The effects of smoking on pain scores, vital signs, and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing tympanomastoidectomy surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we investigate the effects of smoking on pain scores, vital signs, and analgesic consumption in the intraoperative and postoperative period in patients undergoing tympanomastoidectomy surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II status, aged 18-55 years, and who were planned to undergo tympanomastoidectomy surgery were divided into two groups: smokers (Group 1) and non-smokers (Group 2). The patients were compared for preoperative, intraoperative, and 24-hour postoperative carboxyhemoglobin, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, pain intensity and verbal numerical rating scales, the extent of patient-controlled tramadol dose, nausea, and vomiting. RESULTS: There were 50 individuals in each group. Postoperative analgesic consumption and pain scores were higher in Group 1, and the first postoperative pain was felt earlier. Furthermore, in Group 1, preoperative carboxyhemoglobin levels and postoperative nausea were statistically higher before, after, and at the tenth minute after induction, whereas oxygen saturation was lower. The two groups had no statistical difference regarding intraoperative and postoperative vital signs. Postoperative analgesic consumption was not affected by age or gender. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking changes postoperative pain management, especially for this kind of operation, and these patients feel more pain and need more postoperative analgesic doses. Therefore, effective postoperative pain control should take account of smoking behavior, and analgesic doses may need to be adjusted for patients who smoke.

The effect of social interaction on decision making in emergency ambulance teams: a statistical discourse analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effects of social interaction, cognitive flexibility, and seniority on the correct response among emergency ambulance teams during case intervention. METHODS: The research, structured with the sequential exploratory mixed method, was conducted with 18 emergency ambulance personnel. The approach process of the teams working on the scenario was video recorded. The records were transcribed by the researchers, including gestures and facial expressions. Discourses were coded and modeled with regression. RESULTS: The number of discourses was higher in groups with high correct intervention scores. As the level of cognitive flexibility or seniority increased, the correct intervention score tended to decrease too. Informing has been identified as the only variable that positively affects the correct response to the emergency case, especially in the first period, which is directed toward case intervention preparation. CONCLUSION: Within the findings of the research, it is recommended that activities and scenario-based training practices that will increase the intra-team communication of the emergency ambulance personnel should be included in the medical education and in-service training.

Turkish assessment of SURF (SUrvey of Risk Factor Management) study: Control rates of cardiovascular risk factors derived from databases of 15 different levels of health centers in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to recommendations for secondary prevention and the achievement of treatment targets for the control of risk factors in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) who were followed-up at various healthcare facilities in Turkey. METHODS: According to the protocol of the international Survey of Risk Factor Management study, questionnaire forms were completed and demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data of CHD patients who were followed-up at a total of 15 selected primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare centers were recorded. RESULTS: Among a total of 724 CHD patients (69.8% male; mean age: 63.3±10.7 years) included in the study, 18.4% were current smokers, only 19.1% had normal body mass index, and 22.1% had waist circumference below the limit of abdominal obesity. Physical activity was insufficient in 53% of the patients, 47.3% had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value, 46% had triglyceride level above 150 mg/dL, and 67% had glycated hemoglobin value of 6.5% or above. Of all the patients, 88.1% were using antiplatelet drugs, 71.4% were using beta-blockers, 55.7% were using statins, and 41.9% were using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers. Blood pressure was under control in 56.7% of the hypertensive patients using antihypertensive drugs, and the proportion of diabetic patients who reached glycemic control targets using antidiabetic drugs was 35.9%. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was below 70 mg/dL in 12.2% of the patients using statins. CONCLUSION: According to the data obtained, among Turkish CHD patients, the control rate of cardiovascular risk factors is low, and implementation of the recommendations regarding lifestyle modification and medication use for secondary prevention in the current guidelines are insufficient.

Second to fourth digit ratio, sex differences and antropometric measuments: their relationship in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of socio-demographic factors and anthropometric measurements on 2/4 digit ratio in the school aged children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was completed in primary and secondary schools in the city center of Canakkale, Turkey. The students were seated at a table by the responsible doctor, and were asked to extend the palm of the right and left hand in the schools. Using a Vernier Caliper the 2/4 fingers were measured from the palm twice, and the results were noted together with socio-demographic information. Weight, length, waist and hip measurements were taken while students were behind a folding screen. RESULTS: A total of 1860 students from 5-14 years were included in the study. The right hand 2/4 digit ratio was 0.9765±0.035 and the left hand ratio was 0.9716±0.036 for girls. For the boys the ratios were 0.9688±0.035 for right hand and 0.9653±0.033 for left hand. The digit ratios of girls were significantly higher than boys and the right hand ratio was even greater. The 2/4 digit measurements of both hands of students were positively correlated with each other. In regression model left hand 2/4 ratio is dependent hip circumference, monthly income and gender as adjusted r2 0.051. The right hand 2/4 ratio was dependent gender, monthly income, hip circumference and birthweight as adjusted r2 0.041. CONCLUSIONS: The 2/4 digit ratio of school-aged in Turkish children differed based on gender. Digit ratios depend on the hip circumference, gender (girls have higher ratio), birthweight, gestation week and monthly income. Further research, especially the effect of monthly income, is needed.

Vision screening in children: Is 7-9 years of age a threshold for visual impairment?

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of decreased visual acuity, strabismus, and spectacle wear in children aged 5 to 13 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in primary education schools. A total of 1938 participants, including 940 females (48.5%) and 998 males (51.5%) with a mean age 8.96 ± 2.31 (5-13 years old), were screened. The comparisons were performed with gender, age, and age groups. The children attended to vision screening were assigned to three age groups as 5-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-13 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of the parameters was detected as decreased visual acuity 12.4%, strabismus 2.2%, and spectacle wear 6.9%. The prevalence of decreased visual acuity was significantly higher in girls and in children aged 7-9 years old (p = 0.013, p < 0.001). The prevalence of spectacle wear was significantly higher in girls and in children aged 7-9 years old (p = 0.019, p < 0.001). There was a visual acuity decrease in 33 of 106 (31.1%) children despite wearing own spectacle. There was no significant difference among three age groups for strabismus. CONCLUSION: Increased prevalence of decreased visual acuity, as well as the higher frequency of spectacle wear in children at ages of 7-9 years old may point out a threshold for visual impairment.

Prevalence of skin disorders in primary and secondary school age children in Canakkale, Turkey: a community-based survey.

INTRODUCTION: Skin lesions may be of dermatological importance, affect appearance, and cause problems communicating with peers and may be especially more significant in childhood. AIM: Information on the prevalence of pediatric dermatoses in Western Turkey. This study was aimed to define the existing data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Canakkale, Turkey, in September-December 2013. It involved 1,957 students from five randomly selected primary and secondary schools. Each student was interviewed for age, gender, and family history, and a dermatologic examination was performed by a dermatologist. Data were coded and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the students, 79.9% revealed at least one dermatosis. The most common disease was benign neoplasms (76%), followed by pigmentary disorders (26.8%), and xerosis (5.8%). In primary schools, the acquired melanocytic nevus, hypopigmented macule, and xerosis; in secondary school the acne was statistically significantly more common. Acne and xerosis was more common in girls, and pityriasis alba was statistically more common in boys. Students who had at least one dermatosis were positively correlated with monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: In Turkish school age children, the prevalence of dermatosis is 79.9%. It may be due to not using preventive means for adequate protection from the sun and other environmental factors. Infectious dermatosis and atopic dermatitis are rare and it may depend on the adequacy of public health work.

Diclofenac- and Pantoprazole-Induced Rhabdomyolysis: A Potential Drug Interaction.

BACKGROUND: Drugs represent one of the etiologic causes of acute rhabdomyolysis (AR) with drug-induced rhabdomyolysis most commonly associated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. AR etiology can also result from the use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor. Cases of AR triggered by pantoprazole have never before been reported, although it has been observed that its inclusion in multiple drug therapies can result in muscle events. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old man presenting with complaints of fatigue and extensive body pain was diagnosed with acute rhabdomyolysis. His symptoms started on the fourth day of the concomitant use of diclofenac and pantoprazole. The patient was using diclofenac 50-mg tablets once daily for 1 month and pantoprazole 40-mg tablets once daily during the previous week for headaches and pyrosis, resulting in an increase in his creatinine kinase levels to 3114 IU/L (reference range 24-190 IU/L) on the fifth day of concomitant use. His creatinine kinase levels returned to normal and his complaints disappeared after the seventh day of discontinuation of both treatments. DISCUSSION: A third case of diclofenac-induced rhabdomyolysis was defined in which, different from previous cases, AR was detected during the concomitant use of diclofenac and pantoprazole. The timing of the symptom development and the limited number of AR cases induced by diclofenac and pantoprazole suggested a drug interaction. CONCLUSION: The close relationship between diclofenac and pantoprazole, and the cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein systems offers a strong indication that a drug interaction may be occurring. While evaluating the side effects of drugs in patients undergoing monotherapy, clinicians should also consider the mechanisms that play a part in drug absorption and distribution.

Pantoprazole-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are highly effective drugs for patients suffering from peptic ulcer and gastro-esophageal reflux diseases, but recent studies have indicated possible risks with the long-term use of PPIs, such as osteoporosis, fractures, increased risk of pneumonia, diarrhea, iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies. There are publications written as a case study that indicate thrombocytopenia as side effects of PPIs, but there is no study on this subject. This study aimed to investigate the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with short-term use of PPI-infusion therapy. In this study, the records of the patients were evaluated retrospectively, for the period between January 2012 and January 2013. Thirty-five patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were enrolled. Platelet counts were analyzed before treatment, and on the first, second and third day of treatment, respectively. All patients were treated with intravenous pantoprazole. Hemogram values of patients were analyzed before and after PPI infusion treatment. Platelet counts were found to decrease from the first day to the third day of treatment (249 714.29/µl, 197 314.29/µl, 193 941.18/µl, 183 500/µl, respectively). The platelet count decrease was statistically significant (p < 0.001). After cessation of infusion therapy, platelet counts began to rise on the fourth day. Three patients had severe thrombocytopenia on the third day of the treatment. (69 000/µl, 97 000/µl and 49 000/µl respectively). Platelet counts recovered after discontinuation of treatment. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PPIs may cause thrombocytopenia, and this result should not be ignored. In particular, patients with PPI infusion therapy should be monitored more closely.

Ultrasound-guided psoas compartment block and general anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery: a case report.

Anesthetizing the lumbar plexus at its origin facilitates a more "complete" psoas compartment block compared to peripheral approaches. It is usually performed using surface anatomical landmarks, and the site for local anesthetic injection is confirmed by observing quadriceps muscle contraction to peripheral nerve stimulation. Ultrasound may provide guidance alone or together with the aid of nerve stimulation during nerve blocks. We present a 48-year-old male patient, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II, who refused spinal anesthesia, and underwent knee arthroscopy with ultrasound-guided psoas compartment block and general anesthesia. Following the standard monitoring and lateral decubitus positioning, the vertebral body, psoas, erector spinae, and quadratus lumborum muscles and hyperechoic nerve roots of the patient were visualized at the level of L4-5 with curvilinear ultrasound probe. The needle was inserted with ultrasound guidance, and correct tip position was confirmed with quadriceps contraction. Then, the mixture of 30 mL local anesthetic (10 mL 2% lidocaine and 20 ml 5% levobupivacaine) was injected at the estimated position of the lumbar plexus (junction of the posterior third and anterior two-thirds of the psoas muscle). He also received general anesthesia for the surgery. Anesthesia and surgical procedures were completed successfully without any additional anesthetic/analgesic requirement or complication. The postoperative period was pain-free both at rest and during mobilization for 24 hours. This case report shows that ultrasound-guided psoas compartment block is feasible and efficient for peri- and postoperative analgesia during knee arthroscopy.

[Comparison of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches for brachial plexus blockade]. / Brakiyal pleksus blogunda ultrason esliginde supraklavikuler ve infraklavikuler yaklasimin karsilastirilmasi

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and infraclavicular blocks are commonly used for upper extremity surgery. The primary aims of our study were to compare block success, block onset times and performance times; secondary aims were to compare the number of needle advancements, and incidence of adverse events of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular or infraclavicular blocks. METHODS: 110 patients were randomized into two groups: supraclavicular (Group S) and infraclavicular (Group I). All the patients were given a mixture of 20 ml 0.5% levobupivacaine and 10 ml 2% lidocaine as local anesthetics. The sensory score of the seven terminal nerves was assessed every 10 min for 30 min. RESULTS: Block success (Group I: 92.7%; Group S: 83.6%) and block onset time (Group I: 12.5 ± 4.8; Group S: 11.6 ± 3.9 min) were similar between the groups. Block performance time was shorter in Group I, than Group S (194.4 ± 65; 226.3 ± 59 sec, P<0.05). The number of needle advancements were lower in Group I than Group S (p<0.05). The Group I patients had a significantly improved block of the median and ulnar nerves than Group S, and Group S patients had a better block of the medial cutaneous nerve, than Group I (p<0.05). Horner syndrome was observed in 9 patients (16.3%) and paresthesia in one patient (1.8%) in Group S. CONCLUSION: Similar block features were observed with infraclavicular and supraclavicular approaches, but infraclavicular block may be preferable to supraclavicular block due to the lower incidence of transient adverse events.

Comparison of the Laryngeal Mask Airway (CTrach(TM)) and Direct Coupled Interface-Video Laryngoscope for Endotracheal Intubation: a Prospective, Randomized, Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVE: Video laryngoscopy was developed to facilitate tracheal intubation of difficult airways. We aimed to compare the efficacy of CTrach™ (CT) and Direct Coupled Interface-Videolaryngoscope (DCI-VL) in patients with normal airways. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty ASA I-II (American Society of Anesthesiologists) adult patients admitted for elective surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups, where intubation was performed via CT or DCI-VL. Time to obtain a good glottic view, total intubation time, success rates and the number of patients who required maneuvers for a good glottic view were recorded. RESULTS: The mean time to obtaining a good glottic view was significantly longer with CT than with DCI-VL (29.4±20.3 seconds vs. 12.8±1.9 seconds, respectively; p=0.01). Intubation was achieved on the first attempt in 28 patients in the CT group (93.3%) and in 24 in the DCI-VL group (80%) (p=0.77). The total intubation time for CT was significantly longer compared to DCI-VL (99.9±36.0 seconds vs. 39.2±21.4 seconds, respectively; p=0.01). Optimization maneuvers were required in eight and two patients in the CT and DCI-VL groups, respectively (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Although the normal airway endotracheal intubation success rates were similar in both groups, the time to obtain a good glottic view and the total intubation time were significantly shorter with DCI-VL.

Glutamine supplemented parenteral nutrition to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a form of nosocomial pneumonia that increases patient morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay, and healthcare costs. Glutamine preserves the intestinal mucosal structure, increases immune function, and reduces harmful changes in gut permeability in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). We hypothesized that TPN supplemented by glutamine might prevent the development of VAP in patients on mechanical ventilator support in the intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: With the approval of the ethics committee and informed consent from relatives, 60 patients who were followed in the ICU with mechanical ventilator support were included in our study. Patients were divided into three groups. The first group received enteral nutrition (n=20), and the second was prescribed TPN (n=20) while the third group was given glutamine-supplemented TPN (n=20). C-reactive protein (CRP), sedimentation rate, body temperature, development of purulent secretions, increase in the amount of secretions, changes in the characteristics of secretions and an increase in requirement of deep tracheal aspiration were monitored for seven days by daily examination and radiographs. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found among groups in terms of development of VAP (p=0.622). CONCLUSION: Although VAP developed at a lower rate in the glutamine-supplemented TPN group, no statistically significant difference was found among any of the groups. Glutamine-supplemented TPN may have no superiority over unsupplemented enteral and TPN in preventing VAP.

Analysis of the effect of perioperative magnesium sulphate on minimal alveolar concentration of desflurane using bispectral index monitoring.

BACKGROUND: In this study we aimed to analyze the effect of perioperative magnesium sulphate (MgSO(4)) on minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane using bispectral index (BIS) monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were randomized into two groups: Mg - receiving perioperative MgSO(4) supplementation and C - control. Anesthesia was titrated to maintain the BIS value between 45-55. RESULTS: MAC values, tachycardia and hypertension during intubation was found to be lower in group Mg compared to group C (p<0.001). Time to extubation, verbal cooperation and eye opening was longer in patients receiving infusion of MgSO(4) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that perioperative MgSO(4) infusion may be used as an adjunct as it decreases MAC of desflurane and suppresses the hemodynamic response to intubation.

Analysis of anger expression style--continuous anger and personality types of professional soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the anger expression styles, the continuous anger and personality types of players who play football in the professional league. The research group consisted of 133 soccer players who are playing in sports teams in the Turkish Super League: Ankara Sport Club, Gençlerbirligi Sports Club and Hacettepe Sports Club in the first league, Turk Telekom sports in the second league, and Keçiören Gücü Sports and Ankarademir Sports playing in the third league in the 2008-2009 football season. The Eysenck personality inventory was modified to Turkish by Bayar in 1983, having been developed by Eysenck and Eysenck in 1975 and the continuous anger-anger style scale (SOTO) was modified to Turkish by Ozer in 1994. The state trait anger scale (STAS) was originally developed by Spielberger in 1983. All these were used on soccer players participating in the study to determine the continuous anger and anger styles in this study. In the interpretation of data, a meaningfulness of p < 0.05, was applied by using regression analysis, the Kruskal Wallis Test, the one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) test and the Tukey test to find the differences among the groups. The SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) programme was used to find the accounted values and to evaluate the data. According to the results of this study, regarding the education level variable, while there was a meaningful difference between the continuous anger sub-dimension and anger control sub-dimension than continuous anger-anger expression styles, no significant difference was found among personality type sub-dimensions (psychoticism, extrovert, neurotic, false). In addition, a significant relationship was found between psychoticism, extrovert, neurotic, and lie sub-dimensions and the personality type sub-dimensions of professional players' constant anger-anger expression styles.

The effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine on spinal hyperbaric ropivacaine anesthesia.

PURPOSE: In this study we investigated the effects of intravenously administered dexmedetomidine on the duration of hyperbaric ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia, and the side effects. METHODS: In a prospective, double-blind study, sixty ASA I-II patients were randomized to two groups of 30 individuals. All patients were administered hyperbaric ropivacaine (22.5 mg) for spinal anesthesia. Intravenous dexmedetomidine was administered in group I for 60 min, physiological saline at the same amount and duration was infused in group II. RESULTS: Measurements of mean blood pressure before and after the procedure revealed significant decreases in group I compared with group II after 20, 25, and 30 min. The times for two dermatomes regression of the blockade and complete resolution of motor blockade were significantly prolonged in group I. The sedation score in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly increased compared with controls. Atropine requirement was found to be significantly higher in group I than in group II. CONCLUSION: Our results show that intravenously administered dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of spinal anesthesia, provided sufficient sedation, and had few side effects. Therefore, dexmedetomidine is appropriate during spinal anesthesia, if the anesthesiologist is alert for development of bradycardia.

[Ultrasound-guided bilateral infraclavicular block: case report]. / Ultrason rehberliginde bilateral infraklavikuler blok: olgu sunumu.

Bilateral brachial plexus block is rarely performed due to the risk of systemic toxicity of local anesthetics. Therefore, general anesthesia is generally preferred in bilateral extremity operations. However, usage of ultrasound allows easy visualization of the structures of the vessels and the nerves. In this case report, we present a 28-year-old man who was scheduled for bilateral hand surgery with ultrasound-guided bilateral infraclavicular block after he refused general anesthesia. After visualization of the axillary artery and the cords of the brachial plexus with linear ultrasound probe, the mixture of local anesthetics, which was prepared as 20 ml for each extremity (10 ml 2% lidocaine (with 5 microg x ml(-1) adrenaline) + 10 ml 7.5% levobupivacaine), was injected using triple injection method. During block performance, no complication developed. In conclusion, we think that infraclavicular block can be safely performed bilaterally with ultrasound guidance, which allows a reduction in the dose of local anesthetic.