The analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block versus paravertebral block in thoracic surgeries: a meta-analysis.

Background: Acute postoperative pain after thoracic surgery might lead to chronic postsurgical pain (PSP), which lowers quality of life. The literature suggests thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) as a pain management approach. The ESPB (erector spinae plane block) is regarded to be an effective PVB alternative. The analgesic efficacy of the two analgesic therapies is controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ESPB and PVB in preventing acute PSP. Methods: We searched relevant articles in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The primary outcome was postoperative pain score, with secondary outcomes including analgesic consumption, the frequency of rescue analgesia, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Results: This meta-analysis included ten RCTs with a total of 670 patients. PVB significantly lowered the pain scores at movement at 12 h following surgery as compared to the ESPB. The PVB group used much less opioids within 24 h after surgery compared to the ESPB group. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of postoperative rescue analgesia or in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PVB produced superior analgesia than ESPB in patients who underwent thoracic surgeries. In addition, PVB demonstrated greater opioid sparing effect by consuming much less opioids. Systematic review registration: This trial is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42023412159.

Nurses' knowledge and attitude towards children pain management: a multi-site survey study.

Background: Adequate children's pain management is universally considered an ethical obligation. In evaluating and treating children's pain, nurses invest more time and take a leading role. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards the treatment of pediatric pain. Materials and Methods: A total of 292 nurses working at four South Gondar Zone hospitals of Ethiopia was surveyed. To gather information from study participants, the Pediatric Nurses' -Knowledge and Attitudes- Survey Regarding Pain (PNKAS) was employed. Frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation of the data were used for descriptive analysis, while Pearson correlation, one-way between-groups analysis of variance, and independent-samples t-test were used for inferential analysis. Results: A large percentage of nurses (74.7%) lacked adequate knowledge and attitudes (PNKAS score <50%) for pediatric pain treatment. The mean ± SD accurate response score of 43.1% ± 8.6% was achieved by nurses. An increase in pediatrics nursing experience was significantly correlated with nurses' PNKAS score (p < 0.001). The mean PNKAS scores of nurses who had official pain management training differed in a statistically significant way as compared to its counterpart (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Nurses who are working South Gondar Zone of Ethiopia have insufficient knowledge and attitudes towards treatment of pediatric pain. Therefore, pediatric pain treatment in-service training is urgently needed.

The effects of intravenous tramadol vs. intravenous ketamine in the prevention of shivering during spinal anesthesia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Shivering is a common complication after subarachnoid administration of local anesthetics. Intravenous ketamine and tramadol are widely available anti-shivering drugs, especially in developing settings. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of intravenous ketamine vs. tramadol for post-spinal anesthesia shivering. Materials and methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were used to search for relevant articles for this study. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to analyze continuous outcomes, and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI to analyze categorical results. The heterogeneity of the included studies was assessed using the I2 test. We utilized Review Manager 5.4.1 to perform statistical analysis. Results: Thirteen studies involving 1,532 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Ketamine had comparable effects in preventing post-spinal anesthetics shivering [RR = 1.06; 95% CI (0.94, 1.20), P = 0.33, I 2 = 77], and onset of shivering [MD = -0.10; 95%CI (- 2.68, 2.48), P = 0.94, I 2 = 0%], lower incidences of nausea and vomiting [RR = 0.51; 95%CI (0.26, 0.99), P = 0.05, I 2 = 67%], and lower incidences of bradycardia [RR = 0.16; 95%CI (0.05, 0.47), P = 0.001, I 2 = 33%], higher incidence of hallucinations [RR = 12; 95%CI (1.58, 91.40), P = 0.02, I 2 = 0%], and comparable effects regarding the incidences of hypotension [RR = 0.60; 95%CI (0.30, 1.21), P = 0.15, I 2 = 54%] as compared to tramadol. Conclusions: Intravenous ketamine and tramadol are comparable in the prevention of post-spinal anesthetic shivering. Ketamine had a better outcome with less occurrences of nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia. However, ketamine was associated with higher incidences of hallucinations than tramadol.

Patients' awareness of their rights, associated factors and its practice by health professionals from a patient perspective among elective surgical patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study, 2021.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the patients' awareness of their rights, associated factors and the practice of these rights by the medical team from the patients' perspective at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.DesignAn institution-based prospective cross-sectional study was carried out. SETTING: The research was conducted from January to May 2021 in a specialised hospital in central Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: 392 people who had elective surgery were included in this study; 217 men and 175 women responded. Systematic random sampling was employed to choose the research subjects, and K (skip interval) was calculated using the 3-month surgical waiting list at the hospital. Patients under the age of 18, those with severe illnesses, those who were not inpatients, and those who had diagnosable mental conditions were not eligible. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: A structured questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face interview by trained data collectors after surgery at the surgical ward and analysed by using SPSS V.24. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to identify the associated factors. A p<0.05 was used to judge the significance of the association. RESULT: Patients' awareness about their rights was 76%. Educational level, place of residency and the number of hospital admission were significantly associated with patients' awareness. The majority (83.2%) of patients reported that health providers had poor practices regarding patient rights. CONCLUSION: Most patients were unaware of most of their rights, and the majority of patients reported that healthcare providers did a poor job of protecting their patients' rights. To advance the application and understanding of patient rights, access to various facilities, patient and healthcare provider education programmes, and patient rights information technology must be improved.

Patient satisfaction and its associated factors towards perioperative anesthesia service among surgical patients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Patient satisfaction with perioperative anesthesia services is not well established in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess surgical patients' satisfaction with perioperative anesthesia service and its associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in patients who underwent surgeries at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, in North Central Ethiopia. Data were collected by Leiden perioperative care patient satisfaction questionnaire (LPPSq) within 24 h postoperatively, after translating to the local language (Amharic). Bivariable and multivariable logistic analyses were done to identify factors associated with satisfaction with perioperative anesthesia service care. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05 with 95% CI. Results: Analysis was done on 387 patients with a response rate of 94.8%. The overall mean satisfaction of patients with perioperative anesthesia care was 62.62% and about 53.7% [95% CI= (48.6-58.4)] of patients were satisfied with perioperative anesthesia service. The mean satisfaction of perioperative anesthesia service in the patient-staff relationship domain was 61.44%; in the information provision domain was 60.32%, and in the fear and concern domain was 72.06%. Conclusion: There was a moderate level of satisfaction in patients with perioperative anesthesia service. Among the subscales of LPPSq, the lowest satisfaction score was in the information provision and the highest satisfaction score was in the fear and concern domain.

The practice of foreign body removal from the ear, nose, and upper esophageal in children in Ethiopia: A retrospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Ear, nose, and upper esophageal foreign body (FB) impaction in children is a common emergency in-hospital service. There are no clear guidelines regarding the management of ingested FBs. This study aimed to determine the FB in terms of type, anatomic site, management outcome, and associated complications. METHODS: Retrospective study of children with ear, nose, and upper esophageal FB managed under general anesthesia (GA) at operating room of Wolkite Hospital in the southern part of Ethiopia between January 2019 and February 2021. Data were collected from the medical chart of the patients using a prepared checklist. The parameters included were age, sex, FB anatomic site, type, management outcome, and associated complications related to FB or procedure modalities. RESULTS: A total of 169 (31.4%) study subjects were required GA for the removal of FBs. The mean age was 4.45 ± 3.20 years. Under 5 years old children comprises 61.5% of total cases. The most common anatomic site of FB impaction was in the ear 97 (57.4%). The most commonly found type of FB was cereals or seeds, which constituted 102 (60.35%). The complication rate was 18.35%. Epistaxis was the commonest complication (6.51%) from the nose while canal abrasion (5.92%) was common from the ear. CONCLUSION: Ear, nose, and upper esophageal FBs were found more frequently in younger children. The ear was the most common anatomic site of FB impaction followed by the nose and upper esophageal. The most common type of FB was cereals or seeds. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The current practice of aspiration prophylaxis in obstetric anesthesia: a survey among non-physician anesthetic providers working in hospitals in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary aspiration is one of the most important complications of obstetric anesthesia. Prevention of pulmonary aspiration is commonly performed by the application of different anesthetic maneuvers and administration of drugs. This study aimed to assess the non-physician anesthetic providers current practice of aspiration prophylaxis during anesthesia for cesarean section in Ethiopia. METHODS: This survey study was conducted from October 01 to November 05, 2020, on a total of 490 anesthetic providers working in hospitals in Ethiopia. A structured checklist was used to collect data from non-physician anesthetic providers. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety (490) anesthetic providers participated in our study. The majority of the respondents (84%) were working in the public sector. Most of the cesarean delivery was done under regional anesthesia and more than half of anesthetic providers in Ethiopia administered aspiration prophylaxis routinely. Metoclopramide was the most frequently given as a prophylaxis for pulmonary aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the anesthetic providers administered aspiration prophylaxis routinely. Metoclopramide was the commonest administered aspiration prophylaxis for parturients who underwent cesarean delivery to prevent aspiration.

Rectus sheath block and emergency midline laparotomy at a hospital in Ethiopia: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Midline laparotomy is associated with severe postoperative pain. Literature showed controversial results regarding the efficacy of the rectus sheath block. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that recruits 30 patients in the rectus sheath block (RSB) group and 30 patients in the multimodal analgesia (MMA) group who underwent emergency midline laparotomy. The RSB was performed by an experienced anesthetist using a land-mark technique. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney-U test were used for numeric data while Chi-Square or Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The numeric rating scale score at the recovery was significantly reduced in an RSB group with a p-value of 0.039. Postoperative numeric rating scale scores at 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours were statistically significantly lower in the RSB group. Postoperative tramadol consumption in 24 h was significantly lower with a p-value of 0.0001 for the rectus sheath group. CONCLUSIONS: For midline laparotomy, adding a bilateral rectus sheath block at the end of the operation might be an effective postoperative analgesia option.

Medical and Health Science Students' Perception Towards a Problem-Based Learning Method: A Case of Debre Tabor University.

BACKGROUND: Problem-based learning is a student-centered innovative instructional approach in which students define their learning objectives by using triggers from the predefined problem case scenario. Problem-based learning is not about problem-solving; rather it uses appropriate problems to increase the problem-solving skills of students. This study aims to assess the medical and health science students' perception towards problem-based learning method. METHODS: An institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. All available graduating class Medical and Health Science students were included in this study. RESULTS: More than half of the students (59.4%) strongly agree that problem-based learning was helpful to understand basic sciences knowledge and 31.5% of the students disagree that tutors are prepared and qualified to run the session. Some of the students (27.3%) disagree that tutors evaluate students fairly. About fifty-two percent of the students have used both books and Internets for self-directed learning. CONCLUSION: More than half of students agree that problem-based learning helped them understand basic science knowledge. Some of the students disagree that tutors are prepared and qualified to run the session, and disagree that tutors evaluate students fairly.

The Current Practice of Spinal Anesthesia in Anesthetists at a Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Single Center Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia block is the most widely practiced anesthesia technique due to its safety margin. It is an invasive procedure that could be associated with a variety of complications like total spinal, cardiovascular collapse, meningitis, paralysis, and even death. The aim of this study to assess the current practice of spinal anesthesia. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study design was conducted in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 01 to December 15, 2020. All anesthesia professionals who are working in the study Hospital were surveyed by the Purposive sampling technique. A standardized structured checklist prepared from recommendations of New York school of regional anesthesia guideline regarding the current Practice of spinal anesthesia was used to collect the data after taking written informed consent. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the results. RESULTS: A total of 24 anesthetists were observed of their practice before, during, and after administer of spinal anesthesia. All of the anesthetists were practicing the preparation and assembling of all necessary anesthesia equipments, resuscitation drugs, and basic monitors while all of the anesthetists did not wash their hands, wore a sterile gown, and draped the back of the patient with fenestrated drapes in a sterile fashion. CONCLUSION: Most of the anesthesiology professionals in our setting have a good preparation of all necessary anesthesia equipments, and resuscitation drugs, while the assessment of patient's emotional reaction and pain during injection, the skin preparation allowed to being dry and assessment of the degree of sensory and motor block of the patient were insufficient.

The Knowledge of Health Professionals About the Application of Cricoid Pressure in a Low-Income Country: A Single-Center Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The application of cricoid pressure requires good knowledge and practice of health professionals who are working in operation theatres to prevent pulmonary aspiration. This study aims to assess the application of cricoid pressure knowledge and practice in health professionals who are working in the operation theatres. METHODS: This survey-based study was conducted in health care professionals who are working in the operation theatre of Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 1 to December 1, 2020. A structured checklist was used to collect data regarding the knowledge and practice of the application of cricoid pressure. RESULTS: A total of 43 health professionals who are working in the operation theaters were involved in this study with a response rate of 81%. The correct anatomic position of cricoid cartilage was not identified in 67% of nurses. We found that 78% of anesthetists did not use the nasogastric tube for decompression, and 83% of them complain of difficult intubation during the application of cricoid pressure. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals who are working in operation theatres had poor knowledge and practice in the application of cricoid pressure.

Dexamethasone and post-dural puncture headache in women who underwent cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia: A systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Post-dural puncture headache is a common complication after spinal anesthesia for women who undergo cesarean delivery. Intravenous (IV) dexamethasone has been used to reduce the incidence and severity of PDPH with controversial results. This Systemic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of IV dexamethasone on PDPH. METHODS: This study is reported as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of PDPH. The secondary outcome variables were the postoperative total analgesic requirement and incidence of nausea and/or vomiting. Twelve randomized controlled trials with a total of 1548 women were included. RESULTS: Intravenous (IV) dexamethasone had no effect on the incidence of PDPH (OR = 0.64; CI, 0.39 to 1.05; I2 = 71%, P = 0.08). Intravenous dexamethasone did not show a significant difference in the incidence of PDPH at 24 h at 48 h, and within one week postoperatively with p-values of less than 0.05. In a random-effect model, a pooled analysis showed that IV dexamethasone had no effect on the severity of PDPH in VAS (MD = 0.78; CI, -2.27 to 0.71; I2 = 98%, P = 0.30). CONCLUSION: Intravenous dexamethasone failed to decrease the incidence and severity of PDPH in women who underwent cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia.

Predictors of hypoxemia after general anesthesia in the early postoperative period in a hospital in Ethiopia: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Early postoperative hypoxemia is a common problem after general anesthesia. The identification of factors associated with an increased occurrence of it might help healthcare professionals to hypoxemia risk patients, therefore this study aims to assess the incidence and factors associated with early postoperative hypoxemia among surgical procedures. METHODS: A prospective cohort study design was conducted from February 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020, on a total of 424 patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The data was collected using a structured checklist. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to check the association. RESULTS: The incidence of early postoperative hypoxemia was 45.8%. Patients having a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 and BMI of 30-39.9 kg/m2, patients having a chronic disease, current smokers, SPO2 reading before induction of less than 95%, emergency surgery, and the absence of oxygen therapy during the period of transfer and/or in the post anesthesia care unit were significantly associated with an increased risk of hypoxemia in the early postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of early postoperative hypoxemia was high in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Obese patients, patients having a chronic disease, current smokers, and lower oxygen saturations before induction, emergency surgery, and the absence of oxygen therapy were the main predictors of an increased occurrence of early postoperative hypoxemia.

Availability of Emergency Drugs and Essential Equipment in Intensive Care Units in Hospitals of Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Emergency drugs and essential equipment are important to successfully manage patients in the intensive care unit (ICUs). The absence of these emergency drugs and essential equipment might result in mortality and morbidity which is more compounded in resource-limited settings. This study aims to assess the availability of emergency drugs and essential equipment in ICUs in hospitals in Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed in the intensive care unit of nine Amhara regional state hospitals in Ethiopia. This study was done from August 01, 2020, to September 01, 2020. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which were adopted from the Emergency Medicine Society of South Africa (EMSSA) guidelines. Tables and narration were used to describe results. RESULTS: There were deficiencies of essential emergency items particularly in the pediatrics domain, devices to confirm tracheal intubation and equipment for managing difficult intubation. Emergency drugs like adrenaline, salbutamol puff, atropine, aspirin, furosemide, hydrocortisone, insulin, lidocaine, and medical oxygen were available in all ICUs, whereas amiodarone, sodium bicarbonate, glucagon, ipratropium nebulization, thiamine were not available in all ICUs. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: There were considerable deficiencies in emergency drugs and essential equipment. Based on our findings, we recommend to develop standardized checklists, regular audits, and healthcare personnel awareness program to improve checking, maintaining, restocking, and repairing the equipment in the emergency trolley.

Prevalence of anxiety towards COVID-19 and its associated factors among healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Healthcare workers are directly involved in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19.This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors towards the COVID-19 outbreak among healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia. METHODS: A Hospital-based survey study was conducted on a total of 305 Healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze data between independent variables with anxiety. Variables with a p-value of <0.2 were transformed into multivariate analysis. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI, p-values of <0.05 were used to show the strength of association and level of significance. RESULTS: The prevalence of CVID-19 anxiety was 63%. In multivariate logistic regression, age of 30-39 (AOR, 3.05; 95% CI, (1.70, 5.47) and age of ≥40 (AOR, 11.32; 95% CI (3.37, 37.98), being married (AOR, 3.56; 95% CI, (2.30, 6.38), having chronic illness (AOR, 3.43; 95% CI, (1.59,7.43), having suspected COVID-19 family members (AOR, 5.20; 95% CI, (2.11, 12.78), and not having an access to PPEs (AOR, 2.55; 95% CI, (1.43, 4.56) were statistically significantly associated with anxiety. CONCLUSION: Being married, having a chronic illness, having suspected COVID-19 family members, not having access to PPEs, and age greater than or equal to 30 years were identified as risk factors for anxiety of Healthcare Workers towards COVID-19.