Fahrettin Yilmaz

The effects of levobupivacaine versus levobupivacaine plus magnesium infiltration on postoperative analgesia and laryngospasm in pediatric tonsillectomy patients

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of magnesium to levobupivacaine will decrease the postoperative analgesic requirement or not, and to investigate the possible preventive effects on laryngospasm. METHODS Seventy-five children undergoing elective tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy surgery. The drug was prepared as only NaCl 0.9% for the first group (Group S, n=25), levobupivacaine 0.25% for the second group (Group L, n=25), and levobupivacaine 0.25% plus magnesium sulphate 2mg/kg for the third group (Group M, n=25). Pain was recorded at 15th minute, 1st, 4th, 8th, 16th, and 24th hour postoperatively. Pain was evaluated using a modified Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (mCHEOPS). Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was assessed at various time intervals (0-2, 2-6, 6-24h) by numeric rank score. Patients were followed for laryngospasm for 1h in recovery room after extubation. Other complications appeared within 24h postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS All postoperative CHEOPS values were lower than control in both groups. Analgesic requirement was decreased significantly in both groups in comparison with control patients, but this requirement was significantly lower in Group M (p<0.05). Although laryngospasm was not observed in Group M, the difference between groups was not statistically significant. PONV was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Levobupivacaine and Levobupivacaine plus magnesium infiltration decrease the post-tonsillectomy analgesic requirement. Insignificant preventive effect of low doses of magnesium infiltration on laryngospasm observed in this study needs to be clarified by larger series.

Montelukast Protects Axial Pattern Rat Skin Flaps Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that neutrophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury. Using an inferior epigastric artery skin flap as a flap ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model, we investigated whether the administration of montelukast sodium, a selective reversible cysteinyl leukotriene 1 (CysLT1) receptor antagonist, decreases neutrophil infiltration and promotes flap survival. METHODS Eighteen rats were used and randomly divided into three groups (n=6 for each group). Group I was the sham group and did not undergo ischemic insult; rather, normal saline (1 mL) was administrated intraperitonealy (i.p.) 30 min before surgery and continued for 6 d. Group II (control) and Group III (montelukast) underwent 12 h of ischemic insult. For Group II, normal saline (1 mL) was injected i.p. 30 min before the surgery and immediately before reperfusion, and this continued for 6 d. In Group III, 1 mL of montelukast (10mg/kg) was injected i.p. and continued for 6 d. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activities were investigated. Histological evaluation was made to investigate the tissue neutrophil count. Survival areas were assessed at 7 d postoperatively. RESULTS Group III (montelukast- treated) showed a significantly higher survival rate than Group II (control) (P=0.029) but a lower survival rate than Group I (sham). Histological and biochemical assays corroborated this data. CONCLUSION This study suggests that montelukast CysLT1 receptor antagonist montelukast reversed I/R-induced oxidant responses and improved flap survival by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and balancing oxidant and antioxidant status.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine and midazolam for monitored anesthesia care combined with tramadol via patient-controlled analgesia in endoscopic nasal surgery: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical study

UNLABELLED Abstract. BACKGROUND Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) may be applied for septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery in which an adequate sedation and analgesia without respiratory depression are desired for comfort of both the patient and the surgeon. Several combinations with different agents have been used for this purpose in these patients. However, analgesic properties for these agents have not been reported. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic and sedative effects of dexmedetomidine or midazolam infusion combined with tramadol that was used via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and to document the effects of these drugs on early cognitive functions. METHODS This prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical study enrolled patients undergoing septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery at the Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital, Bolu, Turkey, between February and September 2006. Patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into 1 of 2 groups: the dexmedetomidine group (group D) patients received IV dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg for 10 minutes followed by continuous infusion of 0.5 μg/kg · h(-1); and the midazolam group (group M) patients were administered a loading dose of IV midazolam 40 μg/kg for 10 minutes followed by infusion at the rate of 50 μg/kg · h(-1). A 1-minute bolus dose of IV tramadol (1.5 mg/kg) was administered in both groups 10 minutes after the administration of the primary drug, and continued via infusion using a PCA device. After baseline measurements, systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and rate of respiration were recorded after the loading dose of study drug, after the bolus tramadol dose, at 10-minute intervals during the operation, and twice in the recovery rooms; 5 minutes after arrival and 5 minutes before discharge. Verbal rating score (VRS) and Ramsay sedation score were determined at baseline (after surgery was started), every 10 minutes thereafter until the end of the operation, and 2 times during recovery. All patients were assessed with the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised at baseline (preoperatively) and 4 hours after the operation. RESULTS Seventy patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group D (sex, male/female, 23/12; mean [SEM] age, 32.53 [2.07] years; mean [SEM] weight, 73.03 [2.41] kg) or group M (sex, male/female, 21/14; mean [SEM] age, 34.43 [1.83] years; mean [SEM] weight, 67.90 [2.32] kg). All hemodynamic parameters (SAP, DAP, MAP, HR) were significantly higher in group M compared with group D from the onset of the surgery to discharge time (P < 0.05). Pain and sedation scores were similar in both groups, but the amount of PCA-administered rescue tramadol was significantly higher in group M (P = 0.001). A higher, though not statistically significant, prevalence of adverse events (ie, hypotension, bradycardia, and perioperative nausea and vomiting) were observed in group D. Postoperative logical verbal memory and digit span values were significantly higher in group D when compared with group M (P < 0.05). Postoperative digit span and visual reproduction scores were significantly higher than preoperative values in group D (P < 0.05). Postoperative personality functioning scores were significantly higher than preoperative values in group M (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on VRS, Ramsay sedation scores, and surgeon and anesthesiologist satisfaction scores, dexmedetomidine or midazolam combined with tramadol PCA provided adequate analgesia and sedation in these adult patients undergoing septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery with MAC. A significantly larger amount of rescue tramadol was used by group M, suggesting that a better analgesic effect was achieved with dexmedetomidine.

Paranasal computed tomography results in asthma patients: association between sinus sites and allergen types.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common comorbidity of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the presence of rhinosinusitis, sinus site involvement, and total computed tomography (CT) sinus scores and the presence of allergy, allergen type, and severity of disease. Asthma patients (128 subjects), consisting of 57 allergic and 71 nonallergic patients, were included in the study. Presence of rhinosinusitis and sinus scores were evaluated by CT. CRS was determined in 45 (78.9%) allergic asthma patients and 44 (62.0%) nonallergic asthma patients (p<0.05). Ethmoid sinus involvement was higher among allergic asthma patients compared with nonallergic patients (68.4% versus 43.7%; p=0.005). House-dust mite allergy (71.4% versus 46.5%; p=0.008) and pollen allergy (73.5% versus 47.9%; p=0.01) showed positive correlations with ethmoid sinus involvement. No correlation was found between severity of disease and mean total CT sinus scores (p>0.05). The present study has shown the prevalence of chronic sinusitis to be higher in patients with allergic asthma, particularly in patients allergic to house-dust mites and pollens, with no correlation between severity of disease and presence of CRS. Investigating chronic sinusitis together with allergen sensitivity early in asthma diagnosis may contribute positively to patient treatment.

Prevalence and risk factors of asthma and allergic diseases among schoolchildren in Bolu, Turkey

Aim: In this study we aimed to detect the prevalence and risk factors of asthma and allergic diseases in children aged between 7 and 14 years old at rural and urban areas of Bolu, Turkey.

Effect of inhaled budesonide on oropharyngeal, Gram‐negative bacilli colonization in asthma patients

Background and Objective:  The effect of inhaled budesonide on oropharyngeal Gram‐negative bacilli colonization (OGNBC) in asthmatic patients was investigated.

The effect of triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray on the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus.

Background In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of triamcinolone acetonide aqueous (TAA) intranasal spray that was used for 2 months to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) on the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus (NCSA). Methods A total of 125 adult AR patients (study group) and 133 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled for the study. The subjects were diagnosed with AR after a detailed history, physical examination, and prick testing. The AR subjects were administered TAA in a daily dosage of a 220-μg intranasal route. Nasal cultures were obtained on the 1st (baseline), 55th, and 60th days, and the subjects in the last two cultures of whom S. aureus was detected were accepted as NCSA. Results After all exclusion criteria were used, 110 AR and 114 control group subjects were enrolled in the study. Based on the culture results that were obtained on the 55th and 60th days, 10 (%9.1) patients from the study group and 18 (%15.7) individuals from the control group were defined to be NCSA (p > 0.05). Conclusion We conclude that the use of TAA treatment for AR does not increase the prevalence of NCSA. However, additional studies with a larger series are required to explain the effects of steroids on nasal colonization of S. aureus.

Assessment of Patient Satisfaction With Evaluation Methods in Open Technique Septorhinoplasty.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to measure the postoperative satisfaction of patients who underwent open technique septorhinoplasty (SRP) using Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation (NOSE), Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and visual analog scale (VAS), and to assess the reliability and usability of these forms in the outcome of SRP.Forty-five patients who underwent primary open technique SRP were included in the study. The levels of patient satisfaction were assessed before the surgery and in the long-term using NOSE, ROE, and VAS.Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation scores were found to be decreased significantly after surgery, whereas ROE scores were increased postoperatively (P < 0.01). Patients’ either functional (VAS) and aesthetic (VAS) increased significantly in the long-term after surgery (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative measurements of NOSE, ROE, functional VAS, and aesthetic VAS by sex (P > 0.05).There was a statistically significant positive relationship between ROE difference before and after surgery, and functional VAS difference (r = 0.544, P = 0.001).There was a positive correlation between pre–postoperative ROE difference, and aesthetic VAS difference (r = 0.766, P = 0.001). The relationship between the pre–postoperative NOSE score difference and functional VAS difference was found to be significantly negative (r = −0.833, P = 0.001). The relationship between pre–postoperative NOSE difference and aesthetic VAS difference was also significantly negative (r = −0.475, P = 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between ROE difference between before and after surgery, and NOSE difference (r = −0.640, P = 0.00).The disease-specific quality of life assessment forms used to evaluate patient esthetic and functional satisfaction correlate significantly with nasal obstruction and ROE.

The effects of montelukast on random pattern skin flap survival: An experimental study in rats

BACKGROUND A variety of methods to improve skin flap survival, including the use of pharmacologic agents, have been intensively investigated. Decreasing neutrophil-mediated inflammation and tissue injury has been reported to be effective in improving flap survival. Montelukast is a selective reversible cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1 antagonist that has been found to have protective effects against renal ischemia reperfusion injury and burn-induced oxidative injury of the skin in rats. However, its effects on skin flap survival have not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of montelukast on neutrophil-mediated random pattern skin flap survival. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230 to 250 g were randomly divided into 2 groups-the montelukast-treated group and the control group. Caudally based rectangular random pattern skin flaps 3 × 9 cm were elevated on the backs of the rats. The flaps were sutured into their original places. In the montelukast group, 1 mL of solution containing 10 mg/kg montelukast was administered intraperitoneally (IP) 30 minutes before surgery and then daily for 6 days. In the control group, 1 mL of saline was administered IP 30 minutes before surgery and then daily for 6 days. To observe the effects of montelukast, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of tissue neutrophil infiltration, was measured from extracted skin tissue 12 hours after flap elevation. Flap viability was evaluated 7 days after surgery by measuring necrotic flap area and total flap area. RESULTS Sixteen rats (mean [SD] weight, 240.6 [6.6] g) were equally divided between the 2 groups. All rats survived throughout the study period. Mean (SD) MPO activity in flap tissue was significantly lower in the montelukast group than in the control group (14.57 [2.33] vs 21.28 [4.86] U/g protein; P = 0.005). The percentage of necrotic flap area was significantly lower in the montelukast group than in the control group (17.17 [7.95] vs 37.51 [10.72]; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION This small, experimental, in vivo animal study found that montelukast was associated with both lower MPO activity and a lower percentage of necrotic random pattern skin flap area. Future studies are needed to clarify these findings.

Medical ozone therapy for the inner ear acoustic trauma.

OBJECTIVES The goal of the study was to look at the potential protective effect of ozone therapy by studying its antioxidant and vasodilatation effects against hearing loss caused by acoustic trauma. METHODS Thirty-two male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups of eight. The 1st group was exposed to acoustic trauma, the 2nd group was treated with ozone initially, and was exposed to acoustic trauma 24 h later, the 3rd group received ozone without trauma, while the 4th group was the control group. The 1st and 2nd groups were exposed to acoustic trauma with 105 dB SPL white band noise for 4h. DPOAE and ABR tests were conducted in all groups on the 1st, 5th, and 10th days after trauma. RESULTS In the 1st group, the effects of acoustic trauma continued on days 1, 5 and 10. The 2nd groups DPOAE and ABR results on days 5 and 10 showed significant improvement at all frequencies compared to deterioration on day 1, and the readings were comparable to baseline measurements. CONCLUSION Acoustic trauma is a pathology that is experienced frequently and leads to many problems in terms of health and cost. Ozone was demonstrated to be a reparative substance against acoustic trauma and, in addition, it can be supplied and applied easily.