HEMODYNAMIC FUNCTION IN COMPARISON OF TWO TYPES OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA WITH VASOCONSTRICTOR IN DAY SURGERY: RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Introduction: Hemodynamic changes and cardiac arrhythmias are not uncommon in clinical practice, depending on including patient features, surgical treatment and drugs administered. We describe hemodynamic changes developed in young patients, soon after a local infiltration anesthesia in day surgery. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the hemodynamic effect of 2% lidocaine with 0,0125mg/ml adrenaline (Li & AD) administered for septorhinoplasty in 44 participants and combination of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine with 0.0125mg/ml adrenaline (BLi & AD) for breast augmentation in 48 participants. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before the introduction of general anesthesia, immediately 5.10 and 20 minutes after administration of local infiltration, anesthetic (LIA) and data were analyzed. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) in all observed measurements before general anesthesia (0), immediately, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 20 minutes after local infiltration anesthesia was higher among patients who underwent septorinoplasty (Li & AD), in relation to patients who underwent breast augmentation (BLi & AD) (p <05). The level of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in measurement 20 minutes compared to measurement in 10 minutes was increased by 9,52 mmHg. The septorhinoplasty group showed a significant increase in heart rate measured 20 minutes after local infiltration anesthesia with adrenaline. Conclusions: Measured transitory changes in heart rate and blood pressure after local infiltration of vasoconstrictor anesthetics in healthy patients prior to septorinoplasty and breast augmentation may be induced by endogenous and / or exogenous epinephrine. Bupivacaine solution for local infiltration analgesia reduces hemodynamic disturbances and prolongs analgesic effect. We highlight the need for careful preoperative evaluation, including anxiety assessment and treatment in all patients in day surgery.

OPTIMAL ANALGESIA FOR BREAST SURGERY ENHANCED RECOVERY IN DAY SURGERY.

Aesthetic breast surgery is the most common body surgery at Bagatin Polyclinic. During 2020 and 2021, altogether 274 cosmetic surgeries were performed on the breasts. This included breast augmentation, breast augmentation and lifting operations, in a ratio of 2 to 1.According to statistics from the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2020 breast augmentation with implants was ranked fifth of all cosmetic surgeries performedand the second largest body surgery immediately after liposuction, with 193,073 procedures done. In addition to these procedures, breast augmentation (87,051) and breast reduction (33,574) procedures were also popular. Due to the increased interestin these procedures and their high daily percentage of operating programs, adequate analgesia and recovery of patients, who undergo these cosmetic breast corrections, areimportant. Today, it is no longer enough for an operation to go well and the patients to have good results. It is also important that the procedure itself, from induction of anesthesia to early and late recovery, allows for a quick return to daily activities and work.

SATISFACTION OF PARTURIENTS WITH EPIDURAL ANALGESIA DURING DELIVERY: ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONNAIRE AT A SINGLE HOSPITAL CENTER.

Epidural analgesia is one of the most common methods of relieving labor pain. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of epidural analgesia, maternal satisfaction and relationship between the effectiveness of epidural analgesia and various factors. Data were analyzed retrospectively and collected during 2022. A total of 60 parturients participated in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire before the parturient was discharged from the hospital. The mean assessment of pain on a 1-10 numeric rating scale before epidural analgesia was 7.7 and 3.4 after administration of epidural analgesia. The median assessment of pain before epidural analgesia was 8 (7¬¬-8), and the median assessment of pain after epidural analgesia was 3 (2-5). The average satisfaction with epidural analgesia on a 1-10 scale was 8.11, and the median satisfaction was 10 (7-10). Total of 35 (58.3%) parturients rated satisfaction with 10. Statistically significant association between the effectiveness of epidural analgesia and parity, dilution of administered levobupivacaine, fentanyl administration, and level of education was not found. Childbirth pain is significantly alleviated by the application of epidural analgesia and the satisfaction of parturients is very high.

DEXAMETHASONE - INTRATHECAL MINIMISER OF SIMPLE HAEMATHOLOGIC STRESS BIOMARKERS IN HIP FRACTURE.

Proximal femoral fractures are the most common cause of emergency admission to hospital with high postoperative morbidity. The hypothesis was that a single shot of intrathecal dexamethasone and levobupivacaine in anaesthesia for surgical correction of proximal femoral fracture in elderly patients reduces surgical stress with better quality hospitalisation. The study included sixty elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture, ASA status 2 and 3, randomised into two groups. The study group of thirty patients received 8 mg of dexamethasone and 12,5 mg of levobupivacaine 0,5% intrathecally, DLSA group, and the parallel group of thirty patients received 12,5 mg of levobupivacaine 0,5% intrathecally, LSA group. Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations were assessed before and after anaesthesia, pain intensity was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale score and hospitalisation was analysed. Results showed decreased cortisol concentrations, longer analgesia duration and shorter hospitalisation in the DLSA group. Glucose concentrations did not differ significantly between the patients in either group. Enlightening the study results collected, single shot of intrathecal administration of dexamethasone in spinal anaesthesia for surgical treatment of proximal femoral fractures reduces the stress response by decreasing plasma cortisol concentrations prolonging analgesia with better rehabilitation possibilities, hence shortening hospitalisation which explains this pattern of anaesthesia.

INFLUENCE OF LOCAL INFILTRATION ANALGESIA ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN IN ABDOMINOPLASTY PATIENTS.

The aim of this study was the influence of local infiltrating analgesia with levobupivacaine on acute postoperative pain in patients that underwent abdominoplasty in day surgery. Local infiltration anesthesia is an injection of local anesthetic solution in painful areas. General anesthesia and tumescent fluid solution were performed in all patients. The study included 55 patients within age range from 20 to 72 years old. Study was conducted from January 2016 to February 2019.Postoperative pain after abdominoplasty was evaluated. LIA were performed before closure of abdominal wall after resection of skin and subcutaneous fat in lower part of abdominal wall. Infiltration was performed after plication of rectus abdominis muscles with single shot of 40 ml 0.25% Bupivacaine. Postoperative pain was reduced in the abdominal wall and in the wound area around umbilicus and in lower abdomen scar after waking from general anesthesia. Occurrence of acute postoperative was noticed in all participants. 85% of patients required an additional dose of analgesics and only in 3% of patients was required during the first postoperative day discharged during 48 hours. The research has shown that the appearance of acute postoperative pain did not lead to prolonged stay in the facility for day surgery.

IMPACT OF LOCAL INFILTRATION ANESTHESIA ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT AFTER RHINOPLASTY IN DAY CARE SURGERY.

Use of local infiltration anaesthesia with 2% lidocaine in combination with epinephrine 1/100000 in rhinoplasty and 0.25% levobupivacaine in this research as an adjunct to general anaesthesia is compared analysing the need for postoperative analgesia in rhinoplasty patients. 30 patients received lidocaine combined with epinephrine (LA) and other 30 patients received levobupivacaine (LB). Comparison is done with Visual Analogue Scale in 30 min and 1, 3, 6 h postoperatively. Also 24 h need for analgesic treatment was recorded. In conclusion postoperative analgesia in LB group with general anaesthesia was significantly prolonged (P = 0.038).

Comparison of Different Surgical Procedures with Local Infiltration Analgesia in Day Surgery.

Purpose of this study was assessing of local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with levobupivacaine on the trend of acute postoperative pain and outcome in individuals who underwent rhinoplasty procedure and abdominoplasty performed in general anaesthesia. The research was conducted on 60 patients, of which 30 patients underwent rhinoplasty procedure and the other 30 patients underwent abdominoplasty procedure in general anaesthesia with LIA in "Bagatin" Polyclinic in the time period between 01.01.2014. and 01.01.2017. Postoperative analgesics doses on the same day of surgery were noted in 85% of participants who underwent an abdominoplasty procedure and in 45% of participants underwent rhinoplasty procedure. Patients who underwent abdominoplasty were discharged from the facility within 48 hours, while all patients who underwent rhinoplasty procedure were discharged on the same day of the surgery. During the first postoperative day patients who underwent a rhinoplasty procedure did not require analgesics, while only 3% of patients who underwent an abdominal liposuction procedure required an additional dose of analgesics. The research results had shown, when LIA was performed, the manifestation of acute postoperative pain and vomiting did not lead to prolonged stay in day surgery.

[Delirium assessment scoring scales]. / Bodovne ljestvice za procjenu delirija.

Delirium is a significant psychiatric disorder in intensive care units that has negative impact on morbidity and mortality of intensive care patients. Subjective clinical assessment of patients by non-psychiatric health professionals in intensive care units is not sufficient for detection and measurement of delirium. Therefore, different scoring scales for delirium assessment have been developed. This paper reviews the characteristics of commonly used scoring scales for assessment of delirium in intensive care units: the Confusion Assessment Method-Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU), the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICD-SC), the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) and the Detecting Delirium Scale (DDS). Routine implementation of objective scoring scales is not widespread. Evidence suggests that objective assessment of delirium contributes to its early detection in intensive care and initiation of appropriate treatment. It is therefore advisable to make additional educational effort to provide an objective scoring scale for the assessment of delirium, such as CAM-ICU, to be routinely used in intensive care units.

[How to improve perioperative blood management in patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement surgery?]. / Kako poboljsati transfuzijsko lijecenje bolesnika podvrgnutih ugradnji totalnih endoproteza kuka i koljena?

Total hip and knee arthroplasty is associated with significant perioperative blood loss, necessitating often blood transfusions. Because of risks and cost of allogenic blood transfusion and elective types of surgery several alternative methods have been developed to reduce allogenic blood use. We prospectively audited 65 consecutive patients undergoing primary total hip (THR; n = 30) or knee replacement (TKR; n = 35) at our Department of Orthopaedic Surgery which did not use autologous blood collection methods. Total blood loss in THR (1329.7 +/- 364.8 ml) and TKR (1427.3 +/- 660.4 ml) was similar to previously reported and without significant difference between the groups. However, we reported high transfusion rates with 63.3% of THR and 82.6% of TKR patients receiving allogenic blood. Important steps to reduce allogenic blood use would include implementation of restrictive transfusion protocols with a defined hemoglobin value as a transfusion trigger, correction of preoperative anemia with i.v. iron +/- erythropoietin, use of one or more modalities of autologous transfusion (postoperative autotransfusion, preoperative blood donation), pharmacological agents like tranexamic acid (anti-fibrinolytic) and other complementary procedures. There is sufficient evidence in literature about the cost-benefit of certain methods which makes routine use of allogenic blood in THR and TKR surgery unacceptable even at general orthopaedic surgery departments.

[Performance Assessment Tool for Quality Improvement in Hospitals (PATH): first experiences in Croatia]. / Alat za ocjenu rada u cilju poboljsanja kvalitete u bolnicama: prva iskustva u provodenju programa PATH u hrvatskim bolnicama.

PATH (Performance Assessment Tool for Quality Improvement in Hospitals), a project of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe offers hospitals a comprehensive and standardized tool (a set of indicators) to evaluate their own performance and development of measures for quality improvement. PATH Program was launched in Croatia in 2008, and it was conducted in 2009 in hospitals that have voluntarily decided to be involved. Here we present the results of the first phase of pilot experience of establishing the program, based on data collected in 22 Croatian hospitals. Analysis of the first results indicated the existence of marked differences among the hospitals that have taken the example of the percentage of cesarean sections ranging from 1.1% to 21.4%. The mortality rate of myocardial infarction ranged from 1.9 to 21.4%, while the mortality of stroke ranged from 12.5 to 45.5%. The highest percentage of needle-stick injuries reported for physicians was 16.2% of entire hospital staff in one year, 6.1% for nurses and 4.6% for the supportive staff. The result suggests the existence of many problems and limitations in data collection at hospital level, limitations in their analysis and creates recommendations for quality improvements, which must be taken into account when hospitals are compared on the national or international level.

The proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) in the treatment of proximal femoral fractures.

Proximal femoral fractures, especially in elderly persons with osteoporosis, present a challenge for the traumatologist. While the dynamic hip screw (DHS) became the implant of choice for the treatment of stable fractures, the ideal implant for the treatment of unstable fractures remains an issue. In our experience, Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA) is an excellent device for osteosynthesis as it can be easily inserted, it provides angular and rotational stability and allows early weight bearing on the affected limb. Between February 2007 and August 2009, 76 patients underwent the PFNA fixation for proximal femoral fractures (15 men and 61 women). Forty seven fractures were pertrochanteric, 14 subtrochanteric, 2 pathological and 5 ipsilateral trochanteric and diaphyseal fractures whereas in 8 cases the PFNA was used in reosteosynthesis. The mean age of patients was 73.4 years (range 22-91 years). The fractures were reduced on a traction table and the implant was inserted using minimally invasive technique. Four patients developed superficial postoperative wound infection. No cases of implant breakage have been recorded; there was one cut-out; delayed union was noted in three patients. The majority of patients regained their pre-injury mobility status. The PFNA is an excellent implant for stabilisation of both trochanteric and complex combination fractures as well as an exceptional device for reosteosynthesis. It is easily inserted with few intra- and postoperative complications and allows early weight bearing on the affected limb as well as quicker rehabilitation of patients.

Life threatening complications after unsuccessful attempt of the guidewire dilating forceps tracheostomy in multi-trauma patient with cervical spine injury.

Percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT) is a safe method under proper patient selection, increased technical experience and bronchoscopy- or ultrasound-guided procedure. Trauma patients with cervical spine fractures and spinal cord injury are at a high risk for respiratory failure and require a definitive airway followed by prolonged mechanical ventilation. We would like to present multiple, life- threatening complications after unsuccessful attempt of the guidewire dilating forceps tracheostomy (GWDF) in one trauma patient with a cervical spine injury. With this case report we would like to lay emphasis on the importance of continuously bronchoscopy- or ultrasound-guided PTC in trauma patients, especially with cervical spine injury, as the need to respect the steep-learning curve in its performance.

The optimal pediatric induction dose of propofol in combination with reduced-dose rocuronium and alfentanil for day-case tonsillectomy in children.

OBJECTIVE: Tonsillectomy in children may be performed on a day-case basis. To achieve quality anesthesia and successful, fast recovery with minimal morbidity without the use of volatile anesthetic, the choice of drug combination has to be centered on one rapid- and short-acting hypnotic, opioid and non-depolarizing muscle relaxant. The aim of our study was to determine the optimal pediatric induction dose of propofol that by means of alfentanil and reduced-dose rocuronium allows the highest percentage of excellent intubating conditions. METHODS: One hundred and eleven children were randomized in three equal groups and included in prospective, double blind study. Anesthesia was induced with 2.0 (Group A), 2.5 (Group B) or 3.0 mg kg(-1) (Group C) of propofol proceeded by alfentanil (0.02 mg kg(-1)). Muscle relaxation was achieved with reduced-dose rocuronium (1.5x ED(95)) (0.45 mg kg(-1)). The intubating conditions were assessed using the four-point scoring system based on the difficulty of laryngoscopy, presence of vocal cord movement and the intensity of coughing. Neuromuscular transmission was monitored by means of acceleromyography with supramaximal train-of-four stimulation of the ulnar nerve by the frequency of 1Hz. RESULTS: Adequate intubating conditions were achieved in high percentages in all study groups (A = 94%, B = 95%, C = 98%) (P = 0.352). Significant higher differences of excellent and good intubating conditions, attributed to quality of laryngoscopy, movement of the vocal cords and intensity of coughing were observed in Group C (excellent = 94%, good = 4%) (B = excellent 80%, good = 18% and A = excellent 47%, good = 47%) (P = 0.0001). MAP decrease of 12% from the baseline occurred immediately only after 3.0 mg kg(-1) induction dose of propofol (80+/-7 mm Hg; A = 92 +/- 6, B = 88 +/- 9) (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Induction dose of 2.5 mg kg(-1) of propofol preceded by 0.02 mg kg(-1) of alfentanil in addition to reduced-dose rocuronium (0.45 mg kg(-1)) is the optimal pediatric induction dose of propofol for improving the most excellent intubating conditions without significant hemodynamic changes.

Intercostal catheter analgesia is more efficient vs. intercostal nerve blockade for post-thoracotomy pain relief.

A pain after thoracotomy may result in a postoperative hypoventilation and lead to atelectases and pneumonia. This study was aimed to compare two analgesic regimens after posterolateral thoracotomy. 80 patients (40-70 years) undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to intercostal catheter analgesia (group A, n = 40) and intercostal nerve block (group B, n = 40). Patients in group A were given 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine injections twice a day by intercostal catheter. Intercostal nerve blockade was performed using 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. Intercostal nerve in thoracotomy wound, nerves below and above thoracotomy wound was also injected. PaO2, PaCO2, FVC, FEV1 and visual analog pain scale (VAS) were obtained preoperatively, 24, 48 and 72 hours after operation. Postoperative complications were recorded at the patient discharge. Differences between groups were calculated using Mann-Whitney, KW test and chi square test. The arterial blood gas analyses did not show statistically significant change in any group and time according to the baseline values. FVC and FEV1 decreased significantly in both groups at first postoperative day according to baseline measurements. Patients in B group had significantly higher FEV1 values in the third postoperative day (73.05 +/- 11.25 in A vs. 83.50 +/- 9.17 in B group, p < 0.05). Intercostal catheter analgesia resulted in significantly lower postoperative VAS scores and reduced opioid requirement as compared to intercostal nerve blockade. No differences in the postoperative complications were observed between groups.

Perioperative blood pressure control in hypertensive and normotensive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: prospective study of current anesthesia practice.

AIM: To analyze blood pressure changes during intra- and immediate postoperative period in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: The study included 355 consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between January 5, 2004 and December 30, 2005. Out of these patients, 325 were allocated into groups with preoperative history of hypertension (n=115) and without preoperative history of hypertension (n=210). Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure was measured at the following four time points: on the day before surgery, before anesthesia induction, after the last graft, and on entry to intensive care unit. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in patients with a history of hypertension on the day before surgery (97 vs 92 mm Hg, P=0.003, Mann-Whitney test) and before anesthesia induction (107 vs 98 mm Hg; P=0.003). It was higher at all measuring points (after the last graft, 79 vs 78 mm Hg; and on entry to intensive care unit, 88 vs 86 mm Hg), but this difference was neither statistically nor clinically significant. The study showed that mean arterial pressure followed similar dynamics over time in both patient groups (P<0.001 both), with no significant time-dependent between-group differences. CONCLUSION: Current anesthesia techniques that include deep opioid analgesia in combination with vasodilators provide a satisfactory control of intraoperative hypertension. Management of blood pressure changes during intra- and immediate postoperative period in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting patients with preoperative hypertension was no more difficult than in patients without preoperative hypertension.

Tumor growth fraction, expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, p53, bcl-2 and cathepsin D activity in primary ductal invasive breast carcinoma and their axillary lymph node metastases.

The aim of this paper is to determine similarities and differences between tumor cell subclones in cases of ductal invasive breast carcinoma, and which occupy primary tumor and local axillary lymph metastases. The tumor growth fraction evaluated by Ki-67 was analyzed along with the expression level of estrogen and progesterone receptors, protein p53, proto-oncogene protein bcl-2 and cathepsin D in 60 patients. Metastatic lymph node in axilla has a higher growth fraction of the tumor cells than the primary tumor (p = 0.045), as well as the higher level of bcl-2 overexpression (p = 0.014). No statistically significant difference was found in the presence of immunohistochemically identified estrogen receptors (p = 0.161) and progesterone receptors (p = 0.081) between the primary tumor and the metastatic lymph node in axilla. Likewise, no difference was found between the immunohistochemical evaluation of p53 (p = 0.356) and cathepsin D activity (p = 0.928). A higher growth fraction of the tumor cells and the higher level of bcl-2 overexpression in metastatic tumor cells indicate the more aggressive cell subclones. This study does not support the routine testing of both primary tumor and locoregional metastasis to evaluate the breast cancer hormone receptor status.

Trichinella spiralis and breast carcinoma--a case report.

Authors report about a patient with recurrent ductal invasive breast carcinoma and trichinosis. The patient underwent mastectomy of the left breast with evacuation of the axilla because of the cancer. Radiation therapy was received. An infestation with Trichinella spiralis was diagnosed two years after The patient was treated with mebendazole. A local recurrence of the tumor was found on the chest wall six years after the surgery. Tumor excision was performed. Histological analysis pointed at a ductal invasive carcinoma with numerous parasites of Trichinella spiralis present within both the muscle and the tumor tissue. The finding of parasites in the tumor tissue witnesses in favor of infestation, and the parasite morphology preserved in the tumor shows at the protective effects of the cysts, i.e. preventing parasite necrosis.