Comparative analgesic, hemodynamic, pain and duration of sensory and motor block effects of dexmedetomidine, granisetron, and nitroglycerin added to ropivacaine in intravenous anesthesia for forearm surgeries: a randomized clinical study.

This trial-based paper strives to address the comparative efficacy of some ropivacaine adjuvant options, comprising dexmedetomidine, granisetron, and nitroglycerin, on pain and hemodynamic changes in intravenous anesthesia for forearm surgeries. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled four block-randomized eligible groups with patients (overall, n=128) undergoing orthopedic forearm surgeries in the dexmedetomidine, nitroglycerin, granisetron, and placebo groups. Intra- and post-operative vital signs (mean arterial pressure/heart rate/ oxygen saturation) were monitored at baseline and captured every 10 minutes until the end of the surgery, as well as the onset of sensory and motor block and length and duration of the block and mean opioid use within 24 hours. Lastly, pain was noted after tourniquet inflation (at 15, 30, and 45 minutes every 15 minutes until the end of surgery) and after deflation (every 30 minutes to 2 hours at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes), as well as 6, 12, and 24 hours after the tourniquet was deflated. The dexmedetomidine-sedated subjects appeared to demonstrate quicker onset and longer length and duration of sensory and motor block, plus less pain and opioid use at all scheduled times (both P = 0.0001). Dexmedetomidine is recommended as an adjuvant to regional anesthesia (Bier's block), while being coupled with the rapid onset and prolonged length and duration of sensory and motor blocks, in addition to soothed pain and diminished opioid use within postoperative 24 hours. The study was approved by Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (approval No. IR.ARAKMU.REC.1398.112) on July 21, 2019, and registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration number IRCT20141209020258N123) on November 2, 2019.

Clinical Comparison of Adding Sulfate Magnesium and Dexmedetomidine in Axillary Plexus Block for Prolonging the Duration of Sensory and Motor Block: Study Protocol for a Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of magnesium sulfate adjunct to dexmedetomidine on increasing the duration of sensory and motor block in axillary block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a double-blind clinical trial. Ninety-nine patients were included in the study. They were undergoing forearm and hand surgery and were referred to Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Arak. The patients were divided into three groups. The first group received lidocaine (1.5%) and dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg). The second group patients were given lidocaine (1.5%) plus magnesium. In the control group, lidocaine (1.5%) was adjusted to 35 cc with normal saline. The final volume was 35 cc in the three groups. Sensory and motor block and pain were measured and data were analyzed using SPSS v. 20. The final volume was 35 cc in the three groups. RESULTS: The sensory and motor block onset time and the stabilization time of the sensory and motor block in the magnesium sulfate group were lower (p<0/001). Pain in recovery, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery was lower in the magnesium sulfate group when compared with the dexmedetomidine group (p<0.001). The lowest dose of opioid was used in the dexmedetomidine group 24 hours after surgery (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that dexmedetomidine decreases pain. Magnesium sulfate increased the sensory and motor block onset time, and the sensory and motor block stabilization time, but dexmedetomidine increases the motor block duration.

Comparison of the effect of apotel and pregabalin on postoperative pain among patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: Proper control of postoperative pain is one of the major challenges after surgery. Such pains result in physical complications, increased metabolism, exacerbations of underlying diseases, and increased blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of apotel and pregabalin on postoperative pain among patients undergoing lower limb surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a double-blind randomized clinical trial. About 75 patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries in Valiasr Hospital in Arak, Iran, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into three groups as follow: The first group received a 150-mg pregabalin capsule 2 h before the surgery. The placebo group received capsule that was replaced by starch. Furthermore, other group received 1 g of apotel in 200 mL of normal saline, 20 min before surgery. Pain at 2, 4, 12, and 24 h after surgery was recorded based on visual analogue scale. The amount of opioid use was recorded in the first 24 h in milligrams. Patient sedation was recorded by Ramsey Sedation Scale at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS-20. RESULTS: Pain in the apotel group was found to be lower when comparing with other group in 2, 4, 12, and 24 h after surgery (P = 0.0001). Ramsey score was found to be more in the pregabalin group at 2.6, 12, and 24 h after surgery (P < 0.05). In addition, the lowest opioid use was in the apotel group (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that apotel had a better effect on pain management, whereas pregabalin exhibited better effect on the sedation of patients.

Validity and cross-cultural adaptation of the persian version of the oxford elbow score.

Oxford Elbow Score (OES) is a patient-reported questionnaire used to assess outcomes after elbow surgery. The aim of this study was to validate and adapt the OES into Persian language. After forward-backward translation of the OES into Persian, a total number of 92 patients after elbow surgeries completed the Persian OES along with the Persian DASH and SF-36. To assess test-retest reliability, 31 randomly selected patients (34%) completed the Persian OES again after three days while abstaining from all forms of therapeutic regimens. Reliability of the Persian OES was assessed by measuring intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to test the construct validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92 showing excellent reliability. Cronbach's alpha for function, pain, and social-psychological subscales was 0.95, 0.86, and 0.85, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.85 for the overall questionnaire and 0.90, 0.76, and 0.75 for function, pain, and social-psychological subscales, respectively. Construct validity was confirmed as the Spearman correlation between OES and DASH was 0.80. Persian OES is a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure to assess postsurgical elbow status in Persian speaking population.

Leech therapy in nearly total amputation of fingers without vascular repair: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: In the absence of microvascular replantation or in crash injury cases in which obtaining an acceptable function is not possible, amputation of the injured finger seems to be the best treatment modality. Some studies recommended leech therapy for this kind of injury after vascular repair to decrease venous congestion. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, the authors presented a case of leech therapy after near total amputation of the fingers. A 25-year-old patient was admitted following a sawing injury with crashed bundles of the third, fourth and fifth fingers. Microvascular surgery was not performed because of crush injury. DISCUSSION: After a simple repair and pin fixation, the patient was treated using leech therapy. The result was satisfactory. The third and fourth fingers were salvaged. It seems that in cases where a small part of the skin is still attached to the amputated part, even with complete crash of both bundles, leech therapy can help salvage the amputated fingers.