Neslihan Alkis

Comparison of ropivacaine 0.2% and 0.25% with lidocaine 0.5% for intravenous regional anesthesia

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare the anesthetic effects of two different concentrations and doses of ropivacaine (0.2% and 0.25%) with those of a conventional dose of lidocaine 0.5%. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, clinical investigation. SETTING Large metropolitan university hospital. PATIENTS 66 adult ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing forearm and hand surgery. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly allocated to three groups to receive intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA). Study groups were: ropivacaine 0.2% (Group I, n = 22), ropivacaine 0.25% (Group II, n = 22), and lidocaine 0.5% (Group III, n = 22). MEASUREMENTS Tourniquet tolerance times and regression of sensory analgesia were noted. Verbal numerical pain scores (VNS), cumulative analgesic consumption, and side effects were recorded during surgery and postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Time to first pain medication intake and number of patients receiving analgesics in the PACU were recorded. MAIN RESULTS Additional tolerance times for the distal tourniquet were significantly higher in the ropivacaine 0.25% group than the other two groups. Regression of sensory anesthesia was fastest in the lidocaine group. During the PACU stay, VNSs were significantly lower in the first 20 minutes in the ropivacaine groups than the lidocaine group. Time to first intake of pain medication in the PACU was soonest in the lidocaine group. The number of patients given analgesics in the PACU was highest in the lidocaine group. The number of patients taking > two tablets of tramadol was significantly lowest in the ropivacaine 0.25% group. No serious side effects were observed in any study group. CONCLUSION Longer tolerance times for the distal tourniquet, prolonged analgesia after tourniquet release, and lower analgesic requirements postoperatively make ropivacaine 0.2% and 0.25% an alternative to lidocaine for IVRA.

Comparison of Intravenous Morphine, Epidural Morphine With/Without Bupivacaine or Ropivacaine in Postthoracotomy Pain Management With Patient Controlled Analgesia Technique

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this randomized, double-blinded, prospective study was to determine the effectiveness and side effects of intravenous or epidural use of morphine, bupivacaine or ropivacaine on post-thoracotomy pain management. METHODS Sixty patients undergoing elective thoracotomy procedure were randomly allocated into 4 groups by the sealed envelope technique. Group IVM, EM, EMB and EMR received patient controlled intravenous morphine, and epidural morphine, morphine-bupivacaine and morphine-ropivacaine, respectively. Perioperative heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation and postoperative pain at rest and during cough, side effects and rescue analgesic requirements were recorded at the 30(th) and 60(th) minutes and the 2(nd), 4(th), 6(th), 12(th), 24(th), 36(th), 48(th), and 72(nd) hour. RESULTS Diclofenac sodium requirement during the study was lower in Group EM. Area under VAS-time curve was lower in Group EM compared to Group IVM, but similar to Group EMB and EMR. Pain scores at rest were higher at the 12, 24, 36, and 48(th) hour in Group IVM compared to Group EM. Pain scores at rest were higher at the 30(th) and 60(th) minutes in Group EM and Group IVM compared to Group EMB. Pain scores during cough at the 30(th) minute were higher in Group EM compared to Group EMB. There was no difference between Group IVM and Group EMR. CONCLUSIONS Morphine used at the epidural route was found more effective than the intravenous route. While Group EM was more effective in the late period of postoperative, Group EMB was more effective in the early period. We concluded that epidural morphine was the most effective and preferred one.

Does ultrasonographic volume of the thyroid gland correlate with difficult intubation? An observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Preoperative ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid gland done by surgeons could let us foresee airway management challenges. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of thyroid-related parameters assessed preoperatively by surgeons via ultrasonography and chest X-ray on intubation conditions. METHODS Fifty patients undergoing thyroid surgery were enrolled. Thyromental distance, Mallampati score, neck circumference and range of neck movement were evaluated before the operation. Thyroid volume, signs of invasion or compression and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray were also noted. The intubation conditions were assessed with Cormack and Lehane score and the intubation difficulty scale. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS The mean thyroid volume of the patients was 26.38 ± 14 mL. The median intubation difficulty scale was 1 (0-2). Thyromental distance (p = 0.011; r = 0.36; 95% CI 0.582-0.088), Mallampati score (p = 0.041; r = 0.29; 95% CI 0.013-0.526), compression or invasion signs (p = 0.041; r = 0.28; 95% CI 0.006-0.521) and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray (p = 0.041; r = 0.52; 95% CI 0.268-0.702) were correlated with intubation difficulty scale. Also patients were classified into two groups related to their intubation difficulty scale (Group I, n = 19: intubation difficulty scale = 0; Group II, n = 31: 1< intubation difficulty scale ≤ 5) and difficult intubation predictors and thyroid-related parameters were compared. Only Mallampati score was significantly different between groups (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION The thyroid volume is not associated with difficult intubation. However clinical assessment parameters may predict difficult intubation.

Comparação de morfina administrada por via intravenosa e via epidural com/sem bupivacaína ou ropivacaína no tratamento da dor pós-toracotomia com a técnica de analgesia controlada pelo paciente

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo randomizado, duplo-cego e prospectivo foi determinar a eficacia e os efeitos colaterais da administracao por via intravenosa ou epidural de morfina, bupivacaina ou ropivacaina no tratamento da dor pos-toracotomia. METODOS: Sessenta pacientes submetidos a procedimentos de toracotomia eletiva foram randomicamente alocados em quatro grupos com o uso da tecnica de envelopes lacrados. Os grupos MIV, ME, MEB e MER receberam morfina controlada pelo paciente por via intravenosa, e morfina, morfina-bupivacaina e morfina- ropivacaina epidural, respectivamente. Frequencia cardiaca, pressao arterial e saturacao de oxigenio perioperatorias e dor pos-operatoria em repouso e durante a tosse, efeitos colaterais e necessidade de analgesicos de resgate foram registrados aos 30 e 60 minutos e em duas, quatro, seis, 12, 24, 36, 48 e 72 horas. RESULTADOS: A necessidade de sodio diclofenaco durante o estudo foi menor no grupo ME. A area sob a curva de tempo na VAS foi menor no grupo ME em comparacao com o Grupo MIV, mas similar aos Grupos MEB e MER. Os escores de dor em repouso foram maiores nos tempos 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas no Grupo MIV em comparacao com o Grupo ME. Os escores de dor em repouso foram maiores aos 30 e 60 minutos nos Grupos ME e MIV em comparacao com o Grupo MEB. Os escores de dor durante a tosse aos 30 minutos foram maiores no grupo ME em comparacao com o Grupo MEB. Nao houve diferenca entre os Grupos MIV e MER. CONCLUSOES: Morfina administrada por via epidural foi mais eficaz do que por via intravenosa. A eficacia foi maior no grupo EM no periodo pos-operatorio tardio e no Grupo MEB no periodo pos-operatorio inicial. Concluimos que morfina administrada por via epidural foi a mais eficaz e preferida.

Comparison of ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) with cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes in infants

We aimed to compare cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) with ProSealTM laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in terms of airway security and extubation, starting out from the hypothesis that PLMA will provide alternative airway safety to the endotracheal tubes, and that airway complications will be less observed. After obtaining approval from the local Ethics Committee and parental informed consent, 120 pediatric patients 1-24 months old, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II, requiring general anesthesia for elective lower abdominal surgery, were randomized into PLMA (Group P, n = 40), cuffed ETT (Group C, n = 40), and uncuffed ETT (Group UC, n = 40) groups. The number of intubation or PLMA insertion attempts was recorded. Each patients epigastrium was auscultated for gastric insufflation, leak volumes and air leak fractions (leak volume/inspiratory volume) were recorded. Post-operative adverse events related to airway management were also followed up during the first post-operative hour. Demographic and surgical data were similar among the groups. There were significantly fewer airway manipulations in the Group P than in the other groups (p < 0.01), and leak volume and air leak fractions were greater in the Group UC than in the other two groups (p < 0.01). Laryngospasm was significantly lower in the Group P during extubation and within the first minute of post-extubation than in the other groups (p < 0.01). Based on this study, PLMA may be a good alternative to cuffed and uncuffed ETTs for airway management of infants due to the ease of manipulation and lower incidence of laryngospasm.

Existe correlação entre o volume ultrassonográfico da glândula tireóide e intubação difícil? Um estudo observacional☆

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Preoperative ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid gland done by surgeons could let us foresee airway management challenges. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of thyroid-related parameters assessed preoperatively by surgeons via ultrasonography and chest X-ray on intubation conditions. METHODS Fifty patients undergoing thyroid surgery were enrolled. Thyromental distance, Mallampati score, neck circumference and range of neck movement were evaluated before the operation. Thyroid volume, signs of invasion or compression and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray were also noted. The intubation conditions were assessed with Cormack and Lehane score and the intubation difficulty scale. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS The mean thyroid volume of the patients was 26.38±14mL. The median intubation difficulty scale was 1 (0-2). Thyromental distance (p=0.011; r=0.36; 95% CI 0.582-0.088), Mallampati score (p=0.041; r=0.29; 95% CI 0.013-0.526), compression or invasion signs (p=0.041; r=0.28; 95% CI 0.006-0.521) and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray (p=0.041; r=0.52; 95% CI 0.268-0.702) were correlated with intubation difficulty scale. Also patients were classified into two groups related to their intubation difficulty scale (Group I, n=19: intubation difficulty scale=0; Group II, n=31: 1<intubation difficulty scale≤5) and difficult intubation predictors and thyroid-related parameters were compared. Only Mallampati score was significantly different between groups (p=0.025). CONCLUSION The thyroid volume is not associated with difficult intubation. However clinical assessment parameters may predict difficult intubation.

The anatomic relationship between the internal jugular vein and the carotid artery in children after laryngeal mask insertion: an ultrasonographic study

1 King C, Street MK. Twelfth cranial nerve paralysis following use of a laryngeal mask airway. Anaesthesia 1994; 49: 786–787. 2 Nagai K, Sakuramoto C, Goto F. Unilateral hypoglossal nerve paralysis following the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Anaesthesia 1994; 49: 603–604. 3 Sommer M, Schuldt M, Runge U et al. Bilateral hypoglossal nerve injury following the use of the laryngeal mask without the use of nitrous oxide. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2004; 48: 377–378. 4 Stewart A, Lindsay WA. Bilateral hypoglossal nerve injury following the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Anaesthesia 2002; 57: 264–265. 5 Umapathy N, Eliathamby TG, Timms MS. Paralysis of the hypoglossal and pharyngeal branches of the vagus nerve after use of a LMA and ETT. Br J Anaesth 2001; 87: 322.

Influence of Different Doses of Ketamine on Intubating Conditions during a Rapid Sequence Induction and Intubation Model.

OBJECTIVE This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study aimed to compare the effects of three different doses of ketamine or lidocaine on intubating conditions and haemodynamics in a rapid-sequence induction model with 3 mg kg(-1) propofol and 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium. METHODS A total of 128 ASA I-III patients who were scheduled for elective surgery were randomized in the following five groups: Group 1 (n=24), 1 mg kg(-1) lidocaine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium; Group 2 (n=23), 0.1 mg kg(-1) ketamine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium; Group 3 (n=29), 0.3 mg kg(-1) ketamine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium; Group 4 (n=26), 0.5 mg kg(-1) ketamine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium and Group 5 (n=26), 3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium+saline as placebo. After preoxygenation, induction was performed with the assigned combination, and intubation was initiated after 60 s. The time to intubation, intubation score (Viby-Mogensen score) and haemodynamic data were recorded. Postoperative hoarseness, sore throat and hallucination incidences were followed up. RESULTS Demographic, time to intubation and haemodynamic data were comparable among groups. Group 4 [13.5 (4-14)] revealed a higher intubation score then groups 1, 2 and 5 [12 (3-14), 11 (2-14) and 9.5 (0-13) and p=0.026, p=0.001 and p=0.000001, respectively]. Groups 3 [13 (4-14)] and 4 [13.5 (4-14)] had similar intubation scores. Side effects were comparable among all groups. CONCLUSION The combination of 0.5 mg kg(-1) ketamine and 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium along with propofol improves intubation conditions in a stimulated rapid-sequence induction model.

A comparison of two different doses of morphine added to spinal bupivacaine for inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different doses of intrathecal morphine on postoperative analgesia, postoperative first mobilization and urination times and the severity of side effects. METHODS After Institutional Ethical Committee approval, 48 ASA I-II patients were enrolled in this randomized double-blinded study. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 0.1mg (Group I, n=22) or 0.4mg (Group II, n=26) ITM in addition to 7.5mg heavy bupivacaine. The first analgesic requirement, first mobilization and voiding times, and postoperative side effects were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 15.0 and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The numeric data were analyzed by the t-test and presented as mean±SD. Categorical data were analyzed with the chi-square test and expressed as number of patients and percentage. RESULTS Demographic data were similar among groups. There were no differences related to postoperative pain, first analgesic requirements, and first mobilization and first voiding times. The only difference between two groups was the vomiting incidence. In Group II 23% (n=6) of the patients had vomiting during the first postoperative 24h compared to 0% in Group I (p=0.025). CONCLUSION For inguinal hernia repairs, the dose of 0.1mg of ITM provides comparable postoperative analgesia with a dose of 0.4mg, with significantly lower vomiting incidence when combined with low dose heavy bupivacaine.

The airway device preference may affect the overlapping of the common carotid artery by the internal jugular vein

Anatomical variation in the internal jugular vein (IJV), as well as its small size, tendency to collapse, and proximity to the common carotid artery (CCA) makes central venous cannulation via the IJV a technically challenging procedure, especially in pediatric patients.