The Association of Seasonal Variations and COVID-19 Clinical Features: A Comparative Study on the Fourth and Fifth Waves.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed many healthcare systems. Seasonality is a feature of several infectious diseases. Studies regarding the association of seasonal variations and COVID-19 have shown controversial results. Therefore, we aimed to compare COVID-19 characteristics and survival outcomes between the fourth and fifth waves in Iran, which corresponded to spring and summer, respectively. Methods: This is a retrospective study on the fourth and fifth COVID-19 waves in Iran. One hundred patients from the fourth and 90 patients from the fifth wave were included. Data from the baseline and demographic characteristics, clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, and hospital outcomes were compared between the fourth and fifth COVID-19 waves in hospitalized patients in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran. Results: The fifth wave patients were more likely to present with gastrointestinal symptoms than the patients from the fourth wave. Moreover, patients in the fifth wave had lower arterial oxygen saturation on admission (88% vs. 90%; P = 0.026), lower levels of WBCs (neutrophils and lymphocytes) (6300.00 vs. 8000.00; P = 0.004), and higher percentages of pulmonary involvement in the chest CT scans (50% vs. 40%; P < 0.001). Furthermore, these patients had longer hospital stays than their fourth-wave counterparts (7.00 vs. 5.00; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study indicated that patients in the summer COVID-19 wave were more likely to present with gastrointestinal symptoms. They also experienced a more severe disease in terms of peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, percentages of pulmonary involvement in CT scans, and length of hospital stay.

Preserving Resilience for Prevention of Burnout in Anesthesiology Residents as Frontline Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Report of Real-Life Experiences of Professionalism and Mentoring in Medical Education.

Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout of healthcare workers, including anesthetists, has become a critical issue. This study aimed to provide a practical framework for decreasing and preventing burnout among anesthesiology residents through preserving their good mental health. Materials and methods: Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, anesthesiology residents have been members of medical teams with the attending staff, senior residents, and partner residents. Besides, the following measures were taken to reduce burnout: providing financial support for the attending staff to procure personal protective equipment (PPE), rearrangement of work schedules to reduce the workload, holding training sessions in virtual meetings, and improving the social network system for reducing burnout. Results: The interventional program could help anesthesiology residents to adapt to or cope with the healthcare system status and also prevent burnout. Moreover, development of empathy, integrity, and cohesion in the healthcare system motivated the staff to comply with the principles of medical professionalism. Conclusion: During the current health crisis due to COVID-19, it is essential to implement specific interventional and training programs for decreasing or preventing burnout among healthcare workers.

Continuous epidural catheter for anaesthesia management and post-op pain relief in colorectal surgery, complicated by epidural haematoma and bilateral paraplegia: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Utilising epidural analgesia (EA) during major abdominal surgery in combination with general anaesthetic, is a proven approach to decrease anaesthetic requirement in patients with severe comorbidities, enhance recovery and improve pain management. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we report a case of an 81-years-old female with bilateral lower limb sensory loss, saddle paraesthesia, paraplegia, and incontinence following a thoracic epidural catheterisation required for low anterior resection of rectal adenocarcinoma. The complication was reported by the patient on the third day of post-op. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The magnetic resonance imaging results revealed an extradural extramedullary hyperintense haematoma in the spinal cord at T12-L2 vertebral level. The neurological deficit was addressed urgently with laminectomy; and following implementation of intensive inpatient physiotherapy and rehabilitation regiment the patient restored mild motor function. CONCLUSION: We believe the culprit of the acute focal neurology deficits in this patient could be due to the epidural catheterisation and the post-op local anaesthetic injections. From this case, we anecdotally recommend performing thoracolumbar MRI as part of pre-op workup in patients with long standing back issues or claudication, considering x-ray guided catheterisation in higher risk patients for epidural hematoma, and early and repeated neurological examination and rapid investigation for any mild neurological deficits.

Short-term memory impairment in patients undergoing general anesthesia and its contributing factors.

BACKGROUND: Short-term memory disorder following surgery and anesthesia is a common complication of anesthesia and a common complaint of the patients. AIMS: This study was designed to assess memory impairment in patients undergoing elective surgery, investigate the effect of general anesthesia (GA) on memory, and identify the factors contributing to it, as well as the specific effect of anesthesia on each of the memory domains. SETTING AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was performed in a university hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I, II, and III who were candidates for elective abdominal surgery were enrolled. Patients answered several questions based on the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised V (WMS-R-V), a standardized questionnaire, minutes before entering the operating room (OR) and again after 24 h postoperation, and the differences were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis was performed using T-independent and Chi-square tests with Pearson's coefficient and Fischer's exact test and Man-Whitney test. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS: Four hundred patients (198 females and 202 males) with a mean age of 50.75 years were enrolled in our study. Our study results showed that short-term memory after GA was significantly decreased compared with preanesthesia (P < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between memory disorder following GA and gender (P = 0.18) or comorbidities (P = 0.138). However, older age was found to be a contributing factor to memory loss following GA (P < 0.001). The highest and lowest effect of GA were found on the number repeat (45.2%) and personal information (16.2%) domain of the memory. CONCLUSION: GA significantly reduces the patient's short-term memory after the surgery.

Risk factors of inadequate emergence following general anesthesia with an emphasis on patients with substance dependence history.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to define the incidence and risk factors of both emergence agitation and hypoactive emergence in adult patients and substance-dependent patients following general anesthesia to elaborate on the risk factors and precise management of them. METHODS: The study recruited 1,136 adult patients who received elective surgeries under general anesthesia for this prospective observational study. Inadequate emergence was determined according to the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS). Emergence agitation was defined as a RASS ≥ +1 point, and hypoactive emergence was defined as a RASS ≤ -2 points. Subgroup analyses were then conducted on patients with substance dependence. RESULTS: Inadequate emergence in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) occurred in 20.3% of patients, including 13.9% with emergence agitation and 6.4% with hypoactive emergence. Ninety-five patients had a history of substance dependence. Compared to divorced patients, never-married and presently married patients, who underwent gynecological and thoracic surgeries, had a lower risk of agitation. Neurologic disorders, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative morphine, and PACU analgesic drug administration were associated with increased agitation risk. Hypertension and psychological disorders, intraoperative opioids, and PACU Foley catheter fixation were associated with increased hypoactive emergence risk. Substance-dependent patients had higher risk for agitation (21.1%, P = 0.019) and hypoactive emergence (10.5%, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate emergence in PACU following general anesthesia is a significant problem correlated with several perioperative factors. Patients with a history of substance dependence appear to be more at risk of inadequate emergence than the general population.

[Comparison of post-operative nausea and vomiting with intravenous versus inhalational anesthesia in laparotomic abdominal surgery: a randomized clinical trial]. / Comparação entre anestesia intravenosa e inalatória na náusea e vômito pós­operatórios em laparotomia: estudo clínico randomizado.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) is a multifactorial surgical complication with an unclear underlying cause. Anesthetic methods, patients' characteristics and the type of surgery are considered as factors affecting PONV. This study was designed to compare the effect of inhalational and intravenous anesthesia in abdominal surgery on the incidence and severity of PONV. METHODS: A single-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial on 105 patients aged 18-65 years was carried out. Patients were divided in two groups of Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) and Inhalational anesthesia. The incidence and severity of PONV were examined at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24hours after the surgery. The use of a rescue antiemetic was also evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty point nine percent of the patients in the inhalation group and 17.3% of the patients in the intravenous group developed PONV (p <0.001). The incidence of vomiting was reported in 11.3% of the Inhalational group and 3.8% of the TIVA group (p=0.15), and 24.5% of patients in the Inhalation group and 9.6% of patients in the intravenous group needed an antiemetic medication (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and the need for administration of an antiemetic rescue drug, and the severity of nausea in patients were significantly lower in the TIVA group.

Comparison of post-operative nausea and vomiting with intravenous versus inhalational anesthesia in laparotomic abdominal surgery: a randomized clinical trial / Comparação entre anestesia intravenosa e inalatória na náusea e vômito pós-operatórios em laparotomia: estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract Background: Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) is a multifactorial surgical complication with an unclear underlying cause. Anesthetic methods, patients' characteristics and the type of surgery are considered as factors affecting PONV. This study was designed to compare the effect of inhalational and intravenous anesthesia in abdominal surgery on the incidence and severity of PONV. Methods: A single-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial on 105 patients aged 18 − 65 years was carried out. Patients were divided into two groups of Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) and inhalational anesthesia. The incidence and the severity of PONV were examined at 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the surgery. The use of a rescue antiemetic was also evaluated. Results: 50.9% of the patients in the inhalation group and 17.3% of the patients in the intravenous group developed PONV (p < 0.001). The incidence of vomiting was reported in 11.3% of the inhalational group and 3.8% of the TIVA group (p = 0.15). 24.5% of patients in the inhalation group and 9.6% of patients in the intravenous group needed an antiemetic medication (p = 0.043). Conclusion: The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and the need for administration of an antiemetic rescue drug and the severity of nausea in patients were significantly lower in the TIVA group.

Resumo Justificativa: Náusea e Vômito no Pós-Operatório (NVPO) é uma complicação multifatorial com etiologia não esclarecida. A técnica anestésica, as características dos pacientes e o tipo de cirurgia são considerados fatores que afetam a NVPO. O presente estudo foi desenhado para comparar o efeito da anestesia inalatória com anestesia intravenosa na incidência e gravidade de NVPO na cirurgia abdominal. Método: Foi realizado estudo clínico mono-cego prospectivo randomizado com 105 pacientes com idades de 18 − 65 anos. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, Anestesia Total Intravenosa (TIVA) e anestesia inalatória. A incidência e gravidade de NVPO foram avaliadas em cinco momentos: 0, 2, 6, 12 e 24 horas pós-cirurgia. O uso de antiemético de resgate também foi avaliado. Resultados: NVPO ocorreu em 50,9% dos pacientes no grupo inalatória e 17,3% dos pacientes no grupo TIVA (p< 0,001). A incidência de vômitos relatados foi 11,3% no grupo Inalatória e 3,8% no grupo TIVA (p = 0,15). Necessitaram de medicação antiemética 24,5% dos pacientes no grupo Inalatória e 9,6% dos pacientes no grupo TIVA (p = 0.043). Conclusão: A incidência de náusea e vômito no pós-operatório, a necessidade de administração de droga antiemética de resgate e a gravidade da náusea foram significantemente mais baixas no grupo TIVA.

Comparative clinical trial between Ciaglia and Griggs techniques during tracheostomy performed in patients admitted to intensive care unit.

Percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy (PDT) is one of the most frequent interventions in ventilator dependant ICU patients. Ciaglia and Griggs are two common PDT techniques. Few studies are available comparing these two methods, but there is no data available to compare these two techniques in Iranian population. The aim of this study was to compare Ciaglia and Griggs technique in our population in order to recognize advantages and disadvantages of each technique in order to identify the most beneficial one. This study is a comparative clinical trial conducted on 100 consecutive ICU admitted patients who needed prolonged intubation; half of them underwent PDT with Ciaglia method and other half with Griggs method. Procedural time and short term complications including bleeding, vital signs instability and technical errors were compared in both two methods. Both groups were comparable in demographic characteristics. Griggs method performed significantly faster than Ciaglia method (P=0.001). Complications such as high grade bleeding (P=0.01) and cardiac dysrhythmias (P=0.07) were less in Ciaglia technique than Griggs. Skin incision smaller than required was reported more with Griggs method than Ciaglia (P=0.03). We conclude that PDT with Ciaglia method is safer with less complications than the Griggs method. We suggest use of Ciaglia for less experienced operators.

Laparoscopic splenectomy in a child with moyamoya syndrome, hereditary spherocytosis, and interstitial lung disease: a mere coincidence or partnership based on genetic similarities.

A case of moyamoya syndrome and spherocytosis with concurrent interstitial lung disease who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy is being reported. A theory regarding their coexistence is being forwarded together with their anesthetic management. According to our search, this is the fourth case of moyamoya syndrome and the first case with an associated interstitial lung disease in a 10-year-old child.