To evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of bilateral erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in open cardiac surgeries approached through midline sternotomy.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block in mitigating postoperative pain has been shown for a range of thoracic and abdominal procedures. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating its impact on postoperative analgesia as well as its influence on weaning and subsequent recovery in comparison to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in median sternotomy-based approach for open-cardiac surgeries and hence the study. METHODS: Irrespective of gender or age, 74 adult patients scheduled to undergo open cardiac surgery were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: the Group TEA (thoracic epidural block) and the Group ESP (bilateral Erector Spinae Plane block). The following variables were analysed prospectively and compared among the groups with regard to pain control, as determined by the VAS Scale both at rest (VASR) and during spirometry (VASS), time to extubation, quantity and frequency of rescue analgesia delivered, day of first ambulation, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and any adverse cardiac events (ACE), respiratory events (ARE), or other events, if pertinent. RESULTS: Clinical and demographic variables were similar in both groups. Both groups had overall good pain control, as determined by the VAS scale both at rest (VASR) and with spirometry (VASS) with Group ESP demonstrating superior pain regulation compared to Group TEA during the post-extubation period at 6, 9, and 12 h, respectively (P > 0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the postoperative mean rescue analgesic doses utilised in both groups were comparable, but there was a higher frequency requirement in Group TEA. The hemodynamic and respiratory profiles were comparable, except for a few arrhythmias in Group TEA. With comparable results, early recovery, fast-track extubation, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The ESP block has been found to have optimal analgesic effects during open cardiac surgery, resulting in a decreased need for additional analgesic doses and eliminating the possibility of a coagulation emergency. Consequently, it presents itself as a safer alternative to the potentially invasive thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).

Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm due to femur exostosis.

Vascular complications of femur exostoses are rare, with popliteal pseudoaneurysm being the most common. After establishing the diagnosis, surgical treatment is mandatory. A 35-year-old woman presented with a painful pulsatile swelling in the lower medial aspect of the left thigh. Investigations revealed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the left popliteal artery adjacent to femur exostoses. Skeletal survey revealed multiple exostoses involving the upper and lower limbs. Surgical excision of the pseudoaneurysm was followed by ePTFE patch repair of the defect and excision of the exostoses. The patient was discharged after 5 days and followed up for 6 months with excellent results.

Mediastinal bronchogenic cyst compressing left recurrent laryngeal nerve.

A 15-year-old boy developed recurrent laryngeal nerve compression by a bronchogenic cyst, causing recurrent choking. Bronchogenic cyst compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve is unusual. The patient had a normal voice and occasional choking with periods of normalcy in between. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed and cyst was excised. Histopathology revealed bronchogenic cyst.

Vascular injuries after bear attacks: Incidence, surgical challenges and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Bear mauling is rarely reported in medical literature due to its rare occurrence. Present study was undertaken to describe the pattern and management of bear maul vascular injuries in Kashmir. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study of patients with bear maul vascular injury from 1(st) Jan 2004 to 31(st) Dec. 2008. Fifteen patients with bear maul vascular injury were studied. All patients of bear maul without vascular injury were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Most of the patients were treated by reverse saphenous vein graft or end to end anastomosis. Most common complication was wound infection (20%) followed by graft occlusion (13.33%). There was no operative death. CONCLUSION: Bear attacks are very common in Kashmir. Vascular injury due to bear maul needs prompt resuscitation and revascularization. Results are very good provided timely intervention for revascularization is done.

Vascular injuries caused by tear gas shells: surgical challenge and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Tear gas shells are used to disperse the mob during any type of street protests. Vascular injuries due to tear gas shells have not been reported. The present study was undertaken to analyse the pattern, presentation, management and outcome of vascular injury due to tear gas shells. METHODS: Eighteen patients with vascular injury caused by tear gas shells from 1(st) Jan. 2008 to 31(st) Dec 2009 were studied. Patients with vascular injuries caused by causes other than tear gas shells were excluded from the study. RESULTS: All patients were treated with reverse saphenous vein graft as segmental loss was less than 2.5 cm. Wound infection was the most common complication, followed by graft occlusion. Amputation rate was 16.66%. Associated nerve injury occurred in 44.44% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Tear gas shell injuries should not be taken lightly. They can cause injuries as serious as vascular injuries. Vascular injuries cased by tear gas shells require prompt revascularisation to improve limb salvage. Despite proper revascularisation, patients have significant morbidity and need proper rehabilitation in the follow ups.

Missile vascular injuries: 19-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Missile vascular injuries have reached an epidemic proportion in Kashmir valley since the eruption of militancy. The present study was undertaken to analyze the mode, pattern, presentation, and management of missile vascular injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with missile vascular injury from January 1990 to October 2008 was undertaken. Five hundred eighty patients with missile vascular injury were studied. All patients with vascular injury due to causes other than missiles were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Most of the patients were treated by interpositional saphenous vein graft or end-to-end anastomosis. The most common complication was wound infection (22.7%) followed by graft occlusion (3.8%). The amputation rate was 3.3% and was higher in patients with a delay of >6 hours to revascularization and associated fractures. CONCLUSION: Missile vascular injury requires prompt resuscitation and revascularization. Preoperative angiography is seldom necessary. Doppler study may sometimes be needed to aid in the diagnosis.

Popliteal artery embolism by Ascaris lumbricoides: a case report.

Arterial occlusive diseases are highly prevalent and constitute the leading overall cause of death. Adverse events are due to the effects of impaired circulation on critical end organs, namely the brain, heart, abdominal viscera or extremities. Acute thromboembolism remains a major surgical challenge. Even with optimal surgical management, acute lower extremity ischemia resulting from thromboembolic ds continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of thromboembolism of the left popliteal artery by an Ascaris worm in a patient with oriental cholangiohepatitis.