Recent advances in critical care: Part II.

With the increasing number of critically ill patients being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), newer techniques and treatment modalities continue to evolve for their adequate management. Thus, it has become imperative to understand existing tools and resources, and utilise or repurpose them to achieve better results that can decrease morbidity and mortality. In this writeup, we chose five areas of interest, including analgosedation, role of colloids, recent advancements in the management of respiratory failure, the role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and newer antimicrobials. The role of analgosedation in the critically ill has gained importance with focus on post-ICU syndromes, and albumin has re-entered the fray as a possible repairer of the injured glycocalyx. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced us to relook at various ventilator strategies and mechanical support for the failing circulation has now become more common with clear end-points. Rising microbial antibiotic resistance has opened up the research on newer antibiotics.

Determination of the efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis plane (US-TAP) block in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of unilateral hernia surgeries: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (US-TAP) block has been successfully used to provide analgesia for most lower abdominal procedures. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of US-TAP block with levobupivacaine in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of unilateral hernia surgeries under general anaesthesia (GA) as compared to no block. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is prospective randomised controlled study done in a tertiary care centre in South-East Asia. After obtaining Institute Ethics Committee approval and consent, 60 patients of ASA I-II aged between 18 to 80 years were randomized into two groups.After receiving GA, Group TAP - received bilateral US-TAP block with levobupivacaine 0.25% 0.3ml kg-1 on either side whereas, the control group did not receive any block.The time taken to first request for rescue analgesic (T Rescue) by the patient and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at that time point were noted and tramadol 50mg i.v. was administered, followed by 50mg i.m. PRN for 24 h from the time of extubation. The 24 h analgesic requirement was noted in mg kg-1. RESULTS: Results were analysed using SPSS 16 and P < 0.05 was considered significant. T Rescue was significantly longer in the TAP Group (P = 0.02) with lower NRS at time points 24 h (P = 0.02) and 12 h (P = 0.004). Postoperative nausea and vomiting were significantly less in TAP Group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bilateral US-TAP block provided better analgesia and side effect profile as compared to no block when administered in laparoscopic TEP repair of hernia surgeries.

Myasthenia Gravis and COVID-19 - A Clinical Checkmate.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pose a unique challenge for intensive care management. Higher risk of infection is observed in patients with MG due to the immunosuppressant medications they are prescribed. The underlying component of respiratory muscle weakness predisposes these patients to experience a more severe form of illness. In the case of diagnosis of COVID-19 in MG patients, judicious continuation of immunosuppressants, avoiding drugs that worsen MG along with the continuation of cholinesterase inhibitors is prudent. Early diagnosis in cases with high-index of suspicion, extra precautions, COVID-appropriate behavior, and early immunization is paramount for the health of MG patients during this pandemic.

A cadaver study of four approaches of ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block (USG ICBPB) is a popular technique for forearm surgeries distal to the elbow. Our study details the ultrasound (US) characteristics of this block and the structures encountered by the needle in four approaches to the infraclavicular area - lateral infraclavicular (LICF), costoclavicular medial to lateral (CML) and lateral to medial (CLM) and retroclavicular (R) by anatomical dissection. METHODS: USG ICBPB was performed in 10 cadavers-5 on the right side and 5 on the left side by each of four approaches and with an 18 gauge Tuohy needle kept in situ, and US characteristics were noted. Anatomical dissection was done and important structures were described in detail. RESULTS: Needle tip and shaft visibility were least with LICF approach and best in R approach. Needle angle correlated with chest and neck circumference in LICF and CML groups. During dissection, in all approaches, neurovascular structures have been observed in the near vicinity of the needle, especially the thoracoacromial artery (TAA) or its branches. In the R approach, the 'blind spot' behind the clavicle is an area where neurovascular structures were present. CONCLUSION: The R approach gives better visibility of needle shaft beyond the clavicle, but the clavicle acts as a 'blind-spot' for the US beam obliterating important neurovascular structures. The various neurovascular structures the needle traverses or in its immediate vicinity, do not necessarily make the CML, CLM or R approach any better than the LICF approach.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in intensive care unit.

The aim of this review is to describe variation in standards and guidelines on 'heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)' system maintenance in the intensive care units, across the world, which is required to maintain good 'indoor air quality' as an important non-pharmacological strategy in preventing hospital-acquired infections. An online search and review of standards and guidelines published by various societies including American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health Estates and Facilities Division, Health Technical Memorandum 2025 (HTM) and Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) along with various national expert committee consensus statements, regional and hospital-based protocols available in a public domain were retrieved. Selected publications and textbooks describing HVAC structural aspects were also reviewed, and we described the basic structural details of HVAC system as well as variations in the practised standards of HVAC system in the ICU, worldwide. In summary, there is a need of universal standards for HVAC system with a specific mention on the type of ICU, which should be incorporated into existing infection control practice guidelines.

Comparison of intra-articular analgesics in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most common knee surgeries done worldwide today. It involves immense pain at sites of graft harvest, tibial, and femoral tunnels, thereby delaying recovery and increased patient morbidity, and delayed rehabilitation. Various drugs and combination of drugs administered intra-articularly have been studied for analgesic efficacy. Our study gives an insight if there is any added advantage of additives morphine or clonidine to bupivacaine when compared to administering bupivacaine alone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After obtaining the Institute Ethics Committee approval, ninety American Society of Anesthesiology I-II patients undergoing arthroscopic ACLR under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of three groups (Group B - bupivacaine alone 0.25%, Group BM - bupivacaine 0.25% with morphine 5 mg, Group BC - bupivacaine 0.25% with clonidine 150 mcg). At the end of procedure, 20 mL of the respective drug was administered intra-articularly and postoperative time duration to rescue analgesia, 24 h analgesic requirement, visual analog scale (VAS) score findings at rest and on movement were observed. RESULTS: The mean duration of time to request for first rescue analgesia in minutes was significantly longer in Group BC 341.55 (103.66 SD) with P < 0.001. The VAS scores at that time point were least in Group BM 6.1 (1.7 SD), but not statistically significant. The 24 h analgesic consumption was least in Group B 2.24 (0.79 SD), but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Combination of bupivacaine and clonidine administered intra-articularly provided a longer duration of analgesia though the quality of analgesia was comparable between the three groups.

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block with direct infiltration of local anesthetic into surgical incision in lower abdominal gynecological surgeries.

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane block is a safe, simple and effective technique of providing analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries with easily identifiable landmarks. AIMS: To compare the analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block with that of direct infiltration of local anesthetic into surgical incision in lower abdominal procedures. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial in lower abdominal surgeries done under general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 ASA I-II patients undergoing lower abdominal gynecological procedures under general anesthesia were divided randomly into two groups each after written informed consent. A bilateral TAP block was performed on Group T with 0.25% bupivacaine 0.6 ml/kg with half the volume on either side intra-operatively after skin closure before extubation using a short bevelled needle, whereas Group I received local infiltration intra-operatively after skin closure with the same amount of drug. The time taken for the first rescue analgesic and visual analog score (VAS) was noted, following which, the patient was administered intravenous morphine 0.1 mg/kg and connected to an intravenous patient controlled analgesia system with morphine for 24 hrs from the time of block administration. 24 h morphine requirement was noted. VAS and sedation scores were noted at 2, 4, 6 and 24 h postoperatively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were analyzed with SPSS 16. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Duration of analgesia and 24 h morphine requirement was analysed by Student's t-test. VAS scores, with paired comparisons at each time interval, were performed using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, as appropriate. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: In Group T, the time to rescue analgesic was significantly more and the VAS scores were lower (P = 0.001 and 0.003 respectively). The 24 hr morphine requirement and VAS at 2, 4, 6 and 24 h were less in the Group T (P = 0.001). Incidence of PONV was significant in Group I (P = 0.043), whereas Group T were less sedated at 2 and 4 h (P = 0.001 and 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Transversus abdominis plane block proved to be an effective means of analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries with minimal side-effects.