A gross abdominal wall hematoma secondary to transversus abdominis plane block.

We aimed to share our experience with an abdominal wall hematoma that developed after an ultrasonography-guided TAP block performed for the palliation of chronic abdominal wall pain. Bleeding was successfully stopped with coil embolization.

Successful Anesthesia Management of Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplant With Mild Bilateral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Due to Alagille Syndrome: A Case Report.

Alagille syndrome is an autosomal-dominantinherited disease characterized by intrahepatic bile duct involvement, congenital heart disease, eye anomalies, skeletal and central nervous system involvement, kidney anomalies, and facial appearance. Liver transplant is the only treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease and Alagille syndrome. Bilateral peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis is a contraindication for liver transplant due to high mortality, and the decision for liver transplant in patients with bilateral peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis is extremely challenging for anesthesiologists andtransplant surgeons.Wepresent a 2-year-oldfemale patient with successful anesthetic management of a pediatric living donor liver transplant with mild bilateral pulmonary artery stenosis, mild aortic stenosis, and mitral regurgitation due to Alagille syndrome. Anesthesiologists should know the underlying pathophysiological condition and perform a comprehensive preoperative evaluation to determine the correct anesthesia plan in patients with Alagille syndrome who will undergo liver transplants to treat multiple system disorders. Successful perioperative management of Alagille syndrome requires effective communication and collaboration between specialists through a multidisciplinary team approach.

Anaesthetic Management of Renal and Liver Transplantation Recipients During Caesarean Section.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present our experience in liver transplantation recipients and renal transplantation recipients during caesarean section. METHODS: Retrospective data regarding liver transplantation recipients and renal transplantation recipients who underwent caesarean section between January 1997 and January 2017 have been collected from the hospital records. RESULTS: Fourteen live births occurred from 5 liver transplantation recipients and 9 renal transplantation recipients, all of them from caesarean section. The mean maternal age (28.4 ± 4.0 years vs. 29.2 ± 4.1 years, P = .38), body weight before conception (57.4 ± 8.8 kg vs. 64.5 ± 8.2 kg, P = .48), and the time from transplantation to conception (99.0 ± 50.7 months vs. 101.0 ± 57.5 months, P = .46) were similar for 5 liver transplantation recipients and 9 renal transplantation recipients, respectively. Four caesarean sections were performed under general anaesthesia, whereas spinal anaesthesia was used in 10 patients. The mean birth weight was similar (2502 ± 311g vs. 2161 ± 658 g, P = .3). There were 3 premature deliveries in liver transplantation recipients versus 6 premature deliveries in renal transplantation recipients and 2 low-birth-weight infants (<2500 g) in liver transplantation recipients versus 4 in renal transplantation recipients among 14 newborns. Infants small for gestational age were diagnosed in 9/14 (3 liver transplantation recipients versus 6 renal transplantation recipients, P = 1). CONCLUSION: General and regional anaesthesia can be safely used during caesarean delivery of liver transplantation recipients and renal transplantation recipients without increased risk of graft losses. Prematurity and low birth weight were mainly due to the cytotoxic drugs for immunosuppression. There are no differences in liver transplantation recipients and renal transplantation recipients for maternal and foetal complications according to our data.

A cosmetic complication after supraorbital/supratrochlear nerve block.

In this article, a cosmetic complication case secondary to bilateral supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve block with low dose local anesthetic and dexamethasone combination is presented.

Effect of Ozone Therapy on Epidural Fibrosis in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effect of medical ozone therapy on the development of epidural fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 25 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group (L3-L4 laminectomy only), a systemic ozone therapy (SOT) group (L3-L4 laminectomy only + intraperitoneal 15 mL [30 µg/mL] ozone), and a local ozone therapy (LOT) group (L3-L4 laminectomy only + subcutaneous 15 mL [30 µg/mL] ozone). Ozone therapy was administered 4 times on a 3-day interval during the wound-healing process, with the first dose immediately administered after surgery. The effects of ozone therapy on vascular endothelial growth factor, inflammation, and epidural fibrosis between groups were evaluated. RESULTS: Staining with vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly less in the group that received SOT compared with the control group (P = 0.021). When the groups were compared in terms of inflammation, it was found that inflammation was less common in the SOT and LOT groups compared with the control group (SOT vs. control: P = 0.004 and LOT vs. control: P = 0.024), whereas inflammation was found to be significantly less in the SOT group compared with the LOT group (P = 0.008). In the histopathologic evaluation of epidural fibrosis, there was no significant difference between the SOT and LOT groups but less epidural fibrosis was observed in both groups compared to the control group (LOT vs. control: P = 0.037; SOT vs. control: P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Medical ozone therapy may be an alternative method that can be used effectively and safely in the prevention of epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.

Artificial-coloring in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasonography (US) is an important visualization technique in regional anesthesia. Increasing in quality of images may lead to better conclusions. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of artificial-coloring on image quality and practitioner's preferences. METHODS: Ultrasound images of five block regions, interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, femoral, and popliteal were taken on a volunteer using gray scale. Then, the images were colored in seven different color scales using artificial-coloring technique. All participants were asked to fill in the structured questionnaire. RESULTS: All created images were assessed by three specialist and 14 resident anesthesiologists. The highest scores about nerve recognition, distinguishing nerve from surrounding tissues, and visual clarity of fascicles were obtained with blue scale images; however, these findings were not significant compared to gray scale (p>0.05). Blue scale was chosen as a favorite scale by 53% of participants. CONCLUSION: Increasing the image quality and resolution while performing regional anesthesia under ultrasound guidance increases success and reduces complications. Artificial-coloring is one of the adjustments that can improve image quality. In our study, the results of coloring with blue were remarkable. However, more importantly than the color chosen, we believe that routine adjustments such as gain, depth, and focusing will bring important advantages.

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy causes moderate to severe pain despite its minimally invasive nature. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of the bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and the subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (STAPB) under ultrasound guidance. METHODS: 64 patients were included in this prospective, randomized study. The patients were allocated into two groups as those receiving ESPB (n = 32) and those receiving STAPB (n = 32). Pain scores at rest and during movement, fentanyl requirement, postoperative walking time, and duration of hospital stay were compared. The complications which related to block were also recorded. RESULTS: In the ESPB group, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores at rest were lower at hour 0 [at the time of post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) admission] and postoperative hours 2, 4, 6, and 12 (p < 0.05). In the same group, the NRS scores at movement were lower at hours 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 (p < 0.05). In the ESPB group, the time to first analgesic need was longer (p < 0.05), intraoperative and postoperative Fentanyl requirement (p < 0.0001 for both) and PACU rescue analgesic requirement were lower (p < 0.05), the lengths of PACU and hospital stay were shorter (p < 0.0001), and unassisted walking time was shorter (p < 0.0001). There were no complications related to the block in either group. CONCLUSION: Bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB provides superior analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery compared to STAPB and further reduces unaided walking time and hospital stay.

Effect of Subcutaneous Topical Ozone Therapy on Second-Degree Burn Wounds in Rats: An Experimental Study.

Burns are one of the most severe traumas, causing coagulative destruction of the skin. The use of various products that accelerate wound healing in patients with burns may affect rates of patient survival and reduce complications. We studied the effects of subcutaneous ozone injection on second-degree burn wounds in an animal model. For this study, 72 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided randomly into the following three groups: control group, silver sulfadiazine group, and ozone group; each group was then divided randomly into two subgroups (day 7 or day 14 examination and euthanized). Superficial partial-thickness burns were created on the lower back. In the control group, subcutaneous 0.9% serum saline was injected daily into the burn area. In the silver sulfadiazine group, burns were dressed daily with silver sulfadiazine. In the ozone group, subcutaneous ozone was injected daily into the burn area. We performed tissue hydroxyproline level measurements and histopathological evaluations. When groups were compared in terms of weight change, no significant difference was found between day 7 and day 14. With regard to tissue hydroxyproline levels, the ozone group had significantly higher levels on both days 7 and 14 (P < .001). In histopathological evaluations, we determined that wound healing in the ozone group was significantly higher than in the other groups. We found that subcutaneous ozone therapy was more effective than silver sulfadiazine in the healing process of second-degree burn wounds and could be safely used in the treatment of burn wounds.

Ambulatory colonoscopy under sedoanalgesia in adult patients with and without irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, cross-sectional, and double-blind comparison.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is unclear whether patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) require a high dose of sedatives during colonoscopy. In this study, we investigated the pre-procedural anxiety levels, sedative consumption, procedure times, complications, and patient's satisfaction between patients with IBS and controls for ambulatory colonoscopy under sedation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rome III criteria were used in the diagnosis of IBS. Anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Patients received a fixed dose of midazolam (0.02 mg/kg), fentanyl (1 µg/kg), ketamine (0.3 mg/kg), and incremental doses of propofol under sedation protocol. Demographic data, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Procedure times, recovery and discharge times, drug doses used, complications associated with the sedation, and patient's satisfaction scores were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean Trait (p=0.015), State (p=0.029), Beck anxiety scores (p=0.018), the incidence of disruptive movements (p=0.044), and the amount of propofol (p=0. 024) used were significantly higher in patients with IBS. There was a decline in mean systolic blood pressure at the 6th minute in patients with IBS (p=0.026). No association was found between the sedative requirement and the anxiety scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with IBS who underwent elective colonoscopy procedures expressed higher pre-procedural anxiety scores, required more propofol consumption, and experienced more disruptive movements compared with controls. On the contrary, the increased propofol consumption was not associated with the increased pre-procedural anxiety scores.

Case reports: Should we do away with them?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: There has been a gradual decline in the number of case reports published in leading medical journals in recent years. Since case reports are not highly cited they have an adverse effect on the journal impact factor. On the other hand sharing new experiences, challenges, or discoveries with colleagues is essential for medical community. Should case reports be eliminated from the journals or published only in journals devoted to case reports? DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Web of Science database was searched, between 2005 and 2009, with terms: "anesthesia", "anesthesiology" and "case report" yielding 25 969, 9532, and 661 publications, respectively. Since some reports contained large number of cases, only those involving up to three cases (n = 425) were evaluated by the authors with respect to their type, contribution to knowledge and/or practice (Likert scale) and times they were cited. MAIN RESULTS: Distribution of answers to the statement "Case has added to my knowledge and/or improved my practice" was; 3% (strongly disagree), 10.5% (disagree), 33.2% (neither agree nor disagree), 39.3% (agree) and 13.7% (strongly agree). Average citations per item was 4.43 (1883/425), 7.32 (4838/661), and 7.82 (74 529/9532). As to the types of the reports; 50% unexpected event in the course of anesthesia, 31% unusual and instructive cases, 9.6% novel/unique anesthetic techniques, 6% novel use of equipment, 1.6% new information on diseases of importance to anesthesiology and 1% scientific observations. CONCLUSION: Case reports have been an important source of clinical guidance and scientific insight, and play an important role in medical education. They can be published quickly, providing publication opportunity for juniors and for clinicians who may not have the time or finance to conduct large-scale research. On the other hand some argue, that case reports are irrelevant in current medical practice and education, being at the bottom of the hierarchical ladder of medical evidence. We conclude that case reports should not be done away with but be published in websites and journals like the venue to be launched in 2013 by the International Anesthesia Research Society, devoted entirely to them to meet the need for the publication of interesting cases.

Herpes Zoster Brachial Plexopathy: Direct Steroid Injection.

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral disease, characterized by painful skin eruptions and neuropathic sensory symptoms. Motor involvement and brachial plexus involvement in herpes zoster are rare conditions. Together with antiviral medication and pain therapy, palliative and supportive modalities take an important role in the treatment of herpes zoster. It is well documented in previous reports that oral or intravenous steroid administrations may be additive in management. In this case report, positive effects of direct steroid injection onto the brachial plexus via ultrasonography guidance in a patient with motor weakness due to herpes zoster involvement of brachial plexus is presented.

Effects of music on sedation depth and sedative use during pediatric dental procedures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the effects of listening to music or providing sound isolation on the depth of sedation and need for sedatives in pediatric dental patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, and controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary, university hospital. PATIENTS: In total, 180 pediatric patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, who were scheduled for dental procedures of tooth extraction, filling, amputation, and root treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were categorized into 3 groups: music, isolation, and control. During the procedures, the patients in the music group listened to Vivaldi's The Four Seasons violin concertos by sound-isolating headphones, whereas the patients in the isolation group wore the headphones but did not listen to music. All patients were sedated by 0.1 mg/kg midazolam and 1 mg/kg propofol. During the procedure, an additional 0.5 mg/kg propofol was administered as required. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bispectral index was used for quantifying the depth of sedation, and total dosage of the propofol was used for sedative requirements. The patients' heart rates, oxygen saturations, and Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation Scale and bispectral index scores, which were monitored during the operation, were similar among the groups. In terms of the amount of propofol used, the groups were similar. Prolonged postoperative recovery cases were found to be significantly frequent in the control group, according to the recovery duration measurements (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Listening to music or providing sound isolation during pediatric dental interventions did not alter the sedation level, amount of medication, and hemodynamic variables significantly. This result might be due to the deep sedation levels reached during the procedures. However, listening to music and providing sound isolation might have contributed in shortening the postoperative recovery duration of the patients.

Anaesthesia Management of a Patient with Factor XI Deficiency.

Factor XI deficiency is an extremely rare disease presenting no clinical symptoms, unless there is an inducing reason such as trauma or surgery. Normally, factor levels are in the range of 70-150 U dL-1 in healthy subjects. Although no clinical symptoms are seen, only high levels of aPTT can be found. Once a prolongation is detected in aPTT, factor XI deficiency should be suspected and factor levels should be analysed. With careful preoperative preparations in factor-deficient people, preoperative and postoperative complications can be decreased. In this case report, management of anaesthesia during total hip arthroplasty of a patient with factor XI deficiency is presented.

Malposition of a Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter in the Graft Hepatic Vein.

Central venous catheters are used for delivering medications and parenteral nutrition, measuring hemodynamic variations, and providing long-term intravenous access. In our clinic, during liver transection using a living-liver donor, peripherally inserted central venous catheters are generally preferred because they involve a less invasive technique with a lower risk of complications. In this report, we present the case of a 36-year-old male liver donor into whom we peripherally inserted a central venous catheter from his left basilic vein. After transecting the hepatic vein, the surgeon found foreign material inside the venous lumen, which turned out to be the distal segment of the catheter.

Anesthesia Management of a Deceased Cadaveric-Donor Combined Liver and Kidney Transplant for Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1: Report of a Case.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is an autosomal recessive disorder that is responsible for the overproduction of oxalate and has an incidence of 1 in 120 000 live births. Indications for combined liver and kidney transplant are still debated. However, combined liver and kidney transplant is preferred in various conditions, including primary hyperoxaluria, liver-based metabolic abnormalities affecting the kidney, and structural diseases affecting both the liver and the kidney, such as congenital hepatic fibrosis and polycystic kidney disease. When compared with sequential liver and kidney transplant, the rejection rate of both liver and kidney allografts was reported to be lower than with combined liver and kidney transplant. With proper anesthesia management, the probable increased complications with combined liver and kidney transplant can be prevented. In this report, we present the anesthesia care of a 22-year-old patient with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 who had deceased-donor combined liver and kidney transplant.

Abdominal Problems in Children with Congenital Cardiovascular Abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cardiovascular abnormality is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Both the type of congenital cardiovascular abnormality and cardiopulmonary bypass are responsible for gastrointestinal system problems. AIMS: Intra-abdominal problems, such as paralytic ileus, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intestinal perforation, are common in patients who have been operated or who are being followed for congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. Besides the primary congenital cardiovascular abnormalities, ischemia secondary to cardiac catheterization or surgery contributes to the incidence of these problems. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: In this study, we aimed to screen the intra-abdominal problems seen in patients with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities who had undergone surgical or angiographical intervention(s). Patients with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities who had been treated medically or surgically between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed retrospectively in terms of intra-abdominal problems. The patients' demographic data, type of congenital cardiovascular abnormalities, the intervention applied (surgical, angiographic), the incidence of intra-abdominal problem(s), the interventions applied for the intra-abdominal problems, and the results were evaluated. RESULTS: Fourteen (Group I) of the 76 patients with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities diagnosis were operated due to intra-abdominal problems, and 62 (Group II) were followed-up clinically for intra-abdominal problems. In Group I (10 boys and 4 girls), 11 patients were aged between 0 and 12 months, and three patients were older than 12 months. Group II included 52 patients aged between 0 and 12 months and 10 patients older than 12 months. Cardiovascular surgical interventions had been applied to six patients in Group I and 40 patients in Group II. The most frequent intra-abdominal problems were necrotizing enterocolitis and intestinal perforation in Group I, and paralytic ileus in Group II. Seven of the Group I patients and 22 of the Group II patients died. The patients who died in both groups had more than three congenital cardiovascular abnormalities in the same patient, and 80% of these patients had been operated for congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The gastrointestinal system is involved in important complications experienced by patients with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. The mortality rate was higher in operated patients due to gastrointestinal complications. Gastrointestinal complications are more frequent in patients with cyanotic anomalies. The presence of more than one congenital cardiovascular abnormality in a patient increased the mortality rate.

Fatal outcome after renal transplant in a pediatric patient with Noonan syndrome.

Noonan syndrome is a congenital, common, hereditary disorder. Facial dysmorphism, growth retardation, and various heart defects are typical clinical features. In patients with minor cardiac pathology, life expectancy is normal. We report a case of renal transplant in a pediatric patient with Noonan syndrome that ended with death of the patient. Our patient presented with unexpected and refractory postoperative neurological complications that were unresponsive to intensive therapy, and the patient died because of secondary complications.

Accuracy of continuous noninvasive arterial pressure monitoring in living-liver donors during transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Hemodynamic monitoring is vital during liver transplant surgeries because distinct hemodynamic changes are expected. The continuous noninvasive arterial pressure (CNAP) monitor is a noninvasive device for continuous arterial pressure measurement by a tonometric method. This study compared continuous noninvasive arterial pressure monitoring with invasive direct arterial pressure monitoring in living-liver donors during transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 40 patients analyzed while undergoing hepatic lobectomy for liver transplant. Invasive pressure monitoring was established at the radial artery and continuous noninvasive arterial pressure monitoring using a finger sensor was recorded simultaneously from the contralateral arm. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures from the 2 methods were compared. Correlation between the 2 methods was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 5433 simultaneous measurements were obtained. For systolic arterial blood pressure, 55% continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measurements were within 10% direct arterial measurement; the correlation was 0.479, continuous noninvasive arterial pressure bias was -0.3 mm Hg, and limits of agreement were 32.0 mm Hg. For diastolic arterial blood pressure, 50% continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measurements were within 10% direct arterial measurement; the correlation was 0.630, continuous noninvasive arterial pressure bias was -0.4 mm Hg, and limits of agreement were 21.1 mm Hg. For mean arterial blood pressure, 60% continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measurements were within 10% direct arterial measurement; the correlation was 0.692, continuous noninvasive arterial pressure bias was +0.4 mm Hg, and limits of agreement were 20.8 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 monitoring techniques did not show acceptable agreement. Our results suggest that continuous noninvasive arterial pressure monitoring is not equivalent to invasive arterial pressure monitoring in donors during living-donor liver transplant.