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Four analgesic techniques for shockwave lithotripsy: eutectic mixture local anesthetic is a good alternative.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Various sedative and analgesic medication has been used for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different anesthesia modalities in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred patients were randomly divided into four groups. The first (Group F) received fentanyl 1 microg/kg intravenously (IV), the second (Group D) received diclofenac sodium 1 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM), the third (Group T) received tramadol 1.5 mg/kg IM, and the fourth (Group E) was given 15 g of eutectic mixture local anesthetic (EMLA) cream containing lidocaine and prilocaine. After routine preoperative evaluation, all patients received midazolam 2 mg IV 5 minutes before lithotripsy for sedative premedication. In all groups, a supplemental 25-microg bolus of fentanyl was administered IV when patients complained of pain, moved, or grimaced in response to the shockwaves. Pain intensity was evaluated on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). The level of sedation was determined using the Observers Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAS/S). Side effects such as bradypnea, oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, pruritus, and nausea and vomiting were recorded. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences among the four groups with regard to VAS, OAS/S scores, or side effects. In Group F, the mean arterial pressure was decreased significantly at 10 and 20 minutes. The patients in this group also manifested a decrease of oxygen saturation at the first, tenth, and twentieth minutes and the end of SWL. CONCLUSION Application of EMLA cream was as safe and effective as fentanyl, diclofenac, and tramadol, and reduction of the fentanyl dose during SWL was possible.

Postoperative magnesium sulphate infusion reduces analgesic requirements in spinal anaesthesia

Background and objectives: Magnesium sulphate infusion during general anaesthesia reduces anaesthetic consumption and analgesic requirements. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of postoperative magnesium infusion on duration of block, sedation and analgesic consumption after spinal anaesthesia. Methods: Fifty ASA I-II patients were included in the randomized double blind study. Spinal anaesthesia was performed at L3-4 or L4-5 interspace with 12.5 mg 0.5% heavy bupivacaine, using a 25 G Quincke needle. Patients received a 5 mg kg−1 bolus of magnesium sulphate followed by a 500 mg h−1 infusion or saline in the same volumes for 24 h. Time to first pain, analgesic request, return of motor function, visual analogue pain and sedation scores were evaluated every 4 h during the 24 h postoperative period. The t- and U-tests were used for statistical analyses. Data were expressed as mean ± SD, with P < 0.05 being considered significant. Results: Vital signs were stable during spinal anaesthesia and postoperative period. When compared to the control group, time to analgesic need was increased and total analgesic consumption was reduced in the magnesium group (meperidine consumption 60.0 ± 73.1 mg control group, 31.8 ± 30.7 mg magnesium group, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Magnesium sulphate infusion may be used as an adjunct for reducing analgesic consumption after spinal anaesthesia.

Comparison of Three Analgesics for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy of three different analgesic drugs with respect to their level of sedation, analgesia and quick mobilisation without cardiopulmonary depression, for outpatient extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) procedure. Material and Methods: Sixty outpatients undergoing elective ESWL using a third generation lithotriptor were studied. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of twenty patients. All patients received midazolam (2 mg) intravenously five minutes before the procedure. In group F, fentanyl was given (1 w g kg -1 IV) at the same time with midazolam. In group D, diclofenac sodium was given (1 mg kg -1 , IM) intramuscularly 45 minutes before ESWL. In group T, tramadol was given (1.5 mg kg -1 ) 30 minutes before ESWL. Arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded before the procedure, after sedation, at the first minute, and every ten minutes during the procedure. Pain intensity was identified with a Visual Analogue Scale. The level of sedation was evaluated by using the Observers Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale. All patients were asked to assess their satisfaction with the seven point Verbal Rating Scale before discharge. Side-effects were also recorded during the procedure. Results: The incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher in fentanyl group compared with the other groups. In patients who received fentanyl, the decrease of oxygen saturation at the first and tenth minute of the procedure was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Diclofenac sodium and tramadol were found to be safe and effective analgesics with lower side-effects than fentanyl.

Effect of bispectral index monitoring on sevoflurane consumption.

Background and objective: The bispectral index, a parameter derived from the electroencephalograph, has been shown to correlate with the loss of consciousness and sedation. This study was designed to assess the effects of bispectral index monitoring on sevoflurane and its recovery profiles. Methods: Sixty ASA I and II patients undergoing open abdominal surgery were randomized into two groups: one monitored using the bispectral index (Group BIS) and the other without its use (controls). After a standardized induction, anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in both groups. In Group BIS, sevoflurane was titrated to maintain the bispectral index in the range 40‐60. In the control group, the administered sevoflurane concentration was adjusted according to the signs of anaesthesia. The end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration, bispectral index and routine haemodynamic variables were noted every 5 min during surgery. The consumption of sevoflurane was computed. At the conclusion of surgery operations, the time to ‘open eyes on verbal command’, ‘motor response to verbal command’ and Aldretes score were recorded by a blinded anaesthesiologist. Results: The difference in the consumption of sevoflurane was not significant between the groups. Bispectral index monitoring was associated with a reduction of 4.73% in sevoflurane usage and 2.19 mLh−1 was saved. Conclusions: Bispectral index monitoring during anaesthesia provides only a small advantage related to the need to monitor the depth of anaesthesia.

Similar effects of general and spinal anaesthesia on perioperative stress response in patients undergoing haemorrhoidectomy.

Surgery induces release of neuroendocrine hormones (cortisol), cytokines (interleukin-6: IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α: TNF-α), acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein: CRP, leptin). We studied the effects of general and spinal anaesthesia on stress response to haemorrhoidectomy. Patients were assigned to general and spinal anaesthesia groups (n = 7). Blood samples were drawn before induction and 24 hours after surgery. Perioperative levels of IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, cortisol, and leptin were comparable among the groups. Twenty four hours after surgery, TNF-α and cortisol did not change; IL-6 and CRP increased significantly in all patients. Significant increase in leptin levels was found in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia. Except for the increase in leptin levels, there was no significant difference related to the effects of general and spinal anaesthesia.

Community-acquired pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring admission to the intensive care unit: risk factors for mortality.

PURPOSE The aims of this study are to identify factors predicting mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission and to examine whether noninvasive ventilation treatment reduces mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS An analysis was performed on data from patients with CAP hospitalized in the ICUs of 19 different hospitals in Turkey between October 2008 and January 2011. Predictors of mortality were assessed by both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS Two hundred eleven patients with COPD and CAP were included. The overall ICU mortality was 23.9%. Noninvasive ventilation treatment (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.49; P = .003), hypertension (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.93; P = .042), bilateral infiltration (OR, 13.92; 95% CI, 2.94-65.84; P = .001), systemic corticosteroid treatment (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.35-0.96; P = .045), length of ICU stay (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.89; P = .007), and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; P = .032) were independent factors related to mortality. CONCLUSION Noninvasive ventilation, hypertension, systemic corticosteroid treatment, and shorter ICU stay are associated with reduced mortality, whereas bilateral infiltration and longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation are associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with COPD and CAP requiring ICU admission.

In Vitro Investigation of the Antibacterial Effect of Ketamine

Background. Antibacterial activity of local anesthetics especially lidocaine has been shown previously. In this study, the antibacterial effect of ketamine, a general anesthetic agent was investigated. Methods. The antibacterial effect of ketamine was studied using six different strains of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Entecoccus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) with disc diffusion method. Ciprofloxacine discs (CIP, oxoid) were used as a control to verify the methodology. Minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ketamine for these bacteria were also determined. Results. No inhibition was evident in discs containing 62.5 μg of ketamine. Ketamine 125 μg showed activity on all the bacteria tested with the exception of E. coli. The inhibition rates of Ketamine were more prominent at the doses of 250 μg and 500 μg similar to the inhibition rate of CIP. Whereas MIC and MBC values of ketamine for S. aureus and S. pyogenes were 500 μg mL-1, MIC and MBC values for P. aeruginosa were above 2000 μg mL-1. For other bacteria, these values ranged between these levels. Conclusions. Ketamine with higher doses showed antibacterial activity. We thought that it will be proper to use ketamine hesitantly in experimental animal studies like sepsis and translocation.

Anaesthesia and the Acute Phase Protein Response in Children Undergoing Circumcision

Concentrations of acute phase proteins (CRP: C-reactive protein, albumin) change during surgery. We investigated the acute phase response to circumcision and the effects of anaesthesia on this response. The children were divided into four groups; group 1 (intratracheal general anaesthesia, n = 40), group 2 (general anaesthesia with mask, n = 20), group 3 (ketamine, n = 20), group 4 (local anaesthesia, n = 35). Blood samples were obtained, 24 hours before circumcision, after premedication, and 24 hours after circumcision. CRP and albumin before circumcision were comparable for all groups. There was no increase in CRP, and albumin remained steady throughout the study. No difference was observed among the groups, and related to anaesthesia. No responsiveness may be explained with the size of injured tissue or anatomical and histological type of preputium.

Mortality indicators in community-acquired pneumonia requiring intensive care in Turkey

BACKGROUND Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) is a fatal disease. This study was conducted to describe an outcome analysis of the intensive care units (ICUs) of Turkey. METHODS This study evaluated SCAP cases hospitalized in the ICUs of 19 different hospitals between October 2008 and January 2011. The cases of 413 patients admitted to the ICUs were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Overall 413 patients were included in the study and 129 (31.2%) died. It was found that bilateral pulmonary involvement (odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-5.7) and CAP PIRO score (OR 2, 95% CI 1.3-2.9) were independent risk factors for a higher in-ICU mortality, while arterial hypertension (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9) and the application of non-invasive ventilation (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5) decreased mortality. No culture of any kind was obtained for 90 (22%) patients during the entire course of the hospitalization. Blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, and non-bronchoscopic lavage cultures yielded enteric Gram-negatives (n=12), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n=10), pneumococci (n=6), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6). For 22% of the patients, none of the culture methods were applied. CONCLUSIONS SCAP requiring ICU admission is associated with considerable mortality for ICU patients. Increased awareness appears essential for the microbiological diagnosis of this disease.

In vitro antibacterial effects of topical local anesthetics

Background: The antibacterial activities of local anesthetics are recognized. Objective: To investigate in vitro the activity of topical local anesthetic ointments at clinical doses. Methods: The activity of two different local anesthetic ointments including lidocaine 5% and lidocaine/prilocaine 2.5% was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis by the disc‐diffusion method. Sterile discs containing topical local anesthetic drugs were prepared taking into account the doses of ointments used in clinical practice. The validity of the methodology was confirmed using topical antibacterial mupirocin. The inhibition zones of the discs were measured. Results: Mupirocin inhibited all the bacteria. Both local anesthetic ointments were found to be most effective on E. coli, whereas they had no effects on P. aeruginosa. Lidocaine 5% revealed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli, S. pyogenes and E. faecalis, but lidocaine/prilocaine 2.5% showed no activity on E. faecalis and inhibited S. pyogenes only at double doses. It was also observed that the antibacterial activity was in a dose‐dependent manner. Conclusion: In the light of these findings, it might be concluded that topical local anesthetic ointments in routine settings may have a preventive role against some bacteria.