Effects of coenzyme Q10 in a propofol infusion syndrome model of rabbits.

Background: Coenzyme Q (CoQ) might be the main site of interaction with propofol on the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) because of the structural similarity between coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and propofol. Aim: To investigate the effects of CoQ10 on survival and organ injury in a PRIS model in rabbits. Methods: Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups: (1) propofol infusion group, (2) propofol infusion and CoQ10, 100 mg/kg was administered intravenously, (3) sevoflurane inhalation was administered, and (4) sevoflurane inhalation and CoQ10, 100 mg/kg intravenously, was administered. Arterial blood gas and biochemical analyses were repeated every 2 h and every 12 h, respectively. Animals that were alive on the 24th hour after anesthesia induction were euthanized. The organ damages were investigated under light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: The propofol infusion group had the highest troponin T levels when compared with the other three groups at the 12th hour. The propofol + CoQ10 group had lower troponin T levels when compared with the propofol and sevoflurane groups (P < 0.05). Administration of CoQ10 decreased total liver injury scores and total organ injury scores both in the propofol and sevoflurane groups. The propofol and sevoflurane organ toxicities were attenuated with CoQ10 in liver, gallbladder, urinary bladder, and spleen. Conclusion: The addition of CoQ10 to propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia prevented the propofol-associated increase in troponin T levels at the 12th hour of infusion and decreased anesthetic-induced total liver and organ injury scores.

Airway management in mucopolysaccharidosis: a retrospective case series review.

Airway management can be difficult in surgeries of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis. We performed a retrospective review of 31 surgeries performed between 2015 and 2019. The mean age of the patients was 127.6 months. MPS-IV and MPS-VI were the most frequent subtypes. Orthopedic surgeries were the most common surgery type. Difficult intubation was seen in 10 procedures. All patients with difficult intubation were aged over 36 months. Video laryngoscopy was the most common intubation method. Seventeen patients were followed up in the intensive care unit. Although video laryngoscopy seems to be a safe method in these patients, one should always be prepared for alternative methods.

Vancomycin prophylaxis for revision hip arthroplasty in penicillin and cephalosporin sensitive patients: Is dose adjustment necessary in accordance with blood loss and fluid replacement?

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the changes in the serum concentration of prophylactically administrated vancomycin in the perioperative period of revision hip arthroplasty in penicillin/cephalosporin-allergic patients, (2) to assess whether the postoperative re-administration of vancomycin is needed, and (3) to determine the relationships of vancomycin serum concentration with blood loss, body weight, and fluid replacement in such patients. METHODS: This study consisted of 29 patients (20 females, 9 males; mean age=63.3 years; age range=45-79 years) with a history of penicillin/cephalosporin allergy undergoing revision hip arthroplasty secondary to aseptic loosening or periprosthetic fractures. Serum vancomycin levels were measured (1) before administration of vancomycin, (2) at the time of skin incision, (3) every 1,5 hours thereafter until the end of the operation, (4) during the skin closure, and (5) after three and 12 hours from the initial dosage. Data regarding body weight, amounts of intraoperative blood loss, fluid and blood replacements and postoperative wound drainage were recorded. RESULTS: The average blood loss, fluid replacement, and drain volume were 1280.3±575.8 (500-2700) mL, 2922.6±768.8 (1700-4600) mL, and 480.2±163.7 (200-850) mL, respectively. The mean levels of serum vancomycin were 46.3±21.8 (14.1-80.7) mg/L at the time of skin incision, 17.9±4.7 (9.4-30.9) and 9.8±2.2 (4.3-13.8) mg/L after 1.5 and 3 hours from the beginning of the surgery and 5.1±1.1 (2.9-6.8)mg/L after 12th hour postoperatively. The measured vancomycin levels were below the effective serum concentrations (< 5 mg/L) for 18 patients at 12 hours the administration of the first dose. A moderate level negative correlation between the blood loss/body weight ratio and vancomycin levels was found (p=0.004, r=-0.493). Predictive ROC curve analysis resulted in determining a blood loss volume higher than 1150 ml and a blood loss/body weight ratio higher than 18,5 is significant to estimate the vancomycin level below the minimum effective serum level at 12th hour postoperatively (AUC=0.793±0.16, p=0.009, AUC=0.753) 26±0.12, p=0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study has indicated vancomycin concentration at 12th hour is below the effective level in most patients. Thus, earlier repetitive infusion of vancomycin seems to be necessary in penicillin/cephalosporin-allergic patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty, especially in those with high blood loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

How does intraarticular dexmedetomidine injection effect articular cartilage and synovium? An animal study.

BACKGROUND: Intraarticular injections are widely used to provide pain relief after arthroscopic procedures and minimize the use of opioids. Dexmedetomidine has been proven to potentiate pain relief and postpone the demand for the first analgesic drug when it is used intraarticularly following arthroscopic knee procedures. However, the effects of dexmedetomidine on articular structures have not yet been evaluated. Our aim was to determine the effects of intraarticular dexmedetomidine injection on articular structures such as cartilage and synovium. DESIGN: Animal study. METHODS: Twenty adult rats (Sprague-Dawley) were enrolled in the study. Following appropriate aseptic and anesthetic conditions, dexmedetomidine (100 mcg/ml) (0.25 ml) was injected into the right knee joint (the study group) and normal saline solution (0.25 ml) into the left knee joint (the control group) of the rats. Four rats were sacrificed from each group on days 1, 2, 7, 14, and 21, and knee joint samples were obtained. Histologists evaluated the articular and periarticular regions and the synovium using histological sections, and a five-point scale was used to grade the inflammatory changes in a blinded manner. RESULTS: The groups were found to be similar in terms of median congestion scores, edema and inflammation scores, subintimal fibrosis, neutrophil activation and cartilage structure at each of the time intervals. CONCLUSION: In our placebo-controlled, in vivo trial, the intraarticular use of dexmedetomidine seemed to be safe with respect to the studied histopathological parameters. However, complementary studies investigating the histopathological effects, analgesic dosage and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine on damaged articular structure models are needed.

Pectoral nerve block as the sole anesthetic technique for a modified radical mastectomy in a comorbid patient.

Breast surgery operations are generally performed by general anesthesia. In order to decrease postoperative pain, regional anesthesia is usually combined with general anesthesia. Pectoral nerve blocks is a novel technique to provide perioperative and postoperative pain control for patients underwent breast surgery. We performed pectoral nerve block I and pectoral nerve block II as a sole anesthetic technique with sedation by dexmedetomidine for modified radical mastectomy, for a 75-year-old female patient with multiple diseases. Pectoral nerve blocks with sedation could be a good technique for breast surgery than general anesthesia in comorbid patients.

Procaine and saline have similar effects on articular cartilage and synovium in rat knee.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular local anaesthetics are widely used for providing postoperative analgesia and decreasing the need for opioids. Procaine has proven positive effects in carpal tunnel syndrome and chondromalacia patella. However, the effect of procaine on articular cartilage has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intra-articular procaine injection on the articular cartilage and the synovium. METHODS: Twenty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled in the study. After providing anaesthesia and aseptic conditions, 0.25 ml of 10% procaine was injected to the right knee joint, and 0.25 ml of normal saline (as control group) was injected to the left knee joint. Knee joint samples were obtained from four rats in each group after appropriate euthanasia on days 1, 2, 7, 14 and 21. The histological sections of the articular and periarticular regions and the synovium were evaluated by two histologists, and inflammatory changes were graded according to a five-point scale in a blinded manner. The apoptosis of chondrocytes was determined by the caspase-3 indirect immunoperoxidase method. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in inflammation between procaine and saline groups at any of the time intervals. Slight inflammatory infiltration due to injection was seen in both groups on the 1st day. Haemorrhage was observed in both groups at days 1 and 2, and the difference between groups was not found to be significant. No significant difference was detected in the percentage of apoptotic chondrocytes between groups at any of the time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of procaine seems safe to use intra-articularly based on this in vivo study on rat knee cartilage. However, further studies investigating both the analgesic and histopathological effects of procaine on damaged articular cartilage and synovium models are needed.

Comparison of propofol and midazolam on patients undergoing spinal surgery with intraoperative wake-up test: randomized clinical trial / Comparação de propofol e midazolam em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de coluna vertebral com teste de despertar no intraoperatório: estudo clínico randomizado

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Instrumentation in correction operations for spinal deformities carries a 0.5-5% risk of injuring the spinal cord. The wake-up test is used for early detection of these injuries. In this study we compared the effects of propofol and midazolam during wake-up test in scoliosis surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly assigned as group P and group M. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.5 mg kg-1 for group P or midazolam 0.5 mg kg-1 for group M with remifentanil 0.5 µg kg-1 and cisatracurium 0.15 mg kg-1 for both groups. At the maintenance of anesthesia O2/air and infusions of remifentanil and cisatracurium were used. In group P, propofol 6-10 mg kg-1 h-1 and in group M, midazolam 0.5 mg mg kg-1 were preferred. Approximately 15 min before the wake-up test, all drugs were discontinued. At the wake-up test, anesthesiologist asked the patients to open their eyes and squeeze his/her hand at every 30 s until the patients responded. Then patients were told to wiggle their toes. Hemodynamic parameters, time of eye-opening, appropriate movement upon verbal command were evaluated. BIS frequency throughout the operation was recorded. RESULTS: The eye opening time was 9 ± 2.15 min in group P and 7 ± 3.15 min in group M. Motor movement time was 12 ± 2.55 min in group P and 21.25 ± 3.93 min in group M. CONCLUSION: Propofol provided better wake-up conditions and conducted a better neurologic assessment within the same BIS values than midazolam.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A instrumentação em cirurgias de correção de deformidades da coluna vertebral tem risco de 0,5 a 5% de lesionar a medula espinhal. O teste de despertar é usado para a detecção precoce dessas lesões. Neste estudo comparamos os efeitos de propofol e midazolam durante o teste de despertar em cirurgia de escoliose. MÉTODOS: Trinta pacientes foram designados de forma aleatória para os grupos P e M. A anestesia foi induzida com propofol (2,5 mg kg-1) no grupo P ou midazolam (0,5 mg kg-1) no grupo M, com remifentanil (0,5 µg kg-1) e cisatracúrio (0,15 mg kg-1) em ambos os grupos. A manutenção da anestesia foi feita com O2/ar e infusões de remifentanil e cisatracúrio. Nos grupos P e M, respectivamente, doses de propofol (6-10 mg kg-1 h-1) e de midazolam (0,5 mg mg kg-1) foram preferidas. Aproximadamente 15 min antes do teste de despertar, todos os medicamentos foram interrompidos. No teste de despertar, o anestesiologista pedia ao paciente que abrisse os olhos e apertasse sua mão a cada 30 s até que o paciente respondesse. Depois, o paciente era solicitado a mexer os dedos dos pés. Os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, o tempo de abertura dos olhos e o movimento apropriado sob comando verbal foram avaliados. A frequência do BIS foi registrada durante toda a cirurgia. RESULTADOS: O tempo de abertura dos olhos foi de 9 ± 2,15 min no grupo P e de 7 ± 3,15 min no grupo M. O tempo de movimento motor foi de 12 ± 2,55 min no grupo P e de 21,25 ± 3,93 min no grupo M. CONCLUSÃO: Propofol proporcionou melhores condições de despertar e possibilitou uma melhor avaliação neurológica dentro dos mesmos valores do BIS que midazolam.

Comparison of propofol and midazolam on patients undergoing spinal surgery with intraoperative wake-up test: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Instrumentation in correction operations for spinal deformities carries a 0.5-5% risk of injuring the spinal cord. The wake-up test is used for early detection of these injuries. In this study we compared the effects of propofol and midazolam during wake-up test in scoliosis surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly assigned as group P and group M. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.5 mg kg(-1) for group P or midazolam 0.5 mg kg(-1) for group M with remifentanil 0.5 µg kg(-1) and cisatracurium 0.15 mg kg(-1) for both groups. At the maintenance of anesthesia O2/air and infusions of remifentanil and cisatracurium were used. In group P, propofol 6-10 mg kg(-1)h(-1) and in group M, midazolam 0.5 mg mg kg(-1) were preferred. Approximately 15 min before the wake-up test, all drugs were discontinued. At the wake-up test, anesthesiologist asked the patients to open their eyes and squeeze his/her hand at every 30s until the patients responded. Then patients were told to wiggle their toes. Hemodynamic parameters, time of eye-opening, appropriate movement upon verbal command were evaluated. BIS frequency throughout the operation was recorded. RESULTS: The eye opening time was 9 ± 2.15 min in group P and 7 ± 3.15 min in group M. Motor movement time was 12 ± 2.55 min in group P and 21.25 ± 3.93 min in group M. CONCLUSION: Propofol provided better wake-up conditions and conducted a better neurologic assessment within the same BIS values than midazolam.

[Comparison of propofol and midazolam on patients undergoing spinal surgery with intraoperative wake-up test: randomized clinical trial]. / Comparação de propofol e midazolam em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de coluna vertebral com teste de despertar no intraoperatório: estudo clínico randomizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Instrumentation in correction operations for spinal deformities carries a 0.5-5% risk of injuring the spinal cord. The wake-up test is used for early detection of these injuries. In this study we compared the effects of propofol and midazolam during wake-up test in scoliosis surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly assigned as group P and group M. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.5mgkg(-1) for group P or midazolam 0.5mgkg(-1) for group M with remifentanil 0.5µgkg(-1) and cisatracurium 0.15mgkg(-1) for both groups. At the maintenance of anesthesia O2/air and infusions of remifentanil and cisatracurium were used. In group P, propofol 6-10mgkg(-1)h(-1) and in group M, midazolam 0.5mgmgkg(-1) were preferred. Approximately 15min before the wake-up test, all drugs were discontinued. At the wake-up test, anesthesiologist asked the patients to open their eyes and squeeze his/her hand at every 30s until the patients responded. Then patients were told to wiggle their toes. Hemodynamic parameters, time of eye-opening, appropriate movement upon verbal command were evaluated. BIS frequency throughout the operation was recorded. RESULTS: The eye opening time was 9±2.15min in group P and 7±3.15min in group M. Motor movement time was 12±2.55min in group P and 21.25±3.93min in group M. CONCLUSION: Propofol provided better wake-up conditions and conducted a better neurologic assessment within the same BIS values than midazolam.

Tracheal laceration as a complication of out-of-hospital emergency tracheal intubation in a patient with COPD.

Tracheobronchial injuries related to emergency endotracheal intubations are reported to be associated with an increased risk of mortality. Many mechanical risk factors may become more frequent in an emergency setting leading to such injuries. Aside from these factors that may complicate endotracheal intubation, this procedure is not recommended a priori for ventilation due to the resulting interruptions in external chest compressions, by 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and external chest compression guidelines. We present a 78-year-old woman with known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who had a tracheal laceration after emergency endotracheal intubation during CPR. Thorax computed tomography revealed an overinflated tube cuff. The trachea was repaired surgically; however, our patient died on the fourth postoperative day due to multiple-organ failure. Prehospital providers must remain especially vigilant to priorities in airway management during CPR and aware of the dangers associated with field tracheal intubation under less than ideal conditions.

Comparison of intraarticular bupivacaine and levobupivacaine injection in rat synovial inflammation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Both bupivacaine and levobupivacaine are local anesthetics with strong analgesic efficacy that can be used intraarticularly. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of intraarticular bupivacaine and levobupivacaine injection on inflammation in articular cartilage and the synovium of the rat knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were injected in the right knee joint with 0.2 mL of bupivacaine, while 0.2 mL of levobupivacaine was injected into the left knee joint. Groups of 5 were sacrificed on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 after bupivacaine and levobupivacaine administration and knee joints were examined for subintimal fibrosis, synovial hyperplasia, chronic inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, edema, and synovial and periarticular congestion by microscopy. Alterations in the articular cartilage structure were evaluated using Mankin scoring. RESULTS: We found that both drugs have similar effects on synovial and articular cartilage resulting in mild to moderate congestion, edema, neutrophil infiltration, chronic inflammation, and synovial hyperplasia, which diminished gradually. However, increases in fibrosis were also seen to varying degrees. Thus, the use of these drugs intraarticularly can be recommended. CONCLUSION: Careful usage of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine is recommended in intraarticular applications since they cause inflammation shortly after injection and fibrosis at later time points.

The Effect of Different End-tidal Desflurane Concentrations on Bispectral Index Values in Normal Children and Children with Cerebral Palsy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of different intraoperative end-tidal desflurane concentrations on bispectral index (BIS) values in normal children and children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Twenty normal children (Group N) and 20 children with non-communicative/nonverbal cerebral palsy (Group CP), between 2 and 15 years of age, undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery were included in the study. Following premedication with midazolam, anaesthesia was induced by infusing 1% propofol at a rate of 200 mL hr(-1) until BIS reached 50. Heart rate, blood pressure and BIS values were recorded before and after the induction of anaesthesia, at steady-state end-tidal concentrations of 4% and 6% desflurane, and after emergence from anaesthesia. A p value <0.05 was considered significant in the statistical analyses, including Kolmogorov-Smirnov, t-test, paired samples t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS: The time to extubation and eye opening after discontinuation of anaesthesia was longer in Group CP. BIS values before the induction of anaesthesia, at a steady-state end-tidal desflurane concentration of 4% and after emergence from the anaesthetic were significantly lower in Group CP. At a steady-state end-tidal desflurane concentration of 6%, BIS values were slightly lower in Group CP but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Based on the data obtained, we concluded that BIS monitoring in children with cerebral palsy can be useful in terms of decreasing adverse effects and drug interactions due to multiple drug usage by reducing the use of anaesthetic agents and improving emergence from the anaesthetic.

A clinical comparison of etomidate-lipuro, propofol and admixture at induction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare etomidate-lipuro and propofol and 50%, (1:1) admixture of these agents at induction with special reference to injection pain, hemodynamic changes, and myoclonus. METHODS: Ninety patients were assigned at random to three groups in which induction was performed with either etomidate-lipuro, propofol or etomidate-lipuro-propofol admixture. After monitorization with bispectral index (BIS) all agents were given with infusion with a perfuser at a constant rate of 200 ml/min till the BIS values decreased to 40. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured every 30 s at this period. Patients were asked for pain at the injection site and observed visually for myoclonus. The time BIS values decreased to 40 (BIS 40 time) and total amounts of induction doses were measured. RESULTS: BIS 40 time measurements were P > E > PE (199.4 ± 40.9, 176.9 ± 31.6, 163.5 ± 20.6 s). The hemodynamic (systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures, heart rate) changes were minimal in group PE than other two groups (P = 0.017). The intensity of myoclonus was graded as mild in 9, moderate in 12, and severe in 5 patients in the group E (76.3%). Myoclonus was not observed in group PE and group P. There were no injection pain in group PE as the incidence were (83.8%) in group P and in (63.2%) group E. CONCLUSION: Incidence of hemodynamic changes, myoclonus, and injection pain is significantly lower in group PE. BIS 40 times is least in group PE. We concluded that 1:1 admixture of etomidate-lipuro and propofol is a valuable agent for induction.

Pain on injection of propofol: a comparison of methylene blue and lidocaine.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether methylene blue, given before injection of propofol, was effective in reducing the frequency and severity of pain associated with propofol injection. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical study. SETTING: Operating room of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 90 adult, ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients undergoing elective surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups of 30 patients each. Group I received 50 mg of methylene blue, Group II received 40 mg of lidocaine, and Group III, the control group, was given normal saline. All drugs were given as a 2.0 mL bolus 45 seconds before propofol administration. MEASUREMENTS: Injection pain using vocal responses, facial grimacing, arm withdrawal, tears, and questioning of the patient were noted. A 4-point scale was used for documenting pain. MAIN RESULTS: Pain frequency was 90% in the saline group, whereas the frequencies were significantly lower in the lidocaine and methylene blue groups (26.7% and 40%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous pretreatment with methylene blue appears to be effective in reducing the pain during propofol injection.

Long-term clarithromycin in cystic fibrosis: effects on inflammatory markers in BAL and clinical status.

Macrolides have antiinflammatory effects that are potentially useful in cystic fibrosis (CF). In this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind crossover study, 18 CF patients were randomized to receive either clarithromycin (CM) (Group 1) or placebo (Group 2) for three months. After 15 days, the treatments were crossed over. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was obtained in the beginning and at the end of each treatment period. There was no significant difference in median cell counts and median cytokine levels at baseline, after CM use and after placebo use between the two groups. In Group 2, the median neutrophil elastase (NE) level decreased with CM. Patients had less acute pulmonary exacerbations and median clinical score decreased with CM in both groups. Median z-scores for weight increased with CM in Group 2. We could not demonstrate a fall in proinflammatory cytokines in BAL; however, some improvement in clinical status could be shown with three-month CM.

Effect of intraarticular injection of lornoxicam on the articular cartilage & synovium in rat.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Intraarticular (i.a) drug application is consider to be a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of postoperative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery without any systemic adverse effects. Lornoxicam, a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug is a short acting agent, and its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity may be effective in the postoperative pain management in minor surgery. In this study, the effects of intraarticular administration of lornoxicam on the synovium and articular cartilage in the rat knee joint were investigated. METHODS: Lornoxicam (0.25 ml) was given as an injection into the right knee joint and 0.25 ml of 0.9 per cent saline solution by injection into the left knee joint as a control in 25 rats. Groups of five rats were sacrificed by a lethal injection of ketamine 1st, 2nd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after lornoxicam administration. Knee joints were detached, fixed in 10 per cent buffered formalin and decalcified. Serial sections of 5 microm were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and evaluated for the presence of inflammation in the articular, periarticular regions and synovium. Inflammatory changes in the joints were graded according to a five-point scale, histologically. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in inflammation and cartilage degeneration, between control and lornoxicam applied knees. Grade 3 inflammatory changes occurred only in one knee in lornoxicam group, at 24 h after injection. No pathological changes were observed in both groups at any time point. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Lornoxicam did not show significant effect on inflammation on rat synovia in knee joint. Further studies including in human need to be done before any recommendations are made for i.a. administration of lornoxicam.

The efficacy of ketamine for the treatment of postoperative shivering.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports on the utility of ketamine for the prevention of postoperative shivering. We thus established the efficacy of two doses of ketamine compared with meperidine for the treatment of postoperative shivering. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized double-blind study involving 90 ASA I-II patients after general anesthesia. Patients with shivering grade 3-4 were allocated to receive either meperidine 25 mg, ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, or ketamine 0.75 mg/kg IV. Shivering and side effects were monitored at set time intervals. RESULTS: Shivering grades for the first 4 min after treatment were lower in the ketamine groups; however, nystagmus and feeling like "walking in space" was experienced with both doses of ketamine. CONCLUSION: Ketamine 0.5-0.75 mg/kg is more rapid than meperidine (25 mg) for the reduction of postoperative shivering, but the side effect profile may limit its usefulness.

Effect of hypotensive anesthesia on cognitive functions. A comparison of esmolol and remifentanil during tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of esmolol and remifentanil, used as adjuncts for induced hypotension on surgical conditions and short-term cognitive functions, during tympanoplasty. METHODS: The study was conducted in Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey between January 2005 and December 2006 following Institutional Ethical Committee approval, 40 ASA I-II patients, between 18 and 60 years of age were included in this study. With the induction of anesthesia, for group E, an esmolol infusion of 50-250 ug.kg-1.min-1 was titrated, following a bolus of 0.5 mgxkg-1; for group R, a remifentanil infusion of 0.2-0.5 ugxkg-1xmin-1 was titrated; to achieve a mean blood pressure (BP) of 55-65 mm Hg. Arterial BP were recorded continuously throughout the operation. Mini Mental State Test (MMS) was performed at the preoperative 30th minute (MMSP), postoperative 30th minute (MMS30), 60th minute (MMS60) and 24th hour (MMS24). Surgical field was evaluated by the blinded surgeon, using a 6 point category scale. RESULTS: Patient demographics were similar in both groups. Sustained controlled hypotension was sufficient in all of the groups throughout surgery. Surgical field scores were lower in group R (p<0.05), although the scores were

The effects of isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane anesthesia on neurocognitive outcome after cardiac surgery: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation anesthetics such as isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane are widely used in clinical practice; however, there is no study for comparing these drugs in cardiac surgery with respect to postoperative cognitive outcome and S100 beta protein (S100 BP) levels. In this study, we evaluated the effect of sevoflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane anesthesia on neuropsychological outcome and S100 BP levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two male patients were prospectively randomized and classified into 3 groups according to the volatile agents used; isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane. All patients had a sufficient education level to participate in neuropsychological testing and a normal carotid Doppler ultrasonography. Blood samples for analysis of S100 BP were collected before anesthesia (T1), before heparinization (T2), 15 minutes into CPB (T3), following protamine administration (T4), postoperatively (T5), 24 hours after the operation (T6), postoperative day 3 (T7), and postoperative day 6 (T8). The neuropsychological tests, including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSET) and visual-aural digit span test (VADST), were administered 1 day prior to surgery and on the third and sixth postoperative days. RESULTS: The postoperative third and sixth day MMSET scores and third day visual-written subtest scores in the sevoflurane group were significantly lower than in the isoflurane and desflurane groups (P < .05). S100 BP levels increased with the beginning of anesthesia in the sevoflurane and desflurane groups. Although S100 BP decreased to baseline levels on postoperative day 1 in the sevoflurane group, this was significantly higher on the third and sixth days postoperatively in the desflurane group (P < .05). In the isoflurane group, the S100 BP level was significantly higher than the baseline level only after CPB (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that isoflurane is associated with better neurocognitive functions than desflurane or sevoflurane after on-pump CABG. Sevoflurane seems to be associated with the worst cognitive outcome as assessed by neuropsychologic tests, and prolonged brain injury as detected by high S100 BP levels was seen with desflurane.