KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA mutation frequency of radical prostatectomy samples and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The molecular basis of prostate cancer is highly heterogeneous. Our study aimed to perform the mutation analysis of KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of EGFR, HER2, p16, and PTEN to demonstrate new areas for targeted therapies. METHODS: A total of 24 prostatectomy samples diagnosed with adenocarcinoma were analyzed by microarray hybridization. Also, these samples were IHC stained for EGFR, HER2, P16, and PTEN. The cases were divided into two groups based on low and high Gleason scores. All findings were compared with the clinicopathological parameters of the patients. RESULTS: While KRAS mutation was in 3/24 (12.5%) of our cases, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations were not detected. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of KRAS mutation frequency. HER2 was immunohistochemically negative in all samples. There was no correlation between EGFR, P16 immunopositivity, and clinicopathological features. CONCLUSION: KRAS mutation frequency is similar to those in Asian populations. BRAF and PIK3CA mutation frequencies have been reported in the literature in the range of 0-15% and 0-10.4%, respectively, consistent with our study findings. HER2 immunoexpression is a controversial issue in the literature. EGFR and p16 expressions may not correlate with the stage.

Acupuncture on Yintang point decreases preoperative anxiety.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ear-press needle acupuncture on Yintang point for preoperative anxiety. DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled study. SETTINGS/LOCATION: The study setting was the Department of Anesthesiology in Ankara Training and Research Hospital of Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey. SUBJECTS: The study comprised 52 adult surgical patients. INTERVENTIONS: A single, 20-minute session of single-point acupuncture was applied on Yintang (acupuncture group) or sham point (sham acupuncture group). OUTCOME MEASURES: The efficacy of acupuncture was evaluated by means of the changes in bispectral index (BIS) and STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Index). RESULTS: BIS values in the acupuncture group were significantly lower than in the sham group in all time intervals (p<0.0042). BIS values were lower than baseline in the study group during the entire study period (p<0.0004) while no such effect has been observed in the sham group (p>0.0004). Mean values of state anxiety (STAI-S) decreased after acupuncture in the study group (p=0,018), while no change was observed in trait anxiety (STAI-T) (p=0.156). Patients of the sham group showed no change in both parameters (p=0.387 and p=0,116). CONCLUSIONS: Ear-press needle acupuncture on Yintang point reduces preoperative anxiety in adult surgical patients.

Anesthesia in multiple sclerosis and obstructive sleep apnea: case report and literature review.

While patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or multiple sclerosis (MS) are at high risk of developing postoperative complications, both of them have special anesthetic considerations in intraoperative and postoperative periods. A careful preoperative evaluation, use of the optimal anesthetic regimen and close postoperative care is essential for these patients. Rarity of coexistence of both obstructive sleep apnea and multiple sclerosis in a surgical patient necessitates careful anesthetic management. We here report anesthetic management of a female patient with OSA and MS who underwent anesthesia three times for surgery and review the literature.

Postoperative analgesic efficacy of intravenous dexketoprofen in lumbar disc surgery.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the postoperative analgesic efficacy and effect on total tramadol consumption of intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol, a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in patients that had undergone lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients were included in this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study. General anesthesia was applied to both groups. Group D (n=30) received dexketoprofen (50 mg) intravenously 30 minutes before the end of surgery and at the postoperative 12th hour, whereas group C (n=30) received 2 mL of 0.9% NaCL intravenously at the same time points. All patients received a patient controlled analgesia device with a tramadol, 25 mg bolus, 15 minutes lockout protocol, and were followed with visual analog scale, verbal rating scale, modified Aldrete recovery scoring system, and Ramsay sedation scale in the postoperative period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups for demographic data, duration of surgery, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. The time to first postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly longer in group D (151.33±81.98 min) than group C (19±5.78 min) (P<0.001). Total tramadol consumption was significantly lower in group D (117.50±48.31 mg) than group C (311.67±59.35 mg) (P<0.05). Visual analog scale and verbal rating scale values in group D were significantly lower than group C at all follow-up periods (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups for the modified Aldrete recovery scoring system (P<0.05) but not for Ramsay sedation scale. The instances of nausea and vomiting among the side effects were significantly lower in group D (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that dexketoprofen was an effective analgesic for postdiscectomy pain when used alone or in addition to opioids. It is easy to administer and decreases tramadol consumption and opioid-related side effects.

The efficacy of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block for postoperative pain after caesarean section.

BACKGROUND: The effect of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (II-IH) nerve block on postoperative pain is well documented when performed before Caesarean section (CS) but the efficacy remains unclear when performed after the surgical procedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of II-IH nerve block on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients when performed after CS. METHODS: Sixty ASA I- II patients, scheduled for elective CS were included in the study. After general anaesthesia, patients were allocated into 2 groups randomly. In group I bilateral II-IH block has been performed after the skin closure, with 10 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine on each side. In group II sham block had been performed. For postoperative analgesia all patients received tramadol via i.v patient controlled analgesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scored tramadol consumption and side effects. RESULTS: The mean VAS scores in II-IH block group were significantly lower than in sham block group at 6(th), 8(th), 12(th), 24(th) hours at rest (p < 0.05) and at 6(th), 8(th) hours with movement (p < 0.05). Tramadol usage in II-IH block group was significantly less than in sham block group at all estimated time intervals (p < 0.05). Total tramadol consumption was 331 ± 82 mg in II-IH block group and 622 ± 107 mg in sham block group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that II-IH nerve block when performed after the surgery may reduce analgesic consumption after CS.

The analgesic effect of 8 and 16 mg lornoxicam administered before shock wave lithotripsy: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of 2 different doses of intravenous lornoxicam for pain relief during shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, double-blind study, 60 ASA I-II patients undergoing SWL were randomly divided into 3 groups. Fifteen minutes before SWL, 4 mL of saline solution was given to the patients in group I, 8 mg lornoxicam in group II, and 16 mg lornoxicam in group III. All groups received 1 mcg/kg fentanyl intravenously 3 minutes before SWL. Pain scores, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were noted before SWL, at 1 minute and every 5 minutes during the procedure. Also, additional fentanyl consumption, oxygen support requirements, time for recovery room discharge, adverse effects, and patient satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: The mean blood pressure, heart rate, and SpO(2) values were significantly lower in group I at 5 and 10 minutes (P < .01). The mean visual analogue scale scores and fentanyl consumption were higher in group I (P < .001). The additional meperidine requirement was higher in group I (P = .014). In group I, oxygen requirement was higher and recovery room period was longer than in the other 2 groups (P < .001), and 2 patients from group I had respiratory depression develop. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher in group I (P < .05). The patients' satisfaction scores were higher in groups II and III than in group I (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Eight milligrams of intravenously administered lornoxicam 15 minutes before SWL provides pain relief and patient satisfaction during the procedure, reducing opioid requirements as well as decreasing the incidence of side effects.