Blood transfusion in pediatric intracranial tumor surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric central nervous system tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Various factors may influence the practice of blood transfusion during this tumor diagnosis. The primary aim of this study was to determine the factors that may influence intraoperative blood transfusion in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for intracranial tumors and to predict patients who may require blood transfusion. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in all pediatric patients younger than 15 years who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor removal from January 2018 to December 2023 in our institution. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were collected from medical and store anesthesia records. The predictors of intraoperative blood transfusion were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 62 (44.9%) required intraoperative blood transfusion. In multivariate regression analysis age < 4 years and operating time > 490 min were determined as independent variables in terms of need for intraoperative blood transfusion. It was determined that the need for transfusion was higher in patient who were operated on urgently and patients with comorbidities (p = 0.023, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings obtained in this study suggest that age and surgical duration are independent risk factors for intraoperative blood transfusion in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for intracranial tumors. Particularly, in younger patients and prolonged surgeries, closer monitoring and awareness may enhance early detection, leading to the prevention of complications.

Liver function as a predictor of mortality in COVID-19: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In many studies, varying degrees of liver damage have been reported in more than half of the COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of liver biochemical parameters abnormality on mortality in critical COVID-19 patients who have been followed in the ICU since the beginning of the pandemic process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 533 critical patients who admitted to the ICU due to COVID-19 were included. The patients were divided into three groups according to their ALT, AST, and total bilirubin levels at their admission to the ICU. Group 1 was formed of patients with normal liver biochemical parameters values; Group 2 was formed of patients with liver biochemical parameters abnormality; Group 3 was formed of patients with liver injury. RESULTS: 353 (66.2%) of all patients died. Neutrophil, aPTT, CRP, LDH, CK, ALT, AST, bilirubin, procalcitonin and ferritin values in Group 2 and Group 3 were found to be statistically significantly higher than Group 1. It was detected that the days of stay in ICU of the patients in Group 1 was statistically significantly longer than others group. It was found that the patients in Groups 2 and 3 had higher total, 7-day, and 28-day mortality rates than expected. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that liver disfunction was associated with higher mortality and shorter ICU occupation time.

Maternal deaths due to COVID-19 disease: The cases in a single center pandemic hospital in the south east of Turkey.

Coronavirus-19 disease is still a pandemic health problem and uncertainty in the management of severe or critically ill pregnant women confuses continually the obstetricians. The nationwide maternal mortality rate due to covid-19 still has not been presented in any study in Turkey. The study includes four maternal mortality cases in a referral single pandemic center in our country. Case 1, a 34-year-old, 34 weeks of gestation with moderate disease. The cesarean section was performed due to nonreassuring nonstress tests. She died on the postpartum seventh day. Case 2, a 37-year-old, at 36 weeks of gestation. The symptoms consisted of dry cough, shortness of breath and labor pain, and 3 cm cervical opening. Her second cesarean section was performed and she died at postpartum ninth day. Case 3, 33 years old, 33 weeks of gestation with moderate/severe stage of the disease. A few days after the treatment, CS was performed due to her severe condition and she died at postpartum 15th day. Case 4, 39 years old, 35 weeks of gestation, she was at a severe stage of the disease. On the second day after the treatment, CS was performed due to her severe condition and she died at postpartum seventh day. The postpartum period after cesarean section should be followed cautiously under the appropriate treatment of the COVID-19 disease. Unfortunately, the reason for this rapid deterioration which we observed in our cases is not well known and appropriate medications and algorithms should be established as soon as possible.

Efficacy of HA330 Hemoperfusion Adsorbent in Patients Followed in the Intensive Care Unit for Septic Shock and Acute Kidney Injury and Treated with Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration as Renal Replacement Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Blood purification is an option for treatment of the source of sepsis when correcting patients' septic shock-induced clinical status. We investigated the efficacy of HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent application with renal replacement therapy in patients with septic shock and acute kidney injury. METHODS: This prospective observational study involved 23 patients diagnosed with sepsis who underwent continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration and HA330 hemoperfusion for 2 h once daily for 3 days. The patients' demographic data, comorbidities, lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays, blood cell counts, blood biochemistry values, coagulation values, blood gas values, inflammatory markers, hemodynamic parameters, and inotropic medication use before and after each application of HA330 hemoperfusion were recorded. The effectiveness of HA330 hemoperfusion was evaluated by comparing the parameters on days 0 and 1, 1 and 2, and 2 and 3. RESULTS: The pH increased significantly following the first application of HA330 hemoperfusion (p = 0.001), the C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels decreased significantly after the second application (p = 0.002 and 0.018, respectively), and the CRP level decreased significantly following the third application (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The application of HA330 hemoperfusion 2 h daily for 3 consecutive days improved level of CRP and heart rate, but had no effect on others or on the prognosis.

A Two Parameters for the Evaluation of Hypovolemia in Patients with Septic Shock: Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index (IVCCI), Delta Cardiac Output.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between inferior vena cava collapsibility index and changes in cardiac output measured during passive leg raising test in patients with spontaneous breathing and septic shock. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-six patients were included in the study. All of these 56 patients were diagnosed with septic shock and had spontaneous breathing under continuous positive airway pressure. Patients exclusions included: patients with cardiac pathology, not septic shock, pregnant, spontaneous breathing, increased intra-abdominal pressure, inferior vena cava could not be visualized, arrhythmia and pulmonary hypertension. Exclusion criteria for the study were as follows: 1) left ventricular systolic dysfunction, 2) cardiomyopathy, 3) medium severe heart valve disease, 4) patients with arrhythmia; 5) pulmonary hypertension, 6) patients without spontaneous breathing (for inferior vena cava collapsibility index, it is not evaluated), 7) patients with >60 mmHg CO2 in arterial blood gas; 8) pregnant patients; 9) patients with neurogenic shock, cerebrovascular incident or traumatic brain injury, 10) patients whose inferior vena cava and parasternal long axis cannot be visualized, and 11) patients with increased intra-abdominal pressure. Patients were placed in neutral supine position, and the inferior vena cava collapsibility index and cardiac output 1 were recorded. In passive leg raising test, after which the cardiac output 2 is recorded in terms of L/min. The percentage increase between the 2 cardiac outputs was calculated and recorded. RESULTS A moderately positive correlation was also observed between the inferior vena cava collapsibility index and delta cardiac output (r=0.459; r2=0.21), which was statistically significant (P<0.001). The cutoff value for the delta cardiac output was 29.5. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we found that the inferior vena cava collapsibility index, which is one of the dynamic parameters used in the diagnosis of hypovolemia in patients with septic shock, is correlated with delta cardiac output after leg raising test. We believe that, based on a clinician's experience, looking at 1 of these 2 parameters is sufficient for the identification of hypovolemia in patients diagnosed with septic shock.

Effect of non-invasive bilateral sphenopalatine ganglion block on postoperative pain in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty surgery: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of preoperative sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) on postoperative pain and assess intraoperative and postoperative analgesic consumption in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized controlled study, 72 patients were included and divided into two groups: group 1 (36 patients) received the sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB), while group 2 (36 patients) served as the control group. Patient assessments, using the numerical rating scale (NRS), were conducted at the postoperative first hour, fourth hour, and 24th hour. Additionally, intraoperative hemodynamics, analgesic requirements, and postoperative analgesic requirements were documented. RESULTS: The patients in group 1 exhibited significantly lower NRS scores at postoperative first, fourth, and 24th hour than those in group 2 (P<0.001 for all three time points). Additionally, the mean Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (RSAS) scores were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P=0.006). Both intraoperative remifentanil use and postoperative analgesic consumption were significantly higher in patients in group 2 (P<0.001 and 0.004, respectively) than those in group 1. Analysis of intraoperative heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) revealed that patients in group 1 had lower postoperative heart rates (P=0.040) than those in group 2, and MAP values after intraoperative block, at 30 min, and postoperatively were significantly lower (P=0.005, P=0.001, and P=0.034, respectively) than those in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate for the adoption of the noninvasive SPGB method in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty surgery. This approach significantly reduces the need for intraoperative analgesics, alleviates postoperative pain, and reduces the demand for postoperative analgesics. Moreover, it improves the overall surgical experience because of its ease of application, contributing to a more comfortable surgical process.

Acute Kidney Injury in Intensive Care Unit Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of acute kidney injury during the hospital stay in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 varies between 8% and 17% in studies. This rate is at the highest levels among the critical patient group monitored in the intensive care unit (23% [14-35%]). In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence of acute kidney injury development, effective factors, and clinical outcomes of patients monitored in the intensive care unit due to coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: A total of 801 patients were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups as those developing acute kidney injury (n = 408) and those not developing acute kidney injury (n=393). Patients developing acute kidney injury were staged according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. RESULTS: In all patients, the mortality rate was 65.2%. The mortality rate for those developing acute kidney injury was identified to be high by a statistically significant degree compared to those not developing acute kidney injury. The mortality rate in Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria stage 1 was 81.3%, in stage 2 was 88.3%, and in stage 3 was 91.5%. The frequency of diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the group developing acute kidney injury was found to be statistically significantly higher. We have found positive correlations between acute kidney injury development and age, sex, history of diabetes mellitus, and ferritin levels in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The development of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with increased mortality. Therefore, predisposing factors should be determined and effective treatment strategies should be established in the early period.

Indicators that determine disease course in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: In this study, it was tried to determine the factors affecting the clinical process in patients who were followed up in hospital for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The study, which was designed as a single-center and retrospective cohort, included 658 patients admitted to the service due to COVID-19. The patients were grouped and compared as the patients followed up in the wards (Group 1) and those admitted to ICU (Group 2), between those who were intubated (Group I) in the ICU and those who were not (Group NI), and between patient groups who died (Group M) and survived (Group NM) among those who were intubated. RESULTS: Of the 658 patients hospitalized in the wards, 566 (86%) were discharged and 99 (14%) were later admitted to the ICU. The mortality rate for the 658 patients that were followed up was found to be 7.75%. When Groups 1 and 2 were compared, it was observed that the patients in Group 2 had more comorbidity and higher KDIGO stages (p<0.001). In addition, patients in Group 2 had older age, higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, high WBC counts, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, N/L ratio, CRP, LDH, CK, PTZ, D-dimer, procalcitonin, and ferritin values (all values p<0.001, for CK p=0.034). When the patients in Group I and Group NI were compared, it was observed that the patients in Group I had more comorbidities and higher mortality rate (p<0.001). In addition, patients in Group I had older age, high D-dimer, and ferritin levels (p=0.008; 0.011, and 0.043, respectively). When the patients in Group M and Group NM were compared, it was observed that the patients in Group M were mostly males (p=0.017) and were mostly in KDIGO Stages 1 and 2 (p=0.005). In addition, it was found that the CRP and LDH levels of patients in Group M were significantly higher than those in Group NM (p=0.018 and 0.023, respectively). CONCLUSION: Comorbidity, clinical features, and laboratory findings are parameters that can help in predicting the clinical course of hospitalized patients due to COVID-19.

Can Platelet Count and Mean Platelet Volume be Used as Markers of Postdural Puncture Headache in Obstetric Patients?

Objective: In this study, considering the importance of platelet function in inflammatory processes, we explored whether there are relationships of platelet indices with postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and pain developing after use of spinal needles and whether patient characteristics contribute to the development of PDPH. Methods: This prospective, observational study included 76 patients (Group 1) with PDPH and 93 patients (Group 2) without PDPH. The postoperative hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count (PC), and mean platelet volume (MPV) values were recorded, along with age, blood type, Rh factor, gravida, parity, and gestational age. In addition, the time of the onset of pain was recorded in patients who complained of a postspinal headache. Results: Hemoglobin and hematocrit values in Group 1 were significantly lower than in Group 2 (both, p=0.024). The PC of Group 1 was significantly higher than that of Group 2 (p < 0.001), whereas the MPV was significantly lower (p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) values were significant for hemoglobin, hematocrit, PC, and MPV (p=0.022, p=0.024, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, resp.). For MPV, the AUC value was 0.293, sensitivity was 1%, and specificity was 99%. The highest likelihood ratio (LR+) value was 1.22 at a cut-off value of 13.3 fL. For the PC, the AUC value was 0.666, the sensitivity was 9%, and the specificity was 99%, while the highest LR + value was 8.56 at a cut-off value of 352 × 109/L. There was no significant relationship between the parameters examined and the onset of pain. Conclusion: In this study, the PC was higher and MPV was lower in obstetric patients with PDPH compared with the control group. However, we also found that these two values cannot be used as markers of PDPH.

Effects of Adding a Combined Infraorbital and Infratrochlear Nerve Block to General Anaesthesia in Septorhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the hypothesis that preoperative bilateral infraoptic nerve (ION) and infratrochlear nerve (ITN) blocks under general anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil reduced the incidence of emergence agitation (EA), pain scores, and the analgesic consumption after the septorhinoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study was conducted as a prospective randomized, double-sided blind study. Fifty-two patients whose septorhinoplasty operation was planned under general anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomly distributed to either the ION and ITN blocks were performed. Group 1: Bilateral ION and ITN blocks were performed; Group 2: ION and ITN blocks were not performed. Duration of the surgery and anesthesia, Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (RSAS) score, EA presence, duration of postoperative analgesia, numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, and cumulative dexketoprofen consumption were recorded. RESULTS: The RSAS score, NRS score and cumulative dexketoprofen consumption of the patients in Group 1 were statistically significantly lower than the patients in Group 2 (p<0.05). It was also found that patients in Group 1 (n: 8/26) had less EA compared to patients in Group 2 (n: 16/26) and this difference was statistically significant (p: 0.026). Postoperative analgesia duration of patients in Group 1 was found to be statistically significantly higher than patients in Group 2 (p: <0.001). In addition, the number of patients given postoperative dexketoprofen in Group 1 (n: 8/26) was found to be statistically significantly lower than patients in Group 2 (n: 25/26). (p: <0.001). CONCLUSION: Bilateral ION and ITN blocks in septorhinoplasty operation is an effective, reliable and simple technique in the treatment of postoperative pain.

Medical Folk Remedy: Two Cases of Garlic Burns.

Over the years, many cultures have used herbs for serious health problems. Garlic (Allium sativum) pose hypocholesterolemic, fibrinolytic, antidiabetic, and antibiotic actions. However, it has unusual adverse effects such as chemical burns and contact dermatitis when used topically. In this case report, the authors present two cases of topical garlic burn caused after the use of crushed garlic with a bandage for pain relief due to arthritis.