Preemptive analgesia with Ketamine for Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of preemptive analgesia is to reduce central sensitization that arises from noxious inputs across the entire perioperative period. N-methyl d-aspartate receptor antagonists have the potential for attenuating central sensitization and preventing central neuroplasticity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into four groups of 20 patients each, who were administered the study drug intravenously 30 min before incision. Groups A, B, and C received ketamine in a dose of 1.00, 0.75 and 0.50 mg/kg, respectively, whereas group D received isotonic saline. Anesthetic and surgical techniques were standardized. Postoperatively, the degree of pain at rest, movement, and deep breathing using visual analogue scale, time of request for first analgesic, total opioid consumption, and postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded in postanesthesia care unit for 24 h. RESULTS: Pain scores were highest in Group D at 0 h. Groups A, B, and C had significantly decreased postoperative pain scores at 0, 0.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 h. Postoperative analgesic consumption was significantly less in groups A, B, and C as compared with group D. There was no significant difference in the pain scores among groups A, B, and C. Group A had a significantly higher heart rate and blood pressure than groups B and C at 0 and 0.5 h along with 10% incidence of hallucinations. CONCLUSION: Preemptive ketamine has a definitive role in reducing postoperative pain and analgesic requirement in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The lower dose of 0.5 mg/kg being devoid of any adverse effects and hemodynamic changes is an optimal dose for preemptive analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Efficacy of Magnesium Sulphate as an Adjunct to Ropivacaine in Local Infiltration for Postoperative Pain Following Lower Segment Caesarean Section.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous and peri-articular magnesium has been shown to reduce perioperative analgesic consumption. With this background, subcutaneous infiltration was hypothesized to potentiate the subcutaneous infiltration of local anaesthetic agent. AIM: To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of magnesium sulphate as an adjunct to ropivacaine in local infiltration for postoperative pain following lower segment cesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty parturients undergoing cesarean delivery were randomized to either group A or B in a double blinded manner. After uterine and muscle closure but before skin closure, Group A was administered local subcutaneous wound infiltration of Injection (Inj) ropivacaine 0.75% 150 milligram (mg) or 20 millilitres(ml) whereas, group B patients were given a local subcutaneous wound infiltration of Inj magnesium sulphate 750 mg (1.5 ml of Inj 50% Magnesium sulphate) added to Inj ropivacaine 0.75% (18.5 ml) making a total volume of 20 ml. In postoperative period, Heart rate (HR), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Visual Analogue Score (VAS), supplemental analgesic consumption and timing of each subsequent analgesic was noted for the initial 24 hours. RESULTS: There was no difference in the timings for the requirement of first Intravenous (IV) rescue analgesic among both the groups (p=0.279). However, the need for 2(nd) and 3(rd) doses of rescue analgesics was significantly later in group B and the difference was statistically significant with p-value of 0.034 and 0.031 respectively. The number of patients who were administered 2(nd), 3(rd) and 4(th) doses of rescue analgesics was significantly greater in group A as compared to group B. None of the patients in group B needed more than 4 doses of rescue analgesia while in group A, 5 patients were administered a rescue analgesic for 5(th) time. The cumulative analgesic requirement in the initial 24 hours was also greater in group A as compared to group B and the difference was statistically significant (p =0.01). The incidence of adverse effects was similar in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous infiltration of magnesium along with local anaesthetic prolongs the analgesic efficacy of local anaesthetic and is not associated with any significant adverse effects.

Fluid Administration Before Caesarean Delivery: Does Type and Timing Matter?

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of fluid preloading is in doubt, so co-loading has been attempted to reduce the incidence of spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension in caesarean patients. AIM: To compare crystalloid preloading, colloid preloading and colloid co-loading for prevention of maternal hypotension in caesarean delivery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Study conducted in tertiary level hospital on 90 ASA I/II term parturients posted for elective caesarean section. Patients were randomly allocated to three Groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group A (n=30) was given 10 ml/kg of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 20 minutes prior to spinal anaesthesia, Group B (n=30) was given 10 ml/kg of 6% HES by rapid infusion in 10 minutes immediately after spinal anaesthesia and Group C (n=30) was given 10 ml/kg of Ringer's Lactate 20 minutes prior to spinal anaesthesia. Intraoperatively, Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure were recorded every five minutes. Episodes of hypotension were recorded and treated with bolus of 5 mg of ephedrine and total amount of ephedrine was noted. Adverse effects, if any were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANNOVA for Quantitative Analysis and chi-Square test and Z-test for Qualitative Analysis. RESULTS: Baseline parameters were similar in all the three Groups. Heart rate decreased from the baseline in all the three Groups, however, mean heart rate was highest in Group C. Heart rate was statistically similar in Groups A and B. MAP decreased in all three Groups from baseline, however, highest fall was recorded in Group C whereas, MAP was statistically similar in Groups A and B. Incidence of hypotension was 66.66% in Group C as compared to 36.66% in Groups A and 40% in Group B respectively. Group C patients received 5.33±4.54 mg of ephedrine as compared to 2.00±2.82 mg in Group A and 2.33±3.14 mg in Group B. Thus, the incidence of hypotension and ephedrine consumption was significantly higher in Group C as compared to Groups A and B whereas, this difference was statistically not significant among Groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Colloid preloading and co-loading are equally effective and both are superior to crystalloid preloading for prevention of maternal hypotension in caesarean section patients.