Efficacy of ultrasound guided sphenopalatine ganglion block in management of emergence agitation after sinoscopic nasal surgery: a randomized double-blind controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Nasal surgery has a reported high incidence of agitation during emergence from general anesthesia. Emergence Agitation (EA) increases the risk of surgical site bleeding, falling off the operating table, removal of catheters and intravenous lines, and self-extubation. This study investigated the role of nerve block in EA. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of ultrasound-guided sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) on EA after sinoscopic nasal surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of EA. Secondary outcomes included the quality of the surgical field, bleeding volume, inhalational anesthesia, MAC, VAS in the PACU, postoperative analgesia duration, and total 24 -h opioid consumption. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This double-blind, randomized controlled study enrolled 120 patients, of whom 110 completed the study. They were randomly allocated into two equal groups: G1, which received general anesthesia and a bilateral sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPBG) with 5 mL lidocaine 2% on each side, and G2 (control), which received general anesthesia and a bilateral sphenopalatine saline injection of 5 mL on each side. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the incidence of EA was found in G1 compared to G2 (20% vs. 64%). Intraoperative bleeding volume was significantly lower, and surgical field quality was significantly higher in G1 compared to G2. Pain severity was significantly lower in G1 in the PACU, and 24 h postoperative opioid consumption was significantly reduced compared to G2. Additionally, postoperative analgesia duration was significantly longer in G1 than in G2 (9 h vs. 3 h). CONCLUSION: SPGB effectively reduced EA incidence, severity, and duration after sinoscopic nasal surgery. Furthermore, SPGB reduced intraoperative bleeding, improved surgical field quality, prolonged postoperative analgesia, and reduced 24 -h opioid consumption after sinoscopic nasal surgery. REGISTRATION: National Clinical Trial Registry, NCT04168879.

The Efficacy of Pericapsular Nerve Group Block Versus Facia Iliaca Block on Immediate Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption After Hip Arthroscopy Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain after hip arthroscopy remains a major cause of patient dissatisfaction in the immediate postoperative period. Adequate postoperative analgesia is associated with increased patient satisfaction, earlier mobilization, and decreased opioid consumption. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, there is a need for safe, reliable, and opioid- and motor-sparing methods of achieving postoperative analgesia following hip arthroscopy. We evaluated the efficacy of pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block vs fascia iliaca block (FIB) in reducing postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours following hip arthroscopy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized double-blinded control clinical trial. SETTING: At the arthroscopy unit of the orthopedic department of Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt from 2019 to 2022. METHODS: Forty-three patients comprising 18 women and 25 men scheduled for hip arthroscopy were randomized to receive a preoperative block with PENG or FIB from March 2019 to March 2022. The mean age was 27.9 years (standard deviation [SD], 6.2 years; range, 18-42 years) and the mean body mass index was 25.13 kg/m2 (SD, 5.08 kg/m2). Patients were randomized into 2 groups: group A comprising 20 patients that received FIB; and group B comprising 23 patients that received PENG block. The efficacies of FIB and PENG block were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale scores. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in median pain scores and mean at rest pain scores were observed between the 2 groups at all measured time points following surgery (i.e., 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours). Further, dynamic pain scores (with hip flexion) scores significantly differed between the 2 groups at 24 hours postoperatively (P = 0.001). PENG block significantly decreased postoperative opioid use compared to FIB. Total opioid use in the 24-hour postoperative period was lower in the PENG group compared to the FIB group (16.5 ± 9.9 vs 27.5 ± 9.6; P < 005). LIMITATIONS: Different hip pathologies and different interventions lead to different outcomes. Also, a larger sample size and longer follow-up duration are required. CONCLUSIONS: PENG block may represent the ideal regional anesthesia modality for hip arthroscopy as an alternative to more conventional regional nerve blocks, such as FIB, femoral nerve block, and lumbar plexus block. PENG block is reproducible, easily performed in the preoperative setting, and appears to spare motor function while providing prolonged sensory analgesia.

Amino acids versus magnesium sulfate infusion for controlling postoperative shivering in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: General anesthetics disrupt the thermoregulatory mechanisms by reducing vasoconstriction and shivering thresholds. Postoperative shivering is a challenging anesthesia-related complication with an incidence range of 20-70%. Amino acids that induce thermogenesis and magnesium sulfate are centrally acting mechanisms that could minimize shivering. Thus, this trial was designed to compare the effect of amino acid versus magnesium sulfate infusion on postoperative shivering in patients undergoing elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty adults, American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II patients, were randomly assigned into one of two groups. Group A received general anesthesia and perioperative IV amino acid infusion. Group M received general anesthesia and perioperative IV magnesium sulfate infusion. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in shivering score, which was lower in group A than M (0.8±1.1 versus 1.5±1.3; P value=0.01). The incidence of postoperative shivering was lower in group A (4 [10%]) versus (11 [27.5%]) in group M. A less decrease in the core intraoperative temperature (Celsius) was observed in group A than in group M (35.5±0.2 versus 35.1±0.2; respectively, P<0.001) and at the end of surgery (36.1±0.3 versus 35.7±0.3; respectively, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative amino acids infusion is more effective and better tolerated than magnesium sulfate in preventing postoperative shivering in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery. Cost effectiveness should be kept in mind, and amino acids infusion should be reserved in high-risk surgeries for shivering.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in pain and opioid consumption after spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promising results in alleviating different types of pain. The present study compares the efficacy of three sessions of anodal tDCS applied over primary motor area (M1) or the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or sham on reducing pain and the total opioid consumption in postoperative spine surgery patients. MATERIALS: Sixty-seven out of 75 eligible patients for postoperative spine surgery were randomly allocated into one of the three experimental groups. Group A received anodal tDCS applied over M1 cortex, group B over left DLPF cortex (2 mA, 20 min) and group C received sham tDCS, all for 3 consecutive postoperative days. Patients were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and adynamic visual analogue scale (DVAS) at baseline, and on each of the treatment days. The total morphine consumption over the 3 postoperative days was assessed. RESULTS: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference in resting VAS between the three groups. However, there was significant pain improvement (P < 0.001) in DVAS in both active groups (group A and B) compared to the sham group (group C) in the postoperative period, with no significant difference between the active groups. Morphine consumption was significantly reduced in both active groups compared with the sham group, but there was no difference in consumption between the active groups. CONCLUSION: There was a significant postoperative reduction in morphine consumption and DVAS scores after three sessions of active tDCS. SIGNIFICANCE: tDCS is a promising tool for alleviating pain in the field of postoperative spine surgery.

Measuring the Systemic Inflammatory Response to On- and Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgeries Using the Tryptophan/Kynurenine Pathway.

Background: Cardiac surgeries induce many inflammatory responses with remarkable clinical implications. Tryptophan (Trp) is a precursor for serotonin, melatonin and kynurenine (Kyn). Plasma kynurenic acid (Kyna) and Kyn concentrations are thought to be related to the severity of inflammation. Plasma Trp/Kyn ratio is used to measure inflammatory cytokine activity.Methods: We performed the current longitudinal study in a tertiary care center and included 62 patients divided into two groups; group A (on-pump CABG patients) and group B (off-pump CABG patients). Plasma Trp and Kyn were measured using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Serum interlukin-6 (IL-6) and white blood cells (WBCs) were measured using ELISA and routine blood count, respectively.Results: The present study revealed that the intraoperative levels of plasma Kyn, IL-6 and WBCs were significantly increased while the plasma Trp/Kyn ratio was significantly decreased in both the groups; however, the changes were more significant in the on-pump CABG group. Moreover, the levels in both the groups returned to preoperative levels 72 h postoperative. Our study has shown that WBCs is positively correlated with IL-6, but has negative correlation with Trp/Kyn ratio.Conclusions: Kyn and Trp/Kyn ratio might be utilized as markers of the severity of inflammation in major surgery. In addition, off-pump CABG might be more preferable than on-pump CABG regarding stress and release of inflammatory markers.

Effect of silver nanoparticles on vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in critically ill patients.

A prevalent increase in antimicrobial resistance represents a universal obstacle for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection, especially in critically ill patients. Silver nanoparticles are defined as broad spectrum bactericidal agents, which might be effective against vancomycin resistant S. aureus (VRSA). In this study, we examined the bactericidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles on VRSA in 150 blood and sputum samples isolated from intensive care patients. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were identified in 83 samples, with an incidence of 55.3%. Meanwhile, VRSA isolates were found in 11 and 8 isolates (a total of 19 isolates out of 150) from sputum and blood samples, with an incidence of 14.67% and 10.67%, respectively, with a total incidence of 12.67%. Vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) isolates had an inhibitory zone ranging from 9 to 13 mm, which was found in 13 out of 19 isolates, whereas VRSA isolates had an inhibitory zone ranging from 0 to 6 mm, which was detected in 6 out of 19 isolates. The findings of this study confirm that silver nanoparticles are an effective treatment against VRSA.

Effect of fentanyle versus dexamethasone on shoulder tip pain during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy under spinal anaesthesia / Omalgia luego de quistectomía ovárica laparoscópica, efecto de fentanyl comparado con dexametasona

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia (GA) was the usual anesthetic technique used for laparoscopic interventions, however regional anesthesia in the laparoscopic field started to gain familiarity. Shoulder pain is a major intraoperative problem that might hinder facilitation of laparoscopic interventions under spinal anesthesia. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluate the effect of intrathecal addition of dexamethasone versus fentanyl on incidence and severity of intraoperative shoulder tip pain during gynecological laparoscopic asurgeries. Methods: 120 patients, were randomly assigned into three groups. Group D: 40 patients received 15 mg bupivacaine and 8 mg dexamethasone intrathecally. Group F: 40 patients received 15 mg bupivacaine and 25 pg fentanyle intrathecally. Group C: 40 patients received 15 mg bupivacaine and normal saline intrathecally. RESULTS: Number of patients who experienced intraoperative shoulder pain was significantly lower in Group F (17) and Group D (19) than Group C (31); P = 0.008. with no ststistical difference detected between Group D and C (p value 1). Only 2 patients in Group D and F suffered moderate pain intensity in comparison to 9 patients in Group C; P =0.02. Incidence of postspinal shivering was lower in Group D and F in comparison to Group C; P 0.02. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal dexamethasone is as effective as intrathecal fentanyle in reducing incidence and severity of shoulder tip pain during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy under spinal anesthesia.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La anestesia general (AG) era la técnica anestésica habitual utilizada para las intervenciones laparoscópicas, sin embargo, la anestesia regional en el campo laparoscópico comenzó a ganar familiaridad. El dolor de hombro es un problema intraoperatorio importante que podría dificultar la facilitación de las intervenciones laparoscópicas bajo anestesia espinal. OBJETIVO DEL ESTUDIO: Evaluar el efecto de la adición intratecal de dexametasona versus fentanilo sobre la incidencia y severidad del dolor intraoperatorio en la punta del hombro durante cirugías laparoscópicas ginecológicas. MÉTODOS: 120 pacientes, fueron asignados aleatoriamente en tres grupos. Grupo D: 40 pacientes recibieron 15 mg de bupivacaína y 8 mg de dexametasona por vía intratecal. Grupo F: 40 pacientes recibieron 15 mg de bupivacaína y 25 pg de fentanilo por vía intratecal. Grupo C: 40 pacientes recibieron 15 mg de bupivacaína y solución salina normal por vía intratecal. RESULTADOS: El número de pacientes que experimentaron dolor de hombro intraoperatorio fue significativamente menor en el Grupo F (17) y el Grupo D (19) que en el Grupo C (31); P = 0,008. sin diferencia estadística detectada entre el Grupo D y C (valor de p 1). Solo 2 pacientes del Grupo D y F sufrieron dolor de intensidad moderada en comparación con 9 pacientes del Grupo C; P = 0,02. La incidencia de escalofríos posespinales fue menor en el Grupo D y F en comparación con el Grupo C; P 0,02. CONCLUSIÓN: La dexametasona intratecal es tan eficaz como el fentanilo intratecal para reducir la incidencia y la gravedad del dolor en la punta del hombro durante la cistectomía ovárica laparoscópica bajo anestesia espinal.