Ultrasound-based airway assessment in obese patients as a valuable tool for predicting difficult airway: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Difficult airway, characterized by difficult mask ventilation and intubation, is common in obese patients undergoing surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the prognostic efficiency of ultrasound-measured anterior cervical soft tissue parameters as an indicator of difficult airway during anesthesia induction in obese patients. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, observational study was conducted at Balikesir University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between March 2020 and March 2022. A total of 157 patients age ≥ 18 (BMI ≥ 30 kg.m-2), without previous head and neck surgery were included in the study. Anterior cervical soft tissue measurements were performed at three levels; minimum distance between the hyoid bone and skin at the level of the hyoid bone; (DSHB), distance between the midpoint of the epiglottis and skin at the level of the thyrohyoid membrane; (DSE), distance between the anterior commissure of vocal cords and skin at the vocal cord level; (DSV). The Han scale was used to assess difficult mask ventilation and the Cormack-Lehane scale was used to assess difficult laryngoscopy. RESULTS: In the difficult laryngoscopy group, the mean values of DSHB, DSE and DSV were 18.5 ± 3.5, 18.3 ± 3.8, and 18.6 ± 3.4, respectively. The AUC values for DSHB, DSE, and DSV were 0.845, 0.827, and 0.850, respectively. Anterior cervical measurements showed a better predictive value for difficult laryngoscopy compared to difficult mask ventilation. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic measurements were predictive for difficult laryngoscopy and ventilation with better correlation in laryngoscopy.

Effects of intraarticular ketamine combined with periarticular bupivacaine on postoperative pain after arthroscopic meniscectomy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of two different doses of intraarticular ketamine on visual analog scale (VAS) scores at rest and movement, time to first analgesic requirement, and 24-h morphine consumption in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy as well as to assess the frequency of postoperative nausea&vomiting, respiratory depression, pruritus, urinary retention, and constipation and to compare the time to discharge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized double-blind study was performed between August 2013 and August 2014 on 75 patients (32 males, 43 females; mean age 46.7±13 years; range, 18 to 75 years) with American Society of Anesthesiologists scores of I-II scheduled for unilateral meniscectomy. Patients were randomized to receive 0.5 mg.kg-1 ketamine (group K1), 1 mg.kg-1 ketamine (group K2) or saline (group S) to a total volume of 20 mL intraarticularly at the end of the surgery. All patients were performed periarticular 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine infiltration. Visual analog scale at rest and during passive knee movement was used to evaluate pain both preoperatively and at postoperative 0, 30 min, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. Time to first analgesic requirement and morphine consumption were recorded. RESULTS: Visual analog scale scores at rest and during movement at postoperative 0 were significantly reduced in group K2 compared with group S (p<0.05). The first analgesic requirement time was significantly longer in group K1 (76.9±25.2 min) and group K2 (93.4±26.1 min) than group S (29.3±7.1 min). Morphine consumption was lower in group K2 compared to group K1 and group S at postoperative 30 min, and 1 and 2 h. However, 24-h morphine consumption was similar in all groups. CONCLUSION: Intraarticular injection of 0.5 mg.kg-1 and 1 mg.kg-1 ketamine for postoperative pain management provided similar analgesic efficacy. However, high dose ketamine more noticeably decreased opioid requirement in the early postoperative period.

[Correlation of the epidural space measured intraoperatively and estimated by MRI or US: an observational study]. / Correlação entre a profundidade do espaço peridural medida no intraoperatório e a estimada por RM ou US: estudo observacional.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the agreement between the epidural depth measured from the surgical site with the epidural depths estimated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound scanning. METHODS: Fifty patients of either sex, scheduled for L4-5 lumbar disc surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective observational study, and the results of 49 patients were analyzed. The actual epidural depth was measured from the surgical site with a sterile surgical scale. The MRI-derived epidural depth was measured from the MRI scan. The ultrasound estimated epidural depth was measured from the ultrasound image obtained just before surgery. RESULTS: The mean epidural depth measured from the surgical site was 53.80 ± 7.67mm, the mean MRI-derived epidural depth was 54.06 ± 7.36mm, and the ultrasound-estimated epidural depth was 53.77 ± 7.94mm. The correlation between the epidural depth measured from the surgical site and MRI-derived epidural depth was 0.989 (r2 = 0.979, p < 0.001), and the corresponding correlation with the ultrasound-estimated epidural depth was 0.990 (r2 = 0.980, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both ultrasound-estimated epidural depth and MRI-derived epidural depth have a strong correlation with the epidural depth measured from the surgical site. Preprocedural MRI-derived estimates of epidural depth are slightly deeper than the epidural depth measured from the surgical site, and the ultrasound estimated epidural depths are somewhat shallower. Although both radiologic imaging techniques provided reliable preprocedural estimates of the actual epidural depth, the loss of resistance technique cannot be discarded while inserting epidural needles.

Preprocedural Ultrasound Estimates of Epidural Depth: Transverse Median Plane is Comparable to Paramedian Sagittal Oblique Plane in Non-Pregnant Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision of the actual epidural depth (ND) and ultrasound (US) estimates of the distance from the skin to the epidural space in the transverse median plane (ED/TM) and paramedian sagittal oblique plane (ED/PSO) in patients who were not pregnant and who were undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair surgery under combined spinal epidural anaesthesia. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with the American Society of Anaesthesiology status I-III of either gender were recruited. All epidurals were inserted at the L3-4 intervertebral space, and the epidural needle was marked with a sterile marker. The ND was measured between the marker and the tip of the needle. The ED/TM and ED/PSO were assessed with a 2-5 MHz curved array probe at the L3-4 intervertebral space. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient were used to assess the precision and the Bland-Altman test was used to assess the 95% limit of agreement. RESULTS: The ND was 48.98±6.91 mm, the ED/PSO was 48.92±6.91 mm and the ED/TM was 48.90±6.91 mm. The Pearson correlation coefficient between ND and ED/PSO was 0.995 (p<0.001) and 0.994 (p<0.001) with ED/TM. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient for ND and ED/PSO was 0.995 (95%CI [confidence interval]: 0.992-0.997), and 0.993 for ND and ED/TM (95% CI: 0.990-0.996). The 95% limit of agreement between ND and ED/PSO was 0.70-1.37, and for ND and ED/TM, it was 0.79-1.54. CONCLUSION: Preprocedural ultrasound (US) scanning in both planes provides reliable estimates for actual epidural depth in non-pregnant patient population.

Effects of Isothermic Irrigation on Core Body Temperature During Endoscopic Urethral Stone Treatment Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose? Isothermic irrigation decreases the reduction in core temperature and shivering in patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate gland but this effect has not been studied in patients undergoing endoscopic urethral stone treatment surgery. The current study is designed to study the effect of isothermic hydration on core temperature in patients scheduled for endoscopic urethral stone treatment surgery under spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods? Sixty patients allocated randomly into two groups. In GroupW (n = 30) irrigation fluid at 37°C was used whereas at room temperature in GroupRT (n = 30). Spinal anesthesia was performed at L3-L4 interspace with 15mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine. Core temperature, shivering, and hemodynamic parameters were measured every minute until 10th minute and five minute intervals until the end of operation. Shivering and surgeon comfort was also recorded. The primary outcome was the core temperature at the end of surgery. Frequencies, means, standard deviations, percentages, chi-square tests, independent samples t-test, and Mann Whitney U tests were used where eligible for the statistical analysis.Results? Baseline core temperature was 36.6 ± 0.4°C in GroupW and 36.6 ± 0.5°C in GroupRT (P = .097) which decreased to 36.0 ± 0.5°C and 35.2 ± 0.7°C respectively (P = .018) at the end of operation.  Shivering was observed in 36.7% (n = 11) in GroupRT and 6.7% (n = 2) in GroupW (P = .012). Hemodynamic parameter changes and demographic data were not significant between groups.Conclusion? Isothermic irrigation decreases both the reduction in core temperature and the incidence of shivering while increasing the surgeon comfort.

Abdominal girth has a strong correlation with actual and ultrasound estimated epidural depth

Background/aim/AIM: This study aimed to assess the correlations of actual epidural depth (ND) and ultrasound estimated epidural depth in the paramedian sagittal oblique plane (ED/PSO) and transverse median plane (ED/TM) with the abdominal girth (AG), body mass index (BMI), and weight of patients. Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty patients of either sex scheduled for unilateral inguinal hernia repair were enrolled. ED/PSO and ED/TM were assessed with a 2­5 MHz curved array probe at the L3­4 intervertebral space. The epidural needle was marked with a sterile marker upon locating the epidural space. The ND was assessed by measuring the distance from the sterile marker to the tip of the epidural needle with a linear scale. Anthropometric measures of the patients were recorded. Results: ED/PSO was 49.6 ± 7.9 mm, ED/TM was 49.5 ± 7.9 mm, and ND was 50.0 ± 8.0 mm. AG was 99.8 ± 12.9 cm. The Pearson correlation coefficient between ND and ED/PSO was 0.997 and with ED/TM was 0.996 (P < 0.001 for both). Pearson correlation coefficients for ND with AG, BMI, and weight were 0.757, 0.547, and 0.638, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: AG, weight, and BMI have strong correlations with ND.

Abdominal girth has a strong correlation with ultrasound-estimated epidural depth in parturients: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Preprocedural ultrasound examination of vertebral column guides to locate desired intervertebral space and provides a prevision of needle trajectory and estimated needle depth in parturients. The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between ultrasound-estimated epidural depth (ED) with abdominal girth (AG), body mass index (BMI), weight, height, and age. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, ultrasound imaging was done at L3-4 interspace in transverse median plane (TP) and paramedian sagittal oblique plane (PSO) to obtain ultrasound estimates of skin to epidural space depth. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia was performed at L3-4 interspace. AG, BMI, age, height, and weight were recorded for every parturient. RESULTS: Data from 130 parturients were analyzed. Estimated ED was 56.5 ± 9.5 mm in TP, 57.5 ± 9.3 mm in PSO, and actual epidural depth was 57.9 ± 9.4 mm. Correlation coefficients between ED and AG were 0.797 in TP (95% CI 0.727-0.854, p < 0.001) and 0.803 in PSO (95% CI 0.733-0.857, p < 0.001). Correlation coefficients between ED and BMI were 0.543 in TP (95% CI 0.405-0.661, p < 0.001) and 0.566 in PSO (95% CI 0.428-0.680, p < 0.001). Correlation coefficients between ED and weight were 0.593 in TP (CI = 0.466-0.695, p < 0.001) and 0.615 in PSO (CI = 0.500-0.716, p < 0.001). Height and age had no significant correlation with ED. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal girth has a strong correlation with ultrasound-estimated epidural depth in parturients.

The effects of crystalloid warming on maternal body temperature and fetal outcomes: a randomized controlled trial / Os efeitos do aquecimento de cristaloides sobre a temperatura corporal materna e nas condições fetais: ensaio clínico randômico

Abstract Background and objectives: Hypothermia occurs in about 60% of patients under anesthesia and is generally not managed properly during short lasting surgical procedures. Hypothermia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The current study is designed to assess the effects of crystalloid warming on maternal and fetal outcomes in patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, sixty parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive crystalloid at room temperature or warmed at 37 °C. Spinal anesthesia was performed at L3-L4 interspace with 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine without adding opioids. Core temperature, shivering, and hemodynamic parameters were measured every minute until 10th minute and 5-min intervals until the end of operation. The primary outcome was maternal core temperature at the end of cesarean section. Results: There was no difference for baseline tympanic temperature measurements but the difference was significant at the end of the operation (p = 0.004). Core temperature was 36.8 ± 0.5 °C at baseline and decreased to 36.3 ± 0.5 °C for isothermic warmed crystalloid group and baseline tympanic core temperature was 36.9 ± 0.4 °C and decreased to 35.8 ± 0.7 °C for room temperature group at the end of the operation. Shivering was observed in 43.3% in the control group. Hemodynamic parameter changes and demographic data were not significant between groups. Conclusions: Isothermic warming crystalloid prevents the decrease in core temperature during cesarean section with spinal anesthesia in full-term parturients. Fetal Apgar scores at first and fifth minute are higher with isothermic warming.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A hipotermia ocorre em cerca de 60% dos pacientes sob anestesia e geralmente não é tratada adequadamente durante procedimentos cirúrgicos de curta duração. A hipotermia está associada a desfechos clínicos adversos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do aquecimento de cristaloides nas condições maternas e fetais em pacientes submetidas à cesariana eletiva com raquianestesia. Métodos: Neste estudo prospectivo, randômico e controlado, 60 parturientes agendadas para cesárea eletiva com raquianestesia foram distribuídas aleatoriamente para receber cristaloides à temperatura ambiente ou aquecidos a 37 °C. A raquianestesia foi realizada no interespaço L3-L4 com 10 mg de bupivacaína hiperbárica sem adição de opioides. Temperatura central, tremores e parâmetros hemodinâmicos foram medidos a cada minuto até o décimo minuto e em intervalos de 5 min até o fim da operação. O desfecho primário foi a temperatura central materna ao final da cesárea. Resultados: Não houve diferença nas mensurações basais da temperatura timpânica, mas a diferença foi significativa no fim da operação (p = 0,004). A temperatura central foi de 36,8 ± 0,5 °C na fase basal e diminuiu para 36,3 ± 0,5 °C no grupo com aquecimento isotérmico de cristaloides e a temperatura basal timpânica foi de 36,9 ± 0,4 °C e diminuiu para 35,8 ± 0,7 °C no grupo sem aquecimento das soluções no fim da operação. Tremores foram observados em 43,3% no grupo controle. Alterações nos parâmetros hemodinâmicos e dados demográficos não foram significantes entre os grupos. Conclusões: O aquecimento isotérmico de cristaloides previne a redução da temperatura central durante a cesariana com raquianestesia em parturientes a termo. Os escores de Apgar para os fetos no primeiro e quinto minutos são maiores com o aquecimento isotérmico.

[The effects of crystalloid warming on maternal body temperature and fetal outcomes: a randomized controlled trial]. / Os efeitos do aquecimento de cristaloides sobre a temperatura corporal materna e nas condições fetais: ensaio clínico randômico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypothermia occurs in about 60% of patients under anesthesia and is generally not managed properly during short lasting surgical procedures. Hypothermia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The current study is designed to assess the effects of crystalloid warming on maternal and fetal outcomes in patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, sixty parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive crystalloid at room temperature or warmed at 37°C. Spinal anesthesia was performed at L3-L4 interspace with 10mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine without adding opioids. Core temperature, shivering, and hemodynamic parameters were measured every minute until 10th minute and 5-min intervals until the end of operation. The primary outcome was maternal core temperature at the end of cesarean section. RESULTS: There was no difference for baseline tympanic temperature measurements but the difference was significant at the end of the operation (p=0.004). Core temperature was 36.8±0.5°C at baseline and decreased to 36.3±0.5°C for isothermic warmed crystalloid group and baseline tympanic core temperature was 36.9±0.4°C and decreased to 35.8±0.7°C for room temperature group at the end of the operation. Shivering was observed in 43.3% in the control group. Hemodynamic parameter changes and demographic data were not significant between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Isothermic warming crystalloid prevents the decrease in core temperature during cesarean section with spinal anesthesia in full-term parturients. Fetal Apgar scores at first and fifth minute are higher with isothermic warming.

Comparison of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, our goal was to compare intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in a group of outpatients who underwent hand surgery. METHODS: This is a double blind randomized study. A total of 45 patients were included, randomized into three groups. Patients in Group I (L) received 3 mg.kg-1 of 2% lidocaine 40 mL; patients in Group II (LL) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL lornoxicam; patients in Group III (LF) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL fentanyl. Our primary outcome was fi rst analgesic requirement time at postoperative period. RESULTS: Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA increased the sensory block recovery time without increasing side effects and increased fi rst analgesic requirement time at the postoperative period when compared to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) and fentanyl added to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, we also found that fentanyl decreased tourniquet pain (p < 0.01) when compared to lidocaine but showed similar analgesic effect with lornoxicam (p > 0.05) although VAS scores related to tourniquet pain were lower in fentanyl group. Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA was not superior to lidocaine IVRA in decreasing tourniquet pain. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fentanyl to lidocaine IVRA seems to be superior to lidocaine IVRA and lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA groups in decreasing tourniquet pain at the expense of increasing side effects. However, lornoxicam did not increase side effects while providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, lornoxicam could be more appropriate for clinical use.

Comparação de lornoxicam e fentanil adicionados à lidocaína em anestesia regional intravenosa / Comparison of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia / Comparación de lornoxicam y fentanilo adicionados a la lidocaína en la anestesia regional intravenosa

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: Comparar os efeitos analgésicos nos períodos intra e pós-operatório de lornoxicam e fentanil adicionados à lidocaína para anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV) em um grupo de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de mão. MÉTODOS: Estudo randômico, duplo-cego e controlado. Foram incluídos e randomizados 45 pacientes em três grupos: o Grupo I recebeu 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína a 2% (40 mL); o Grupo II recebeu 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de lornoxicam; o Grupo III recebeu 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de fentanil. O desfecho primário avaliado foi o tempo até a primeira necessidade de analgésicos no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Lornoxicam adicionado à lidocaína em ARIV aumentou o tempo de recuperação do bloqueio sensorial sem aumentar os efeitos colaterais, e o tempo até a primeira necessidade de analgésicos no pós-operatório em comparação com lidocaína sozinha (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente) e fentanil adicionado à lidocaína (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente). Além disso, também descobrimos que fentanil diminuiu a dor ocasionada pelo torniquete (p < 0,01) em comparação com lidocaína, mas mostrou efeito analgésico similar ao de lornoxicam (p > 0,05), embora os escores da escala visual analógica (EVA) relacionados à dor ocasionada pelo torniquete tenham sido menores no grupo fentanil. Lornoxicam adicionado à lidocaína em ARIV não foi superior à lidocaína sozinha para diminuir a dor ocasionada pelo torniquete. CONCLUSÃO: A adição de fentanil à lidocaína em ARIV parece ser superior à lidocaína sozinha e ao lornoxicam adicionado à lidocaína para diminuir a dor ocasionada pelo torniquete, apesar de aumentar os efeitos secundários. No entanto, lornoxicam não aumentou os efeitos secundários e proporcionou analgesia nos períodos tanto intraoperatório quanto pós-operatório. Portanto, lornoxicam pode ser mais adequado para o uso clínico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, our goal was to compare intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in a group of outpatients who underwent hand surgery. METHODS: This is a double blind randomized study. A total of 45 patients were included, randomized into three groups. Patients in Group I (L) received 3 mg.kg-1 of 2% lidocaine 40 mL; patients in Group II (LL) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL lornoxicam; patients in Group III (LF) received 3 mg.kg-1 lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL fentanyl. Our primary outcome was first analgesic requirement time at postoperative period. RESULTS: Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA increased the sensory block recovery time without increasing side effects and increased first analgesic requirement time at the postoperative period when compared to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) and fentanyl added to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, we also found that fentanyl decreased tourniquet pain (p < 0.01) when compared to lidocaine but showed similar analgesic effect with lornoxicam (p > 0.05) although VAS scores related to tourniquet pain were lower in fentanyl group. Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA was not superior to lidocaine IVRA in decreasing tourniquet pain. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fentanyl to lidocaine IVRA seems to be superior to lidocaine IVRA and lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA groups in decreasing tourniquet pain at the expense of increasing side effects. However, lornoxicam did not increase side effects while providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, lornoxicam could be more appropriate for clinical use.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVO: Comparar los efectos analgésicos en los períodos intra y postoperatorio del lornoxicam y del fentanilo adicionados a la lidocaína para la anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV), en un grupo de pacientes sometidos a la cirugía de mano. MÉTODOS: Estudio aleatorio, doble ciego y controlado. Fueron incluidos y aleatorizados por el equipo de investigación 45 pacientes en tres grupos: el Grupo I recibió 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína al 2% (40 mL); el Grupo II recibió 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de lornoxicam; el Grupo III recibió 3 mg.kg-1 de lidocaína (38 mL) + 2 mL de fentanilo. El resultado primario evaluado fue el tiempo hasta la primera necesidad de analgésicos en el postoperatorio. RESULTADOS: El Lornoxicam adicionado a la lidocaína en ARIV aumentó el tiempo de recuperación del bloqueo sensorial, sin aumentar los efectos colaterales y el tiempo hasta la primera necesidad de analgésicos en el postoperatorio en comparación con la lidocaína sola (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente) y el fentanilo adicionado a la lidocaína (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectivamente). Además de eso, también descubrimos que el fentanilo redujo el dolor ocasionado por el torniquete (p < 0,01) en comparación con la lidocaína, pero mostró un efecto analgésico parecido con el del lornoxicam (p > 0,05), aunque las puntuaciones de la escala visual analógica (EVA) relacionadas con el efecto ocasionado por el torniquete, hayan sido menores en el grupo fentanilo. El Lornoxicam adicionado a la lidocaína en ARIV no fue superior a la lidocaína sola para reducir el dolor ocasionado por el torniquete. CONCLUSIÓN: Podemos decir que la adición del fentanilo a la lidocaína en ARIV parece ser superior a la lidocaína sola y al lornoxicam adicionado a la lidocaína para disminuir el dolor ocasionado por el torniquete, a pesar de aumentar los efectos secundarios. Sin embargo, el lornoxicam no aumentó los efectos secundarios, proporcionando una analgesia en los períodos tanto intraoperatorio como postoperatorio. Por tanto, el lornoxicam puede ser más adecuado para el uso clínico.

Comparison of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, our goal was to compare intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and fentanyl when added to lidocaine Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in a group of outpatients who underwent hand surgery. METHODS: This is a double blind randomized study. A total of 45 patients were included, randomized into three groups. Patients in Group I (L) received 3mg.kg(-1) of 2% lidocaine 40 mL; patients in Group II (LL) received 3mg.kg(-1) lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL lornoxicam; patients in Group III (LF) received 3mg.kg(-1) lidocaine 38 mL + 2 mL fentanyl. Our primary outcome was first analgesic requirement time at postoperative period. RESULTS: Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA increased the sensory block recovery time without increasing side effects and increased first analgesic requirement time at the postoperative period when compared to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) and fentanyl added to lidocaine IVRA (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, we also found that fentanyl decreased tourniquet pain (p < 0.01) when compared to lidocaine but showed similar analgesic effect with lornoxicam (p > 0.05) although VAS scores related to tourniquet pain were lower in fentanyl group. Lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA was not superior to lidocaine IVRA in decreasing tourniquet pain. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fentanyl to lidocaine IVRA seems to be superior to lidocaine IVRA and lornoxicam added to lidocaine IVRA groups in decreasing tourniquet pain at the expense of increasing side effects. However, lornoxicam did not increase side effects while providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, lornoxicam could be more appropriate for clinical use.

Management of anesthesia for cesarean section in parturients with placenta previa with/without placenta accreta: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to review placenta previa cases and determine the prognostic factors effective on morbidity and mortality and to evaluate the strategy of anesthetic management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 65 women with placenta previa scheduled for elective or emergency cesarean sections from 2004 to 2009 were examined. Patient demographic data, surgery and obstetric characteristics, anesthetic techniques, blood transfusions, the values of hemoglobin and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Mostly general anesthesia was preferred in the parturients with placenta previa (86.2%, 56/65). 9 patients (13.8%), 2 of whom were converted to general anesthesia due to bleeding and prolonged surgery received regional anesthesia. 37 of 65 women (56.9%) with placenta previa had had cesarean sections previously. More than half of these patients (21/37, 56.7%) had abnormally invasive placentation and 16 of 21 cases underwent cesarean hysterectomy. The incidence of complications in women with previous cesarean section with abnormally invasive placentation was higher than in the other women (p < .0001). Three patients were transferred to the intensive care unit; 2 were intubated and mechanical ventilation was applied, and 1 died of hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthetic management is important for parturients with placenta previa who had previous cesarean section or abnormally invasive placentation. We found that general anesthesia was our method of preference for placenta previa as we wished to avoid the risk of bleeding. However, regional anesthesia can be safe in patients lacking any abnormally invasive placentation.