Selective Dorsal Scapular Nerve and Long Thoracic Nerve Blocks for Rescue Analgesia in Scapulothoracic Arthrodesis Surgery: A Case Report.

Scapulothoracic arthrodesis (STA) surgery is performed to stabilize the scapula in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Postoperative pain could be a major problem even while using erector spinae plane block (ESPB). We performed a preoperative ESPB with an intraoperative ESPB catheter, but rescue analgesia was needed for pain in the periscapular area in the postoperative period. The patient's pain score was reduced by applying an ultrasound-guided dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) and long thoracic nerve (LTN) block. Selective DSN and LTN blocks can be effective in enhancing postoperative analgesia in STA surgery.

Effects of erector spinae plane block on opioid consumption in patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The erector spinae plane block is a relatively new regional anesthesia technique that is expected to provide some benefits for postoperative analgesia. This study investigated the effects of erector spinae plane block on postoperative opioid consumption in kidney donors undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for renal transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-two donors scheduled for elective hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy were randomly divided into the block (25 donors) and control (27 donors) groups. Donors in the block group received 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance, whereas the control group received no block treatment. The primary outcome measure was the amount of fentanyl administered via patient-controlled analgesia at 24 h. Secondary outcomes included the duration of stay, opioid consumption in the post-anesthesia care unit, and pain scores during the recording hours. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding total opioid consumption converted to intravenous morphine equivalent administered via patient-controlled analgesia (33.3±21.4 mg vs. 37.5±18.5 mg; P=0.27) and in the postanesthesia care unit (1.5±0.9 mg vs. 1.4±0.8 mg; P=0.55). The duration of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (86.3±32.6 min vs. 85.7±33.6 min; P=0.87) was similar between the groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the postoperative donor-reported NRS pain scores (P>0.05 for all the time points). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative erector spinae plane block is not an effective strategy for reducing postoperative pain or opioid consumption in patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Different block combinations are needed for optimal pain management in hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Visual Evaluation of Plethysmographic Waveforms: Introducing the Simple Systolic Ratio as an Indicator of Fluid Responsiveness.

Objective: For patient safety, maintaining hemodynamic stability during surgical procedures is critical. Dynamic indices [such as systolic pressure variation (SPV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV)], have recently seen an increase in use. Given the risks associated with such invasive techniques, there is growing interest in non-invasive monitoring methods-and plethysmographic waveform analysis. However, many such non-invasive methods involve intricate calculations or brand-specific monitors. This study introduces the simple systolic ratio (SSR), derived from pulse oximetry tracings, as a non-invasive method to assess fluid responsiveness. Methods: This prospective observational study included 25 adult patients whose SPV, PPV, and SSR values were collected at 30-min intervals during open abdominal surgery. The SSR was defined as the ratio of the tallest waveform to the shortest waveform within pulse tracings. The correlations among SSR, SPV, and PPV were analyzed. Additionally, anaesthesia specialists visually assessed pulse oximetry tracings to determine fluid responsiveness using the SSR method. Results: Strong correlations were observed between SSR and both SPV (r = 0.715, P < 0.001) and PPV (r = 0.702, P < 0.001). Receiver operator curve analysis identified optimal SSR thresholds for predicting fluid responsiveness at 1.47 for SPV and 1.50 for PPV. A survey of anaesthesia specialists using the SSR method to visually assess fluid responsiveness produced an accuracy rate of 83%. Conclusion: Based on the strong correlations it exhibits with traditional markers, SSR has great potential as a clinical tool, especially in resource-limited settings. However, further research is needed to establish its role, especially as it pertains to its universal applicability across monitoring devices.

Predictors of extubation in the operating room after pediatric cardiac surgery: A single-center retrospective study.

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of our on-table extubation strategy in patients with congenital heart disease. Methods: Between April 2021 and November 2022, a total of 114 pediatric patients (58 males, 56 females; median age: 25.3 months; range, 57.5 to 4.4 months) who were operated for congenital heart diseases were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were evaluated according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STS-EACTS) scoring system. Perioperative patient data were analyzed and correlated with the extubation status. Results: Overall, 56% of the patients were extubated in the operating room. There was an association between fluid balance per unit body surface area, longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times and on-table extubation. Lactate value prior to extubation, STS-EACTS mortality category, estimated mortality, and estimated morbidity were statistically significant with regards to the achievability of extubation. Multivariate analysis revealed lactate value prior to extubation and estimated postoperative length of hospital stay to be significant factors affecting on-table extubation. There was a significant correlation between decreased length of intensive care unit and hospital stay and on-table extubation. Conclusion: The outcomes of our on-table extubation strategy for patients with congenital heart disease reveal the feasibility of this approach. Higher lactate and fluid balance/body surface area levels, longer cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass durations, increased surgical complexity are indicators of a failure to perform on-table extubation. This strategy is also associated with shorter intensive care unit and hospital length of stays as an additional clinical benefit.

Evaluation of brachial plexus stiffness in different arm and head positions by sonoelastography.

Intraoperative positioning-related nerve injuries, particularly those affecting the brachial plexus, are concerning complications believed to arise from stretching and/or compression of peripheral nerves. Although sonoelastography, a new ultrasound technology, is emerging as a valuable tool in the musculoskeletal system, its utility in evaluating peripheral nerves remains unclear. This study aimed to utilize sonoelastography to assess the brachial plexus during surgery, specifically investigating changes in its stiffness values in relation to different head and arm positions. In this prospective cohort study, bilateral brachial plexuses of 8 volunteers in 3 different positions were enrolled. Using a high-frequency linear probe, the stiffness of the brachial plexus was quantitatively measured in kilopascals (kPa) under 3 different positions: neutral, head rotated, and head rotated with arm hyperabducted. Intra-class agreement was evaluated. The stiffness of the brachial plexus was 7.39 kPa in the neutral position (NP), 10.28 kPa with head rotation, and 17.24 kPa when the head was turned, and the ipsilateral arm was hyperabducted. Significant increases were observed in stiffness values when the head was turned, whether ipsilaterally or contralaterally, and during hyperabduction of the arm while the head was turned (for all P < .001). Strong intra-class correlations were found for the measurements of stiffness values (ICC = 0.988-0.989; P < .001; Cronbach Alpha = 0.987-0.989). Sonoelastography revealed significant increases in the stiffness of the brachial plexus with various head rotations and arm positions compared to the neutral state. These findings suggest that sonoelastography could potentially serve as a valuable tool for assessing the risk of brachial plexus injury during surgery and for guiding optimal patient positioning. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to establish definitive clinical applications.

The effect of erector spinae plane block on arterial grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the sympathectomy effects of erector spinae plane block on the diameters and cross-sectional areas of the left and right internal mammary arteries and of the radial arteries. Methods: This prospective study included a total of 25 patients (14 males, 11 females; median age: 67 years; range, 23 to 75 years) who underwent erector spinae plane block categorized as the American Society of Anesthesiologists Class III and underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between June 01, 2020 and March 01, 2021. The effects of erector spinae plane block on the diameters and cross-sectional areas of the left and right internal mammary arteries and radial arteries were assessed using ultrasonography images taken both before and 45 min after the procedure, from the third, fourth, and fifth intercostal spaces for the left and right internal mammary arteries and from 3 cm proximal to the wrist for the radial arteries. Results: The diameters and cross-sectional areas of the left and right internal mammary arteries and radial arteries significantly increased compared to baseline values after the erector spinae plane block (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre- and post-procedural heart rate and mean arterial pressure values (p>0.05). Conclusion: The bilateral erector spinae plane block, which was performed at the T5 level, provided vasodilatation of the left and right internal mammary arteries and radial arteries without causing any significant difference in the heart rate and mean arterial pressure. These findings indicate that the sympathetic block produced by the erector spinae plane block may facilitate better surgical conditions by preventing arterial spasms. Thus, bilateral erector spinae plane block may be a promising technique to achieve regional anesthesia for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Suprainguinal fascia iliaca block for distal femur tumor surgery.

Editöre mektup.

Comparison of the Trendelenburg position versus upper-limb tourniquet on internal jugular vein diameter.

BACKGROUND: Central venous cannulation is a necessary invasive procedure for fluid management, haemodynamic monitoring and vasoactive drug therapy. The right internal jugular vein (RIJV) is the preferred site. Enlargement of the jugular vein area facilitates catheterization and reduces complication rates. Common methods to enlarge the RIJV cross-sectional area are the Trendelenburg position and the Valsalva maneuver. OBJECTIVE: Compare the Trendelenburg position with upper-extremity venous return blockage using the tourniquet technique. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Healthy adult volunteers (American Society of Anesthesiologists class I) aged 18-45 years were included in the study. The first measurement was made when the volunteers were in the supine position. The RIJV diameter and cross-sectional area were measured from the apex of the triangle formed by the clavicle and the two ends of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is used for the conventional approach. The second measurement was performed in a 20° Trendelenburg position. After the drainage of the veins using an Esbach bandage both arms were cuffed. The third measurement was made when tourniquets were inflated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hemodynamic measurements and RIJV dimensions. RESULTS: In 65 volunteers the diameter and cross-sectional area of the RIJV were significantly widened in both Trendelenburg and tourniquet measurements compared with the supine position (P < .001 for both measures). Measurements using the upper extremity tourniquet were significantly larger than Trendelenburg measurements (P=.002 and < .001 for cross-sectional area and diameter, respectively). CONCLUSION: Channelling of the upper-extremity venous return to the jugular vein was significantly superior when compared with the Trendelenburg position and the supine position. LIMITATIONS: No catheterization and study limited to healthy volunteers.

[Determination of Candida colonization and Candida score in patients in anesthesia intensive care unit]. / Anestezi yogun bakim ünitesinde yatan hastalarda Candida kolonizasyonu ve Candida skorunun belirlenmesi.

The colonization rate of Candida spp. reaches up to 80% in patients who reside in intensive care units (ICUs) more than a week, and the mean rate of development of invasive disease is 10% in colonized patients. Since invasive candidiasis (IC) in ICU patients presents with septic shock and high mortality rate, rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between invasive infection and the determination of Candida colonization index (CI) and Candida score (CS) in patients admitted to ICU who are at high risk for IC and likely to benefit from early antifungal therapy. A total of 80 patients (34 female, 46 male; age range: 12-92 years, mean age: 69.57 ± 16.30) who were in ICU over seven days or longer of Anesthesia Department of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital between April, 2014 and July, 2015 were included in the study. None of the patients were neutropenic. After admission, throat, nose, skin (axillary region), urine, rectal swab and blood cultures have been collected weekly beginning from day zero. Isolation and identification of Candida strains were performed by using conventional mycological methods. CI was calculated as the ratio of the number of culture-positive distinct body sites (except blood culture) to the total number of body sites cultured. CI> 0.2 was considered as fungal colonization, while CI≥ 0.5 as intensive colonization. CS value was calculated according to the components including total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (plus 0.908 points), surgery (plus 0.907 points), colonization in multiple areas (plus 1.112) and severe sepsis (plus 2.038 points), and cut-off value for CS was accepted as >2.5. In our study, overall 1009 cultures (mean: 13 cultures per patient) were taken from 80 patients, and yeast growth was detected in 365 (36.2%) of them. Accordingly, among 68 (85%) of 80 patients included, in at least one sample, yeast growth was determined. No yeast growth was observed in the blood cultures. Of 365 yeast-positive cultures, C.albicans was isolated from 184 (50.4%), C.glabrata from 66 (18%), C.parapsilosis from 42 (11.5%), C.tropicalis from 12 (3.3%), C.kefyr from three (0.8%), and C.krusei from one (0.3%) samples, whereas six (1.6%) samples yielded other yeasts (3 Saprochaete capitata, 3 Trichosporon spp.) and 51 (13.9%) samples yielded multiple yeast growth. The highest colonization rates were detected in rectal swabs (27.4%), urine (23.3%) and throat (22.5%) samples. CI value was found as >0.2 in 65% (52/80), and ≥0.5 in 25% (20/80) of the patients, whereas CS value was >2.5 in only 2.5% (2/80) of the patients. In the statistical evaluation, significant correlations were found between fungal colonization (CI> 0.2) and gender (p=0.032) and length of stay in ICU (p=0.004), and between intensive colonization (CI≥ 0.5) and gender (p=0.008) and age (p=0.012). However, the correlation between Candida colonization and the presence of underlying diseases, APACHE II score, Glasgow coma scale, invasive procedures, use of extended-spectrum antibiotics, presence of bacterial infections, haemodialysis, transfusion and history of previous hospitalization was not statistically significant. Our results have also indicated a statistically significant relationship between fungal colonization and the positivity of C.albicans, C.glabrata, C.parapsilosis ang C.albicans/C.glabrata (p=0.001, p=0.002, p=0.008 and p=0.028, respectively), emphasizing the importance of species-level identification of Candida isolates. The reason of lacking of IC development in our patients may be explained by their low CI and CS values. In conclusion, monitoring of ICU patients who are at high risk for IC in terms of CI and CS would be beneficial. However it is clear that our data need to be supported by multi-center and high-scale studies.

Intraarticular levobupivacaine or bupivacaine administration decreases pain scores and provides a better recovery after total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective randomized blinded controlled study was to compare the efficacy of the two local anesthetics, intraarticular bupivacaine and levobupivacaine administration, versus control for postoperative pain control and functional recovery. Length of hospital stay, opioid consumption, and the side effects of opioids were also evaluated. METHODS: Sixty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-III undergoing elective knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia were randomized into three groups. Groups B (n = 20) and L (n = 20) both received 150 ml solution intraarticularly, containing 200 mg bupivacaine or 200 mg levobupivacaine combined with 0.5 mg epinephrine, respectively, at the end of the surgery. Group C (n = 20) received 150 ml saline intraarticularly. Postoperatively, all groups received injections through the intraarticular catheters in quantities of 120 mg (levobupivacaine for group L, bupivacaine for group B) and 0.5 mg epinephrine whereas group C received a saline bolus at 10 and 22 h. Patients were given tramadol by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and sodium diclofenac 75 mg intramuscularly was used for rescue analgesic medication. Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain at rest and during mobilization (which was defined as flexion exercise supported by physiotherapist in postoperative first 8 h and afterward a 3-m walk with walker), consumption of tramadol, side effects, and patient satisfaction were recorded until the 48th hour postoperatively. RESULTS: Area under the curve values for VAS were lower in groups B and L compared to the control, both at rest and during mobilization (first 48 h) (P = 0.032 and P = 0.029, respectively). Tramadol consumption was lower (P < 0.05), patient satisfaction as evaluated with a five-point Likert score (completely comfortable; quite comfortable; slight discomfort; painful; very painful) was higher (P = 0.03), and length of hospital stay was shorter (P = 0.03) in groups B and L compared to group C. CONCLUSION: Intraarticular bupivacaine and levobupivacaine provided better postoperative analgesia both at rest and during mobilization in total knee replacement surgery compared to control. Tramadol consumption and hospital stay were also decreased in the study groups.