Validity and Reliability of SCOPA Sleep Scale Turkish Version in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to form the Turkish adaptation of the SCOPA-SleepScale to be used in evaluating sleep quality in individuals with Parkinson's disease and to test its psychometric properties. Method: Data for this methodological study was collected between May and December 2017 in the neurology outpatient clinic of a hospital through face to face interviews with patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The sample of the study consisted of 105 patients of 18 years of age and above with no additional neurological diseases who volunteered for the study. The SCOPA Sleep Scale was translated into Turkish through translation and back translation, and expert views were taken to test content validity. The reliability analyses of the scale were performed using item- total score correlations, test-retest correlations, and internal consistency. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted for construct validity and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were applied for criterion validity. The appropriateness of data for factor analysis was examined using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's tests. Results: The factor loads of the SCOPA Sleep Scale varied between 0.743 and 0.901, and the Turkish version of the scale exhibited a two factor structure in compliance with the original scale. The Cronbach`s alpha coefficient was found 0.907 for the nighttime sleep sub-dimension and 0.906 for the daytime sleepiness sub-dimension. In the test-retest evaluation, a correlation of 0.948 was obtained in the nighttime sleep sub-dimension of the scale and a correlation of 0.956 was obtainedin the daytime sleepiness sub-dimension of the scale. The nighttime sleep sub-dimension of the scale showed a positive correlation with PSQI, while the daytime sleepiness sub-dimension showed a positive correlation with ESS. Conclusion: The Turkish form of the SCOPA Sleep Scale is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the sleep quality of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Efforts to improve sleep quality in a medical intensive care unit: effect of a protocol of non-pharmacological interventions.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a protocol of nonpharmacological interventions to improve sleep quality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Due to its close relationship with sleep quality, the effects of the same interventions on noise levels and delirium rates were also evaluated in this study. METHODS: This pretest-posttest design with a control group was carried out in a medical ICU over 8 months. Data were collected using Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, the Glasgow Coma Scale, the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, and noise measurement devices. In the first phase of the study, patients receiving standard care in the ICU were followed. After the first stage, a training session was held for nurses to raise awareness and information. Then, the sleep-promoting protocol created by the researchers was applied. The ambient noise level was measured continuously. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients with a mean age of 70.0 ± 13.2 years were followed in the ICU for an average of 7.3 ± 3.8 days. With protocol implementation, the ambient noise level in the ICU was reduced from 70.9 ± 3.8 dB(A) to 62.7 ± 3.5 dB(A) (p < 0.01); the RCSQ scores of the patients increased from 48.3 ± 1.4 to 62.1 ± 1.8 (p < 0.01). Although statistically nonsignificant, efforts to improve sleep quality also reduced the development of delirium by 15%. CONCLUSION: It is possible to improve sleep quality and reduce noise levels in an ICU with a protocol consisting of multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions.

Comparison of the psychometric properties of three commonly used fall risk assessment tools: a prospective observational study for stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: A reliable tool recommendation is needed to identify the risk of falling in hospitalized stroke patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the most reliable fall risk assessment tool among the Morse Fall Scale (MFS), Itaki Fall Risk Scale (Itaki FRS) and Hendrich II Fall Risk Model (HIIFRM) for stroke patients. METHODS: The study was planned as an observational prospective study. It was carried out over the period July-December 2018 with 125 stroke patients. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Itaki FRS, HIIFRM, and MFS were used for the study data. The fall risk and incidents of falling were monitored on a daily basis over the course of the patients' stay at the hospital. The differentiation between the fall risk tools was assessed with sensitivity-specificity analysis and the ROC curve. RESULTS: The mean age of the research participants was 71.47 ± 11.16 years. It was determined that 9.6% of the patients fell at least once during the follow-up period, which was 8.66 ± 1.80 days on average. The sensitivity and specificity rates of the fall risk assessment tools were respectively 75.0% and 63.7% for the Itaki FRS, 83.3% and 50.4% for the HIIFRM, and 91.7% and 73.5% for the MFS. The cutoff points on the tools were 14 for the Itaki FRS, 4.5 for the HIIFRM, and 66.2 for the MFS. CONCLUSION: MFS is a more reliable tool than Itaki FRS or HIIFRM in determining fall risk in hospitalized stroke patients.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry Practices.

Artificial intelligence can be defined as "understanding human thinking and trying to develop computer processes that will produce a similar structure." Thus, it is an attempt by a programmed computer to think. According to a broader definition, artificial intelligence is a computer equipped with human intelligencespecific capacities such as acquiring information, perceiving, seeing, thinking, and making decisions. Quality demands in dental treatments have constantly been increasing in recent years. In parallel with this, using image-based methods and multimedia-supported explanation systems on the computer is becoming widespread to evaluate the available information. The use of artificial intelligence in dentistry will greatly contribute to the reduction of treatment times and the effort spent by the dentist, reduce the need for a specialist dentist, and give a new perspective to how dentistry is practiced. In this review, we aim to review the studies conducted with artificial intelligence in dentistry and to inform our dentists about the existence of this new technology.

Does dexmedetomidine provide cardioprotection in coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether dexmedetomidine has a cardioprotective effect during coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into 2 groups: dexmedetomidine and placebo groups. In the dexmedetomidine group, dexmedetomidine infusion was started by a loading dose of 0.5 µg/kg/10 min, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.5 µg/kg/h. The placebo group received the same volume of saline. Measurements of central venous pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and cardiac index were performed before and after dexmedetomidine loading dose and 2, 24 and 48 hours after CPB. Simultaneously, arterial blood was sampled for CK-MB, cardiac troponin T, and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: CK-MB, cardiac troponin T and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide values were elevated in the periods after CPB in both groups (p<0.05) and there were no statistically significant differences between groups. MPAP was decreased in the dexmedetomidine group at the 2nd, 24th and 48th hour after CPB (p<0.001, p<0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Higher cardiac index values were seen earlier in the dexmedetomidine group than in the placebo group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial damage was not reduced by administration of 0.5 µg/kg loading dose and 0.5 µg/kg/h infusion of dexmedetomidine. However MPAP tended to be lower in the dexmedetomidine group. Large-scale clinical outcome studies are indicated to confirm the effect of dexmedetomidine.

Ketamine-propofol vs ketamine-dexmedetomidine combinations in pediatric patients undergoing burn dressing changes.

The aim of this study was to compare ketamine-propofol (KP) and ketamine-dexmedetomidine (KD) combinations for deep sedation and analgesia during pediatric burn wound dressing changes. After obtaining approval from the University Ethics Committee, burn wound care or wound dressing changes were performed on 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II inpatients aged between 8 and 60 months with second-degree burns ranging from 5 to 25% TBSA. After recording the demographic data, the heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and Ramsey sedation scores were recorded for all patients before and during the procedure. Group KP (n = 30) received 1 mg kg⁻¹ ketamine + 1 mg kg⁻¹ propofol and group KD (n = 30) received 1 mg kg⁻¹ ketamine + 0.5 µg kg⁻¹ dexmedetomidine for induction. Additional propofol (1 mg kg⁻¹) for group KP and additional dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg kg⁻¹) for group KD were administered when required. No statistically significant differences in sedation scores and peripheral oxygen saturation and diastolic arterial pressure (P > .05) were found between the two groups. However, systolic blood pressure values in group KD showed a significant increase after induction (P < .05). The recovery time was longer in group KD than in group KP (P < .05). The respiratory rate was higher in group KD than in group KP beginning from the fifth minute of the procedure. A significant amount of respiratory depression and hypoxia was observed in group KP but not in KD (P < .05). Both the KP and KD combinations were effective for sedation and analgesia during dressing changes in the pediatric burn patients. The KD combination can be considered as an excellent alternative for pediatric wound dressing changes which does not result in respiratory depression.

Dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for premedication of pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine, an α(2)-receptor agonist, provides sedation, analgesia, and anxiolytic effects, and these properties make it a potentially useful anesthetic premedication. In this study, we compared the effects of intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam on mask induction and preoperative sedation in pediatric patients. METHODS: Ninety children classified as ASA physical status I, aged between 2 and 9, who were scheduled to undergo an elective adenotonsillectomy, were enrolled for a prospective, randomized, and double-blind controlled trial. All of the children received intranasal medication approximately 45-60 min before the induction of anesthesia. Group M (n = 45) received 0.2 mg·kg(-1) of intranasal midazolam, and Group D (n = 45) received 1 µg·kg(-1) of intranasal dexmedetomidine. All of the patients were anesthetized with nitrous oxide, oxygen, and sevoflurane, administered via a face mask. The primary end point was satisfactory mask induction, and the secondary end points included satisfactory sedation upon separation from parents, hemodynamic change, postoperative analgesia, and agitation score at emergence. RESULTS: Satisfactory mask induction was achieved by 82.2% of Group M and 60% of Group D (P = 0.01). There was no evidence of a difference between the groups in either sedation score (P = 0.36) or anxiety score (P = 0.56) upon separation from parents. The number of patients who required postoperative analgesia was higher in the midazolam group (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam are equally effective in decreasing anxiety upon separation from parents; however, midazolam is superior in providing satisfactory conditions during mask induction.

Comparison of the effects of ketamine or lidocaine on fentanyl-induced cough in patients undergoing surgery: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Fentanyl-induced cough is common but has not been viewed as a serious anesthetic problem. However, the cough may be explosive at times, may require immediate intervention, and may be associated with undesirable increases in intracranial, intraocular, and intra-abdominal pressures. Prevention of fentanylinduced cough in such situations is of paramount importance. Ketamine, at concentrations achieved with standard clinical doses, has a direct relaxant effect on airway smooth muscle. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the effects of ketamine or lidocaine on fentanyl-induced cough. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey. Consecutive adult patients aged 18 to 65 years and classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II who were undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated equally into 3 groups to receive lidocaine 1 mg/kg, ketamine 0.5 µg/kg, or placebo intravenously 1 minute before fentanyl administration. Following intravenous fentanyl (1.5 µg/kg over 2 seconds) injection, an observer, unaware of the type of medication given to the patients, recorded the number of episodes of coughing, if any. Any episode of cough was classified as coughing and graded by investigators blinded to treatment as mild (1-2 coughs), moderate (3-4), or severe (≥5). Blood pressure, heart rate, pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2), and adverse effects (AEs) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 368 patients were approached for inclusion; 300 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. No patients in the ketamine group had cough. The frequency of cough was significantly lower in the lidocaine (11/100 [11%]; P = 0.024) and ketamine (0/100; P = 0.001) groups compared with the placebo group (23/100 [23%]). The intensity of cough was significantly lower in the lidocaine (mild, 7/100 [7%]; moderate, 4/100 [4%]; P = 0.037) and ketamine (0/100; P < 0.001) groups compared with the placebo group (mild, 10/100 [10%]; moderate, 12/100 [12%]; severe, 1/100 [1%]). Severe cough (≥5) was observed in 1 patient in the placebo group. Incidence and intensity of cough were significantly decreased in the ketamine group compared with the lidocaine group (incidence, P = 0.001; intensity, P = 0.003). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, and AEs. CONCLUSION: Intravenous ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the reflex cough induced by fentanyl compared with lidocaine and placebo, and was well tolerated.

Comparison of 3 doses of ropivacaine for epidural anesthesia in transurethral surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of 3 different doses of ropivacaine on the quality of anesthesia and hemodynamics in epidural anesthesia for transurethral surgery. METHODS: The current study was conducted in the Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty of Erciyes University, Turkey, between May 2004 and June 2006. The study recruited 81 males of ASA I- II group, ages 60-80 years, undergoing transurethral resection of prostate or bladder tumors. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups receiving epidural ropivacaine in different doses and concentrations. Group I (n=27) received 15 ml (102.5mg) of 0.75% solution, group II (n=27) received 10 ml (75 mg) of 0.75% solution, and group III (n=27) received 10 ml (50mg) 0.5% ropivacaine. The quality of the blocks and the hemodynamic changes were compared. RESULTS: Motor block was significantly less in group III than in groups I and II. The sensory block level was T6 or more in 55% of patients in group I, 35% in group II, and 21% in group III. The duration of sensory block was less, and the time to achieve the T10 level was greater in group III. Hypotension and bradycardia were more frequent in group I. CONCLUSION: Effective anesthesia with few side effects was obtained with low dose ropivacaine.

Comparison of the effects of dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl on airway reflexes and hemodynamic responses to tracheal extubation during rhinoplasty: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Stimulation of various sites, from the nasal mucosa to the diaphragm, can evoke laryngospasm. To reduce airway reflexes, tracheal extubation should be performed while the patient is deeply anesthetized or with drugs that do not depress ventilation. However, tracheal extubation during rhinoplasty may be difficult because of the aspiration of blood and the possibility of laryngospasm. Dexmedetomidine and fentanyl both have sedative and analgesic effects, but dexmedetomidine has been reported to induce sedation without affecting respiratory status. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on airway reflexes and hemodynamic responses to tracheal extubation in patients undergoing rhinoplasty. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, controlled study was conducted at the Erciyes University Medical Center, Kayseri, Turkey. Patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II who were undergoing elective rhinoplasty between January 2007 and June 2007 with general anesthesia were eligible for study entry. Using a sealed-envelope method, the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups (20 patients per group). Five minutes before extubation, patients received either dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg in 100 mL of isotonic saline or fentanyl 1 µg/kg in 100 mL of isotonic saline intravenously. All patients were extubated by anesthesiologists who were blinded to the study drugs, and all were continuously monitored for 15 minutes after extubation. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry (SpO2) were recorded before anesthesia, after drug administration, after skin incision, at the completion of surgery, and 1, 5, and 10 minutes before and after tracheal extubation. Any prevalence of laryngospasm, bronchospasm, or desaturation was recorded. RESULTS: Forty patients (25 men, 15 women; mean [SD] age, 24.86 [7.43] years) were included in the study. Dexmedetomidine was associated with a significant increase in extubation quality compared with fentanyl, reflected in the prevalence of cough after extubation (85% [17/20] vs 30% [6/20] of patients, respectively; P = 0.001). There were no clinically significant decreases in HR, SBP, DBP, or SpO2 after extubation with dexmedetomidine or fentanyl. In the dexmedetomidine group, HR was not significantly increased after extubation; however, in the fentanyl group, HR was significantly increased compared with the preextubation values (all, P = 0.007). HR was significantly higher in the fentanyl group compared with the dexmedetomidine group at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after extubation (all, P = 0.003). Compared with preextubation values, SBP was significantly increased at 1 and 5 minutes after extubation in the dexmedetomidine group (both, P = 0.033) and at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after extubation in the fentanyl group (all, P = 0.033). The postoperative sedation scores and the extubation, awakening, and orientation times were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In the dexmedetomidine group, bradycardia (HR <45 beats/min) was observed in 2 patients and emesis was observed in 2 patients. In the fentanyl group, emesis was observed in 3 patients, bradycardia in 2 patients, vomiting in 1 patient, and shivering in 1 patient; vertigo was reported in 1 patient. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of adverse events between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The findings in the present study suggest that dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg IV, administered before extubation, was more effective in attenuating airway reflex responses to tracheal extubation and maintaining hemodynamic stability without prolonging recovery compared with fentanyl 1 µg/kg IV in these patients undergoing rhinoplasty.

Propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl combinations for deep sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing burn dressing changes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare propofol-ketamine (PK) and propofol-fentanyl (PF) combinations for deep sedation and analgesia in pediatric burn wound dressing changes. METHODS: Thirty-two ASA physical status II and III inpatients with a second degree total burn surface area ranging from 5% to 25% were studied in a randomized, double blind fashion. Heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and Ramsey sedation scores of all patients were recorded perioperatively. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either PK or PF: PK group (n = 17) received 1 mg.kg(-1) ketamine + 1.2 mg.kg(-1) propofol, and PF group (n = 15) received 1 microg.kg(-1) fentanyl + 1.2 mg.kg(-1) propofol for induction. Additional propofol (0.5-1 mg.kg(-1)) was administered when the patients showed discomfort in both groups. If the patient showed discomfort and/or increase in heart rate or systolic arterial pressure, despite additional propofol dose, additional bolus of 0.5-1 mg.kg(-1) ketamine or 0.5-1 microg.kg(-1) fentanyl was administered. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and sedation scores during the procedure between the groups. Restlessness during the procedure was seen in seven (47%) patients in Group PF and one (5.9%) patient in Group PK (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Both propofol-ketamine and propofol-fentanyl combinations provided effective sedation and analgesia during dressing changes in pediatric burn patients. But propofol-ketamine combination was superior to propofol-fentanyl combination because of more restlessness in patients given propofol-fentanyl.

Propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl for sedation during pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of propofol-ketamine with propofol-fentanyl in pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, double blinded comparison of propofol-ketamine with propofol-fentanyl for sedation in patients undergoing elective UGIE. Ninety ASA I-II, aged 1 to 16-year-old patients were included in the study. Heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate (RR) and Ramsey sedation scores of all patients were recorded perioperatively. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either propofol-ketamine (PK; n = 46) or propofol-fentanyl (PF; n = 44). PK group received 1 mg x kg(-1) ketamine + 1.2 mg x kg(-1) propofol, and PF group received 1 microg x kg(-1) fentanyl + 1.2 mg x kg(-1) propofol for sedation induction. Additional propofol (0.5-1 mg x kg(-1)) was administered when a patient showed discomfort in either group. RESULTS: The number of patients who needed additional propofol in the first minute after sedation induction was eight in Group PK (17%), and 22 in Group PF (50%) (P < 0.01) and those who did not need additional propofol throughout the endoscopy were 14 in Group PK (30%) and three in Group PF (7%) (P < 0.01). HR and RR values after induction in Group PF were significantly lower than Group PK (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both PK and PF combinations provided effective sedation in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE, but the PK combination resulted in stable hemodynamics and deeper sedation though more side effects.

Dexmedetomidine-ketamine and propofol-ketamine combinations for anesthesia in spontaneously breathing pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine-ketamine and propofol-ketamine combinations on hemodynamics, sedation level, and the recovery period in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Children (n = 44) undergoing cardiac catheterization. INTERVENTIONS: The dexmedetomidine plus ketamine group (group 1, n = 22) received an infusion over 10 minutes of 1 microg/kg of dexmedetomidine and ketamine, 1 mg/kg, as a bolus, for induction. The patients then received an infusion of 0.7 microg/kg/h of dexmedetomidine and 1 mg/kg/h of ketamine for maintenance. The propofol plus ketamine group (group 2, n = 22) received 1 mg/kg of propofol and 1 mg/kg of ketamine for induction. The patients received 100 microg/kg/min of propofol and 1 mg/kg/h of ketamine by infusion for maintenance. Additional doses of ketamine, 1 mg/kg, were administered when a patient showed discomfort in both groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic data, respiratory rate, bispectral index, and sedation scores were recorded after induction and every 15 minutes thereafter. The time to reach a Steward recovery score of 6 was recorded. The heart rate in group 1 was significantly lower (average 10-20 beats/min) than group 2 after induction and throughout the procedure. Ketamine consumption in group 1 was significantly more than in group 2 (2.03 mg/kg/h v 1.25 mg/kg/h) for maintenance (p < 0.01). The recovery time was also longer in group 1 than in group 2 (49.54 v 23.16 minutes, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination was not superior to a propofol-ketamine combination because of insufficient sedation and analgesia and a longer recovery time.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a single dose of tropisetron for the prevention of vomiting after strabismus surgery in children.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effect of different doses of tropisetron to prevent postoperative vomiting, which frequently occurs in children following strabismus surgery. METHODS: One hundred twenty-five American Society of Anesthesiologists' classification (ASA) I-II group patients 2-12 years of age were randomized to this prospective, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Patients were placed in groups of 5 and did not receive any premedication. The first group received placebo, and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups received 0.5 mg/m(2), 1 mg/m(2), 1.5 mg/m(2), and 2 mg/m(2) of tropisetron, respectively, following anesthesia induction. The same anesthetic technique and analgesia were used for all groups. The patients were examined for the presence of vomiting and for any complaints and side effects at 2, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative vomiting (POV) was statistically more significant in the placebo group at 2, 6 and 24 hours, when compared to the study groups (p< 0.001), but there was no significant difference among tropisetron groups at 6-24 hours (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of the incidence of POV among the study groups (16%, 16%, 24%, 20% respectively) at all periods (p>0.05). The number of patients with POV score of 3 was 10 in the placebo group, while it was 1, 2, 0 and 1 in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups, respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Tropisetron (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/m(2)) decreased the incidence and severity of POV following strabismus surgery in children. All of the doses seemed to be equally effective. There was no difference in POV control between placebo and any of the doses of the tropisetron after six hours. So we suggest that 0.5 mg/m(2) single-dose tropisetron is enough for preventing POV following strabismus surgery in children.

Close relative intermingled skin allograft and autograft use in the treatment of major burns in adults and children.

Major burns still continue to pose problems of inadequate auto skin closure. Patients suffering severe burns lack adequate skin graft donor site. We present the results of 17 major adult and pediatric burns that we applied close relative intermingled skin allograft and autograft in the course of treatment. The extent of burn injury ranged from 40%-70% total body surface are (TBSA). Seven patients survived and 10 patients died. Mean percent TBSA of the dead and surviving patients were 55.5 +/- 11.16 (range, 40-70) and 55.0 +/- 4.08 (range, 50-60) respectively. Mean age of the dead and surviving patients were 16.1 +/- 13.77 (range, 2-42) and 11.1 +/- 6.74 (range, 2-21), respectively. We present a safe and satisfactory means of effective alternative treatment to resurface major burns in case of limited auto skin graft donor site without exposure to bacteria, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis virus when keratinocyte culture facilities and skin banks are not available.

Single-dose dexmedetomidine reduces agitation and provides smooth extubation after pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine has shown sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects after intravenous (IV) administration. Sevoflurane is associated with a high incidence of emergence agitation in preschool children. In this placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of single dose dexmedetomidine on emergence agitation in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: In a double-blinded trial, 60 children (age 3-7 years) were randomly assigned to receive dexmedetomidine 0.5 microg.kg(-1) IV or placebo, 5 min before the end of surgery. All patients received a standardized anesthetic regimen. For induction and maintenance of anesthesia we used sevoflurane. After surgery, the incidence and severity of agitation was measured 2 h postoperatively. The incidence of untoward airway events after extubation, such as breath holding, severe coughing, or straining were recorded. After surgery, the children's behavior and pain were assessed with a 5-point scale. RESULTS: The agitation and pain scores in the dexmedetomidine group were better than those in the placebo group (P < 0.05). The incidence of severe agitation (a score of 4 or more), and severe pain (a score of 3 or more) were significantly less in the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). The number of severe coughs per patient in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative vomiting was similar in both groups. Times to emergence and extubation were significantly longer in the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 0.5 microg.kg(-1) dexmedetomidine reduces agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Comparison of propofol with propofol-ketamine combination in pediatric patients undergoing auditory brainstem response testing.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare propofol with propofol-ketamine combination for sedation and also to compare related complications in children undergoing auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. METHODS: Sixty ASA I-II patients aged between 1 and 13 years of age were sedated for ABR testing. Propofol 1.5mg/kg was used in group P (n=30), and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg+propofol 1.5 mg/kg, i.v., in group PK (n=30). Sedation levels of patients were maintained between scores 3 and 4 according to Ramsey sedation scores; when necessary, half of the starting drug dosage was administered for the maintenance of sedation. Side effects which occurred during or within the first 24h of the procedure were assessed. RESULTS: Additional dosage was needed for 21 cases in group P and eight cases in group PK (p=0.002). While oxygen desaturation and apnea were not observed in any of the patients in group PK, there were four patients (11.4%) with oxygen desaturation, and six (17.1%) with apnea in group P (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric cases where ABR testing was applied, addition of low dose ketamine to propofol avoided the risk of respiratory depression due to propofol and lowered the need for additional dose of propofol. Therefore, the co-administration of propofol and ketamine appears to be a safe and useful technique for ABR testing.