Manual Trans-Tracheal High Frequency Positive Pressure Ventilation for Left Main Bronchus and Carinal Mass Surgical Resection in a Child.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), also called pseudo-tumor, is a very rare condition and accounts for less than 1% of primary lung tumor. It is most common benign tumor of lung in children. This case is reported with the objective of highlighting the role of manual trans-tracheal high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV) in facilitating surgical resection with maintenance of adequate oxygenation and a little compromised ventilation. A9-year boy, weighing 21 kg, was diagnosed as a case of IMTof left main bronchus on biopsy and was successfully treated by surgical excision through left thoracotomy. HFPPV through improvised technique was used for ventilation and oxygenation during surgery. Total Intravenous anaesthesia with propofol infusion and increments of fentanyl was used during HFPPV. After the completion of the surgery, conventional positive pressure ventilation (PPV) was continued through the endotracheal tube (ETT) to check any bronchial stump leak. After the surgery, patient was weaned and extubated in the operating room. Hospital course remained uneventful and the patient was discharged after 6 days. HFPPV with manually improvised technique is applicable in carinal surgery for optimization of oxygenation, ventilation, and uninterrupted surgical resection.

Incidence and pattern of Thrombocytopenia in cardiac surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the incidence and pattern of thrombocytopenia in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: This prospective, cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from November 2014 to April 2015, and comprised adult cardiac patients. Patients with platelet count less than 150,000 x 109/L, history of malignancy, immune thrombocytopenic purpura and on chemo or radiotherapy were excluded. All information including demographics, platelet count, heparin doses, total cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, blood products transfused, any thromboembolic complication and the presence of infection were recorded on a pre-designed proforma. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.. RESULTS: Of the 177 patients, 130(73.4%) were males and 47(26.6%) were females. The overall mean age was 59.21±10.99 years. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 167(94.4%) patients. Of them, platelet count dropped below 50% in 71(42.5%) patients, 30-50% in 68(40.7%) patients and 20-30% in 28(16.8%) from the baseline value. Regarding pattern of thrombocytopenia, maximum drop in platelet count was noticed on 2nd and 3rd day of surgery. Furthermore, 9(5.3%) patients developed severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000 x 109/L). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of thrombocytopenia and its severity after cardiac surgery was very high in our study population when compared with western population.

Effects of bispectral index monitoring on isoflurane consumption and recovery profiles for anesthesia in an elderly asian population.

BACKGROUND: Age related limited physiological reserves and associated co-morbidities in elderly patients require careful titration of inhalational anesthetic agents to minimize their side effects. The use of Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring may be helpful in this regard. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of BIS monitoring on Isoflurane consumption during maintenance and recovery profile at the end of anesthesia. This Quasi experimental study was conducted for a 1 year period at the main operating units of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 60 patients of age 60 years and above were enrolled in either standard practice (SP) or (BIS) group. In the SP group, the anesthesia depth was maintained as a routine clinical practice, while in BIS group it was maintained by monitoring the BIS score between 45 and 55. Standard anesthesia care was provided to all of the patients. Data including demographics, isoflurane consumption, hemodynamic variables and recovery profiles were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: The mean isoflurane consumption was lower (P = 0.001) in the BIS group. The time to eye opening, extubation and ready to shift was shorter (P = 0.0001) in BIS group. The patients in BIS group had higher Post anesthesia recovery score (P = 0.0001) than the SP group. CONCLUSION: The use of BIS in an elderly Asian population resulted in 40% reduction of isoflurane usage. The patients having BIS monitoring awoke earlier and had better recovery profiles at the end of anesthesia.

Effect of single dose magnesium on arrhythmias in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and role of prophylactic administration of magnesium in preventing arrhythmias. METHOD: This double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital on coronary artery bypass surgery patients. All patients were connected to holter monitor before induction of anaesthesia and this monitoring continued for 24 hours. Study drug containing either 2-grams of magnesium or normal saline was given after intubation. Levels of serum magnesium was checked preoperatively and then in ICU at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Independent t-test and chi square test were used for analysis. Statistical significance was defined as p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients consented to participate in the study, 53 patients were randomly allocated in magnesium (Mg) group and 51 in placebo group. Two (3.77%) patients in magnesium group and five patients (9.8%) in placebo group developed atrial fibrillation. Incidence of ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia was also slightly higher in placebo. Mg level after arrival in CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) showed mean of 2.1 in magnesium group and 1.6 in placebo group (p = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Low magnesium levels were noticed in the placebo group after cardiopulmonary bypass and although prophylactic administration of magnesium sulphate was relatively safe but significant benefit on prevention of arrhythmias could not be attained.

Pulmonary artery catheter knotting in a coronary artery bypass surgery patient.

A fifty seven years old female patient came to operating room for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. After induction, invasive monitoring lines were placed. Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) floated after three attempts and it was wedged at 60cm. Intra operative course was smooth and patient transferred to cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). First chest X-ray revealed PAC knotting in the right ventricle. Vascular surgeon was involved and he removed it through right internal jugular vein under fluoroscopic guidance. Pulmonary arterial catheterization is an invasive procedure. Knotting usually occurs due to excessive advancement of the pulmonary artery catheter beyond the normally expected distance. The removal of a catheter should never be forced when resistance is encountered. PA catheter knotting is a rare complication but it should be suspected whenever there is excessive length of catheter required to reach pulmonary artery.