Ease of laryngeal mask airway insertion comparison of propofol versus thiopentone and lignocaine in adult patients

Background: A patient is required to be fully relaxed and airway reflexes should be adequately suppressed to allow for smooth insertion of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA).Propofol and a variety of other induction agents and their combinations have been tried to ease its insertion. The use of cheaper alternatives in our environment is highly desirable. Aims and objectives: To compare the ease of insertion of LMA in patients given propofol alone versus thiopentone with lignocaine, as well as assessing the cost effectiveness of these agents in our hospital setting. Methods: This is arandomised single blind prospectivestudy carried out in a Public Tertiary Academic Health Institution. Sixty-four ASA I and II patients equally randomized into 2 groups scheduled for short (not lasting more than one hour) elective gynaecological, orthopaedic, urological and general surgical procedures were recruited into this study. Patients were premedicated with 1g.kg-1 fentanyl intravenously and pre-oxygenated for five minutes. This was followed by an induction dose of either 2.5mg.kg-1propofol (group A) or a sequence of 2mg.kg-1 lignocaine and 5mg.kg-1thiopentone (group B) given by a trained assistant. With the patients in the sniffing position, LMA insertion was attempted immediately after induction of anaesthesia by the anaesthetist (researcher) who observed the ease of LMA insertion using presence or absence of adverse airway responses to LMA insertion such as coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, head and limb movement or inadequate jaw relaxation. These responses were graded as; no response, mild response, moderate response and severe response. Overall assessment of the ease of LMA insertion was then done combining these graded adverse airway responses as; excellent if there were no adverse airway responses, good if responses were mild, satisfactory if responses were moderate and poor if responses were severe with additional anaesthetic required to allow LMA insertion.Results: The average age in group A was 36.5±14 whereas in group B it was 38.7±05 with the p=0.493.There were 22 (56.4%) male patients in group A compared to 17 (43.6%) male patients in group B with p=0.528; whereas, there were 10 (40.0%) female patients in group A compared to 15 (60.0%) female patients in group B with p=0.326. Excellent LMA insertion were observed in 28 (87.5%) patients in group A compared to 27 (84.4%) patients in group B (P= 0.893); Good LMA insertion in 2 (6.3%) patients in group A compared to 1 (3.1%) patient in group B (p= 0.564); Satisfactory in 2 (6.3%) patients in group A compared to 4 (12.5%) patients in group B (p= 0.655).Conclusion: Thiopentone together with Lignocaine provided optimum conditions for laryngeal mask airway insertion comparable to that provided by propofol alone

Comparative Evaluation of Pregabalin and Clonidine as Preemptive Analgesics for the Attenuation of Postoperative Pain Following Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.PURPOSE: To compare clonidine and pregabalin with placebo for the attenuation of postoperative pain after thoracolumbar spinal surgery and instrumentationOVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Spine surgery is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain that needs to be controlled to improve patient’s outcome. Alpha 2 agonists (e.g., clonidine) and gabapentenoids (e.g., pregabalin) are successfully used as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen.METHODS: Total 75 patients were enrolled and randomly allocated into three groups. Group P received pregabalin (150 mg), group C received clonidine (150 mcg), and group N received placebo 90 minutes preoperatively. A standard anesthesia protocol comprising fentanyl, thiopentone, vecuronium, nitrous oxide, and oxygen in isoflurane was used for all patients. Postoperative recovery profile, pain, time for first analgesic, 24-hour analgesic requirement, sedation, and hemodynamic parameters were noted.RESULTS: Recovery profile was similar in all three groups; however, the patients in group P and C were more sedated (p<0.05). Group N patients had a higher Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (p<0.05) and the time for first analgesic was also lower (p=0.02). Postoperative (24-hour) analgesic requirement was maximum in group N, followed by that in group C and group P. The VAS score was highest in the control group; however, after 12 hours, it was similar in all groups.CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pain and analgesic requirement is significantly attenuated by preoperative administration of a single dose of clonidine (150 mcg) or pregabalin (150 mg); pregabalin was more effective. Thus, their use offers a reasonable strategy for pain management in patients undergoing spine surgery.

Initial Seizure Threshold in Brief-Pulse Bilateral Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to report the initial seizure threshold (IST) of a brief-pulse bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (BP-BL ECT) in Korean patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and to identify IST predictors. METHODS: Among 67 patients who received ECT and diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, we included 56 patients who received 1-millisecond BP-BL ECT after anesthesia with sodium thiopental between March 2012 and June 2018. Demographic and clinical information was gathered from electronic medical records, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of the IST. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36.9±12.0 years and 30 (53.6%) patients were male. The mean and median IST were 105.9±54.5 and 96 millicoulombs (mC), respectively. The IST was predicted by age, gender, and dose (mg/kg) of sodium thiopental. Other physical and clinical variables were not associated with the IST. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the IST of 1-ms BP-BL ECT following sodium thiopental anesthesia in Korean patients was comparable to those reported in previous literature. The IST was associated with age, gender, and dose of sodium thiopental.

Effects of thiopental sodium, ketamine, and propofol on the onset time of rocuronium in children

BACKGROUND: In emergency condition, failure in securing airway is a common and serious reason of pediatric death. Rapid intubation is required to minimize physiologic complication in children due to airway failure. Rapid loss of consciousness and rapid onset of neuromuscular blocking agent are necessary for the rapid sequence intubation. In this study, we compared the effects of thiopental sodium, ketamine, and propofol (drugs commonly used to induce anesthesia in children) on the onset time of rocuronium. We also compared the effects of these anesthesia induction drugs on intubation condition and their duration of action. METHODS: A total of 89 patients undergoing various elective surgeries were enrolled and allocated to the following three groups according to the anesthesia induction drug: 1) Group T, thiopental sodium; 2) Group P, propofol; and 3) Group K, ketamine. After loss of consciousness, neuromuscular monitoring was performed and rocurunium 0.6 mg/kg was administered. Onset time and duration of action of rocuronium were measured. Intubation condition was recorded with a tracheal intubation scoring system. Hemodynamic changes were observed before induction until 5 min after endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: The onset time of rocuronium in group K (39.9 s) was significantly faster than that in group T (61.7 s) or group P (50.7 s). There was no significant difference in duration of action of rocuronium or intubation condition among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine can decrease the onset time of rocuronium significantly compared to thiopental sodium or propofol.

Pregnancy and Delivery in a Generalized Dystonia Patient Treated with Internal Globus Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation: a Case Report

Internal globus pallidus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been widely accepted as an effective treatment modality of medically refractory dystonia. However, there have been few studies regarding the safety issue of pregnancy and childbirth related with DBS. This report describes a female patient who was pregnant and delivered a baby after GPi DBS surgery. A 33-year-old female patient with acquired generalized dystonia underwent bilateral GPi DBS implantation. She obtained considerable improvement in both movement and disability after DBS implantation. Four years later, she was pregnant and the obstetricians consulted us about the safety of the delivery. At 38-weeks into pregnancy, a scheduled caesarian section was carried out under general anesthesia. After induction using thiopental and succinylcholine, intubation was done quickly, followed by DBS turn off. For hemostasis, only bipolar electrocautery was used. Before awakening from the anesthesia, DBS was turned on as the same parameters previously adjusted. After delivery, she could feed her baby by herself, because the dystonia of left upper extremity and hand was improved. Until now, she has been showing continual improvement and being good at housework, carrying for children, with no trouble in daily life. This observation indicates that the patients who underwent DBS could safely be pregnant and deliver a baby.

Anesthetic management of a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery: A case report

The authors describe the successful perioperative management of a 3-year-old boy from Dubai with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for complete right ureteropelvic junction obstruction. G6PD deficiency is a genetic disorder predisposing patients to hemolytic anemia from oxidative stress. Important considerations in anesthetic management include avoiding oxidative stress, which can be caused by various conditions, and monitoring for hypercapnia, which can cause acidosis and hemolysis. Laparoscopic surgery is usually associated with hypercapnia and therefore an increased risk for respiratory acidosis. During surgery in this particular case, efforts were made to avoid carbon dioxide retention and to keep the patient warm. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium, rocuronium, and fentanyl, and maintained with sevoflurane. There were no signs of hemolysis in the perioperative period and he was discharged owing to his improved condition.

Histopathologic comparison of dexmedetomidine's and thiopental's cerebral protective effects on focal cerebral ischemia in rats / Comparação histopatológica dos efeitos protetores cerebrais de dexmedetomidina e tiopental sobre isquemia cerebral focal em ratos

Abstract This study was designed to investigate whether dexmedetomidine and thiopental have cerebral protective effects after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (Group C, n = 10), dexmedetomidine group (Group D, n = 10), thiopental group (Group T, n = 10). After all rats were anesthetized, they were intubated, then mechanically ventilated. A catheter was inserted into the right femoral artery for continuous mean arterial pressure, physiological parameters and blood sampling at baseline, 5 min after occlusion and 20 min after reperfusion. A catheter was inserted into the left femoral vein for intravenous (IV) medication administration. Right common carotid artery of each rat was isolated and clamped for 45 min. At the end of the duration common carotid artery were unclamped and the brain reperfusion was achieved for 90 min. Dexmedetomidine was administered for Group D IV infusion, and Group T received thiopental IV. According to histopathologic scores cerebral ischemia was documented in all rats in Group C, but no ischemia was found in three rats in Group T and in four rats in Group D. Grade 3 cerebral ischemia was documented in three rats in Group C, and in only one rat in both groups T and D. For histopathologic grades the difference between Group T and Group D was not significant (p > 0.05). But the differences between Group C and Group T (p < 0.05) and Group C and Group D (p < 0.01) were statically significant. In conclusion, we demonstrated that dexmedetomidine and thiopental have experimental histopathologic cerebral protective effects on experimental focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Resumo Este estudo foi desenhado para investigar se dexmedetomidina e tiopental têm efeitos protetores cerebrais após isquemia cerebral focal em ratos. Trinta ratos da linhagem Sprague Dawley foram randomicamente alocados em três grupos: controle (Grupo C, n = 10), dexmedetomidina (Grupo D, n = 10) e tiopental (Grupo T, n = 10). Após a anestesia, foram intubados e ventilados mecanicamente. Um cateter foi inserido na artéria femoral direita para monitoração contínua da pressão arterial média (PAM) e dos parâmetros fisiológicos e para coleta de amostras de sangue na fase basal, 5 minutos após a oclusão e 20 minutos após a reperfusão. Um cateter foi inserido na veia femoral esquerda para administração intravenosa (IV) de medicamentos. A artéria carótida comum direita de cada rato foi isolada e pinçada durante 45 minutos. No fim dos 45 minutos, o pinçamento foi removido e a reperfusão do cérebro foi obtida por 90 minutos. Dexmedetomidina foi administrada por infusão IV no Grupo D e tiopental no Grupo T. De acordo com as pontuações histopatológicas, isquemia cerebral foi observada em todos os ratos do Grupo C, mas não foi encontrada em três ratos do Grupo T e em quatro ratos do Grupo D. O grau 3 de isquemia cerebral foi encontrada em três ratos do grupo C e em apenas um rato de ambos os grupos T e D. Para os graus histopatológicos, a diferença entre o Grupo T e o Grupo D não foi significativa (p > 0,05). Porém, as diferenças entre o Grupo C e o Grupo T (p < 0,05) e entre o Grupo C e o Grupo D (p < 0,01) foram estatisticamente significativas. Em conclusão, demonstramos que dexmedetomidina e tiopental têm efeitos histopatológicos protetores cerebrais sobre isquemia cerebral focal experimental em ratos.

Cardiopulmonary effects of thiopental versus propofol as an induction agent prior to isoflurane anesthesia in chair trained rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) / 한국실험동물학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thiopental versus propofol on cardiopulmonary functions, when used as an induction agent prior to isoflurane anesthesia in rhesus monkeys. Eight healthy rhesus monkeys weighing 3.72 to 5.7 kg, 4-5 years old, were used in the study. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental or propofol intravenous injection, and then maintained with isoflurane in oxygen for 45 minutes. Cardiopulmonary measurements were obtained before and 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after induction. The induction doses of thiopental and propofol were 19.41±0.54 and 9.33±1.02 mg/kg, respectively. In both groups, the values of heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, systolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pH, and lactate were decreased, while the values of partial pressure of carbon dioxide, partial pressure of oxygen, total carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, oxygen saturation, and base excess in the extracellular fluid were increased, as compared with baseline. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in thiopental group compare to propofol group. Induction time was very short in both agents but not revealed a significant difference between both groups. However, recovery time was extremely faster in the propofol group. Our results demonstrated that propofol provides a minor suppression in systolic arterial blood pressure than thiopental sodium. In addition, propofol have a fast recovery effect from the anesthesia as well. Furthermore, it is suggested that thiopental sodium could also be used to induce anesthesia instead of propofol, despite slight more suppression of cardiopulmonary function compared to thiopental sodium.

Effect of different anesthetic agents on left ventricular systolic function assessed by echocardiography in hamsters

Determination of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using in vivo imaging is the cardiac functional parameter most frequently employed in preclinical research. However, there is considerable conflict regarding the effects of anesthetic agents on LVEF. This study aimed at assessing the effects of various anesthetic agents on LVEF in hamsters using transthoracic echocardiography. Twelve female hamsters were submitted to echocardiography imaging separated by 1-week intervals under the following conditions: 1) conscious animals, 2) animals anesthetized with isoflurane (inhaled ISO, 3 L/min), 3) animals anesthetized with thiopental (TP, 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and 4) animals anesthetized with 100 mg/kg ketamine plus 10 mg/kg xylazine injected intramuscularly (K/X). LVEF obtained under the effect of anesthetics (ISO=62.2±3.1%, TP=66.2±2.7% and K/X=75.8±1.6%) was significantly lower than that obtained in conscious animals (87.5±1.7%, P<0.0001). The K/X combination elicited significantly higher LVEF values compared to ISO (P<0.001) and TP (P<0.05). K/X was associated with a lower dispersion of individual LVEF values compared to the other anesthetics. Under K/X, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVdD) was increased (0.60±0.01 cm) compared to conscious animals (0.41±0.02 cm), ISO (0.51±0.02 cm), and TP (0.55±0.01 cm), P<0.0001. The heart rate observed with K/X was significantly lower than in the remaining conditions. These results indicate that the K/X combination may be the best anesthetic option for the in vivo assessment of cardiac systolic function in hamsters, being associated with a lower LVEF reduction compared to the other agents and showing values closer to those of conscious animals with a lower dispersion of results.

Cardiopulmonary parameters in propofol- or thiopental-anesthetized dogs induced to pulmonary hypertension by serotonin / Parâmetros cardiopulmonares em cães anestesiados com propofol ou tiopental e induzidos à hipertensão pulmonar pela serotonina

The cardiopulmonary changes in propofol- or thiopental-anesthetized dogs induced to pulmonary hypertension (PH) were evaluated. Twenty adult animals were randomly assigned to two groups: propofol group (PG) and thiopental group (TG). In PG, propofol was used for induction (8(0.03mg.kg-1) and anesthesia maintenance (0.8mg.kg-1.minute-1), while, in TG, thiopental was used (22±2.92mg.kg-1; 0.5mg.kg-1.minute-1, respectively). Mechanical ventilation using time cycle was started. PH was induced by administration of serotonin (5HT) (10µg.kg-1 and 1mg.kg-1.hour-1) through a thermodilution catheter positioned in the pulmonary artery. The measurements were performed before administration of 5HT (T0), after 30 minutes (T30), then at 15-minute intervals (T45, T60, T75 and T90). No differences between groups were registered for systolic (sPAP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI). In PG, sPAP and mPAP increased from T30. While in TG, sPAP and mPAP increased from T75. In PG, heart rate (HR) increased from T30, in which PG was higher than TG. The TPRI values decreased from T30 in PG, and in TG, at T45, T60 and T90. In PG, at T0, PVRI was lower than at other times. In PG, arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) decreased from T60 and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (PA-aO2) increased at T60. In TG, at T0 PaO2 was higher than at T30, T45, T60 and T90, while PA-aO2 at T0 was lower than at T90. From T30 to T90, TG showed higher PaO2 means and lower arterial partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) values when compared to PG. In PG, from T30, PaCO2 increased, while in TG this parameter was stable. In conclusion, thiopental anesthesia attenuated the cardiopulmonary changes resulting from serotonin-induced PH, probably by attenuation of vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction.

Avaliaram-se as alterações cardiopulmonares em cães anestesiados com propofol ou tiopental induzidos à hipertensão pulmonar (HP). Vinte animais adultos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo propofol (PG) e grupo tiopental (TG). No PG, o propofol foi usado para indução (8(0,03mg.kg-1) e manutenção da anestesia (0,8mg.kg-1minuto-1), enquanto no TG foi empregado o tiopental (22(2,92mg.kg-1; 0,5mg.kg-1.minute-1, respectivamente). Em seguida, a ventilação mecânica ciclada a tempo foi iniciada. A HP foi induzida pela administração de serotonina (5HT) (10µg.kg-1e 1mg.kg-1.hour-1) por meio de cateter de termodiluição posicionado na artéria pulmonar. As mensurações tiveram início antes da administração da 5HT (T0), depois de 30 minutos (T30), seguida de intervalos de 15 minutos (T45, T60, T75 e T90). Diferenças entre os grupos não foram registradas para pressões sistólica (PAPs) e média (PAPm) da artéria pulmonar, pressão arterial média (PAM), índices da resistência periférica total (IRPT) e da resistência vascular pulmonar (IRVP). A PAPs e a PAPm aumentaram a partir de T30, no PG, e a partir de T75, no TG. No PG, a frequência cardíaca (FC) aumentou a partir de T30, no qual PG foi maior que TG. O IRPT diminuiu no T45, T60 e T90, no TG, e a partir de T30 no PG. No PG, no T0, IRVP foi menor que nos outros momentos. No PG, a pressão parcial de oxigênio no sangue arterial (PaO2) diminuiu a partir de T60, e a diferença de tensão entre o oxigênio alveolar e arterial (PA-aO2) aumentou no T60. No TG, no T0, a PaO2 foi maior que no T30, T45, T60 e T90, enquanto a PA-aO2,, no T0, foi menor que no T90. Entre T30 e T90, TG apresentou maior PaO2 e menor pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono no sangue arterial (PaCO2) quando comparado ao PG. No PG, a partir de T30, a PaCO2 aumentou. A anestesia com tiopental abrandou as mudanças cardiopulmonares resultantes da indução da HP pela serotonina, provavelmente devido à atenuação da vasoconstrição e broncoconstrição.