Analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block compared to intraoral conductive block of the inferior alveolar nerve after lower third molar alveolectomy: a clinical prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The analgesia after lower third molar alveolectomy is based on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that have significant risks, and are contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy. Aiming to reduce NSAIDs use after this surgery, we quantified analgesic effects of ultrasound (US)-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block. METHODS: Thirty-six patients were equally allocated to the experimental or control group, based on their willingness to receive experimental US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block for postoperative analgesia. The experimental block applied prior to lower third molar alveolectomy, was followed by standard intraoral inferior alveolar nerve block. In the control group, patients received only intraoral block of inferior alveolar nerve. All patients reported pain level (visual analogue scale, VAS) right after the application of blocks. The next day, patients reported duration of pain-free time and the use of analgesic. RESULTS: The US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block prolonged the pain-free time to 8 h (vs. 4 in control group, P < 0.001) and reduced NSAIDs use (12 patients needed analgesic in experimental vs. 17 patients in control group, P = 0.038). The application of experimental block was less painful (VAS = 2) than the application of intraoral inferior alveolar nerve block (VAS = 4, P = 0.011). In 8/18 patients in the experimental group US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block solely achieved adequate surgical anesthesia. CONCLUSION: US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block prolonged pain-free period and reduced the use of NSAIDs after lower third molar alveolectomy, thus proving to be successful analgesia method for this dental surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT06009302 , identification number: NCT06009302, date of registration: 18/08/2023.

Individualized Management of Coagulopathy in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease.

Over the last decades, individualized approaches and a better understanding of coagulopathy complexity in end-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients has evolved. The risk of both thrombosis and bleeding during minimally invasive interventions or surgery is associated with a worse outcome in this patient population. Despite deranged quantitative and qualitative coagulation laboratory parameters, prophylactic coagulation management is unnecessary for patients who do not bleed. Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) and blood products carries independent risks for morbidity and mortality, including modulation of the immune system with increased risk for nosocomial infections. Optimal coagulation management in these complex patients should be based on the analysis of standard coagulation tests (SCTs) and viscoelastic tests (VETs). VETs represent an individualized approach to patients and can provide information about coagulation dynamics in a concise period of time. This narrative review will deliver the pathophysiology of deranged hemostasis in ESLD, explore the difficulties of evaluating the coagulopathies in liver disease patients, and examine the use of VET assays and management of coagulopathy using coagulation factors. Methods: A selective literature search with PubMed as the central database was performed with the following.

ANESTHESIA FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY - A CHALLENGE FOR ANAESTHESIOLOGIST.

Mininimally invasive surgery has become one of the most popular ones over the last few decades due to many benefits. The advantages are minimal surgical incision, reduced blood loss, reduced postoperative pain, faster postoperative recovery, shorter hospital stay, lower morbidity and better outcomes compared to open surgery. The most common robotic procedures in urology are radical prostatectomies. In UHC Zagreb, since November 2019 until now, there have been more than 180 robotic assisted radical prostatectomies (RALP) using Senhance robotic system performed. As a procedure with many possible complications, it represents a challenge for anaesthesiologist. Some of the problems the anaesthesiologists have to face are related to limited patient access, possible difficulties connected with positioning, pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema, possible airway oedema. Pneumoperitoneum has impact on almost every system: cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal and other. Detailed understanding of physiological changes of RALP, with intraoperative impact on nearly every body system is ultimate. Careful preoperative evaluation and intraoperative conduction minimize the risk of complications, and help patients to reach full recovery in a very short time. Excellent outcomes are the result of individualized approach to the patient and good communication between team members.

Caesarean Section and the Risk of Postpartal Depression: Is There a Possible Role of Heat Shock Proteins?

Data on the potential connection between surgical stress during caesarean section and the role of heat shock proteins in development of postpartal depression is lacking in the literature. This is a narrative review with a goal to establish the potential role of heat shock proteins during caesarean section and development of postpartal depression. Systemic hyperinflammatory state, such as the one that occurs during surgery, may trigger protective cell reaction, which is usually called the heat shock response. Results of several researches bring strong evidence of correlation between expression of genes coding for family of heat shock proteins with the onset of depressive symptoms. Also, a recent meta-analysis established caesarean section as a risk factor for development of postpartal depression. It is obvious that heat shock proteins play a certain role in development of psychiatric disorders. However, a role of heat shock proteins in development of postpartal depression remains open for debate. We emphasise the need for a randomised control trial which would enable an answer to the mentioned issue.

Allergic reactions to colloid fluids in anesthesia.

Allergic reactions in anesthesia are a rare event, however, might be life threatening when occurred. Clinical manifestations may not be indicative at first, and difficult to differentiate from different situations during operation and anesthesia. Colloids represent a group of fluids often used during perioperative period that, among other adverse reactions, have an allergic potential. Albumin is a natural colloid that has the lowest incidence of these reactions. However, it is found as an additional substance in other blood products, and, therefore, has to be taken into consideration if anaphylaxis occurs. Dextrans cause the most severe reactions due to dextran reactive antibodies. Pretreatment with Dextran 1 may inhibit the reaction. Gelatins have the highest incidence of anaphylaxis among colloids. Patients with history of allergy to some food, vaccines, cosmetics containing gelatin are at greater perioperative risk for anaphylaxis. Not to forget, gelatins are also a part of topical haemostatic agents used in surgery. Testing for colloid allergies is limited due to their pathophysiologic mechanism, so the clinical assessment is usually essential. Treatment of anaphylaxis caused by colloids is the same as for any other cause. This is a review of the most common colloids and their association with allergic reactions in everyday practice.

Photoplethysmographic evaluation of sympathectomy during lumbar epidural analgesia: A randomized comparison of 0.125% ropivacaine and 0.125% levobupivacaine.

BACKGROUND: There are no data on the difference between the impact of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine on sympathetic nerve fibers during central neuraxial blocks. We hypothesized that there is no difference in the degree of sympathectomy between the two drugs during lumbar epidural analgesia for labor pain. METHODS: Sixty healthy parturients were randomized to the type of local anesthetic-opiod solution administered in the epidural space: 10 mL of 0.125% ropivacaine + 100 mcg of fentanyl or 10 mL of 0.125% levobupivacaine + 100 mcg of fentanyl. After the baseline measurement, photoplethysmography signal from the first toe of the leg was recorded 5, 10 and 20 minutes after administration of epidural analgesia. RESULTS: Area under the curve and the pulse transit time of the toe photoplethysmography increased in both groups during the first 20 minutes after administration of epidural analgesia (P < 0.001 for both parameters in both groups). No difference in the degree of sympathectomy was found between the groups for the area under the curve. The difference in the change of the pulse transit time suggests that the two local anesthetics might differ in the degree of sympathectomy (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: 0.125% ropivacaine and 0.125% levobupivacaine do not differ in the terms of sympathectomy-mediated side effects of the epidural block for labor analgesia. However, the photoplethysmography findings suggest a certain difference in the degree of sympathectomy between the two local anesthetics.

Sympathetic activity of S-(+)-ketamine low doses in the epidural space / Atividade simpática de cetamina S-(+) em doses baixas no espaço epidural / Actividad simpática de la ketamina S(+)-en dosis bajas en el espacio epidural

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: S-(+)-ketamine is an intravenous anaesthetic and sympathomimetic with properties of local anaesthetic. It has an effect of an analgetic and local anaesthetic when administered epidurally, but there are no data whether low doses of S-(+)-ketamine have sympathomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether low doses of S-(+)-ketamine, given epidurally together with local anaesthetic, have any effect on sympathetic nervous system, both systemic and below the level of anaesthetic block. METHODS: The study was conducted on two groups of patients to whom epidural anaesthesia was administered to. Local anaesthesia (0.5% bupivacaine) was given to one group (control group) while local anaesthesia and S-(+)-ketamine were given to other group. Age, height, weight, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were measured. Non-competitive enzyme immunochemistry method (Cat Combi ELISA) was used to determine the concentrations of catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline). Immunoenzymometric determination with luminescent substrate on a machine called Vitros Eci was used to determine the concentration of cortisol. Pulse transit time was measured using photoplethysmography. Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon test and Friedman ANOVA were the statistical tests. Blood pressure, pulse, adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol concentrations were measured in order to estimate systemic sympathetic effects. RESULTS: 40 patients in the control group were given 0.5% bupivacaine and 40 patients in the test group were given 0.5% bupivacaine with S-(+)-ketamine. Value p < 0.05 has been taken as a limit of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose of S-(+)-ketamine administered epidurally had no sympathomimetic effects; it did not change blood pressure, pulse, serum hormones or pulse transit time. Low dose of S-(+)-ketamine administered epidurally did not deepen sympathetic block. Adding 25 ...

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: cetamina S-(+) é um anestésico intravenoso e simpaticomimético com propriedades de anestésico local. Tem efeito analgésico e de anestésico local quando administrada por via epidural, mas não há dados que relatem se cetamina S-(+) em doses baixas tem efeitos simpaticomiméticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se cetamina S-(+) em doses baixas, administrada por via epidural em combinação com anestésico local, tem algum efeito sobre o sistema nervoso simpático, tanto sistêmico quanto abaixo do nível do bloqueio anestésico. MÉTODOS: o estudo foi conduzido com dois grupos de pacientes submetidos à anestesia epidural. Anestesia local (bupivacaína a 0,5) foi administrada a um grupo (controle), enquanto anestesia local em combinação com cetamina S-(+) foi administrada ao outro grupo (teste). Idade, altura, peso, pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e pressão arterial média foram medidos. O método imunoquímico de inibição enzimática não competitiva (Cat Combi Elisa) foi usado para determinar as concentrações de catecolaminas (adrenalina e noradrenalina). O ensaio imunoenzimométrico com substrato luminescente em uma máquina chamada Vitros Eci foi usado para determinar a concentração de cortisol. O tempo de transição do pulso foi medido com fotopletismografia. Para análise estatística, os testes de Wilcoxon, U de Mann-Whitney e Anova de Friedman foram usados. Pressão arterial, pulso e concentrações de adrenalina, noradrenalina e cortisol foram medidos para estimar os efeitos simpáticos sistêmicos. RESULTADOS: receberam bupivacaína a 5% 40 pacientes do grupo controle e 40 do grupo teste receberam bupivacaína a 0,5% com cetamina S-(+). Um valor de p < 0,05 foi ...

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: la ketamina S(+) es un anestésico intravenoso y simpaticomimético con propiedades de anestésico local. Posee un efecto analgésico y de anestésico local cuando se administra por vía epidural, pero no existen datos que informen si la ketamina S(+) en bajas dosis tiene efectos simpaticomiméticos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la ketamina S(+) en bajas dosis y administrada por vía epidural en combinación con el anestésico local tiene algún efecto sobre el sistema nervioso simpático, tanto sistémico como por debajo del nivel del bloqueo anestésico. MÉTODOS: el estudio fue realizado con 2 grupos de pacientes sometidos a anestesia epidural. A un grupo (grupo control) se le administró la anestesia local (bupivacaína al 0,5), mientras que a otro se le administró la anestesia local en combinación con la ketamina S(+). La edad, altura, peso, presión arterial sistólica y diastólica y la presión arterial media se midieron. El método inmunoquímico de inhibición enzimática no competitiva (Cat Combi ELISA) se usó para determinar las concentraciones de catecolaminas (adrenalina y noradrenalina). El ensayo inmunoenzimométrico con sustrato lumínico en una máquina llamada Vitros Eci fue usado para determinar la concentración de cortisol. El tiempo de transición del pulso fue medido usando la fotopletismografía. Para el análisis estadístico se usaron los test de Wilcoxon, U de Mann-Whitney y ANOVA de Friedman. La presión arterial, pulso y concentraciones de adrenalina, noradrenalina y cortisol fueron medidos para estimar los efectos simpáticos sistémicos. RESULTADOS: cuarenta pacientes del grupo control recibieron bupivacaína al 5% y 40 pacientes del grupo test recibieron bupivacaína al 0,5% con ketamina ...

Interleukin-6 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk in population of Eastern Croatia.

Recent studies suggest that chronic inflammation is crucial in the development and progression of prostate cancer (CaP). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in intraprostatic inflammation and thus carcinogenesis. The -174G > C polymorphism of IL-6 gene has been associated with high IL-6 producer phenotype and an increased risk for CaP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the mentioned IL-6 polymorphism and CaP risk, as well as to compare the genotype frequency between the different tumour grades of CaP, in population of Eastern Croatia. We analyzed the IL-6 polymorphism in 120 CaP patients and 120 controls with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). CaP patients and BPH controls did not statistically differ in studied IL-6 polymorphism. Furthermore, high IL-6 producer genotypes (GG or GC) were more frequent in controls than in CaP group (86.7% vs 80.8%, respectively, p = 0.147). Also, no statistically significant difference in IL-6 high and low producer genotype frequency was noticed between well, moderately and poorly differentiated tumours. Our results, taken together with other studies on the subject, suggest that IL-6 - 174 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distribution may differ between various ethnic groups and that a single cytokine gene polymorphism has probably just a minor effect on CaP susceptibility. Further studies should be performed to clarify the link between SNPs of different cytokines and the risk for CaP.

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate.

The aim of the present study was to analyze retrospectively the safety and success rates of single- and two-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocols for the treatment of hemodynamically stable cases of ectopic pregnancy at University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zagreb University Hospital Center, during a five-year period. The study evaluated MTX treatment efficacy in 35 women with ectopic pregnancies in relation to the initial levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone. Successful treatment was recorded in 32/35 women, 24/25 on single dose MTX and 8/10 on double dose MTX, whereas 3/35 patients underwent laparoscopy. The mean initial hCG level in all 35 patients on day 0 was 657.54 +/- 592.4 IU/L; 572.99 +/- 488.10 IU/L in those successfully treated with MTX and 1560.30 +/- 890.70 IU/L in those requiring additional laparoscopy (p < 0.005). The mean initial hCG level was 393.10 +/- 305.9 IU/L in patients successfully treated with a single dose of MTX and 973.5 +/- 722.40 IU/L in those with an additional dose of MTX (p < 0.002). The mean initial progesterone level was 16.36 +/-10.70 nmol/L in 35 MTX-treated ectopic pregnancy patients, 13.64 +/- 8.89 nmol/L in those with treatment success and 28.45 +/- 11.32 nmol/L in cases of treatment failure (p < 0.05). The mean level of progesterone on day 0 was 12.74 +/- 830 nmol/L in patients successfully treated with a single dose of MTX and 26.10 +/- 18.80 nmol/L in patients treated with double-dose MTX (p < 0.006). It is concluded that pretreatment values of hCG and progesterone are inversely related to medicamentous treatment success in selected cases ofhemodynamically stable patients, thus they may be used as an important predictor in the management of ectopic pregnancy treated with MTX.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in uterosacral ligaments tissue of women with genital prolapse.

Collagen metabolism is altered in the pelvic organ tissues of women with genital prolapse. The aim of this study was to compare collagen metabolism by measuring matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in uterosacral ligament tissues of postmenopausal women with and without genital prolapse. Uterosacral ligament tissues were obtained at the time of abdominal or vaginal surgery from twenty-four patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and 21 women who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign indications. The tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. There were no differences in age, BMI and parity between two groups. The patients with genital prolapse demonstrated significantly higher occurences of MMP-1 expression compared to controls. These findings indicate that increased MMP-1 expression in uterosacral ligaments is associated with genital prolapse. Our data are consistent with the theory that increased collagen breakdown may play an important role in the onset and development of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Empirical antibiotic therapy of sepsis in surgical intensive care unit.

Retrospective study was conducted in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb in 2005. The aim of study was to create guidelines for empirical antibiotic therapy of sepsis in ICU for unknown causative agent based on antimicrobial susceptibility of causative bacteria. Thirty-two patients with severe sepsis were included in study and from medical records their clinical and microbiological data were analyzed. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains isolated from the blood-culture was tested by disk diffusion method according to CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standard Institution). We used APACHE II score to predict the severity of illness. Mann-Whitney test and chi2 test were used to test statistical significance difference between results. Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the predominant causative agent. Acinetobacter baumannii was displaying excellent susceptibility to ampicillin+sulbactam and carbapenems, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa was showed good susceptibility on ceftazidim and carbapenems. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), third predominant causative agent exhibiting good susceptibility to vancomycin and linezolide. The recommended therapy is empirical antibiotic therapy and should cover all important pathogens.

Microbiological surveillance of the surgical intensive care unit in Zagreb--a pivot for guideline-based therapy of severe sepsis.

The aim of this retrospective study was to create guidelines for therapy of severe sepsis in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) for unknown causative agent based on antimicrobial susceptibility of causative bacteria. Seventy-four patients with severe sepsis from surgical ICU in 2003.-2005. were included in study. Their clinical and microbiological data were analyzed from the medical records. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains isolated from the blood-culture was tested by disk diffusion method according to CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standard Institution). APACHE II score was used to predict the severity of illness. Statistical significance difference between results was tested by Mann-Whitney test and chi2 test. Important problem remained type of sepsis: mono-agent sepsis presented less therapeutic problem than sepsis caused with two or more agents (mixed sepsis). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were predominant causative agents in both type of sepsis. There was remarkable increase of A. baumannii prevalence in 2005 compared to 2004 and to 2003. There was also decrease of MRSA prevalence in 2004 and 2005 compared to 2003. P. aeruginosa were the predominant causative agents in 2004. MRSA displayed good susceptibility to vancomycin and linezolide, whereas P. aeruginosa showed excellent susceptibility to ceftazidime and carbapenems. A. baumannii, third predominant causative agent, exhibited excellent susceptibility to ampicillin+ sulbactam and carbapenems. The recommended therapy is empirical and should cover all important pathogens.

Hyperbaric oxygenation combined with streptokinase for treatment of arterial thromboembolism of the lower leg.

Thromboembolic occlusion of peripheral arteries is a common problem in patients referred to vascular surgery departments. Standard treatments include catheter aspiration techniques, use of fibrinolytic agents and surgical thrombendarterectomy. Recent reports have described the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with limb ischemia, yet their main focus has been on patients with chronic disorders. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation and acute thromboembolic occlusion of the posterior tibial artery. The patient presented with severe pain in the right calf, unresponsive to non-opioid parenteral analgesia and accompanied by coldness, numbness and partial motor palsy of the right foot. After 60 minutes of oxygenation in a hyperbaric chamber with a pressure of 2.2 bar, the pain receded, although without signs of restored blood flow in the occluded artery. After fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase, patency of the posterior tibial artery was verified by return of palpable pulsations and color Doppler ultrasonography. By combining hyperbaric oxygenation and streptokinase in the treatment of lower-leg arterial thromboembolism we achieved regression of ischemic pain, prolongation of the survival time of tissues compromised by ischemia and resolved the cause of the ischemia. We believe the use of this therapeutic strategy in selected cases of peripheral arterial thromboembolism is justified.

Comparison of digital rectal examination and prostate specific antigen in early detection of prostate cancer.

This study compares the value of digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) determination in the detection of prostate cancer. 1,000 men aged > or = 50 from the Osijek surroundings were examined. The subjects with prostatitis were excluded from the study. The subjects with elevated concentration of total prostate specific antigen and/or digital rectal examination suspect of carcinoma underwent prostate biopsy. The rate of prostate cancer detection showed to be 3.3% for PSA > 4 ng/ml, 2% for abnormal finding of DRE, and 3.7% for combination of the two methods. Out of 35 patients with prostate cancer detected, 19 had suspect DRE finding and 32 had PSA exceeding 4 ng/ml. Thus, PSA pointed to the diagnosis of prostate cancer in 91.4%, and abnormal finding of DRE in 54.2% of cases, the difference being statistically significant. The positive predictive value was 48.7% for abnormal finding of DRE, 47% for PSA > 4 ng/ml, and 80.0% for the combination of both. Although PSA determination detected a considerable proportion of tumors missed on DRE, the former alone was found to be insufficient as a screening method because of its inadequate sensitivity. When combined with digital rectal examination, the probability of prostate cancer detection increased considerably.