Relationship between oxidative stress parameters and cystatin C levels in patients with severe preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is believed to play a role in the development of preeclampsia (PE). It is known that an increased cystatin C level is also associated with PE. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress parameters and cystatin C levels in patients with severe PE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with severe PE and 40 healthy pregnant women were recruited for the study. All study subjects were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n=44) consisted of patients with severe PE, and group 2 (n=40) included healthy pregnant subjects. Blood samples were obtained from all subjects in order to measure the cystatin C level, total antioxidant status, and total oxidant status. The oxidative stress index was calculated. RESULTS: The group 1 had significantly higher cystatin C, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index levels and lower total antioxidant status level as compared with the group 2 (P=0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.036, respectively). The serum cystatin C level was significantly correlated with the oxidative stress index (r=0.609, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that both oxidative stress and cystatin C levels were increased in patients with PE, and the increased cystatin C levels seem to be a consequence of oxidative stress.

Ketofol in electroconvulsive therapy anesthesia: two stones for one bird.

PURPOSE: Propofol and ketamine have become progressively popular in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) anesthesia, although propofol shortened seizure duration and ketamine might cause cardiotoxicity, psychotic episodes, and delayed recovery. Ketofol is a combination of ketamine and propofol, and the current study was designed to evaluate the effect of ketamine, propofol, and ketofol on hemodynamic profile, duration of seizure activity, and recovery times in patients undergoing ECT. METHODS: Ninety patients (44 women, mean age 27.8 ± 7.2 years) in one ECT session were enrolled and randomized to the propofol, ketamine, or ketofol group. Hemodynamic profile duration of seizure activity and recovery times were recorded. RESULTS: Motor seizure duration in the propofol group was significantly decreased compared to other groups (p < 0.001), whereas spontaneous breathing time in the ketamine group statistically increased compared to the propofol group (p = 0.001), and also eye-opening time (p < 0.001) and obeying-command time (p < 0.001) was significantly increased in the ketamine group compared to other groups. Heart rate (HR) at induction (ketamine 91.2 ± 13.6 vs. propofol 77 ± 13.4 and ketofol 79.9 ± 15.6; p < 0.013; p < 0.08, respectively) was statistically significantly increased in the ketamine group compared to other groups, and HR at the third minute (ketamine 92 ± 12.9 vs. propofol 79.4 ± 9.3 and ketofol 81.5 ± 14.2; p < 0.012, p < 0.048) was also statistically significantly increased in ketamine group compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: The ketofol 1:1 mixture is associated with longer mean seizure time than propofol, and shorter mean recovery times than ketamine, with better hemodynamic stability, without any important side effects in ECT anesthesia.

[Comparison of phantom limb pain or phantom extremity sensation of upper and lower extremity amputations]. / Alt ve üst ekstremite amputasyonlarinin fantom agrisi ve fantom ekstremite hissi yönünden karsilastirilmasi.

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the upper and the lower extremity amputations with regard to phantom pain, phantom sensation and stump pain. A questionnaire consisting of 23 questions was send to the patients who underwent upper or lower extremity amputation surgery between 1996- 2005. The patients were questioned for the presence of phantom pain and sensations and if they existed for the frequency, intensity, cause of amputation, pre-amputation pain, stump pain, usage of artificial limb. Totally 147 patients were included and the response rate was 70 %. The incidence of phantom pain in Upper Extremity Group was 60 % and 65.8% in Lower Extremity Group. The incidence of phantom sensations was 70.7% in Upper Extremity Group and 75.6% in Lower Extremity Group. There was no significant difference between two groups considering in phantom pain and phantom sensations. The phantom pain was significantly higher in patients who lost dominant hand, experienced pre amputation pain and suffered stump pain. There were no significant differences in regard to phantom pain and sensation between upper and lower extremity amputations. However the presence of preamputation pain, stump pain and amputation of dominant hand were found as risk factors for the development of phantom pain.

Airway management in newborn with Klippel-Feil syndrome.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) has a classical triad that includes short neck, low hair line and restriction in neck motion and is among one of the congenital causes of difficult airway. Herein, we present a 26-day, 3300g newborn with KFS who was planned to be operated for correction of an intestinal obstruction. She had features of severe KFS. Anesthesia was induced by inhalation of sevoflurane 2-3% in percentage 100 oxygen. Sevoflurane inhalation was stopped after 2min. Her Cornmack Lehane score was 2 and oral intubation was performed with 3.5mm ID non-cuffed endotracheal tube in first attempt. Operation lasted for 45min. Following uneventful surgery, she was not extubated and was transferred to the newborn reanimation unit. On the postoperative third day, the patient died due to hyperdynamic heart failure. This case is the youngest child with Klippel-Feil syndrome in literature and on whom oral intubation was performed. We also think that positioning of this younger age group might be easier than older age groups due to incomplete ossification process.

Comparison of propofol with propofol-ketamine combination in pediatric patients undergoing auditory brainstem response testing.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare propofol with propofol-ketamine combination for sedation and also to compare related complications in children undergoing auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. METHODS: Sixty ASA I-II patients aged between 1 and 13 years of age were sedated for ABR testing. Propofol 1.5mg/kg was used in group P (n=30), and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg+propofol 1.5 mg/kg, i.v., in group PK (n=30). Sedation levels of patients were maintained between scores 3 and 4 according to Ramsey sedation scores; when necessary, half of the starting drug dosage was administered for the maintenance of sedation. Side effects which occurred during or within the first 24h of the procedure were assessed. RESULTS: Additional dosage was needed for 21 cases in group P and eight cases in group PK (p=0.002). While oxygen desaturation and apnea were not observed in any of the patients in group PK, there were four patients (11.4%) with oxygen desaturation, and six (17.1%) with apnea in group P (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric cases where ABR testing was applied, addition of low dose ketamine to propofol avoided the risk of respiratory depression due to propofol and lowered the need for additional dose of propofol. Therefore, the co-administration of propofol and ketamine appears to be a safe and useful technique for ABR testing.

[Adding 75 mg pregabalin to analgesic regimen reduces pain scores and opioid consumption in adults following percutaneous nephrolithotomy]. / Adição de 75mg de pregabalina ao regime analgésico reduz escores de dor e consumo de opiáceos em adultos após nefrolitotomia percutânea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adding novel adjunctive drugs like gabapentinoids to multimodal analgesic regimen might be reasonable for lessening postoperative pain scores, total opioid consumption and side effects after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pregabalin on postoperative pain scores, analgesic consumption and renal functions expressed by creatinine clearance (CrCl) and blood neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C (Cys C) levels in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: 60 patients undergoing elective PCNL were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to oral single dose 75 mg pregabalin group and a control group. Visual Analog Scale pain scores (VAS), postoperative intravenous morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours, serum NGAL, Cys C levels and creatinine clearance (CrCl) was measured preoperatively and post-operatively at 2nd and 24th hour. RESULTS: Postoperative VAS scores were significantly decreased in the pregabalin group at the postoperative 30th min, 1st, and 2nd hour (p = 0.002, p = 0.001 and p = 0.027, respectively). Postoperative mean morphine consumption was statistically significantly decreased for all time intervals in the pregabalin group (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to CrCl, or Cys C at preoperative and postoperative 2nd and 24th hour. Postoperative 24th hour NGAL levels were significantly decreased in the pregabalin group (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Oral single-dose preemptive 75 mg pregabalin was effective in reducing early postoperative pain scores and total analgesic consumption in patients undergoing PCNL without leading to hemodynamic instability and side effects.

Effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on oxidative stress during general anesthesia for elective cesarean section.

BACKGROUND: Anesthetic agents might considerably influence maternal-fetal oxidative stress and antioxidants during cesarean section (CS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on oxidative stress parameters both in mothers and newborns undergoing elective CS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty ASA physical status I-II, term parturients undergoing elective CS under general anesthesia were randomized to desflurane (Group D) and sevoflurane (Group S) groups. Blood samples were collected from mothers before operation and postoperatively and umbilical artery samples were obtained at delivery. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) status, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and free sulfhydryl (-SH) levels were measured and oxidative stress index was calculated. Secondary outcomes included maternal hemodynamics. RESULTS: Preoperative LOOH, TOS, OSI, TAC, and -SH levels were similar among groups. Postoperative maternal serum LOOH, TOS, and OSI levels were significantly increased in Group D compared to Group S (p = 0.003, p = 0.005, p = 0.04; respectively). Postoperative umbilical artery LOOH, TOS, OSI levels were also significantly increased in Group D compared to Group S (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, p = 0.01; respectively). Postoperative TOS (p = 0.001, < 0.001 respectively) and OSI (p = 0.003, < 0.001 respectively) levels in both Group D and Group S were statistically significantly decreased compared to preoperative levels. Postoperative LOOH and -SH levels in Group S (p = 0.04, 0.029 respectively) were statistically significantly decreased compared to preoperative levels. There were no significant differences in TAC and -SH levels among groups (p = nonsignificant [n.s.]). Maternal perioperative mean blood pressure and heart rate were similar among groups (p = n.s.). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress indices might be modified with preferred anesthetic agent and sevoflurane showed more favorable effects than desflurane in view of oxidative stress.

Supplemental oxygen in elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: Handle the sword with care.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effect of 21% and 40% oxygen supplementation on maternal and neonatal oxidative stress in elective cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty term parturients undergoing elective CS under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in the study. We allocated patients randomly to breathe 21% (air group) or 40% (oxygen group) oxygen from the time of skin incision until the end of the operation. We collected maternal pre- and post-operative and umbilical artery (UA) blood samples. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured. RESULTS: Age, weight, height, parity, gestation week, spinal-skin incision time, skin incision-delivery time, delivery time, operation time, 1(st) and 5(th) minutes Apgar scores, and birth weight were similar between the groups (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). There were no differences in preoperative TAC, TOS, or OSI levels between the groups (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Postoperative maternal TAC, TOS and OSI levels significantly increased in the oxygen group (p = 0.047, < 0.001 and 0.038, respectively); umbilical artery TAC levels significantly increased in the oxygen group (p = 0.003); and umbilical artery TOS and OSI levels significantly increased in the air group (p = 0.02 and < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in impact on maternal and fetal oxidative stress of supplemental 40% compared to 21% oxygen mandates further large-scale studies that investigate the role of oxygen supplementation during elective CS under spinal anesthesia.