Post-operative analgesic efficacy of 0.25% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine versus dexamethasone as an adjuvant in bilateral superficial cervical plexus block for thyroidectomy under general anaesthesia - A comparative randomized clinical study.

Background and Aims: The bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) is efficacious for post-operative analgesia in thyroid surgeries. We assessed the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone administered as adjuvants with 0.25 percent ropivacaine in BSCPB for thyroidectomy under general anaesthesia with regard to the duration of analgesia, total amount of rescue analgesic requirement, changes in intra- and post-operative haemodynamic parameters, VAS scores, and adverse events, if any. Methods: A prospective double-blind trial was planned with 80 adults undergoing thyroidectomy, randomized into two equal groups and given BSCPB with 20 ml 0.25% ropivacaine with adjuvants as either dexmedetomidine 50mg (group A) or dexamethasone 4mg (group B), 10 ml on each side, after the induction of general anaesthesia. Post-operative pain was monitored using the visual analog scale and the duration of analgesia was measured by time to first rescue analgesia. Post-operative haemodynamics and any adverse events were recorded. Results: The mean duration of analgesia was slightly prolonged in group A but statistically non-significant as compared to group B (1037 ± 97 vs. 1004 ± 122 minutes; P0.18). The post-operative median VAS scores and vital parameters were relatively comparable for both groups (P > 0.05) for the first 24h. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of PONV (P < 0.05) in group B. Conclusion: Although dexamethasone offers a slight advantage of decreased incidence of PONV, BSCPB using ropivacaine with either dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone as an adjuvant imparted adequate analgesia with stable haemodynamics and may be used as a pre-emptive analgesic technique in thyroid surgeries.

Comparison of Effects of Oral Melatonin with Oral Alprazolam used as a Premedicant in Adult Patients Undergoing Various Surgical Procedures under General Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Preoperative anxiety is a major concern in patients undergoing any surgical procedure. Various drugs have been used to alleviate it. This study aims to compare the effects of oral melatonin versus oral alprazolam on preoperative anxiety, sedation, orientation, and cognitive function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 adult patients were randomly allocated into three groups. Group M (n = 30) received oral melatonin 3 mg (2 tablets); Group A (n = 30) received oral alprazolam 0.25 mg (2 tablets), and Group P (n = 30) received placebo, multivitamin tablet (2 tablets) as premedication. The objectives of our study were to compare anxiety, sedation, orientation, and cognitive function using visual analog scale (VAS) anxiety score, Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS), orientation score, and Digit symbol substitution test (DSST) score before and after 120 min of giving premedication. For statistical analysis, paired t-test, Chi-square test, analysis of variance, and post hoc bonferroni test were used. RESULTS: Mean VAS scores for anxiety (after 120 min) were significantly reduced in Group M (3.9 ± 1.53) and Group A (4.43 ± 1.67) when compared to Group P (4.73 ± 0.82) (P < 0.05). RSS was higher in Group A as compared to Group M and Group P (P < 0.05). No significant difference in orientation score was observed in all the three groups before and after premedication (P > 0.05). DSST score (cognitive function) was better in Group M when compared to both Group A and Group P (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral melatonin (6 mg) when used as a premedicant is an effective alternative to alprazolam regarding providing better anxiolysis, lesser sedation along with maintenance of cognitive, and psychomotor function.

Effect of bispectral index versus end-tidal anesthetic gas concentration-guided protocol on time to tracheal extubation for halothane-based general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Early extubation is a desirable goal after general anesthesia. Very few studies have compared the effect of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring versus standard end-tidal anesthetic gas (ETAG) concentration monitoring on tracheal extubation time for halothane-based anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of BIS versus ETAG-guided anesthesia on time to tracheal extubation for halothane-based anesthesia in general surgical setting. METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled double-blind study. Sixty patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Class 1 or 2, receiving halothane-based general anesthesia were randomized to BIS-guided (n = 30) and ETAG-guided anesthesia (n = 30). Time to tracheal extubation was measured. In BIS group, BIS value was kept between 40 and 60 while in ETAG group; ETAG value was kept between 0.7 and 1.3 minimum alveolar concentration. The two groups were compared using Student's t-test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS version 17 software. RESULTS: Mean time to tracheal extubation was significantly longer in BIS group (9.63 ± 3.02 min) as compared to ETAG group (5.29 ± 1.51 min), mean difference 4.34 min with 95% confidence interval (3.106, 5.982) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, the extubation time was significantly longer in BIS-guided anesthesia as compared to ETAG-guided anesthesia. ETAG monitoring promotes earlier extubation of patients as compared to BIS monitoring during halothane anesthesia.

Intraoperative wide bore nasogastric tube knotting: A rare incidence.

Nasogastric tubes are commonly used in anesthetic practice for gastric decompression in surgical patients intraoperatively. The indications for its use are associated with a number of potential complications. Knotting of small-bore nasogastric tubes is usually common both during insertion and removal as compared to wide bore nasogastric tubes. Knotting of wide bore nasogastric tube is a rare complication and if occurs usually seen in long standing cases. We hereby report a case of incidental knotting of wide bore nasogastric tube that occurred intraoperatively.

Anesthetic considerations in a child with unrepaired D-transposition of great arteries undergoing noncardiac surgery.

D-transposition of great arteries (D-TGA) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease diagnosed at birth. There is ventriculoarterial discordance leading to parallel circulation. The postnatal survival depends on intercirculatory mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood at various levels through atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus. The anesthesiologist must have an understanding of concepts of shunting and other long-term consequences of transposition of great arteries (TGA) in order to tailor the anesthetic technique to optimize the hemodynamic variables and oxygenation in the perioperative period. The preoperative evaluation includes echocardiography to delineate the type of TGA, associated lesions and extent and direction of shunts. Oxygen saturation is influenced by the ratio of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) to systemic vascular resistance. Thus, care should be taken to avoid an increase in PVR which can lead to decreased pulmonary blood flow leading to hypoxia. We report a case of an 8-year-old child with unrepaired D-TGA, who presented to us for craniotomy for drainage of brain abscess.

Heimlich's maneuver-assisted bronchoscopic removal of airway foreign body.

Aspiration of foreign bodies (FBs) by children can lead to serious illness and sometimes even death. Bronchoscopic removal of the FB is necessary to prevent from any catastrophic event. Sometimes bronchoscopic removal is not possible due to the larger size of the FB, sharp FB, or long duration FB. Tracheostomy is normally used for the removal of such FBs. The aim of this case report is to highlight the use of Heimlich maneuver for the removal of such FBs before opting invasive procedures. In the present case, a 5-year-old child was presented with history of FB aspiration 5 h back. After multiple failed bronchoscopic attempts to remove the FB it was decided to use Heimlich maneuver in the supine position. A single attempt of Heimlich maneuver expelled the FB into the oral cavity, which was removed by Magill's forceps. On repeated bronchoscope check, there was no remnant of FB. Child's further course of stay in hospital was uneventful. In conclusion, Heimlich maneuver may be useful in patient with failed bronchoscope removal of airway FBs before proceeding for tracheotomy or other invasive procedures.