Calcitonin as an Additive to Local Anesthetic and Steroid Injection Using a Modified Coronoid Approach in Trigeminal Neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacotherapy is the main treatment for management of trigeminal neuralgia. However, many patients become refractory to drugs. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding calcitonin to local anesthetic and methylprednisolone using a modified coronoid approach in management of trigeminal neuralgia pain involving the mandibular and/or maxillary branches. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized double blind clinical trial. SETTING: Hospital outpatient setting. METHODS: Thirty-three patients received maxillary and mandibular blocks by a modified coronoid approach. Patients were allocated into 2 groups. Group 1 received a block with 3 mL of lidocaine 0.5% plus 40 mg of methylprednisolone and another syringe contained 1 mL of 0.9% saline. Group 2 received a block with 3 mL of lidocaine 0.5% plus 40 mg of methylprednisolone and another syringe contained 50 international units of calcitonin. Pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) before the block (basal), at 2 weeks, one month after the procedure, and monthly for one year. Duration of the effective pain relief of the first block (VAS = 3) was reported. Repeated blockade was allowed for any patient reporting a VAS > 30 mm during one year of follow-up and the number of blocks were reported. Adverse effects were also reported. RESULTS: A significantly longer duration of effective pain relief was noticed in group 2 compared with group 1 (P < 0.0004) while the duration of effective pain relief of the second block in group 1 was 28.5 ± 8.9 weeks. Four patients did not need repeated blocks in group 1 versus 15 in group 2. Six patients received 2 blocks versus 2 patients in each group, respectively. Moreover, 6 patients needed 3 blocks in group1 versus none in group 2. No serious adverse events were reported during or after the interventional procedure. VAS was comparable in both groups (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. CONCLUSION: Calcitonin may be a useful additive to local anesthetic and steroid in management of trigeminal neuralgia. Also, a modified coronoid approach for maxillary and mandibular nerve is simple, free of radiation, safe, and may be an effective percutaneous procedure in trigeminal neuralgia. KEY WORDS: Calcitonine, modifed, coronoid approach, trigeminal neuralgia.

Intravenous granisetron attenuates hypotension during spinal anesthesia in cesarean delivery: A double-blind, prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of intravenous (IV) granisetron in the prevention of hypotension and bradycardia during spinal anesthesia in cesarean delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 200 parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group I was given 1 mg granisetron diluted in 10 ml normal saline slowly IV, 5 min before spinal anesthesia. Group II was given 10 ml of normal saline, 5 min before spinal anesthesia. Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded every 3 min until the end of surgery (for 45 min). The total consumption of vasopressors and atropine were recorded. Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were also assessed. RESULTS: Serial mean arterial blood pressure and HR values for 45 min after onset of spinal anesthesia were decreased significantly in group II, P < 0.0001. The incidence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia was 64% in group II and 3% in group I (P < 0.0001). The total doses of ephedrine (4.07 ± 3.87 mg vs 10.7 ± 8.9 mg, P < 0.0001), phenylephrine (0.0 microg vs 23.2 ± 55.1 microg, P < 0.0001), and atropine (0.0 mg vs 0.35 ± 0.49 mg P < 0.0001) consumed in both the groups respectively, were significantly less in group I versus group II. CONCLUSION: Premedication with 1 mg IV granisetron before spinal anesthesia in an elective cesarean section significantly reduces hypotension, bradycardia and vasopressors usage.

Anesthetic Bladder Hydrodistention Is Superior to Superior Hypogastric Plexus Neurolysis in Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis-bladder Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis (SHN) for treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC)-bladder pain syndrome (BPS) in comparison with bladder hydrodistention (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 24 female patients were randomly allocated to receive either SHN or HD. Patients were evaluated by recording the O'Leary-Sant IC symptom indices, IC problem indices, pain visual analog scale (VAS), number of daytime frequency, and nocturia. Pressure flow study was conducted for all patients. Intraoperative and postoperative changes and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Basal IC symptom indices, IC problem indices, and VAS scores were comparable between both groups (P = .31, .63, and .94, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups with respect to urodynamic parameters. Only pain VAS at first week was improved in SHN in comparison with HD (P = .012). Thereafter, all parameters were significantly improved in favor of the HD group at 2- and 4-week visits. Adverse events in both groups were ranked as Grade 1 Clavien-Dindo classification including transient hematuria in the HD group and transient back ache in the SHN group. CONCLUSION: Despite effective pain control in cases with IC-BPS after SHN, it lacks durability. It seems that SHN in its current form is not to be a suitable line of treatment for IC-BPS. Multimodality treatment would be needed for proper control of patients' symptoms.

Comparative Study of the Effects of the Retrocrural Celiac Plexus Block Versus Splanchnic Nerve Block, C-arm Guided, for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors on Pain Relief and the Quality of Life at a Six-month Follow Up.

BACKGROUND: The celiac plexus and splanchnic nerves are targets for neurolytic blocks for pain relief from pain caused by upper gastrointestinal tumors. Therefore, we investigated the analgesic effect of a celiac plexus block versus a splanchnic nerve block and the effects of these blocks on the quality of life six months post-intervention for patients with upper GIT tumors. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with inoperable upper GIT tumors and with severe uncontrolled visceral pain were randomized into two groups. These were Group I, for whom a celiac plexus block was used with a bilateral needle retrocrural technique, and Group II, for whom a splanchnic nerve block with a bilateral needle technique was used. The visual analogue scale for pain (0 to 100), the quality of life via the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and survival rates were assessed. RESULTS: Pain scores were comparable in both groups in the first week after the block. Significantly more patients retained good analgesia with tramadol in the splanchnic group from 16 weeks onwards (P = 0.005, 0.001, 0.005, 0.001, 0.01). Social and cognitive scales improved significantly from the second week onwards in the splanchnic group. Survival of both groups was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the efficacy of the splanchnic nerve block technique appears to be clinically comparable to a celiac block. All statistically significant differences are of little clinical value.

Single paravertebral injection for acute thoracic herpes zoster: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of single thoracic paravertebral injection in acute thoracic herpes zoster (HZ) pain, eruptive duration, and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight patients over 50 years of age with acute thoracic herpetic eruption were randomly assigned to receive a paravertebral block using either 10 mL saline (placebo group) or 25 mg bupivacaine, plus 8 mg dexamethasone in a total volume of 10 mL (active group). All the patients received pregabalin 150 mg twice daily. Acetaminophen was available as rescue analgesia. Pain severity was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS). Analgesics consumption was evaluated weekly. Time to pain resolution, healing of the skin eruption, and incidence of persistent postherpetic pain were reported. RESULTS: Significantly shorter duration of pain and herpetic eruption was noticed in the active group vs. placebo group (P = 0.013 and < 0.001, respectively). Active group showed significantly lower VAS at the third week. Significantly lower doses of pregabalin and acetaminophen were consumed in the active group. Incidence of PHN was comparable in both groups after 3 months (P = 0.094). A significantly lower incidence of PHN was noted in active treatment group at 6 months (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Early single paravertebral blockade in the course of acute thoracic HZ seems to be a safe and effective adjuvant treatment modality.

Neurolytic sympathectomy in the management of cancer pain-time effect: a prospective, randomized multicenter study.

CONTEXT: Sympathectomy is currently used as the fourth step of the modified World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder. Sympathectomy can be performed early, before the second step on the ladder. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that early sympathectomy would reduce pain and opioid consumption and improve quality of life. METHODS: One hundred nine patients, with inoperable abdominal or pelvic cancer, reporting visceral pain of 40-70 on a visual analogue scale and taking nonopioid analgesics were allocated randomly into two groups: either blocks were performed before Step 2 of the WHO ladder, then analgesics were managed according to the ladder (Group I) or analgesics were given according to the WHO ladder, and blocks were performed as the fourth step after failure of strong opioids to control pain (Group II). Visual analogue scale scores, responder analysis, daily opioid consumption, related side effects, and quality of life were assessed. RESULTS: Responders were significantly higher in Group I (P < 0.0001), and partial responders and nonresponders significantly increased in Group II (P < 0.0001 and 0.006, respectively). Opioid consumption significantly decreased in Group I (P < 0.0001 during first 12 months and 0.007 at the last assessment time), with concomitant significant reduction in related side effects. The number of patients who had a good analgesic response on tramadol significantly increased in Group I during the first five months (P < 0.05). European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 global quality-of-life subscale scores revealed significant improvement until the fifth month in Group I (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sympathectomy before Step 2 on the WHO analgesic ladder seems to lead to better pain control, less opioid consumption, and better quality of life in cancer patients.

Comparative study between 2 protocols for management of severe pain in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a celiac plexus block for the treatment of upper abdominal cancer-related pain has been documented. However, the effect of preprocedural pharmacological control of pain on its efficacy remains unknown. The researchers investigated the effect of first controlling severe pain with medications and then performing the celiac plexus block and compared the results with those obtained when the celiac block was performed first followed by pharmacotherapy for controlling severe pain; the impact on and duration of pain relief, effect on the quality of life, and analgesic requirements were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with nonresectable pancreatic cancer reporting visual analog scale (VAS) ≥ 70 (visceral pain, continuous or intermittent) were randomized into 2 equal groups. Group I comprised patients in whom the celiac block was performed early after the first meeting and then analgesic requirements were managed according to the severity of pain and the World Health Organization analgesic ladder. Group II comprised patients in whom analgesics were first given to control pain and the celiac plexus block was performed only when the patients reported a VAS score < 40. VAS and total daily analgesic consumption were recorded before the block, followed by weekly for 1 month, monthly for 6 months, and finally in the 9th and 12th months. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30). Patients were asked to report any side effects particularly related to the procedure and intake of opioids. RESULTS: Pain scores were comparable in both groups at initial assessment. However, in group II, VAS was reduced to 29.2 ± 4.48 in 8 ± 3 days through medical treatment before performing the block. At all time periods examined, pain scores were significantly lower in both groups compared with pretreatment scores (P < 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in VAS in group II when compared with group I at 2 months after the procedure and thereafter (P < 0.0001). Morphine sulfate consumption and frequency of opioid adverse effects were significantly lower in group II from the second month onward (P < 0.0001). The number of patients who showed good response to tramadol was significantly higher in group II in the second month until the 6th month (P < 0.05). QLQ-C30 was significantly lower in group II compared with group I from the 2nd month onward (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Controlling severe pain with medication and then performing the celiac block seems to be more effective in controlling pain, reducing opioid consumption, and improving the quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer compared with performing the celiac block at the beginning followed by pharmacotherapy for pain relief.

Effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine or lower dose bupivacaine/magnesium versus placebo for postoperative analgesia after cesarean section.

AIM: The authors examined the analgesic effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine or lower dose bupivacaine and magnesium versus normal saline for postoperative analgesia after cesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II were prepared for elective cesarean section. At the end of the surgery, the wound was continuously infiltrated at a rate of 5 ml/h for 24 h post-operatively by one of the following solutions: 0.25% bupivacaine, a mixture of 0.125% bupivacaine and 5% magnesium sulphate or normal saline (0.9%). Total opioid consumption, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest and movement, incidence of opioid side-effects and signs of wound inflammation were assessed during the period of the study (24 h post-operatively). Three months later, residual pain, surgical wound infection, need for extra-antibiotic therapy and wound healing impairment were assessed. RESULTS: Post-operative pain scores at rest were statistically significant higher in the control group than those in the both wound infiltration groups from 4(th) h and onwards (P < 0.0001). Meanwhile, post-operative pain was higher in bupivacaine group versus magnesium group (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, 0.0012, respectively). There was statistically significant increase in VAS during movement in the control group versus others at 2, 4, 12, 24 h post-operatively (P < 0.0001). However, patients received magnesium plus bupivacaine wound infiltration showed a significant decrease in post-operative pain scores than whom received bupivacaine from 4(th) h and onward (P < 0.0001, 0.0054, 0.0001, respectively). Morphine consumption was significantly reduced in the magnesium group, (P < 0.0001). Incidence of residual pain was comparable in the three groups. The incidence of sedation and urine retention were noted to be significantly higher in the control group in comparison to other groups, (P <0.0001). The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting was reduced in patients received magnesium plus bupivacaine block versus others (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Continuous wound infiltration with a mixture of bupivacaine and magnesium sulphate after cesarean section showed an effective analgesia and reduced post-operative Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) requirements as compared to continuous wound infiltration with local anesthetic only or placebo with fewer incidences of opioid adverse effects.

Remote ischaemic preconditioning in coronary artery bypass surgery: a meta-analysis.

AIM: Randomised trials exploring remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have yielded conflicting data regarding potential cardiovascular and renal protection, and are individually flawed by small sample size. METHODS: Three investigators independently searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases to identify randomised trials testing RIPC in patients undergoing CABG. RESULTS: Nine studies with 704 patients were included. Standardised mean difference of troponin I and T release showed a significant decrease (-0.36 (95% CI -0.62 to -0.09)). This difference held true after excluding the trials with cross-clamp fibrillation, the study with off-pump CABG and studies using a flurane as anaesthetic agent (-0.41 (95% CI -0.69 to -0.12), -0.38 (95% CI -0.70 to -0.07) and -0.37 (95% CI -0.63 to -0.12), respectively). A similar trend was also obtained for patients with multivessel disease (-0.41 (95% CI -0.73 to -0.08)). The trials evaluating postoperative creatinine reported a non-significant reduction (0.02 (95% CI -0.09 to 0.13)). Moreover, the length of in-hospital stay was not influenced by the kind of treatment (weighted mean difference 0.27 (95% CI -0.24 to 0.79)). CONCLUSION: RIPC reduced the release of troponin in patients undergoing CABG. Larger randomised trials are needed to clarify the presence of a causal relationship between RIPC-induced troponin release and clinical adverse events.

Cardioprotective effect of sevoflurane in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of sevoflurane compared with propofol in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing peripheral vascular surgery; and to address the question whether a volatile anesthetic might improve cardiac outcome in these patients. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six patients scheduled for elective peripheral vascular surgery were prospectively randomized to receive either sevoflurane inhalation anesthesia or total intravenous anesthesia. ST-segment monitoring was performed continuously during intra- and post-operative 48 h periods. The number of ischemic events and the cumulative duration of ischemia in each patient were recorded. Blood was sampled in all patients for the determination of cTnI. Samples were obtained before the induction of anesthesia, on admission to the ICU, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were followed-up during their hospital stay for any adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: The incidence of ischemia were comparable among the groups [16 (25%) patients in sevoflurane group vs 24 (39%) patients in propofol group; P=0.126]. Duration, cumulative duration, and magnitude of ST-segment depression of ischemic events in each patient were significantly less in sevoflurane group (P=0.008, 0.048, 0.038, respectively). cTnI levels of the overall population were significantly less in sevoflurane group vs propofol group (P values <0.0001) from 6 h postoperative and onward. Meanwhile, cTnI levels at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after admission to the ICU in patients who presented with ischemic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes were significantly lower in sevoflurane group than in the propofol group (P<0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.0003). None of the patients presented with unstable angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or serious arrhythmia either during ICU or hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Patients with CAD receiving sevoflurane for peripheral vascular surgery had significantly lower release of cardiac troponin I at 6 h postoperatively and lasting for 48 h than patients receiving propofol for the same procedure with significant decrease in duration, cumulative duration of ischemic events, and degree of ST depression in each patient.

Premedication with granisetron reduces shivering during spinal anaesthesia in children.

This study evaluates the effect of prophylactic granisetron on the incidence of postoperative shivering after spinal anaesthesia in children. Eighty children, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to II and aged two to five years were scheduled for surgery of the lower limb under spinal anaesthesia. The children were randomised to receive 10 µg/kg granisetron diluted in 10 ml saline 0.9% intravenously (group 1, n=40) or placebo (10 ml 0.9% saline, group 2, n=40) to be given over five minutes just before spinal puncture. Shivering, core temperature and the levels of motor and sensory block were assessed. No patients shivered in group 1. However, six patients shivered in Group 2 (P=0.025). There were no significant differences in the other measured variables between the groups. Granisetron is an effective agent to prevent shivering after spinal anaesthesia in children from two to five years of age.

Maternal and neonatal effects of nalbuphine given immediately before induction of general anesthesia for elective cesarean section.

BACKGROUND: Although nalbuphine was studied extensively in labour analgesia and was proved to be acceptable analgesics during delivery, its use as premedication before induction of general anesthesia for cesarean section is not studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nalbuphine given before induction of general anesthesia for cesarean section on quality of general anesthesia, maternal stress response, and neonatal outcome. METHODS: Sixty full term pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section, randomly classified into two equal groups, group N received nalbuphine 0.2 mg/kg diluted in 10 ml of normal saline (n=30), and group C placebo (n=30) received 10 ml of normal saline 1 min before the induction of general anesthesia. Maternal heart rate and blood pressure were measured before, after induction, during surgery, and after recovery. Neonates were assisted by using APGAR0 scores, time to sustained respiration, and umbilical cord blood gas analysis. RESULT: Maternal heart rate showed significant increase in control group than nalbuphine group after intubation (88.2±4.47 versus 80.1±4.23, P<0.0001) and during surgery till delivery of baby (90.8±2.39 versus 82.6±2.60, P<0.0001) and no significant changes between both groups after delivery. MABP increased in control group than nalbuphine group after intubation (100.55±6.29 versus 88.75±6.09, P<0.0001) and during surgery till delivery of baby (98.50±2.01 versus 90.50±2.01, P<0.0001) and no significant changes between both groups after delivery. APGAR score was significantly low at one minute in nalbuphine group than control group (6.75±2.3, 8.5±0.74, respectively, P=0.0002) (27% of nalbuphine group APGAR score ranged between 4-6, while 7% in control group APGAR score ranged between 4-6 at one minute). All neonates at five minutes showed APGAR score ranged between 9-10. Time to sustained respiration was significantly longer in nalbuphine group than control group (81.8±51.4 versus 34.9±26.2 seconds, P<0.0001). The umbilical cord blood gas was comparable in both groups. None of the neonates need opioid antagonist (naloxone) or endotracheal intubation. CONCLUSION: Administration of nalbuphine before cesarean section under general anesthesia reduces maternal stress response related to intubation and surgery, but decreases the APGAR score at one minute after delivery. So, when nalbuphine was used, all measures for neonatal monitoring and resuscitation must be available including attendance of a pediatrician.

Comparison between preemptive gabapentin and paracetamol for pain control after adenotonsillectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in ENT practice. Postoperative pain remains the major problem following tonsillectomy, if not treated. Different methods and many drugs have been used to control the postoperative pain. In this study, we evaluate the role of gabapentin premedication vs paracetamol in management of postoperative pain following adenotonsillectomy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double blind randomized study, 70 children were subjected for adenotonsillectomy classified into two equal groups. Group I: Gabapentin 10 mg/kg was given orally 2 hours before induction of anesthesia (Gabapentin syrup 250 mg/5 ml); Group II: Oral paracetamol 20 mg/kg was given orally 2 hours before induction of anesthesia. All children underwent general anesthesia. Pain score was assisted postoperatively 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, and 18 hours after recovery using visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULT: Pain score in gabapentin group was significantly less in 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, and 8 hours postoperatively than in paracetamol group (P=0.0003, <0.0001, 0.0004, <0.0001, respectively). The time to first analgesia was longer in the gabapentin group than paracetamol group (7.95±2.06 hours vs 5.85±1.87 hours; P<0.0001) and the total amount of pethedine was less in gabapentin group than in paracetamol group (8±10.05 mg vs 16.25±11.57 mg; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Gabapentin premedication improves postoperative analgesia following adenotonsillectomy in children and reduce analgesic requirements in comparison with paracetamol premedication, with no reported side effects.