Erector spinae plane block reduces pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE: After laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients have moderate pain in the early postoperative period. According to several studies an erector spinae plane (ESP) block can be a valuable part of multimodal analgesia. Our intention was to evaluate how ESP block influences postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: This single-blinded, prospective, randomized study included 60 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy to receive either bilateral ESP block at the Th 7 level (n = 30) with 20 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine plus dexamethasone 2 mg per side, or standard multimodal analgesia (n = 30). Patients from the standard multimodal analgesia group received tramadol 100 mg at the end of the procedure. Postoperative analgesia for both groups was acetaminophen 1 g/8 h i.v. and ketorolac 30 mg/8 h. Tramadol 1 mg/kg was a rescue treatment for pain breakthrough (numeric rating scale/NRS ≥ 6) in both groups. Pain at rest was recorded at 10 min, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after surgery using NRS (0-10). RESULTS: An ESP block significantly reduced postoperative pain scores compared to standard multimodal analgesia after 10 min (p = 0.011), 30 min (p = 0.004), 2 h (p = 0.011), 4 h (p = 0.003), 8 h (p = 0.013), 12 h (p = 0.004) and 24 h (p = 0.005). Tramadol consumption was significantly lower in the ESP group 25.02 ± 56.8g than in the standard analgesia group 208.3 ± 88.1g (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An ESP block can provide superior postoperative analgesia and reduction in opioid requirement after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

[Effects of caudal block in pediatric surgical patients: a randomized clinical trial]. / Efeitos do bloqueio peridural caudal em pacientes cirúrgicos pediátricos: estudo randomizado.

BACKGROUND: Surgery generates a neuroendocrine stress response, resulting in undesirable hemodynamic instability, alterations in metabolic response and malfunctioning of the immune system. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of caudal blocks in intra- and postoperative pain management and in reducing the stress response in children during the same periods. METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial included 60 patients scheduled for elective herniorrhaphy. One group (n = 30) received general anesthesia and the other (n = 30) received general anesthesia with a caudal block. Hemodynamic parameters, drug consumption and pain intensity were measured. Blood samples for serum glucose and cortisol level were taken before anesthesia induction and after awakening the patient. RESULTS: Children who received a caudal block had significantly lower serum glucose (p < 0.01), cortisol concentrations (p < 0.01) and pain scores 3 hours (p = 0.002) and 6 hours (p = 0.003) after the operation, greater hemodynamic stability and lower drug consumption. Also, there were no side effects or complications identified in that group. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of caudal block with general anesthesia is a safe method that leads to less stress, greater hemodynamic stability, lower pain scores and lower consumption of medication.

[Subcostal transversus abdominis plane block can improve analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / O bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal pode melhorar a analgesia após colecistectomia laparoscópica.

BACKGROUND AND GOAL OF STUDY: After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, patients have moderate pain in the early postoperative period. Some studies shown beneficial effects of subcostal transversus abdominis plane block on reducing this pain. Our goal was to investigate influence of subcostal transversus abdominis plane block on postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have randomized 76 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy to receive either subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (n=38) or standard postoperative analgesia (n=38). First group received bilateral ultrasound guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block with 20mL of 0.33% bupivacaine per side before operation and tramadol 1mg.kg-1IV for pain breakthrough (≥6). Second group received after operation tramadol 1mg.kg-1/6h as standard hospital analgesia protocol. Both groups received acetaminophen 1g/8h IV and metamizole 2.5g/12h. Pain at rest was recorded for each patient using NR scale (0-10) in period of 10min, 30min, 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h and 16h after the surgery. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We obtained no difference between groups according age, weight, intraoperative fentanyl consumption and duration of surgery. Subcostal transversus abdominis plane block significantly reduced postoperative pain scores compared to standard analgesia in all periods after surgery. Tramadol consumption was significantly lower in the subcostal transversus abdominis plane (24.29±47.54g) than in the standard analgesia group (270.2±81.9g) (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Our results show that subcostal transversus abdominis plane block can provide superior postoperative analgesia and reduction in opioid requirements after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Use of presepsin and procalcitonin for prediction of SeptiFast results in critically ill patients.

PURPOSE: There is a need for identification of marker that could lead physicians to take the right step towards laboratory techniques for documentation of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether presepsin and procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with suspected sepsis could predict blood culture (BC) and SeptiFast (SF) results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 patients were included in our study. PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and presepsin levels were determined. Differences between groups of patients were assessed by Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine predictive values of biomarkers for prediction of positive SF results. RESULTS: PCT (70.9±106.36 vs. 16.35±26.79) and presepsin (4899.73±5207.81 vs. 1751.59±2830.62) were significantly higher in patients with positive SF in contrast to patients with negative SF. There was no significant difference between patients who had positive and negative BC for PCT and presepsin values. PCT and presepsin showed a similar performance in predicting positive SF results with AUC of 0.75 for PCT and 0.73 for presepsin. CONCLUSION: Presepsin can serve as good predictor of bacteremia detected by SF and it should be included with PCT in protocols for sepsis diagnosing.

Effects of caudal block in pediatric surgical patients: a randomized clinical trial / Efeitos do bloqueio peridural caudal em pacientes cirúrgicos pediátricos: estudo randomizado

Abstract Background: Surgery generates a neuroendocrine stress response, resulting in undesirable hemodynamic instability, alterations in metabolic response and malfunctioning of the immune system. Objectives: The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of caudal blocks in intra- and postoperative pain management and in reducing the stress response in children during the same periods. Methods: This prospective, randomized clinical trial included 60 patients scheduled for elective herniorrhaphy. One group (n = 30) received general anesthesia and the other (n = 30) received general anesthesia with a caudal block. Hemodynamic parameters, drug consumption and pain intensity were measured. Blood samples for serum glucose and cortisol level were taken before anesthesia induction and after awakening the patient. Results: Children who received a caudal block had significantly lower serum glucose (p < 0.01), cortisol concentrations (p < 0.01) and pain scores 3 h (p = 0.002) and 6 h (p = 0.003) after the operation, greater hemodynamic stability and lower drug consumption. Also, there were no side effects or complications identified in that group. Conclusions: The combination of caudal block with general anesthesia is a safe method that leads to less stress, greater hemodynamic stability, lower pain scores and lower consumption of medication.

Resumo Justificativa: O estresse cirúrgico causa resposta neuroendócrina, resultando em instabilidade hemodinâmica indesejável, modificações na resposta metabólica e disfunção no sistema imune. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, em pacientes pediátricos, a eficácia do bloqueio peridural caudal no controle da dor intra e pós-operatória e na redução da resposta ao estresse nesses períodos. Métodos: Estudo clínico prospectivo randomizado que incluiu 60 pacientes submetidos à herniorrafia eletiva. Um grupo (n = 30) recebeu anestesia geral e o outro (n = 30), anestesia geral combinada a bloqueio caudal. Foram medidos os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, o consumo de medicamentos e a intensidade da dor. Amostras de sangue para medir glicemia e cortisol plasmático foram obtidas antes da indução e após o despertar dos pacientes. Resultados: As crianças que receberam bloqueio peridural caudal apresentaram valores significantemente mais baixos para glicemia (p < 0,01), concentração de cortisol (p < 0,01) e escores de dor de 3 horas (p = 0,002) e 6 horas (p = 0,003) após a cirurgia, maior estabilidade hemodinâmica e menor consumo de medicamentos. Além disso, não foram observados efeitos colaterais ou complicações nesse grupo. Conclusões: O bloqueio peridural caudal combinado à anestesia geral é uma técnica segura e que se associa a menor estresse, maior estabilidade hemodinâmica, redução nos escores de dor e baixo consumo de medicamentos.

A case of recurrent arrhythmia in an acute pancreatitis patient--pathophysiological explanation using shortage of 'repolarization reserve'.

We report a case of a patient with acute pancreatitis who developed serious heart rhythm abnormalities on three occasions, two of which were associated with administration of the first generation antihistamine chloropyramine, and the third one with hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia. Dysrhythmic events consisted of bigeminy, multifocal ventricular extrasystoles and torsades de pointes-like ventricular tachycardia. Electrocardiographic changes in acute pancreatitis in the absence of previous heart disease can occur in more than half of the cases. Antihistamines are medications that are known to produce heart rhythm disturbances, especially the second generation drugs astemizole and terfenadine. This is the first report of chloropyramine causing dysrhythmia. It seems that acute pancreatitis patients are especially prone to heart dysrhythmia caused by different factors such as electrolyte disturbances and pronounced vagal tone. Acute pancreatitis may be added to the list of risk factors with altered 'repolarization reserve', predisposing to drug-induced QT interval prolongation and possible torsades de pointes occurrence.

Subcostal transversus abdominis plane block can improve analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy / O bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal pode melhorar a analgesia após colecistectomia laparoscópica

Abstract Background and goal of study: After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, patients have moderate pain in the early postoperative period. Some studies shown beneficial effects of subcostal transversus abdominis plane block on reducing this pain. Our goal was to investigate influence of subcostal transversus abdominis plane block on postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. Materials and methods: We have randomized 76 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy to receive either subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (n = 38) or standard postoperative analgesia (n = 38). First group received bilateral ultrasound guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block with 20 mL of 0.33% bupivacaine per side before operation and tramadol 1 mg.kg−1 IV for pain breakthrough (≥6). Second group received after operation tramadol 1 mg.kg−1/6 h as standard hospital analgesia protocol. Both groups received acetaminophen 1 g/8 h IV and metamizole 2.5 g/12 h. Pain at rest was recorded for each patient using NR scale (0-10) in period of 10 min, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h and 16 h after the surgery. Results and discussion: We obtained no difference between groups according age, weight, intraoperative fentanyl consumption and duration of surgery. Subcostal transversus abdominis plane block significantly reduced postoperative pain scores compared to standard analgesia in all periods after surgery. Tramadol consumption was significantly lower in the subcostal transversus abdominis plane (24.29 ± 47.54 g) than in the standard analgesia group (270.2 ± 81.9 g) (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Our results show that subcostal transversus abdominis plane block can provide superior postoperative analgesia and reduction in opioid requirements after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivo: Após a colecistectomia laparoscópica, os pacientes apresentam dor moderada no pós-operatório imediato. Alguns estudos mostraram efeitos benéficos do bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal na redução dessa dor. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a influência do bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal nos escores de dor no pós-operatório e no consumo de opioides. Materiais e métodos: Foram randomizados 76 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica para receber o bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal (n = 38) ou analgesia padrão no pós-operatório (n = 38). O primeiro grupo recebeu bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal bilateral guiado por ultrassom com 20 mL de bupivacaína a 0,33% em cada lado antes da operação e tramadol IV (1 mg.kg−1) para controle da dor (≥ 6). O segundo grupo recebeu tramadol (1 mg.kg−1/6 h) como protocolo-padrão de analgesia hospitalar pós-cirurgia. Ambos os grupos receberam acetaminofeno IV (1 g/8 h) e dipirona (2,5 g/12 h). A dor em repouso foi registrada para cada paciente com o uso da escala NR (0-10) nos períodos de 10 min, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h e 16 h após a cirurgia. Resultados e discussão: Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação a idade, peso, consumo intraoperatório de fentanil e duração da cirurgia. O bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal reduziu significativamente o escore de dor no pós-operatório em comparação com a analgesia-padrão em todos os períodos após a cirurgia. O consumo de tramadol foi significativamente menor no grupo bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal (24,29 ± 47,54 g) do que no grupo analgesia padrão (270,2 ± 81,9 g) (p = 0,000). Conclusão: Nossos resultados mostram que o bloqueio do plano transverso abdominal subcostal pode proporcionar analgesia superior no pós-operatório e redução da necessidade de opioides após colecistectomia laparoscópica.

Clinical and predictive significance of hyponatremia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Hyponatremia after SAH was the object of several studies with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine a predictive correlation of hyponatremia with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and poor clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used a retrospective hospital chart review of 82 patients with SAH treated from August 2008 to August 2010. Patients were divided into hyponatremia and normonatremia groups. Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium level <135 mmol/l. Information compared and analyzed included demographics, preoperative neurological status, aneurysm characteristics, postoperative intensive care, duration of stay, DCI and clinical outcome at hospital discharge. P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with SAH (39%) developed hyponatremia. In that group we had a significantly higher WFNS score at admission (p=0.03) and longer duration of stay in intensive care (p=0.001). DCI with transit or definitive deficit included 20 patients (62%) in the hyponatremia group, and 19 patients (38%) in the normonatremia group (p=0.03). Binary enter logistic regression revealed a significant correlation of hyponatremia with DCI (p=0.03) and poor clinical outcome (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This result revealed a possible use of hyponatremia as an additional predictor of developing DCI and poor clinical outcome.