Erector spinae plane block vs interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia management in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is the gold standard method used for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ESPB and ISB after shoulder arthroscopy. The primary outcome is the comparison of the perioperative and postoperative opioid consumptions. METHODS: Sixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. ESPB was planned in Group ESPB (n = 30), and ISB was planned in Group ISB (n = 30). Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia was administered to both groups in the postoperative period. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid and analgesic consumption of both groups, side effects and complications related to opioid use, postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic use were recorded in the first 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group in the first 4 h postoperatively than in the ISB group (p < 0.05). The total fentanyl consumption and number of patients using rescue analgesics in the postoperative period were significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea in the postoperative period was significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, it was seen that ISB provided more effective analgesia management compared to ESPB in patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy surgery.

High Thoracic Erector Spinae Plane Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Prospective Double-Blind Study.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate to severe pain may occur following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. An erector spinae plane block (ESPB) may be used for painful conditions of the shoulder. The primary hypothesis of this trial is that ultrasound-guided ESPB would provide effective analgesia by reducing opioid consumption. The secondary hypothesis is that ESPB would result in low pain scores and reduce the use of rescue analgesia. DESIGN: Randomized prospective double-blind study. SETTING: Academic university hospital. SUBJECTS: Sixty patients aged between 18 and 65 years designated as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II who underwent unilateral arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia were included in the study. METHODS: Patients were equally divided into two groups-either the ESPB group (n=30) or the sham block group (n=30). ESPB was performed with 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine at the T2 level in the ESPB group and sham block with 30 mL saline at the T2 level in the sham block group. Twenty minutes before the end of the operation, 100 mg tramadol was administered intravenously to the patients. Intravenous ibuprofen 400 mg 3 × 1 was ordered for the patients during the postoperative period. A patient control analgesia device including a dose of 10 µg/mL fentanyl was connected to the patients. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between groups in terms of demographical data. Postoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the sham block group (96.66 µg ±105.57 µg and 230 µg ±247.17 µg, respectively) (P=0.009). The need for rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the sham block group (26.66 mg ±35.43 mg and 48.5 mg ±35.45 mg, respectively) (P=0.020). Overall, the visual analog scale scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the sham block group. CONCLUSIONS: ESPB may provide effective analgesia treatment following arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

A Randomized Trial to Compare Serratus Anterior Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block for Pain Management Following Thoracoscopic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. The primary outcome was to compare perioperative and postoperative (48 hours) opioid consumption. METHODS: A total of 60 patients were randomized into two groups (N = 30): an ESPB group and an SAPB group. All the patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia and ibuprofen 400 mg intravenously every eight hours. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption at 0-8, 8-16, and 16-24 hours and rescue analgesic use were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). Static/dynamic VAS scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between static VAS scores at the fourth hour. There were no differences between adverse effects. Block procedure time and one-time puncture success were similar between groups (P > 0.05 each). CONCLUSION: US-guided ESPB may provide better pain control than SAPB after VATS. QUESTION: Even though there are studies about analgesia management after VATS, clinicians want to perform the technique that is both less invasive and more effective. FINDINGS: This randomized trial showed that US-guided ESPB provides effective analgesia compared with SAPB. MEANING: Performing single-injection ESPB reduces VAS scores and opioid consumption compared with SAPB.

The effect of vitamin D status on different neuromuscular blocker agents reverse time

Background/aim: This study is aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D levels on sugammadex and neostigmine reversal times. Material and methods: Eighty patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years, with ASA I-III status who were undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were included in the study. A double blind fashion was used to randomly divide all the patients into two groups. At the end of the operation, sugammadex 2 mg/kg was administered to one group (Group sugammadex) and atropine and neostigmine was administered to the other group (Group neostigmine) intravenously. In the data analysis stage, the group was divided into two subgroups according to sugammadex and group neostigmine in itself, with vitamin D levels above and below 30 ng/mL. Statistical analysis was performed on these 4 groups (Group neostigmine and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL), (Group neostigmine and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL), ( Group sugammadex and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL), (Group sugammadex and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL). When two responses to train of four (TOF) stimulation were taken, the following times were recorded until extubation phase. The time until TOF value 50%, 70%, 90%, and extubation were recorded. Results: There were statistically significant differences between Group sugammadex and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL and Group sugammadex and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL (P = 0.007) for extubation times and 50% TOF reach times (P = 0.015). However, there was no difference observed between Group neostigmine and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL and Group neostigmine and vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL (P = 0.999). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is important for anesthesiologists in terms of muscle strength and extubation time. Vitamin D deficiency seems to affect sugammadex reverse times but seems not to affect neostigmine reverse times. This conclusion needs further studies.

The Efficacy of Different Volumes on Ultrasound-Guided Type-I Pectoral Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Subpectoral Breast Augmentation: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: PECS type-1 block, a US-guided superficial interfacial block, provides effective analgesia after breast surgery. Aesthetic breast augmentation is one of the most common surgical procedures in plastic surgery. Subpectoral prostheses cause severe pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different volumes of the solution on the efficacy of PECS type-I block for postoperative analgesia after breast augmentation surgery. METHODS: Ninety ASA status I-II female patients aged between 18 and 65 years who scheduled breast augmentation surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 30 patients each (Group 20 = 20 ml of anaesthetic solution, Group 30 = 30 ml anaesthetic solution, and Group K = Control group). Postoperative assessment was performed using the VAS score. The VAS scores were recorded postoperatively at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h. RESULTS: Fentanyl consumption was statistically significantly lower in Group 20 and Group 30 compared to the Control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in fentanyl consumption between Group 20 and Group 30. The right and left VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in Groups 20 and 30 than in the Control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in terms of VAS scores between Group 20 and Group 30. The use of rescue analgesia was statistically lower in Groups 20 and 30. CONCLUSIONS: PECS type-1 block using 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine can provide effective analgesia after breast augmentation surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Does premedication with dexmedetomidine provide perioperative hemodynamic stability in hypertensive patients?

BACKGROUND: Perioperative hemodynamic fluctuations are seen more often in hypertensive patients than in normotensive patients. The purpose of our study was to investigate the perioperative hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine and midazolam used for premedication in hypertensive patients relative to each other and in comparison to normotensive patients. METHODS: One-hundred-forty female, normotensive or hypertensive patients undergoing myomectomies or hysterectomies. They were randomly enrolled into the subgroups: Group ND (normotensive-dexmedetomidine); Group HD (hypertensive-dexmedetomine); Group NM (normotensive-midazolam); Group HM (hypertensive- midazolam). Dexmedetomidine was administered at a concentration of 0.5 µg.kg(-1), and midazolam was administered at a concentration of 0.025 µg.kg(-1) via intravenous (IV) infusion before the induction of anaesthesia. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded at several times (T(beginning), T(preop5 min), T(preop 10 min), T(induction), T(intubation), T(intubation 5 min), T(initial surgery), T(surgery 15 min), T(surgery 30 min), T(extubation), T(extubation 5 min)). Propofol amount for induction, time between induction and initial surgery, demand of antihypertensive therapy, rescue atropine were recorded. Quantitative clinical and demographic characteristics were compared using One Way ANOVA. The values were compared using One-way Analysis of Variance. Additionally periodic variations were examined by One way Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance for groups separately. RESULTS: SBP was significantly different between normotensive and hypertensive groups at the following time points: T(preop 5 min), T(preop 10 min), T(induction), T(intubation), T(intubation 5 min) and T(initial surgery). MBP was significantly different in the hypertensive groups at T(induction), T(intubation), T(intubation 5 min), T(initial surgery), T(surgery 15 min), T(surgery 30 min), T(extubation) and T(extubation 5 min). The perioperative requirements for antihypertensive drugs were significantly higher in Group HM. CONCLUSION: In the hypertensive patients, dexmedetomidine premedication provides better hemodynamic stability compared with midazolam, and because it decreases the antihypertensive requirements, its use might be beneficial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02058485.

Tramadol and levobupivacaine wound infiltration at cesarean delivery for postoperative analgesia.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether levobupivacaine and tramadol wound infiltration decreases postoperative pain following Cesarean section and reduces the need for analgesics in the immediate post-delivery period. METHODS: Ninety patients (aged 18-40 years) scheduled for elective Cesarean section under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: the placebo group (group P) received 20 mL local wound infiltration with 0.9 % saline solution; the levobupivacaine group (group L) received 20 mL local wound infiltration with levobupivacaine 0.25 %; and the tramadol group (group T) received 20 mL local wound infiltration with 1.5 mg/kg tramadol within 0.9 % saline solution. Following the closure of the uterine incision and the rectus fascia, 20 mL solution was infiltrated subcutaneously along the skin wound edges. The primary outcome was 24-h tramadol consumption. Secondary outcomes were recorded VAS scores, diclofenac requirement, fever, vomiting, and wound infection. RESULTS: At 15 min postoperatively, VAS values were lower in groups T and L than group P (P = 0.0001). The mean 24-h tramadol consumption was lowest in group T (P = 0.0001) and it was lower in the group L compared to group P (P = 0.007) (401.6, 483.3, and 557.5 mg for T, L, and P groups, respectively). There was no difference among groups regarding the need for supplemental analgesia (rescue diclofenac doses) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that wound infiltration with tramadol and levobupivacaine in patients having Cesarean section under general anesthesia may be a good choice for postoperative analgesia.

Ultrasound-guided carotid sheath block for carotid endarterectomy surgery in a high-risky patient and literature review.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery is generally performed for patients who under the risk of ischemic cerebral stroke due to the critical obstruction of the carotid artery. Ischemic complications may occur during the surgery. So, the awakeness of the patient is very important during the surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques may be performed instead of general anesthesia for shunt placement during CEA surgery. Herein, we aimed to share our successful US-guided carotid sheath block experience for anesthesia management during CEA surgery.

In vivo comparison of the effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on the pregnant rat myometrium using electrohysterogram.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effect of local anesthetics on myometrial contractility during labor analgesia is debatable. We aimed to compare the effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on rat uterine contractility in an in vivo setting. METHODS: Electrical activities of 40 pregnant rat uteruses were recorded on electrohysterogram after dividing the rats into bupivacaine and levobupivacaine groups. Uterine contraction frequencies were recorded at each 5-min interval. The first 5-min recording was considered the control, which was immediately followed by intramyometrial administration of either bupivacaine or levobupivacaine. The recordings were continued for 30 min. The changes in frequencies at each time interval of the groups were compared with each other and the control recording. RESULTS: The frequencies from both groups at each interval were lower than the control values, but not different between the groups. The frequencies of the bupivacaine group during the 5-10 min and 10-15 min intervals were lower than the control time interval, but no significant differences were present between the control and the other time intervals. However, no significant differences were found at any time interval for the levobupivacaine group. CONCLUSION: Levobupivacaine led to less muscle relaxation compared to bupivacaine and may be a better option for labor analgesia and anesthesia considering uterine contractility.

Comparison of the effects of clinical observation and protocol-based weaning on antioxidant stress factors.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the effects of observation of the physician (POB) or by adhering to the protocol-based (PB) weaning methods on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels and weaning success levels. METHODS: Our study was conducted on patients admitted from the emergency department between January 2015 and January 2018 in the intensive care unit of our hospital. During the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), when one of the criteria specified in developed, SBT was terminated and the previous mechanical ventilator parameters were returned. The patient was planned to be taken to SBT again the next morning. If the SBT was successful, extubation was decided. The extubation decision based on physician observation was made according to the patient's state of consciousness and adequate chest expansion during the daily visit. RESULTS: The decrease in TAC average value before and after extubation was found to be significant in the POB group patients (p=0.001). The decrease in the average TAC value of the PB group patients before and after extubation was found to be significant (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: In our study, TAC values were found to be higher in the PB group than in the POB group, and in addition, the reintubation rate was found to be lower. We think that the management of weaning as a PB may contribute to maintaining the balance between TAC and TOS and reduce the rate of reintubation.

Evaluation of outcomes in patients given dexmedetomidine in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (DEX) on hemodynamic parameters and on surgeon and patient satisfaction during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). METHODS: Forty patients who were to undergo FESS were enrolled in this randomized, prospective, controlled study. In the DEX group, conscious sedation was induced with an infusion of 1 microg/kg of DEX 10 minutes before surgery, followed by an infusion of DEX at 0.2 microg/kg per hour. A control group was given identical amounts of saline solution. During the procedure, hemodynamic data were recorded. The patients evaluated their pain on a visual analog scale (VAS). Intraoperative bleeding was rated on a 6-point scale for evaluation of operative field visibility. RESULTS: We observed that the DEX group had lower bleeding scores (p = 0.019). The heart rates were lower in the DEX group at the time of induction (p = 0.052) and in the 1st (p = 0.009) and 20th minutes (p = 0.039) of induction. The mean blood pressure values were lower in the DEX group in the 5th (p < 0.001), 45th (p = 0.003), and 60th (p = 0.05) minutes of induction. The VAS score was lower in the DEX group in the 30th postoperative minute (p = 0.001); however, the VAS score was lower in the control group after the 12th hour (p < 0.001). Postoperative side effects such as nausea, tachycardia, hypotension, and vomiting were significantly less frequent in the DEX group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the intraoperative bleeding, hemodynamic stability, and VAS scores were better and the side effects were less frequent in the DEX group.

Deliberate posterior low transverse incision at cesarean section of a gravid uterus in 180 degrees of torsion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Torsion of the term gravid uterus is a rare, potentially serious, unexpected obstetric pathology and is almost always diagnosed at cesarean section. We report a case of deliberate posterior low transverse segment hysterotomy in irreducible uterine torsion at 41 weeks' gestation, CASE: A 29-year-old nullipara with a 15-cm uterine fibroid was admitted at 41 weeks' gestation with regular uterine contractions. Cesarean delivery was carried out for obstructed labor. Intraoperatively, 1800 levotorsion of the uterus was diagnosed. Following unsuccessful attempts at detorsioning the uterus, a posterior low transverse hysterotomy was performed for delivery. CONCLUSION: Delivery by a posterior low transverse hysterotomy may be feasible in uterine torsion after unsuccessful attempts at detorsioning the uterus during cesarean section at term. (

Effect of anesthesiological strategies on neonatal bilirubin levels during cesarean section: a prospective and randomized trial.

PURPOSE: Neonatal jaundice, a frequent problem in neonatology, can be influenced by many factors. Here, we sought to clarify the role of anesthesia and to compare the effects of various anesthesiological strategies on neonatal bilirubin levels during cesarean section. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 167 ASA I-II status uncomplicated pregnant women who delivered by cesarean section as the study group. The patients were randomized based on anesthesiological strategy: inhalation (IA), spinal (SA), total intravenous (TIVA), and epidural anesthesia (EA) groups. Neonatal total (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB) levels at the 24th hour and 5th day of life and the need for phototherapy were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Direct bilirubin levels at 24th hour of SA group and EA group were higher compared to IA group (p = 0.008). When DB levels at fifth day were compared, levels in group TIVA were significantly higher than group SA (p = 0.019). TB levels at fifth day in group TIVA were higher than SA and EA groups (p = 0.05). The percentage of newborns needing phototherapy did not differ significantly among groups, but was highest in the TIVA group (25%), followed by the IA (15%), EA (10%) and SA (7%) groups (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: EA and SA at cesarean section seem to be better among the four anesthesia techniques considering neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our findings are consistent with the idea that anesthesia may be a risk factor for hyperbilirubinemia. Although anesthesia may not significantly increase the need for interventions such as phototherapy, it may increase the burden of time, labor and cost.

Post-partum haemorrhage from the lower uterine segment secondary to placenta praevia/accreta: successful conservative management with Foley balloon tamponade.

Profuse bleeding from the lower uterine segment secondary to placenta praevia/accreta during caesarean delivery is a challenging problem in obstetrics. We present our experiences using intrauterine Foley balloon tamponade for the conservative management of post-partum haemorrhage from the lower uterine segment. Intraoperative haemostasis was achieved in all women who were unresponsive to other conservative methods. Foley balloon tamponade may be considered in the management of lower uterine segment bleeding at caesarean delivery.

A comparison of adductor canal block before and after thigh tourniquet during knee arthroscopy: a randomized, blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Adductor canal block (ACB) provides effective analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery. However, there is insufficient data regarding whether ACB should be performed before or after inflation of a thigh tourniquet. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of ACB performed before and after placement of a thigh tourniquet and evaluate associated quadriceps motor weakness. METHODS: ACB was performed before tourniquet inflation in the PreT group, and it was performed after inflation in the PostT group. In the PO group, ACB was performed at the end of surgery after deflation of the tourniquet. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data. There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in terms of total postoperative opioid consumption (P = 0.513). Patient satisfaction and the amount of rescue analgesia administered were also not significantly different between the groups. There was no significant difference in terms of static and dynamic visual analog scale scores between the groups (for 24 h: P = 0.306 and P = 0.271, respectively). The incidence of motor block was higher in the PreT group (eight patients) than in the PostT group (no patients) and the PO group (one patient) (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Using a tourniquet before or after ACB did not result in differences in terms of analgesia quality; however, applying a tourniquet immediately after ACB may lead to quadriceps weakness.

Complex regional pain syndrome type I: efficacy of stellate ganglion blockade.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I with stellate ganglion blockade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed three blockades at weekly intervals in 22 patients with CRPS type I in one hand. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the time between symptom onset and treatment initiation. Group 1and 2 patients had short and long symptom-onset-to-treatment intervals, respectively. Pain intensity, using a visual analog score (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) for the wrist joint were assessed before and 2 weeks after treatment and were compared using nonparametric statistical analysis. RESULTS: Treatment produced a statistically significant difference in wrist ROM for all patients (P < 0.001). VAS values showed an overall decrease from 8 +/- 1 to 1 +/- 1 following treatment, and there was a significant difference in VAS value between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that stellate ganglion blockade successfully decreased VAS and increased ROM of wrist joints in patients with CRPS type I. Further, the duration between symptom onset and therapy initiation was a major factor affecting blockade success.

Effects of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia on Metabolic and Inflammatory Mediators.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of perioperative undesirable hypothermia on inflammatory (interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23 and pentraxin (PTX)-3) and metabolic responses (cortisol and insulin) and recovery time. METHODS: A total of 60 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years who were in the lumbar stabilisation operation were included in the study. In this prospective, randomised controlled study, two groups were constituted as with warmed (Group N) and not warmed (Group C) patients before and during the operation. Diuresis, blood loss, body temperature and side effects were recorded with IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23, PTX-3, cortisol and insulin levels. RESULTS: Perioperative diuresis was significantly higher in Group C. Aldrete score was significantly higher in Group N with less shivering and vomiting in the postoperative period. IL-10, PTX-3 and cortisol levels were found to be significantly higher in Group C in the first postoperative hour. PTX-3 and cortisol were found to be significantly higher in Group C after 24 h of the operation. Insulin was significantly higher in Group N. In 72 h, IL-8 in Group N and cortisol level in Group C were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Positive effects of heating the patients in the perioperative period on haemorrhage, diuresis, complications and recovery time were observed in our study. In addition, maintenance of normothermia appeared to modulate the biomarkers that indicate the inflammatory and metabolic responses.