An intraoperative unexpected respiratory problem in a patient with Apert syndrome

We present a case of a 5-year-old child who underwent four operations (three for syndactyly of the hands and one for craniofacial corrections). At the third hour of his craniofacial operation, his EtCO2 started to increase and airway resistance was encountered during manual ventilation. The position of the head and neck was checked. An increase in secretion with oral and endotracheal aspiration and a decrease in saturation were observed. When breath sounds disappeared, the patient was reintubated orally. The nasal tube was obstructed with a mucolytic plug. There was no problem during the other operations. This case is presented since anaesthesiologists should be aware of the high incidence of respiratory complications in Apert syndrome.

Postoperative magnesium sulphate infusion reduces analgesic requirements in spinal anaesthesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Magnesium sulphate infusion during general anaesthesia reduces anaesthetic consumption and analgesic requirements. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of postoperative magnesium infusion on duration of block, sedation and analgesic consumption after spinal anaesthesia.

METHODS

Fifty ASA I-II patients were included in the randomized double blind study. Spinal anaesthesia was performed at L3-4 or L4-5 interspace with 12.5 mg 0.5% heavy bupivacaine, using a 25 G Quincke needle. Patients received a 5 mg kg(-1) bolus of magnesium sulphate followed by a 500 mg h(-1) infusion or saline in the same volumes for 24 h. Time to first pain, analgesic request, return of motor function, visual analogue pain and sedation scores were evaluated every 4 h during the 24 h postoperative period. The t- and U-tests were used for statistical analyses. Data were expressed as mean +/- SD, with P < 0.05 being considered significant.

RESULTS

Vital signs were stable during spinal anaesthesia and postoperative period. When compared to the control group, time to analgesic need was increased and total analgesic consumption was reduced in the magnesium group (meperidine consumption 60.0 +/- 73.1 mg control group, 31.8 +/- 30.7 mg magnesium group, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Magnesium sulphate infusion may be used as an adjunct for reducing analgesic consumption after spinal anaesthesia.

Perioperative intravenous adenosine infusion to extend postoperative analgesia in brachial plexus block

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Adenosine infusions have been shown to reduce requirements of anaesthetics, to decrease the need for postoperative analgesics and to attenuate hyperaesthesia related to neuropathic pain. We decided to investigate the effects, beneficial or otherwise, of an adenosine infusion administered during surgery. A brachial plexus block was used to produce anaesthesia for the surgery.

METHODS

Sixty adults undergoing upper extremity surgery were included in the study. Brachial plexus block was performed via an axillary approach with lidocaine 1.25% and epinephrine 1/200 000 (40 mL). Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. During surgery, saline (control) or adenosine 80 microg kg min was infused intravenously in a double-blind fashion for 1 h. Visual analogue scores every 4 h, analgesic consumption, time to first spontaneous pain sensation, time to first rescue analgesic and adverse effects were noted during the first 24 h.

RESULTS

Vital signs were stable in both groups throughout surgery. During the adenosine infusion, one patient fainted while another complained of palpitations and tightness of the chest; both patients were excluded from further analyses. The time to first sensation of pain was significantly longer in the adenosine group compared to the control group (438 +/- 387 vs. 290 +/- 227 min, P = 0.02). The time to first rescue analgesic, the visual analogue scale scores and analgesic consumption in the postoperative period were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing surgery with an axillary plexus block, a perioperative adenosine infusion prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia to some extent. However, the time to first rescue analgesic, total analgesic requirements and pain scores were unchanged; the risk of potentially serious adverse effects is high. This therapy cannot be recommended.

Combination of adenosine with prilocaine and lignocaine for brachial plexus block does not prolong postoperative analgesia

Adenosine analogues have been used by subarachnoid injection for the treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. There is no data on the use of adenosine in peripheral nerve blocks. The aim of the present study was to determine the analgesic efficacy of adenosine in combination with a local anaesthetic solution for brachial plexus (BP) block. With local ethics committee approval, 50 consenting adult patients undergoing upper limb surgery were enrolled in this double-blind, prospective, randomized study. Patients with a history of bronchospastic disease were excluded. Patients were instructed not to take theophylline-containing drugs and beverages for at least one day before surgery or on the first postoperative day. A supraclavicular BP block was performed by injecting a mixture totalling 35 ml made up of prilocaine 1% 10 ml and lignocaine 2% 20 ml with adrenaline 1:200,000, and adenosine 10 mg in 5 ml saline (Group 1) or 5 ml saline (Group 2) as a placebo control group. Postoperative analgesia was assessed by time to first rescue analgesia, analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours, and VAS at rest at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours. Side-effects were also noted. Vital signs were stable in both groups throughout the operation. There were no significant differences between the groups in onset of motor and sensory block. Time to first pain sensation from block was not significantly longer in the adenosine group (379 +/- 336 min) compared with controls (304 +/- 249 min, mean +/- SD, P = 0.14). Time to first analgesic requirements and analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours were also similar in both study groups. In the present study, the addition of adenosine to local anaesthetic in brachial plexus block did not significantly extend the duration of analgesia.

Effect of bispectral index monitoring on sevoflurane consumption

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The bispectral index, a parameter derived from the electroencephalograph, has been shown to correlate with the loss of consciousness and sedation. This study was designed to assess the effects of bispectral index monitoring on sevoflurane and its recovery profiles.

METHODS

Sixty ASA I and II patients undergoing open abdominal surgery were randomized into two groups: one monitored using the bispectral index (Group BIS) and the other without its use (controls). After a standardized induction, anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in both groups. In Group BIS, sevoflurane was titrated to maintain the bispectral index in the range 40-60. In the control group, the administered sevoflurane concentration was adjusted according to the signs of anaesthesia. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration, bispectral index and routine haemodynamic variables were noted every 5 min during surgery. The consumption of sevoflurane was computed. At the conclusion of surgery operations, the time to 'open eyes on verbal command', 'motor response to verbal command' and Aldrete's score were recorded by a blinded anaesthesiologist.

RESULTS

The difference in the consumption of sevoflurane was not significant between the groups. Bispectral index monitoring was associated with a reduction of 4.73% in sevoflurane usage and 2.19 mL h(-1) was saved.

CONCLUSIONS

Bispectral index monitoring during anaesthesia provides only a small advantage related to the need to monitor the depth of anaesthesia.

A comparison of four intravenous sedation techniques and Bispectral Index monitoring in sinonasal surgery

This study was performed to investigate the quality of different intravenous sedation techniques, and the correlation between the Bispectral Index (BIS) values and the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) scores. Eighty patients undergoing sinonasal surgery were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group MF received midazolam and fentanyl, group PF received propofol and fentanyl, group MR received midazolam and remifentanil, and group PR received propofol and remifentanil. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure values were not different among the groups. SpO2 decreased only after intravenous medication in groups MF and MR (P < 0.017). Emesis was less common with propofol. A positive relationship existed between the BIS values and OAA/S scores during the operation in all groups and the strongest correlation was observed in group PR (r = 0.565 and P < 0.001). In conclusion, these four intravenous sedation techniques did not change mean arterial pressure, heart rate or SpO2 clinically and produced a similar level of light sedation. The BIS was useful for monitoring of sedation during sinonasal surgery under local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation.

Comparison of three analgesics for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy of three different analgesic drugs with respect to their level of sedation, analgesia and quick mobilisation without cardiopulmonary depression, for outpatient extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty outpatients undergoing elective ESWL using a third generation lithotriptor were studied. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of twenty patients. All patients received midazolam (2 mg) intravenously five minutes before the procedure. In group F, fentanyl was given (1 microg kg(-1) IV) at the same time with midazolam. In group D, diclofenac sodium was given (1 mg kg(-1), IM) intramuscularly 45 minutes before ESWL. In group T, tramadol was given (1.5 mg kg(-1)) 30 minutes before ESWL. Arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded before the procedure, after sedation, at the first minute, and every ten minutes during the procedure. Pain intensity was identified with a Visual Analogue Scale. The level of sedation was evaluated by using the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale. All patients were asked to assess their satisfaction with the seven point Verbal Rating Scale before discharge. Side-effects were also recorded during the procedure.

RESULTS

The incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher in fentanyl group compared with the other groups. In patients who received fentanyl, the decrease of oxygen saturation at the first and tenth minute of the procedure was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Diclofenac sodium and tramadol were found to be safe and effective analgesics with lower side-effects than fentanyl.