WOUND INSTILLATION OF LOCAL ANESTHETIC BUPIVACAINE FOR POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA FOLLOWING LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY.

PURPOSE: Lumbar laminectomy is a commonly performed procedure in neurosurgical and orthopedic practice. Postoperative pain reliefhelps in early mobilization, initiation of physiotherapy, provides satisfaction to the patients and plays an important role in reducing the morbidity and mortality. This prospective study investigated the simple technique of instillation of wound with bupivacaine and leaving a contact time of 60 seconds on postoperative pain following lumbar laminectomy. METHODS: 32 ASA I and II patients scheduled for laminectomy were randomly allocated to receive either 20 ml of normal saline (group I) or 0.25% of bupivacaine (group II) into the wound after securing hemostasis. After a dwell time of 60sec the wound was closed in layers without mopping or suctioning. After extubation, the pain scores were evaluated by visual analog scale at every 4 hrs. for 24hrs and also the time for first demand of analgesia, number of analgesic demands and the total amount of analgesia consumed were noted by an independent observer.. RESULTS: The median duration of analgesia in group I was 8.8 [5-11] and in group II 13 [8.5-16] hrs. with a p = 0.04. The number of demands and the amount of analgesia consumed was also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Wound instillation technique is simple, safe and effective in management of acute pain management after lumbar laminectomy and can be used as one among the multimodal armamentarium in pain management.

Atrial septal defect occluder device embolization: Experience of a tertiary care cardiac center.

Background: Percutaneous device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has become an increasingly popular procedure as it offers several advantages. However, it is associated with infrequent, but life-threatening complications such as device embolization. Objective: To analyze the risk factors, common sites of embolization, associated complications, timing of embolization, and the treatment executed. Settings and Design: A retrospective study was performed at a tertiary referral center for cardiac services. Material and Methods: Pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure data of patients whose ASD device embolized was collected retrospectively and analyzed for risk factors, common sites of embolization, associated complications, timing of embolization, and the treatment executed. Results: Thirty devices were embolized, out of which 13 were retrieved percutaneously in the Catheter laboratory, whereas 17 patients underwent surgery. Fourteen patients had an unfavorable septal morphology for device closure. Ten devices were embolized in the catheter laboratory, five in the intensive care unit, and two in the ward. The devices were embolized to almost all chambers of the heart and great vessels. One patient had an inferior vena cava rim tear while attempting percutaneous retrieval. One patient required a short period of total circulatory arrest (TCA) for retrieval of the device from ascending aorta, while another required a lateral position for retrieval from descending aorta. One patient required re-exploration for bleeding, while another had an air embolism and succumbed. Conclusions: Once embolization occurs, the risks associated increase manifold. Most of the surgical extractions are uneventful; however, there could be certain complications that may need repair of valvular apparatus, the institution of TCA, or the need for the lateral position. Air embolization though very rare can occur which could be fatal.

Association Between Post-COVID Pulmonary Dysfunction and New-Onset Anxiety and Depression and the Impact of Incentive Spirometer-Based Exercises.

Objective: To determine the rates of new-onset anxiety and depression in patients with restrictive or obstructive lung disease after COVID-19 infection and to assess the improvement in pulmonary functions and anxiety/depression scores after prescribing incentive spirometer-based breathing exercises.Methods: A 2-phase study with a cross-sectional and open-label randomized interventional design evaluated anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HARS]), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of 100 COVID-19 patients within 8 weeks of acute illness. Patients with pulmonary dysfunction were randomized (incentive spirometry vs controls), and anxiety/depression scores and lung function were reevaluated after 4 weeks.Results: The results revealed 35% (35/100) of mild-moderate COVID-19 patients had abnormal PFTs. Anxiety/depression was higher in patients with abnormal PFTs than in those with normal lung function (prevalence ratio: 1.8 [20% vs 11%]). The median HARS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores decreased significantly with 4 weeks of incentive spirometry exercises (2 [0-5.5, P = .013], 2 [0-3.5, P = .006], and 2 [0-3.5, P = .006], respectively) compared to standard of care alone. More patients with incentive spirometry had normalization of pulmonary functions compared to controls (50% [8/16] vs 33% [6/18]). The mean age of patients with anxiety/depression was significantly higher than those without anxiety/depression (42 ± 11 vs 30 ± 7, P = .04).Conclusions: While the rates of new-onset anxiety/depression were higher in patients with pulmonary dysfunction, these rates were reduced with incentive spirometer-based exercises. Greater age may be a risk factor for abnormal pulmonary functions and greater anxiety or depression.Trials Registry: Clinical Trials Registry-India identifier: CTRI/2022/11/047183.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2023;25(5):23m03490. Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

Direct Cannulation in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery With Limited Resources.

BACKGROUND: With increasing patient interest in minimally invasive procedures, it is more important than ever for surgeons to be current on the most common minimally invasive techniques in cardiac surgery. As minimally invasive cardiac surgery has evolved, the strategies and approaches to cardiopulmonary bypass access have evolved. Peripheral cannulation is convenient but carries a risk of retrograde dissection, embolization, stroke, and ipsilateral limb ischemia, whereas central aortic cannulation has the advantage of antegrade flow. METHODS: We report our experience with direct arterial and venous cannulation through a thoracotomy approach without compromising the results. From January 2017 to December 2018, 140 consecutive patients were studied. Mean age was 26 ± 18 years (range, 11 months to 83 years), with 46 patients (32.8%) younger than 12 years and 12 patients weighing less than 10 kg. Spectrum of procedures include atrial septal defect closure (53%), mitral valve repair (14%), ventricular septal defect closure (9%), aortic valve replacement (10%), mitral valve replacement (6%), repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (9%), myxoma excision (1%), and ventricular septal defect closure with pulmonary valvotomy (1%). RESULTS: None of the patients was converted from a minimally invasive to standard median sternotomy. One patient with ventricular septal defect died due to pulmonary hypertensive crises. No patient required reexploration for bleeding, and none had stroke or renal failure. There were no myocardial infarctions or aortic dissections. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience this approach is a reliable platform for a variety of minimally invasive cardiac surgical procedures and has resulted in low complication rates. The technique can be applied safely to both pediatric and adult populations. Also, it is very cost-effective because regular instruments and cannulas are used.