Momordica charantia enhances tendon healing in rats: An experimental study.

Momordica charantia (MC) is a traditional plant widely used since ancient times for wound healing. This study evaluated its potential effects on tendon healing. Adult Male Wistar albino rats (n=32, 8 rats in each group) were anesthetized, and their Achilles tendons were prepared for surgical procedures. Group 1 (Cont= control group) were not subjected to any surgery and were used as a control group for baseline values. Group 2 (PR= primary repair group) underwent primary repair (PR) with a monofilament suture after a full-thickness incision of the Achilles tendon. A full-thickness incision was also made to the Achilles tendon of Group 3 (CT=collagen tube administered group), followed by PR and collagen tube insertion. In Group 4 (MC= Momordica charantia-administered group), 1 ml of MC extract was applied locally on the collagen tube in addition to the surgical procedure applied to Group 3. The Achilles tendons were excised on the postoperative 40th day and examined stereologically, histologically, and bioinformatically. Data showed that the total volume of the collagen fibers was higher in MC and CT groups than in the PR group. The total volume of the tendon was decreased in MC and CT groups than in the Cont group. The ratios between the volumes of the collagen fibers and total tendon in the MC and CT groups were significantly different from PR; but not different from the Cont group. Additionally, MC improved tenoblastic activity, collagen production, and neovascularization. Bioinformatic interactions showed that the proteases of MC could trigger the signals playing a role on vasculogenesis, reducing inflammation, and contributing to tenoblast activation and collagen remodeling. MC extract ameliorates the healing of injured tendon and can provide satisfactory tendon repair. Further works are recommended to explore the healing capacity of MC.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of paracetamol and tramadol in lumbar disc surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and side effects of paracetamol and tramadol in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group P (paracetamol group) was given 1 g of paracetamol intravenously 30 min before the end of the operation and 1 g each day at 6-h intervals. Group T (tramadol group) was given 1.5 mg/kg of tramadol as a loading dose and patient-controlled analgesia for 1 day. Hemodynamic parameters, modified Aldrete score, Ramsay sedation scale score, patient satisfaction scale (PSS) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, nausea/vomiting scale score, and additional analgesic needs/times were recorded. RESULTS: PSS scores were significantly higher in Group T (P < 0.05). The total analgesic consumption was significantly higher in Group P. There were no significant differences in the VAS scores at any time points. Twenty-one patients in Group P and 8 patients in Group T needed additional analgesia (P < 0.05). The first additional analgesic time was earlier in Group P, and pain was more evident at the 15th minute and at hours 2 and 6 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Paracetamol alone was not able to provide effective analgesia. Tramadol was more effective in the treatment of postoperative pain after lumbar disc surgery.

[Who is responsible for the postoperative nerve injury? Anesthesia? Orthopedics? Trauma?]. / Ameliyat sonrasi sinir hasarinda sorumlu kim? Anestezi? Ortopedi? Travma?

In the pathogenesis of peripheral nerve injury, mechanical as well as vascular pressure, and chemical reasons play a role. In the applications of peripheral nerve block, there can be mechanical injury due to the type of needle and intrafascicular injections. In humerus fractures, nerve injury can be seen due to the surgical retractions and close proximity of the nerves with the bone. In addition, trauma may be the reason for posttraumatic nerve injury. In this presentation, we discussed the causes of postoperative nerve damage, which is seen after the operation of the distal humerus fracture.

[Effect of intravenous dexketoprofen use on postoperative analgesic consumption in patients with lumbar disc surgery]. / Lomber disk cerrahisi uygulanan olgularda intravenöz deksketoprofen kullaniminin ameliyat sonrasi analjezik tüketimine etkisi.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of a preemptive, single-dose intravenous dexketoprofen administration in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy. METHODS: A total of 50 ASA I-II patients candidate to laminectomy were included in this study. They were divided in two groups. Patients in Group A were given 50 mg (2 mL) dexketoprofen and those in Group K 2 mL normal saline intravenously by a blinded anesthesia physician, 10 minutes before the start of intervention. All cases underwent general anesthesia. All patients received postoperative patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol. The VAS scores 1, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours following the operation, sedation and patient satisfaction scores and tramadol consumption were evaluated. RESULTS: VAS scores recorded during the first 8 postoperative hours and total tramadol amounts were lower, and the patient satisfaction scores higher, in patients given dexketoprofen than control group. Sedation scores and side effects were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Single-dose preemptive intravenous dexketoprofen provides effective analgesia especially in the first 8 postoperative hours, reducing tramadol use.

[Retrospective evaluation of the patients with chronic pain admitted to the algology polyclinic between 2000-2010]. / 2000-2010 yillari arasinda algoloji poliklinigine basvuran kronik agrili hastalarin geriye dönük degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients who admitted to algology polyclinic with malign and non-malign pain, sociodemographic characteristics, type of pain and pain management retrospectively. METHODS: In this study we examined the medical assessement files of patients who admitted to our outpatient clinic of Algology Department for chronic pain between January 2000- December 2010. The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, pain properties and treatments were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Within the eleven years period, a total of 6647 patients have been admitted to our clinic. 66.9% of the patients were between the ages of 19 and 64. There was no significant difference between gender. The most common causes of pain were myofascial pain, neuropathic pain, low back pain and headache. Among malignancy related cases the most common sources were gastrointenstinal system, lung and breast regions. In 83.4% of patients, pharmacological and invasive treatments were utilized. The most common invasive treatment modalities were, trigger point injection, dry needle application and epidural catheter application. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pain treatments with multidisciplinary approach applied by the increasing number of pain clinics provide favorouble results and patients quality of life is also increased. We hope our retrospective study may provide helpful data for future studies on chronic pain with its comprehensive base of patient data which covers an eleven years period.

[The epidural blood patch technique for the management of headache due to spontaneous intracranial hypotension]. / Spontan intrakraniyal hipotansiyona bagli bas agrisinin tedavisinde epidural kan yamasi

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a clinical entity characterized by orthostatic headache, low CSF pressure and specific cranial imaging techniques. Headache can be accompanied by the symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, diplopia, nausea and vomiting. It is important for the diagnosis to show the level of CSF leakage. Epidural blood patch should be planned for the treatment of patients with no reduction of the complaints following conservative treatment. In this case report, we have discussed the diagnostic methods of spontaneous intracranial hypotension and the importance of an epidural blood patch for its treatment in the light of the literature.

[The effect of gender and working conditions on pain threshold in healthy volunteers]. / Saglikli gönüllülerde cinsiyet ve çalisma sartlarinin agri esik degeri üzerine etkisi.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensorial/affective dimension pain levels of patients using an electrostimulation method and to investigate the effects of gender and working conditions on pain thresholds. METHODS: The sensorial dimension of pain and pain threshold levels of 262 healthy volunteers, aged between 20 and 40 years, were assessed using a Painmatcher machine. Patients were divided into four groups during the assessment period: Group I female medical staff (KS) (female doctors/nurses), Group II male medical staff (ES) (male doctors), Group III female sanitation workers (KT), and Group IV male sanitation workers (ET). RESULTS: The sensorial dimension of pain was significantly higher in male and female sanitation workers than among female medical staff (p<0.05). Sensorial dimension of pain were similar between male medical staff and female sanitation workers (p>0.05). Pain threshold levels were significantly higher in male sanitation workers than male medical staff (p<0.05). Female sanitation workers and female medical staff had similar pain threshold levels (p>0.05). The correlation between pain threshold levels and sensorial dimension of pain was not significant in Groups KS and ET, however this correlation was significant in groups ES and KT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The sensorial dimension of pain and pain threshold levels are more strongly associated with working conditions than gender. The threshold level of pain was high in individuals with physically demanding jobs.

Use of sugammadex in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report on general anesthesia management in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 47-year-old man presented with fracture of the humerus. The patient was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. General anesthesia was induced with propofol, rocuronium and remifentanil. After uneventful surgical repair, TOF (train-of-four) ratio reached >0.90 at the end of operation. However, muscle strength and tidal volume were inadequate. After sugammadex 2 mg kg(-1) i.v. was given, the patient was extubated 120 s later. CONCLUSION: This case highlights that rocuronium and sugammadex can be used safely in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis undergoing surgery with general anesthesia.

The optimal dose of remifentanil for acceptable intubating conditions during propofol induction without neuromuscular blockade.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal remifentanil dose required to provide acceptable intubating conditions following induction of anesthesia with propofol without using neuromuscular blockade. DESIGN: Dose-response study. SETTING: Operating room of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 50 ASA physical status 1 men, aged between 20 and 40 years, who were scheduled for general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Intubating conditions were evaluated according to the scoring system described by Viby-Mogensen et al. Successful intubation was defined as excellent or good. MEASUREMENTS: For induction of anesthesia, an intravenous (IV) bolus dose of propofol 2.0 mg/kg was given over 30 seconds followed by the administration of predetermined IV remifentanil over 30 seconds; intubation was performed 90 seconds after completion of the remifentanil administration. The dose of remifentanil used for each patient was determined by the response of the previously tested patients, using the modified Dixon's up-and-down method (using 0.2 µg/kg as a step size). The first patient was tested with remifentanil 1.0 µg/kg. If intubation failed, the remifentanil dose was increased by 0.2 µg/kg; if intubation was successful, the dose was decreased by 0.2 µg/kg. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and peripheral oxygen saturation were recorded during the study period. MAIN RESULTS: According to probit analysis, the effective dose of remifentanil in 50% (ED(50)) and 95% (ED(95)) of patients were 1.40 µg/kg and 2.40 µg/kg, respectively. Preintubation and postinduction HR and MAP values were lower than preinduction values (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal bolus dose of remifentanil for acceptable intubating conditions was 2.40 µg/kg (95% confidence interval, 1.90-9.0 µg/kg) in 95% of patients during induction of anesthesia with propofol 2.0 mg/kg without neuromuscular blocking agents.

Effect of intramuscular and intravenous lidocaine on propofol induction dose.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study whether or not intravenous (IV) administration of lidocaine reduces propofol dose requirement as intramuscular (IM) lidocaine in a placebo-controlled manner. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five adult patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, aged 20-60 years who were scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia were included in the study. The patients were randomly allocated to 3 groups: IM: intramuscular administration; IV: intravenous administration and C: control. There were 25 patients in each group. The patients in group IM received lidocaine 1.5 mg · kg(-1) administered into the deltoid muscle 10 min before anaesthesia induction. In group IV, the patients received IV lidocaine 1.5 mg · kg(-1), 2 min before anaesthesia induction. Group C patients served as control group who received only propofol injection. Hypnosis after propofol administration was measured with response to verbal commands. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between group IM (100.8 ± 26.1 mg) and group IV (110.8 ± 30.1 mg) regarding the induction dose of propofol (p > 0.05). In group C, the required propofol dose (151.2 ± 27.4 mg) for anaesthesia induction was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.001). No side effect was observed in any patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, both IV and IM lidocaine administration were effective in reducing the hypnotic dose of propofol without any side effects. In addition, IV lidocaine may be more comfortable for awake patients.

Effects of different doses of remifentanil infusion on hemodynamics and recovery in children undergoing pediatric diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare 2 different doses of remifentanil infusion on hemodynamics, recovery period, and complications in children undergoing diagnostic pediatric cardiac catheterization. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Children undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization (n = 60). INTERVENTIONS: Children (2-12 years of age) scheduled for elective diagnostic cardiac catheterization under sedation were included in this study. The patients were assigned randomly to 2 groups as follows: patients in group 1 (n = 30) received a remifentanil infusion of 0.1 µg/kg/min, and patients in group 2 (n = 30) received a remifentanil infusion of 0.2 µg/kg/min. Heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs), oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), respiratory rate (RR), sedation, and recovery scores were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of systolic and diastolic BPs, HR, SpO(2), and RR during the study period. Additional drugs were required for 15 children in group 1; however, 27 patients maintained a satisfactory level of sedation with the 0.2-µg/kg/min remifentanil infusion. The time to achieve a recovery score of ≥5 was significantly shorter in group 2 than in group 1 (4.1 ± 0.3 minutes v 6.8 ± 0.8 minutes). No postoperative complications were reported in either group. CONCLUSION: After oral midazolam premedication and local prilocaine infiltration, 0.2 µg/kg/min of remifentanil provided adequate sedation without any hemodynamic compromise during pediatric diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

Remifentanil pretreatment reduces myoclonus after etomidate.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of pretreatment with remifentanil 1 microg/kg and the effect of gender on the incidence of myoclonus after anesthesia induction with etomidate. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: The study was conducted at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty patients were pretreated in a randomized double-blinded fashion with remifentanil 1 microg/kg or placebo. Two minutes after remifentanil or placebo injection, etomidate 0.3 mg/kg was given. MEASUREMENTS: Myoclonus was recorded with a scale of 0 to 3. The grade of sedation (none, mild, moderate, severe), nausea, pruritus, and apnea were recorded after injection of both drugs. MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of myoclonus was significantly lower in the remifentanil group (6.7%) than in the placebo group (70%) (P < 0.001). None of the patients experienced sedation, apnea, nausea, or pruritus after injection of both drugs. In the placebo group, male patients were associated with significantly increased incidence of myoclonus after etomidate administration. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with remifentanil 1 microg/kg reduced myoclonus after etomidate induction without side effects such as sedation, apnea, nausea, or pruritus. Men experience increased incidence of myoclonus than women after etomidate administration.

Comparison of ondansetron and meperidine for prevention of shivering in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perioperative hypothermia is a common problem in anesthesia practice. Regional anesthesia, like general anesthesia, influences the thermoregulatory process. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of ondansetron and meperidine in the prevention of shivering during and after spinal anesthesia. METHODS: In this double-blind study, 75 patients were randomized into 3 groups. Group O and Group M were given ondansetron 8 mg and meperidine 0.4 mg/kg intravenously immediately before spinal anesthesia, respectively. Group C received saline at identical times. The core temperatures and the incidence of shivering were recorded. Association between maximum block height and mean rectal temperatures of the patients were also evaluated. RESULTS: The core temperature was preserved in both ondansetron and meperidine groups with respect to the control group. Shivering was observed in 8% of patients in groups O and M and 36% in group C. The correlation between maximum block height and mean rectal temperatures was lost in the ondansetron and meperidine groups. CONCLUSION: Ondansetron and meperidine have similar anti-shivering effects. In addition, both ondansetron and meperidine altered the correlation between the core temperature and block level during spinal anesthesia.

[Comparison of effects of the administration of intraperitoneal local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia and prevention of shoulder pain]. / Laparoskopi sonrasi analjezi ve omuz agrisinin önlenmesinde intraperitoneal lokal anestezik uygulamasinin etkinliginin karsilastirilmasi.

Postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain are common complications after laparoscopy. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of intraperitoneal local anesthetics on postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain after laparoscopy. 55 women, physical status ASA I, who were undergoing diagnostic or minor gynecologic surgery, was enrolled to the study. In Group 1 (Bupivacaine, n: 17) and Group 2 (Ropivacaine, n: 18), 80 ml solution which contains one of the local anesthetics (60 ml saline and 20 ml %0.5 bupivacaine in Group 1, 60 ml saline and 20 ml %0.75 ropivacaine in Group 2), was injected into the right subdiaphragmatic (30 ml) and abdominopelvic space (50 ml) at the beginning of the surgical procedure. Patients in Group 3 (Control, n: 20) didn't received any solution intraperitoneally. Shoulder and abdominal pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale, and any other complications were noted during the first 24 hours after surgery. Shoulder and abdominal pain intensity and frequency were significantly less in the local anesthetic groups than control group, similar between ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups.

Is tissue coring a real problem after caudal injection in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether tissue coring occurs with 22-G hollow needle and 22-G caudal block needle during caudal injection in children, as well as evaluating the nature of the coring material if it did occur. METHODS: Seventy children were randomly allocated to two groups and caudal block was performed with either 22-G hollow (group I) or 22-G caudal block (group II) needle under general anesthesia. The needles and guides were washed with 0.5 ml of 70% ethanol in a sterile tube and were evaluated by a pathologist blinded to the type of needle used, for the type and number of cells. RESULTS: Nucleated cells, which have no mitotic activity, were present in 8.5% in each study group and bloody material was present in 8.5 and 2.8%, in group I and II, respectively. Non-nucleated epidermal cells were detected in 94.2 and 97.1% of the patients in group I and II, respectively. However, cells with mitotic activity from the stratum basale were not detected in any slides. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of transporting nucleated epidermal cells with no mitotic activity from stratum spinosum during puncture for caudal block is low and no differences exist between different types of needle used. However, it may also suggest that transporting nucleated cells with mitotic activity from the stratum basale may be possible during caudal puncture.

Comparison of fentanyl-bupivacaine or midazolam-bupivacaine mixtures with plain bupivacaine for caudal anaesthesia in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity and effectiveness of 0.75 ml.kg-1 bupivacaine 0.25% with the addition of fentanyl or midazolam for caudal block in children undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. METHODS: Seventy-five children were allocated randomly to three groups to receive a caudal block with either 0.25% bupivacaine with fentanyl 1 microg.kg(-1) (group BF) or with midazolam 50 microg.kg(-1) (group BM) or bupivacaine alone (group B) after induction of anaesthesia. Haemodynamic parameters, degree of pain, additional analgesic requirements and side-effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean systolic arterial pressure at 10, 20, 30 min after caudal block was higher in group B compared with groups BF and BM. Mean intraoperative heart rate was lower in group BF than the other groups. Adequate analgesia was obtained in all patients (100%) in group BF, 23 patients (92%) in group BM and 21 patients (84%) in group B (P > 0.05). The time to recovery to an Aldrete score of 10 was significantly shorter in group B than group BM (P < 0.05). Although not significant, it was also shorter in group B than group BF. There was no difference in additional analgesic requirements between the groups in the first 24 h. Sedation score was higher in the midazolam group at 60 and 90 min postoperatively than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Caudal block with 0.75 ml.kg(-1) 0.25% bupivacaine and 50 microg.kg(-1) midazolam or 1 microg.kg(-1) fentanyl provides no further analgesic advantages to bupivacaine alone when administered immediately after induction of anaesthesia in children undergoing unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Subdural hematoma as a late complication of spinal anesthesia.

Subdural hematoma is a rare complication of spinal anesthesia. This patient underwent bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy under spinal anesthesia 40 days prior to admission. Two days after spinal anesthesia, the patient described a typical postdural puncture headache. Oral analgesics, fluid therapy, and lying flat were recommended. Because of prolonged headache, computed tomography scan was performed and demonstrated chronic subdural hematoma in the left fronto-temporo-parietal region. After surgical drainage, the patient fully recovered. Prolonged headache should be regarded as a warning sign of subdural hematoma.

Awake tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway in a patient with halo traction.

PURPOSE: To report a case of awake tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in a patient with halo traction. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 16-yr-old, 40 kg, boy with atlanto-occipital instability and halo traction was scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. The head of the patient was fixed in a position of flexion and extension was impossible. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed that pharyngeal and laryngeal axes were aligned, but that the oral axis was in an extreme divergent plane. The tongue and oropharynx were anesthetized with 10% lidocaine spray and bilateral superior laryngeal nerve blockade was performed. Under sedation, awake orotracheal intubation via ILMA was successful. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy has been recommended for awake tracheal intubation in such patients. Other techniques, such as use of the Bullard laryngoscope have been described also but awake tracheal intubation through the ILMA in patients with a halo device in situ has seldom been reported in the medical literature. CONCLUSION: Airway management of patients with cervical spine instability includes adequate preoperative evaluation of the airway and choosing the appropriate intubation technique. We suggest that the ILMA may be an adequate alternative for awake tracheal intubation in patients with an unstable cervical spine and cervical immobilization with a halo device.