Effect of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block on neuroendocrine stress response and postoperative analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing elective open pyeloplasty - A randomised clinical trial.

Background and Aims: Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a compartmental block of the anterior abdominal wall. Surgical trauma produces neuroendocrine surgical stress responses, which are modified by anaesthetic blocks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound (US)-guided QLB on analgesia and surgical neuroendocrine stress response in paediatric patients undergoing pyeloplasty. Methods: A randomised trial was conducted in 60 children aged 1-7 years undergoing elective open pyeloplasty. Patients were randomised into Group QLB [US-guided QLB with 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine after induction of general anaesthesia (GA)], and Group GA, which received only GA. Perioperative haemodynamic parameters, serum cortisol, blood glucose, analgesic consumption and postoperative FLACC scores were recorded. Unpaired t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare variables between the two groups. Two-way analysis of variance or the Friedmann test was used to compare quantitative variables at various points within a group. Results: A decrease in serum cortisol and blood glucose values was observed in Group QLB at 30 min after surgical incision and 24 h after surgery compared to the preoperative value and compared to Group GA (P < 0.05). The quality of analgesia assessed by the FLACC scale was significantly better in group QLB. Dose of fentanyl consumption (µg/kg) was higher in Group GA compared to Group QLB in the intraoperative and postoperative period (P < 0.05). Conclusion: QLB is effective as part of multimodal analgesia and attenuates the neuroendocrine stress in paediatric patients undergoing open pyeloplasty.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) vs One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) in Patients with Super-Super Obesity (BMI ≥ 60 kg/m2).

INTRODUCTION: The data comparing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) in patients with BMI ≥ 60 kg/m2 is scarce. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of patients with BMI ≥ 60 kg/m2 undergoing LSG or OAGB from January 2008 until June 2022 was analyzed retrospectively. Weight loss outcomes, impact on comorbidities, and complications were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients underwent LSG and 13 patients underwent OAGB. The median age and BMI were 37 (34-44) years and 63 (61.3-64.6) kg/m2 respectively. Both the groups had similar baseline demographic parameters. The percentage excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) was statistically similar in LSG and OAGB groups at 1 year (46.2% vs 46.1%), 3 years (52.9% vs 56.7%), and 5 years (51.1% vs 62.3%). The percentage excess BMI regain was lower (although statistically similar) following OAGB at 3 years (5.3% vs 0.1%) and 5 years (12.9% vs 4.4%). OAGB was found to correlate positively with weight loss and negatively with weight regain (p > 0.05). There was one 30-day mortality due to postoperative lower respiratory infection in the LSG group. CONCLUSION: OAGB has a trend towards better weight loss outcomes as compared to LSG in patients with a BMI ≥ 60 kg/m2 with lesser complication rates and might be a preferred option. LSG also has acceptable weight loss and should be considered a standalone procedure if OAGB is not feasible technically.

End-expiratory Occlusion Test and Mini-fluid Challenge Test for Predicting Fluid Responsiveness in Acute Circulatory Failure.

Introduction: Predicting which patients with acute circulatory failure will respond to the fluid by an increase in cardiac output is a daily challenge. End-expiratory occlusion test (EEOT) and mini-fluid challenge (MFC) can be used for assessing fluid responsiveness in patients with spontaneous breathing activity, cardiac arrhythmias, low-tidal volume and/or low lung compliance. Methods: The objective of the study is to evaluate the value of EEOT and MFC-induced rise in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocity time integral (VTI) in predicting fluid responsiveness in acute circulatory failure in comparison to the passive leg-raising (PLR) test. Hundred critically ill ventilated and sedated patients with acute circulatory failure were studied. LVOT VTI was measured by transthoracic echocardiography before and after EEOT (interrupting the ventilator at end-expiration over 15 s), and before and after MFC (100 ml of Ringer lactate was infused over 1 min). The variation of LVOT VTI after EEOT and the MFC was calculated from the baseline. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of LVOT VTI after EEOT and MFC to predict fluid responsiveness were determined. Results: After PLR, stroke volume (SV) increased by ≥12% in 49 patients, who were defined as responders and 34 patients in whom the increase in SV <12% were defined as nonresponders. A cutoff of 9.1% Change in VTI after MFC (ΔVTIMFC) predicted fluid responsiveness with an AUROC of 0.96 (P < 0.001) with sensitivity and specificity of 91.5% and 88.9%, respectively. Change in VTI after EEOT (ΔVTIEEOT) >4.3% predicted fluid responsiveness with sensitivity and specificity 89.4% and 88.9%, respectively, with an AUROC of 0.97 (P < 0.001), but in 17 patients, EEOT was not possible because triggering of the ventilator by the patient's inspiratory effort. Conclusion: In conclusion, in mechanically ventilated patients with acute circulatory failure Δ VTIMFC and Δ VTI EEOT accurately predicts fluid responsiveness.

Comparative evaluation of isoflurane and desflurane for postoperative cognitive decline in elderly patients: A prospective observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 16%-62% of patients undergoing non cardiac surgeries develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction. We compared the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older adults aged 60-80 years who underwent open abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia using isoflurane or desflurane and correlated it with the serum concentration of interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, amyloid ß and S100 on postoperative day 3. METHOD: Forty American Association of Anesthesiologists Physical Classification I or II patients were included after acquiring institutional ethics committee approval, registering in the Clinical Trials Registry - India, and informed written consent. They underwent open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia and epidurals between 2017 and 2019. Patients with substance abuse or any disorder affecting cognition were excluded. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was assessed by Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail making test - B, Porteus Maze test, PGI memory scale, mini-mental state examination, and Bender Gestalt test the day before surgery and on the third postoperative day along with blood samples. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of the patients developed postoperative cognitive dysfunction. The risk was similar to isoflurane in comparison with desflurane (risk ratio: 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.30, 1.40). A significant percentage increase in reaction time for Porteus Maze test and Trail making test - B was noted with isoflurane (6.69 (4.20-8.94) and 8.01 (2.08-12.5), respectively) in comparison with desflurane group (13.01 (9.09-17.33), p = 0.003 and 11.62 (7.5-17.5), p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: Isoflurane and desflurane had a similar impact on the elderly for developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction and no correlation with any of the biomarkers used in the study on postoperative day 3.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy guided mapping of frontal cortex, a novel modality for assessing emergence delirium in children: A prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite an 18%-30% prevalence, there is no consensus regarding pathogenesis of emergence delirium after anesthesia in children. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an optical neuroimaging modality that relies on blood oxygen level-dependent response, translating to a mean increase in oxyhemoglobin and a decrease in deoxyhemoglobin. We aimed to correlate the emergence delirium in the postoperative period with the changes in the frontal cortex utilizing fNIRS reading primarily and also with blood glucose, serum electrolytes, and preoperative anxiety scores. METHODS: A total of 145 ASA I and II children aged 2-5 years, undergoing ocular examination under anesthesia, were recruited by recording the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Score after acquiring the Institute Ethics Committee approval and written informed parental consent. Induction and maintenance were done with O2, N2O, and Sevoflurane. The emergence delirium was assessed using the PAED score in the postoperative period. The frontal cortex fNIRS recordings were taken throughout anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 59 children (40.7%) had emergence delirium. The ED+ group had a significant activation left superior frontal cortex (t = 2.26E+00; p = .02) and right middle frontal cortex (t = 2.27E+00; p = .02) during induction, significant depression in the left middle frontal (t = -2.22E+00; p = .02), left superior frontal and bilateral medial (t = -3.01E+00; p = .003), right superior frontal and bilateral medial (t = -2.44E+00; p = .015), bilateral medial and superior (t = -3.03E+00; p = .003), and right middle frontal cortex (t = -2.90E+00; p = .004) during the combined phase of maintenance, and significant activation in cortical activity in the left superior frontal cortex (t = 2.01E+00; p = .0047) during the emergence in comparison with the ED- group. CONCLUSION: There is significant difference in the change in oxyhemoglobin concentration during induction, maintenance, and emergence in specific frontal brain regions between children with and without emergence delirium.

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) vs Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) for Remission of T2DM in Patients with Morbid Obesity: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Majority of the studies comparing Roux en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) are non-randomized. Moreover, few randomized studies have focussed on weight loss as the primary outcome rather than the impact on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This randomized trial compared OABG over RYGB with the hypothesis that OAGB is not inferior to RYGB in terms of remission of T2DM. METHODS: This was an open-labelled, randomized trial in which patients having a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 with T2DM were included. The primary outcome was the remission of T2DM. RESULTS: In the study, 25 and 24 patients were recruited in OAGB and RYGB groups respectively. The remission rates of T2DM were similar at all timelines. The highest rate was achieved at 1 year (86.36% vs 85.71%) for both the groups and a 4-year remission rate of (72.22% vs 71.43%), for OAGB vs RYGB respectively. The % EWL was also comparable with the highest rate achieved again at 1 year (69.23% vs 66.67%) and a 4-year rate of (58.33% vs 53.33%), for OAGB vs RYGB respectively. Remission of other co-morbidities, major and minor complication rate, re-admission rate, and nutritional issues were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: OAGB is non-inferior to RYGB in terms of remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus, weight loss, and early and late complications with a shorter operating time.

Impact of intravenous dexamethasone on the initiation and recovery of atracurium in children: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic steroid intake has been associated with attenuation of neuromuscular block. Despite some promising animal and adult studies, the effect of a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone on neuromuscular blockers is not well established. Thus, the present study aimed to demonstrate the effect of dexamethasone given at the time of induction for the prevention of PONV on the action of neuromuscular blockers in children undergoing elective surgery. METHOD: After obtaining approval from the Institute Ethics Committee and written informed parental consent, 100 ASA I and II children aged 4-15 years undergoing elective surgery randomized to receive either: 0.15 mg/kg (maximum of 5 mg) of dexamethasone diluted to a total volume of 2 ml with 0.9% saline (n = 50) or 2 ml of 0.9% saline (n = 50) at the time of induction. The time interval between application of atracurium and maximum T1 depression, 25% twitch height recovery of T1, amid 25% and 75% twitch height recovery of T1, amid the 25% twitch height recovery of T1 and recovery of the neuromuscular block to a TOF ratio of 0.9, and in between the initiation of atracurium injection till the recovery of the neuromuscular block to a TOF ratio of 0.9 was defined as onset time, clinical duration, recovery index, recovery time, and total recovery period, respectively, and recorded. RESULTS: The onset time and recovery index time were lower (1.96 ± 0.39, 8.04 ± 2.14, respectively) with dexamethasone in comparison with saline (2.01 ± 0.51, 8.9 ± 3.4, respectively) but not statistically significant. The clinical duration, recovery time, and total recovery period were similar. CONCLUSION: Application of a single bolus dose (0.15 mg/kg) of dexamethasone during induction does not attenuate atracurium-induced neuromuscular blockade in children.

VATS cardiac sympathetic denervation for ventricular arrhythmias: initial experience in a tertiary care centre.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a useful therapeutic option for patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) refractory to anti-arrhythmic agents and/or catheter ablation. However, the experience is mostly limited to non-structural heart disease in paediatric patients. The advent of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with its reduced morbidity has encouraged the use of VATS CSD in patients with structural heart disease. In this series, we report the surgical and cardiac outcomes of VATS-guided CSD in four patients who presented with electrical storm in the setting of different structural cardiomyopathies. Four patients underwent VATS-guided CSD at our centre during the period 2019-2021 after failure of conventional medical and/or ablative treatment for the management of refractory VAs. All four patients presented with electrical storm with different cardiomyopathies including ischaemic (post-acute myocardial infarction) and non-ischaemic aetiologies (sarcoidosis, non-specific right ventricular cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy). A combined total of 349 implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks were registered in the 4 weeks preceding the procedure with mean shocks of 87 per patient. All four patients successfully underwent CSD through the VATS approach with no operative mortality or any major surgical morbidity. All patients had resolution of electrical storms with 75% of patients remaining free of ICD shocks at a mean follow-up of 14.87 months. One patient who remained free of ICD shocks and recurrent VAs died at 23 months after the procedure due to progressive heart failure and complications. VATS CSD is a safe and effective complementary therapeutic modality in patients with life-threatening refractory VAs and electrical storms irrespective of the underlying substrate. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-022-01361-y.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Ascertain the Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Regional Anaesthesia Practices Amongst Anaesthesiologists of India.

Background and aims Regional anaesthesia has been advocated as a preferred modality during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­19) pandemic, but pursuing regional anaesthesia during COVID-19 is challenging. Our cross-sectional survey aimed to analyze the challenges in conducting regional anaesthesia and the alterations in practices imposed by the COVID­19 pandemic across the nation. Material and methods The questionnaire was validated by seven experts. Following ethical approval and trial registration, this Google Forms-based survey was circulated to anaesthesiologists across the country via emails over 3 months (April 2021 to June 2021). Weekly reminders were sent to the non-responders till the desired sample size was attained, after which the survey was closed and responses were analyzed. Results Five hundred and thirty-two of 1100 anaesthesiologists completed the survey (48.3% response rate). Among the 532 respondents, 65.8% reported an increase in the use of regional anaesthesia due to the pandemic, with 77.4% reporting a change in practice. Almost 90% of the respondents used a dedicated operation theatre for all infected patients. Most respondents (75%) used disposable plastic drapes (75%) and full personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19-positive patients during the procedure. However, using PPE resulted in poor vision due to fogging and multiple attempts and increased performance duration. Most respondents (74.4%) used gloves to maintain ultrasound probe sterility, while many other respondents (65.7%) used a sterile camera cover for the same. Many respondents ordered inflammatory markers during preoperative evaluation. Conclusion The present survey revealed that there was increased utilization of regional anaesthesia with increased utilization of PPE, sterility routines, and ordering of investigations. The use of PPE led to many challenges while performing regional anaesthesia. However, many deviations were identified from the accepted recommendations, and one needs to be aware of proper practices to achieve optimal patient outcomes and provider safety.

Comparison of three-dimensional (3D) endovision system versus ultra-high-definition 4K endovision system in minimally invasive surgical procedures: a randomized-open label pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Experimental work comparing 3-Dimensional (3D) and 4K ultra-high-definition endovision system (4K) indicates that the latter with double the resolution of standard 2D high-definition systems may provide additional visual cues to compensate for the lack of stereoscopic vision. There is paucity of studies comparing 3D and 4K system in clinical settings. This randomized study compares 3D and 4K systems in three laparoscopic procedures of increasing complexity. METHODS: 139 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (60 patients), transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair (49 patients) and laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy with anti- reflux procedure (30 patients) between May 2018 and February 2020 were randomized to undergo surgery using either 3D or 4K systems. Primary objective was to measure total operative time. Secondary objectives were to compare workload perceived by surgeons using SURG-TLX and surgeon satisfaction score. Timings of key surgical steps and peri-operative course of the patients was also recorded. Data were analyzed using Stata Corp. 2015. RESULTS: Patients undergoing surgery with 3D and 4K systems were comparable in their clinical and demographic profiles. The mean total operative time in 3D and 4K groups was comparable in cholecystectomy (52.7 vs 56.2, p = 0.50), TAPP (63.8 vs 69.6, p = 0.25) and Heller's cardiomyotomy (124.7 vs 143.3, p = 0.14) with faster hiatal dissection in 3D group (8 min, p = 0.02). Operative time was better in patients undergoing Heller's myotomy with Angle of His accentuation with 3D by 28 min (p = 0.03). Total workload was similar in 3D and 4K groups in all the procedures but mental & physical demand was lower in 3D group in Heller's cardiomyotomy (p = 0.03, p = 0.01), Surgeon satisfaction score was comparable in all three procedures. CONCLUSION: Overall, 3D HD and 4K systems are comparable in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, TAPP and Heller's Cardiomyotomy. Hiatal dissection time, mental and physical task load was better with 3D in Heller's Cardiomyotomy.

Comparison of Serum Nucleosomes and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) in Predicting Mortality in Adult Critically Ill Patients in Sepsis: Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to dysregulated host response to infection. Timely identification is important for risk reduction and better outcomes in critically ill patients. Nucleosomes and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) are the biomarkers whose validity and utility in predicting organ dysfunction and mortality in sepsis have been proven. However, which biomarker among these two has better predictive value in elucidating disease severity, organ dysfunction, and mortality in sepsis is yet to be answered, and further studies are needed. Methods: Eighty patients with sepsis/septic shock, aged between 18 and 75 years admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) were recruited in this prospective observational trial. Quantification of serum nucleosomes and TIMP1 was done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) within 24 hours of diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock. The primary outcome was to compare the predictability of nucleosomes and TIMP1 in estimating sepsis mortality. Results: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for TIMP1 and nucleosomes to discriminate between survivors and non-survivors were 0.70 [95% Confidence interval (CI), 0.58-0.81] and 0.68 (0.56-0.80), respectively. Although independent, TIMP1 and nucleosomes have statistically significant capacity to discriminate between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively), superiority of one biomarker over the other in discriminating between survivors and non-survivors was not observed. Conclusion: The median values of each biomarker showed statistically significant differences between survivors and non-survivors, superiority of one biomarker over other in predicting mortality was not observed. However, this was an observational study and larger studies are needed in the future to validate the findings of this study. How to cite this article: Rai N, Khanna P, Kashyap S, Kashyap L, Anand RK, Kumar S. Comparison of Serum Nucleosomes and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) in Predicting Mortality in Adult Critically Ill Patients in Sepsis: Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(7):804-810.

Safety and Efficacy of Low-dose Selective Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine and Fentanyl as Compared to Intravenous Sedation and Port-Site Infiltration for Outpatient Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Selective spinal anesthesia has been safely applied for short-duration outpatient gynecological laparoscopic procedure. However, this anesthesia technique is often inadequate and not tolerated by awake patients due to pneumoperitoneum and visceral manipulation. Aims: We aimed to conduct a study to compare spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine, fentanyl, and i.v. sedation with i.v. sedation and laparoscopic port-site infiltration with local anaesthetic in outpatient laparoscopic tubal ligation procedures. Settings and Design: 100 female patients posted for elective surgeries were recruited for a prospective single blind randomised control trial in a tertiary care center in two groups. Materials and Methods: In Group S, patients receive intrathecal 3 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% plus 20 microgram fentanyl along with intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl at 1µg.kg-1.h-1 and in Group C i.v. fentanyl at 1µg.kg-1.h-1 along with laparoscopic port site infiltration with 0.5% bupivacaine. Postoperatively, overall patient satisfaction, visual analog score (VAS) score, duration of motor blockade, sensory blockade, and time to attain discharge criteria and any adverse. Statistical Analysis: Continuous variables between the groups were compared by the independent t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum. Chi-square and Fisher exact test used for the categorical value. Results: Overall VAS was significantly lower and patient satisfaction was higher in Group S than Group C. Time to oral intake was significantly prolonged in Group C 126.33 (±29.54) compared to group S 110.81 (±29.54). The requirement of total rescue analgesia (fentanyl) was significantly higher in Group C 2.0 (±0.6) µg.kg-1 compared to group S 0.79 (±0.53) µg.kg-1. Incidence of postoperative nausea vomiting (PONV) was significantly greater in Group C while incidence of pruritus was significantly greater in Group S. Conclusion: Low-dose intrathecal anesthesia with 3 mg bupivacaine and 20 µg fentanyl provided better analgesia, patient satisfaction and with less opioids consumption.

Impact of bariatric surgery on carotid intima-medial thickness and cardiovascular risk: results of a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of bariatric surgery on atherosclerosis is a relatively less studied subject. Obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis and risk of CVD, has been found to be associated with obesity. Recent literature has shown that there is significant reduction in CIMT following bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on CIMT and risk of CVD in an Indian population. METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary referral centre in India. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery from December 2017 to September 2019 were included. CIMT measurements and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA)-pooled cohort CVD risk scores were done before and at 6 months and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled, of which 70% were females. Mean age was 40.8 ± 10.7 years. Mean pre-operative weight and mean BMI were 115.2 ± 21.9 kg and 45.9 ± 6.5 kg/m2, respectively. Patients who completed 12-month follow-up were considered for analysis of outcomes. There was significant reduction in BMI to 33.1 ± 5.7 kg/m2 at 12 months after surgery (p < 0.0001). Mean CIMT reduced significantly from 0.58 ± 0.08 mm at baseline to 0.52 ± 0.10 mm at 12 months. Lipid profile, fasting blood sugar and HbA1C also improved, which resulted in reduction of lifetime and 10-year CVD risk from 42.3 to 26% and 4 to 1.5%, respectively, at 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery results in significant reduction in CIMT and CVD risk in patients with morbid obesity.

Surgical management of super-super obesity with grade III esophageal varices and liver cirrhosis: The ultimate challenge.

The risk of complications after bariatric surgery is high in morbidly obese patients suffering from liver cirrhosis along with moderate to severe portal hypertension. Esophageal varices are even considered as a contraindication for bariatric surgery by many surgeons. We report the case of a 40-year-old gentleman with a body mass index of 65.3 kg/m2 , with multiple comorbidities including type 2 diabetes mellitus, severe obstructive sleep apnea. On evaluation, he had Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension along with grade III esophageal varices and splenomegaly. After adequate optimization, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. The patient is doing well at a follow up of 12 months with an adequate weight loss and resolution of comorbidities. Sleeve gastrectomy can be performed in a morbidly obese Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension and esophageal varices with proper counseling regarding more than usual risk for morbidity and mortality.

Should Surveillance Endoscopy Be Routine After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass to Detect Marginal Ulcers: Initial Outcomes in a Tertiary Referral Centre.

PURPOSE: Encouraged by the excellent outcomes of one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) reported by many authors, we added this procedure to our bariatric armamentarium in 2015. Here we present our initial experience of 68 cases and findings from routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of a single surgical unit in a tertiary referral centre. Patients undergoing OAGB from January 2015 to May 2019 were included. A fixed biliopancreatic (BP) limb length of 200 cm was used in all patients. Surveillance endoscopy was done at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients, of whom 67.6% were females, were analysed. Mean age was 40.8 ± 1 years. Mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 131 ± 24.7 kg and 51 ± 7 kg/m2, respectively. Median follow-up was 23 months (range 9-55 months), with 88% follow-up at 6 months and 1 year. At 1 year, mean total weight loss (TWL) and excess weight loss (EWL) were 35% and 71%, respectively. Endoscopy at 1 year revealed a 9.5% rate of marginal ulcers, majority of which healed with conservative treatment. Eighty-eight percent patients had complete remission of diabetes, and 94% had complete remission of hypertension. There was no 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: OAGB is a safe and effective bariatric procedure with excellent short-term outcomes in terms of weight loss, resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities and complications. Routine surveillance endoscopy at 1 year may detect asymptomatic marginal ulcers and, thus, prevent ulcer-related complications.

Analgesic efficacy and spread of local anesthetic in ultrasound-guided paravertebral, pectoralis II, and serratus anterior plane block for breast surgeries: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) has become the gold standard to provide postoperative analgesia in breast surgery. Recently, ultrasound-guided (USG) pectoralis (PECS) block and serratus anterior plane (SAP) block have been described as an alternative to TPVB. The objectives were to compare TPVB, PECS, and SAP block in terms of analgesic efficacy and the spread of local anesthetic by ultrasound imaging, correlating it with the sensory blockade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective randomized interventional study conducted in 45 ASA grades I-II patients scheduled for the elective breast surgery. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups, i.e., Gr.1 (USG -TPVB) (ropivacaine 0.375% 20 ml), Gr.2 (USG-PECS II) block (ropivacaine 0.375% 30 ml), and Gr.3 (USG-SAP) (ropivacaine 0.375% 30 ml). Spread of the local anesthetics was seen with ultrasound imaging. Onset of sensory blockade, postoperative fentanyl consumption, and pain scores was measured. RESULTS: TPVB and SAP group had comparatively higher spread and sensory block compared to PECS group. Postoperative fentanyl requirement (mean ± SD) was 428.33 ± 243.1 µg, 644.67 ± 260.15 µg, and 415 ± 182.44 µg in the TPVB group, PECS II group, and SAP group, respectively. SAP group had significantly lesser requirement than PECS II group (P = 0.028) but similar requirement as in TPVB group (P = 1.0). Pain scores were not significantly different among the group in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: TPVB and SAP group result in a greater spread of the drug and provide equivalent analgesia and are superior to the PECS II block in providing analgesia for breast surgeries. SAP block is easier to perform than TPVB with lesser chances of complications and results in faster onset.

Transforaminal Epidural Injection of Local Anesthetic and Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in Lumbar Radicular Pain: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Active-Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar radicular pain (LRP) results from inflammation and irritation of lumbar spinal nerves and the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). METHODS: Our study is a prospective, triple-blind, randomized, activecontrol trial (CTRI/2016/02/006666) comparing transforaminal epidural local anesthetic (LA) injection and pulsed radiofrequency treatment of DRG in patients with chronic LRP. Patients with LRP after failed conservative management for >3 months received selective diagnostic nerve root block with 1 mL 2% lidocaine. Fifty patients showing positive responses were divided into groups of 25 each. The LA group received transforaminal epidural injection of 1 mL 0.5% bupivacaine. The lumbar pulsed radiofrequency (LPRF) group received transforaminal epidural injection of 1 mL 0.5% bupivacaine with 3 cycles of pulsed radiofrequency of the DRG for 180 seconds RESULTS: Both groups were compared by observing pain intensity on a 0- to 100-point VAS and improvement in functional status by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI version 2.0) at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. All baseline variables were comparable between the 2 groups. Statistically significant reduction in both outcomes was seen in the LPRF group compared to the LA group from 2 weeks to 6 months. One hundred percent of patients in the LPRF group had a ≥20- point decrease in VAS and significant percentage reduction in ODI at all time intervals up to 6 months, whereas it was seen in 80% and 28% of patients in the LA group at 3 and 6 months, respectively. No complications were seen in any patients CONCLUSION: Pulsed radiofrequency of the DRG applied for longer duration results in long-term pain relief and improvement in the functional quality of life in patients with chronic LRP.

Comparison of caudal epidural block with paravertebral block for renal surgeries in pediatric patients: A prospective randomised, blinded clinical trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided single-shot caudal block with ultrasound-guided single-shot paravertebral block in children undergoing renal surgeries. DESIGN: Randomised, interventional, blinded clinical trial. SETTING: Operating rooms of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. PATIENTS: 50 children aged 2-10 years, of ASA status I/II, posted for elective renal surgeries. INTERVENTIONS: The children were randomised into two groups (Group C-caudal block, Group P-paravertebral block). After induction of general anesthesia, single-shot caudal or paravertebral block was performed under ultrasound guidance, with 0.2% ropivacaine with 1:200000 adrenaline. MEASUREMENTS: Time to first rescue analgesia, time to perform blocks, intraoperative and post-operative hemodynamics, post-operative FLACC scores, incidence of complications, parental satisfaction scores were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: Children in Group P had significantly longer duration of analgesia (p < 0.0004) than Group C. Post-operative FLACC scores (p < 0.005) and analgesic requirements (p < 0.0004) were lower in Group P. The mean fentanyl requirement over 24 h in group P was 0.56 ±â€¯0.82 µg/kg, compared to 1.8 ±â€¯1.2 µg/kg in group C. Parents in Group P reported greater satisfaction (p < 0.02). No complications were seen in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed superior analgesia and parental satisfaction with single-shot paravertebral block in comparison to single-shot caudal block for renal surgeries in children. However, the block performance in children requires adequate expertise and practice.

Comparison of Macintosh, McCoy, and Glidescope video laryngoscope for intubation in morbidly obese patients: Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare time to intubation and glottic visualization between Macintosh, McCoy, and Glidescope video laryngoscope (GVL) in morbidly obese patients. METHODOLOGY: Forty-five American Society of Anesthesiologists I-III morbidly obese patients were randomized into three groups of 15 each and time to intubation, Cormack-Lehane grading, and Intubation Difficulty Score (IDS) were compared. RESULTS: GVL took more time to intubate (TTI) compared to Macintosh and McCoy laryngoscope (P = 0.0001). Overall IDS were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: To conclude, GVL takes longer TTI with no added advantage in IDS and hemodynamic response to intubation in morbidly obese patients. McCoy is only as effective as Macintosh and hence Macintosh laryngoscope should be laryngoscope of choice due to its widespread availability and familiarity.