Comparison of intrathecal bupivacaine-fentanyl and bupivacaine-butorphanol combinations for joint replacement surgeries.

Background and Aims: The objective of the study was to compare duration of analgesia of fentanyl versus butorphanol as adjuvants to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia. Material and Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study conducted in 80 patients of 18-75 years age group and American Society of Anesthesiologists Grades I and II undergoing joint replacement surgeries. A total of 40 patients in each Group A and Group B received 0.5% bupivacaine 3 ml with 25 mcg fentanyl and 25 mcg butorphanol respectively, in a total volume of 3.5 ml made with saline. Duration of analgesia, number of rescue analgesia, sensory, and motor block characteristics were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was done using t test and Chi-square test with SPSS 19.0 software. Results: Mean duration of analgesia was found more in Group B in comparison to Group A (P < 0.05). A number of doses of analgesic required postoperatively were more in Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.001). Time required for onset of sensory and motor block was comparable in both the groups. However, two segment regression of sensory block was slower in Group B compared to Group A (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that addition of butorphanol 25 µg as an adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine provided prolonged duration of analgesia compared to 25 mg fentanyl.

Comparative study of hemodynamic effects of intrathecal bupivacaine with butorphanol in cardiac and non-cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The synergism between intrathecal opioids and low dose local anesthetics makes it possible to achieve reliable spinal anesthesia (SA) with minimal hypotension. The study objective was to compare the hemodynamic effects of reduced dose of 0.5% intrathecal bupivacaine (2mL) with 25 µg butorphanol in cardiac vs non-cardiac patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included sixty patients aged 30-80 years, undergoing infraumbilical surgeries in the study and compared thirty cardiac patients with mild to moderate reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on 2D echocardiography (Group C) with 30 non-cardiac patients (Group NC) for similar types of surgery. Both the groups received 0.5% bupivacaine 2.0 ml with 25 µg butorphanol. RESULTS: The spinal block characteristics were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). The blood pressure of the patients in the two groups was comparable till 80 min P > 0.05 after which Group NC had significant increase in blood pressure compared to Group C upto 95 min (P < 0.05). Similarly, heart rate was comparable until 90 min (P > 0.05) after which Group NC had significant increase in heart rate versus Group C upto 100 min (P < 0.05). Eight patients in group C and five patients in group NC showed hypotension. Bradycardia was seen in 4 patients in group C in comparison to only one patient in group NC. CONCLUSION: We can safely consider spinal anesthesia with 10 mg bupivacaine and 25µg butorphanol in cardiac patients with mild to moderately reduced ejection fraction presenting for infraumbilical non-cardiac surgeries with the advantage of intraoperative hemodynamic stability and adequate postoperative analgesia.

Evaluating the effectiveness of TENS for maternal satisfaction in laboring parturients - Comparison with epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Labor pain is one of the most severe pain that a woman experiences in her lifetime. Various methods are being used to relieve this pain and to achieve higher maternal satisfaction. One such technique is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) that uses low-frequency electrotherapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate TENS by comparing it to an established labor analgesia technique, i.e., epidural analgesia in terms of maternal satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 60 parturients in active stage of labor. The choice of analgesia was made by the parturient after informed consent. In group A (n = 30) TENS was used, while in group B (n = 30) epidural ropivacaine 0.125% + 2 µg/ml fentanyl was given. Continuous monitoring of maternal vitals, visual analogue score, and fetal heart rate (FHR) was done. Maternal satisfaction was scored considering pain relief, ability to move and experience of labor at the end of delivery and outcome was labeled as favorable and unfavorable. RESULTS: TENS was found to be favorable in 90% of parturients as compared to 96.6% in epidural (P 0.301). The number of highly satisfied parturients was 4 (13.3%) in TENS group and 17 (56.6%) in the epidural group (P= 0.000). Three patients in the epidural group had assisted delivery and two had cesarean section whereas all patients in TENS group delivered normally (P= 0.065). No significant difference was found in the fetal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: TENS is a good alternate choice for providing labor analgesia and may have a major role in future.

Comparison of Magnesium Sulfate and Ketamine with Ropivacaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block offers good operating conditions with limited postoperative analgesia. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and ketamine block peripheral nociception mediated via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MgSO4 and ketamine on the duration of analgesia in brachial block. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and five adult patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group I = 27 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine; Group II = 27 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine + 250 mg MgSO4; and Group II = 27 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine + 2 mg.kg-1 ketamine. Normal saline was added to make a total volume of 30 mL. The onset and duration of the sensorimotor blockade, quality and duration of postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 17.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was used for nonparametric and ANOVA for parametric data. Post hoc Student's paired t-test was applied wherever indicated. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviation or numbers (%). P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group II (8.78 ± 0.97 h) compared to Group I (6.76 ± 0.92 h; P < 0.001) and Group III (7.1 ± 0.89 h; P < 0.001). Intervention groups had lower postoperative visual analog scores at 8, 12, and 24 h compared to the control group. Sedation, nystagmus, and hallucinations were observed in Group III. CONCLUSION: The addition of MgSO4 to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block significantly prolongs the duration of analgesia. MgSO4 improves the quality of postoperative analgesia with lesser incidence of side effects when compared to ketamine.

To compare the analgesic efficacy of two different doses of epidural ketamine in chronic low back-pain patients: A randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ketamine, an adjunct to epidural steroid injections (ESI) for chronic back-pain provides better quality and prolonged duration of analgesia. The present study aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy in terms of pain scores, duration of pain-free period, patient satisfaction score (PSS) and number of repeat injections with 25 mg versus 50 mg ketamine as adjuvants to ESI. METHODS: In a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial at a tertiary care hospital, 60 patients of chronic low back-pain of either sex, aged 18-65 years, received preservative free 25 mg ketamine in Group I and 50 mg ketamine in Group II as adjunct to 40 mg triamcinolone in total 6 ml volume given epidurally. Baseline data along with follow-ups at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-procedure included assessment of pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), duration, number of repeat blocks using PSS, Quality of Life (QoL) and side-effects. Categorical data analysed using the Chi-Square test, and continuous data using paired t-test. RESULTS: Pain evaluation within the groups over time showed significant improvement from baseline (P = 0.000), and between the groups showed comparable VAS scores at 12 weeks (P = 0.392). The PSS, pain-free duration and number of repeat injections were also statistically comparable. However, the QoL improved more in Group II vs Group I (P = 0.024). The short-lasting side effects were more in Group II, but no features of neurotoxicity were observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: The analgesic efficacy of adjuvant therapy with 50 mg ketamine appeared comparable to 25 mg ketamine. Although, there was a better quality of life and longer pain-free interval with 50 mg ketamine, the side effects were more.

Foreign body blocking closed circuit suction catheter: An unusual cause of retained tracheal secretions in a mechanically ventilated patient.

Closed circuit suction system (CCSS) has become a standard of care for the tracheal suctioning of mechanically ventilated patients. The advantages of CCSS over the open suction system include decreased environmental, personnel and patient contamination, preservation of lung volumes and oxygenation especially in the severely hypoxemic patients. On the other hand, CCSS has lower efficacy in removal of secretions and it may have certain other disadvantages due to the invisibility of its tip. We report an unusual case of an airway foreign body causing blockage of the CCSS leading to retained secretions and deterioration of patient. Timely changing over to open suction system helped in its detection and improvement of patient.