Is Airway Management More Risky in Bariatric Surgery?

PURPOSE: Airway problems may be experienced more often during anesthesia management in bariatric surgery. In this prospective study, we aimed to compare the incidence of difficult ventilation and intubation between bariatric surgery and other surgeries. DESIGN: This was a case-control study. METHODS: Medical records of 156 patients over the age of 18 who were scheduled for bariatric (n = 68) and nonbariatric surgery (n = 88) under general anesthesia were evaluated. FINDINGS: The percentage of ASA III, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (75%, 33.8%, and 16.2%, respectively) was significantly higher in bariatric surgery patients compared to nonbariatric patients (14.8%, 10.2%, and 3.4%, respectively). No significant difference was found in mean thyromental distance and history of difficult intubation, restriction of cervical extension, beard presence, tooth loss, mallampati, Cormack-Lehane score, intubation score, difficult ventilation, difficult intubation and intubation device used. An increase in neck circumference (>50 cm) rather than body mass index was a more significant indicator in predicting difficult intubation and difficult ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of difficult ventilation and difficult intubation were similar in bariatric and nonbariatric surgeries in circumstances where the necessary equipment and experienced anesthesiologists are available.

The Impact of Acupuncture on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Obese Adult Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: We wanted to research the effect of acupuncture on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in morbidly obese adult patients who were scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Design: This prospective randomized controlled study included 62 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III, 18- to 60-year-old morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Patients were assigned using a closed envelope method to both groups equally. Group I consisted of acupuncture and metoclopramide; Group II consisted of metoclopramide. Setting: The study was carried out in Kecioren Educational Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey. Interventions: Acupuncture was performed by needling PC6, LI4 acupoints bilaterally and Yin Tang acupoint in Group I. Metoclopramide was administered as an antiemetic drug in both groups. Measurements: Demographic parameters, SAMBA PONV risk, first analgesic requirement time and PONV of the patients at the recovery 0-1, 1-6, 6-12, and 12-24 hours after operation were recorded. We used the simplified PONV impact scale to determine the intensity of nausea and its effects on the patient. Results: Nausea was observed in 37.5% of patients in Group I and 63.3% of patients in Group II at the recovery. Nausea intensity was not different between the groups at the postoperative 1-6 hours, but vomiting count was found higher in Group II at the postoperative 12-24 hours. Apfel score of the patients were similar between the groups. PONV impact scale was found higher in Group II. First analgesic requirement time was found shorter and demand for additional analgesic treatment was found significantly higher in Group II. Conclusions: Combining acupuncture with antiemetic treatment reduced nausea intensity and vomiting in the postoperative follow-up period. Also, patient's first analgesic demand time was found longer and the requirement for additional analgesic treatment was found lower in the acupuncture group.

The role of the lactate level in determining the risk rates of small bowel resection in incarcerated hernias.

BACKGROUND: An incarcerated hernia is a part of the intestine or abdominal tissue that becomes trapped in the sac of a hernia. An increase in morbidity and mortality occurs after intestinal resections from strangulated hernias. This study aims to examine the markers that may be effective in determining the risk of small bowel resection due to incarcerated hernias. In particular, we aimed to investigate the effect s of blood lactate levels in determining this risk. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was designed. Patients, whose preoperative diagnosis were reported as incarcerated hernia and had essential information, were included in this study. They were divided into two groups according to whether they had resection or not. Age, gender, hernia type, hernia side, resection material, blood lactate level (BLL), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil count (NE), lymphocyte count (LY), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet count (PLT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), radiologic bowel obstruction sign and comorbidities were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were included in this study. It was observed that 16 (23.9%) of these patients underwent small intestinal resection, 16 (23.9%) had an omentum resection, while no resection was performed on 35 (52.2%) patients. There was a statistically significant difference regarding radiologically intestinal obstruction (p=0.001), hernia type (p=0.005), BLL (p<0.001), WBC, NLR and LDH values (p<0.05). In incarcerated hernia patients with a lactate value ≥1.46 mg/dL, sensitivity was observed to be 84.0% and specificity 86.0% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with a preliminary diagnosis of an incarcerated hernia, the risk of possible small bowel resection is the most important point in deciding for an operation. The presence of an intestinal obstruction in radiological examinations, and particularly the high levels of WBC, NLR, LDH and BLL, may indicate a necessity for possible small bowel resection. Concerning the risk associated with small bowel resection, blood lactate levels ≥1.46 mg/dL may be alerting.

Seizure due to multiple drugs intoxication: a case report / Convulsão por causa de intoxicação por múltiplas drogas: relato de caso

Abstract The mechanism of the antidepressant effect of bupropion is not fully understood. Besides, using it in the treatment of depression, it is found to be effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms due to smoking cessation. A 28-year-old female patient with a history of depression was admitted to emergency department an hour after ingestion of bupropion, quetiapine, and levothyroxine in high doses to commit suicide. While accepting her into the Intensive Care Unit, she was awake, alert, disoriented and agitated. After 2 h, the patient had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The necessary treatment was given and 9 h later with hemodynamic improvement, the patients’ mental status improved. Bupropion may cause unusual behaviors such as delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, or confusion. The risk of seizure is strongly dose-dependent. We want to emphasize the importance of early gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal.

Resumo O mecanismo do efeito antidepressivo de bupropiona ainda não está bem esclarecido. Contudo, seu uso no tratamento de depressão revelou ser eficaz para reduzir os sintomas de abstinência relacionados à cessação do tabagismo. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, 28 anos, com história de depressão, deu entrada no setor de emergência uma hora após a ingestão de bupropiona, quetiapina e levotiroxina em doses elevadas para cometer suicídio. Ao ser internada em unidade de terapia intensiva, estava acordada, alerta, desorientada e agitada. Após duas horas, apresentou uma crise tônico-clônica generalizada. O tratamento necessário foi administrado e nove horas mais tarde, com a estabilização hemodinâmica, o estado mental da paciente melhorou. Bupropiona pode causar comportamentos incomuns, incluindo delírios, paranoia, alucinações ou confusão mental. O risco de convulsão é altamente dependente da dose. Queremos enfatizar a importância da lavagem gástrica precoce e da administração de carvão ativado.

Seizure due to multiple drugs intoxication: a case report.

The mechanism of the antidepressant effect of bupropion is not fully understood. Besides, using it in the treatment of depression, it is found to be effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms due to smoking cessation. A 28-year-old female patient with a history of depression was admitted to emergency department an hour after ingestion of bupropion, quetiapine, and levothyroxine in high doses to commit suicide. While accepting her into the Intensive Care Unit, she was awake, alert, disoriented and agitated. After 2h, the patient had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The necessary treatment was given and 9h later with hemodynamic improvement, the patients' mental status improved. Bupropion may cause unusual behaviors such as delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, or confusion. The risk of seizure is strongly dose-dependent. We want to emphasize the importance of early gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal.

Comparison of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: From the View of an Anesthesiologist.

PURPOSE: To determine the differences among the hemodynamics, neuroendocrine stress response (NESR), and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain between the procedures of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) for lower pole kidney stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients undergoing RIRS and PNL with lower puncture approach, under general anesthesia, were prospectively enrolled in our study. Perioperative blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) values were recorded at intervals. Arterial blood gas (ABG) and blood glucose, serum insulin, and cortisol levels as stress response markers were analyzed in the perioperative period. Postoperative VAS scores were recorded at 30 minutes and 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after extubation. Duration of surgery, stone sizes, and stone-free rates (SFRs) were noted. RESULTS: SFRs were 93.3% in the PNL group (28/30 patients) and 88.5% in the RIRS group (23/26 patients) (p = 0.52). There was no statistical difference between the hemodynamics of both groups. Perioperative ABGs and NESRs were similar between groups (p > 0.05). Postoperative VAS scores and analgesic consumptions were also similar between groups (p > 0.05). Duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the RIRS group (p = 0.001). Stone size was significantly higher in the PNL group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Although the PNL is assumed to be more invasive than the RIRS procedure among urologists and anesthesiologists, both techniques may have similar perioperative outcomes in terms of hemodynamics, ABG, NESR, and pain scores in the management of lower pole stones with lower pole approach.

[Intrathecal bupivacaine and allergic reaction]. / Intratekal bupivakain ve alerjik reaksiyon.

By inhibiting sodium channels, local anesthetics (LAs) prevent sodium entering the cell and inhibit cellular depolarization. Although undesired drug reactions caused by LA usage are common, real allergic reactions are rare. The objective of this study was to discuss allergic reactions developing after application of spinal anesthetic.

Effect of intraoperative esmolol infusion on anesthetic, analgesic requirements and postoperative nausea-vomitting in a group of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients / Efeito da infusão de esmolol sobre a necessidade de anestesia no intraoperatório e analgesia, náusea e vômito no pós-operatório em um grupo de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica / Efecto de la infusión de esmolol sobre la necesidad de anestesia en el intraoperatorio y analgesia, náuseas y vómito en el postoperatorio en un grupo de pacientes sometidos a la colecistectomía laparoscópica

PURPOSE: Postoperative pain and nausea/vomitting (PNV) are common in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Sympatholytic agents might decrease requirements for intravenous or inhalation anesthetics and opioids. In this study we aimed to analyze effects of esmolol on intraoperative anesthetic-postoperative analgesic requirements, postoperative pain and PNV. METHODS: Sixty patients have been included. Propofol, remifentanil and vecuronium were used for induction. Study groups were as follows; I - Esmolol infusion was added to maintenance anesthetics (propofol and remifentanil), II - Only propofol and remifentanil was used during maintenance, III - Esmolol infusion was added to maintenance anesthetics (desflurane and remifentanil), IV - Only desflurane and remifentanil was used during maintenance. They have been followed up for 24 h for PNV and analgesic requirements. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain was also been evaluated. RESULTS: VAS scores were significantly lowest in group I (p = 0.001-0.028). PNV incidence was significantly lowest in group I (p = 0.026). PNV incidence was also lower in group III compared to group IV (p = 0.032). Analgesic requirements were significantly lower in group I and was lower in group III compared to group IV (p = 0.005). Heart rates were significantly lower in esmolol groups (group I and III) compared to their controls (p = 0.001) however blood pressures were similar in all groups (p = 0.594). Comparison of esmolol groups with controls revealed that there is a significant decrease in anesthetic and opioid requirements (p = 0.024-0.03). CONCLUSION: Using esmolol during anesthetic maintenance significantly decreases anesthetic-analgesic requirements, postoperative pain and PNV. .

OBJETIVO: A dor e a incidência de náusea e vômito no período pós-operatório (NVP) são comuns em pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica. Os agentes simpatolíticos podem diminuir a necessidade de opiáceos ou anestésicos inalatórios ou intravenosos. Neste estudo, nosso objetivo foi analisar os efeitos de esmolol sobre a necessidade de anestésico no período intraoperatório e de analgésico no pós-operatório e a incidência de dor e NVP. MÉTODOS: Sessenta pacientes foram incluídos. Propofol, remifentanil e vecurônio foram usados para a indução. Os grupos de estudo foram os seguintes: grupo I, a infusão de esmolol foi adicionada aos anestésicos (propofol e remifentanil) para manutenção; grupo II, apenas propofol e remifentanil foram usados durante a manutenção; grupo III, a infusão de esmolol foi adicionada aos anestésicos (desflurano e remifentanil) para manutenção; grupo IV, apenas desflurano e remifentanil foram usados durante a manutenção. O período de acompanhamento foi de 24 horas para avaliar a incidência de NVP e a necessidade de analgésicos. Os escores de dor também foram avaliados por meio da escala visual analógica (EVA). RESULTADOS: Os escores EVA foram significativamente menores no grupo I (p = 0,001-0,028). A incidência de NVP foi significativamente menor no grupo I (p = 0,026). NVP também foi menor no grupo III em relação ao grupo IV (p = 0,032). A necessidade de analgésicos foi significativamente menor no grupo I e menor no grupo III em relação ao grupo IV (p = 0,005). A frequência cardíaca foi significativamente menor nos grupos esmolol (grupos I e III) comparados com os controles (p = 0,001), mas a pressão arterial foi semelhante em todos os grupos (p = 0,594). A comparação entre os grupos esmolol e controles revelou que houve uma diminuição. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de esmolol durante a manutenção da anestesia reduz significativamente a necessidade de anestésico-analgésico, dor e incidência de NVP. .

OBJETIVO: El dolor y la incidencia de náuseas y vómito en el período postoperatorio (NVPO) son comunes en pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía laparoscópica. Los agentes simpaticolíticos pueden disminuir la necesidad de opiáceos o anestésicos inhalatorios o intravenosos. En este estudio, nuestro objetivo fue analizar los efectos del esmolol sobre la necesidad de anestésico en el período intraoperatorio y de analgésico en el postoperatorio y la incidencia de dolor y NVPO. MÉTODOS: Sesenta pacientes fueron incluidos. Para la inducción fueron usados el propofol, el remifentanilo y el vecuronio. Los grupos de estudio fueron los siguientes: grupo I, la infusión de esmolol fue añadida a los anestésicos (propofol y remifentanilo) para el mantenimiento; grupo II, durante el mantenimiento solamente fueron usados el propofol y el remifentanilo; grupo III, la infusión de esmolol fue añadida a los anestésicos (desflurano y remifentanilo) para mantenimiento; grupo IV, solamente fueron usados durante el mantenimiento el desflurano y el remifentanilo. El período de acompañamiento fue de 24 h para calcular la incidencia de NVPO y la necesidad de analgésicos. Las puntuaciones de dolor también fueron evaluadas mediante la escala visual analógica. RESULTADOS: Las puntuaciones de la escala visual analógica fueron significativamente menores en el grupo I (p = 0,001-0,028). La incidencia de NVPO fue significativamente menor en el grupo I (p = 0,026). NVPO también fue menor en el grupo III con relación al grupo IV (p = 0,032). La necesidad de analgésicos fue significativamente menor en el grupo I y menor en el grupo III con relación al grupo IV (p = 0,005). La frecuencia cardíaca fue significativamente menor en los grupos esmolol (grupos I y III) comparados con el control (p = 0,001), pero la presión arterial fue similar en todos los grupos (p = 0,594). La comparación entre los grupos esmolol y control reveló que hubo una disminución significativa de la necesidad ...

[Effect of intraoperative esmolol infusion on anesthetic, analgesic requirements and postoperative nausea-vomitting in a group of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients]. / Efeito da infusão de esmolol sobre a necessidade de anestesia no intraoperatório e analgesia, náusea e vômito no pós-operatório em um grupo de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica.

PURPOSE: Postoperative pain and nausea/vomitting (PNV) are common in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Sympatholytic agents might decrease requirements for intravenous or inhalation anesthetics and opioids. In this study we aimed to analyze effects of esmolol on intraoperative anesthetic-postoperative analgesic requirements, postoperative pain and PNV. METHODS: Sixty patients have been included. Propofol, remifentanil and vecuronium were used for induction. Study groups were as follows; I - Esmolol infusion was added to maintenance anesthetics (propofol and remifentanil), II - Only propofol and remifentanil was used during maintenance, III - Esmolol infusion was added to maintenance anesthetics (desflurane and remifentanil), IV - Only desflurane and remifentanil was used during maintenance. They have been followed up for 24h for PNV and analgesic requirements. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain was also been evaluated. RESULTS: VAS scores were significantly lowest in group I (p=0.001-0.028). PNV incidence was significantly lowest in group I (p=0.026). PNV incidence was also lower in group III compared to group IV (p=0.032). Analgesic requirements were significantly lower in group I and was lower in group III compared to group IV (p=0.005). Heart rates were significantly lower in esmolol groups (group I and III) compared to their controls (p=0.001) however blood pressures were similar in all groups (p=0.594). Comparison of esmolol groups with controls revealed that there is a significant decrease in anesthetic and opioid requirements (p=0.024-0.03). CONCLUSION: Using esmolol during anesthetic maintenance significantly decreases anesthetic-analgesic requirements, postoperative pain and PNV.

Late Local Anaesthetic Toxicity After Infraclavicular Block Procedure.

Local anaesthetic (LA) toxicity is the most fatal complication of peripheral nerve block techniques. Accidental intravascular application or use of doses above the safety range are the most common cause of toxicity. Bupivacaine is a long-acting LA frequently used for long procedures or those associated with significant post-procedural pain. Fatal central nervous system and cardiovascular system toxicity are described. In this paper, we reported a young patient who showed LA toxicity symptoms 7 h after an infraclavicular peripheral block.