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Background and Aims: Electrical defibrillation is the most important therapy for patients in cardiac arrest. The audit was aimed to assess awareness among residents with respect to routine preuse checking of cardiac defibrillators. Materials and Methods: The audit was conducted at a multispeciality tertiary care referral and teaching center by means of a printed questionnaire from anaesthesiology residents. A database was prepared and responses were analyzed. Results: Eighty resident doctors participated in the audit. Most (97.8%) of the residents were sure of the presence of a defibrillator in the operation room (OR); 70% of postgraduates (PG)s were aware of the location of the defibrillator in the OR as compared to 83.7% of the senior resident (SRs). Also, 32.1% residents routinely check the availability of a defibrillator. The working condition of the defibrillator was checked by 21.7% of the residents; 25.3% ensured delivery of the set charge. Further, 8.2% of residents ensured availability of both adult and paediatric paddles. About 27.8% of residents ensured the availability of appropriate conducting gel and 53.8% residents were of the opinion that the responsibility of checking the functioning and maintenance of the defibrillators lies with themselves. Some 22% thought that both doctors and technical staff should share the responsibility, while 19.5% opined that it should be the responsibility of the technical staff. Conclusion: All medical equipment is to be tested prior to initial use and periodically thereafter. An extensive, recurring training program, and continued attention to the training of clinical personnel is required to ensure that they are proficient in the operation and testing of specific defibrillator models in their work area. We conclude that apart from awareness of the use of the equipment we are using, its preuse testing is must. All resident doctors should be aware of the presence and adequate functioning of the defibrillator in their ORs and this audit reinforces the need for training of all resident doctors.

Introduction: The ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a new regional anesthetic technique that offers significant advantages over paravertebral block as it is easy and safe to perform. We aim to compare the efficacy of US-guided paravertebral block with ESP block for postoperative analgesia in modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Methods: Eighty female patients of age group 18–70 years, belonging to physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II, undergoing MRM were included in the study. In Group P, patients received paravertebral block and in Group E, patients received ESP block before induction of general anesthesia. Both the groups received 0.5% 20 mL ropivacaine. The time to first rescue analgesia and total doses of rescue analgesics were recorded in the postoperative period. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores at 0 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h were noted, and patient satisfaction was evaluated at 24 h. Unpaired t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative variables while Chisquare test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare qualitative variables. Results: The time for the first analgesic request was 232.5 min (140-1200) in ESP group as compared to paravertebral group in which the duration was 205 min (135-1190) (P value = 0.29). The total dose of rescue analgesics and NRS scores in postoperative period were comparable. However, the time to perform ESP block was significantly shorter than that of paravertebral block. Conclusion: ESP block can be used as a safe and easy to perform alternative analgesic technique over paravertebral block in breast cancer surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Inadequate pain relief after thoracotomy may lead to postoperative respiratory complications. Aims: We have compared total morphine consumption in 24 hours following thoracotomy. Settings and Design: This prospective randomized pilot study involved 50 patients undergoing elective thoracotomy for lung surgery at AIIMS, New Delhi. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients undergoing elective thoracotomy were randomly allocated into two groups. In Group I patients, ultrasound (USG)-guided paravertebral catheter was inserted preoperatively and in Group II patients, serratus anterior plane (SAP) catheter was inserted by the surgeon before closure. Ropivacaine bolus (group I: 0.2% 0.1 ml/kg and group II: 0.375% 0.4 ml/kg) was given before extubation, followed by its continuous infusion for 24 hours. If the numerical rating scale (NRS) was >3, then patients were given intravenous (i.v.) morphine 3 mg. Total 24-hour morphine consumption, duration of effective analgesia, hemodynamic parameters, side effects, and overall patient satisfaction were recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: T-test was used to compare the parametric values in both the groups, whereas the Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to compare the nonparametric values. Results: Postoperative morphine requirement in the ParaVertebral Block (PVB) group (8.65 ± 4.27 mg) was less as compared to the SAP group (11.87 ± 6.22 mg) but that was not statistically significant (p 0.052). Postoperative pain scores at rest and on movement, patient satisfaction, and incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain were comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: SAP block with continuous catheter technique seems to be a safe and effective modality for the management of acute postoperative pain after thoracotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoreductive surgeries (CRSs) are the common management modality for advanced cancers. The perioperative period is impacted by major surgical resection and its associated effects. The surgical morbidity is further enhanced when the resection of abdominal and thoracic cavity is required simultaneously. It is added on by the effects of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC). These procedures are technically challenging with potential for high perioperative morbidity and mortality. We report a case of 56-year-old female diagnosed with carcinoma ovary with pleural metastases and malignant right pleural effusion and scheduled for CRS with HIPEC together with HITHOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cataract surgery when performed under general anesthesia, especially without neuromuscular blocking agents, eccentric position of the eye has been reported. However, no evidence exists for the need and optimal dose of neuromuscular blocking agents for surgical reasons when the anesthetic management may be done without its need. We hypothesize that the minimal dose atracurium may accomplish the surgical requirement of cataract surgery in children. Materials and Methods: After ethical committee approval, this double-blind, prospective, randomized study was conducted in children scheduled for cataract surgery under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced in a standardized manner and using laryngeal mask airway. The patients were randomized into four groups of 55 patients each and atracurium was administered as per group allocation: Group 0: No atracurium was administered; Group 50: Received atracurium at 50% dose of ED95; Group 75: Received atracurium at 75% dose of ED95; Group 100: Received atracurium of 100% dose of ED95. Surgeon was asked to grade surgical condition just after the stab incision in the cornea. The primary outcome variable included the need of atracurium supplementation based on grading of surgical conditions by the operating surgeon who was blinded to the randomized group. Results: The need of atracurium due to unacceptable surgical conditions based on surgeon satisfaction score was statistically significant when compared among the groups being maximum in Group 0 (P < 0.001). Also, the surgeon satisfaction score was statistically significant among the groups (P < 0.0001) with the least satisfaction in Group 0. The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion score was statistically significant in the four groups (P - 0.001). However, number of attempts for LMA placement was comparable among the four groups (P - 0.766). Conclusion: We conclude that a balanced anesthetic technique including atracurium provided better surgical condition for cataract procedures in children. The surgical condition improved with increasing dose of atracurium from 25% to 100% ED95 dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effect on hemodynamic changes and experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALR P) in steep Trendelenburg position (45°) with high-pressure CO2 pneumoperitoneum is very limited. Therefore, we planned this prospective clinical trial to study the effect of steep Tredelenburg position with high-pressure CO2 pneumoperitoneum on hemodynamic parameters in a patient undergoing RALR P using FloTrac/Vigileo™1.10. Methods: After ethical approval and informed consent, 15 patients scheduled for RALRP were included in the study. In the operation room, after attaching standard monitors, the radial artery was cannulated. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl (2 μg/kg) and thiopentone (4-7 mg/kg), and tracheal intubation was facilitated by vecuronium bromide (0.1 mg/kg). The patient's right internal jugular vein was cannulated and the Pre Sep™ central venous oximetry catheter was connected to it. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide and intermittent boluses of vecuronium. Intermittent positive-pressure ventilation was provided to maintain normocapnea. After CO2 pneumoperitoneum, position of the patient was gradually changed to 45° Trendelenburg over 5 min. The robot was then docked and the robot-;assisted surgery started. Intraoperative monitoring included central venous pressure (CVP), stroke volume (SV), stroke volume variation (SVV), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2). Results: After induction of anesthesia, heart rate (HR), SV, CO and CI were decreased significantly from the baseline value (P>0.05). SV, CO and CI further decreased significantly after creating pneumoperitoneum (P>0.05). At the 45° Trendelenburg position, HR, SV, CO and CI were significantly decreased compared with baseline. Thereafter, CO and CI were persistently low throughout the 45° Trendelenburg position (P=0.001). HR at 20 min and 1 h, SV and mean arterial blood pressure after 2 h decreased significantly from the baseline value (P>0.05) during the 45° Trendelenburg position. CVP increased significantly after creating pneumoperitoneum and at the 45° Trendelenburg position (after 5 and 20 min) compared with the baseline postinduction value (P>0.05). All these parameters returned to baseline after deflation of CO2 pneumoperitoneum in the supine position. There were no significant changes in SVV and ScvO2 throughout the study period. Conclusions: The steep Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum, during RALRP, leads to significant decrease in stroke volume and cardiac output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Magnesium has been used as an adjuvant by various routes, including intravenous, intrathecal, and epidural in different dosage regimens. The effect of single bolus dose of magnesium as an adjuvant to fentanyl for postoperative analgesia has not been studied. This prospective randomized controlled trial was done to evaluate the efficacy of single bolus administration of magnesium epidurally as an adjuvant to epidural fentanyl for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing total hip replacement under combined spinal epidural anesthesia. Methods: Sixty patients received combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with 2 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally. After the surgery, patients were randomized into Group F [epidural fentanyl (1 μg/kg) in 10 mL saline] and Group FM [epidural magnesium (75 mg) along with fentanyl (1 μg/kg) in 10 mL saline]. Supplementary analgesia was provided by 50 mg intravenous tramadol if Verbal Rating Score (VRS) >4. Patient's first analgesic requirement and duration of analgesia were recorded. Results: The duration of analgesia was significantly longer for Group FM, 340±28.8 min, compared with Group F, 164±17.1 min (P=0.001). The frequency of rescue analgesics required in 24-h postoperative period in Group FM (2.3±0.5) was significantly less than that in Group F (4.3±0.5) (P=0.001). VRS was significantly lower in Group FM up to 4 h in the postoperative period (P=0.001). Bromage scale was statistically insignificant at all points of time. Conclusions: The administration of magnesium (75 mg) as an adjuvant to epidural fentanyl (1 μg/ kg) for postoperative analgesia results in significantly lower VRS with prolonged duration of analgesia as compared with epidural fentanyl (1 μg/kg) alone. Concomitant administration of magnesium also reduces the requirement of breakthrough analgesics with no increased incidence of side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Measurement of respiratory quotient (RQ) and resting energy expenditure (REE) has been shown to be helpful in designing nutritional regimens. There is a paucity of the literature describing the impact of a feeding regimen on the energy expenditure patterns. Therefore, we studied the effect of continuous vs. intermittent feeding regimen in head-injured patients on mechanical ventilation on RQ and REE. Methods: After institutional ethical approval, this randomized study was conducted in 40 adult male patients with head injury requiring controlled mode of ventilation. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Group C: Feeds (30 kcal/kg/day) were given for 18 h/day, with night rest for 6 h. Group I: Six bolus feeds (30 kcal/kg/day) were given three hourly for 18 h with night rest for 6 h. RQ and REE were recorded every 30 min for 24 h. Blood sugar was measured 4 hourly. Other adverse effects such as feed intolerance, aspiration were noted. Results: Demographic profile and SOFA score were comparable in the two groups. Base line RQ (0.8 vs. 0.86) and REE (1527 vs. 1599 kcal/day) were comparable in both the groups (P>0.05). RQ was comparable in both groups during the study period at any time of the day (P>0.05). Base line RQ was compared with all other RQ values measured every half hour and fluctuation from the base line value was insignificant in both groups (P>0.05). REE was comparable in both the groups throughout the study period (P>0.5). Adequacy of feeding as assessed by EI/MREE was 105.7% and 105.3% in group C and group I, respectively. There was no significant difference in the blood sugar levels between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: We found from our study that RQ, REE, and blood sugar remain comparable with two regimens of enteral feeding - continuous vs. intermittent in neurosurgical patients on ventilator support in a ICU setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article on the effect of methylene blue injection on the accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopies, in the previous issue of the journal.