Comparison of ultrasound-guided paravertebral block versus erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia after percutaneous nephrolithotomy - A randomised, double-blind, controlled study.

Background and Aims: Paravertebral block (PVB) is the regional anaesthesia of choice for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is also effective for the same. This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and ease of performing PVB or ESPB for PCNL surgery. Methods: This study was conducted in 60 patients undergoing PCNL, who were randomised to Group P (n = 30; received ultrasound-guided [USG] PVB) and Group E (n = 30; received USG ESPB) after general anaesthesia. Blocks were administered at T10 level on the side of the surgery using 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. The trachea was extubated at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was analgesia duration, and secondary outcomes were postoperative pain scores, analgesic consumption, ease of block performance, time taken to perform the block and complications between the two groups. Continuous variables were compared using an independent sample t-test, and categorical variables were analysed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Results: Demographic variables were comparable in both groups. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) time of first rescue analgesia in Group P and Group E were 16.6 (20.4)(95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.02-20.32) h and 16.3 (21.8) (95% CI: 8.17-24.51) h, respectively (P = 0.95). The postoperative pain scores and number of doses of analgesics used were comparable between the groups (P > 0.05). The time taken to perform PVB was much longer compared to the time taken to perform ESPB (P = 0.01). Conclusion: USG PVB and ESPB were equally effective for postoperative analgesia for PCNL surgery.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation versus supraclavicular approach to brachiocephalic vein cannulation- A prospective, single-blind, randomised study.

Background and Aims: The internal jugular vein (IJV) is the most common site for central venous cannulation. Ultrasonography (USG)-guided brachiocephalic vein (BCV) cannulation has been described recently. The objective of this study was to compare the first attempt success rate, overall success rate and procedural ease between two techniques. Methods: This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomised clinical study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups using computer generated random table. Group IJV included 55 patients of USG-guided out-of-plane approach to the right IJV cannulation and group BCV included 55 patients for USG-guided supraclavicular in-plane approach to right BCV cannulation. The success rate, number of redirections needed, vein and needle tip visualisation, cannulation time and complication rate were compared between the groups. Results: Demographic parameters were similar between the groups. Success rate of cannulation was 98.5% in IJV group and 100% in group BCV (P = 0.31). The first attempt success rate was 76.3% and 81.81% in IJV and BCV group, respectively (P = 0.42). IJV was collapsed in 14.5% cases and BCV was collapsed in 0.9% cases. The needle visualisation was better in BCV group (94.54%) compared to IJV (80%) (P = 0.02) group, which was statistically significant. The numbers of redirections of needle were more in IJV group. Thus the procedural ease was better with BCV than IJV. Conclusion: Supraclavicular USG-guided in-plane BCV cannulation is a good alternative to USG-guided out-of-plane IJV cannulation, because of good calibre of the vein and better needle visualisation in the BCV group.

Comparison between caudal epidural and ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric block with bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine for postoperative analgesia following pediatric inguinal hernia surgeries: A prospective randomized, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Caudal epidural and ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric nerve (IL/IH) blocks are commonly used regional anesthesia techniques for postoperative analgesia in pediatric inguinal surgeries. Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant has been proven to prolong the duration of both neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks. We compared the duration of analgesia provided by local anesthetic (LA) and dexmedetomidine for caudal and IL/IH block for pediatric inguinal surgeries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-six children undergoing inguinal hernia repair were selected for this randomized double-blind study. After general anesthesia, children received either 0.75 mL.kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 mcg.kg-1 of dexmedetomidine in caudal epidural or 0.25 mL.kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 mcg.kg-1 of dexmedetomidine in IL/IH block. The pain was assessed up to 24 h postoperatively using face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) score. For FLACC ≥4, rescue analgesia was provided using 1 µg/kg of intravenous fentanyl, up to 2 h postoperatively and 10 mg/kg of oral ibuprofen between 2 and 24 postoperative hours. The time for first rescue analgesia was taken as the duration of analgesia. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the pain scores or analgesic utilization between the groups. The duration of analgesia of caudal and IL/IH blocks was similar (720.3 ± 430.1 min and 808.4 ± 453.1 min, respectively). The time taken for the performance of block was significantly higher for caudal compared to IL/IH (547 ± 93 vs. 317 ± 179 s; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both caudal epidural and USG-IL/IH block with dexmedetomidine as additive provide the comparable duration of postoperative analgesia with no significant side effects.

Malposition of the Central Venous Catheter: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

A 50-year-old male was admitted to Intensive Care Unit with head and chest injury needed multiple central venous catheter (CVC) for the long-term intravenous access. Right internal jugular vein was cannulated uneventfully, and the tip of CVC was confirmed in the chest radiograph along the right border of the mediastinum. After few days, left subclavian vein was cannulated and the procedure was uneventful. However, the postprocedure Chest X-ray showed the CVC along the left border of mediastinum rather than the right border. Possibility of CVC in one of the tributaries of left brachiocephalic vein was thought. Due to uncertainty in position of left CVC, we inserted CVC in right-sided subclavian vein, which was in normal position along the right border of mediastinum. Left subclavian CVC was removed. Reviewing the patient's thoracic computed tomography scan revealed, patient had congenital anomaly and double superior vena cava that explained the abnormal course of left subclavian CVC along the left border of mediastinum.

Safety and efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine versus oral tramadol for the treatment of post-operative pain following surgery for fracture neck of femur: A prospective, randomised clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Transdermal buprenorphine, which is used in chronic pain management, has rarely been studied for use in acute pain management. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine patch to oral tramadol for post-operative analgesia, following proximal femur surgeries. METHODOLOGY: Fifty adult patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture under spinal anaesthesia were included in this study. One group (Group TDB) received transdermal buprenorphine 10 mcg/h patch applied a day before the surgery and other group received oral tramadol 50 mg three times a day for analgesia (Group OT). They were allowed to take diclofenac and paracetamol tablets for rescue analgesia. Pain scores at rest, on movement, rescue analgesic requirement and side effects were compared between the groups over 7 days. Chi-square and independent sample t-test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: Resting pain scores and pain on movement were significantly lower in TDB Group on all 7 days starting from 24 h post-operatively. Rescue analgesic requirement was significantly lower in TDB Group compared to OT Group. All the patients needed rescue analgesic in OT Group whereas 68% of the patients needed the same in TDB Group. Incidence of vomiting was less and satisfaction scores were much higher in TDB Group as compared to OT Group (79% vs. 66%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Transdermal buprenorphine can be safely used for post-operative analgesia and is more efficacious in reducing post-operative pain after 24 hours, with fewer side effects when compared to oral tramadol.

Comparison of Nerve Stimulation-guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block, Single Injection versus Four Injections: A Prospective Randomized Double-blind Study.

BACKGROUND: A variety of techniques have been described for the axillary block using nerve stimulator, either with single injection, two, three, or four separate injections. Identification of all the four nerves is more difficult and time-consuming than other methods. AIMS: Aim of the present study is to compare success rate, onset, and duration of sensory and motor anesthesia of axillary block using nerve stimulator, either with single injection after identification of any one of the four nerves or four separate injections following identification of each of nerve. SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Patients undergoing forearm and hand surgeries under axillary block. METHODOLOGY: One hundred patients, aged 18-75 years, were randomly allocated into two groups of 50 each. Axillary block was performed under the guidance of nerve stimulator with a mixture of 18 ml of 1.5% lignocaine and 18 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. In the first group (n = 50), all 36 ml of local anesthetic was injected after the identification of motor response to any one of the nerves and in Group 2, all the four nerves were identified by the motor response, and 9 ml of local anesthetic was injected at each of the nerves. The success rate of the block, onset, and duration of sensory and motor block was assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared using independent t-test. RESULTS: The success rate of the block with four injection technique was higher compared to single-injection technique (84% vs. 56%, P = 0.02). Four injection groups had a faster onset of sensory and motor block and prolonged duration of analgesia compared to single-injection group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of accidental arterial puncture and hemodynamic parameter between the groups. CONCLUSION: Identification of all the four nerves produced higher success rate and better quality of the block when compared to single-injection technique.

[A randomized, double blind comparison of pethidine and ketoprofen as adjuvants for lignocaine in intravenous regional anaesthesia]. / Estudo comparativo, randômico e duplo-cego de petidina e cetoprofeno como adjuvantes de lidocaína em anestesia regional intravenosa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A review of all the adjuncts for intravenous regional anaesthesia concluded that there is good evidence to recommend NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory agents and pethidine in the dose of 30mg dose as adjuncts to intravenous regional anaesthesia. But there are no studies to compare pethidine of 30mg dose to any of the NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory agents. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double blind study, 45 patients were given intravenous regional anaesthesia with either lignocaine alone or lignocaine with pethidine 30mg or lignocaine with ketprofen 100mg. Fentanyl was used as rescue analgesic during surgery. For the first 6h of postoperative period analgesia was provided by fentanyl injection and between 6 and 24h analgesia was provided by diclofenac tablets. Visual analogue scores for pain and consumption of fentanyl and diclofenac were compared. RESULTS: The block was inadequate for one case each in lignocaine group and pethidine group, so general anaesthesia was provided. Time for the first dose of fentanyl required for postoperative analgesia was significantly more in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (156.7±148.8 and 153.0±106.0 vs. 52.1±52.4min respectively). Total fentanyl consumption in first 6 h of postoperative period was less in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (37.5±29.0 mcg, 38.3±20.8mcg vs. 64.2±27.2mcg respectively). Consumption of diclofenac tablets was 2.4±0.7, 2.5±0.5 and 2.0±0.7 in the control, pethidine and ketoprofen group respectively, which was statistically not significant. Side effects were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Both pethidine and ketoprofen are equally effective in providing postoperative analgesia up to 6h, without significant difference in the side effects and none of the adjuncts provide significant analgesia after 6h.

A randomized, double blind comparison of pethidine and ketoprofen as adjuvants for lignocaine in intravenous regional anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A review of all the adjuncts for intravenous regional anaesthesia concluded that there is good evidence to recommend NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory agents and pethidine in the dose of 30mg dose as adjuncts to intravenous regional anaesthesia. But there are no studies to compare pethidine of 30mg dose to any of the NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory agents. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double blind study, 45 patients were given intravenous regional anaesthesia with either lignocaine alone or lignocaine with pethidine 30mg or lignocaine with ketprofen 100mg. Fentanyl was used as rescue analgesic during surgery. For the first 6h of postoperative period analgesia was provided by fentanyl injection and between 6 and 24h analgesia was provided by diclofenac tablets. Visual analogue scores for pain and consumption of fentanyl and diclofenac were compared. RESULTS: The block was inadequate for one case each in lignocaine group and pethidine group, so general anaesthesia was provided. Time for the first dose of fentanyl required for postoperative analgesia was significantly more in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (156.7±148.8 and 153.0±106.0 vs. 52.1±52.4min respectively). Total fentanyl consumption in first 6h of postoperative period was less in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (37.5±29.0mcg, 38.3±20.8mcg vs. 64.2±27.2mcg respectively). Consumption of diclofenac tablets was 2.4±0.7, 2.5±0.5 and 2.0±0.7 in the control, pethidine and ketoprofen group respectively, which was statistically not significant. Side effects were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Both pethidine and ketoprofen are equally effective in providing postoperative analgesia up to 6h, without significant difference in the side effects and none of the adjuncts provide significant analgesia after 6h.

A randomized, double blind comparison of pethidine and ketoprofen as adjuvants for lignocaine in intravenous regional anaesthesia / Estudo comparativo, randômico e duplo-cego de petidina e cetoprofeno como adjuvantes de lidocaína em anestesia regional intravenosa / Estudio comparativo, aleatorizado y doble ciego, de la petidina y del ketoprofeno como adyuvantes de la lidocaína en la anestesia regional intravenosa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A review of all the adjuncts for intravenous regional anaesthesia concluded that there is good evidence to recommend NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory agents and pethidine in the dose of 30 mg dose as adjuncts to intravenous regional anaesthesia. But there are no studies to compare pethidine of 30 mg dose to any of the NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory agents. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double blind study, 45 patients were given intravenous regional anaesthesia with either lignocaine alone or lignocaine with pethidine 30 mg or lignocaine with ketprofen 100 mg. Fentanyl was used as rescue analgesic during surgery. For the first 6 h of postoperative period analgesia was provided by fentanyl injection and between 6 and 24 h analgesia was provided by diclofenac tablets. Visual analogue scores for pain and consumption of fentanyl and diclofenac were compared. RESULTS: The block was inadequate for one case each in lignocaine group and pethidine group, so general anaesthesia was provided. Time for the first dose of fentanyl required for postoperative analgesia was significantly more in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (156.7 ± 148.8 and 153.0 ± 106.0 vs. 52.1 ± 52.4 min respectively). Total fentanyl consumption in first 6 h of postoperative period was less in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (37.5 ± 29.0 mcg, 38.3 ± 20.8 mcg vs. 64.2 ± 27.2 mcg respectively). Consumption of diclofenac tablets was 2.4 ± 0.7, 2.5 ± 0.5 and 2.0 ± 0.7 in the control, pethidine and ketoprofen group respectively, which was statistically not significant. Side effects were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Both pethidine and ketoprofen are equally effective in providing postoperative analgesia up to 6 h, without significant difference in the side effects and none of the adjuncts provide significant ...

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: uma revisão de todos os adjuvantes para anestesia regional intravenosa concluiu que há boas evidências para recomendar os agentes anti-inflamatórios não esteroides e petidina em dose de 30 mg como adjuvantes para anestesia regional intravenosa. Porém, não há estudos que comparem petidina (30 mg) com quaisquer dos agentes anti-inflamatórios não esteroides. MÉTODOS: em um estudo prospectivo, randômico e duplo-cego, 45 pacientes receberam anestesia regional intravenosa com apenas lidocaína ou lidocaína com petidina (30 mg) ou lidocaína com cetoprofeno (100 mg). Fentanil foi usado como analgésico de resgate durante a cirurgia. Durante as seis primeiras horas de pós-operatório, analgesia foi fornecida via injeção de fentanil e, entre seis e 24 horas, analgesia foi fornecida via comprimidos de diclofenaco. Os escores visuais analógicos para dor e do consumo de fentanil e diclofenaco foram comparados. RESULTADOS: o bloqueio foi inadequado para um caso tanto do grupo lidocaína quanto do grupo petidina; portanto, anestesia geral foi administrada. O tempo para a primeira dose necessária de fentanil para analgesia pós-operatória foi significativamente maior nos grupos petidina e cetoprofeno em comparação com o grupo lidocaína (156,7 ± 148,8 e 153,0 ± 106,0 vs. 52,1 ± 52,4 minutos, respectivamente). O consumo total de fentanil nas primeiras seis horas de pós-operatório foi menor nos grupos petidina e cetoprofeno em comparação com o grupo lidocaína (37,5 ± 29,0 mcg, 38,3 ± 20,8 mcg vs. 64,2 ± 27,2 mcg, respectivamente). O consumo de comprimidos de diclofenaco foi de 2,4 ± 0,7, 2,5 ± 0,5 e 2,0 ± 0,7 no grupo controle, petidina e cetoprofeno, respectivamente, o que não foi estatisticamente significante. ...

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: una revisión sobre todos los adyuvantes para la anestesia regional intravenosa concluyó que hay buenas evidencias para recomendar los agentes antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y la petidina en dosis de 30 mg como adyuvantes para la anestesia regional intravenosa. Sin embargo, no hay estudios comparando la petidina (30 mg) con cualesquiera de los agentes antiinflamatorios no-esteroideos. MÉTODOS: en un estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y doble ciego, 45 pacientes recibieron anestesia regional intravenosa con solamente lidocaína o lidocaína con petidina (30 mg) o lidocaína con ketoprofeno (100 mg). El fentanilo fue usado como analgésico de rescate durante la cirugía. Durante las 6 primeras horas del postoperatorio, la analgesia fue suministrada vía inyección de fentanilo y entre 6 y 24 h, la analgesia fue suministrada vía comprimidos de diclofenaco. Se compararon las puntuaciones visuales analógicas para el dolor y el consumo de fentanilo y diclofenaco. RESULTADOS: el bloqueo fue inadecuado para un caso tanto del grupo lidocaína como del grupo petidina; por tanto, se administró anestesia general. El tiempo para la primera dosis necesaria de fentanilo para analgesia postoperatoria fue significativamente mayor en los grupos petidina y ketoprofeno en comparación con el grupo lidocaína (156,7 ± 148,8 y 153,0 ± 106,0 vs. 52,1 ± 52,4 min, respectivamente). El consumo total de fentanilo en las primeras 6 h del postoperatorio fue menor en los grupos petidina y ketoprofeno en comparación con el grupo lidocaína (37,5 ± 29,0 mcg; 38,3 ± 20,8 mcg vs. 64,2 ± 27,2 mcg, respectivamente). El consumo de comprimidos de diclofenaco fue de 2,4 ± 0,7; 2,5 ± 0,5; y 2 ± 0,7 en el grupo control, petidina y ketoprofeno, respectivamente, lo que no fue estadísticamente significativo. Los ...