Effects of different analgesic methods used for vaginal delivery on mothers and fetuses

Background/aim: Knowledge regarding pain relief during labor remains insufficient. We aimed to determine and compare the effectiveness and safety of epidural analgesia, combined spinal­epidural analgesia, and parenteral meperidine on both mothers and fetuses. Materials and methods: This study was designed as an observational case-control study. We collected prospective data from patients whose labor pain management was conducted with meperidine in addition to retrospective cohort data of neuraxial methods; 138 patients were enrolled. Epidural analgesia group consisted of 68 patients, whereas combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia group and meperidine group consisted of 50 and 20 patients, respectively. We compared the delivery patterns, labor durations, pain levels, side effects, maternal satisfaction levels, and neonatal outcomes of the various pain management methods. Results: Patient demographics, duration of first, second, and third labor stages, and instrumental delivery rates were comparable among groups (P > 0.05). Cesarean section tended to be less frequent in the CSE group. In the meperidine group, visual analog scale (VAS) values and sedation were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and maternal satisfaction lower (P < 0.001). Hypotension tended to be more frequent in the meperidine group. APGAR scores at the 1st and 5th min were similar among the groups and between meperidine subgroups defined by three different administration times (<1 h, 1‒4 h, ≥4 h; P > 0.05). Conclusion: Neuraxial methods had no effect on instrumental delivery rates. CSE represented a near significant risk reduction in cesarean section. Our results demonstrated that regional analgesia methods were reasonably safe for both mother and fetus, and regional analgesia methods resulted in greater maternal satisfaction and pain control compared to meperidine.

Results of genicular nerve ablation by radiofrequency in osteoarthritis-related chronic refractory knee pain

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the medium- to long-term effects of radiofrequency (RF) ablation of genicular nerves for chronic refractory knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent RF ablation of the genicular nerves were evaluated retrospectively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC index), opioid and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use score, quality of life score, and treatment satisfaction score were examined at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure. Results: The mean VAS scores were significantly lower at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month evaluations compared with the preoperative values (P < 0.001). A significant decrease was observed in the WOMAC index compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001). It was found that 66.7% of opioid users and 56.3% of NSAID users stopped using medication. No serious complications were encountered during or after the procedure. Conclusion: In chronic refractory knee pain due to OA, the application of RF ablation to the genicular nerve is an effective and safe treatment option in the medium to long term.

Greater occipital nerve block in migraine prophylaxis: Narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: The importance and popularity of peripheral nerve block procedures have increased in the treatment of migraine. Greater occipital nerve (GON) block is a commonly used peripheral nerve block method, and there are numerous researches on its use in migraine treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of PubMed for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCT) and open studies on greater occipital nerve block between 1995 and 2018 was performed using greater occipital nerve, headache, and migraine as keywords. RESULTS: In total, 242 potentially relevant PubMed studies were found. A sum of 228 of them which were non-English articles and reviews, case reports, letters and meta-analyses were excluded. The remaining articles were reviewed, and 14 clinical trials, seven of which were randomized-controlled on greater occipital nerve block in migraine patients, were identified and reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Although clinicians commonly use greater occipital nerve block in migraine patients, the procedure has yet to be standardized. The present study reviewed the techniques, drugs and dosages, the frequency of administration, side effects, and efficacy of greater occipital nerve block in migraine patients.

Increased heart rate on first day in Intensive Care Unit is associated with increased mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of maximum HR during the first day of intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality. METHODS: Data of 850 patients over 45 years of age, who were hospitalized in ICU, was retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups; Group-I, patients with maximum HR<100/min Group-II, patients with maximum HR≥100/min on first day. The groups were compared regarding age, sex, use of beta-blockers, use of inotropic and vasopressor drugs, hemodynamic parameters, anemia, mechanical ventilation, length of hospitalization (ICU and total), mortality (ICU and total), and CHARLSON & APACHE-II scores. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 63±12 years and 86% were after non-cardiac surgery. Maximum HR was 83±11 in Group-I and 115±14/min in Group-II (p=0.002). Group-II patients had more frequent vasopressor and inotropic drugs usage, (p<0.001), anemia, mechanical ventilation (p<0.005), higher CHARLSON & APACHE-II scores, stayed longer in ICU and hospital, and had higher ICU and hospital mortality compared to group-I (p<0.05). APACHE-II scores and maximum HR<100/min were independent variables predicting ICU mortality in multivariate logistic regression analysis whereas usage of beta-blockers was not. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that maximum HR less than100/minute during the first day of ICU is associated with decreased mortality in Intensive Care Unit.

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.

Epistaxis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the nasal vestibule: is it a cause or consequence?

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between epistaxis and nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in a population of patients with recurrent epistaxis. A total of 361 men and women were recruited, 245 patients with epistaxis (114 had crusting in the nasal vestibule; 131 did not) and 116 control subjects. A microbiology swab was taken from the anterior nasal cavity of each subject. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be more common in the epistaxis group when compared with the control group with a percentage of 31.8% and 4.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the prevalence of S. aureus between the crust and non-crust groups (P > 0.05). When positive cultures were grouped and compared according to season, it was observed that the positive culture with epistaxis was much higher (44.82 %) in the autumn period. Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the nasal vestibule is more likely to be observed in individuals who have recurrent epistaxis than in those who do not have. It seems that this colonization may have a role in the etiology of epistaxis. However, with an altered medium of the nasal vestibule after each epistaxis period, it is also possible to speculate that this colonization is may be the consequence of epistaxis itself.