Comparison of lidocaine and levobupivacaine in transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The anatomy of the nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx and evaluation of mucous membranes and laryngeal function is well observed by transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy (TFL). In this procedure, to provide good local infiltrative analgesia, medication such as anesthetics is important for the otolaryngologist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lidocaine (L) spray, compared with levobupivacaine solution, used for local anesthetic in patients undergoing TFL for complete examination. METHODS: Sixty-two subjects (39 men and 23 women; mean age, 36 ± 7 years) were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly classified into two groups as levobupivacaine hydroclorur (LB) and L groups. A standard flexible transnasal fiberoptic 4.2-mm-diameter laryngoscope was passed through the nasal cavity and into the aerodigestive tract. Patients were asked to evaluate the intensity of the pain they experienced during the TFL, using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Ramsay sedation scale. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar in both groups. There was no difference in VAS and Ramsay scores between both groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that topical levobupivacaine seems to be an effective medication for anesthesia of the nasal mucosa and may be used to allow complete examinations involving TFL.

The effect of prilocaine or levobupivacaine infiltration on pain during nasal packing removal.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rehydration of Merocel nasal packs with prilocaine or levobupivacaine on reducing pain and discomfort of nasal packing removal in patients who had undergone septoplasties or endoscopic sinus surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. Setting. Tertiary referral center. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 72 patients, aged 18 to 55 years, who had undergone septoplasty, bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery, or both. The patients were divided into 2 groups: prilocaine group (group P, n = 36), who received 2.5 mL of 2% prilocaine, and levobupivacaine group (group L, n = 36), who received 2.5 mL of levobupivacaine hydrochloride dilution. These solutions were diluted with 2.5 mL saline to a final volume of 5 mL, which was then injected into the Merocel packing 15 minutes before removal of the pack. In both groups, 5 mL of saline was injected into the packing in the contralateral nostril as a control 15 minutes before removal of the pack. Visual analog score (VAS) and the Ramsay sedation score were recorded. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in VAS and Ramsay sedation scale scores of levobupivacaine and prilocaine groups compared to controls. No significant difference was noted between the groups in terms of levobupivacaine and prilocaine. CONCLUSIONS: Levobupivacaine or prilocaine infiltration before removal of nasal packs in patients who undergo septoplasties or endoscopic sinus surgery can decrease discomfort and improve patient tolerability.

[Content analysis of websites directed to low back pain]. / Bel agrisi konusuna yönelik internet sitelerinin içerik analizi.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the websites directed at providing information about low back pain with respect to their content and quality. METHODS: The websites were detected by scanning the words 'low back pain' from the Turkish pages module of the Google search portal. One hundred and fifty websites introduced on the first 20 pages were evaluated; the 65 websites determined to fulfill the desired criteria were analyzed in detail. RESULTS: Twenty of the 65 websites were excluded due to low quality, extraction from another website, sales promotion-related books/products, or qualified as news. In the majority of websites, no site administrator was indicated. When an administrator was indicated, the common specialities were physical therapists (13%), neurosurgeons (8%) and anesthesiologists (4%). Ten of the websites (22%) provided a pain definition close to international standards, whereas pain classification was available on most of the websites (84%). There was no mention of methods of pain scoring on any of them. Treatment modalities for which information was given included mostly behavioral, physical and pharmacological therapies, respectively. Complementary techniques, in order, included acupuncture, yoga and bioenergy. On 10 websites, text was supported with medical photographs, and videos were available on two. None of the websites had a provision for selection of other languages. CONCLUSION: Websites directed to low back pain should be enriched with respect to scientific content, thereby serving to increase the level of social education related to pain management.

Two different doses of caudal neostigmine co-administered with levobupivacaine produces analgesia in children.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy duration of analgesia, and side effects of two different doses of caudal neostigmine used with levobupivacaine in children. METHODS: Sixty boys, between 5 months and 5 years, undergoing genitourinary surgery were allocated randomly to one of three groups (n =20 each). Group I patients received caudal 0.25% levobupivacaine (1 ml.kg(-1)) alone. Groups II and III patients received neostigmine (2 and 4 microg.kg(-1) respectively) together with levobupivacaine used in the same does as Group I. Pain scores were assessed using Children's and Infant's Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS) at 15th (t(1)) min after arrival to postanesthetic care unit, and 1st (t(2)), 2nd (t(3)), 3rd (t(4)), 4th (t(5)), 8th (t(6)), 16th (t(7)), and 24th (t(8)) hour postoperatively. Duration of analgesia, amount of additional analgesic (paracetamol), score of motor blockade and complications were recorded for 24 h postoperatively, and compared between groups. RESULTS: CHIPPS scores were higher during t(2), t(3), t(6), t(7), and t(8) periods, duration of analgesia was shorter, and total analgesic consumption was higher in Group I compare to neostigmine groups (P < 0.05). Duration of postoperative analgesia and total analgesic consumption were similar in Groups II and III (P > 0.05). Adverse effects were not different between three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Caudal neostigmine in doses of 2 and 4 microg.kg(-1) with levobupivacaine extends the duration of analgesia without increasing the incidence of adverse effects, and 2 microg.kg(-1) seems to be the optimal dose, as higher dose has no further advantages.

A lateral percutaneous technique for stellate ganglion blockade in rats.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we describe and show the efficacy of a lateral approach to stellate ganglion block (SGB) in rats. METHODS: Twenty-one rats were randomized into three groups: the posterior technique group (n = 7), the lateral technique group (n = 7), and the control group (n = 7). Thiopental was administered intraperitonally as 5 mg per 100 g of each rat's weight for sedation during the procedure. In the posterior technique group, SGB was performed by a posterior percutaneous approach as described previously. In the lateral technique and control groups, the cervical vertebrae was fixed between the left first and third fingers of the physician's left hand while palpating the C7 process with the second finger. The study drug was 0.2 mL 0.25% plain bupivacaine for the two percutaneous treatment groups, and 0.2 mL saline in the controls. RESULTS: Two animals in the posterior technique group died immediately after local anesthetic injection (P < 0.01). There were no deaths in the new technique group or in the controls. Ptosis appeared at 300 +/- 120 s in the posterior group, whereas it was seen almost immediately after withdrawing the needle in the lateral technique group (6 +/- 4 s) (P < 0.001). Ptosis did not occur in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in heart rate among groups (P > 0.069). CONCLUSION: The lateral approach to SGB does not require the induction of general anesthesia. The approach is associated with early development of ptosis and may be associated with a lower mortality rate compared to the conventional posterior approach.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidney: a histopathologic study.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury remains the leading cause of acute renal failure. The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the role of dexmedetomidine on histologic alterations induced by renal I-R in rats. In the present study, thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-220 g were randomly assigned into three groups: the sham-control group (group 1, n = 10), the R/untreated group (group 2, n = 10), and the I-R/dexmedetomidine-treated group (group 3, n = 10). For group one, we performed a sham operation. The abdomen was dissected, the right kidney was harvested, and then the left renal pedicle exposed. Renal clamping was not applied. For group 2, rats underwent left renal ischemia for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion for 45 minutes. For group 3, the same surgical procedure as in group 2 was performed, and dexmedetomidine (100 microg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administrated at the starting time of reperfusion. The rats were sacrificed after reperfusion, and the kidney tissue was harvested. The histopathological score in the kidney of the I-R/dexmedetomidine-treated group rats was significantly lower than that of I-R/untreated group rats. This score in I-R/untreated group rats was higher than the other two groups, which was statistically significant. In the I-R/untreated group rats, kidneys of untreated ischemia rats showed tubular cell swelling, cellular vacuolization, pyknotic nuclei, medullary congestion, and moderate to severe necrosis. Treatment with dexmedetomidine shows normal glomeruli and slight edema of the tubular cells. These findings provide the first evidence that dexmedetomidine can reduce the renal injury caused by I-R of the kidney, and may be useful in enhancing the tolerance of the kidney against renal injury.

Oral ketamine for pain relief in a child with abdominal malignancy.

Oral ketamine has been found to be effective during invasive procedures in children with malignancy. To the best of our knowledge, analgesic effects of oral ketamine have not been reported in pediatric cancer pain management. We described a patient with end-stage cancer pain that was resistant to opioids and was relieved by oral ketamine.

The effects of levobupivacaine versus levobupivacaine plus magnesium infiltration on postoperative analgesia and laryngospasm in pediatric tonsillectomy patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of magnesium to levobupivacaine will decrease the postoperative analgesic requirement or not, and to investigate the possible preventive effects on laryngospasm. METHODS: Seventy-five children undergoing elective tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy surgery. The drug was prepared as only NaCl 0.9% for the first group (Group S, n=25), levobupivacaine 0.25% for the second group (Group L, n=25), and levobupivacaine 0.25% plus magnesium sulphate 2mg/kg for the third group (Group M, n=25). Pain was recorded at 15th minute, 1st, 4th, 8th, 16th, and 24th hour postoperatively. Pain was evaluated using a modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (mCHEOPS). Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was assessed at various time intervals (0-2, 2-6, 6-24h) by numeric rank score. Patients were followed for laryngospasm for 1h in recovery room after extubation. Other complications appeared within 24h postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS: All postoperative CHEOPS values were lower than control in both groups. Analgesic requirement was decreased significantly in both groups in comparison with control patients, but this requirement was significantly lower in Group M (p<0.05). Although laryngospasm was not observed in Group M, the difference between groups was not statistically significant. PONV was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Levobupivacaine and Levobupivacaine plus magnesium infiltration decrease the post-tonsillectomy analgesic requirement. Insignificant preventive effect of low doses of magnesium infiltration on laryngospasm observed in this study needs to be clarified by larger series.

Preconditionin effects of dexmedetomidine on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Preconditioning might protect the myocardium against ischemia/ reperfusion injury by reducing infarct size and preventing arrhythmias. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2-agonist used for sedoanalgesia in daily anesthetic practice. The cardioprotective effects of DEX on infarct size and on the incidence of arrhythmias observed after regional ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether DEX exhibits a preconditioning effect and reduces infarct size and the incidence and duration of arrhythmias in a regional cardiac ischemia/reperfusion model in rats. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with sodium thiopental and mechanically ventilated (0.9 mL/100 g at 60 strokes/min) through a cannula inserted into the trachea after tracheotomy. Cardiac ischemia was then produced by ligating the left main coronary artery for 30 minutes, followed by a reperfusion period of 120 minutes. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored and echocardiograms (ECGs) were performed. Arrhythmia was scored based on incidence and duration. The animals were randomly divided into 3 groups. The ischemic preconditioning (IPC) group underwent 5 minutes of ischemia followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion before the 30-minute ischemia/120-minute reperfusion period. In the DEX group, intraperitoneal (IP) DEX 1 mL (100 µg/kg) was administered 30 minutes before the ischemia/ reperfusion period. In the control group, IP saline 1 mL was administered 30 minutes before the ischemia/reperfusion period. After reperfusion, the heart was excised, demarcated with saline and ethanol to identify the occluded and nonoccluded myocardium, and cut into slices ~2 mm thick, that were then stained and placed between 2 glass plates. The risk zone and the infarct zone were compared between groups. The investigator assessing the infarcts was blinded to the study group. RESULTS: Twenty-one adult (aged 4-6 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 280 to 360 g were included in the study; 7 rats were assigned to each group. BP, HR, and ECG readings were not significantly different between groups and did not change during the study. Arrythmias occurred during ischemia and reperfusion in all groups. The duration of the arrhythmias was significantly shorter and the arrhythmia score was significantly lower in the IPC group (all, P<0.05), compared with the control group; however, they were not significantly different in the DEX group. During the ischemic period, duration of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular premature contractions (VPC) in the DEX group was significantly longer than that observed in the IPC group (all, P<0.05). The duration of VPC was also significantly shorter than that observed in the control group (both, P<0.05). Duration of VT during the reperfusion period in the DEX group was significantly longer than that observed in both IPC and control groups (both, P<0.05). The mean (SD) percentage of damage was significantly lower in the IPC group (44.1% [2.0%]) and the DEX group (26.7% [2.0%]) compared with the control group (69.0% [3.0%]; both, P<0.05). The percentage of damage in the DEX group was also significantly lower compared with the IPC group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This small, experimental in vivo study found that DEX was associated with reduced infarct size in ischemia/reperfusion injury in regional ischemia in this rat model but had no effect on the incidence of arrhythmias. Future studies are needed to clarify these findings.

The effect of prilocaine and prilocaine plus meperidine infiltration on the pain during nasal packing removal.

OBJECTIVE: Removing the nasal packing after nasal surgery is an uncomfortable and painful procedure. Since there is no controlled trial described in the literature about the local use of meperidine during packing removal, we aimed to compare the analgesic and sedative effects of the meperidine-prilocaine combination, injected into the packing 15 minutes before the procedure, with that of prilocaine during packing removal. METHODS: Fifty adult patients, for whom nasal packing removal after nasal septoplasty was scheduled, were randomly allocated into one of two groups. In the prilocaine group (Group P, n = 25), 5 ml of 1% prilocaine in saline was injected into the pack 15 minutes before removal. In the prilocaine-meperidine group (Group MP, n = 25), 5 ml fluid combination containing prilocaine (10 mg/ml) and meperidine (1 mg/kg) was injected in nasal packs. Five ml saline was injected into the package in the contra-lateral nostril in both groups as control. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was recorded during injections (t) and packing removal (t), and the Ramsay sedation score was evaluated. RESULTS: VAS score was not different from the control nostril in Group P (p > 0.05), where as it was significantly lower than the control nostril in Group MP (p < 0.05). Ramsay sedation scores were significantly higher in Group MP compared to the control nostril and actively treated nostril of Group P (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The injection of prilocaine plus meperidine into the nasal pack 15 minutes before nasal packing removal provides effective analgesia and mild sedation during the procedure.

A new method for epidural catheter fixation.

We investigated the effect of a new fixator made from a medication port of a intravenous fluid container on the migration of epidural catheter. Fifty patients were recruited to receive epidural analgesia and allocated to one of two groups. In the new fixator group (n=25) epidural catheter was advanced through a fixator then fixed with transparent adhesive dressing, in the standard dressing group (n=25), the catheter was fixed only with transparent adhesive dressing. Outward migration of the catheter over 2 cm, and inward migration over 1 cm was described as the failure of the fixation. At the end of the follow up time, outward migration or inward migration distance, and the reason for removing the catheter were recorded. In the standard dressing group, outward migration was detected in 7 patients compared to 2 patients in the new fixator group (p>0.05). Inward migration was determined in only 5 cases in the standard dressing group (p<0.05). There was no movement in 13 cases in the standard dressing group compared with 23 of the new fixator group (p<0.05). The main reason for removal in the standard dressing group was the migration of the catheter whereas the catheter was removed on a regular basis at the end of therapy in the new fixator group. We concluded that the newly described fixation method for epidural catheter is an effective method in reducing catheter migration for short term usage.

Celiac plexus block with the long stylet needle technique.

Neurolytic celiac plexus block has been used successfully in the treatment of patients with intractable intra-abdominal pain due to malignancy or to benign pain syndromes. A new technique is described here for blocking the celiac plexus through the retrocrural approach with a special long stylet needle inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Celiac blocks were performed in 2 groups of patients. In the first group (n=7), the classic technique was performed with the use of 2 needles; in the second group (n=5), 1 needle and 2 stylets were used to complete the block through the long guided needle approach. Parameters evaluated in each group consisted of the number of attempts, defined as the number of skin punctures, and fluoroscopy injection time, defined as time from the beginning of fluoroscopy to completion of successful needle insertion into the celiac area. Patients who had abdominal pain resulting from pancreatic cancer underwent celiac plexus block performed by the long guided needle technique. In the classic technique group, fluoroscopy injection time was 13+/-3 min and the number of attempts was 5.3+/-3; values in the long guided needle group were 8.9+/-3 min and 4.9+/-2, respectively. The difference in fluoroscopy injection times was significant (P<.05). The long guided needle technique for celiac plexus block may be an effective and appropriate method for beginners or for practitioners who are not knowledgeable about imaging techniques used in various medical specialties.

[Comparison of phantom limb pain or phantom extremity sensation of upper and lower extremity amputations]. / Alt ve üst ekstremite amputasyonlarinin fantom agrisi ve fantom ekstremite hissi yönünden karsilastirilmasi.

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the upper and the lower extremity amputations with regard to phantom pain, phantom sensation and stump pain. A questionnaire consisting of 23 questions was send to the patients who underwent upper or lower extremity amputation surgery between 1996- 2005. The patients were questioned for the presence of phantom pain and sensations and if they existed for the frequency, intensity, cause of amputation, pre-amputation pain, stump pain, usage of artificial limb. Totally 147 patients were included and the response rate was 70 %. The incidence of phantom pain in Upper Extremity Group was 60 % and 65.8% in Lower Extremity Group. The incidence of phantom sensations was 70.7% in Upper Extremity Group and 75.6% in Lower Extremity Group. There was no significant difference between two groups considering in phantom pain and phantom sensations. The phantom pain was significantly higher in patients who lost dominant hand, experienced pre amputation pain and suffered stump pain. There were no significant differences in regard to phantom pain and sensation between upper and lower extremity amputations. However the presence of preamputation pain, stump pain and amputation of dominant hand were found as risk factors for the development of phantom pain.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine and midazolam for monitored anesthesia care combined with tramadol via patient-controlled analgesia in endoscopic nasal surgery: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical study.

UNLABELLED: Abstract. BACKGROUND: Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) may be applied for septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery in which an adequate sedation and analgesia without respiratory depression are desired for comfort of both the patient and the surgeon. Several combinations with different agents have been used for this purpose in these patients. However, analgesic properties for these agents have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic and sedative effects of dexmedetomidine or midazolam infusion combined with tramadol that was used via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and to document the effects of these drugs on early cognitive functions. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical study enrolled patients undergoing septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery at the Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital, Bolu, Turkey, between February and September 2006. Patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into 1 of 2 groups: the dexmedetomidine group (group D) patients received IV dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg for 10 minutes followed by continuous infusion of 0.5 µg/kg · h(-1); and the midazolam group (group M) patients were administered a loading dose of IV midazolam 40 µg/kg for 10 minutes followed by infusion at the rate of 50 µg/kg · h(-1). A 1-minute bolus dose of IV tramadol (1.5 mg/kg) was administered in both groups 10 minutes after the administration of the primary drug, and continued via infusion using a PCA device. After baseline measurements, systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and rate of respiration were recorded after the loading dose of study drug, after the bolus tramadol dose, at 10-minute intervals during the operation, and twice in the recovery rooms; 5 minutes after arrival and 5 minutes before discharge. Verbal rating score (VRS) and Ramsay sedation score were determined at baseline (after surgery was started), every 10 minutes thereafter until the end of the operation, and 2 times during recovery. All patients were assessed with the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised at baseline (preoperatively) and 4 hours after the operation. RESULTS: Seventy patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group D (sex, male/female, 23/12; mean [SEM] age, 32.53 [2.07] years; mean [SEM] weight, 73.03 [2.41] kg) or group M (sex, male/female, 21/14; mean [SEM] age, 34.43 [1.83] years; mean [SEM] weight, 67.90 [2.32] kg). All hemodynamic parameters (SAP, DAP, MAP, HR) were significantly higher in group M compared with group D from the onset of the surgery to discharge time (P < 0.05). Pain and sedation scores were similar in both groups, but the amount of PCA-administered rescue tramadol was significantly higher in group M (P = 0.001). A higher, though not statistically significant, prevalence of adverse events (ie, hypotension, bradycardia, and perioperative nausea and vomiting) were observed in group D. Postoperative logical verbal memory and digit span values were significantly higher in group D when compared with group M (P < 0.05). Postoperative digit span and visual reproduction scores were significantly higher than preoperative values in group D (P < 0.05). Postoperative personality functioning scores were significantly higher than preoperative values in group M (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on VRS, Ramsay sedation scores, and surgeon and anesthesiologist satisfaction scores, dexmedetomidine or midazolam combined with tramadol PCA provided adequate analgesia and sedation in these adult patients undergoing septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery with MAC. A significantly larger amount of rescue tramadol was used by group M, suggesting that a better analgesic effect was achieved with dexmedetomidine.

Comparison of propofol with propofol-ketamine combination in pediatric patients undergoing auditory brainstem response testing.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare propofol with propofol-ketamine combination for sedation and also to compare related complications in children undergoing auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. METHODS: Sixty ASA I-II patients aged between 1 and 13 years of age were sedated for ABR testing. Propofol 1.5mg/kg was used in group P (n=30), and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg+propofol 1.5 mg/kg, i.v., in group PK (n=30). Sedation levels of patients were maintained between scores 3 and 4 according to Ramsey sedation scores; when necessary, half of the starting drug dosage was administered for the maintenance of sedation. Side effects which occurred during or within the first 24h of the procedure were assessed. RESULTS: Additional dosage was needed for 21 cases in group P and eight cases in group PK (p=0.002). While oxygen desaturation and apnea were not observed in any of the patients in group PK, there were four patients (11.4%) with oxygen desaturation, and six (17.1%) with apnea in group P (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric cases where ABR testing was applied, addition of low dose ketamine to propofol avoided the risk of respiratory depression due to propofol and lowered the need for additional dose of propofol. Therefore, the co-administration of propofol and ketamine appears to be a safe and useful technique for ABR testing.