpO2 values more, and TV levels were higher in the postoperative period than the preoperative period. PaCO2 levels were elevated at the zero hour postoperatively and at the end of the first hour; they decreased approximately to preoperative values, except in the fourth group. CONCLUSION Administration of prophylactic respiratory support can prevent the deterioration of pulmonary functions and hypoxia in patients with COPD undergoing upper abdominal surgery. In addition, we found that low-flow CPAP had better effects on PaO2, SpO2, TV compared to other techniques.

Anaesthesia Management and Use of Sugammadex in a Patient with Ullrich’s Disease

Here, we report anaesthesia management and the successful use of total intravenous anaesthesia and sugammadex in a patient with Ullrichs disease. Propofol and remifentanyl infusion was used for anaesthesia. After the end of the surgery, when the train-of-four value was 0%, 4 mg kg(-1) sugammadex was administered, and the patient was successfully extubated after 36 s. No adverse effects or safety concerns were observed. In conclusion, we suggest that the use of propofol infusion to avoid the use of inhalation anaesthetics and the use of sugammadex for the reversal of the effects of rocuronium is safe in patients with Ullrichs disease.

Comparison of the Effects of Different Concentrations of Rocuronium on Injection Pain and Hemodynamics Using Isolated Forearm Technique

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS) scores, hand-withdrawal, rash and skin eruptions after injections of different concentrations of rocuronium in intubation doses in alert patients using the isolated-forearm technique. METHODS Eighty ASA I-II patients were included in a randomized, controlled, single-blinded study. Two 20 G cannulas were inserted into the dorsum of the left and right hand in each patient. A tourniquet was applied to the left arm and inflated to 50 mm Hg above the patients systolic blood pressure. Group 1 (n=20) received 2.5 mg mL(-1) rocuronium diluted with 0.9% NaCl, Group 2 (n=20) received 5 mg mL(-1) rocuronium diluted with 0.9% NaCl, Group 3 (n=20) received 10 mg mL(-1) rocuronium and 0.4 mg mL(-1) lidocaine mixture, and Group 4 (n=20) received 10 mg mL(-1) rocuronium via a cannula on the left hand, provided that a dose of 0.6 mg mL(-1) were given to all groups of patients. VAS0-VAS60 values, hand-withdrawal, rash and skin eruptions were assessed in patients who were administered rocuronium but not under the effects of hypnotic or neuromuscular agents. Hemodynamic values were recorded both before and after the administration of hypnotic-neuromuscular agents. RESULTS VAS0 values were significantly higher in Group 4 when compared to Groups 1, 2 and 3 (p=0.032). No significant difference was observed between VAS0 and VAS60 values in Groups 1, 2 and 3. In Group 4, VAS0 values were significantly higher than VAS60 values (p=0.003). No significant difference was observed between groups in terms of side effects and hemodynamic values. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we determined that using rocuronium diluted with 0.9% NaCl was more effective in preventing injection pain than using a rocuronium-lidocaine mixture.