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Background and Aims: The pectoral nerve block types I and II are novel techniques to provide analgesia for modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgeries performed under general anesthesia. The primary objective of this study was to compare the duration of effective analgesia, and the secondary objectives were to evaluate the total amount of rescue analgesics in 24 h, hemodynamic changes, and postoperative adverse effects. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted on a total of 80 women with breast cancer belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologist class I and II scheduled for MRM, which were randomly allocated into two groups – Group R (n = 40) received 0.25% ropivacaine 29 ml + NS 1 ml and Group RD (n = 40) received 0.25% ropivacaine 29 ml + dexamethasone (4 mg) 1 ml. Ten milliliters of the study drug was used in Pecs I and the rest 20 ml in Pecs II block posttumor resection. Results: The duration of analgesia was statistically significantly longer in RD (778.75 ± 55.12 min) compared to Group R (412.63 ± 21.69 min) (P < 0.05). Pain scores were significantly less in Group RD. The mean dose of acetaminophen required was significantly less in Group RD (2362.50 ± 375.32 mg) than in Group R (3525.00 ± 298.50 mg) (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. Conclusion: The addition of dexamethasone with ropivacaine in the Pecs block can be used for prolonging the effective duration of analgesia and decreasing postoperative analgesic consumption with comparable hemodynamic and side effect profiles.

Background and Aims: Subarachnoid block is the most preferred anesthetic technique for infraumbilical surgeries as it provides better postoperative analgesia, effective muscle relaxation, and cost-effectiveness. Levobupivacaine is preferable over bupivacaine due to its lower cardiotoxicity, prolonged sensory block, and shorter duration of motor block. Opioids as an adjuvant to intrathecal local anesthetics enhance the quality of both analgesia and anesthesia during intraoperative as well as postoperative period. The present study aimed to compare levobupivacaine with and without fentanyl in spinal anesthesia. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, a total of 80 patients belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I and II were enrolled for infraumbilical surgeries. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Group Levobupivacaine (L) (n = 40) received isobaric levobupivacaine 0.5% 2.5 ml with 0.5 ml normal saline and Group Levobupivacaine + fentanyl (LF) (n = 40) received isobaric levobupivacaine 0.5% 2.5 ml with fentanyl 25 μg (0.5 ml). Time of onset and duration of both sensory and motor block, Visual Analog Scale score, duration of analgesia, hemodynamic changes, and any adverse events were noted in both the groups. Results: The onset of both sensory and motor block was significantly faster in Group LF (P < 0.05). The duration of sensory block was significantly longer in Group LF (P < 0.05). The duration of motor block was found to be comparable between two groups with stable hemodynamics and no perioperative sedation (P > 0.05). The duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group LF (336.5 ± 31.3 min) compared to Group L (223.65 ± 32.17 min) P < 0.001. Conclusion: Intrathecal fentanyl (25 μg) can be effectively used as an adjuvant to isobaric 0.5% levobupivacaine as it provides better block characteristics with minimal adverse effects in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with mental illnesses. It is a major predictor of mortality and morbidity in patients of such mental illnesses. This study was undertaken to study the association of MetS and schizophrenia. Objectives: To study the association of MetS in patients of schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: Adult schizophrenic patients diagnosed as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual -IV Third R evisioncriteria visiting the psychiatric Out Patient Day during the study period were evaluated for prevalence of MetS as per the criteria of the international diabetes federation. Fifty patients of schizophrenia with age-and sex-matched 50 controls were enrolled for the study. Results: MetS was found to be 28% in patient group and 12% in control group (P < 0.05). Fourteen patients were found to have MetS out of 38 patients who were on antipsychotics for >6 months. All the 14 patients having MetS were taking second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study showed a higher prevalence of MetS in schizophrenia than in general population. MetS was present only in patients taking SGAs and prevalence of MetS had a positive correlation with duration of treatment. The study points toward urgent need for consultation - liaisoning between Diabetologist and Psychiatrists.