Faruk Cicekci

Effect of gabapentin on postoperative pain: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study

Background: Both clinical and experimental studies suggest that gabapentin (GBP) has analgesic effects in neuropathic pain. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of gabapentin on postoperative pain. Methods: This study was performed on 45 (ASA I-II) patients planned for major orthopaedic surgery. 45 patients were randomized into three equal groups. Patients received 1200 mg GBP (Group I), 800 mg GBP (Group II) or placebo (Group III) 1 h before surgery. Anaesthesia was standardized for all patients. Morphine by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia was applied as 1 mg bolus dose and 7 min lockout time for postoperative analgesia. The pain was evaluated at the first 2 and 4 h after operation. The amount of morphine used was recorded at the same hours. Results: In all groups, there were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics, duration of surgery and anaesthesia, or dose of fentanyl received in the operating room. Pain scores and side effects were similar in all groups. Morphine consumption was lower in the Groups I and II than in the Group III at 2 h and 4 h postoperatively ( p< 0.05). Morphine consumption was lower in the Group I than in the Group II at 2 h and 4 h ( p< 0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that a single dose of 1200 or 800 mg oral gabapentin reduces morphine consumption in the early postoperative period. However, gabapentin 1200 mg is more effective than gabapentin 800 mg for pre-emptive analgesic effect. summary

Comparison of the Perioperative and Postoperative Effects of Levobupivacaine and of Levobupivacaine

Objectives We aimed to assess the effects of levobupivacaine and of levobupivacaine + adrenaline administered during pediatric tonsillectomy on the postoperative period. Methods A total of 90 patients between the ages of five and twelve were divided randomly into two groups before tonsillectomy: levobupivacaine only (0.5%) 0.4 mg·kg−1 or levobupivacaine (0.5%) 0.4 mg·kg−1 + adrenaline (1 : 200.000) administered by means of peritonsillar infiltration. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores recorded at various intervals until 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), time to first oral intake, time to the first administration of analgesics and total consumption of analgesics, and the amount of bleeding for all children. Results In both groups, patients had the same postoperative pain scores and PONV rates, and equal amounts of analgesics were consumed up to 24 hours postoperatively. The two groups also had the same time until first oral intake, recovery time and time to the first analgesic request, and amount of bleeding. Conclusions Perioperative levobupivacaine infiltration on its own is a valid alternative to the combination of levobupivacaine + adrenaline for perioperative and postoperative effectiveness in pediatric tonsillectomy. This trial is registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN: ACTRN12617001167358.

The comparison of socio-demographic and clinical variables between inmates using gabapentin for medicinal purposes and those abusing the drug

The Comparison of Socio-Demographic and Clinical Variables of Inmates Using Gabapentin For Medicinal Purposes and Those Abusing The Drug Faruk CİCEKCİ, Dincer YUKSEKKAVAS, Adem AYDIN, Adnan KARAİBRAHİMOGLU, Ali Ulvi UCA Selçuk University, Medical Faculty, Anesthesiology and Reanimasion, Konya, Turkey Konya E Type Prison, Department of Medicine, Konya, Turkey Necmettin Erbakan University, Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Konya, Turkey Necmettin Erbakan University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Education and Informatics, Konya, Turkey Necmettin Erbakan University, Medical Faculty, Department of Nerology, Konya, Turkey

The communication between patient relatives and physicians in intensive care units

BackgroundPatients in intensive care units (ICUs) are often physically unable to communicate with their physicians. Thus, the sharing of information about the on-going treatment of the patients in ICUs is directly related to the communication attitudes governing a patient’s relatives and the physician.This study aims to analyze the attitudes displayed by the relatives of patients and the physician with the purpose of determining the communication between the two parties.MethodsFor data collection, two similar survey forms were created in context of the study; one for the relatives of the patients and one for the ICU physicians. The questionnaire included three sub-dimensions: informing, empathy and trust. The study included 181 patient relatives and 103 ICU physicians from three different cities and six hospitals.ResultsBased on the results of the questionnaire, identification of the mutual expectations and substance of the messages involved in the communication process between the ICU patients’ relatives and physicians was made. The gender and various disciplines of the physicians and the time of the conversation with the patients’ relatives were found to affect the communication attitude towards the patient. Moreover, the age of the patient’s relatives, the level of education, the physician’s perception, and the contact frequency with the patient when he/she was healthy were also proven to have an impact on the communication attitude of the physician.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the mutual expectations and substance of messages in the informing, empathy and trust sub-dimensions of the communication process between patient relatives and physicians in the ICU. The communication between patient relatives and physicians can be strengthened through a variety of training programs to improve communication skills.