Outcomes of intravenous and inhalation anesthesia on patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Different anesthetics may have opposite effects on the immune system, thus affecting the prognosis of tumor patients. Cell-mediated immunity forms the primary defense against the invasion of tumor cells, so manipulation of the immune system to produce an enhanced anti-tumor response could be utilized as an adjuvant oncological therapy. Sevoflurane has proinflammatory effects, while propofol, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Therefore, we compared the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with esophageal cancer under total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia. METHODS: This study collected the electronic medical records of patients undergoing esophagectomy from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016. According to the intraoperative anesthetics, the patients were divided into total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) group or inhalational anesthesia (INHA) group. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) was used to minimize differences. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was established to evaluate the correlation between different anesthesia methods in overall survival and disease-free survival of patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery. RESULTS: A total of 420 patients with elective esophageal cancer were collected, including 363 patients eligible for study (TIVA, n = 147, INHA, n = 216). After SIPTW there were no significant differences between two groups in overall survival and disease-free survival. However, the adjuvant therapy was statistically significant in improving OS, and the degree of differentiation was correlated with OS and DFS. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there were no significant difference in overall survival and disease-free survival between total intravenous anesthesia and inhalational anesthesia in patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery.

The recovery of upper limb function and postoperative pain in children with lateral humeral condyle fractures were examined retrospectively in relation to the effects of brachial plexus block given in conjunction with general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess in retrospect the effects of brachial plexus block and general anesthesia on children with lateral humeral condyle fractures in terms of postoperative pain and return of upper limb function. METHODS: Randomly allocated to either the control group (n = 51) or the study group (n = 55) were children with lateral humeral condyle fractures who were admitted to our hospital between October 2020 and October 2021, depending on the surgical anesthetic technique used. The research group had internal fixation surgery with brachial plexus block in addition to anesthesia on the basis of the control group, whereas both groups of children underwent the procedure with general anesthesia alone. Postoperative pain degree, upper extremity functional recovery, occurrence of adverse reactions, etc. RESULTS: The study group had shorter mean times for surgery, anesthesia, propofol dose, return to consciousness, and extubation than the control group did at every measure of statistical significance. The T2 heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were both significantly lower than the pre-anesthesia HR and MAP, and the T1, T2, and T3 HR and MAP were all significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The difference between the SpO2 values at T0 and T3 was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); the VAS scores at 4 h, 12 h, and 48 h after surgery were higher than those at 2 h after surgery, and reached the peak at 4 h after surgery; within 2 h, 4 h, and 12 h of surgery At 48 h, the study group had substantially lower VAS ratings than the control group (P < 0.05). Post-treatment Fugl-Meyer scale scores were considerably higher across the board compared to pre-treatment levels in both groups. When compared to the control group, individuals who participated in the flexion-stretching coordinated exercise and the separation exercise had significantly better ratings. Electrocardiogram, blood pressure, respiratory circulation, and hemodynamic parameters all remained within normal limits during the surgical procedure. The study group had a 9.09% reduced incidence of adverse events compared to the control group. 19.61% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When used in conjunction with general anesthesia, brachial plexus block can help children with lateral humeral condyle fractures regulate perioperative signs, maintain their hemodynamic level, lessen postoperative pain and unpleasant reactions, and improve the function of their upper limbs. Functional recovery, with high safety and effectiveness.

Effect of low-dose propofol combined with dexamethasone on the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynaecological day surgery under remimazolam-based general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: To observe the effect of low-dose propofol combined with dexamethasone on the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in gynaecological day surgery under remimazolam-based general anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 120 patients, aged from 18 to 65 years old, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II, were scheduled to undergo hysteroscopy under total intravenous anesthesia. The patients were divided into 3 groups (n = 40 each): dexamethasone plus saline group (DC group), dexamethasone plus droperidol group (DD group) and dexamethasone plus propofol group (DP group). Dexamethasone 5 mg and flurbiprofen axetil 50 mg were given intravenously before induction of general anesthesia. Anesthesia induction: remimazolam 6 mg/kg/hours was continuously pumped until sleep and slow intravenous injection of alfentanil 20 ug/kg and mivacurium chloride 0.2 mg/kg was given. Anesthesia maintenance: remimazolam 1 mg/kg/hour and alfentanil 40 ug/kg/hours were continuously pumped. After the start of surgery, DC group was given 2 mL saline, DD group was given droperidol 1 mg, and DP group was given propofol 20 mg. Primary outcome: incidence of PONV in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Secondary outcome: incidence of PONV in patients within 24 hours after surgery, as well as general patient data, duration of anesthesia, the recovery time of patients, dose of remimazolam and alfentanil, etc. RESULTS: In PACU, patients of group DD and DP showed less PONV than those in group DC (P < .05). Within 24 hours after operation, there was no significant difference in the incidence of PONV among the 3 groups (P > .05), but the incidence of vomiting in DD group and DP group was significantly lower than that in DC group (P < .05). There was no significant difference in general data, anesthesia time, the recovery time of patients and dosage of remimazolam and alfentanil among the 3 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The effect of low-dose propofol combined with dexamethasone to prevent PONV under remimazolam-based general anesthesia was similar to that of droperidol combined with dexamethasone, both of which significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in the PACU compared to dexamethasone alone. However, low-dose propofol combined with dexamethasone had little effect on the incidence of PONV within 24 hours compared to dexamethasone alone and only reduced the incidence of postoperative vomiting in patients.

Association between intraoperative end-tidal carbon dioxide and postoperative organ dysfunction in major abdominal surgery: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Data on the effects of intraoperative end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) levels on postoperative organ dysfunction are limited. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between the intraoperative EtCO2 level and postoperative organ dysfunction in patients who underwent major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study involving patients who underwent major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia at Kyoto University Hospital. We classified those with a mean EtCO2 of less than 35 mmHg as low EtCO2. The time effect was determined as the minutes when the EtCO2 value was below 35 mmHg, whereas the cumulative effect was evaluated by measuring the area below the 35-mmHg threshold. The outcome was postoperative organ dysfunction, defined as a composite of at least one organ dysfunction among acute renal injury, circulatory dysfunction, respiratory dysfunction, coagulation dysfunction, and liver dysfunction within 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 4,171 patients, 1,195 (28%) had low EtCO2, and 1,428 (34%) had postoperative organ dysfunction. An association was found between low EtCO2 and increased postoperative organ dysfunction (adjusted risk ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.20; p = 0.006). Additionally, long-term exposure to EtCO2 values of less than 35 mmHg (≥224 min) was associated with postoperative organ dysfunction (adjusted risk ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.32; p = 0.003) and low EtCO2 severity (area under the threshold) (adjusted risk ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26; p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative low EtCO2 of below 35 mmHg was associated with increased postoperative organ dysfunction.

Balloon Dilation Eustachian Tuboplasty Combined with Tympanotomy Tube Insertion for Treatment of Refractory Otitis Media with Effusion: A Randomized, Prospective, Controlled Trial Comparing Local Anesthesia Combined Sedation Versus General Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is used to treat eustachian dysfunction but its therapeutic effect and cost-effectiveness when combined with tympanotomy tube insertion (TBI) on refractory otitis media with effusion under local anesthesia with sedation compared to traditional general anesthesia are not well understood. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty patients with refractory secretory otitis media who received BET+TBI were enrolled in this study and randomized into the local anesthesia with sedation group (n=20) and general anesthesia group (n=20). Tympanometry (TMM), 7-item eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire (ETDQ-7) results, intraoperative anesthesia accidents, and operation costs were compared between the groups. RESULTS Patients in the local anesthesia with sedation group exhibited intraoperative awareness and pain. Differences in TMM, ETDQ-7 results, and postoperative VAS scores between the groups were comparable (P>0.05). Notably, operative time and treatment costs in the local anesthesia group were lower compared with general anesthesia group. CONCLUSIONS The treatment effects and safety of local anesthesia and general anesthesia under BET combined with TBI for treatment of refractory otitis media with effusion are comparable. However, further studies should aim at reducing pain and discomfort.

Behavioral Modifications in Children after Repeated Sedation with Nitrous Oxide for Dental Treatment: A Retrospective Study.

Sedation with nitrous oxide (N2O) has been widely used as a viable alternative to general anesthesia to perform dental treatments in uncooperative or anxious children. The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess if repeated sedations with N2O can improve collaboration of uncooperative children. The medical records of 650 children, aged between 3 and 14 years, who underwent at least two sedations, were consulted. Differences in the Venham score during the first sedation and subsequent sedations were collected. After removal incomplete records, 577 children's records (309 males and 268 females) were analyzed. The Venham score decreased both during each sedation and with repeated sedations (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). In particular, a significant reduction of the Venham score was observed at the first contact with the dentist, with a mean score ranging from 1.56 ± 1.46 to 1.16 ± 1.37, comparing the first and the second sedation, and from 1.65 ± 1.43 to 1.06 ± 1.30, comparing the first with the third sedation (p < 0.01). The reduction in the Venham score was recorded in both healthy and physically impaired patients, and it was significantly greater in older children than in younger children (p < 0.01). In conclusion, uncooperative children with or without physical impairments can be successfully treated with N2O sedation in order to increase their confidence in dental procedures.

Effective dose of remimazolam co-administered with remifentanil to facilitate I-gel insertion without neuromuscular blocking agents: an up-and-down sequential allocation trial.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is a new anesthetic drug developed and is an ultra-short-acting agent with rapid onset and offset. The pharmacology of this drug seems to be ideal for short surgeries eligible for I-gel insertion. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the optimal bolus dose of remimazolam for I-gel insertion when co-administered with remifentanil without neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs). METHODS: Patients aged 19-65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II scheduled for general anesthesia were enrolled. The first dose of remimazolam was 0.15 mg/kg and remifentanil was co-administered at an effect-site concentration (Ce) of 3.0 ng/mL. The dose of remimazolam for the following patient was decreased or increased by 0.05 mg/kg depending on the success or failure of I-gel insertion in the previous patient. RESULTS: The remimazolam bolus dose required for successful I-gel insertion in 50% of adult patients using modified Dixon's up-and-down method with remifentanil Ce 3.0 ng/mL and no NMBAs was 0.280 ± 0.048 mg/kg. Isotonic regression analysis showed that the 50% and 95% effective doses were 0.244 (83% confidence interval [CI] 0.213-0.313) mg/kg and 0.444 (95% CI 0.436-0.448) mg/kg, respectively. The mean time to loss of consciousness (Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score < 2) was 52.2 s. Three patients (12.0%) showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure of more than 30% from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Selecting the appropriate dose of remimazolam/remifentanil without NMBAs makes it feasible to insert the I-gel. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study protocol was registered at http://cris.nih.go.kr (KCT0007801, 12th, October, 2022).

Comparative effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on intraoperative peripheral perfusion index: a retrospective, propensity score matched, cohort study.

Desflurane is known to have a larger vasodilatory effect than that of sevoflurane. However, its generalizability and effect size in actual clinical practice are yet to be proven. Patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia using inhalation anesthetics (desflurane or sevoflurane) were matched 1:1 by propensity score. The mean intraoperative perfusion index (PI) of each patient were compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching of 1680 patients in the study cohort identified 230 pairs of patients. PI was significantly higher in the desflurane group (median of paired difference, 0.45; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.74, p = 0.002). PI durations below 1.0 and 1.5 were significantly longer in the sevoflurane group. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and durations of low MAP did not differ significantly between the two groups. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that the use of sevoflurane, mean MAP, mean heart rate, age, and duration of anesthesia had significant negative effects (lower PI), whereas mean age-adjusted minimum alveolar concentration of inhalation agent had a positive effect on PI (higher value). Intraoperative PI was significantly higher in patients administered desflurane than sevoflurane. However, the impact of the choice between desflurane and sevoflurane on intraoperative PI in this clinical setting was minimal.

Successful perioperative management of simultaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation and hip fracture surgery: a case report.

A 90-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis experienced hospital readmission for chronic heart failure exacerbations many times and was admitted to our hospital for undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Thereafter, she fell in the ward and fractured her femoral trochanter, requiring early hip fracture surgery. We proposed that we should perform simultaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation and hip fracture surgery to cardiologist and orthopedist from anesthetic and perioperative management perspective. We considered that it was difficult to maintain cardiovascular function without cardiac intervention during hip fracture surgery and starting rehabilitation as early as possible was important. General anesthesia was induced without any complications, and the tracheal tube was removed after the successive surgeries. On postoperative day 1, bedside rehabilitation was started, and on postoperative day 3, she was transferred from the intensive care unit to the general ward. On postoperative day 32, she was transferred to another hospital. Anesthesiologist should play an important role for decision making in not only intraoperative but perioperative management for critical case, we should communicate with other departments. The successful perioperative management of simultaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation and hip fracture surgery enabled to start rehabilitation early and prevented further patient hospitalization.

Effect of general anesthesia and controlled mechanical ventilation on pulmonary ventilation distribution assessed by electrical impedance tomography in healthy children.

INTRODUCTION: General anesthesia is associated with the development of atelectasis, which may affect lung ventilation. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive imaging tool that allows monitoring in real time the topographical changes in aeration and ventilation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of distribution of pulmonary ventilation through EIT before and after anesthesia induction in pediatric patients without lung disease undergoing nonthoracic surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including healthy children younger than 5 years who underwent nonthoracic surgery. Monitoring was performed continuously before and throughout the surgical period. Data analysis was divided into 5 periods: induction (spontaneous breathing, SB), ventilation-5min, ventilation-30min, ventilation-late and recovery-SB. In addition to demographic data, mechanical ventilation parameters were also collected. Ventilation impedance (Delta Z) and pulmonary ventilation distribution were analyzed cycle by cycle at the 5 periods. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included, and redistribution of ventilation from the posterior to the anterior region was observed with the beginning of mechanical ventilation: on average, the percentage ventilation distribution in the dorsal region decreased from 54%(IC95%:49-60%) to 49%(IC95%:44-54%). With the restoration of spontaneous breathing, ventilation in the posterior region was restored. CONCLUSION: There were significant pulmonary changes observed during anesthesia and controlled mechanical ventilation in children younger than 5 years, mirroring the findings previously described adults. Monitoring these changes may contribute to guiding the individualized settings of the mechanical ventilator with the goal to prevent postoperative complications.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on anesthesia techniques in tertiary hospital: general anesthesia or regional anesthesia - a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to find out how the pandemic process changed the anesthesia methods applied in Çorum Single Tertiary Region Hospital. In our hospital, we investigated the anesthesia methods used for surgical procedures before and during the pandemic, the number of cases, and the impact of the pandemic on emergency and elective surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing COVID-19 pandemic's effect on the number of surgical operations and anesthesia techniques. The 22-month surgeries during the pandemic period and the 22-month pre-pandemic surgeries were compared in terms of anesthesia methods, branch-specific, and overall case changes. The data obtained were analyzed comparatively in terms of anesthetic techniques, branch-specific and overall case changes of the patients operated on in the operating room before and during the pandemic. RESULTS: While 65,984 surgical procedures were performed in the pre-pandemic period, only 54,352 were performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of surgical procedures decreased by 17.63% during the pandemic. While there was a 21.1% decrease in elective surgeries due to the pandemic, there was a 71.43% increase in emergency surgeries during the pandemic period. There was a significant disparity in the distribution of both elective and emergency cases by surgical specialty. It was found that the surgical specialties that received the most cases during the pandemic were General Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecologic Surgery, Urologic Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, regional anesthesia (RA) was used in 16.95% of cases (as the primary technique). The use of RA as the primary anesthetic technique was significantly higher (10.61%) than in the pre-pandemic data. It was observed that specialties such as General Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecologic Surgery, Urologic Surgery, And Orthopedic Surgery were prominent in the distribution of regional anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was not the first and will not be the last and during this period we saw how important the personnel and material management are. Our study plays an important role in showing the uneven distribution of expected surgical procedures in operating rooms during the pandemic situation. It may provide guidance on the distribution of limited and essential personnel and personal protective equipment (PPE, medications, etc.) during the pandemic period. In this context, regional anesthesia may play an important role in the future because it can provide high-quality perioperative care to patients while minimizing the preference for general anesthesia during surgical procedures, thus minimizing personnel burden and limited resource use.

Development of prediction models to estimate extubation time and midterm recovery time of ophthalmic patients undergoing general anesthesia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To develop prediction models for extubation time and midterm recovery time estimation in ophthalmic patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: Totally 1824 ophthalmic patients who received general anesthesia at Joint Shantou International Eye Center were included. They were divided into a training dataset of 1276 samples, a validation dataset of 274 samples and a check dataset of 274 samples. Up to 85 to 87 related factors were collected for extubation time and midterm recovery time analysis, respectively, including patient factors, anesthetic factors, surgery factors and laboratory examination results. First, multiple linear regression was used for predictor selection. Second, different methods were used to develop predictive models for extubation time and midterm recovery time respectively. Finally, the models' generalization abilities were evaluated using a same check dataset with MSE, RMSE, MAE, MAPE, R-Squared and CCC. RESULTS: The fuzzy neural network achieved the highest R-Squared of 0.956 for extubation time prediction and 0.885 for midterm recovery time, and the RMSE value was 6.637 and 9.285, respectively. CONCLUSION: The fuzzy neural network developed in this study had good generalization performance in predicting both extubation time and midterm recovery time of ophthalmic patients undergoing general anesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is prospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, registration number: CHiCRT2000036416, registration date: August 23, 2020.

Wichterle hydron for breast augmentation - case reports and brief review.

During the period of 1960s and 1970s, a new alloplastic material - Wichterle gel - was introduced in the field of plastic surgery. In 1961, a Czech scientist, prof. Otto Wichterle, had developed, along with his research team, a hydrophilic gel made of polymers, which fulfilled the high standards for prosthetic materials due to its hydrophilic, chemical, thermal and shape stability that provided a better tolerance in the body compared with other hydrophobic gels. Plastic surgeons had started to use the gel for breast augmentations and reconstructions. Success of the gel had been reinforced due to its easy preoperative preparation. The material had been implanted during general anaesthesia via submammary approach over the muscle fixed with a stitch to the fascia. Fixing corset bandage was applied after the surgery. The implanted material had proved to be suitable for postoperative processes with a minimum of complications. In the later postoperative period, however, serious complications occurred - mainly infections and calcifications. Long-term results are presented by case reports. Today, this material is no longer used and it is replaced by more modern implants.

The Preoperative Uric Acid-to-Albumin Ratio as a New Indicator to Predict Long-Term Prognosis After Surgery for Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The long-term prognosis of patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) is poor, despite emergency surgical treatment. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate patient risk factors to improve the prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the ability of the uric acid-to-albumin ratio (UAR) to predict the long-term mortality of patients with type A AAD after surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 289 patients with type A AAD who had received surgical treatment was enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood samples were collected before anesthesia induction. All patients were divided into the UAR < 9.875 group and the UAR ≥ 9.875 group, and mortality significantly differed between the two groups. The patients were further divided into survival and non-survival groups, according to whether death occurred after the procedure based on a one-year follow up. Factors, including age, hypertension, albumin, UAR, and D-dimer, differed significantly between the survival and non-survival groups. The independent risk factors for long-term death in patients with type A AAD were analyzed by univariable and multivariable COX regression analyses, and the predictive value of these indices for postoperative mortality was assessed based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Preoperative UAR (HR 1.904, 95% CI, 1.097 to 3.305; P < 0.05), D-dimer (HR, 1.991,95% CI, 1.116 to 3.554; P < 0.05 ), and age (HR 2.216, 95% CI, 1.287 to 3.815; P < 0.05) were identified as independent risk factors for one-year mortality in patients with Type A AAD. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of UAR was 0.618 [95% (0.544, 0.693)], and the sensitivity and specificity were 69.6% and 51.8%, respectively (P = 0.003). The AUC for albumin was 0.349 [95% (0.274, 0.425)], and the sensitivity and specificity were 26.1% and 51.8%, respectively (P = 0.000), The AUC for uric acid was 0.544 [95% (0.470, 0.619)], and the sensitivity and specificity were 78.3% and 34.5%, respectively (P = 0.265). The AUC for UAR + age + D-dimer was 0.751 [95% (0.681, 0.821)], and the sensitivity and specificity were 76.8% and 68.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: UAR in patients with type A AAD may be used as a new independent risk factor for long-term mortality. Its predictive value is superior to that of albumin or uric acid alone. The combination of UAR, age, and D-dimer provide good prognostic value.

The relationship between different bispectral index and the occurrence of dreams in elective surgery under general anesthesia: protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Dreaming reported after anesthesia remains a poorly understood phenomenon. At present, there is a hypothesis that dreaming occurs intraoperatively and is related to light or inadequate anesthesia; thus, in order to further verify the hypothesis, we choose elective surgery under general anesthesia to observe whether the generation of dreams is related to the dose of general anesthetics maintenance. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomized, double-blind controlled trial to observe whether the generation of dreams is related to the dose of general anesthetics maintenance in the elective surgery under general anesthesia. A total of 124 participants will be randomly allocated to a low bispectral index or high bispectral index group at a ratio of 1:1. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is used to assess the anxiety and depression status of participants during the perioperative period. Ramsay score is used to assess patients' sedation level after surgery in the PACU. Modified Brice questionnaire and awareness classification are used to assess whether patients experienced dreaming during the surgery. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This randomized, double-blind controlled trial received prospective ethics committee approval at the Human Research Ethical Committee of Shengjing Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China (Institutional Review Board registration number 2021PS664K), and was compliant with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects participating in the trial.

Protective Effects of Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Genotoxic Potential of Isoflurane in Patients Undergoing Emergency Surgery.

Background: Isoflurane (ISO) has been extensively uses in general anesthesia and reported to cause deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in prolonged surgical procedures. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an adrenergic agonist and having antioxidant activity that may reduce the genotoxic potential (DNA damage) and oxidative stress induced by ISO in patients undergoing major neurosurgical procedures. Methods and Findings. Twenty-four patients of ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classes I and II were randomly divided into two groups (n = 12). Group A patients received ISO, while group B patients received DEX infusion for maintenance of anesthesia. Venous blood samples were collected at different time intervals and used to evaluate the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and endogenous antioxidants superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalases (CAT). A single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)-comet assay was used to investigate the genotoxic potential of ISO. Conclusion: Increased level of antioxidants and decreased value of MDA and genetic damage index were seen in group B (P < 0.001) in a time-dependent manner. Genetic damage was highest at point T 2 (0.77 vs. 1.37), and continued to decrease till T 3 (0.42 vs. 1.19), with respect to negative controls or baseline values following DEX infusion. Significantly, higher level of MDA was recorded in serum of group A (P < 0.001) as compared to group B (1.60 ± 0.33 vs. 0.03 ± 0.001). Enzymatic activities of CAT and SOD were significantly higher in group B than group A (10.11 ± 2.18 vs. 5.71 ± 0.33), (1.04 ± 0.05 vs. 0.95 ± 0.01), respectively. It may play a contributing role in daily anesthesia practice and improve the toxic effects on patients as well as anesthesia personnel. Trial Registration. Ethical Committee of Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore General Hospital approved the use of humans in this study vide human subject application number ANS-6466 dated February 04, 2019. Furthermore, as the clinical trials required registration from an appropriate registry approved by World Health Organization (WHO), this trail also retrospectively registered at Thai Clinical Trials Registry (an approved WHO registry for clinical trials registration) under reference ID TCTR20211230001 on December 30, 2021.

Rupture of a non sinus of Valsalva aneurysm during pregnancy: Case report and review of literatures.

Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms during pregnancy is rare and presents a threat both to the mother and the fetus. We report a case of ruptured nonsinus of Valsalva aneurysms in a 26-year-old woman diagnosed at 32+4 weeks of gestation. A successful elective lower-segment cesarean section was conducted under general anesthesia. A successful surgical correction of the ruptured aneurysm under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was performed with patch repair after 13 days. A multidisciplinary approach with respect to the pregnant patient's diagnosis, indications, and timing of surgery is necessary in ensuring the best possible outcomes for both the mother and the child.

Comparison of cytotoxic, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic effects of propofol, thiopental and dexmedetomidine on liver cells at accumulative doses (AML12).

OBJECTIVE: Propofol, thiopental and dexmedetomidine are hypnotic, sedative, antiepileptic and analgesic agents used in general anesthesia and intensive care. There are many known and yet unknown side effects. Our aim in this study was to examine and compare the cytotoxic, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic effects of propofol, thiopental and dexmedetomidine drugs, which are widely used in anesthesia, on liver cells (AML12) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) doses of the three drugs on AML12 cells were determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Then at two different doses of each of the three drugs, apoptotic effects were determined by the Annexin-V method, morphological examinations were determined by acridine orange ethidium bromide method and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The IC50 thiopental, propofol and dexmedetomidine doses were found to be 255.008, 254.904 and 34.501 µgr/mL, respectively (p<0.001). The highest cytotoxic effect on liver cells was found in the lowest dose of dexmedetomidine (34.501 µgr/mL) compared to the control group. This was followed by thiopental and propofol, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, propofol, thiopental and dexmedetomidine drugs on AML12 cells were found to have toxic effects by increasing intracellular ROS at two different concentrations higher than clinical doses. It was determined that cytotoxic doses caused an increase in ROS and induced apoptosis in cells. We believe that the toxic effects of these drugs can be prevented by examining the values obtained from this study and the results of future studies.

Methodical control of the difficult pediatric airway: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Management of children who present with a history of impossible mask ventilation or difficult tracheal intubation is fraught with challenges. Despite this, the "airway stress test" of an inhalational induction is frequently employed risking airway obstruction, breath holding, apnea, and laryngospasm. CASE PRESENTATIONS: We present two cases of children with anticipated difficult airway management. The first child (14-year-old African American boy) had severe mucopolysaccharidosis with a history of failed anesthetic induction and failed airway management. The second child (3-year-old African American girl) had progressive lymphatic infiltration of the tongue, resulting in severe macroglossia. We describe a technique that forgoes inhalational induction, incorporates recent pediatric airway guidelines, and provides a greater margin of safety. The technique encompasses the use of drugs that facilitate sedation for intravenous access, without respiratory depression or airway obstruction, titrated use of medications to achieve anesthetic depth while preserving ventilatory drive and airway tone, and the continuous provision of directed oxygen flow during airway manipulation. Propofol and volatile gases were avoided to preserve airway tone and respiratory drive. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize that an intravenous induction technique utilizing medications that preserve airway tone and ventilatory drive, and the use of  continuous oxygen flow throughout airway manipulation, allows for successful management of children with a difficult airway. The common practice of volatile inhalational induction should be avoided in anticipated difficult pediatric airways.

Effect of electroacupuncture on haemodynamic changes during intubation for general anaesthesia is mediated by nitric oxide synthase­3 via the regulation of microRNA­155, microRNA­335 and microRNA­383.

Intubation for general anaesthesia is a life­threatening risk because it can cause haemodynamic changes. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to alleviate the risk of intubation. In the present study, haemodynamic changes were measured at different time points before and after EA. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR was performed to measure the expression of micro (mi)RNAs and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mRNA. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expression of eNOS protein. A luciferase assay was used to explore the inhibitory role of miRNAs in eNOS expression. The transfection of miRNA precursors and antagomirs was performed to assess their effect on eNOS expression. The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure of patients were significantly decreased by EA, while the heart rate of patients was markedly increased. The expression of micro RNA (miR)­155, miR­335 and miR­383 was effectively inhibited by EA in the plasma and peripheral blood monocytes of patients, whereas eNOS expression and NOS production were markedly elevated by EA. The luciferase activity of the eNOS vector was significantly inhibited by miR­155, miR­335 and miR­383 mimics but activated by miR­155, miR­335 and miR­383 antagomirs. miR­155, miR­335 and miR­383 precursors suppressed the expression of eNOS, while miR­155, miR­335 and miR­383 antagomirs enhanced the expression of eNOS. The present study demonstrated that EA may exert a vasodilative effect during intubation for general anaesthesia by promoting NO production and upregulating eNOS expression. The effect of EA on upregulating eNOS expression may be mediated by its inhibitory effect on the expression of miRNA­155, miRNA­335 and miRNA­383.