Comparison of Dexamethasone at Three Doses Administered Postoperatively for Improving Pain Control and Sleep Quality in Patients Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Triple Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone has been shown to alleviate pain, yet the optimal dosing and safety profiles remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and impact on sleep quality of three different doses of intravenous dexamethasone in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: In this randomized, triple-blind, clinical trial, we assessed the analgesic effects of three doses of intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg, 8 mg, and 16 mg) in adult patients who underwent TKA. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, and sleep quality was assessed two weeks post-surgery. RESULTS: A total of 90 participants were enrolled in the study, with 30 participants in each dosing group. The mean VAS scores at 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively showed significant improvement from baseline in all groups. Notably, the 16 mg and 8 mg dexamethasone groups demonstrated significantly greater pain reduction compared to the 4 mg group (P < 0.05). Additionally, sleep quality significantly improved in the 16 mg and 8 mg groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone at doses of 4 mg, 8 mg, and 16 mg effectively reduces pain and enhances sleep quality in patients undergoing TKA, with the 16 mg dose showing the most pronounced effects at 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.

Solitary rectal ulcer transformation to cap polyposis in a 15-year-old child.

BACKGROUND: Cap polyposis (CP) is a benign, non-malignant inflammatory disease that affects the rectum. It usually occurs during the 5th decade of life, but children could also be affected. Its specific pathology is unknown. Due to the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic similarities with other disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, a thorough histologic evaluation is critical to avoid unnecessary interventions. This study presents a 15-year-old child with a previously reported case of solitary rectal ulcer (SRU) that developed into CP determined by colonoscopy and histologic findings. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old boy who was previously diagnosed with SRU presented to our office with rectal bleeding, mucoid discharge, and abdominal pain. Additional colonoscopy evaluation revealed multiple polyposes varying in size and shape limited to the rectum. Histologic examination revealed a characteristic cap of granulation tissue covering tortuous nondysplastic crypts in the inflamed stroma, indicating that SRU had transformed into CP. Based on the assessments, we planned to perform endoscopic mucosal resection of the lesions in multiple sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the rarity of CP, the transformation from SRU may be one of its etiologies. Thus, thorough serial histologic evaluation is critical in children with rectal bleeding to avoid unnecessary or harmful interventions.

Effectiveness of extracorporeal blood purification (hemoadsorption) in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal blood purification has been proposed as one of the therapeutic approaches in patients with coronavirus infection, because of its beneficial impact on elimination of inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: This controlled trial has been conducted on critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted in the state hospital affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran who received different antiviral and antibacterial drugs, and different modalities of respiratory treatments and did not have positive clinical improvement. No randomization and blindness was considered. All of the participants underwent three sessions of resin-directed hemoperfusion using continuous renal replacement therapy with a mode of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). RESULTS: Five men and five women with a mean age of 57.30 ± 18.07 years have been enrolled in the study; and six of them have improved after the intervention. Peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) changed after each session. Mean SpO2 before the three sessions of hemoperfusion was 89.60% ± 3.94% and increased to 92.13% ± 3.28% after them (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 showed a reduction from 139.70 ± 105.62 to 72.06 ± 65.87 pg/mL (p = 0.073); and c-reactive protein decreased from 136.25 ± 84.39 to 78.25 ± 38.67 mg/L (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal hemoadsorption could improve the general condition in most of recruited patients with severe coronavirus disease; however, large prospective multicenter trials in carefully selected patients are needed to definitely evaluate the efficacy of hemoperfusion in COVID-19 patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The research protocol has been registered in the website of Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the reference number IRCT20150704023055N2 .

Effects of a forced-air warming system and warmed intravenous fluids on hemodynamic parameters, shivering, and time to awakening in elderly patients undergoing open cardiac surgery.

Background: As one of the most common postoperative complications, hypothermia is the main cause of numerous problems during treatment, especially in elderly patients with decreased cardiac reserves. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of forced-air warming system (FAWS), warmed intravenous fluids (WIVFs) and routine method on hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood gases (ABGs), shivering, and time to awakening in elderly patients undergoing open cardiac surgery (OCS). Methods: This clinical randomized controlled trial was conducted on 94 elderly patients who underwent OCS at Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran. They were divided into three groups, namely FAWS (n=31), WIVFs (n=31) and routine rewarming method (RRWM, with a blanket) (n=32). The data were then recorded in a checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS 26 at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: The findings demonstrated that the degree of hypothermia had a significant decreasing trend in the groups receiving FAWS and WIVFs (P=0.002). Additionally, increased respiratory rate (P=0.013), higher bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels on arrival up to 4 hours after surgery (P=0.045), reduced lactate level (P=0.005), normal base excess (BE) and accelerated time to awakening (P=0.004) were observed in patients receiving FAWS. There was no significant difference in the study groups regarding shivering. Conclusion: The results revealed that FAWS could mitigate the degree of hypothermia, increase body temperature and decrease the postoperative serum lactate levels. Moreover, BE as one of the most important parameters for ABGs, could remain at a normal level. Besides, the use of FAWS could lead to early awakening, and thus facilitate weaning and extubation of these patients.

Effect of variability of central venous pressure values to prevent atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that results from abnormal depolarization of the atrium. Atrial fibrillation occurs in 5-40% of patients with cardiovascular bypass surgery, usually occurs on 2 to 4 days postoperatively. The aim of this study was Effect of variability of central venous pressure values to prevent atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass grafting. METHODS: The present clinical trial study was performed on 150 patients undergoing cardiac surgery referred to Ayatollah Rohani Hospital of Babol. Patients were divided into 3 groups, with normal range pressure (8 to 12 mmHg), low pressure (less than 8), high pressure (greater than 12) based on central venous pressure measurements. Patients were evaluated every 4 hours to 72 hours for central venous pressure, AF incidence and urine output. Finally, the data are analyzed by spss statistical software. RESULTS: In this study 79 (52.7%) patients were male and 71 (47.3%) were female. In examining changes in central venous pressure, the time effect also significantly increased central venous pressure. The results of independent t-test showed that the mean of central venous pressure changes in subjects with at day 16, second day at 16, 20, 24, third day at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours Atrial fibrillation. Significantly more than those without atrialfibrillation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the study, central venous pressure changes the effect of time significantly increases the central venous pressure. Individuals with atrial fibrillation also had significantly greater central venous pressure changes than those without atrial fibrillation.

Analgesic Effect and Hemodynamic Changes Due to Dexmedetomidine Versus Fentanyl During Elective Colonoscopy: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: There are different methods used for anesthesia during a colonoscopy procedure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect and hemodynamic changes due to dexmedetomidine and fentanyl during elective colonoscopy. METHODS: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients aged 20 - 70 years, candidates for elective colonoscopy, who were randomly divided into two equal groups. In the intervention group (group D), dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg was given 10 minutes before starting the colonoscopy and then, 0.5 mcg/kg/hour during colonoscopy was prescribed. In the control group (group F), fentanyl 0.5 mcg/kg was prescribed three minutes before starting the colonoscopy and then, the normal saline infusion was used as maintenance. Propofol 20 mg was prescribed as the rescue dose if needed (pain or severe discomfort during colonoscopy) during the procedure. Demographic and basic clinical data and blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and pain score (based on the visual analogue scale) were recorded from the start of the colonoscopy (time 0) and every 5 minutes until the recovery. RESULTS: The two groups had no significant difference in the duration of colonoscopy, colonoscopist's satisfaction, and patients' satisfaction (P > 0.05). The mean pain score during colonoscopy was lower in the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.039). Heart rate was less in the dexmedetomidine group than in the fentanyl group and this difference was statistically significant. The mean arterial pressure had no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed pain score was lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the fentanyl group.