Herpes Zoster Chorioretinopathy: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: To report two patients with herpetic zoster panuveitis and chorioretinopathy with choroidal hypopigmentation. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of two patients. RESULTS: We report a series of two patients with a history of HZO with orbital inflammation and panuveitis, who developed patchy choroidal depigmentation consistent with a choroidopathy. The lesions were extensive and involved the posterior pole and mid-periphery in both cases. Both cases demonstrated scattered areas of ellipsoid zone loss, and fluorescein angiography showed corresponding late hyperfluorescence. OCTA in one case demonstrated flow voids at the level of choriocapillaris. CONCLUSIONS: Our series suggests that herpetic chorioretinopathy may be a relatively benign process that presents late and may involve large areas of the posterior choroid.

Facilitators and Barriers to Weight Loss Among Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about motivation for weight loss and barriers to weight loss among patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Such information is crucial for developing tailored weight management recommendations and novel interventions. METHODS: We administered a survey to patients with IIH presenting to neuro-ophthalmology clinics at The University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center (Michigan, USA) and St. Thomas' Hospital (London, England). Participants rated importance and motivation to lose weight (1-10 scale; 10 = extremely important/motivated). Facilitators and barriers to weight loss were assessed using open-ended survey questions informed by motivational interviewing methodology. Open-ended responses were coded by 2 team members independently using a modified grounded theory approach. Demographic data were extracted from medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative responses. RESULTS: Of the 221 (43 Michigan and 178 London) patients with IIH (Table 1), most were female (n = 40 [93.0%] Michigan and n = 167 [94.9%] London). The majority of patients in the United States were White (n = 35 [81.4%] Michigan), and the plurality were Black in the United Kingdom (n = 67 [37.6%] London]) with a mean (SD) BMI of 38.9 kg/m2 (10.6 kg/m2) Michigan and 37.5 kg/m2 (7.7 kg/m2) London. Participants' mean (SD) level of importance to lose weight was 8.5 (2.2) (8.1 [2.3] Michigan and 8.8 [2.1] London), but their mean (SD) level of motivation to lose weight was 7.2 (2.2) (6.8 [2.4] Michigan and 7.4 [2.1] London). Nine themes emerged from the 992 open-ended coded survey responses grouped into 3 actionable categories: self-efficacy, professional resources (weight loss tools, diet, physical activity level, mental health, and physical health), and external factors (physical/environmental conditions, social influences, and time constraints). Most responses (55.6%; n = 551) were about barriers to weight loss. Lack of self-efficacy was the most discussed single barrier (N = 126; 22.9% total, 28.9% Michigan, and 20.4% London) and facilitator (N = 77; 17.5% total, 15.9% Michigan, and 18.7% London) to weight loss. Other common barriers were related to physical activity level (N = 79; 14.3% total, 13.2% Michigan, and 14.8% London) and diet (N = 79; 14.3% total, 9.4% Michigan, and 16.3% London). Commonly reported facilitators included improvements in physical activity level (N = 73; 16.6% total, 18.5% Michigan, and 15.1% London) and dietary changes (N = 76; 17.2% total, 16.4% Michigan, and 17.9% London). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IIH believe weight loss is important. Self-efficacy was the single most mentioned important patient-identified barrier or facilitator of weight loss, but professional resource needs and external factors vary widely at the individual level. These factors should be assessed to guide selection of weight loss interventions that are tailored to individual patients with IIH.

A Teenage Boy With a Radiation-Induced High-Grade Astrocytoma.

ABSTRACT: A 12-year-old boy developed acute headache and vomiting. MRI brain showed a partially cystic suprasellar mass. He underwent cyst fenestration, but the cyst regrew, so he underwent transcranial subtotal resection of the mass. The pathologic diagnosis was adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. Residual tumor was treated with proton beam radiation therapy, and panhypopituitarism was treated with hormone replacement therapy, including growth hormone. Serial brain MRI scans over several years showed no evidence of tumor recurrence. But at four years after radiation, surveillance MRI showed a new focus of nonenhancing FLAIR hyperintensity in the left basal ganglia attributed to gliosis caused by radiotherapy. Seven months later, he developed progressive right hemiparesis, expressive aphasia, and blurred vision, prompting reevaluation. MRI brain showed new enhancing and T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions in the midbrain, basal ganglia, thalamus, anterior temporal lobe, and optic tract. The abnormal regions showed low diffusivity and relatively high regional blood flow. Stereotactic biopsy disclosed a WHO Grade 4 astrocytoma, likely radiation-induced. A germline ataxia telangiectasia mutation was found in the tumor tissue. The risk of radiation-induced pediatric brain malignancies is low but may have been increased by the mutation.

Adhatoda vasica and Tinospora cordifolia extracts ameliorate clinical and molecular markers in mild COVID-19 patients: a randomized open-label three-armed study.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infections caused mild-to-moderate illness. However, a sizable portion of infected people experience a rapid progression of hyper-inflammatory and hypoxic respiratory illness that necessitates an effective and safer remedy to combat COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 150 COVID-19-positive patients with no to mild symptoms, between the age groups 19-65 years were enrolled in this randomized, open-labeled three-armed clinical trial. Among them, 136 patients completed the study with RT-PCR negative reports. The patients received herbal drugs orally (Group A (Adhatoda vasica; AV; 500 mg; n = 50); Group B (Tinospora cordifolia; TC; 500 mg; n = 43), and Group C (AV + TC; 250 mg each; n = 43)) for 14 days. Clinical symptoms, vital parameters, and viral clearance were taken as primary outcomes, and biochemical, hematological parameters, cytokines, and biomarkers were evaluated at three time points as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: We found that the mean viral clearance time was 13.92 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.85-14.99) in Group A, 13.44 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.14-14.74) in Group B, and 11.86 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.62-13.11) days in Group C. Over a period of 14 days, the mean temperature in Groups A, and B significantly decreased linearly. In Group A, during the trial period, eosinophils, and PT/INR increased significantly, while monocytes, SGOT, globulin, serum ferritin, and HIF-1α, a marker of hypoxia reduced significantly. On the other hand, in Group B hsCRP decreased at mid-treatment. Eosinophil levels increased in Group C during the treatment, while MCP-3 levels were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: All the patients of the three-armed interventions recovered from COVID-19 and none of them reported any adverse effects from the drugs. Group C patients (AV + TC) resulted in a quicker viral clearance as compared to the other two groups. We provide the first clinical report of AV herbal extract acting as a modifier of HIF-1α in COVID-19 patients along with a reduction in levels of ferritin, VEGF, and PT/INR as the markers of hypoxia, inflammation, and thrombosis highlighting the potential use in progression stages, whereas the TC group showed immunomodulatory effects. Trial registration Clinical Trials Database -India (ICMR-NIMS), CTRI/2020/09/028043. Registered 24th September 2020, https://www.ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=47443&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2747443det%27.

A prospective, randomised, single-blinded controlled trial comparing ultrasound versus nerve stimulator guidance for interscalene block for ambulatory upper limb surgeries.

Background: Interscalene block is usually performed using either ultrasound (US) or nerve stimulator (NS) guidance. This single-blinded, prospective, randomised study was performed to find out whether US was able to offer distinct advantages over conventional NS guidance. Methods: 100 patients in the American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status I to III, aged 18-70 years were randomised into US guided or NS guided group for interscalene block with 15 ml 0.5% bupivacaine and 5 ml 2% lignocaine. Patients were premedicated with midazolam 0.03 mg/kg (maximum 2 mg) and fentanyl 2 mcg/kg (max 100 mcg) was used as rescue analgesia. Result: Mean time of onset of sensory block in the NS group was 6.2 min (3.1), the US group 4.7 min (1.1), p value (<0.001). Mean duration of post-operative analgesia in NS group 323.6 min (98.6), US group 558.6 min (144.3), (p < 0.001). Mean time for performance of block NS Group 7.3 min (2.0), and in the US group 4.9 min (1.3), (p < 0.001). Number of needle passes NS group 1.7(0.9), US group 1.3 (1.0), (p < 0.005). Total cost per surgery with NS was Rs 363.10 less than in the US-guided block. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio for ultrasound group for onset of block was Rs -242.07, Rs 92.0 for duration of block and Rs -151.29 for time for performance of block. No incident of post-operative neurological complications seen in either group. Conclusion: Ultrasound use offers faster onset, longer duration of block, reduces time for performance of blocks with comparable complication rates. For most of the measured parameters it was superior but more costly than nerve stimulator for directly measured costs.

Levonorgestrel intrauterine device use and incident idiopathic intracranial hypertension among commercially insured women.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the hazard of incident idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a potentially blinding condition, among women using levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (LNG-IUD) compared to copper IUD, as conflicting associations have been reported. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study identified women ages 18-45 years in a large care network (January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2015) using LNG-IUD, subcutaneous etonogestrel implant, copper IUD, tubal device/surgery, or hysterectomy. Incident idiopathic intracranial hypertension was defined as the first diagnosis code for after 1 year without any codes and following brain imaging or lumbar puncture. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated time-dependent probabilities of idiopathic intracranial hypertension at 1 and 5 years after incident contraception use, stratified by type. Cox regression estimated the hazard of idiopathic intracranial hypertension associated with LNG-IUD use compared to copper IUD (primary comparison) after adjusting for sociodemographics and factors associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (e.g., obesity) or contraception selection. A sensitivity analysis with propensity score-adjusted models was performed. RESULTS: Of 268,280 women, 78,175 (29%) used LNG-IUD, 8715 (3%) etonogestrel implant, 20,275 (8%) copper IUD, 108,216 (40%) hysterectomy, 52,899 (20%) tubal device/surgery, and 208 (0.08%) developed idiopathic intracranial hypertension over a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 2.4 years. Also, 1-/5-year Kaplan-Meier idiopathic intracranial hypertension probabilities were 0.0004/0.0021 for LNG-IUD and 0.0005/0.0006 for copper IUD users. LNG-IUD use did not show significantly different hazard of idiopathic intracranial hypertension compared to copper IUD (adjusted hazard ratio 1.84 [95% CI 0.88, 3.85]). Sensitivity analyses were similar. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe a significantly increased hazard of idiopathic intracranial hypertension among women using LNG-IUD compared to copper IUDs. IMPLICATIONS: The lack of an association between LNG-IUD use and idiopathic intracranial hypertension in this large observational study provides reassurance to women considering initiation or continued use of this highly effective contraceptive method.

Anaesthetic management of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

Recent trend shows that minimally invasive surgery is in great demand. Robot-assisted procedures have become more popular, as they overcome several drawbacks of traditional laparoscopic techniques. Robotic surgery, however, might necessitate changes in how patients are positioned and how staff and equipment are organised generally, which might go against the traditional approach to anaesthesia care. The novel effects of this technology have the potential to produce paradigm-shifting therapeutic improvements. To provide better anaesthetic treatment and advance patient safety, anaesthesiologists should be aware of these developments by understanding the fundamental components of robotic surgical systems.

Quadratus lumborum block versus transversus abdominis plane block for post Caesarean analgesia: A randomized prospective controlled study.

Background: Effective postoperative analgesia after lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) is very important for early ambulation and early breast feeding and has a role to play in decreasing postpartum depression. Quadratus lumborum (QL) block, a fascial plane block, is gaining popularity for pain management in lower abdominal surgeries. The aim of the present study was to compare the ultrasound-guided (USG) transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and QL block in patients undergoing LSCS under spinal anaesthesia. Methods: Double-blinded, randomized, controlled, single-centre study done between Aug 2019 and Oct 2019, randomised 80 patients scheduled for LSCS into two groups, QL (N = 40) and TAP (N = 40), receiving USG TAP or QL block 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 4 mg dexamethasone bilaterally, postoperatively. Results: SSPS 20 was used for the statistical analysis Patients were evaluated for 24-h using visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain scores, time to rescue analgesia and the analgesic dose requirement at regular time intervals. Fifteen percent patients in QL block and 75% in TAP block required rescue analgesia (P < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in pain scores at 10 h postoperatively, VAS in QL=1.18 (0.55), TAP=3.08 (1.66) (P < 0.001). By 24 h postoperatively the difference ceased to be statistically significant. Time to rescue analgesia in QL group was 1353 min (+/-224.07) and TAP group 915 min (+/-391.62) (P < 0.001). Average requirement of rescue analgesia (paracetamol) in QL group was 153.84 mg, TAP group 756.09 mg. Conclusions: Patients receiving QL block had prolonged analgesic effects and required less use of rescue analgesia in comparison with TAP group in the first 24 h postoperatively. Trial number: CTRI/2019/07/020475.

Prevalence of the Infantile Strabismus Complex in Premature Children With and Without Periventricular Leukomalacia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether rates of strabismus and associated visuomotor deficits differed among children with different severities of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). DESIGN: Retrospective, case-control study. METHODS: Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) obtained from 98 children aged ≥2 years were analyzed using a standardized scoring system: 67 of 98 had PVL (mean GA 31 weeks) and 31 of 98 did not have PVL (mean GA 29 weeks). Severity of PVL was scored as degree of damage to the posterior optic radiations and the splenium of the corpus callosum on MRI. Ophthalmologic examination data were collated to assess the prevalence of visuomotor deficits and the relationship to PVL severity (grades 1-3, mild to severe). RESULTS: Infantile strabismus was documented in 61% of children with mild, 74% with moderate, and 88% with severe PVL (esotropia: exotropia ratio 3.5:1). Associated ocular motor deficits also increased systematically with PVL severity: latent ("fusion maldevelopment") nystagmus (20%, 47%, and 40%, respectively), dissociated vertical deviation (13%, 28%, and 30%), and nasotemporal pursuit/optokinetic nystagmus asymmetry (23%, 38%, and 54%). Additionally, the prevalence of retrograde optic neuropathy increased with PVL severity (5%, 26%, and 38%). The prevalence of each of these signs was substantially lower in children who had no PVL. CONCLUSIONS: Children who suffer PVL are likely to develop the deficits of the infantile strabismus complex. The deficits tend to increase systematically as a function of PVL severity. These findings provide evidence that infantile strabismus is linked to perinatal damage to cerebral vergence and gaze pathways.

The Pediatric Optic Neuritis Prospective Outcomes Study: Two-Year Results.

PURPOSE: Pediatric optic neuritis (ON) is a rare disease that has not been well characterized. The Pediatric ON Prospective Outcomes Study (PON1) was the first prospective study to our knowledge aiming to evaluate visual acuity (VA) outcomes, including VA, recurrence risk, and final diagnosis 2 years after enrollment. DESIGN: Nonrandomized observational study at 23 pediatric ophthalmology or neuro-ophthalmology clinics in the United States and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 28 (64%) of 44 children initially enrolled in PON1 (age 3-<16 years) who completed their 2-year study visit. METHODS: Participants were treated at the investigator's discretion. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Age-normal monocular high-contrast VA (HCVA). Secondary outcomes included low-contrast VA (LCVA), neuroimaging findings, and final diagnoses. RESULTS: A total of 28 participants completed the 2-year outcome with a median enrollment age of 10.3 years (range, 5-15); 46% were female, and 68% had unilateral ON at presentation. Final 2-year diagnoses included isolated ON (n = 11, 39%), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated demyelination (n = 8, 29%), multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 4,14%), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) (n = 3, 11%), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n = 2, 7%). Two participants (7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1-24) had subsequent recurrent ON (plus 1 participant who did not complete the 2-year visit); all had MS. Two other participants (7%) had a new episode in their unaffected eye. Mean presenting HCVA was 0.81 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (∼20/125), improving to 0.14 logMAR (∼20/25-2) at 6 months, 0.12 logMAR (∼20/25-2) at 1 year, and 0.11 logMAR (20/25-1) at 2 years (95% CI, -0.08 to 0.3 [20/20+1-20/40-1]). Twenty-four participants (79%) had age-normal VA at 2 years (95% CI, 60-90); 21 participants (66%) had 20/20 vision or better. The 6 participants without age-normal VA had 2-year diagnoses of NMOSD (n = 2 participants, 3 eyes), MS (n = 2 participants, 2 eyes), and isolated ON (n = 2 participants, 3 eyes). Mean presenting LCVA was 1.45 logMAR (∼20/500-2), improving to 0.78 logMAR (∼20/125+2) at 6 months, 0.69 logMAR (∼20/100+1) at 1 year, and 0.68 logMAR (∼20/100+2) at 2 years (95% CI, 0.48-0.88 [20/50+1-20/150-1]). CONCLUSIONS: Despite poor VA at presentation, most children had marked improvement in VA by 6 months that was maintained over 2 years. Associated neurologic autoimmune diagnoses were common. Additional episodes of ON occurred in 5 (18%) of the participants (3 relapses and 2 new episodes).

Acute perioperative hyperlactatemia in oncoplastic reconstructive surgeries: What is the significance?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aim to study the significance of intraoperative hyperlactatemia in reconstructive oncoplastic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on a cohort of patients who underwent reconstructive oncoplastic surgery with free flap for oral cancer over a 6-month period. The study population was divided into two groups based on peak lactate levels. Group N with peak lactate level less than 2 mmol/L and Group H peak lactate level more than 2 mmol/L. The various parameter studied were patient's comorbidities; intraoperative events (vasopressor requirement, blood transfusion, and duration of surgery); postoperative parameters including the need for re- exploration and duration of stay in hospital and intensive care unit. RESULTS: The study demonstrates that intraoperative rise of lactate was not influenced by comorbidities. None of the intraoperative parameters studied influenced the lactate levels. Baseline lactate level was found to correlate with peak lactate level intraoperatively. But it was observed that there was normalization of lactate level within 24 hours postoperatively in both the groups. There was no difference in outcome parameters in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative hyperlactatemia is not a significant prognostic factor for outcome in oncoplastic reconstructive surgery.

Normalization of electroretinogram and symptom resolution of melanoma-associated retinopathy with negative autoantibodies after treatment with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors for metastatic melanoma.

Melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR) is a paraneoplastic syndrome that involves the production of autoantibodies which can cross-react with retinal epitopes leading to visual symptoms. Autoantibodies can target intracellular proteins, and only a few are directed against membrane proteins. This discrepancy in autoantibody-protein target can translate into different immune responses (T-cell mediated vs B-cell mediated). Historically, treatment of MAR has focused on surgical reduction or immunosuppressive medication, mainly glucocorticoids. However, tumor resection is not relevant in metastatic melanoma in which MAR is mostly encountered. Moreover, the use of glucocorticoids can reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy. We report the first case to our knowledge with subjective resolution of visual symptoms and objective evidence of normalization of electroretinogram of MAR with undetectable autoantibodies after administration of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor (pembrolizumab) without the use of surgical reduction or systemic immunosuppression. This case highlights the potential improvement and resolution of negative autoantibody MAR with the use of PD-1 inhibitors and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary approach and team discussion to avoid interventions that can decrease immunotherapy-mediated anti-tumor effect.

Assessment of Pediatric Optic Neuritis Visual Acuity Outcomes at 6 Months.

Importance: Optic neuritis (ON) in children is uncommon. There are limited prospective data for visual acuity (VA) outcomes, associated diseases, and neuroimaging findings. Prospective data from a large sample would be useful for counseling families on treatment decisions and prognosis. Objective: To prospectively study children with a first episode of ON, describe VA after 6 months, and ascertain the network's (Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group and Neuro-Ophthalmology Research Disease Investigator Consortium) ability to enroll pediatric patients with ON prospectively. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nonrandomized cohort study was conducted from September 20, 2016, to July 20, 2018, at 23 sites in the United States and Canada in pediatric ophthalmology or neuro-ophthalmology clinics. A total of 44 children (aged 3-15 years) presented with a first episode of ON (visual loss, pain on eye movements, or both) within 2 weeks of symptom onset and at least 1 of the following in the affected eye: a distance high-contrast VA (HCVA) deficit of at least 0.2 logMAR below age-based norms, diminished color vision, abnormal visual field, or optic disc swelling. Exclusion criteria included preexisting ocular abnormalities or a previous episode of ON. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were monocular HCVA and low-contrast VA at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were neuroimaging, associated diagnoses, and antibodies for neuromyelitis optica and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Results: A total of 44 children (mean age [SD], 10.2 [3.5] years; 26 boys [59%]; 23 White individuals [52%]; 54 eyes) were enrolled in the study. Sixteen patients (36%) had bilateral ON. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed white matter lesions in 23 children (52%). Of these children, 8 had myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated demyelination (18%), 7 had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (16%), 5 had multiple sclerosis (11%), and 3 had neuromyelitis optica (7%). The baseline mean HCVA was 0.95 logMAR (20/200), which improved by a mean 0.76 logMAR (95% CI, 0.54-0.99; range, -0.70 to 1.80) to 0.12 logMAR (20/25) at 6 months. The baseline mean distance low-contrast VA was 1.49 logMAR (20/640) and improved by a mean 0.72 logMAR (95% CI, 0.54-0.89; range, -0.20 to 1.50) to 0.73 logMAR (20/100) at 6 months. Baseline HCVA was worse in younger participants (aged <10 years) with associated neurologic autoimmune diagnoses, white matter lesions, and in those of non-White race and non-Hispanic ethnicity. The data did not suggest a statistically significant association between baseline factors and improvement in HCVA. Conclusions and Relevance: The study network did not reach its targeted enrollment of 100 pediatric patients with ON over 2 years. This indicates that future treatment trials may need to use different inclusion criteria or plan a longer enrollment period to account for the rarity of the disease. Despite poor VA at presentation, most children had marked improvement by 6 months. Associated neurologic autoimmune diagnoses were common. These findings can be used to counsel families about the disease.

Ectopia lentis in Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 4.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue leading to multisystem involvement including craniofacial features, skeletal abnormalities, cutaneous findings and early-onset and aggressive disease of the aorta and its branches. There are multiple types of Loeys-Dietz syndrome related to pathogenic variants in TGFBR1, TGFBR2, SMAD3, TGFB2, and TGFB3. Individuals with Loeys-Dietz syndrome may be misdiagnosed as having Marfan syndrome due to shared phenotypic features and aortic root dilation. However, ectopia lentis has been an important discriminating feature, being unique to Marfan syndrome and not reported to be associated with Loeys-Dietz syndrome. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman with Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 4 due to a pathogenic variant in TGFB2 who was diagnosed with ectopia lentis at age 44. The patient underwent whole exome sequencing and no other pathogenic variants were found to explain the ectopia lentis. Our findings indicate that ectopia lentis may be an uncommon finding in Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 4 and emphasize the importance of genetic testing in familial thoracic aortic aneurysm disease.

Review of adjuvants to local anesthetics in peripheral nerve blocks: Current and future trends.

In recent anesthetic practice, peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are used extensively for surgical anesthesia and nonsurgical analgesia. PNBs offer many benefits over other anesthetic techniques in a certain population of patients, and in some specific clinical setting, that may contribute to faster and safer pain relief, increased patient satisfaction, reduced hospital stay, and decreased overall healthcare cost. The technique involves the injection of the anesthetic in the vicinity of a specific nerve or bundle of nerves to block the sensation of pain transmitting to a specific portion of the body. However, the length of analgesia when a single anesthetic is used for PNB may not last long. Therefore, the practice of adding an additional agent called adjuvant has been evolved to prolong the analgesic effect. There are many such adjuvants available that are clinically being used for this purpose imparting great efficacy and safety to the anesthetic process. The adjuvants molecules are generally classified as opioids, alpha-2 agonist, steroids, etc. Most of them are safe to use and show little or no adverse event related to neurotoxicity and tissue damage. Although there is extensive use of such adjuvants in the clinical field, none of the molecules is approved by the FDA and is used as an off-label drug. The risk to benefit ratio must be assessed while using such an agent. This review will try to delineate the basic need of adjuvant in peripheral nerve block and will discuss the advantages and limitations of using different adjuvants and will discuss the future prospect of such application.

A randomized study to compare palonosetron with ondansetron for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting following middle ear surgeries.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has multifactorial etiology. It is a commonly encountered morbidity after anesthesia specially following middle ear surgery. Various antiemetic medications have been tried with mixed responses. Palonosetron is a newer 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonist marketed for PONV prophylaxis. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV after middle ear surgeries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients of ASA class 1 or 2, aged 18 years and above, weighing between 40 and 90 kg scheduled for elective middle ear surgeries were randomly assigned into palonosetron group (n = 50) and ondansetron group (n = 50). Palonosetron was administered in dose of 1 mcg/kg maximum up to 75 mcg and ondansetron in dose of 0.1 mg/kg maximum up to 8 mg. Intraoperative monitoring of QTc interval was also done to see any significant change after the antiemetic administration. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and side effects were recorded over 2, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. All parameters were compared between the two groups as mean ± standard deviation and as count (%). Two sided P values of <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV (P = 0.002), nausea (P = 0.0002) and vomiting (P = 0.006) was significantly lower in palonosetron group than in ondansetron group in 2- to 12-hour period. QTc interval prolongation, a known side effect of ondansetron was not found in palonosetron group intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: Palonosetron was found to be superior to ondansetron up to 12 hours after the surgery with no significant effect on QTc interval.

Robotic thoracic surgery in inflammatory and infective diseases.

Tuberculosis and inflammatory conditions are endemic in India and South-East Asia. They cause intense inflammatory reactions and adhesions, thus making surgical resection difficult. In 2009, we installed an intuitive da Vinci HDSi robot to perform our surgery as a part of a robotic thoracic surgery unit. We reviewed our practice to report the trials and tribulations of starting a robotic thoracic surgery program in an inflammatory and infective disease endemic third-world country. With the success of the multispecialty robotic surgery program, we were able to purchase a second robot with an operating console and a training console. The robot is an additional tool in the armamentarium of the thoracic surgeon. It provides good vision in inflammatory conditions, facilitates dissection of dense adhesions with minimal blood loss, and the ability of the robotic endowrist allows maximum and safe manipulation at the thoracic outlet. Sleeve resection and sleeve lobectomy are technically possible, due to ease of suturing with the robotic platform. Complex resections for tuberculosis, aspergilloma, inflammatory tumours and post-infective bronchiectasis are safer using the robotic thoracic platform. This is our operation of choice in complex thoracic surgery cases.