Evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy procedures.

BACKGROUND: The increased intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic surgical procedures was reported to be a factor in the development of gastroesophageal reflux. This study evaluated the presence of gastroesophageal reflux and associated factors using 24-h pH monitoring in children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: Children who underwent laparoscopic surgery for presumed acute appendicitis between June 2017 and June 2018 were included in the study. After pre-operative endotracheal intubation, pH catheters were placed for 24-h esophageal pH monitoring. Relationships between gastroesophageal reflux and procedure time, pre-operative fasting time, age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 60 pediatric patients were included in the study. Their mean (SD) age was 11.82 (3.71) years (range, 4-17 years). The mean (SD) body weight was 41.27 (16.72) kg (range, 15-90 kg) and the mean (SD) BMI were 17.96 (4.37). The mean pre-operative fasting time was 15.52 (12.1) h, while the mean operative time was 38.42 (17.96) min. Lower age and weight were significantly associated with the presence of post-operative gastroesophageal reflux (p<0.05). Mean procedure time, mean pre-operative fasting time, and BMI were not significantly associated with intra- or post-operative gastroesophageal reflux (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The lack of a significant relationship between mean procedure time and gastroesophageal reflux suggests that the mean duration of the laparoscopic procedures performed in this study is safe in terms of gastroesophageal reflux. The results also indicate that young age and low weight should be considered risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy.

Evaluation of Anxiety, Depression, and Work-Related Strain Inventory of Code Blue Teams in Turkey During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the anxiety, depression, and work-related strain inventory with a cross-sectional electronic questionnaire in code blue teams during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic in Turkey. METHODS: A web-based electronic questionnaire was sent to healthcare workers registered in the database of the Turkish Society of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation and the Turkish Resuscitation Council who are in the code blue teams of the hospital where they work. An electronic questionnaire including the hospital anxiety-depression scale and the work-related strain inventory was sent to healthcare professionals. A total of 259 participants who answered the questionnaire were included in the study. RESULTS: It was determined that 41.3% (n=107) of all participants were at risk in terms of anxiety and 64.1% (n=166) were at risk in terms of depression by taking above the threshold value. The mean work-related strain inventory score of the participants was found to be 41.19 ± 6.31. The mean work-related strain inventory values of the participants who received above-threshold values from both the anxiety and depression subscales were also found to be statistically significantly higher than the participants who received below-threshold values (P <.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that approximately half of the code blue teams were at risk for anxiety and two-thirds of them for depression.

The assessment of risk factors associated with difficult intubation as endocrine, musculoskeletal diseases and intraoral cavity mass: A nested case control study.

BACKGROUND: The predictive factors of difficult airway have been studied to reduce especially the incidence of unanticipating difficult intubation, provide patient safety, and avoid wasting resources. In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether endocrine, musculoskeletal diseases, presence of intraoral mass, and demographic factors have predictive values in the evaluation of difficult air-way as well as frequently used airway assessment tests. METHODS: This study was designed a nested-case control study. After eligibility criterions, totally 1012 patient data were collected, 92 of them were difficult intubation, 920 of them were non-difficult intubation patients (1: 10 ratio). Demographic characteristics of the patients (age, gender), body mass index (BMI), Mallampati, Cormack-Lehane Score (CLS), sternomental distance (SMD), inter incisor gap (IIG), type of surgery, endocrine, musculoskeletal and cardio-pulmonary diseases, and the presence of intraoral mass were compared between groups. RESULTS: Age >52 years, male gender, ASA 3-4, higher BMI, CLS 3-4, Mallampati 3-4, IIG <4 cm, and SMD <10 cm were found statistically significant in terms of difficult intubation. Besides, a statistically significant relationship was found when the groups were compared in the presence of intraoral mass (17.57 times higher, p<0.05), endocrine diseases (3.51 times more common, p<0.05) and musculoskeletal system diseases (4.5 times higher, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was demonstrated that endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders, musculoskeletal system diseases, and the presence of intraoral cavity mass should be used as predictors for difficult intubation with commonly used airway assessment tests.

Intraoperative pectoral block versus thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: With the increasing rate of breast cancer surgery, the pain management of these patients gains importance. The aim of this study is to compare the ultrasound (US) guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPV) versus intraoperative pectoral nerve block (PECS) with a low volume local anaesthetic for postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery. A total of 41 patients underwent mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy or modified radical mastectomy were included in this randomized controlled, single-blinded trial. The patients were divided into two groups as PECS and TPV blocks. In the PECS group, 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to the fascial plane by the surgeon. In the TPV group, 25 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine at T3 level was administered by the anaesthetist under US-guidance. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and additional analgesic requirements were recorded at postoperative 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. RESULTS: In the TPV group, mean VAS score (VAS0) was significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). In other time periods, there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that intraoperative PECS block was as effective as TPV in providing postoperative analgesia and additional analgesic requirements were similar. This result suggests PECS block may be a good alternative to TPV.

Association between acute kidney injury and mortality after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) affect mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients. There have been few studies examining the prevalence of AKI and mortality after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In the present study, we investigated the association between AKI and mortality in post-cardiac arrest patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHODS: Our retrospective analysis included 109 patients, admitted to the ICU following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation between 2014 and 2016. We compared two scoring systems to estimate mortality. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: AKI were diagnosed in 46.7% (n = 51) of the patients based on the RIFLE criteria and 66.1% (n = 72) using the KDIGO. Mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with AKI diagnosed according to the RIFLE criteria (p = 0.012) and those with AKI diagnosed using KDIGO criteria (p = 0.003). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that both scoring systems were able to successfully detect mortality (Area under the ROC curve = 0.693 for RIFLE and 0.731 for KDIGO). CONCLUSION: AKI increases mortality and morbidity rates after cardiac arrest. Although more renal injury and mortality were detected with KDIGO, the sensitivity and specificity of both scoring systems were similar in predicting mortality in patients with Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC).

The effect of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block in addition to intrathecal morphine on early postoperative period after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serratus anterior plane block in addition to intrathecal morphine for early postoperative period after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery on the amount of morphine consumption and the Visual Analog Scale scores. METHODS: This single-blind, randomized-controlled study included a total of 64 patients (39 males, 25 females; mean age: 53.6±17.0 years; range, 20 to 89 years) who were scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in a tertiary hospital between September 2019 and March 2020. Postoperative pain control was achieved with intrathecal morphine 0.6 mg addition to serratus anterior plane block (Group ITM+SAPB) or with only intrathecal morphine (Group ITM) after an induction of anesthesia. The serratus anterior plane block was performed with a single injection of 0.4 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine at the level of fifth rib with ultrasound guidance. Morphine consumption, pain scores, and side effects were recorded in the postoperative period. RESULTS: The mean morphine consumption was significantly lower in the ITM+SAPB group at all time points. Compared to the control group, the Visual Analog Scale-resting and coughing scores were significantly lower in the first 12 h after surgery. Pain scores were significantly higher in the ITM+SAPB group in patients where the trocar was inserted at upper level of the fifth rib than the lower level (3-5 vs. 5-8) during the first 6 h after surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of serratus anterior plane block in addition to intrathecal morphine is a safe and effective way to improve pain control for early postoperative period after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The serratus anterior plane block ensures better analgesia until the peak effect of spinal morphine occurs.

Evaluation of Nurses' Approaches to Deteriorating Patients: Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE: Prevention of cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalised patients is the first and most important step in the life-saving chain. When the condition of the inpatients is worsened, nurses are usually the first to see and evaluate the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of the nurses working at the Mersin University Hospital, during their routine follow-up to the deteriorating patients and the early warning scoring (EWS) awareness. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was sent to all nurses working in inpatient services and intensive care units (ICUs) and registered to the hospital database at Mersin University Hospital via e-mail. In the questionnaire, a total of 10 multiple-choice questions were asked to the nurses questioning the unit they worked for, the EWS they used, the complaints they frequently complain about and the applications for the call for help. A total of 146 nurses were included in the study. RESULTS: 43.8% (n » 64) of the participants were in ICU, and 56.1% (n » 82) were in service units. Participants were asked whether they used a special scoring system to recognise the deteriorating patient; 45.2% (n » 66) used the scoring system; and 54.8% (n » 80) reported that they did not use it. Participants working in ICU were more likely to use EWS system. Participants answered the most commonly used scoring system as the Glasgow Coma Scale (n » 40). The participants reported that the most common respiratory distress (n » 135), changes in consciousness (n » 109), palpitations (n » 98) and chest pain (n » 92) occurred in the deteriorating patients. Participants reported that they frequently asked for help from a doctor (80.1%), other nurses (7.5%) and a blue code team (7.5%). CONCLUSION: According to the findings, it is necessary to determine the habits of calling for help and raising awareness for a functional EWS.

Evaluation of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children as a Risk for Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting: An Observational Study.

1Background: Anaesthesia is known to reduce gastric emptying and motility, which can cause gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in some patients. Monitoring pH is a reliable method for detecting reflux. In this study, we aimed to show whether GER is a risk factor for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) with oesophageal reflux measures in paediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: After obtaining approval from ethics committee, 55 paediatric patients were included. An oesophageal pH metre catheter was inserted through the nasal passage to 3 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter. pH measurements were evaluated with DeMeester score. It was accepted as acid reflux if the score was >14.7. The patients' demographic data, history of GER and verbal descriptive scale (VDS) to assess PONV and pH values were analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM SPSS Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Of the 55 patients, 41.8% were girls, 58.2% were boys, the mean age was 13.2 years, the mean fasting period was 7.47 hours and the mean operation time was 1.1 hours. Mean fasting and operation times did not differ statistically according to VDS. There was no significant association between VDS group and gender or pH. None of the patients had a history of GER. Thirteen patients had DeMeester score >14.7. CONCLUSION: This is the first study about the relationship between gastric pH and PONV in paediatric patients. Although some studies have shown an association between anaesthesia and reflux, we detected reflux in nine of our patients and reflux was not statistically associated with PONV in our study. Further studies with larger patient groups are needed to provide a clearer opinion.

Evaluation of Perioperative Ventilation Strategies: National Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE: Lung injury can develop in the perioperative period due to ventilation management techniques. Thus, the attitude of anaesthetists on protective ventilation (PV) practice comes into question. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the perioperative ventilation practice of anaesthetists and trainees on anaesthesiology by a survey study. METHODS: Survey form was sent to all doctors registered to TARD via electronic mail. The participants were asked questions involving PV parameters such as low tidal volume (TV) according to ideal body weight (BW), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), FiO2 use and recruitment manoeuvre (RM) application. In total, 411 doctors who answered the survey were included to the study. Application rates of PV parameters and causes were compared within the answers obtained. P<0.05 was accepted statistically significant. RESULTS: PV was practised by 19.4% of the participants. Those who preferred low TV used ideal BW more frequently (p<0.001). PEEP of 4-6 cm H2O was commonly used (p<0.001). The participants mostly preferred FiO2 of 1.0 (60.4%), and application rate of RM was found to be 17.2%. The use of all PV parameters was detected to be higher among instructors than among other groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, application ratio of PV with all its parameters was found to be lower. Among the parameters, while low TV according to ideal BW and PEEP were applied at higher ratios, the use of RM and low oxygen percentage were applied less frequently. While PV was found to be useful in terms of perioperative ventilation strategies, low practice rates may result from habits besides lack of knowledge and experience; comprehensive and quality education studies are needed to overcome this.

Patients', who applied to the anesthesia clinic, perceptions and knowledge about anesthesia in Türkiye.

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative evaluation includes determining the patient's physiological and psychological situation, taking information about pharmacological and therapeutic history, laboratory examinations, and identifying the anesthesia risks. The aim of this study is to learn the patients', who planned for elective surgery, knowledge and perception about anesthesia, to determine the causes of fears, to investigate whether age, gender, education level, and history of operation affect the outcome of the survey. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was asked to fill by the patients who applied to the anesthesia clinic. In our study, totally 250 patients, aged between 16 and 75 were included. The questionnaire consists of two parts: The first part includes demographic data such as age, gender, education level, occupation; the second part includes the questions about anesthesia experience and knowledge. RESULTS: Of the 250 patients studied, 59% were females and 41% were males. Of these patients, 37.6% had secondary education. As occupation, the highest percentage was belonging to the housewives (33.6%). In the second part of the questionnaire, it was showed that having an anesthesia experience and high education status statistically significantly affect the level of information about anesthesia (P=0.001; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was showed that there is an important relationship between education and past anesthesia experience and having information about anesthesia and anesthetists. But, generally it was also showed that the patients not having adequate information about anesthesia and anesthetists and to provide the public more informed about anesthesia, with hospital policies and studies of increasing education level, the individual attempts of anesthetists and continuous studies for anesthesia displaying are needed.