Upper lip bite test compared to modified Mallampati test in predicting difficult airway in obstetrics: A prospective observational study.

Difficult airway and intubation can have dangerous sequela for patients if not managed promptly. This issue is even more challenging among obstetric patients. Several studies have aimed to determine whether the test to predict a difficult airway or difficult intubation, is higher in accuracy. This study aims to compare the upper lip bite test with the modified Mallampati test in predicting difficult airway among obstetric patients. During this prospective observational study, 184 adult pregnant women, with ASA physical status of II, were enrolled. Difficult intubations of Cormack-Lehane grade III and IV were defined as difficult airways and difficult intubation in this study. Upper lip bite test, modified Mallampati test, thyromental distance and sternomental distance were noted for all patients. Modified Mallampati test, upper lip bite test and sternomental distance had highest specificity. Based on regression analysis, body mass index and Cormack-Lehane grade have a significant association. Modified Mallampati test was the most accurate test for predicting difficult airway. The best cut-off points of thyromental distance and sternomental distance in our study were 5cm and 15cm, respectively, by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that in the obstetric population, modified Mallampati test is practically the best test for predicting difficult airway. However, combining this test with upper lip bite test, thyromental distance and sternomental distance might result in better diagnostic accuracy.

Effect of Local Ketamine Subcutaneous Injection at the Incision Site in Reducing the Postoperative Pain Score after Transabdominal Hysterectomy.

Background: Pain control after operations is essential in decreasing the patient recovery period and potential morbidity. Prescribing opiates is very effective, but significant side effects accompany them. This study aims to examine the effect of local ketamine infiltration in decreasing pain intensity in patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 92 patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy aged 30-60 years were selected and divided into two intervention and control groups randomly. For the intervention group, ketamine was injected subcutaneously into the incision site at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg after the operation. In the control group, 5 mg normal saline was used in the same method. Postoperative pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS: 0-10). The pain score and dose of administered opioids were documented at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours and compared between the two groups. Results: Postoperative pain intensity was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group, except for hour 24. The mean amounts of administered opioids were significantly lower in the intervention group at hours 6 and 12, as well as the total amount of used opioids, and no significant side effects were documented. Conclusion: Local ketamine subcutaneous injection in the incisional site is effective and is a safe procedure for reducing pain scores in patients who underwent a transabdominal hysterectomy.

A double-blind randomized trial on subendometrial injection of vasopressin to control bleeding in postpartum hysterectomy due to abnormally invasive placenta.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of subendometrial vasopressin injection in patients with abnormally invasive placenta (AIP), who underwent cesarean section and hysterectomy. METHODS: This randomized double-blinded clinical trial was conducted on pregnant women diagnosed with AIP grade 4 and 5 by ultrasonography during cesarean section. Women were randomly divided into two equal groups including group 1 (vasopressin) and group 2 (control) who underwent 20 units of vasopressin and 20 cc normal saline injection, respectively. Vasopressin and placebo were injected subendometrially 1 cm medial to the uterine vessels into the lower uterine segment. The exclusion criteria include presence of myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pelvic malignancy. The outcome of the study was total quantitative blood loss during the cesarean section. We estimated blood loss by measuring the blood volume in one of the suction bottles with addition for weight changes of mops, pads, and soaked linen savers. RESULTS: Sixty patients were recruited into the study, 30 as the vasopressin group and 30 as the controls; with no excluded case. The amount of bleeding in the vasopressin group was significantly lower compared with that in the control group (P < 0.001). In the vasopressin group, 83.4% of patients had bleeding of less than 1.5 L, while only 3.3% of the control women had bleeding of less than 1.5 L (relative risk = 5). In addition, the number of injected packed cells was lower in the vasopressin group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was shown that vasopressin injection can help prevent excess hemorrhage and the subsequent risks of anemia or blood transfusions during abdominal hysterectomy in women with AIP.

Successful tracheal necrosis management using a pedicle pectoralis flap: A case report.

Thyroidectomy is considered an overall low-risk procedure. However, severe life-threatening complications, including tracheal necrosis may occur postoperatively. A 45-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic for papillary thyroid carcinoma surgery. The patient had mediastinitis signs and symptoms seven days after total thyroidectomy. Subsequent imaging demonstrated air leak and with mediastinitis as the primary diagnosis, and the patient underwent reoperation. During the operation, four necrotic tracheal rings were found to be the source of air leak. Due to tissue inflammation and infection, neither primary repair with tracheal resection and anastomosis, nor strap muscle plugging procedure were feasible. Therefore, a pedicle flap derived from the right pectoralis major muscle was transferred to the necrotic trachea. The patient"s clinical condition improved after the operation and subsequent bronchoscopies confirmed healing of trachea. During six-month follow-up, no complications were observed. In conclusion, the technique discussed in the current report shows promising outcomes for reconstructing large tracheal defects in inflammatory conditions where primary repair techniques are not suitable.

Does intravenous fentanyl affect Apgar scores and umbilical vessel blood gas parameters in cesarean section under general anesthesia?

The administration of opioids during induction of general anesthesia is a matter of challenge in obstetric anesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous fentanyl before induction of general anesthesia on the"1st and 5th minutes' Apgar scores" in neonates with elective cesarean surgery. In a double blinded randomized clinical trial on 60 parturients undergoing elective cesarean surgeries under general anesthesia in Vali-e-Asr Hospital, in Tehran, Iran, were divided randomly into two groups; the intervention group and the control. In intervention group, intravenous fentanyl 1µg/kg was administrated three minutes before anesthesia induction. The induction route, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were the same in the groups. The blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measures were recorded before anesthesia induction (as baseline measures) and so during laryngoscopy and intubation. The 1st and 5th minute's apgar scores and the pH of umbilical cord arterial and venous samples were compared in two groups. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate changes before and after induction and in various times after intubation showed significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The 1st and 5th minute's Apgar scores of the neonate and umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas analysis were not statistically different between two groups (P>0.05). Based on the results of this study, the administration of 1 µg/Kg intravenous Fentanyl, three minutes before induction of anesthesia for cesarean section can lead to a stable hemodynamic situation in mother and showed no effects on neonate`s outcomes. Fentanyl showed no effects on Apgar scores and on umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gases analysis and it probably can be used safely in elective cesarean surgeries. More studies are required to obtain a clear view.