A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Analgesic Efficacy of Programmed Intermittent Bolus vs. Continuous Infusion of Ropivacaine and Fentanyl in Ultrasound-Guided Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Limb Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Programmed intermittent bolus (PIB) is a novel method of intermittent drug delivery commonly employed in labor epidural analgesia. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of PIB over continuous infusion (CI) for postoperative analgesia following upper limb surgeries distal to the mid-humerus level using ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block (USG-IBPB). METHODS: The USG-IBPB was performed on a total of 30 patients scheduled for upper limb surgery distal to the mid-humerus level. The patient-controlled regional analgesia pump delivered a combination of 6 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine and 2 µg/mL fentanyl via a perineural catheter as PIB in group I and as a CI in group II. The primary outcome measure was overall drug consumption, and secondary outcomes included pain scores, patient satisfaction, sensory and motor blockade, and adverse effects. RESULTS: The PIB group exhibited significantly lower overall drug consumption (306.20 ± 13.07 mL vs. 323.73 ± 11.79 mL; P = 0.001), a reduced need for patient-controlled analgesia boluses (3.87 ± 2.67 vs. 7.13 ± 2.36; P = 0.001), and higher patient satisfaction (91.93 ± 10.09 vs. 78.67 ± 17.57; P = 0.017) compared to the CI group. Pain scores at rest were significantly lower at the 24-hour mark (P = 0.007), and on movement, lower scores were observed after 1, 24, and 36 hours (P = 0.031, P = 0.031, and P = 0.011, respectively). Sensory block, motor block, and adverse effects were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: PIB demonstrated superior efficacy in postoperative analgesia compared to the CI technique for upper limb surgeries distal to the mid-humerus level. Therefore, PIB may be considered an effective alternative to CI for optimal postoperative pain management.

Neuroimaging Findings in Vitamin B12-Deficient Infants With Neurologic Features.

Background:Vitamin B12 deficiency causes serious neurologic problems among infants. However, its neuroradiologic correlate is still largely obscure. Methodology: This prospective study was conducted on patients aged 6 months to 2 years. All children with proven vitamin B12 deficiency were planned to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the brain. Results: A total of 35 patients (63% female) were enrolled. Twenty-six (74%) patients had significant findings on brain MRI scan, commonest of which were thinning of corpus callosum and prominence of extra-axial spaces in 28.6% children, cerebral atrophy in 17%, and diffuse symmetrical hyperintensity of white matter in 5.7% patients. Using logistic regression, it was found that odds of abnormal neuroimaging findings were higher in children below 12 months, in females, and in patients with developmental regression, but none of them were statistically significant. Conclusion: Most of the infants with vitamin B12 deficiency have abnormal neuroimaging findings.

Successful Management of Unilateral Post-traumatic Neuropathic Mastalgia: A Case Report.

Stellate ganglion block has been described in the management of postmastectomy neuropathic pain. However, its role in the treatment of posttraumatic neuropathic breast pain has not been reported in the literature. We present a case of a 40-year-old female with a chief complaint of severe debilitating pain in her right breast following trauma, refractory to oral medications including conventional analgesics, amitriptyline, pregabalin, and duloxetine. She was successfully managed after administration of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block and pulsed radiofrequency ablation of the stellate ganglion. It resulted in significant and prolonged pain relief leading to improved quality of life.

Erector spinae plane block for post-operative analgesia in thoracolumbar spine surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Thoracolumbar spine surgery is one of the most painful surgical procedures. This study's primary objective was to evaluate the effect of erector spinae plane (ESP) block on post-operative cumulative morphine consumption at 24 h in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgery. Methods: Seventy adults posted for thoracolumbar spine surgery were randomised into the control group [Number of patients (n)=35], who received general anaesthesia without any nerve block, and the intervention group (n = 35), who received bilateral ultrasound (US)-guided ESP block at the level of spine surgery with 0.25% bupivacaine 20 mL after standard general anaesthesia. Along with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia morphine, post-operative analgesia was standardised for both groups. Total morphine consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) score to evaluate pain, overall patient satisfaction, and any side effects were compared at 24 h. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results: Post-operative total morphine consumption at 24 h was significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group [5.69 (1.549) versus 9.51 (1.634) mg; P < 0.001]. Post-operative VAS scores were also significantly decreased in the intervention group at rest (P < 0.001) and on movement (P < 0.001). Patient satisfaction scores were more favourable in the intervention group [3.8 (0.4) versus 3.2 (0.6); P < 0.001]. Post-operative nausea and vomiting were found more in the control group but were not significant (n = 14 versus 8; P = 0.127). Conclusion: US-guided ESP block significantly reduces post-operative morphine consumption and improves analgesia and patient satisfaction without adverse effects in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgery.

Analgesic efficacy of programmed intermittent epidural bolus vs patient-controlled epidural analgesia in laboring parturients.

Background and Aims: Programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) may produce more extensive spread of epidural bolus rather than continuous epidural infusion (CEI). Previous studies compared PIEB with CEI and concluded that PIEB shows better outcome when combined with patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), but these studies lack any comparison between PCEA and PIEB in the absence of CEI. Material and Methods: In this open labeled, prospective, randomized, controlled study 50 parturient were randomly assigned to two groups of 25 each. Group 1 received PCEA bolus of 5 ml (0.1% levobupivacaine plus 2mcg/ml fentanyl) with 15 min lockout interval with provision of rescue clinician bolus of 5 ml of same drug for breakthrough pain. Group 2 received physician-administered PIEB with same parameters as Group 1. The primary outcome was to assess total consumption of levobupivacaine plus fentanyl mixture, in PIEB vs. PCEA group, corrected for duration of labor (ml/h) and secondary outcomes included pain score, maternal satisfaction, maternal, and neonatal characteristics. Results: The hourly mean drug consumption in the PCEA group was significantly lower as compared with the physician-administered PIEB group (5.46 ml/h, SD 2.01 vs. 6.55 ml/h, SD 1.28; P = 0.03). The median total number of rescue boluses consumed were less in the PCEA group when compared with the PIEB group (0 vs. 1; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between groups with regard to pain scores, maternal hemodynamics, maternal and fetal outcome and adverse effects. Conclusion: PCEA may be better than physician-administered PIEB in providing effective labor analgesia with comparable safety.

Topical vs. intravenous administration of tranexamic acid to minimize blood loss in abdominal hysterectomy perioperatively: A randomized controlled study.

Background and Aims: Topical application of tranexamic acid (TXA) to bleeding wound surfaces is rapidly gaining recognition and currently a topic of further research in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical vs. intravenous (i.v.) administration of TXA in reducing perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Material and Methods: A double-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled study was conducted in a tertiary teaching institute. Group 1 (n = 25) received 10 mg.kg-1 i.v. bolus of TXA after induction followed by infusion of 1 mg.kg-1.h-1 of TXA, in 50 ml of normal saline (NS), till the completion of surgery and just before closure of peritoneum 100 ml of NS was applied topically over the raw surface. Group 2 (n = 25) received 50 ml of NS over 10 min after induction, followed by infusion of 50 ml of NS, till the completion of surgery and just before closure of peritoneum, 1.5 g of TXA mixed in 100 ml of NS was applied topically over the raw surface. The primary outcome was total perioperative blood loss (intraoperative plus 24 h postoperative). The secondary outcomes included change in hemoglobin concentration postoperatively at 12 h, 24 h; need for blood/blood product transfusion; amount of blood/blood product transfused and side effects of TXA. Results: Total perioperative blood loss was 312 ± 106.65 ml in group 1 and 325 ± 89.90 ml in group 2 (p = 0.659). It was found that the mean reduction in hemoglobin was 0.7 g.dl-1 and 0.54 g.dl-1 in group 1 and 0.67 g.dl-1 and 0.44 g.dl-1 in group 2 at 12 h and 24 h respectively, with no significant intergroup difference. Conclusion: Administration of TXA topically is as efficacious as TXA administered i.v. to minimize perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.

Comparison of prophylactic phenylephrine and norepinephrine infusion on umbilical arterial pH and maternal blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.

Background and Aims: Spinal anaesthesia induced maternal hypotension in parturients undergoing caesarean delivery may lead to neonatal acidosis and fall in umbilical artery pH. The aim of this study was to compare low dose norepinephrine infusion with phenylephrine to see the effect on umbilical arterial pH and maternal blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. Methods: In a randomised, double-blind study, 60 parturients belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists grade II, age 18-35 years with singleton term pregnancy were divided into the phenylephrine group and norepinephrine group. Participants received prophylactic phenylephrine and norepinephrine infusion after spinal anaesthesia till the delivery of the baby at a fixed rate of 50 µg/min and 2.5 µg/min, respectively. The primary outcome was umbilical artery pH. Neonatal Apgar score, incidence of bradycardia and hypotension, number of boluses of vasopressor required and reactive hypertension were also compared. Results: The umbilical arterial pH was comparable between the groups (p = 0.38). Apgar scores were comparable (p = 0.17). Incidence of bradycardia was higher in phenylephrine group without reaching statistical significance (43.3% vs. 20%, P = 0.052). Incidence of hypotension was more but not significant in norepinephrine group compared to phenylephrine group (16.7% vs. 10%, P = 0.44). Number of vasopressor boluses and reactive hypertension episodes were comparable between both groups (p = 0.09). Conclusion: Low dose (2.5 µg/min) intravenous infusion of norepinephrine is a suitable alternative to phenylephrine in the maintenance of umbilical arterial pH and maternal blood pressure.

Oral acetaminophen as an adjunct to continuous epidural infusion and patient-controlled epidural analgesia in laboring parturients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous acetaminophen is safe and effective as an adjunct to labor analgesia with combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). Oral acetaminophen is a much cheaper and safe option but has not been studied as an adjunct to labor analgesia till date. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of oral acetaminophen as an adjunct in patients receiving local anesthetic-opioid combination using CSE analgesia. METHOD: In this ethically approved randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 60 consenting parturients were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 each: acetaminophen (who received oral acetaminophen 1 g) or placebo, 45 min before the procedure. CSE was administered as per hospital protocol. All the patients received continuous epidural infusion (CEI) of levobupivacaine 0.1% and fentanyl 2 mcg/mL at 5 ml/h and PCEA boluses of 5 mL of the same drug with a lockout interval of 15 min if needed. The primary outcome was hourly mean consumption of levobupivacaine and fentanyl mixture (mL/h). Secondary outcomes included pain score, sensory and motor block, hemodynamic parameters of mother, duration of the second stage of labor, mode of delivery, maternal satisfaction, Apgar scores, fetal heart rate, and adverse effects. RESULTS: The mean drug consumption per hour was significantly less in the acetaminophen group than in the placebo group (7.66 mL/h, SD 2.01 vs. 9.01 mL/h, SD 2.83; p = 0.04). The requirement for bolus was also significantly less in the acetaminophen group than in the placebo group (median 2.5, IQR 3 vs. median 3.5, IQR 2; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The use of 1 g of oral acetaminophen could be a cheap, safe, and effective adjunct to CEI plus PCEA in labor analgesia.

A Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Ultrasound Guided Lumbar Plexus Block and Epidural Anesthesia for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) experience severe postoperative pain. The advantage of pain relief by continuous epidural anesthesia (CEA) is offset by various adverse effects. Ultrasound guided (USG) continuous lumbar plexus block (LPB) has emerged as an alternative approach for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing THR, especially where epidural is difficult or contraindicated. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial compared USG-LPB with CEA for postoperative pain relief until 48 hours in patients undergoing THR, with 0.5% ropivacaine (15 mL) used as boluses for both CEA and LPB. RESULTS: The mean time to the first bolus was 380.60 ± 77.66 min in the LPB group whereas it was 307.40 ± 83.60 min in the epidural group (P = 0.002). Thus, patients in the LPB group took more than one hour longer than the epidural group to take their first bolus, which is clinically meaningful besides being statistically significant. The pain score on movement was also significantly lower, and patient satisfaction higher, in the LPB group. There were no significant intergroup differences about motor power, pain at rest, total ropivacaine consumption, and adverse effects. CONCLUSION: USG-LPB is an effective alternative to CEA combined with general anesthesia for postoperative analgesia after THR.

Clinical Utility of the Behavioral Pain Assessment Tool in Patients Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: Unnoticed and unrelieved pain is one of the main sources of psychological and physiological stress for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The eight-item behavior pain assessment tool (BPAT) is a multicountry validated tool to assess pain in ICU patients. However, its feasibility and clinical utility for ICU patients in India need further research. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The Aims and objectives of the study were to assess pain using BPAT and its clinical utility in pain assessment and management in ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following ethical approval, 400 consecutive adult patients admitted in the ICUs in a tertiary care teaching hospital were assessed for pain severity using BPAT at intake, baseline pain and procedural pain. Patients <18 years and in deep coma on the Glasgow coma scale were excluded from the study. The patients with BPAT score ≥4 were given opioid analgesic, and their pain was reassessed after 2-3 hours. A feedback regarding feasibility and clinical utility was filled by the doctors. RESULTS: High interrater agreement for BPAT was observed with excellent kappa coefficients (>0.85) for each item. The BPAT significantly guided the pain management (p < 0.0001). More than 90% of doctors found BPAT easy to understand and use. In most of the cases (95.5%), doctors agreed that BPAT can improve the clinical management of ICU patients. CONCLUSION: The BPAT is a reliable, brief, and an easy-to-use pain assessment tool, which clinicians can use for guiding pain assessment and management in the ICU setting on a routine basis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: We recommend implementing BPAT in the clinical practice for better pain assessment and control in ICU patients. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mitra S, Jain K, Singh J, Saxena P, Nyima T, Selvam SR, et al. Clinical Utility of the Behavioral Pain Assessment Tool in Patients Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(8):695-700.

Does an acute pain service improve the perception of postoperative pain management in patients undergoing lower limb surgery? A prospective controlled non-randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An acute pain service (APS) has been running in our institute since April 2013 and is managed by the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care. However, it is not clear to what extent the patients feel benefited from the APS. The aim of the study was to compare the perception of postoperative pain management in patients receiving care under APS with those receiving routine postoperative pain relief following lower limb surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, hospital-based, controlled non-randomized study. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I-III patients with age 18-75 years undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery were prospectively recruited into APS (index group) or routine postoperative care (control group) (n = 55 each). Postoperatively, American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Revised (APS-POQ-R) and Short Form (SF-12) were used to evaluate the outcome of postoperative pain management at 24 h and health-related quality of life after 4 weeks respectively. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic data. Patients in the index group had statistically significant better perception of care than the control group. Index group scored significantly higher than control group on median patient satisfaction score (9; interquartile range [IQR] [7-10] vs. 5 [3-6]; P < 0.001). In index group, there was significant reduction of worst pain in first 24 h along with decreased frequency of severe pain. CONCLUSION: Implementation of acute pain service plays an important role in improving the quality of postoperative pain relief, perception of care, and patient satisfaction.

Anesthesiologist and COVID-19-current perspective.

In the current situation when the world is grappling with COVID-19 that has taken a toll on humanity and is continuing to affect multiples of health-care workers all over the world in vast numbers, the pandemonium (mayhem) has led to grim concerns. We have made an effort to compile and present a review that provides an insight into the management of patients for the front-line anesthesiologists of the medical war, which is being fought to curb and contain this COVID-19 pandemic. We have tried to incorporate the operating room locations, as well as the remote locations where anesthesiologist may be called upon for providing their services. Needless to say, it is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of the patient, as well as of the anesthesiologist who are involved in the patient care at this crucial juncture. The present article provides valuable information to anesthesiologists regarding handling the current pandemic in a protocolized and evidence-based manner.

Gnana Laryngeal Airway in Clinical Practice: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The Gnana Laryngeal Airway (GLA) device, a novel supraglottic airway device, is similar to the LMA-Classic in basic design, but with an additional suction port on the convex portion of the laryngeal mask to remove the saliva. We evaluated the GLA device in terms of ease and time to insertion, the number of attempts, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), correct placement, and complications in adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. METHODS: After general anaesthesia, the GLA device was inserted in ASA Class I-II consecutive patients aged 18-60 years, who were scheduled for elective surgeries lasting <2h. An independent observer noted (1) 10 consecutive successful GLA device insertions, all on the first attempt; (2) 10 consecutive device insertions, each <20 second in duration; and (3) 10 consecutive patients with the mean leak <10%. The criteria were fulfilled in 50 consecutive patients. RESULTS: In 72% of patients, the GLA device was successfully placed on the first attempt and was effortless in 64%. Between the first 10 and last 10 consecutive patients of the total 50, the ease-of-insertion grade progressively decreased (mean±standard deviation [SD]: 2.80±0.25 to 1.30±0.15, p<0.0001) and so did insertion time in seconds (28.70±1.87 to 14.20±0.79, p<0.0001). The post-insertion, OLP and airway compliance progressively increased, while the cuff inflation volume, peak airway pressure and airway resistance progressively decreased, along with minimal side effects and malposition. CONCLUSION: The GLA device insertion became progressively easier and faster; thus, such a device is promising and warrants further clinical evaluation.

Pain, stress, analgesia and postpartum depression: Revisiting the controversy with a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain and depression are associated, but it is uncertain if effective pain relief during labor by labor analgesia reduces the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD). This randomized, controlled study assessed whether combined spinal-epidural (CSE) labor analgesia is associated with a decreased risk of PPD. Other reported risk factors for PPD were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parturients were randomly assigned to either CSE labor analgesia or normal vaginal delivery (n = 65 each). CSE parturients received 0.5 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally and PCEA with continuous infusion of 0.1% levobupivacaine and 2 µg/ml fentanyl @5 ml/h along with patient-controlled boluses with a lockout interval of 15 min. Parturients of both the groups were assessed using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for depressive symptoms at day 3 and PPD at 6 weeks (primary outcome; defined as EPDS score ≥10 at 6 weeks postpartum). Secondary outcomes included pain scores, maternal satisfaction, and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min. Parturients were also screened for several risk factors for PPD. RESULTS: Incidence of PPD was 22.3%. The difference in incidence of PPD between the CSE group vs. control group was not significant (27.7% vs. 16.9%; Fisher's exact P = 0.103). Of all the risk factors analyzed in logistic regression model, perceived stress during pregnancy was the only significant predictor of the development of PPD (adjusted Odds Ratio 11.17, 95% Confidence interval 2.86-43.55; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: CSE analgesia in laboring parturients does not reduce PPD at 6 weeks. Instead, perceived high stress during pregnancy appears to be the most important factor.

Protocolized approach to a COVID-19 parturient undergoing a cesarean section - A case report.

The health care workers working in the operation theater (OT) face many unique challenges to deal with the corona virus disease (COVID-19) patients undergoing surgery. We hereby report the management of a COVID-19 parturient undergoing cesarean section in the dedicated COVID health center. Patient care of this special and vulnerable subset of population with least exposure of COVID-19 to health care worker was the cornerstone of the management. We have summarized some of the important precautionary measures which were taken during cesarean section to minimize exposure and genuine use of resources in this pandemic. To conclude, despite Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), precautionary measures and strategies are of utmost importance and should be opted so as to lower the virus contagion risk.

Can Epidural Dexamethasone Reduce Patient-Controlled Epidural Consumption of Fentanyl and Levobupivacaine in Laboring Women? A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a single bolus dose of epidural dexamethasone added to levobupivacaine-fentanyl combination for labor analgesia has not been studied. In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, we assessed the effect of epidural dexamethasone in reducing the hourly average consumption of epidural levobupivacaine-fentanyl combination in laboring parturients and to study its effect on pain score, maternal satisfaction, maternal and neonatal outcome. METHODS: Sixty adult ASA I-II single-gestation full-term primigravid laboring parturients with cervical dilation ≤ 5 cm were randomly assigned to two equal-sized groups. Combined spinal-epidural block was performed in all the parturients. After placing the epidural catheter in epidural space, 8 mg of preservative-free dexamethasone was administered to the dexamethasone group, and 0.9% saline to the placebo group. All parturients received continuous background infusion of 5 ml of 0.1% levobupivacaine with 2 µg/ml of fentanyl with the provision of patient-controlled bolus of 5 ml of 0.1% levobupivacaine with 2 µg/ml of fentanyl (lockout interval 15 min). The primary outcome measure was the hourly total consumption of levobupivacaine-fentanyl mixture. The secondary outcome measures were maternal satisfaction, pain score, maternal hemodynamic parameters, fetal heart rate, duration of second stage of labor, mode of delivery, Apgar scores and adverse effects. RESULTS: Hourly drug consumption and hourly bolus requirement were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group than placebo group (6.97 ml ± 1.22 vs. 8.40 ml ± 2.59 and 0.41 ± 0.26 vs. 0.72 ± 0.55, respectively, P = 0.008 for both). There were no significant differences in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Epidural dexamethasone significantly decreased average hourly drug consumption and the number of boluses in laboring parturients, thus providing epidural drug dose-sparing effect.