Evaluation of the HemoCue® for blood loss estimation in suction fluid in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures: A prospective observational study.

Background and Aims: Blood loss in neurosurgical procedures can be rapid and tremendous leading to consequential hemodynamic instability. HemoCue is a portable photometer used for the measurement of blood hemoglobin concentration. Using this point of care device, we contemplated this study to assess the reliability of HemoCue for suction hemoglobin determination and calculation of surgical blood loss by comparing with the gold standard laboratory Coulter Counter method in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in 233 patients undergoing elective neurosurgical procedures in the age group of 18 to 60 years and having preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) values above 9 g/dL. Values of preoperative hemoglobin, suction hemoglobin, and volume in the suction container were used to obtain the estimated blood loss. The normality of the data was tested using the Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Bland Altman analysis was used to test the reliability of HemoCue in estimating hemoglobin and blood loss with reference to the gold standard laboratory Coulter Counter automated hematology analyzer. Results: Median blood loss calculated in our study using HemoCue was 554.65 mL with an interquartile range of 336.81 mL to 982.39 mL. Laboratory counter method estimated median blood loss was 533.37 mL with an interquartile range of 335.21 mL to 994.73 mL. The majority of the data obtained and analyzed using the Bland and Altman analysis method were within a 95% confidence interval. Conclusion: The HemoCue method is a reliable method and henceforth can be used to estimate blood loss in suction fluid in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures.

A rare occurrence of accidental exposure to UV radiation among operating theatre personnel.

Ultraviolet (UV) lamps are commonly used in operation theatres for disinfection. Accidental exposure causes damage to superficial tissues especially the skin, the eyes and has the potential to cause various malignancies. Nine previously asymptomatic operation theaters (OT) personnel experienced, foreign body sensation with intense tearing of eyes and erythematous rash on exposed body parts 2 to 4 hours after leaving work. They required symptomatic treatment with oral and topical antihistaminics and lubricant eye drops. Two of the nine required intravenous steroids. UV exposure was diagnosed as diagnosis of exclusion. There is a lack of knowledge regarding presence UV radiation in OT and a lack of safety measures in place to prevent exposure. This case report emphasises the threats poses by UV exposure, the need to bring about awareness about the presence of UV lamps and adopting safety measures to avoid exposure among healthcare providers.

Pneumothorax Following Bougie-guided Intubation in a Difficult Airway: A Report of Two Cases.

Patients coming for atlantoaxial dislocation surgery represent a unique subset of difficult intubation. In addition to having restricted neck movements, excessive movements at the neck joint during intubation must be avoided to avoid further compression. In view of the anticipated difficult intubation, adjuncts or introducers may be required to aid intubation, the most commonly used being bougies. Complications are known to occur with the use of bougies but fortunately the incidences are far and few. The most dreaded of these is pneumothorax, secondary to trauma by the bougie. The use of an adult bougie for pediatric intubations could possibly increase the risk of the same. Here, we report two incidences of pneumothorax after bougie-guided intubation.

Impact of basic medical writing workshop on case report writing by post-graduate anaesthesia trainees: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Research is an integral component of medical education and practice. However, the art of medical writing remains neglected. Case report writing marks foray into the world of publications and presentations. We assessed and compared the impact of basic medical writing workshop about case report writing and their perception levels of confidence in these skills, among post-graduate anaesthesia students. METHODS: A needs assessment for medical writing skills was performed among all anaesthesia residents. A total of 20 students were enrolled in this study. The pre-workshop assignment consisted of writing one case report per participant within 30 days, followed by students' confidence assessment in these skills. A workshop on basic medical writing including analytical writing, scientific writing and plagiarism were conducted. Post-workshop a similar assignment was provided, followed by students' confidence assessment. RESULTS: Moderate-to-high need for help was felt by 92.63% for analytical skills, 100% for scientific skills and writing without plagiarism, 95.78% for overall writing skills. For case report writing, the analytical and scientific writing significantly improved after the workshop (P = 0.01 and P = 0.016, respectively). There was a significant improvement in the students' confidence levels post-workshop in their analytical writing skills, avoiding plagiarism and overall writing capabilities (P = 0.02, P = 0.016 and P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Writing skills of participants and their confidence in these skills improved post-workshop.

Effects of avoiding neuromuscular blocking agents during maintenance of anaesthesia on recovery characteristics in patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial lesions: A randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neuromuscular blocking agents have been one of the cornerstones of anaesthesia. With the advent of newer surgical, anaesthetic and neurological monitoring techniques, their utility in neuroanaesthesia practice seems dispensable. The aim of this prospective, comparative, randomised study was to determine whether neuromuscular blocking agents are required in patients undergoing supratentorial surgery when balanced anaesthesia with desflurane, dexmedetomidine and scalp block is used. METHODS: Sixty patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, aged between 18 and 60 years were included in the study. All patients received anaesthesia including desflurane, dexmedetomidine and scalp block. The patients were randomly allocated to receive no neuromuscular blocking agent (Group A) or atracurium infusion to keep train-of-four count 2 (Group B). The two groups were compared with respect to haemodynamic stability, brain relaxation scores and recovery characteristics. Haemodynamic parameters and time taken to achieve Aldrete score >9 and other secondary outcomes were analysed using Student's t-test. Non-parametric data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure was comparable between the groups. The intraoperative heart rate was comparable; however, in the post-operative period, it remained higher in Group B for 30 min after extubation (P = 0.02). The brain relaxation scores were comparable among the two groups (P = 0.27). Tracheal extubation time, time taken for orientation and time required to reach Aldrete score ≥9 were comparable among the two groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that balanced anaesthesia using desflurane, dexmedetomidine and scalp block can preclude the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in patients undergoing supratentorial surgery under intense haemodynamic monitoring.

A prospective, comparative, randomised, double blind study on the efficacy of addition of clonidine to 0.25% bupivacaine in scalp block for supratentorial craniotomies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Scalp blocks combined with general anaesthesia reduce pin and incision response, along with providing stable perioperative haemodynamics and analgesia. Clonidine has proved to be a valuable additive in infiltrative blocks. We studied the efficacy and safety of addition of clonidine 2 µg/kg to scalp block with 0.25% bupivacaine (Group B) versus plain 0.25% bupivacaine (Group A) for supratentorial craniotomies. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive scalp block: Group A (with 0.25% bupivacaine) and Group B (with 0.25% bupivacaine and clonidine (2 µg/kg). Bilateral scalp block was given immediately after induction. All the patients received propofol based general anaesthesia. Intraoperatively, propofol infusion was maintained at 75 to 100 µg/kg/h up to dura closure and reduced to 50-75 µg/kg/h up to skin closure with atracurium infusion stopped at dura closure. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored at pin insertion, at 5 minute intervals from incision till dura opening and again at 5 minute interval from dura closure up to skin closure. Fentanyl 0.5 µg/kg was given if a 20% increase in either HR and/or MAP was observed. Postoperative haemodynamics and verbal rating scores (VRS) were recorded. When the VRS score increased above 3, rescue analgesia was given. Any intraoperative haemodynamic complications were noted. RESULTS: Group A showed a significant increase in haemodynamic variables during the perioperative period as compared to group B (P < 0.05). Addition of clonidine 2 µg/kg in the infiltrative block also provided significantly prolonged postoperative analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of clonidine to scalp block provided better perioperative haemodynamic stability and significantly prolonged analgesia.