Ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca block to position the patient for neuraxial anaesthesia in acetabular surgery - a randomized controlled pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Neuraxial anaesthesia is a common choice for most hip and lower limb operations. Pain associated with positioning is often a deterrent, and the vast literature suggests different regional blocks and opioids for these patients. Patients with acetabular fractures may experience increased pain, and thus are more difficult to position for the neuraxial block. We conducted a randomized controlled pilot study to assess and compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca block (SFICB) versus systemic fentanyl to facilitate positioning for combined spinal epidural (CSE) anaesthesia in patients undergoing acetabular fracture surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients referred for surgical repair of acetabular fractures were randomly assigned to receive either ultrasound-guided SFICB (group B) or intravenous fentanyl (group F). Changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in supine and sitting position, improvement in sitting angle (SA), positioning quality, rescue analgesic requirement, total opioid consumption, comfort VAS scores, and complications were noted to compare both groups. RESULTS: The post-intervention VAS score in the sitting position was significantly lower in group B than in group F (5.9 ± 2.1 vs. 3.5 ± 1.5, P = 0.01). Group B also had more significant improvement in SA (27.5° (20.75-36.5°), in comparison to group F (10 (5-18.75), P = 0.006). The positioning quality was better in group B, with 70% of patients achieving an optimal position compared to only 10% in group F ( P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided SFICB, as compared to systemic fentanyl, provided better analgesia and helped to achieve a better and more comfortable position to perform the neuraxial block.

Analgesic efficacy of classical thoracolumbar interfascial plane block versus modified thoracolumbar interfascial plane block in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgeries: A comparative, randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims: We compared classical (medial) and modified (lateral) thoracolumbar interfascial plane block (TLIP) with only general anaesthesia (GA) using multimodal analgesia in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgeries. Methods: In this study, 100 patients aged 18-70 years were randomised to Group cTLIP (conventional TLIP block with 20 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with GA), Group mTLIP (modified TLIP block with 20 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with GA), and Group C (only GA using multimodal analgesia). The primary outcome was to assess the total peri-operative opioid consumption in the first 24 h. The secondary outcomes were to assess pain score upon arriving in the post-anaesthesia care unit, time to first analgesic need after surgery, post-operative opioid consumption in 24 h, and incidence of nausea and vomiting. Results: The total peri-operative opioid consumption in Group cTLIP (507.58 (258.55) µg) and Group mTLIP (491.67 (165.39) µg) was significantly lower than that in Group C (1225.4 (237.03) µg); (P < 0.001). However, it was comparable between groups cTLIP and mTLIP (P = 0.767). Pain score was comparable in groups cTLIP and mTLIP. It was significantly lower than Group C (P = 0.001). Rescue analgesia was needed in all (100%) patients of Group C but in only 15.2% of patients of the cTLIP and mTLIP groups. No patient in groups cTLIP and mTLIP complained of nausea and vomiting in the first 24 h, whereas it was significantly higher (61.8%) in Group C (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The analgesic effect of the modified TLIP block was not superior to the conventional TLIP block. Both techniques provided the same intra-operative and post-operative analgesia for lumbar disc surgeries.

Comparison of gastric emptying time between breast-fed and formula milk-fed infants less than 6 months old, using gastric ultrasound-An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Fasting before elective anesthesia care is a standardized practice worldwide. The aim is to decrease the risk of aspiration leading to pulmonary complications such as aspiration pneumonitis during anesthesia care. There are different guidelines for elective preoperative fasting in children. However, there is insufficient literature measuring gastric emptying time after breast milk or formula milk feeding in infants. OBJECTIVE: This study used gastric ultrasound to determine the gastric emptying time for breast milk and formula milk in children below 6 months of age. We also compared the calculated gastric volumes among breast-fed and formula milk-fed based on Schmitz's and Spencer's formula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center in India between November (2017-2019). A total of 52 infants less than 6 months of age were recruited. The study population was divided into two groups (breast-fed and formula milk-fed) of 26 patients each. Ultrasound was used to measure the antral cross-sectional area of the stomach and to calculate the gastric volume using the two classical formulas (Schmitz and Spencer's). Gastric emptying was reported when the bull's eye appearance of the gastric antrum was seen or when the antral cross-sectional area was less than 3.07 cm2. RESULTS: The number of breast-fed children whose antral cross-sectional was greater than 3.07 cm2 (cut-off value for aspiration risk) beyond 1 h was 14/26 (53.84%) while none (0) children went beyond 3 h. The number of formula-fed children whose antral cross-sectional was greater than 3.07 cm2 beyond 1 h was 17/26 (65.38%) while one child (3.84%) went beyond 3 h. Using Schmitz's formula, mean (SD) gastric emptying times were 0.35 ± 0.68 h (95% CI 0.35 ± 0.185, range 0.165-0.535) for breast-fed patients and 0.35 ± 0.69 h (95% CI 0.35 ± 0.188, range 0.162-0.538) for formula-fed patients, and were thus neither clinically nor statistically different (p = .73) Using Spencer's formula, the mean gastric emptying times were 0.12 ± 0.33 h (95% CI 0.12 ± 0.09, range 0.03-0.21) for breast-fed patients and 0.04 ± 0.20 h (95% CI 0.04 ± 0.05, range -0.01 to 0.09) for formula-fed patients, and were also neither clinically nor statistically different p = .13. CONCLUSION: In our series, the gastric emptying times in breast-fed and formula-fed infants less than 6 months old were similar. Our results support the fasting guidelines of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care 2022, that is, 3 h for breastfeeding and 4 h for formula milk feeding. In addition, this shows that the Schmitz's and Spencer's formulae used to calculate the gastric volume based on ultrasound measurement of the antral cross-sectional area are not comparable in infants less than 6 months.

Comparative evaluation of the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block versus intrathecal morphine in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery: A prospective randomized pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Existing research on erector spinae plane block and intrathecal morphine in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery is limited. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized study, 60 patients aged between 18 and 60 years were randomized into two groups (erector spinae plane block and intrathecal morphine). In the erector spinae plane block group, ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block was performed, following which a mixture of 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine and 0.5 mcg/kg of clonidine was injected. In the intrathecal morphine group, 150 mcg preservative-free morphine with 2 mL of normal saline was administered intrathecally. The primary outcome was to evaluate the perioperative opioid consumption in the first 24 h. The secondary outcomes were to evaluate hemodynamic response to surgical stimulus, visual analogue scale score, time to first analgesic requirement, postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative opioid consumption, urethral irritation, and incidence of drug-related adverse effects. RESULTS: Total perioperative opioid consumption in the erector spinae plane block group was 355.0 (265.0, 485.0) µg and 240.0 (145.0, 370.0) µg in the intrathecal morphine group (P = 0.09). However, the patients in the erector spinae plane block group had significantly greater postoperative fentanyl consumption (235.0 [120.0, 345.0] µg) compared with those in the intrathecal morphine group (105.0 [30.0, 225.0] µg). There were no statistically significant differences noted for intraoperative opioid consumption, postoperative visual analogue scale score, time to first analgesic request, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and catheter irritation between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although no statistically significant difference in intraoperative opioid consumption was seen between the erector spinae plane block and intrathecal morphine groups, postoperative opioid consumption was significantly higher in the erector spinae plane block group than in the intrathecal morphine group in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery.

Effect of entropy-guided low-flow desflurane anaesthesia on laryngeal mask airway removal time in children undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery - A prospective, randomised, comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In children, entropy-guided titration of isoflurane and sevoflurane leads to faster recovery after anaesthesia. However, role of entropy in recovery following desflurane anaesthesia is not known. Hence, we compared laryngeal mask airway (LMA) removal time and desflurane consumption with entropy and minimal alveolar concentration-guided titration in children given low-flow desflurane anaesthesia. METHODS: After ethics committee approval and parental consent, 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-II children, age 2-14 years, undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery were randomised into entropy and minimal alveolar concentration-guided groups. After LMA insertion, anaesthesia was maintained using oxygen, air (FiO2 0.5) and desflurane using low fresh gas flow of 0.75 L/min. In the entropy-guided group, desflurane was titrated to maintain state entropy between 40 and 60. In the minimal alveolar concentration-guided group, desflurane was titrated to maintain a minimal alveolar concentration between 1 and 1.3. We recorded LMA removal time (from switching off desflurane at the end of surgery till removal of LMA), haemodynamic parameters, uptake and consumption of desflurane between the groups. RESULTS: LMA removal time was significantly decreased in the entropy-guided group in comparison to the minimal alveolar concentration-guided group (4.34 ± 2.03 vs 8.8 ± 2.33 min) (P < 0.0001). Consumption of desflurane was significantly less in the entropy-guided group compared with the minimal alveolar concentration-guided group (18.7 ± 5.07 vs 25.3 ± 8.11 mL) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Entropy-guided low-flow desflurane anaesthesia is associated with faster LMA removal and reduced consumption of desflurane in children undergoing ophthalmic surgery.

Evaluation of performance of C-MAC® video laryngoscope Miller blade size zero for endotracheal intubation in preterm and ex-preterm infants: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The preterm and ex-preterm babies form a separate group among the paediatric population with unique airway anatomy. The utility of C-MAC® Video laryngoscope (VL) for routine intubation of preterm babies has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study is to report the performance of C-MAC® VL Miller blade size-0 for endotracheal intubation in preterm babies at our institute. METHODS: After Institute Ethics Committee approval, a retrospective study was designed to evaluate the performance of C-MAC® VL for intubation in preterm and ex-preterm babies. The medical files, and video recordings of preterm babies up to 60 weeks of post-gestational age who had undergone surgery for retinopathy of prematurity from January 2014 to April 2016 were reviewed. All babies were intubated with C-MAC® Miller blade size-0. Demographic parameters, time to best glottic view (TTGV), time to intubate (TTI), ease and number of intubation attempts were assessed. Episodes of desaturation and complications related to intubation were recorded. RESULTS: Data of 37 preterm and ex-preterm babies were analysed. The mean age and weight at the time of surgery were 40.5 (±4.9) weeks and 2532 (±879) grams respectively. The median TTGV and TTI were 11.0 and 22.0 seconds. A total of 32 babies (86.5%) were intubated on initial attempt and five were intubated on second attempt. Stylet was used to facilitate intubation in all infants. There was no incidence of desaturation, mucosal injury or bleeding. CONCLUSION: C-MAC video laryngoscope Miller blade size 0 is suitable for endotracheal intubation in preterm and ex-preterm infants.

Comparison of the C-MAC video laryngoscope size 2 Macintosh blade with size 2 C-MAC D-Blade for laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in children with simulated cervical spine injury: A prospective randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: CMAC video laryngoscope size 2 D-Blade has been recently introduced for management of pediatric difficult airway. Our primary outcome was to compare glottic view, intubation time, and ease of intubation with the size 2 Macintosh versus D-Blade of C-MAC video laryngoscope in simulated cervical injury in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized crossover study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Northern India. Forty children of 4-14 years of age were enrolled in this study. After induction of anesthesia, video laryngoscopy was performed either with size 2 CMAC Macintosh (group M) or D-Blade (group D) with manual in-line stabilization. After removal of the first blade, second video laryngoscopy was performed with the alternative blade. Endotracheal intubation was done with the second laryngoscopy. Best glottic view, time for best glottic view, and difficulty in blade insertion were recorded during both the video laryngoscopies. During second video laryngoscopy, difficulty of tube insertion and time for intubation were noted. RESULTS: The glottic view grade was significantly better in group D compared with the group M (P = 0.0002). Insertion of D-Blade was more difficult than Macintosh blade (P = 0.0007). There was no statistical difference in terms of time for best glottic view in group M and group D (13.40 ± 4.90 vs 13.62 ± 5.60 s) and endotracheal tube insertion time (24.80 ± 7.90 vs 27.90 ± 10.90 s), respectively. Number of intubation attempts was similar in both the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Size 2 D-Blade of C-MAC video laryngoscope provided a better glottic view in children with simulated cervical spine injury as compared with CMAC Macintosh blade. Success of intubation, intubation time, and ease of intubation were comparable with both the blades.

Comparison between Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool and physiologic indicators for pain assessment in the critically ill, mechanically ventilated adult patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain assessment of nonverbal, critically ill patients continues to present a challenge in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) rates critically ill patients' pain based on clinical observation. In the present study, the accuracy of CPOT was compared with physiological indicators of pain in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. METHODS: This quantitative prospective observational study was conducted to assess pain in the critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients in comparison to physiologic indicators such as blood pressure and heart rate. A repeated measures design was chosen, and a sample size of 180 was taken from 60 patients with sepsis, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, community-acquired pneumonia, and postsurgical patients in the ICU. The two painful procedures chosen were tracheal suction and patient positioning. The data were collected at rest, at tracheal suctioning, 20 min later at positioning of the patient, and final reading 20 min later. Three testing periods, each including 4 assessments for a total of 12 pain assessments with sixty patients, were completed during each patient's ICU course. A total of six assessments were done with the patient at rest and three each with pain stimulus of tracheal suctioning and patient positioning. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in both hemodynamic variables (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) during painful procedures except for the heart rate during positioning. The correlation between the CPOT and Ramsay scale was negative and significant. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that the CPOT has good psychometric properties. It might prove useful for pain assessment in uncommunicative critically ill patients.

Pain assessment in the critically ill mechanically ventilated adult patients: Comparison between skin conductance algesimeter index and physiologic indicators.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Critically ill patients are unable to communicate effectively, so it is difficult to assess their pain and analgesic requirement. Skin conductance algesimeter (SCA) index is a device that primarily measures changes in skin conductance real time to assess pain. METHODS: We planned this quantitative prospective observational study to assess pain in the critically ill mechanically ventilated patients in comparison to physiologic indicators such as blood pressure and heart rate. A repeated measures design was chosen, and a sample size of 180 was taken from 60 patients with sepsis, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, community-acquired pneumonia, and postsurgical patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The two painful procedures chosen were tracheal suction and patient positioning. The data were collected at rest, at tracheal suctioning, 20 min later at positioning of the patient, and final reading 20 min later. Three testing periods, each including 4 assessments for a total of 12 pain assessments with sixty patients, were completed during each patient's ICU course. A total of six assessments were done with the patient at rest and three each with pain stimulus of tracheal suctioning and patient positioning. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in both hemodynamic variables during painful procedures except for the heart rate during positioning. The correlation between the SCA index and Ramsay scale was negative and significant. CONCLUSIONS: This instrument might prove useful to measure pain in uncommunicative critically ill patients and to evaluate the effectiveness of analgesic treatment and adapt it.

Pectoral nerve blocks to improve analgesia after breast cancer surgery: A prospective, randomized and controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound guided combined pectoral nerve blocks I and II in patients scheduled for surgery for breast cancer. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, control trial. SETTING: Operating rooms in a tertiary care hospital of Northern India. PATIENTS: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists status I to II adult women, aged 18-70years were enrolled in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into two groups (30 patients in each group), PECS (P) group and control (C) group. In group P, patients received both general anesthesia and ultrasound guided combined pectoral nerve blocks (PECS I and II). In group C, patients received only general anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: We noted pain intensity at rest and during abduction of the ipsilateral upper limb, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting; patient's satisfaction with postoperative analgesia and maximal painless abduction at different time intervals in both groups. MAIN RESULTS: There was significant decrease in the total amount of fentanyl requirement in the in P group {(140.66±31.80µg) and (438±71.74µg)} in comparison to C group {(218.33±23.93µg) and (609±53.00µg)} during intraoperative and post-operative period upto 24h respectively. The time to first analgesic requirement was also more in P group (44.33±17.65min) in comparison to C group (10.36±4.97min) during post-operative period. There was less limitation of shoulder movement (pain free mobilization) on the operative site at 4h and 5h after surgery in P group in comparison to C group. However there was no difference in the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (22 out of 30 patients in group P and 20 out of 30 patients in group C) but patients in group P had a better satisfaction score with postoperative analgesia than C group having a p value of <0.001(Score 1; 5 VS 20; Score 2; 12 VS 9; Score 3; 13 VS 1). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guided combined pectoral nerve blocks are an effective modality of analgesia for patients undergoing breast surgeries during perioperative period. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2015/12/006457.

Evaluation of optimum time for intravenous cannulation after sevoflurane induction of anesthesia in different pediatric age groups.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The ideal time for intravenous (IV) cannulation following inhalational induction in children is debatable. The effect of age on this time has not been studied. We evaluated the optimum time for IV cannulation after sevoflurane induction of anesthesia in different pediatric age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective interventional study based on Dixon's sequential up and down method was conducted in children of age 1-10 years. They were grouped according to their age - Group 1: 1-3 years, Group 2: >3-7 years, and Group 3: >7-10 years. Anesthesia was induced with 8% sevoflurane in 5 L of 100% oxygen. IV cannulation was attempted at 3.5 min in the first child in each group. The time for cannulation in the next child was stepped up or down by 30 s depending on positive or negative response, respectively, in the previous child. Children were recruited till a minimum of six pairs of failure-success sequence which was obtained in each group. The mean of midpoints of the failure-success sequence was calculated to obtain the time for cannulation in 50% of the children in each group. RESULTS: Total number of children in Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 24, 23, and 24, respectively. The mean (95% confidence level) time for IV cannulation after sevoflurane induction in Groups 1, 2, and 3 was 53.6 (40.0-67.1), 105 (62.6-147.4), and 143.6 (108.8-178.4) s, respectively. This time was significantly shorter in Group 1 compared to those in Groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: The optimum time for IV cannulation in 50% of the children after sevoflurane induction of anesthesia was shorter in children of age 1-3 years than in older children.

Is perioperative administration of 5% dextrose effective in reducing the incidence of PONV in laparoscopic cholecystectomy?: A randomized control trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during perioperative administration of 5% dextrose and normal saline in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. SETTING: Operating rooms in a tertiary care hospital of Northern India. PATIENTS: One hundred patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists status I to II undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into two groups [normal saline (NS) group and 5% dextrose (D) group]. Both the groups received Ringer acetate (Sterofundin ISO) intravenously as a maintenance fluid during intraoperative period. Besides this, patients of group NS received 250ml of 0.9% normal saline and patients of group D received 5% dextrose @ 100ml/h started at the time when gall bladder was taken out. It was continued in the postoperative period with the same rate till it gets finished. MEASUREMENTS: Incidence of PONV, Apfel score, intraoperative opioids used and consumption of rescue antiemetics. MAIN RESULTS: Demographic data was statistically similar. Out of total 100 patients, 47 patients (47%) had PONV. In group D, 14 patients (28%) had PONV while in group NS, 33 patients (66%) had PONV within 24h of surgery (p value 0.001). The incidence of PONV was reduced by 38% in group D which is significantly lower when compared with that of group NS (p value 0.001). The consumption of single dose of rescue antiemetics in group D was also reduced by 26% when compared to that of group NS (p value 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of 5% dextrose in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery can reduce PONV significantly and even if PONV occurs, the quantity of rescue antiemetics to combat PONV is also reduced significantly.

Comparison of speed of inhalational induction in children with and without congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Conduct of stable inhalational anesthetic induction in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) presents special challenges. It requires in-depth understanding of the effect of congenital shunt lesions on the uptake, delivery, and equilibration of anesthetic drugs. Intracardiac shunts can alter the induction time and if delivery of anesthetic agent is not carefully titrated, can lead to overdosing and undesirable myocardial depression. AIMS: To study the effect of congenital shunt lesions on the speed of inhalational induction and also the impact of inhalational induction on hemodynamics in the presence of congenital shunt lesions. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. DESIGN: A prospective, single-center clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery were segregated into three equal groups, namely, Group 1: no CHD, Group 2: acyanotic CHD, and Group 3: cyanotic CHD. General anesthesia was induced with 8% sevoflurane in 6 L/min air-oxygen. The time to induction was noted at loss of eyelash reflex and decrease in bispectral index (BIS) value below 60. End-tidal sevoflurane concentration, minimum alveolar concentration, and BIS were recorded at 15 s intervals for the 1 st min followed by 30 s interval for another 1 min during induction. Hemodynamic data were recorded before and after induction. RESULTS: Patients in Group 3 had significantly prolonged induction time (99 ± 12.3 s; P < 0.001), almost twice that of the patients in other two groups (51 ± 11.3 s in Group 1 and 53 ± 12.0 s in Group 2). Hypotension occurred after induction in Group 1. No other adverse hemodynamic perturbations were observed. CONCLUSION: The time to inhalational induction of anesthesia is significantly prolonged in patients with right-to-left shunt, compared to patients without CHD or those with left-to-right shunt, in whom it is similar. Sevoflurane is safe and maintains stable hemodynamics in the presence of CHD.

Evaluation of glottic view through Air-Q Intubating Laryngeal Airway in the supine and lateral position and assessing it as a conduit for blind endotracheal intubation in children in the supine position.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the feasibility of blind orotracheal intubation in children using the Air-QILA as a conduit in supine position and the glottic view grading by fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) through it both in supine and lateral positions. METHODS: After ethical approval and consent, 60 children were enrolled in the study. In the operating room, after attaching standard monitors to all children, anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane (2-8%) in oxygen (100%). Once the children became sedated, an i.v. access was established and injection glycopyrrolate (10 µg · kg(-1)), fentanyl (2 µg · kg(-1)), and atracurium (0.5 mg · kg(-1)) were administered. After 3 min, the Air-QILA was placed in supine position and glottic view was assessed by using FOB, in supine and right lateral decubitus position. In all children, gradings of glottic view in two different positions were noted. After that all children were turned supine, and orotracheal intubation was done blindly through the Air-QILA. The success rate, insertion time of the Air-QILA, and endotracheal intubation were noted. RESULTS: The Air-QILA placement was successful in 57 children in first attempt and three children required second attempt. However, blind endotracheal intubations through the Air-QILA were successful in 38 children in first attempt and 12 children required second attempt. In the remaining 10 children, where blind endotracheal intubation through the Air-QILA remained unsuccessful, conventional laryngoscopy was performed. In supine and lateral positions, Grade 1 glottic view was seen in 41 and 38 of total 60 patients, respectively. Turning of all children from supine to lateral decubitus position resulted in the deterioration of grading of glottic view in eight children and improvement in two children (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Air-QILA is an easy to place supraglottic airway device with excellent airway seal and low airway morbidity. It may be useful as a conduit for blind orotracheal intubation in supine position and can be used as an effective alternative to FOB in low resource settings.

Comparison of conventional infrainguinal versus modified proximal suprainguinal approach of Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for postoperative analgesia in Total Hip Arthroplasty. A prospective randomized study.

Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) has been widely used as a postoperative analgesic adjunct to opioids for total hip arthroplasty (THA), either by the conventional infrainguinal approach or the modified proximal suprainguinal approach irrespective of any specific advantage of one over the other. This study was conducted to compare the analgesic efficacy of the two techniques of FICB for postoperative analgesia. The 40 patients scheduled for THA were recruited for Intervention (s) and randomized to receive FICB either by suprainguinal approach (group S) or infrainguinal approach (group I) for postoperative analgesia with 40 ml of 0.2% bupivacaine, in addition to postoperative patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and PCA morphine consumption was used to assess the postoperative pain at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The primary outcome was cumulative PCA morphine consumption in 24 hours. The pain intensity as measured by VAS scores showed significant reduction of intensity at 6 hours post block in group S as compared to group I (median [IQR]; 2[0-3]; 3[2.25-3]; p = 0.001) but, there was no significant difference in VAS at 12 and 24 hours. Postoperatively, there was significant difference in time to first PCA morphine demand (356.28 ± 33.32 vs 291.48 ± 37.17, p = < 0.001, respectively) in-group S vs. group I. The postoperative morphine consumption was also significantly less in group S compared to group I at 6, 12 and 24 hours and the cumulative morphine consumption in 24 hours (6.95 ± 2.14 vs 10.50 ± 2.24, p = < 0.001 respectively) was also less. In conclusion, in THA, suprainguinal approach of FICB has a superior postoperative analgesic efficacy compared to infrainguinal approach of FICB along with significantly less morphine consumption in first 24 hours.

Unilobar Caroli's disease and its management in an 8-year-old girl.

A case of unilobar Caroli's disease in an 8-year-old girl treated with left hepatectomy is reported here.