Yavuz Gürkan

A new supraglottic airway device: LMA‐Supreme™, comparison with LMA‐Proseal™

Background and objective: The LMA‐Supreme™ (S‐LMA™) is a new supraglottic airway device that presents combined features of flexibility, curved structure and single use and a different cuff structure. The purpose of this study was to compare the oropharyngeal leak pressures (OLP) of LMA‐Proseal™ (P‐LMA™) and S‐LMA™.

Propofol-nitrous oxide versus sevoflurane-nitrous oxide for strabismus surgery in children

Vomiting is a common problem following strabismus surgery. We compared the effects of propofol‐N2O and sevoflurane‐N2O on the incidence of oculocardiac reflex and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Forty unpremedicated children, aged 3–15 years were randomly assigned to two groups of 20 patients. In group 1, anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol infusion(173 ± 41 μg·kg−1·min−1). In group 2, anaesthesia was induced with N2O (66%) in O2 and incremental sevoflurane via face mask and maintained with sevoflurane. Both groups received 66% N2O in O2 throughout surgery. The overall incidence of vomiting and antiemetic requirement in the first 24 h was significantly higher in sevoflurane‐N2O group than propofol‐N2O group (P< 0.05). The propofol‐N2O group had significantly more episodes of oculocardiac reflex than sevoflurane‐N2O group (P< 0.05). Propofol‐N2O anaesthesia results in a significantly lower incidence of postoperative vomiting, yet a significantly higher incidence of oculocardiac reflex.

Comparison of nerve stimulation vs. ultrasound-guided lateral sagittal infraclavicular block

Background: A nerve stimulation‐guided lateral sagittal infraclavicular block (LSIB) has been proven to be an effective block. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the use of ultrasound (US) guidance would further improve the block quality of LSIB.

Prophylactic ondansetron reduces the incidence of intrathecal fentanyl-induced pruritus.

We investigated the effectiveness of prophylactic IV ondansetron in preventing intrathecal fentanyl-induced pruritus. One-hundred-fifty ASA status I–II patients undergoing spinal anesthesia with 7–10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine and 25 &mgr;g of fentanyl were randomized to receive ondansetron 8 mg IV or normal saline IV before the commencement of spinal anesthesia. Evaluations were performed every 15 min in the first hour after the injection of study drugs and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h after the administration of the study drug. Statistical analysis was performed by using &khgr;2 tests and Student’s t-test, as appropriate. The incidence of pruritus was significantly more frequent in the placebo group compared with the ondansetron group (68% versus 39%) (P = 0.001). Time to pruritus was similar in both groups (placebo group, 55 ± 32 min versus ondansetron group, 50 ± 31 min). Duration of pruritus was also similar in both groups (placebo group, 98 ± 60 min versus ondansetron group, 103 ± 58 min). Ondansetron prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of intrathecal fentanyl-induced pruritus in patients undergoing surgery under bupivacaine spinal anesthesia.

Lateral sagittal infraclavicular block: clinical experience in 380 patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility and block success rate of ‘lateral sagittal infraclavicular block (LSIB)’ in a large‐scale clinical study.

Is nerve stimulation needed during an ultrasound‐guided lateral sagittal infraclavicular block?

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasound (US) guidance alone vs. neurostimulation (NS) and US (NSUS) guidance techniques on block performance time and block success rate for the lateral sagittal infraclavicular block (LSIB).

The effect on intraocular pressure of endotracheal intubation or laryngeal mask use during TIVA withoutthe use of muscle relaxants

Background: Depolarizing and non‐depolarizing muscle relaxants possess many untoward side effects. In most patients endotracheal intubation may be performed with a propofol and alfentanil combination. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) and haemodynamics of endotracheal (ET) intubation or laryngeal mask (LMA) insertion during total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) without the use of muscle relaxants.

Spinal anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery.

Background and objective:  The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of adding 50 µg of morphine, 25 µg of fentanyl or saline to 6 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine on postoperative analgesia and time to urination in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under spinal anesthesia.

Carbon monoxide poisoning − a cause of increased QT dispersion

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is associated with direct cardiovascular toxicity. QT dispersion (QTd) of the ECG is an indirect measure of heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization, which may contribute to ventricular arrhythmias. Our aim was to study QTd in patients with acute CO poisoning.

Effects of halothane and sevoflurane on QT dispersion in paediatric patients

Summary Background: The QT dispersion (QTd) of the ECG is an indirect measure of heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization which may contribute to complex ventricular arrhythmias. We compared the effects of halothane and sevoflurane on QTd, and heart‐rate corrected QT dispersion (QTcd).