Effect of magnesium on functional outcome and paraclinical parameters of patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy for brain tumors: a randomized controlled trial

Effects of intravenous single-bolus lidocaine infusion versus intravenous single-bolus magnesium sulfate infusion on postoperative pain, emotional status, and quality of life in patients undergoing spine fusion surgery: a randomized study

BACKGROUND

We assessed the efficiency of intravenous adjuvants in decreasing opioid intake and pain scores after spine fusion surgery.

METHODS

This study included 120 patients aged 18-60 listed for spine fusion surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to four groups: Group (Lidocaine): received IV lidocaine 4 mg/kg in 50 mL volume over 30 min. Group (Magnesium): received IV magnesium sulfate 30mg/kg in 50 mL volume over 30 min. Group (combined Lidocaine and Magnesium): received IV lidocaine 4 mg/kg in 50 mL volume over 30 min.+IV magnesium sulfate 30mg/kg in 50 mL volume over 30 min. Group (Control): received IV saline 50 mL. The time to the first request analgesia, the postoperative pain score, total analgesic use, patient satisfaction, anxiety, depression, mental state, quality of life, and side effects were measured.

RESULTS

The combined group had more extended time for the first analgesic request and fewer rescue analgesia doses than the other groups. NRS scores at rest or movement were statistically significantly lower in the lidocaine group and the combined group compared to the control group (P1, P3<0.05) at almost all times. This combination reduces anxiety and depression and improves overall health up to three months after a single infusion. The combined group had higher patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

A synergistic effect of a combination of lidocaine and magnesium sulfate on perioperative pain was found. It reduces analgesic consumption, depression, and anxiety and improves overall health up to three months after a single infusion dose.

Effects of Magnesium Sulfate on Intraoperative Blood Loss and Anesthetic Requirement in Meningioma Patients Undergoing Craniotomy with Tumor Removal: A Prospective Randomized Study

Background Meningioma brain tumor is associated with significant blood loss. Magnesium (Mg), a calcium blocker, can facilitate blood pressure control during surgery. This study aimed to evaluate effects of magnesium on blood loss, anesthetic requirement, and its neuroprotective effect in meningioma patients undergoing craniotomy.

Methods Eighty patients aged between 18 and 70, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, diagnosed with meningioma and scheduled for craniotomy tumor removal were randomized into two groups. Group M (Mg) received intravenous magnesium sulfate 40 mg/kg over 30 minutes initiated at skin incision and followed by continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg/h until dura closure. Group N (NSS) received 0.9% NaCl as placebo. Anesthesiologists in charge, surgeons, and patients were all blinded. The assessed outcomes were perioperative blood loss, anesthetic requirement, and pre- and postoperative neurocognitive functions assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Results Thirty-eight patients in each group were analyzed. In group M, the intraoperative blood losses were 500 (70, 2300) mL, and 510 (100, 1600) mL in group N (p = 0.315). Patients who received blood within 24 hours were 39.5% in group M and 47.4% in group N (p = 0.644). No differences were observed in anesthetic requirement, intraoperative mean arterial pressure, hypotensive episodes, and vasopressor usages. There were no significant differences in postoperative MoCA score. Magnesium levels did not exceed acceptable levels.

Conclusions Magnesium administration in meningioma patients had no significant effects on blood loss, anesthetic requirement, and postoperative cognitive function.

Neuroprotective Agents in the Intensive Care Unit: -Neuroprotective Agents in ICU

Neuroprotection or prevention of neuronal loss is a complicated molecular process that is mediated by various cellular pathways. Use of different pharmacological agents as neuroprotectants has been reported especially in the last decades. These neuroprotective agents act through inhibition of inflammatory processes and apoptosis, attenuation of oxidative stress and reduction of free radicals. Control of this injurious molecular process is essential to the reduction of neuronal injuries and is associated with improved functional outcomes and recovery of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit. This study reviews neuroprotective agents and their mechanisms of action against central nervous system damages.

The role of magnesium sulfate in the intensive care unit

Magnesium (Mg) has been developed as a drug with various clinical uses. Mg is a key cation in physiological processes, and the homeostasis of this cation is crucial for the normal function of body organs. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is a mineral pharmaceutical preparation of magnesium that is used as a neuroprotective agent. One rationale for the frequent use of MgSO4 in critical care is the high incidence of hypomagnesaemia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Correction of hypomagnesaemia along with the neuroprotective properties of MgSO4 has generated a wide application for MgSO4 in ICU.