Munisha Agarwal

A randomized comparative study of intraocular pressure and hemodynamic changes on insertion of proseal laryngeal mask airway and conventional tracheal intubation in pediatric patients

Objective: To assess the influence of proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion on intraocular pressure (IOP). Aim: We compared the effects of PLMA insertion and laryngoscopic intubation on IOP and hemodynamic response in pediatric patients. Background: Previous studies have shown that there is no hemodynamic response to PLMA insertion similar to classic LMA insertion, but there is no published report about the influence of PLMA insertion on IOP. Conventional laryngoscopic tracheal intubation evokes a rise in IOP and cardiovascular response and has been traditionally used to secure the airway in pediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. Materials and Methods: 59 patients, less than 14 years of age, scheduled for elective ophthalmic surgery were randomly divided into two groups, group P, in which the patients airway was secured with PLMA (using introducer tool technique), and group T, in which the airway was secured with laryngoscopy-guided endotracheal intubation. Heart rate, blood pressure, and IOP were measured just before insertion of the airway device and subsequently three times at intervals of 1 min after insertion of the airway device. Results: In group T, there was a significant rise in IOP as well as hemodynamic parameters recorded. In group P, there was no significant rise in hemodynamic parameters, but a significant rise in IOP was found though the rise was less than in group T. Conclusion: We conclude that the PLMA use is associated with lesser cardiovascular response and rise in IOP as compared to tracheal intubation.

Anesthetic management of a pediatric patient with congenital insensitivity to pain

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Comparative efficacy of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in combined femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block with adjuvant magnesium for post-operative analgesia

Background and Aims: Patients with burns may require multiple surgeries, but poor general condition and underlying protein energy malnutrition make them unsuitable candidates for general or spinal anaesthesia. This study evaluated the role of magnesium sulphate as an adjuvant with levobupivacaine and ropivacaine used in combined femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) blocks in burn patients with relative sparing of thigh portion. Methods: This prospective, randomised, double-blind study included 54 adult patients of 18-65 years age, undergoing split-thickness skin graft harvest from the thigh, allotted to three equal groups of 18 each. Group L patients received femoral nerve (FN) block with 15 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine and 8 mL for LFCN block; Group LM patients received 14 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine along with 1.0 mL of 15% magnesium sulphate for FN block, 7.5 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 0.5 mL of 15% of magnesium sulphate to LFCN block and Group R patients received 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine for FN block and 8 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine for LFCN block. Time to block onset and complete surgical block, duration of analgesia, total analgesic dose and the overall analgesia satisfaction score were measured in the first 24 h post-operatively. Quantitative data were analysed with ANOVA and qualitative data subjected to Chi-square tests. Intergroup comparison was performed with independent t-test. Results: The duration of post-operative analgesia did not differ with the addition of magnesium (P = 0.610). Time to onset of the block was significantly decreased with the addition of magnesium (P = 0.0341), but time to complete surgical block onset was similar across the groups. Conclusion: Both ropivacaine and levobupivacaine have good perioperative analgesic efficacy. Magnesium as an analgesia adjuvant with levobupivacaine does not prolong the duration of post-operative analgesia.

Anesthetic considerations for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in a child with Glenn shunt for thoracic duct ligation and pleurodesis

Glenn shunt is an anastomosis between superior vena cava and right pulmonary artery to palliate patients with single ventricle physiology of the heart. Chylothorax is a frequent and troublesome complication after the creation of this shunt, which if not controlled with medical management, might require pleurodesis, and thoracic duct ligation. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) causes less postoperative pain, earlier mobilization, lower overall morbidity, a shortened hospital stay with reduced cost, and a cosmetic incision. A comprehensive understanding of physiology of Glenn shunt and implications of the proposed surgical procedure (VATS) is necessary to plan the anesthetic agents, cardiovascular drugs, ventilation strategies, and other perioperative factors.

An innovative nasal continuous positive airway pressure assembly

Continuous positive airway pressure is required by patients of obstructive sleep apnea to prevent any obstruction of airways. This requires CPAP machines which are costly, have electrical dependence and are not readily available. The nasal CPAP assembly devised by us overcomes most of these limitations and can be made from easily available materials.