Rearing system effects on live weight gain of large white turkeys

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of three production systems on live weight gain (LWG) of white turkeys by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and profile analysis. A total of 81 turkey poults were assigned to intensive (7 male and 19 female), semi-intensive (9 male and 19 female) and extensive groups (11 male and 16 female) at one day old. The poults were wing-banded at day 1 after hatching and weighed individually each week through 16 weeks old. The birds were managed similarly through eight weeks old. After that time, the intensive group was fed concentrated feed indoors. The birds of the semi-intensive group had access to pasture for eight hours a day, and received 50% of the concentrated feed that was consumed by the intensive group. The birds in the extensive group were kept outdoors with shade and grazed on pasture, but did not receive concentrated feed. The bi-weekly LWG of the extensive, intensive and semi-intensive groups were 1191.4 g, 990.6 g and 872.1 g, respectively. Through the 16 weeks of the trial, the effects on LWG of production system, age, and interaction of age and production system were highly significant (P <0.01) in the repeated measures ANOVA. The profile analysis also showed highly significant (P <0.01) production system effects and interaction of production system and age on LWG. Scheffe’s test indicated that the intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive treatments differed (P <0.05).

Does Video Laryngoscopy Offer Advantages over Direct Laryngoscopy during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?

OBJECTIVE

Interruption of chest compressions should be minimized because of its negative effects on survival. This randomized, controlled, cross-over study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of Macintosh, Miller, McCoy and McGrath laryngoscopes during with or without chest compressions in the scope of a simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenario.

METHODS

The time required for successful tracheal intubation, number of attempts, dental trauma severity and the need for optimization manoeuvres were recorded during cardiopulmonary resuscitation with and without chest compressions. The experience with computer games during the last 10 years were asked to the participants and recorded.

RESULTS

McCoy laryngoscope yielded the shortest time for successful tracheal intubation both in the presence of and without chest compressions. During the use of McCoy laryngoscopes, fewer tracheal intubation attempts, lower incidence of dental trauma and lower visual analogue scale scores on the ease of intubation were recorded. Participants who are experienced computer game players using Macintosh, McCoy and McGrath achieved successful tracheal intubation in a significantly shorter time during resuscitation without chest compressions. Dental trauma incidence and number of tracheal intubation attempts did not show any significant difference between the four laryngoscopes being related to the rate of playing computer games.

CONCLUSION

McGrath video laryngoscopes do not appear to have advantages over direct laryngoscopes for securing a smooth and successful tracheal intubation during rhythmic chest compressions. We believe that as McCoy laryngoscope provided tracheal intubation in a shorter time and with fewer attempts, this laryngoscope may increase the success rate of resuscitation.

[Effects of a thoracic paravertebral block on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy]

OBJECTIVES

Following mastectomy, 50% of patients have chronic postoperative pain. Studies have shown that a paravertebral block is an effective method of analgesia as well as anaesthesia. The aim of this study is to compare postoperative pain values and opioid consumption after a single dose of 150 mg levobupivacaine with a thoracic paravertebral block in patients undergoing mastectomy.

METHODS

Enrolled in the study were forty patients, aged 20 to 65, diagnosed with breast cancer, and undergoing modified radical mastectomy and axillary dissection. Patients were randomized into two groups, as control group (group K, n=20) and thoracic paravertebral group (Group T, n=20). Postoperative pain values were recorded at 0, 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour at rest, using a 0-10 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Additional quantities of postoperative tramadol (1.5 mg/kg, iv infusion) were recorded.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, at 0, 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour, patients in the control group had significantly higher VAS values than the group treated with a thoracic paravertebral block (p<0.01). Compared to VAS scores at postoperative 0 h, there was a statistically significant decrease in VAS scores at 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour in both groups (p<0.01). Additional use of tramadol was significantly lower in group T (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

A paravertebral block with a single dose of 150 mg levobupivacaine before general anaesthesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection decreases postoperative pain values and the need for analgesics during the postoperative 24 hours.