S Parthasarathy

The effect of yoga therapy on selected psychological variables among male patients with insomnia.

BACKGROUND An estimated 30-50% of the general population is affected by insomnia and 10% have chronic insomnia. Yoga therapy is beneficial in such disorders and it has fewer side effects. AIM The aim of this study was to find out the effect of yoga therapy on selected psychological variables among men with insomnia. METHODS Forty males with insomnia were divided randomly into 2 groups (the experimental and the control groups). The experimental group received eight weeks of yoga therapy, while the control group did not receive any therapy. The pre and post treatment stress and the self confidence scores were taken. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in the stress scores and the self confidence scores in the experimental group. There were neither any side effects nor any drop outs. CONCLUSION We conclude that yoga is an effective treatment option for the patients with insomnia. There are no major side effects.

Sugammadex: A revolutionary drug in neuromuscular pharmacology

Sugammadex (ORG 25969) is a unique neuromuscular reversal drug; a novel cyclodextrin, the first in a new class of selective relaxant binding agents, which reverse neuromuscular blockade (NMB) with the aminosteroid non-depolarizing muscle relaxants rocuronium and vecuronium. Sugammadex can reverse moderate or deep NMB. The clinical use of sugammadex promises to eliminate many of the shortcomings in current anesthetic practice with regard to antagonism of rocuronium and other aminosteroid muscle relaxants.

Comparative evaluation of gum-elastic bougie and introducer tool as aids in positioning of ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in patients with simulated restricted neck mobility

Background: The ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) is a unique laryngeal mask with a modified cuff to improve seal and a channel to facilitate gastric tube placement. This is a better device in difficult airway situations compared to classic laryngeal mask airway. This prompted us to study the ease of insertion and positioning of PLMA in patients with simulated restricted neck mobility while using gum elastic bougie (GEB) group or introducer tool (group IT) to aid insertion. Methods: Sixty ASA I or II patients, aged between 18 years and 60 years, undergoing minor non-head and neck surgeries in the supine position were studied. A rigid neck collar was used to simulate restricted neck mobility in all patients. After anaesthetising the patients with a standard protocol, the PLMA was inserted using either of the technique using the tongue depressor to open the mouth. The ease of insertion, positioning, haemodynamic responses to insertion and other complications related to the procedure were noted. Results: Regarding demographic variables, both groups were similar. The mean time taken for insertion of PLMA in group GEB was 67.80 s as compared to 46.79 s in group IT (P<0.05). Patients of group GEB had better positioning assessed by an intubating fiberscope with less end tidal carbon-di-oxide (ETCO2) values. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were similar. The incidence of sore throat, dysphagia, and dysphonia were higher in IT group in the 12 h, but similar in 24 h. Conclusion: Guided insertion technique with GEB took a longer time, but had a better positioning and lower ETCO2 values when compared to IT technique.

Continuous spinal anesthesia with epidural catheters: An experience in the periphery

Background and Aim: Continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) offers considerable advantages over “singleshot” spinal or epidural anesthesia since it allows administration of well-controlled anesthesia using small doses of local anesthetics and a definite end point with less failure rate. There are described technical difficulties with introduction of spinal micro catheters and hence this study was undertaken by using epidural catheters. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients of ASA grade II to III were selected and they were administered continuous spinal anesthesia with Portex 18-G epidural catheters. Results: The introduction was done in first attempt and was easy in all cases. The intraoperative period was uneventful in all cases. Early postoperative analgesia was achieved in all cases. Only two patients (3%) had postdural puncture headache controlled with simple analgesics. In a 3 month postoperative followup, the incidence of neurological complication is nil. Conclusion: We conclude CSA with epidural catheters is a simple and safe alternative for prolonged procedures with negligible failure rate especially in high-risk patients and in patients with possible difficulties in administration of general anesthesia.

Assessment of suitability of i-gel and laryngeal mask airway-supreme for controlled ventilation in anesthetized paralyzed patients: A prospective randomized trial

Context: Laryngeal mask airway supreme (LMA-S) has an inflatable cuff while i-gel has a noninflatable cuff made of thermoplastic elastomer. Aims: To study the efficacy of ventilation and the laryngeal seal pressures (LSPs) with either device. Our secondary objectives were to compare the ease of insertion, adequacy of positioning the device, hemodynamic response to device insertion, and any postoperative oropharyngeal morbidity. Settings and Design: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study at Teaching Medical School in South India. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients posted for surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups - LMA-S and i-gel. After a standardized premedication and anesthesia induction sequence, the supra-glottic devices were introduced. Ease of insertion was assessed from the number of attempts taken to insert, insertion time, and any maneuvers required to insert the device. Position of the device was assessed by the ease of gastric catheter placement and the fibreoptic grading of laryngeal visualization. Efficacy of ventilation was determined from the LSP, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2)values. Any postoperative oropharyngeal morbidity was also recorded. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive analysis was reported as a mean and standard deviation, median, and range of continuous variables. Demographics were analyzed using a unpaired t-test for parametric data and Chi-square test for nonparametric data. Respiratory and hemodynamic data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA to find statistical difference within and between the two groups. Results: LMA-S was successfully inserted in 95% of patients and i-gel in 85.5% of patients. There was a significant difference (P = 0.021) in the LSPs between the two groups (18.15 cmH2O in LMA-S and 21.28 cmH2O in the i-gel group). There was no significant difference in the PIPs, leak fraction, and the EtCO2values. Conclusion: Both devices are suitable for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in anesthetized paralyzed patients. However, i-gel gives a better laryngeal seal when compared to LMA-S and may be chosen preferentially for PPV.

Estimation of effect-site concentration of propofol for laryngeal mask airway insertion using fentanyl or morphine as adjuvant

Background and Aims: Insertion of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) requires adequate depth of anaesthesia, which provides jaw relaxation and suppression of upper airway reflexes. Propofol can provide these conditions especially when combined with narcotics. This study had been designed to find out the effect-site concentration (EC 50 ) of propofol using target controlled infusion (TCI) when fentanyl or morphine is added as an adjuvant. Methods: Patients satisfying inclusion criteria were divided into fentanyl and morphine groups. Intravenous glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg was given 15 min before induction. Patients were given either intravenous fentanyl (1 μg/kg) or morphine (0.1 mg/kg) before propofol infusion depending on the group. Patients in either groups were induced by continuous infusion of propofol at an EC of 6 μg/mL by TCI with Schneider pharmacokinetic model. The LMA supreme of appropriate size was inserted 1 min after achieving target concentration. Patient movement at LMA insertion or within 1 min of insertion was classified as failure. For subsequent patients, the target EC was increased/decreased depending on previous patients′ response. Dixons up and down method was used to determine the EC 50. The EC 50 is defined as the mean of crossover midpoints in each pair of failure to success. Results: The EC 50 of propofol in the fentanyl group for LMA insertion was 5.95 ± 0.6 μg/ml and morphine group was 5.75 ± 0.8 μg/ml. No significant difference in insertion conditions was noticed between the two groups (P = 0.3). Conclusion: We conclude that there was no significant difference in propofol EC 50 for insertion of LMA and insertion conditions were similar when fentanyl or morphine was used as an adjuvant drug.

Effect of integrated yoga module on selected psychological variables among women with anxiety problem

The implementation of yogic practices has proven benefits in both organic and psychological diseases. Forty-five women with anxiety selected by a random sampling method were divided into three groups. Experimental group I was subjected to asanas, relaxation and pranayama while Experimental group II was subjected to an integrated yoga module. The control group did not receive any intervention. Anxiety was measured by Taylors Manifest Anxiety Scale before and after treatment. Frustration was measured through Reaction to Frustration Scale. All data were spread in an Excel sheet to be analysed with SPSS 16 software using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Selected yoga and asanas decreased anxiety and frustration scores but treatment with an integrated yoga module resulted in significant reduction of anxiety and frustration. To conclude, the practice of asanas and yoga decreased anxiety in women, and yoga as an integrated module significantly improved anxiety scores in young women with proven anxiety without any ill effects.

Anesthetic management of a patient presenting with eclampsia

Eclampsia is one of the most common emergencies encountered by anesthesiologists which involve a safe journey of two lives. The definition, etiology, pathophysiology, treatment guidelines along with a special reference to management of labour pain and caesarean section are discussed. Eclampsia is commonly faced challenging case in our day to day anaesthesia practice,but less is discussed in our anaesthesia text books. Lot of controversies with regard to fluid management and monitoring still remain unanswered

Congenital complete heart block and spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section

Congenital complete heart block could be absolutely asymptomatic. Increased awareness of suspecting an atrioventricular heart block in patients with slow heart rate and electrocardiograph examination will ensure recognition of this problem. The possibility of sudden cardiac death in these patients should not be forgotten. The goal in the peri-operative anaesthetic management is to preserve the heart rate and maintain haemodynamic stability. Herein, we present a case of congenital complete heart block posted for elective caesarean section for an obstetric indication. We would like to highlight the advantage of bupivacaine–fentanyl combination in maintaining haemodynamic stability and peri-operative heart rate control with temporary pacemaker.

Age-based local anesthetic dosing in pediatric spinal anesthesia: Evaluation of a new formula – A pilot study in Indian patients

Background: Spinal anesthesia is a safe alternative to general anesthesia and often the anesthetic technique of choice in many lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries in children. As the vertebral column and spinal cord grows variedly with age and not weight, we planned to administer an age-based dosing schedule of hyperbaric bupivacaine in the intra-thecal space in select infra umbilical surgeries in children. The aim was to find out the efficacy and complications associated with this dosage. Methodology: Twenty-five pediatric patients between 2 and 12 years, posted for elective infra umbilical surgeries were given a sedation as a combination of effective doses of pentazocine, midazolam, and atropine. In all those patients, spinal anesthesia was administered at a dose of age/5 of hyperbaric bupivacaine. The number of attempts, the onset of blockade, the mean sensory level, and the duration of anesthesia were noted. Any other complications were also noted. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age is 7.68 ± 2.49 years. Intra-thecal anesthesia was administered successfully in the first attempt in 88% of cases whereas the remaining needed the second attempt. Three patients needed intravenous ketamine of 0.25 mg/kg additionally for preoperative sedation. The sensory level was between T6 and T10 with a mean of T8.5. There were no intra-operative complications. In all patients, surgery was finished within the duration of anesthesia of approximately 60 min. There was no conversion to general anesthesia in any case, but a three patients required dose of 0.25 mg/kg of intravenous ketamine as a calming dose. Conclusion: Administration of age-based local anesthetic dosing of hyperbaric bupivacaine in the intra-thecal space by utilizing a new formula of age/5 (Partha formula) is successful in a pilot study in Indian children for infra-umbilical surgeries. There were no observed complications.