Surgical outcome in children undergoing hypospadias repair under caudal epidural vs penile block.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of penile block vs caudal epidural on the quality of analgesia and surgical outcome following hypospadias repair. BACKGROUND: Intraoperative penile engorgement because of caudal epidural may result in tension on surgical sutures and alter surgical outcome. METHODS: Fifty-four ASA I and II children were randomly allocated to group P (penile block, 0.25% bupivacaine, 0.5 mg·kg(-1) ; n = 27) and group C (caudal epidural, 0.25% bupivacaine, 0.5 ml·kg(-1) ; n = 27), respectively. Quality of analgesia was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) score recorded at 0, 0.5, 3, 6, 12, 24 h, and once a day for the next 4 days. Duration of analgesia was calculated from the institution of block to the first analgesic demand by child or VAS > 5. Total morphine consumption in the first 48 h and oral paracetamol consumption till 5th day were recorded. Children were regularly followed up in their respective outpatient clinic for early or late complications. RESULTS: In group P, lower mean VAS scores were seen from 0.5 h after surgery till day 3 and analgesia lasted for significantly longer duration (82 min) when compared with caudal epidural, P < 0.001. Incidence of urethral fistula formation after primary hypospadias repair was 19.2%, and all had received caudal epidural. An increase of 27% in penile volume from baseline value was observed 10 min after caudal epidural placement, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Penile block provided better analgesia when compared with caudal epidural in children undergoing primary hypospadias repair. Postoperative urethral fistula formation was more likely in children who received caudal epidural.

Optimal anaesthetic depth for LMA insertion.

PURPOSE: A fixed dose of propofol administered rapidly can be insufficient or in excess resulting in airway complications and haemodynamic disturbances. This study is designed to assess whether loss of motor response to jaw thrust can be a reliable clinical indicator of anaesthetic depth for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. METHODS: One hundred and twenty ASA I and II patients scheduled for general anaesthesia on day care basis were randomly allocated into two groups. Following pre-oxygenation, anaesthesia was induced to accomplish LMA insertion either with a 3 mg/kg propofol (Group CD, n=60) or in dose to abolish jaw thrust response (Group JT, n=60). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were continuously monitored while LMA insertion conditions were recorded using 6 variable, 3 point score. RESULTS: 85% patients developed apnea in group CD when compared to 2% in group JT, P<0.0001. Despite similar insertion score, propofol consumption was significantly more in group CD when compared to group JT. More than 20% fall of MAP from baseline was noted in group CD after induction but there was no significant hypotension at any time in group JT. CONCLUSION: Loss of motor response to jaw thrust provides satisfactory LMA insertion conditions.

Catatonia and jaw dislocation in the postoperative period with epidural morphine.

We report a case of temporomandibular joint dislocation occurring in the postoperative period in a patient, who developed catatonia following administration of a single dose of epidural morphine. The catatonic response to epidural morphine was delayed by several hours in the postoperative period, and might have resulted from intrathecal migration of the drug, through an initial dural puncture while locating the epidural space. The temporomandibular joint dislocation was diagnosed only after reversal of the effects of morphine with naloxone, when the patient complained of inability to fully close her mouth.

Laryngoscopic techniques to assess vocal cord mobility following thyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of vocal cord mobility using Macintosh laryngoscope is frequently performed after extubation following thyroid surgery to rule out laryngeal nerve palsy. This study compared patient comfort and assessment accuracy of post-operative vocal fold mobility with Macintosh laryngoscope and fibreoptic endoscope. METHODS: One hundred four physically fit patients undergoing thyroid surgery were included for the study. Tele-laryngoscopy was done to rule out pre-existing vocal cord palsy. Direct laryngoscopy (DL) was performed to each patient after extubation, followed by nasal fibreoptic endoscopy (NFE) to assess the vocal cord mobility. Tele-laryngoscopic assessment was repeated after 1 week to compare the DL and NFE findings. Patient reactivity score (PRS) and haemodynamic parameters were recorded with each technique. RESULTS: Macintosh laryngoscope could pick up 4 (50% sensitivity and 88% specificity) and fibreoptic endoscope 7 (87.9% sensitivity and 98.9% specificity) out of the 8 vocal cord palsies identified by tele-laryngoscopy. Patients had significant discomfort during DL (PRS median 3) when compared with NFE and tele-laryngoscopy (PRS median 2), P<0.05. Grade 1 view of larynx in 92.1% patients during intubation worsened to grade 2 (76.3%) and grade 3 (15.8%) during extubation with DL, and a significant rise in mean arterial pressure and heart rate was observed from the baseline value till 5 min and when compared with NFE (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: NFE provides accurate assessment of vocal fold mobility with reasonable patient comfort in the immediate post-operative period. Macintosh laryngoscope fails to give optimum visualization and predisposes the patient to significant discomfort and stress.