Pain assessment in intensive care units of a low-middle income country: impact of the basic educational course.

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to ICU usually have moderate-to-severe pain at rest and during care-related activities. The "Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)" is a reliable and validated objective assessment tool for those patients who cannot self-report pain in ICU. The objectives of the educational course were to assess the baseline knowledge, and practice of pain assessment in critically ill patients and reassess the same in all participants of the course by comparing the results of pre and post-test. METHODS: The educational course of six hours of contact time on the use of CPOT for pain assessment in ICU patients was designed and conducted by the authors after approval from the Ethics Review Committee, Aga Khan University. This educational course was delivered at five different tertiary care hospitals in the Sindh province of Pakistan. A pre-test consisting of 25 true/false multiple-choice questions was conducted at the beginning of the course to assess the baseline knowledge, and practice of participants regarding pain assessment in critically ill patients and the same test was taken at the end of the course. RESULTS: A total of 205 critical care physicians and nursing staff attended the courses. Both pre-test and post-test were completed by 149 (72.6%) participants, of which 53 (35.6%) were female and 96 (64.4%) were male. The mean pre-test score of participants was 57.83 ± 11.86 and the mean post-test score of participants was 67.43 ± 12.96 and this was statistically significant (p = < 0.01). In univariate analysis, the effect of training was significantly higher in the female gender (p = 0.0005) and in those participants, who belong to the metropolitan city (p = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, participants from non-metropolitan cities showed less improvement in post-test scores compared to those who come from the metropolitan city (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The participating physicians and nurses showed a positive impact on the knowledge and clinical skills regarding pain assessment in CIPs. The participants from hospitals in metropolitan cities showed a significant improvement over those who were from non-metropolitan cities.

Intraoperative Epidural Analgesia Practices And Their Outcomes In Major Abdominal Surgeries At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association involving site, concentrations and dosing of local anaesthetics used intraoperatively on postoperative pain scores, motor block and need for rescue analgesia. METHODS: The observational study was conducted from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021, at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised patients planned for major abdominal surgeries with epidurals as primary analgesic modality. They were followed prospectively from placement of epidurals to 24h postoperatively. Data was collected from anaesthesia chart and pain management notes. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: Of the 170 patients, 96(56.4%) were females and 74(43.5%) were males. The overall mean age was 54.1±12.6 years and mean body mass index was 26.7±5.5Kg/m2. More than half of the patients 110(64.7%) had thoracic epidural, while 60(35.3%) had lumber epidural. Requirement of opioid co-analgesia intraoperatively was significantly high with higher compared to lower concentration of local anaesthetics (p=0.004). The difference in frequencies of motor block was significantly associated with catheter length (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative management of epidurals is an essential but overlooked component of perioperative pain management. Guidelines should be formulated for intraoperative epidural analgesic regimens to improve postoperative outcomes.

Effective utilization of time for non-operating room anaesthesia services at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi: A prospective quality improvement audit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify service quality gaps by reviewing out-of-operating-room anaesthesia services in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This quality improvement audit was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from July to September 2019, and comprised procedures conducted outside the operating room under anaesthesia and sedation from 8am to 5pm. A data collection form was designed to collect information related to the non-operating-room anaesthesia services. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 19. RESULTS: A total of 123 radiological procedures were observed in 48 working days and endoscopic/radio-therapeutic procedures observed were 98 over 31 days. The mean anaesthesia coverage time was 2.96±1.71 hours per day for radiological procedures, and 2.59±1.07 hours for endoscopic/radio-therapeutic procedures, indicating underutlisation of resources both human and material. CONCLUSIONS: A multideciplinary team consisting of all stakeholders should be developed to facilitate the patients and enhance healthcare quality.

Hospital based prevalence of smoking among surgical patients in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of smoking and to evaluate the knowledge about preoperative smoking cessation in patients coming for elective surgery. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from July 30, 2019, to March 17, 2020, in the preoperative anaesthesia assessment clinic and surgical wards of Aga Khan University Hospital, Civil Hospital Karachi, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, and comprised all patients of either gender aged >12 years scheduled for elective surgery having American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-IV. Data was analysed using Stata 13. RESULTS: Of the 811 patients, 478(59%) were male and 333(41%) were female. The overall mean age was 43.4±16.4 years and mean BMI was 25.0±5.8kg/m2. There were 164(20.2%) smokers in the sample. The overall knowledge about preoperative smoking cessation was significantly associated with the level of education and gender (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking in surgical patients was about one-fifth of the overall sample, and knowledge related to preoperative smoking abstinence was significantly associated with educational status and gender.

Effect of tramadol on extubation response and quality of emergence following Supratentorial surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To observe the effect of a single dose of tramadol 1mg/kg on haemodynamic changes related to extubation, and to assess the quality of emergence as judged by incidence of cough, laryngospasm and bronchospasm. METHODS: The double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2016 to 2017, and comprised patients of either gender aged 18-65 years scheduled for elective supratentorial craniotomy under general anaesthesia. The patients were randomised to two Tramadol and Saline groups. The drug was given 45 minutes before extubation at the time of dura closure. The patients were extubated after resumption of adequate spontaneous breathing. Invasive blood pressure and heart rate were recorded one minute before reversal, at 1 minute interval for five minutes and then every 10 minute for 30 minutes after extubation. Cough, laryngospasm and bronchospasm were noted. Pain, post-operative nausea, vomiting, convulsions and conscious levels were also noted till 6 hours post-operatively. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients enrolled, 79(98.75%) completed the study. Of them, 38(48%) were in the Tramadol group; 27(71.1%) males and 11(28.9%) females with a mean age of 43.42±13.2 years. The remaining 41(52%) patients were in the Saline group; 28(68.3%) males and 13(31.7%) females with a mean age of 45.9±15.9 years. Intergroup comparison showed no significant difference in the extubation response (p>0.05), but the changes in blood pressure and heart rate were shorter in magnitude and duration in the Tramadol group compared to the baseline. Significant rise in blood pressure and heart rate were observed in the Saline group at 5 minutes after extubation (p=0.046). There was no difference in the quality of emergence as judged by cough or secondary complications (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tramadol 1mg/kg was considered superior in attenuating the duration and magnitude of haemodynamic response in the shape of hypertension and tachycardia during extubation, but did not affect other parameters in patients undergoing craniotomy. Clinical Trial Number: Clinical Trials.gov PRS: NCT02964416, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02964416.

Post-operative pain management modalities employed in clinical trials for adult patients in LMIC; a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Unrelieved postoperative pain afflicts millions each year in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Despite substantial advances in the study of pain, this area remains neglected. Current systematic review was designed to ascertain the types of clinical trials conducted in LMIC on postoperative pain management modalities over the last decade. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in June 2019 on PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant trials on the management of postoperative pain in LMIC. Out of 1450 RCTs, 108 studies were reviewed for quality evidence using structured form of critical appraisal skill program. Total of 51 clinical trials were included after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Results are charted according to the type of surgery. Eleven trials on laparoscopic cholecystectomy used multimodal analgesia including some form of regional analgesia. Different analgesic modalities were studied in 4 trials on thoracotomy, but none used multimodal approach. In 11 trials on laparotomy, multimodal analgesia was employed along with the studied modalities. In 2 trials on hysterectomy, preemptive pregabalin or gabapentin were used for reduction in rescue analgesia. In 13 trials on breast surgical procedures and 10 on orthopaedic surgery, multimodal analgesia was used with some form of regional analgesia. CONCLUSION: We found that over the past 10 years, clinical trials for postoperative pain modalities have evolved in LMIC according to the current postoperative pain management guidelines i.e. multi-modal approach with some form of regional analgesia. The current review shows that clinical trials were conducted using multimodal analgesia including but not limited to some form of regional analgesia for postoperative pain in LMIC however this research snapshot (of only three countries) may not exactly reflect the clinical practices in all 47 countries. Post Operative Pain Management Modalities Employed in Clinical Trials for Adult Patients in LMIC; A Systematic Review.

Safety and effectiveness of ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks: Audit at tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of peripheral nerve blocks using ultrasound. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of all patients who received peripheral nerve blocks as part of anaesthesia care between January 2015 and January 2017. The data included outcomes of peripheral nerve block effectiveness, complications and limb conditions after the block. Peripheral nerve block effectiveness was assessed by monitoring pain scores at rest and on movement, and the requirement of co-analgesia. Complications, like numbness, motor block, metallic taste, hypotension and respiratory depression, were also assessed. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: There were 299 patients who received ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks. The overall mean age was 44.57±16.64 years. Of the total, 140 (47%) received transversus abdominis plane block, followed by supraclavicular block 49(16.7%). The most common complication in the recovery room was numbness 19 (6.2%). Overall, 70% patients remained pain-free, while 16% had moderate pain on movement 12 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia was found to provide effective analgesia during and after surgery. Nerve blocks proved to be safe when used with ultrasound.

Postoperative pain management practices and their effectiveness after major gynecological surgery: An observational study in a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite advances in postoperative pain management, patients continue to experience moderate to severe pain. This study was designed to assess the strategy, effectiveness, and safety of postoperative pain management in patients undergoing major gynecological surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational study included postoperative patients having major gynecological surgery from February 2016 to July 2016. Data collected on a predesigned data collection sheet included patient's demographics, postoperative analgesia modality, patient satisfaction, acute pain service assessment of numeric rating scale (NRS), number of breakthrough pains, number of rescue boluses, time required for the pain relief after rescue analgesia, and any complication for 48 h. RESULTS: Among 154 patients reviewed, postoperative analgesia was provided with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia in 91 (59.1%) patients, intravenous opioid infusion in 42 (27%), and epidural analgesia in 21 (13.6%) patients with no statistically significant difference in NRS between different analgesic modalities. On analysis of breakthrough pain, 103 (66.8%) patients experienced moderate pain at one time and 53 (51.4%) at two or more times postoperatively. There were 2 (0.6%) patients experiencing severe breakthrough pain due to gaps in service provision and inadequate patient's knowledge. Moderate-to-severe pain perception was irrespective of type of incision and surgery. Vomiting was significantly higher (P = 0.049) in patients receiving opioids. CONCLUSION: Adequacy of postoperative pain is not solely dependent on drugs and techniques but on the overall organization of pain services. However, incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in patients receiving opioids.

Improving Postgraduate Anaesthesiology Training in a Low-Middle Income Country by Embracing the New Trends in Medical Education.

Postgraduate medical training has increasingly adapted to competency-based medical education (CBME). In an endeavour to stay abreast with the new trends in medical education and adapt to CBME frameworks, an in-depth review and revision of the Anaesthesiology training curriculum were conducted. The authors worked on the task from December 2020 to December 2021. Learning outcomes were defined and corresponding competencies were identified and relevant teaching, learning and assessment strategies were aligned with each learning outcome. Additionally, lists were devised for topics to be covered through didactic lectures and simulation-based workshops. The revised curriculum is currently being implemented in a phased manner. Formative workplace-based assessment tools are being introduced to complement CBME. Moreover, daily clinical assessments, entrustable professional activity (EPA), simulation-based workshops and assessments have been introduced. Key Words: Anaesthesiology, Postgraduate training, Curriculum revision, Competency-based medical education, Low-middle income country, Simulation-based training.

Audit of postoperative nausea and vomiting in paediatric day case surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of PONV, delay in discharge or unplanned admissions in paediatric surgical cases done at the Surgical Day Care Unit at Aga Khan University between January and July 2009. METHODS: All paediatric ASA 1-2 cases, from 6 months to 18 years of age undergoing day case surgeries at the Surgical day care unit were included in this retrospective audit. Data was collected on a designed form filled with information from preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative recovery forms. Any relevant data was also noted from nurses notes in recovery room and step down unit. Episodes of vomiting, delay in discharge, or unplanned admission due to PONV were documented. Data was analyzed on SPSS 14. RESULTS: Out of 163 patients only one patient (0.6%) had an episode of vomiting in the recovery room and two patients (1.2 %) had vomiting in the step down unit. There was no delay in discharge or unplanned admission due to PONV in paediatric day cases during the period of our audit. CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative vomiting in paediatric day cases at our day care unit does not justify polymodal prophylaxis as a protocol for PONV.

Anaesthetic management of a child with massive extracranial arteriovenous malformation.

Vascular tumors affect the head and neck commonly but arteriovenous malformations are rare. Vascular malformations are often present at birth and grow with the patient, usually only becoming significant later in childhood. Embolization has been the mainstay of treatment in massive and complex arteriovenous malformations. We present a case of massive extracranial arteriovenous malformation in a 7-year-old boy causing significant workload on right heart and respiratory distress. The management of angioembolization under general anaesthesia and anaesthetic concerns are presented.