Comparison between two anatomic landmarks using ultrasonography in spinal anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tuffier's line is the most used anatomic landmark in clinical practice. We aimed to compare the accuracy of Tuffier's line with a landmark that joins the two lowest points of the tenth rib on the flanks with the help of ultrasound. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial was performed with 200 patients aged between 18 and 50. Patients taller than 180 cm or shorter than 150 cm, or with body mass index >30 kg/m2 were excluded. The first anesthesiologist examined Group T according to Tuffier's line and Group R according to the tenth rib line and marked L4-5. Only one anesthesiologist evaluated the marked level with ultrasound for accuracy of the anesthesiologist's examination. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups for demographic and surgical data (p > 0.05). However, we observed a significant difference between the two techniques for success rate (60% in group T vs. 74% in group R) at estimation of correct level (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between success of estimation and patients' demographic data. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the tenth rib line is better than Tuffier's line for accuracy with palpation. However, it must be confirmed by further studies including more than one examiner for palpation and also include different patient populations.

Comparison of the i-gelTM and the Laryngeal Mask Airway ClassicTM in terms of clinical performance / Comparação da máscara laríngea i-gel (i-gelTM) com a máscara laríngea clássica (LMA-ClassicTM) em relação ao desempenho clínico

ABSTRACTPURPOSE: The i-gelTM is one of the second generation supraglottic airway devices. Our study was designed to compare the i-gel and the Laryngeal Mask Airway ClassicTM with respect to the clinical performance.METHODS: We compared the performance of the i-gel with that of the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic in 120 patients undergoing urologic surgery during general anesthesia without muscle relaxant with respect to the number of attempts for successful insertion, insertion time, peak airway pressure, incidence of regurgitation, fiberoptic glottic view and postoperative complications. Second generation supraglottic airway devices were inserted by the same anesthesiologist, experienced in use of both devices (>200 uses and first time failure rate <5%). Methylene blue method was used to detect gastric regurgitation.RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding the success of insertion of second generation supraglottic airway device (p = 0.951). The laryngeal mask insertion time for the i-gel group was significantly shorter than that for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic group (11.6 ± 2.4 s versus 13.1 ± 1.8 s [p = 0.001]). The fiberoptic glottic view scores for the i-gel group was significantly better than that for the ones for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic group (p = 0.001). On fiberoptic view, there was no sign of methylene blue dye at any time point in either group. In addition, there was no difference between the groups in patient response regarding the presence of a sore throat when questioned 24 h after the procedure (p = 0.752).CONCLUSION: Both devices had good performance with low postoperative complications and without occurrence of regurgitation. The i-gel provided a shorter insertion time and a better fiberoptic view than the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic.

RESUMOJUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: A i-gel é um dos dispositivos supraglóticos de segunda geração para o manejo das vias aéreas. Nosso estudo foi projetado para comparar a i-gelTM e a máscara laríngea clássica (Laryngeal Mask Airway ClassicTM, LMA-C) em relação ao desempenho clínico.MÉTODOS: Avaliamos os desempenhos de i-gel e LMA-C em 120 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia urológica sob anestesia geral sem relaxante muscular. Comparamos o número de tentativas de inserção bem-sucedidas, o tempo de inserção, a pressão de pico das vias aéreas, a incidência de regurgitação, a visibilidade da glote com o uso de fibra óptica e as complicações no pós-operatório. Os dispositivos supraglóticos de segunda geração foram inseridos pelo mesmo anestesiologista com experiência na aplicação de ambos os dispositivos (> 200 aplicações e taxa de falha na primeira tentativa < 5%). O corante azul de metileno foi usado para detectar regurgitação gástrica.RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatística entre os dois grupos em relação ao sucesso da inserção do dispositivo supraglótico de segunda geração (p = 0,951). O tempo de inserção da máscara laríngea no grupo i-gel foi significativamente menor do que no grupo LMA-C (11,6 ± 2,4 segundos vs. 13,1 ± 1,8 segundos, p = 0,001). O escore de visibilidade da glote via fibra óptica do grupo i-gel foi significativamente melhor do que o do grupo LMA-C (p = 0,001). Na visão via fibra ótica, sinais do corante azul de metileno não foram observados em qualquer momento em ambos os grupos. Além disso, não houve diferença entre as respostas dos grupos quando perguntados sobre a presença de dor de garganta 24 horas após o procedimento (p = 0,752).CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os dispositivos apresentaram bom desempenho, com poucas complicações no pós-operatório e sem ocorrência de regurgitação. A máscara laríngea i-gel proporcionou um tempo de inserção mais curto e uma visão via fibra óptica melhor do que a LMA-C.

[Comparison of the i-gel™ and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic™ in terms of clinical performance]. / Comparação da máscara laríngea i-gel (i-gel™) com a máscara laríngea clássica (LMA-Classic™) em relação ao desempenho clínico.

PURPOSE: The i-gel™ is one of the second generation supraglottic airway devices. Our study was designed to compare the i-gel and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic™ with respect to the clinical performance. METHODS: We compared the performance of the i-gel with that of the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic in 120 patients undergoing urologic surgery during general anesthesia without muscle relaxant with respect to the number of attempts for successful insertion, insertion time, peak airway pressure, incidence of regurgitation, fiberoptic glottic view and postoperative complications. Second generation supraglottic airway devices were inserted by the same anesthesiologist, experienced in use of both devices (>200 uses and first time failure rate <5%). Methylene blue method was used to detect gastric regurgitation. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding the success of insertion of second generation supraglottic airway device (p=0.951). The laryngeal mask insertion time for the i-gel group was significantly shorter than that for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic group (11.6±2.4s versus 13.1±1.8s [p=0.001]). The fiberoptic glottic view scores for the i-gel group was significantly better than that for the ones for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic group (p=0.001). On fiberoptic view, there was no sign of methylene blue dye at any time point in either group. In addition, there was no difference between the groups in patient response regarding the presence of a sore throat when questioned 24h after the procedure (p=0.752). CONCLUSION: Both devices had good performance with low postoperative complications and without occurrence of regurgitation. The i-gel provided a shorter insertion time and a better fiberoptic view than the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic.

Comparison of the i-gel™ and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic™ in terms of clinical performance.

PURPOSE: The i-gel™ is one of the second generation supraglottic airway devices. Our study was designed to compare the i-gel and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic™ with respect to the clinical performance. METHODS: We compared the performance of the i-gel with that of the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic in 120 patients undergoing urologic surgery during general anesthesia without muscle relaxant with respect to the number of attempts for successful insertion, insertion time, peak airway pressure, incidence of regurgitation, fiberoptic glottic view and postoperative complications. Second generation supraglottic airway devices were inserted by the same anesthesiologist, experienced in use of both devices (>200 uses and first time failure rate <5%). Methylene blue method was used to detect gastric regurgitation. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding the success of insertion of second generation supraglottic airway device (p=0.951). The laryngeal mask insertion time for the i-gel group was significantly shorter than that for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic group (11.6±2.4s versus 13.1±1.8s [p=0.001]). The fiberoptic glottic view scores for the i-gel group was significantly better than that for the ones for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic group (p=0.001). On fiberoptic view, there was no sign of methylene blue dye at any time point in either group. In addition, there was no difference between the groups in patient response regarding the presence of a sore throat when questioned 24h after the procedure (p=0.752). CONCLUSION: Both devices had good performance with low postoperative complications and without occurrence of regurgitation. The i-gel provided a shorter insertion time and a better fiberoptic view than the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic.

Do the patients read the informed consent?

BACKGROUND: Informed consent is a process which consists of informing the patient about the medical interventions planned to be applied to the patient's body and making the patient active in the decision making process. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the patients read the informed consent document or not and if not, to determine why they did not read it. This was achieved via a questionnaire administered at the pre-anaesthetic visit to assess the perception of patients to the informed consent process. STUDY DESIGN: Survey study. METHODS: The patients were given a questionnaire after signing the informed consent document at the pre-anaesthetic visit. We studied whether the patients read the informed consent document or not and asked for their reasons if they did not. RESULTS: A total of 522 patients were included during the two month study (mean age: 38.1 years; 63.8% male, 36.2% female). Overall, 54.8% of patients reported that they did not read the informed consent. Among them, 50.3% did not care about it because they thought they would have the operation anyway, 13.4% did not have enough time to read it, 11.9% found it difficult to understand, 5.9% could not read because they had no glasses with them, and 5.2% found it frightening and gave up reading. Inpatients, older patients and patients with co-morbidities were less likely to read the informed consent document than outpatients, and younger and healthy patients (p<0.05). Also, 57.9% of parents whose children would be operated on had read the document. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the majority of our patients did not understand the importance of the informed consent. It is therefore concluded that informed consent documents should be rearranged to be easily read and should be supported with visual elements such as illustrations or video presentations, as informed consent is a process rather than just simply signing a form.

Comparison of randomized preemptive dexketoprofen trometamol or placebo tablets to prevent withdrawal movement caused by rocuronium injection.

Rocuronium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent which is associated with injection pain and induces withdrawal movement of the injected hand or arm or generalized movements of the body after intravenous injection. The aim of this randomized study was to compare the efficacy of pretreatment with oral dexketoprofen trometamol (Arvelles(®); Group A) with placebo (Group P) without tourniquet to prevent the withdrawal response caused by rocuronium injection. The study cohort comprised 150 American Society of Anaesthesiologists class I-III patients aged 18-75 years who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery with general anesthesia. The patients response to rocuronium was graded using a 4-point scale [0 = no response; 1 = movement/withdrawal at the wrist only, 2 = movement/withdrawal involving the arm only (elbow/shoulder); 3 = generalized response]. The overall incidence of withdrawal movement after rocuronium injection was significantly lower in Group A (30.1 %) than in Group P (64.6 %) (p < 0.001). The incidence of score 0 withdrawal movements was higher in Group A (69.9 %) than in Group P (35.4 %), that of score 1 withdrawal movements was similar between groups (Group A 21.9 %; Group B 26.1 %) (p = 0.560) and that of score 2 withdrawal movements was lower in Group A (8.2 %) than in Group P (38.5 %) (p < 0.001). There were no score 3 withdrawal movements in either group (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that the preemptive administration of dexketoprofen trometamol can attenuate the degree of withdrawal movements caused by the pain of the rocuronium injection.

Comparison of Siccoral® spray, Stomatovis ® gargle, and Strefen ® lozenges on postoperative sore throat.

PURPOSE: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a frequent complication caused by mucosal trauma to the pharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal airway after endotracheal intubation. We compared the effectiveness of Siccoral, Strefen, and Stomatovis treatments in alleviating POST. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial compares the incidence of POST with Strefen lozenges, Siccoral spray, or Stomatovis gargle. Three hundred and twenty American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-III patients undergoing elective genitourinary surgery under general orotracheal anesthesia were randomly allocated to four groups of 80 patients each. In the postoperative awakening unit and during related services, POST was evaluated by a blinded anesthesiologist at 0, 1, 6, and 24 h post extubation. RESULTS: The highest incidence of POST occured at 0 and 1 h post extubation in all groups (P = 0.002 × 10(-7), P = 0.004 × 10(-6), respectively). A significantly lower incidence of POST was observed in Strefen and Siccoral groups at 0 and 1 h compared to Control group (Strefen: P = 0.004 × 10(-2), P = 0.007 × 10(-4); Siccoral: P = 0.003 × 10(-8), P = 0.007 × 10(-5), respectively). A significantly lower incidence of POST was observed with Siccoral treatment at 0 h post extubation (P = 0.002 vs. Strefen treatment). Although POST incidence was not significantly different between the Stomatovis and Control groups, it was lower in the Stomatovis group at 0 and 1 h (P = 0.026 and 0.013, respectively). The incidence of POST was similar in all groups at 6 and 24 h post extubation (P = 0.141 and 0.426, respectively). CONCLUSION: Siccoral and Strefen can be effective in relieving POST in the early hours after extubation.

Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Anaesthesia.

Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by increased activity of GABA in basal ganglia and the loss of dopamine in nigrostriatum, associated with rigidity, resting tremor, gait with accelerating steps, and fixed inexpressive face. Being a neurological disease, spinal anaesthesia is often avoided in Parkinson's. Yet, in Parkinsons' patients, general anaesthesia may mask neurological symptoms in the intraoperative period and exacerbate them postoperatively. Moreover, the drugs administered in general anaesthesia more likely interact with anti-Parkinson drugs and may have side effects. With spinal anaesthesia, unlike general anaesthesia, because muscle relaxants and opioids are avoided, the exacerbation is not going to be masked due to muscle relaxation, and neurological symptoms may be distinguished clinically. In addition, the known effects of spinal anaesthesia, like suppression of surgical stress, postoperative pain relief, and early mobilization, may be advantageous in Parkinson's disease. Treated for Parkinson's disease for about 10 years at the age of 77 and with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical classification III (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease), a female patient was scheduled for elective surgery for fracture of the left distal tibia. In this case, we aimed to report a patient with Parkinson's disease who underwent spinal anaesthesia in order to avoid the disadvantages of general anaesthesia and reviewed the literature.

Anesthetic management of a child with both Marfan syndrome and Turner syndrome.

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant heritable disorder of the connective tissue that involves primarily the skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems. Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder resulting from partial or complete X chromosome monosomy. We report the anesthetic management of a case of Marfan-Turner syndrome, which is the first such case to appear in the literature to our knowledge. A 3 year old ASA III girl was scheduled to undergo minor plastic surgery. She had a short webbed neck, prognathism, micrognathia, low-set ears, and a high palate. Her anterior and posterior facial heights were long. She had growth retardation, pectus excavatum, and joint laxity. She also had high-degree mitral insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse, and an atrial septal defect. After sevoflurane induction, the airway was secured using a size 2 LMA without any difficulty in the spontaneously breathing patient. Her blood pressure was within normal limits, no arrthymia occurred, and anesthesia was uneventful. Special care should be given to syndromic patients. Prior medical evaluations and any prior anesthetic history can help to focus preoperative evaluations and planning. Preoperatively targeting relevant organ systems, any anatomic or laboratory abnormalities that can be optimized, and perioperative airway management are all key to a successful outcome.