Comparison of Effects of Hemostatic Gelatin Sponge Impregnated with Ropivacaine versus Normal Saline Applied on the Transverse Process of the Operated Vertebrae on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Spinal Instrumentation Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Protocols for effective postoperative pain control in patients undergoing spinal surgery are not standardized. In our study, we compared the effects of hemostatic absorbable gelatin sponge impregnated with ropivacaine versus normal saline when applied to the transverse process of the operated vertebrae on the postoperative pain following instrumentation spine surgery. METHODS: A prospective double-blind randomized study was conducted on 30 patients undergoing spine surgery. At the end of surgery, the hemostatic gelatin sponge was applied by the surgeon on the transverse process of the operated vertebra containing either ropivacaine 0.5% or normal saline NaCl 0.9. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) every 4 hours for 48 hours postoperatively in the 2 groups (ropivacaine vs. normal saline). The total amount of postoperative opioid use was also recorded. RESULTS: The VAS score was significantly lower in patients receiving hemostatic gelatin sponge impregnated with local anesthetics as compared with patients receiving gelatin sponge impregnated with normal saline 48 hours postoperatively; the mean total dose of meperidine given in the first 48 hours postoperatively was significantly lower (53.5 ± 51.0 mg) in patients receiving gelatin sponge impregnated with local anesthetics as compared with patients receiving hemostatic gelatin sponge impregnated with normal saline (140.5 ± 102 mg). CONCLUSIONS: Use of intraoperative hemostatic gelatin sponge impregnated with ropivacaine applied on the transverse process of the operated vertebrae intraoperatively resulted in decreasing the postoperative pain in patients undergoing lumbar instrumentation surgery as manifested by the decrease in the VAS score and the total dose of opioids.

Ventilation of Nonparalyzed Patients Under Anesthesia with Laryngeal Mask Airway, Comparison of Three Modes of Ventilation: Volume Controlled Ventilation, Pressure Controlled Ventilation, and Pressure Controlled Ventilation-volume Guarantee.

BACKGROUND: Pressure controlled ventilation (PCV) is the preferable mode of ventilation of nonparalyzed patients undergoing anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) as compared to volume controlled ventilation (VCV) and spontaneously breathing patient. In this study, we compared the PC-volume guarantee (PC-VG) mode of ventilation with VCV and PCV modes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status Classes I and II, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with a classic LMA were ventilated, subsequently, with the three modes of ventilation: VCV, PCV, and PC-VG for 10 min each mode. Tidal volume set for all patients was 8 ml/kg of ideal body weight. Parameters measured with modes of ventilation include peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), compliance, measured tidal volume, O2 saturation, end-tidal CO2, and presence of an oropharyngeal leak. RESULTS: The PIP was significantly higher with the application of VCV mode of ventilation than PCV and PC-VG modes. The compliance was significantly lower when using the mode of ventilation VCV than PCV and PC-VG. The PIP and the compliance were not statistically different between the PCV and PC-VG modes of ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Ventilation of nonparalyzed patients with LMA under anesthesia with PC-VG is advantageous over VCV in reducing PIP and increasing lung compliance. No difference was noted between PCV and PC-VG in ASA Classes I or II under the adequate depth of anesthesia in patients with normal pulmonary function.

COMBINED BLOCK OF THE FEMORAL AND LATERAL FEMORAL CUTANEOUS NERVES UNDER ULTRASOUND FOR POST- OPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HIP SURGERY: A DOUBLE BLIND RANDOMIZED TRIAL.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate pain management of post-operative pain of patients undergoing hip surgery can result in morbidity and mortality complications. Anatomically, pain resulted from the incision site innervation (Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) and the hip joint innervation mainly the femoral nerve. Adding femoral nerve blockade to the multimodal regimen for postoperative pain control after hip surgery has been described. METHODS: all 31 patients included in the study received preoperatively combined FN and LFCN block with Normal Saline 0, 9% (group I) or bupivacaine 0.5% (group II) randomly by using a previously generated continuous randomization list kept in a closed envelope. Pain control regimen consisted of Perfalgan 1g IV every 6 hours systematically and Dolosal 50 mg IM every 6 hours if needed (i.e. VAS > 4). Pain level was measured by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the first 24 hours.Time to the first request of analgesia and the total dose of dolosal were calculated. RESULTS: The number of patients who requested narcotics was significantly higher in group I (8) than group II (3), P=0,044; the total dose of dolosal used was significantly higher in group 1 (50 mg) than group II (9,375mg), P=0,0058. Time to the first request for analgesia was significantly lower in group I (6hrs ± 5,12) as compared to Group II (21.3 hrs ± [Arabic letters: see text]), P =0,043. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, FN and LFCN block when added to the standard regimen for postoperative pain management after hip surgery had a benefit in decreasing pain scores as well as opioid consumption.

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis presenting as recurrent scrotal edema: Report of a case and review of the literature.

Primary or idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, first described by Ormond in 1948, is a rare and elusive diagnosis, requiring a high level of suspicion. Patients usually present with entrapment of retroperitoneal organs, the most common being the ureters, causing hydronephrosis and acute kidney injury. Here, we present the case of a 56-year-old male presenting for recurrent and intermittent scrotal edema. Upon routine laboratory workup, he was found to have an elevated creatinine level. Imaging showed encasement of bilateral ureters. Bilateral ureteral stents were placed with relief of his obstructive uropathy, followed by normalization of creatinine. The patient later underwent laparoscopic release of retroperitoneal adhesions. Biopsies taken from the operative site showed fibroblast proliferation and elements of acute and chronic inflammation. With further workup of etiologies being negative, he was diagnosed with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Airway management in a patient with Le Fort III Fracture.

Maxillofacial fractures present unique airway problem to the anesthesiologist. Patients with LeFort III fractures are at great risk of requiring emergent airway control due to midface instability and oropharyngeal airway obstruction. We present a case where difficult intubation was managed with close cooperation between the anesthesiologist and the surgeon.

Myxedema ascites with high CA-125: Case and a review of literature.

Ascites appearing in a previously healthy female patient is usually ascribed to a variety of causes, among which, is a cancerous process, especially if it comes with a raised CA-125 level. Although the CA-125 antigen is present on more than 80% of malignant epithelial ovarian tissue of non-mucinous type, it is also found on both healthy and malignant cells of mesothelial and non-mesothelial origin. Myxedema ascites which is caused by hypothyroidism is a rare entity, but on the other hand is easy to treat. It is one of the differential diagnoses when the ascites is refractory to treatment and no other obvious cause can be identified. If the diagnosis is delayed, patients will frequently receive unnecessary procedures, while treatment has very good response rates and ascites resolve with serum CA-125 normalization after adequate hormonal treatment.