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When ultrasound (US) is used in peripheric nerve blocks, successful nerve blocks can be performed even if nerve stimulation is not possible. In this case report, we present a 37-year-old male patient, ASA physical status I, undergoing debridement and grafting for incomplete arm whose upper extremity (forearm) was amputated due to electric shock; motor response to nerve stimulation was not possible. With the help of US, lateral sagittal infraclavicular block was performed with 20 ml local anesthetic mixture (10 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine and 10 ml 2% lidocaine with 5 mcg/ml epinephrine). After 20 minutes, the patient was ready for surgery and the operation was performed successfully.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the sedative effects of midazolam and dexmedetomidine and their effects on hemodynamics and the cardiovascular system under epidural anesthesia., Methods: This study included 50 patients. Approval of the ethics committee and written consent from patients were obtained. The patients were separated into two groups to receive dexmedetomidine (D group) or midazolam (M group). Perifix no. 18 was placed in the epidural space from the L(3-4) interspace. After lidocaine 60 mg/3 ml was applied, isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% was given as 1 ml per segment. After block reached the T10 level, midazolam was given to the M group as a bolus of 0.015 mg kg(-1) in 10 minutes until beginning the operation, followed by continuous infusion as 0.1-0.2 mg kg(-1)h(-1) dosage. Dexmedetomidine 1 mcq kg(-1) was given to the D group as a bolus dosage in 10 minutes until beginning the operation, followed by continuous infusion as 0.4-0.7 mcq kg(-1) h(-1) dosage. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), SpO(2), Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS), bispectral index (BIS), and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded. Sedative infusion was stopped when skin suture was closed. Adverse effects were also recorded., Results: In group D, MAP was significantly higher and HR was significantly lower than in group M (p<0.05)., Conclusion: We concluded that both drugs provided good sedation with no respiratory depression, stable hemodynamics and alertness with good cooperation. However, we consider midazolam as the first option due to its cost benefit.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the results of vacuum-assisted closure in the topical treatment of surgical site infections., Methods: Vacuum therapy was performed in 17 patients (10 males, 7 females; mean age 60 + or - 20 years) using the VAC system (Vacuum-Assisted Closure, Kinetic Concept Inc) for the treatment of surgical site infections. Infective wounds were in the hip (n=6), crus (n=5), knee (n=3), sacrum (n=2), and hand (n=1). The causative organism for infections was gram-positive bacteria in 15 patients (88.2%), and six patients (35.3%) had nosocomial infections. The wounds were treated with a negative pressure of 100-125 mmHg applied continuously for the first two days, and then intermittently for the following days. The mean follow-up period was 11 + or - 6 months., Results: The mean duration of vacuum therapy was 16 + or - 4 days and the mean length of hospitalization was 31 + or - 19 days. The patients underwent a mean number of three surgical procedures (range 1 to 6) before vacuum therapy. The mean amount of discharge from the wound was 500 + or - 150 ml. Tissue edema and discharge problems were resolved in all the wounds and a hygienic and dry-looking surgical site was attained. In 11 patients (64.7%), clinical and bacteriologic eradication of infections was achieved at the surgical site through antibiotic use and vacuum therapy. Six patients with nosocomial infections continued to receive antibiotic treatment following resolution of surgical site problems. The mean wound area showed a significant reduction from 36 + or - 14 cm(2) to 11 + or - 10 cm(2) following vacuum therapy (p<0.05). Only two patients (11.8%) required further surgical interventions for the closure of wound site. Two patients (11.8%) complained of pain associated with vacuum application., Conclusion: Besides its topical advantages in the care of infected wounds, vacuum-assisted closure provides a more rapid and comfortable treatment opportunity, representing a reliable alternative to conventional wound care methods.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of preoperative local bupivacain application on postoperative pain and complications in tonsillectomy., Patients and Methods: Fourty-five patients (mean age 8.07+/-3.34 years; range 4 to 20 years) who had undergone tonsillectomy were included in this study and they were divided into two groups. Study group included 30 patients and were preoperatively injected with 2.5 ml 0.5% bupivacain in each peritonsillar area. Control group included 15 patients and were injected with 0.9% NaCl. Both groups were compared with respect to operation and anesthesia duration, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain parameters (15. minute, 1, 4, 12, 16. and 24. hours)., Results: There were no statistically significant differences in operation or anesthesia duration and intraoperative bleeding between two groups (p>0.05). Postoperative pain at the 15th minute, and 1st hour, were significantly lower in controls when compared with study group (p<0.05). While these values were significant for the postoperative 15th minute, they were not significant for the 1st hour. Postoperative pain score at the 4th hour was significantly lower in the study group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Postoperative pain score at the 24th hour was considerably lower in the study group when compared with the control group (p<0.01)., Conclusion: Preoperative local bupivacain application reduces postoperative pain especially at the 24th hour in patients who have undergone tonsillectomy.

Postoperative pain is an important parameter in discharge and rehabilitation in daycase arthroscopic knee surgery. This study compared the efficacy of intraarticular application of lornoxicam, bupivacaine and placebo on postoperative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery. With the approval of the local ethics committee and informed consent of the patients, 90 patients (ASA score I-II), aged between 18-65 years undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were included in this randomized, blinded, prospective study and were divided into three groups (30 patients each): 8 mg lornoxicam was applied to Group L (GL), 50 mg bupivacaine to Group B (GB) and normal saline to Group S (GS) in 20 mL volume intraarticularly. Postoperative analgesia was maintained by intravenous tramadol-HCl 50 mg/h at the first 4 h and then paracetamol 500 mg plus codeine 7.5 mg preparation as needed. The numeric rating scale (NRS) values were evaluated at rest and at active-passive motion at 4, 12, 24 and 48 h, total analgesic consumption were recorded. There were statistically significant differences between GS and GL and GS and GB in term of tramadol consumption (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05). The analgesiconsumption of GL patients at the end of 48 h were lower than GB and GS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). The NRS values of GL were always lower than the other groups with statistical significance at certain times. We concluded that intraarticular lornoxicam provided better pain control than bupivacaine and saline in arthroscopic knee surgery.

Postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain are common complications after laparoscopy. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of intraperitoneal local anesthetics on postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain after laparoscopy. 55 women, physical status ASA I, who were undergoing diagnostic or minor gynecologic surgery, was enrolled to the study. In Group 1 (Bupivacaine, n: 17) and Group 2 (Ropivacaine, n: 18), 80 ml solution which contains one of the local anesthetics (60 ml saline and 20 ml %0.5 bupivacaine in Group 1, 60 ml saline and 20 ml %0.75 ropivacaine in Group 2), was injected into the right subdiaphragmatic (30 ml) and abdominopelvic space (50 ml) at the beginning of the surgical procedure. Patients in Group 3 (Control, n: 20) didn't received any solution intraperitoneally. Shoulder and abdominal pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale, and any other complications were noted during the first 24 hours after surgery. Shoulder and abdominal pain intensity and frequency were significantly less in the local anesthetic groups than control group, similar between ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups.