Pankaj Kundra

Preemptive Epidural Morphine for Postoperative Pain Relief After lumbar Laminectomy

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of preemptive epidural morphine for postoperative analgesia after lumbar laminectomy.Thirty ASA physical status I adults undergoing elective lumbar laminectomy under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group 1 (study group) received 3 mg epidural morphine preemptively 60 min before surgery, followed by epidural placebo at the end of surgery. Group 2 (control group) received epidural placebo at the same time preoperatively as the study group, followed by 3 mg epidural morphine at the conclusion of surgery. Pain was assessed using visual analog scales (VAS), and sedation was graded on a 4-point rank drowsiness score. Time to first postoperative analgesic (TFA), the supplementary analgesia, and the amount of morphine used over the 24-h period were noted for the groups. VAS pain scores were significantly less in Group 1 (preemptive group) than in Group 2 8 h after surgery (P < 0.05). TFA in the study group (19.9 +/- 2.3 h) was significantly prolonged compared with the control group (8.5 +/- 1.0 h, P < 0.05). The demand for supplementary analgesia and postoperative morphine consumption in the preemptive group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). Patients in the control group were significantly sedated after 12 h and had a high incidence of nausea and vomiting (P < 0.05). The study shows that preemptive epidural morphine is superior to epidural morphine given postoperatively for pain relief after lumbar laminectomy. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:135-8)

Manual displacement of the uterus during Caesarean section

Ninety ASA 1 and 2 pregnant women with term singleton pregnancies and no maternal and fetal complications, scheduled for elective or emergency Caesarean section, were randomly allocated to group LT (15° left lateral table tilt, n = 45) and group MD (leftward manual displacement, n = 45). Subarachnoid block was established with a 25‐gauge spinal needle at the L3‐L4 interspace using 1.5 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. A median sensory level of T6 was observed in both groups but the incidence of hypotension was markedly lower in group MD when compared to group LT (4.4% vs 40%; p < 0.001) with a significant reduction in mean (SD) ephedrine requirement (6 (0) vs 11.3 (4.9) mg; p < 0.001). The mean (SD) fall in systolic blood pressure was 28.8 (7.3) mmHg in group LT and 20 (12.7) mmHg in group MD. The time to maximum fall in systolic blood pressure was similar in both groups (4.5 min). We conclude that manual displacement of the uterus effectively reduces the incidence of hypotension and ephedrine requirements when compared to 15° left lateral table tilt in parturients undergoing Caesarean section.

Local anaesthesia for awake fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation

Background: Awake fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation (FNI) is performed in potentially difficult airways under local anaesthesia. This observer‐blinded study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of upper airway anaesthesia produced by nebulized lignocaine against combined regional block (CRB) for awake FNI.

Preemptive caudal bupivacaine and morphine for postoperative analgesia in children

We designed this double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy of preemptive epidural bupivacaine and small-dose morphine for postoperative analgesia in children after herniorraphy. Sixty children, ASA physical status I or II, who were undergoing elective hernia repair under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. Group I (preemptive group) received 0.66 mL/kg 0.25% bupivacaine with morphine 0.02 mg/kg caudally after the induction of anesthesia but 15 min before surgery. Group II (postincisional group) received the same drug mixture after surgery. Pain was assessed using an objective pain scale (OPS). Time to first postoperative analgesics (TFA), the number of supplementary analgesic used, and the amount of morphine consumed over the ensuing 24-h period were noted. The OPS score was significantly less in Group I at 0.5, 4, and 8 h (P < 0.05) than in Group II after surgery. The median OPS score recorded over 24 h was 0 for Group I and 2 for Group II, which was significantly different (P < 0.05). The TFA in Group I (12.55 +/- 3.06 h) was significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged compared with Group II (10.62 +/- 3.18 h). The total postoperative morphine consumption in Group I (2.24 +/- 1.4 mg) was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that in Group II (3.34 +/- 2.29 mg). Nevertheless, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was not significantly different between the groups. In this study, we demonstrated that preemptive epidural bupivacaine and small-dose morphine administration is superior to the same mixture given at the conclusion of surgery for pain relief. Implications: This study was performed on two groups of 30 children undergoing hernia repair. Group I received a bupivacaine-morphine mixture caudally before surgery, and Group II received the same drugs caudally at the completion of surgery. Postoperative assessment demonstrated longer and better pain relief in Group I. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:52-6)

Ultrasound of the airway

Currently, the role of ultrasound (US) in anaesthesia-related airway assessment and procedural interventions is encouraging, though it is still ill defined. US can visualise anatomical structures in the supraglottic, glottic and subglottic regions. The floor of the mouth can be visualised by both transcutaneous view of the neck and also by transoral or sublinguial views. However, imaging the epiglottis can be challenging as it is suspended in air. US may detect signs suggestive of difficult intubation, but the data are limited. Other possible applications in airway management include confirmation of correct endotracheal tube placement, prediction of post-extubation stridor, evaluation of soft tissue masses in the neck prior to intubation, assessment of subglottic diameter for determination of paediatric endotracheal tube size and percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. With development of better probes, high-resolution imaging, real-time picture and clinical experience, US has become the potential first-line noninvasive airway assessment tool in anaesthesia and intensive care practice.

Surgical outcome in children undergoing hypospadias repair under caudal epidural vs penile block

Aim and Objective:  To evaluate the effect of penile block vs caudal epidural on the quality of analgesia and surgical outcome following hypospadias repair.

Laryngeal mask insertion in children: a rational approach

Background: Various techniques of laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) insertion have been described in adults but only limited clinical trials have been conducted in children despite a varying range in success rate by the recommended method.

Effect of preoperative and postoperative incentive spirometry on lung functions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This study was designed to compare the effects of preoperative and postoperative incentive spirometry on lung functions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 50 otherwise normal healthy adults. Patients were randomized into a control group (group PO, n=25) and a study group (group PR, n=25). Patients in group PR were instructed to carry out incentive spirometry before the surgery 15 times, every fourth hourly, for 1 week whereas in group PO, incentive spirometry was carried out during the postoperative period. Lung functions were recorded at the time of preanesthetic evaluation, on the day before the surgery, postoperatively at 6, 24, and 48 hours, and at discharge. Significant improvement in the lung functions was seen after preoperative incentive spirometry (group PR), P<0.05. The lung functions were significantly reduced till the time of discharge in both the groups. However, lung functions were better preserved in group PR at all times when compared with group PO; P<0.05. To conclude, lung functions are better preserved with preoperative than postoperative incentive spirometry.

Does single-dose preoperative dexamethasone minimize stress response and improve recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Background Stress response after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is less compared with open cholecystectomy, but is still responsible for significant postoperative morbidity. Though preoperative glucocorticoids were found to be effective in reducing the response in open surgical procedures, their role in minimal access surgery is not clear. Aims and Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of single-dose preoperative dexamethasone in reducing the stress response and postoperative morbidity after LC. Materials and Methods In a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 70 patients undergoing elective LC were randomized to receive either dexamethasone (8 mg intravenously), or placebo. The change in C-reactive protein levels after LC, pain scores at rest, and on exertion and narcotic requirements, the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), anti-emetic requirement, peak expiratory flow rate in both groups were compared. Results Dexamethasone was more effective in controlling late PONV (P=0.05). The antiemetic requirement was significantly less in the dexamethasone group (0.56 mg vs. 2.24 mg; P=0.02). Median pain scores were significantly less in the dexamethasone group at 24 hours at rest (P=0.002) and on exertion at 24 and 48 hours (P=0.03 and 0.001). Analgesic requirement was less in the test group (22.9 mg vs. 29.9 mg; P=0.054). The peak expiratory flow rate at 48 hours was higher in the dexamethasone group (315.28 vs. 285.8 l/min; P=0.04). The dexamethasone group showed significantly less elevation of C-reactive protein levels at 24 hours (7.17 μg/mL vs. 17.53 μg/mL; P=0.003) and 48 hours (10.65 μg/mL vs. 23.18 μg/mL; P=0.02) postoperatively. Conclusions Preoperative single-dose dexamethasone significantly reduces the pain scores, PONV, and antiemetic requirements while improving the respiratory function in the postoperative period after LC.

Conventional tracheal tubes for intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway.

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA)-Fastrach™ silicone wire-reinforced tracheal tube (FTST) was specially designed for tracheal intubation through the intubating LMA (ILMA). However, conventional tracheal tubes have been successfully used to accomplish tracheal intubation. We designed this study to evaluate the success rate of blind tracheal intubation through the ILMA by using the FTST, the Rusch polyvinyl chloride tube (PVCT), and the Rusch latex armored tube (LAT). One-hundred-fifty healthy adults of ASA physical status I and II who were undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into three groups. FTST (n = 50), prewarmed PVCT (n = 50), and LAT (n = 50) were used for tracheal intubation. Ease of tracheal intubation was assessed by the time taken, the number of attempts, and the number of maneuvers required for success. In addition, numbers of failed intubation attempts and times taken for ILMA removal were also recorded. After surgery, the incidence of trauma, sore throat, and hoarseness was noted. Significantly more frequent success in tracheal intubation was achieved with the PVCT and FTST (96%) compared with the LAT (82%) (P < 0.05). Tracheal intubation on the first attempt was similar with the PVCT and FTST (86%) and was significantly more frequent than with the LAT (52%) (P < 0.05). Esophageal placement was significantly more frequent with the LAT (29.7%) when compared with the PVCT and FTST (1.8% and 7.4%, respectively) (P < 0.05). The authors conclude that a prewarmed PVCT can be used as successfully as the FTST for blind tracheal intubation through the ILMA, whereas the LAT is associated with more frequent failure and esophageal intubation.