Effectiveness of local anesthetic application methods in postoperative pain control in laparoscopic cholecystectomies; a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that causes pain originating from parietal and visceral peritoneum. Many studies have been conducted to improve postoperative pain management and comfort of patients. Various methods such as local anesthetic injection (LAI) at trocar access points, intraperitoneal local anesthetic injection (IPLA), pneumoperitoneum pressure reduction, transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB), and reducing the number of trocars used during the operation were attempted to reduce postoperative pain. METHODS: In this study, we compared LAI, TAPB and IPLA methods with the control group in which no local anesthetic was applied to reduce postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We also demonstrated the effect of these methods on postoperative pain, need for additional analgesics, length of hospitalization, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Overall, 160 patients aged 18-74 years who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis between October 2018 and August 2019 were included in the study and divided into four groups as follows: LAI group, TAPB group, IPLA group, and the control group without any intervention. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) values at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h in the control group were significantly higher than in the LAI, TAPB, and IPLA groups. Further, VAS values at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h in the IPLA group were significantly higher than in the LAI and TAPB groups. No significant difference was observed between the LAI and TAPB groups in terms of VAS values at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h. VAS values at 12 h in the LAI group were significantly higher than in the TAPB group. CONCLUSIONS: Peroperative local anesthetic administration methods were more effective in preventing pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to the control group. In addition to reducing postoperative pain, these methods reduced the need for postoperative analgesics and increased patient satisfaction.

Respiratory variability of inferior vena cava at different mechanical ventilator settings.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the respiratory changes of the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter have been investigated as a reliable tool to estimate the volume status in mechanically ventilated and spontaneously breathing patients. Our purpose was to compare the echocardiographic measurements the IVC diameter, stroke volume and cardiac output in different positive pressure ventilation parameters. METHODS: This prospective clinical study with crossover design was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Twenty-five sedated, paralyzed, intubated, and mechanically ventilated patients with volume control mode (CMV) in the ICU due to respiratory failure were included in the study. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and Tidal Volume (TV) were changed in each patient consecutively (Group A: TV 6 ml/kg, PEEP 5 cmH20, B: TV 6, PEEP 8, C: TV 8, PEEP 5, D: TV 8, PEEP 8) and the changes in vital parameters, central venous pressure (CVP) and ultrasonographic changes in IVC and cardiac parameters were measured. All measures were compared between groups by robust repeated measures ANOVA with trimmed mean. RESULTS: The respiratory changes of the IVC diameter and echocardiographic parameters showed no significant difference in separate mechanical ventilator settings. Significant difference was found in peak and plateau pressure values among groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that IVC related parameters are not affected with different ventilatory settings. Further studies are needed to confirm the reliability of these parameters as a predictor of fluid assessment.

The efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative analgesia after the cesarean section performed under general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Several methods are used to control the pain after cesarean operations. Recently, the transverse abdominis plane block (TAP) has been proposed to compensate for the problems developed by preexisting methods. In the present study, we compared the analgesic efficacy of the TAP block after caesarean section in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial. METHODS: In this study, thirty patients undergoing cesarean sections under general anesthesia were divided into two groups. Patients in Group T (n=15) on whom TAP Block with USG guidance was performed using 0.25% bupivacaine totally 60 ml. The patients in Group C were administered (n=15), 0.9% NaCl totally 60 ml (30 ml at each side) with USG guidance. Post-operative demand of meperidine using a patient-controlled analgesia device was recorded. RESULTS: First time on the need for analgesia were significantly higher in the control group (Group C). The total dose of meperidine, tenoxicam, paracetamol used for analgesia was significantly higher in the Group C. The outset times of breastfeeding and mobilization did not change between the groups. CONCLUSION: The USG-TAP block with 0.25% bupivacaine 60 ml (30 ml on each side) significantly reduced post-operative pain in patients undergoing the cesarean section. We think that TAP block is a comfortable and feasible method which reduces post-operative analgesia need and does not lead any serious complications.

[Analgesia Nociception Index for perioperative analgesia monitoring in spinal surgery]. / Índice de analgesia/nocicepção para monitorização da analgesia perioperatória na cirurgia da coluna vertebral.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Analgesia Nociception Index is an index used to measure the levels of pain, sympathetic system activity and heart rate variability during general anesthesia. In our study, Analgesia Nociception Index monitoring in two groups who had undergone spinal stabilization surgery and were administered propofol-remifentanil (Total Intravenous Anesthesia) and sevoflurane-remifentanyl anesthesia was compared regarding its significance for prediction of postoperative early pain. METHODS: BIS and Analgesia Nociception Index monitoring were conducted in the patients together with standard monitoring. During induction, fentanyl 2µg.kg-1, propofol 2.5mg.kg-1 and rocuronium 0.6mg.kg-1 were administered. During maintenance, 1.0 MAC sevoflurane+remifentanil 0.05-0.3µg.kg-1.min-1 and propofol 50-150µg.kg-1.min+remifentanil 0.05-0.3µg.kg-1.min-1 were administered in Group S and Group T, respectively. Hemodynamic parameters, BIS and Analgesia Nociception Index values were recorded during surgery and 30min postoperatively. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) values at 30minutes were recorded. RESULTS: While no difference was found between mean Analgesia Nociception Index at all times of measurement in both groups, Analgesia Nociception Index measurements after administration of perioperative analgesic drug were recorded to be significantly higher compared to baseline values in both groups. There was correlation between mean values of Analgesia Nociception Index and VAS after anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Analgesia Nociception Index is a valuable parameter for monitoring of perioperative and postoperative analgesia. In spine surgery, similar analgesia can be provided in both Total Intravenous Anesthesia with remifentanil and sevoflurane administration. Analgesia Nociception Index is efficient for prediction of the need for analgesia during the early postoperative period, and therefore is the provision of patient comfort.

Comparison of I-gel with Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway Regarding the Ease of Use and Clinical Performance.

OBJECTIVE: I-gel is a new supraglottic airway device without an inflatable cuff. We aimed to compare I-gel and the classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) regarding the ease of use and clinical performance in Turkish population. METHODS: Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I-gel and Group LMA. Insertion time and success in first attempt were recorded. Peak, plato and mean airway pressures, EtCO2, airway compliance and leak volume were periodically recorded during the operation. The presence of blood on device removal and postoperative sore throat were also assessed. RESULTS: The device insertion time in Group I-gel was shorter than that in Group LMA (21.00±4.15 vs. 30.40±12.17 s, p=0.001). The success rate in first attempt, peak, plato and mean airway pressures, EtCO2 and airway compliance did not differ between the groups. The leak volume was lower in Group I-gel 5 and 45 min after insertion (p=0.041 and p=0.027). The presence of blood on device removal and postoperative sore throat were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: I-gel may be a more advantageous supraglottic airway device compared with LMA.