Comparing the administration of fentanyl 1 µg kg⁻¹ and fentanyl 0.5 µg kg⁻¹ in dilation and curettage procedures.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to compare fentanyl 0.5 µg kg⁻¹ -propofol as opposed to fentanyl 1 µg kg⁻¹ -propofol in terms of providing adequate analgesia, and a comparable recovery profile in dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures. METHODS: Verbal Pain Scale (VPS) scores, modified Aldrete scores, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded during and after the surgical procedure. In addition, a record was also kept of adverse events, and patients and surgeons were questioned about their satisfaction with the anesthesia. RESULTS: No difference was found between the two groups in terms of hemodynamic parameters, the VPS scores, or patient and surgeon satisfaction. The fentanyl 0.5 µg group displayed significantly higher modified Aldrete scores at both 5- and 10-min postoperative. Adverse events in both groups were considerably few. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the fentanyl 0.5 µg group was lower eventhough it did not reach the statistically significance level. In addition, faster recovery times were recorded with the administration of fentanyl 0.5 µg kg⁻¹ . CONCLUSION: Fentanyl 0.5 µg kg⁻¹ appears to be as reliable as that of fentanyl 1 µg kg⁻¹ with faster recovery times when used in D&C procedures.

Effect of headphones on sevoflurane requirement for MRI.

BACKGROUND: Acoustic noise may have adverse effects, even in patients under general anesthetic. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of headphones on sevoflurane requirements in children undergoing general anesthesia for an MRI scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children scheduled for MRI were enrolled in the study. Sevoflurane was used for general anesthesia in all children. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, one to wear headphones and the other none. After reaching a predetermined end-tidal concentration, the MRI scan was initiated, and the patient was evaluated by an observer blinded to the concentration of sevoflurane. Awakening was defined as eye opening, onset of continued purposeful movement or phonation. Using the Dixon up-and-down method, each target concentration was determined by the response of the previous child in the same group. RESULTS: The study included 28 children undergoing MRI. There was a significant difference in ED50 between the two groups (0.92, 0.81-1.02, vs. 0.47, 0.42-0.63; P < 0.001). The times to spontaneous arm and leg movements, eye opening and discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit were significantly shorter in patients with headphones than in those without (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in times to hospital discharge (P = 0.056). CONCLUSION: Noise-concealing headphones decrease inhalational anesthetic requirements and facilitate recovery. We recommend the routine use of headphones in children undergoing an MRI scan.

Efficacy of different concentrations of sevoflurane administered through a face mask for magnetic resonance imaging in children.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was to use a non-invasive method such as a face mask to maintain anesthesia in children during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The secondary aim was to ascertain hemodynamic-respiration parameters, recovery time and complications of anesthesia with the administration of different concentrations of sevoflurane. METHODS: This prospective and randomized study included 96 ASA I-II children, aged 1-10, scheduled to undergo MRI with anesthesia with sevoflurane through a face mask. All patients were administered midazolam 0.5 mg·kg(-1) orally 30 min before anesthesia induction. Sevoflurane 8% was given to induce anesthesia under assisted-controlled ventilation for 2 min, and an intravenous route was opened on the hand. Three different concentrations of sevoflurane were administered through a face mask under spontaneous respiration to maintain anesthesia. A mixture of sevoflurane, oxygen, and air of 5 l·min(-1) was given through a face mask for anesthesia. Group 1 (n = 32) received 1.5% sevoflurane, Group 2 (n = 32) 1.25% sevoflurane, and Group 3 (n = 32) 1.0% sevoflurane. Recovery time, removal from the MRI room, postanesthesia care unit discharge data, and complications were also recorded. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), respiration rate, and anesthesia adequacy were recorded every 5 min from the time of induction until completion of the MRI. RESULTS: All three groups were similar in demographic and hemodynamic respiratory features. MRI was successfully performed in 96.6% of all patients without additional intervention. Sevoflurane concentrations were increased for a short time in one patient in Group 1 and in two patients in Group 3. Oxygen flow was increased in one patient in Group 1 and in one patient in Group 2 as SpO(2) was lower than 95%. The mean time to eye opening (from discontinuation of sevoflurane to eye opening) was 155.8 ± 50.0 s in Group 1, 89.5 ± 16.0 s in Group 2, and 53.5 ± 10.0 s in Group 3; differences between the groups were statistically significant (P = 0.001). Airways were not used on any of the patients, and none vomited or required endotracheal intubation or laryngeal mask anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the administration of sevoflurane at a concentration of 1% via a face mask under spontaneous respiration may provide light anesthesia without complications to induce an unarousable sleep for children during MRI.

Topical heparin: a promising agent for the prevention of tracheal stenosis in airway surgery.

BACKGROUND: The protective effects of topical mitomycin-C (MMC) have been well documented for tracheal stenosis; however, to the best of our knowledge, the use of heparin as an anti-inflammatory agent to support wound healing in upper airway surgery was not studied before. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of topical heparin for healing of tracheal re-implants in a rabbit's model and its resultant histological changes compared with that of MMC. METHODS: In a rabbit model (n = 21), an elliptically shaped portion of the anterior tracheal wall was excised (3-4 tracheal cartilages) under anesthesia and immersed in an isotonic saline solution containing 0.4 mg/mL (0.04%) MMC (n = 7), heparin (liquemine) 5000 U/mL (n = 7), or none (n = 7) for 2 min and then re-implanted. The follow-up period was 2 wk for all animals and then both the larynx and the trachea were excised for histological evaluation. Hematoxylin-eosin (H and E) staining was applied to the excised tissues for microscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the granulation tissue formation score in MMC group (P = 0.03), and epithelial regeneration and inflammation scores in heparin group (P = 0.032 and P = 0.022, respectively) were more favorable. The fibrosis index and tracheal lumen ratio values were also more favorable in both MMC (P = 0.019 and P = 0.0028, respectively) and heparin (P = 0.023 and P = 0.0021, respectively) groups compared with controls on the 15th d. CONCLUSIONS: Topical heparin application may have favorable effects on healing of tracheal autografts in a rabbit model. We suggest that heparin therapy should be further researched for the prevention of tracheal stenosis in airway surgery.

Effects of positioning in laparoscopic adnexal surgery on QT dispersion and heart rate variability under sevoflurane anesthesia.

PURPOSE: This study compared the intraoperative changes in the corrected QT dispersion and heart rate variability, predictors of autonomic cardiac function, in laparotomic and laparoscopic adnexal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 46 American Society of Anaesthesiologists class I/II patients, aged 33-51 years, randomized to one of two groups, for elective gynecologic laparotomy or laparoscopy for a benign adnexal mass. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane. Corrected QT dispersion and spectral powers of heart rate variability were measured at baseline, before the induction of anesthesia, and intraoperatively during the adnexal surgery for 15 minutes. The lithotomy and Trendelenburg positions were set at 145 degrees and 30 degrees between thigh and body, respectively. Pneunoperitoneum was established at 12 mm Hg. Laparoscopic surgery was performed via one principal and two ancillary ports. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: A significant increase was observed in intraoperative standard deviation of RR interval values of heart rate variability in both groups compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05). The corrected QT dispersion and low and high frequency heart rate variability showed no significant changes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Gynecologic laparoscopy with pneumoperitoneum in the lithotomy and Trendelenburg positions is as safe as laparatomy and seems not to deteriorate the autonomic cardiac function.

Effects of esmolol, lidocaine and fentanyl on haemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Predicting the haemodynamic changes that may result in myocardial ischaemia for patients undergoing laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation will help to avoid events that trigger ischaemia and allow immediate treatment. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of esmolol with those of lidocaine (lignocaine) and fentanyl on prevention of tachycardia and hypertension caused by endotracheal intubation. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomised, double-blind study. The study was conducted at the Adnan Menderes University Hospital in Aydin, Turkey and involved 120 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II aged 20-50 years. The patients were randomised into four equal groups. The control group (group C) received dextrose 5% 5 mL, the esmolol group (group E) received esmolol 1.5 mg/kg, the fentanyl group (group F) received fentanyl 1 microg/kg and the lidocaine group (group L) received lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg 2 minutes before endotracheal intubation. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) were recorded before and after induction of anaesthesia, immediately after intubation, and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 minutes after intubation. RESULTS: Compared with control, HR decreased significantly in group E after induction, immediately after intubation and 1 minute after intubation (p < 0.0083). In group F there was an increase in MAP immediately after intubation, but the increase was less than in other groups. Compared with control, RPP decreased significantly in groups E and F after induction, immediately after intubation and 1 minute after intubation (p < 0.0083). RPP was significantly lower in group E than in controls and group L 3 minutes after intubation (p < 0.0083), and it was significantly lower in group F than in controls 10 minutes after intubation (p < 0.0083). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that administration of esmolol 1.5 mg/kg 2 minutes before intubation prevents tachycardia and an increase in RPP caused by laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, and can be beneficial when administered before laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients with tachycardia.

[The effect of spinal anesthesia on pulmonary function tests in old patients]. / Yasli hastalarda spinal anestezi uygulamasinin solunum fonksiyon testlerine etkisi.

Pulmonary function test (PFT) results are mainly dependent on age, sex, height, weight, pulmonary mechanics disturbances and cooperation of the subjects. The position and anesthesia type may also influence the PFT results. In this study we aimed to evaluate spirometric changes in old and young patients who performed spinal anesthesia. Fifty patients performed spinal anesthesia were randomized in two groups: Group 1 (n= 25) aged 60-85 years old and group 2 (n= 25) aged 20-59 years old. After electrocardiography, noninvasive blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitorization, spinal anesthesia using 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacain from L 3-4 intervertebral space was applied. Sensory block levels, hemodynamics and PFT such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume/1 second (FEV(1)), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow at the 25 and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF(25-75)) were performed before and after spinal anesthesia in 10th, 40th and 100th minutes in supine and 30 degrees head position using hand type spirometry. Wilcoxon paired two tests statistical analysis was used to compare PFT changes of the subjects. Mean arterial blood pressure levels and spirometric measurements of FVC, FEV(1) and FEF25-75 decrease with respect to basal values in 40th minutes was significant in old patients whom spinal anesthesia was over Th6 level but in young patients the changes were not significant. PFT decrement probabilities should be taken in account in old patients supposing for spinal anesthesia and be paid attention for high level spinal blocks in risk group patients.

The analgesic effect of nitroglycerin added to lidocaine on intravenous regional anesthesia.

We evaluated the analgesic effect of nitroglycerine (NTG) when added to lidocaine in IV regional anesthesia. Thirty patients undergoing hand surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. The control group (group C, n = 15) received a total dose of 40 mL with 3 mg/kg of lidocaine diluted with saline, and the NTG group (group NTG, n = 15) received an additional 200 mug NTG. Hemodynamic variables, tourniquet pain measured before and 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min after tourniquet inflation, and analgesic requirements were recorded during the operation. After the tourniquet deflation, at 1 and 30 min and 2 and 4 h, visual analog scale (VAS) score, time to first analgesic requirement, total analgesic consumption in the first 24 h after operation, and side effects were noted. Shortened sensory and motor block onset time (3.2 +/- 1.1 versus 4.5 +/- 1.2 min; P = 0.01 and 3.3 +/- 1.6 versus 5.2 +/- 1.8; P = 0.009 in group NTG and group C, respectively), prolonged sensory and motor block recovery times (6.8 +/- 1.6 versus 3.1 +/- 1.2 min P < 0.0001 and 7.3 +/- 1.3 versus 3.6 +/- 0.8 P < 0.0001 in group NTG and group C, respectively), shortened VAS scores of tourniquet pain (P = 0.023), and improved quality of anesthesia were found in group NTG (P < 0.05). VAS scores were lower in group NTG after tourniquet release and in the postoperative period (P = 0.001). First analgesic requirement time was longer in group NTG (225 +/- 74 min versus 39 +/- 33 min) than in group C (P < 0.0001). Postoperative analgesic requirements were significantly smaller in group NTG (P < 0.0001) but the side effects were similar in both groups. We conclude that the addition of NTG to lidocaine for IV regional anesthesia improves sensory and motor block, tourniquet pain, and postoperative analgesia without side effects.

Effects of sevoflurane on QT dispersion and heart rate variability.

The purpose of this study was to use estimates of corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) and heart rate variability (HRV) to assess the effects of sevoflurane, an inhalation agent used frequently in clinical practice, on autonomic cardiac function. This study was conducted prospectively and in a blind manner on 20 women between 38 and 51 y of age who were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists stage I-II and whose treatment required total abdominal hysterectomy. Electrocardiograms were recorded by 12-lead Holter monitor for 5 min before sevoflurane induction and again for 5 min at 10 min after tracheal intubation. Data on the first recording were considered as baseline; those on the second recording were viewed as final data. The study was terminated at this point, and surgery was allowed to proceed. QTcd and HRV values were assessed by a cardiologist, who was blinded to all data. All parameters were expressed as a mean value +/- standard deviation. Wilcoxon's test was used to compare baseline and final data. Statistical significance was considered as P<.05. No significant changes were observed between baseline and final QTcd values and between low- and high-frequency components (LF and HF) of HRV; nor were changes seen in the LF/HF ratio. With the patient under sevoflurane/ nitrous oxide anesthesia, no significant changes were detected in QTcd, LF, and HF values, and in the LF/HF ratio, whereas a significant increase (P=.001) was seen in standard deviation of the R-R interval, which was used as a measure of cardiac autonomic tone.

[The effects of combination of two lornoxicam doses and nitroglycerine on acute pain in rats]. / Lornoksikamin 2 farkli dozunun nitrogliserinle kombinasyonunun siçanlarda akut agri üzerine etkisi.

Transdermal nitroglycerine can improve analgesic effects when used with other analgesics. The aim of the study was to investigate the additive effects of nitroglycerine combined with lornoxicam for acute pain in rats. Thirty-nine Wistar male rats were divided into five groups; Group SF (n=8, saline), Group L-1 (n=8, lornoxicam 1.3 mg/kg), Group L-2 (n=8, lornoxicam 2.6 mg/kg), Group LNO (n=8, nitroglycerine and lornoxicam, 1 mg/kg+1.3 mg/kg), and Group LNO-2 (n=8, nitroglycerine and lornoxicam, 1 mg/ kg+2.6 mg/kg). Tail flick and hot plate tests were measured in all groups before the intraperitoneal injections of drug and 30, 60 and 90 minutes after the injections. Cut-off time was 20 s and 60 s in tail-flick and hot-plate tests. Although there were significant differences between the groups according to hot-plate test at the 30th, 60th and 90th minutes (p<0.05), there was no difference between the groups with tail flick test. The most increasing of latency response in hot-plate assays was seen in Group LNO-1 compared to other groups at the 30th minute (p<0.05). The latency response increased significantly in Group L-1, L-2, LNO-1 and LNO-2 compared with saline group at the 60th and 90th minutes (p<0.05). There were significant differences in latency responses in Group L-1 and Group LNO-1 compared to Group L-2 and Group LNO-2 at the 60th and 90th minutes. In conclusion, 1.3 mg/kg dose of lornoksicam with the use of nitrogliserine provided early and efficient analgesia, but the increasing dose of lornoksicam did not maintain better analgesia.

[Risk factors associated with lower back pain in the Polyclinic of Algology]. / Algoloji poliklinigine basvuran bel agrili hastalarin risk faktörleri.

OBJECTIVES: To study the risk factors associated with lower back pain such as age, gender, marital status, occupation, education level, smoking and alcohol consumption among patients who presented to the Algology Polyclinic. METHODS: The patients' age, gender, occupation, marital status, education, economic level, smoking and alcohol consumption were evaluated and recorded on a "Pain Assessment Form". The highest level of education level was asked and when economic level was questioned, the answers of patients were considered without restricrion between limits. RESULTS: Out of 772 patients, 200 had mechanical lower back pain. 23.5% had hernia nucleous pulposus, 20% had facet joint degeneration, 18.5% had a narrow spinal channel, 7.5% had sakroiliac joint degeneration, 20.1% had more than one pathology, and 10.5% had other pathologies. Lower back pain did not differ according to age and gender. Students had significantly lower pain, whereas workers had significantly higher lower back pain (p=0.005). Of the patients with lower back pain, 170 of them were married and 30 were widowed or single (p=0.059). With higher education, pain was significantly decreased (p=0.001). More pain was reported among individuals with low socioeconomic level (p=0.042). There was a correlation between lower back pain and smoking (p=0030), but there was no correlation between lower back pain and alcohol consumption (p=0.638). CONCLUSION: Lower education, lower economic level, labor intensive jobs and smoking were correlated with lower back pain. It was concluded that by taking precautions that lower risk factors, incidence of lower back pain can be decreased.

[Sociodemographic properties and pain prevalence of patients applying to the Algology Department polyclinic of Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty]. / Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi Algoloji Poliklinigi'ne basvuran hastalarin sosyodemografik özellikleri ve agri prevalansi

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the differences and similarities of sociodemographic properties and pain conditions of patients seen at our institution compared to other studies conducted throughout the world. METHODS: Our study included the results of 772 patients who applied to our polyclinic between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007. In our polyclinic, all patients are queried with respect to the items contained on the "Pain Assessment Form" before the diagnosis and their answers are recorded. Their demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, occupation, marital status, education, and economic status, are also recorded on the forms. For the detailed pain anamnesis, the following factors are questioned and recorded on the pain assessment form: the location, quantity and starting time of pain, its period, the factors that increase and decrease the pain, duration of pain, and prior medication. RESULTS: The most frequent complaints were in the low back, shoulder and head. The three most frequent diagnoses were low back pain, musculoskeletal pain and headache. Visual analogue scale (VAS) value was found to be 7.3. Seventy-three percent of patients suffered from chronic pain. Pain was mostly accompanied by weakness, muscle weakness, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. The most frequent treatments were medical treatments along with invasive pain therapy. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of sociodemographic characteristics and close investigation of patients' responses to the treatments are important. When medical treatment is insufficient, invasive pain treatment should be administered by an experienced pain therapy practitioner. Informing patients and their relatives about the applied treatment may increase treatment success.

Pressure-controlled vs volume-controlled ventilation during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To quantify and compare the effects of conventional volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) with the alternative mode, pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), on respiratory mechanics and noninvasive hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Respiratory mechanics and hemodynamic parameters were recorded for each patient at time T1, 10 minutes after induction, in the supine position; T2, 15 minutes after pneumoperitoneum, in the Trendelenburg position; and T3, 10 minutes after pneumoperitoneum withdrawal, in the supine position. PATIENTS: Sixty women, aged 20 to 50 years, undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, with American Society of Anesthesiologists classes I and II disease. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups. In the VCV group (n = 30), ventilation mode was maintained, whereas in the PCV group (n = 30), ventilation mode was changed to PVC. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both groups were comparable insofar as patient characteristics, operating time, pneumoperitoneum time, anesthesia time, and mean operative time. VCV was associated with a significant increase in peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and airway resistance at T2 (p < .05). Compliance was significantly higher in the PCV group at T2 (p < .05). No other statistically significant differences were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both VCV and PCV seem to be equally suited for use in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. However, lower peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and airway resistance, and higher compliance are observed with PCV in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

Ropivacaine versus lidocaine for deep-topical, nerve-block anaesthesia in cataract surgery: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ropivacaine versus lidocaine for deep-topical, nerve-block anaesthesia in cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective controlled randomized double-blind study comprised 64 patients undergoing clear corneal phacoemulsification. Patients were equally divided into two group receiving either deep-topical anaesthesia with 1% ropivacaine-soaked sponge (Group R, n = 32) or 2% lidocaine-soaked sponge (Group L, n = 32). The level of intraoperative and postoperative pain was assessed by patients using a verbal analogue scale from 1 to 10. The duration of surgery, the need for supplemental anaesthesia, surgeon satisfaction, and intraoperative and early postoperative complications were recorded. The patients' heart rate, arterial blood pressure and peripheric oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) were obtained just before the anaesthesia and during the surgery. RESULTS: The demographic data of the patients and duration of surgery were similar in both groups. No significant difference in the mean pain scores of patients were found in the ropivacaine and lidocaine groups. Surgical satisfaction was also statistically insignificant. None of the patients had significant difference in heart rate, blood pressure or SpO(2) during the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Deep-topical anaesthesia with ropivacaine and lidocaine in cataract surgery is safe and the two anaesthetic agents do not present differences in the degree of analgesia achieved. Deep-topical anaesthesia with ropivacaine or lidocaine was equally effective in providing anaesthesia with sufficient quality for cataract surgery.

Effects of intravenous lidocaine on QTd and HRV changes due to tracheal intubation during sevoflurane induction.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of IV lidocaine on autonomic cardiac function changes in tracheal intubation (TI) during sevoflurane anaesthesia by using more reliable parameters, namely, the analysis of QT dispersion and heart rate variability (HRV) from Holter monitoring. In this prospective, double-blind study, 44 American Society of Anaesthesiologists class I-II patients scheduled for hysterectomy were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups; a control sevoflurane group (group S, n = 22) and a lidocaine sevoflurane group (group LS, n = 22). Before the induction of anaesthesia, the electrocardiograms (ECG) of all patients were recorded for 3 minutes as baseline parameters. In both groups, the anaesthesia was induced with 7% sevoflurane in O(2 )at 6L min(-1) via a facemask for 2 minutes. However, before the induction of sevoflurane anaesthesia in group LS, 1 mg kg(-1) of lidocaine was given intravenously (IV). For muscle relaxation during TI, vecuronium was given to all participants. Three minutes after administration of vecuronium, TI was performed and an ECG was recorded synchronously for another 3 minutes. The results from the later records were used as postintubation parameters. Baseline and postintubation data were analysed. When compared to baseline values, postintubation LF/HF and SDNN values were increased in group S (P = 0.005, P = 0.001, respectively), whereas postintubation LF and HF values were decreased in group LS (P = 0.014, P = 0.041, respectively). Under the influence of sevoflurane anaesthesia, TI resulted in sympathetic activation. However, this activation was attenuated by the administration of IV 1 mg kg(-1) lidocaine 5 minutes prior to TI.