Inverse ratio ventilation versus conventional ratio ventilation during one lung ventilation in neonatal open repair of esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining oxygenation during neonatal open repair of esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula is difficult. Inverse ratio ventilation can be used during one lung ventilation to improve the oxygenation and lung mechanics. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the impact of two different ventilatory strategies (inverse ratio ventilation vs. conventional ratio ventilation) during one lung ventilation in neonatal open repair of esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula on the incidence of oxygen desaturation episodes. METHODS: We enrolled 40 term neonates undergoing open right thoracotomy for esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula repair and randomly assigned into two groups based on inspiratory to expiratory ratio of mechanical ventilation parameters (2:1 in inverse ratio ventilation "IRV" and 1:2 in conventional ratio ventilation "CRV"). The incidence of desaturation episodes that required stopping the procedure and reinflation of the lung were recorded as the primary outcome while hemodynamic parameters, incidence of complications, and length of surgical procedure were recorded as the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: There was a trend toward a reduction in the incidence of severe desaturations (requiring stopping of surgery) with the use of inverse ratio ventilation (15% in IRV vs. 35% in CRV, RR [95% CI] 0.429 [0.129-1.426]). Incidence of all desaturations (including those requiring only an increase in ventilatory support or inspired oxygen saturation) was also reduced (40% in IRV vs. 75% in CRV, RR [95% CI] 0.533 [0.295-0.965]). This in turn affected the length of surgical procedure being significantly shorter in inverse ratio ventilation group (mean difference -16.3, 95% CI -31.64 to -0.958). The intraoperative fraction of inspired oxygen required to maintain adequate oxygen saturation was significantly lower in the inverse ratio ventilation group than in the conventional ratio ventilation group (mean difference -0.22, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.098), with no significant difference in hemodynamic stability or complications apart from higher blood loss in inverse ratio group. CONCLUSION: There may be a role for inverse ratio ventilation with appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure to reduce the incidence of hypoxemia during open repair of esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula in neonates, further studies are required to establish the safety and efficacy of this technique.

Increased incidence of otitis externa in covid-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The current study showed the relation between otitis externa and COVID-19 infection and compared otitis externa with other symptoms of COVID-19 as anosmia. METHODS: 257 cases who were confirmed positive for COVID-19, were examined otoscopic and endoscopic for otitis externa, onset of starting symptoms of otitis externa and its relation to days of infection with COVID-19 were documented and the prevalence of otitis externa with anosmia in the study group were estimated. RESULTS: Increased incidence of otitis externa in COVID-19 patients (18% of study group) and symptoms starting mainly between the 5th to 8th day of COVID-19 infection. Combined otitis externa and anosmia occurred in 13% of study group. CONCLUSIONS: Otitis externa has a relation to COVID-19 infection. Further research needed to study its pathogenesis and mechanisms.

[Propofol-ketamine versus dexmedetomidine-ketamine for sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial]. / Propofol­cetamina versus dexmedetomidina­cetamina para sedação durante endoscopia digestiva alta em pacientes pediátricos: estudo clínico randomizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Day-case pediatric sedation is challenging. Dexmedetomidine is a sedative analgesic that does not induce respiratory depression. We compared dexmedetomidine to propofol when it was added to ketamine for sedation during pediatric endoscopy, regarding recovery time and hemodynamic changes. METHODS: We enrolled 120 patients (2-7 years in age) and randomly assigned them into two groups. Each patient received intravenous (IV) ketamine at a dose of 1 mg.kg-1 in addition to either propofol (1 mg.kg-1) or dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg.kg-1). The recovery time was compared. Hemodynamics, oxygen saturation, need for additional doses, postoperative complications and endoscopist satisfaction were monitored. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in hemodynamics between the groups. The Propofol-Ketamine (P-K) group showed significantly shorter recovery times than the Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine (D-K) group (21.25 and 29.75 minutes respectively, p <0.001). The P-K group showed more oxygen desaturation. Eleven and six patients experienced SpO2 <92% in groups P-K and D-K, respectively. A significant difference was noted regarding the need for additional doses; 10% of patients in the D-K group needed one extra dose, and 5% needed two extra doses, compared to 25% and 20% in the P-K group, respectively (p=0.001). The P-K group showed less post-procedure nausea and vomiting. No statistically significant difference between both groups regarding endoscopist satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The P-K combination was associated with a shorter recovery time in pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, while the D-K combination showed less need for additional doses. REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical trials.gov (NCT02863861).

Comparison between nasopharyngeal airway and laryngeal mask airway in blepharoplasty under general anaesthesia. A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Blepharoplasty can be performed under local infiltration anaesthesia with or without sedation or general anaesthesia depending upon the surgical plan, patient and surgeon preferences, and duration of surgery. Securing the airway with an endotracheal tube or a laryngeal mask airway may cause sore throat. The primary aim of our study was to compare the incidence of this complication between the nasopharyngeal and laryngeal mask airways among patients receiving general anaesthesia during blepha-roplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred forty-eight patients (40-60 years old), ASA II-III, were randomly and evenly assigned to one of two groups. After induction of general anaesthesia, a nasopharyngeal airway or a laryngeal mask airway was inserted according to group allocation. All patients received local infiltration anaesthesia given by the surgeon. Haemodynamic variables, oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO2, failure rate and recovery time were monitored. Postoperative complications (mainly sore throat) as well as patients' and surgeon's satisfaction, were recorded. RESULTS: Compared to laryngeal mask airways, the use of nasopharyngeal airways was associated with significantly lower incidence of sore throat (4.0% vs. 17.6% with a difference of 13.5%, 95% CI [3.5-24.1%], P < 0.015), shorter recovery times (10.3 min ± 2.84 min vs. 12.6 min ± 2.65 min, P < 0.001), and better patient and surgeon satisfaction (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal airways are an excellent alternative to laryngeal mask airways in anaesthetizing patients undergoing four-lid blepharoplasty surgery, with shorter recovery time, less incidence of postoperative sore throat and better patients' and surgeon's satisfaction.

Propofol-ketamine versus dexmedetomidine-ketamine for sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial / Propofol­cetamina versus dexmedetomidina­cetamina para sedação durante endoscopia digestiva alta em pacientes pediátricos: estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract Background and objectives Day-case pediatric sedation is challenging. Dexmedetomidine is a sedative analgesic that does not induce respiratory depression. We compared dexmedetomidine to propofol when it was added to ketamine for sedation during pediatric endoscopy, regarding recovery time and hemodynamic changes. Methods We enrolled 120 patients (2−7 years in age) and randomly assigned them into two groups. Each patient received intravenous (IV) ketamine at a dose of 1 mg.kg-1 in addition to either propofol (1 mg.kg-1) or dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg.kg-1). The recovery time was compared. Hemodynamics, oxygen saturation, need for additional doses, postoperative complications and endoscopist satisfaction were monitored. Results There was no significant difference in hemodynamics between the groups. The Propofol-Ketamine (P-K) group showed significantly shorter recovery times than the Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine (D-K) group (21.25 and 29.75 minutes, respectively, p < 0.001). The P-K group showed more oxygen desaturation. Eleven and 6 patients experienced SpO2 < 92% in groups P-K and D-K, respectively. A significant difference was noted regarding the need for additional doses; 10% of patients in the D-K group needed one extra dose, and 5% needed two extra doses, compared to 25% and 20% in the P-K group, respectively (p = 0.001). The P-K group showed less post-procedure nausea and vomiting. No statistically significant difference between both groups regarding endoscopist satisfaction. Conclusions The P-K combination was associated with a shorter recovery time in pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, while the D-K combination showed less need for additional doses. Registration number Clinical trials.gov (NCT02863861).

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos A sedação ambulatorial pediátrica é um desafio. A dexmedetomidina é um analgésico sedativo que não induz à depressão respiratória. Comparamos a dexmedetomidina ao propofol quando associados à cetamina para sedação durante endoscopia pediátrica, quanto ao tempo de recuperação e às alterações hemodinâmicas. Métodos Foram recrutados 120 pacientes (2−7 anos de idade) que foram aleatoriamente alocados em dois grupos. Cada paciente recebeu cetamina IV na dose de 1 mg.kg‐1, além de propofol (1 mg.kg‐1) ou dexmedetomidina (0,5 µg.kg‐1). Comparamos o tempo de recuperação. A hemodinâmica, saturação de oxigênio, necessidade de doses adicionais, complicações pós‐operatórias e satisfação do endoscopista foram monitoradas. Resultados Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos no que diz respeito à hemodinâmica. O grupo Propofol‐Cetamina (P‐C) apresentou tempos de recuperação significantemente mais curtos do que o grupo Dexmedetomidina‐Cetamina (D‐C) (21,25 e 29,75 minutos respectivamente, p < 0,001). Observou‐se frequência maior de dessaturação de oxigênio no grupo P‐C. Onze e 6 pacientes apresentaram SpO2 < 92% nos grupos P‐C e D‐C, respectivamente. Uma diferença significante foi observada em relação à necessidade de doses adicionais; 10% dos pacientes no grupo D‐C precisaram de uma dose extra e 5% precisaram de duas doses extras, em comparação com 25% e 20% no grupo P‐C, respectivamente (p = 0,001). O grupo P‐C apresentou menos náuseas e vômitos após o procedimento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos em relação à satisfação do endoscopista. Conclusões A combinação P‐C foi associada a tempo mais curto de recuperação na endoscopia digestiva alta pediátrica, enquanto a combinação D‐C mostrou menor necessidade de doses adicionais. Número de registro Clinical trials.gov (NCT02863861).