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Background: Ultrasound (USG)-guided interscalene block (ISB) provides excellent anesthesia and analgesia for humerus surgery. Various adjuvants have been used to improve the quality of block and duration of analgesia. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DXM) and dexamethasone (DXA) as an adjuvant to 0.75% ropivacaine for interscalene brachial plexus block among patients undergoing humerus surgery. Settings and Design: The study design was a prospective randomized comparative study at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: After ethical approval and CTRI registration, 52 patients of 18-60 years of age, American Society of Anesthesiology Grade I-II, scheduled for proximal and mid-shaft humerus surgery were randomly allocated in Groups A and B. Group A (n=26) received Ropivacaine 0.75% (20 ml) along with DXM 0.5 μg/ Kg and 2 ml saline (total 22 ml) and Group B (n=26) received Ropivacaine 075% along with DXA 8 mg (total 22 ml). ISB was performed with an in-plane technique using a linear probe. Duration of analgesia, block characteristics (onset, complete sensory, and motor block), and complications were recorded and compared for 24 h. Statistical Analysis: Data were statistically analyzed with Social Science Statistics. Student's unpaired t-test and Chi-square tests were used, and all statistical tests were examined with P ≤ 0.05 level of significance. Results: The duration of analgesia in Group B was significantly longer than Group A (13 h 12 min ± 2 h 33 min-8 h 48 min ± 1 h 52 min, P < 0.00001). The groups were comparable regarding block characteristics, baseline demographics, and intraoperative hemodynamic parameters. Conclusion: DXA as an adjuvant to ropivacaine provides analgesia for longer duration compared to DXM in USG-guided ISB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Femoral nerve block is a widely used analgesia technique for positioning before spinal anaesthesia for proximal femur fracture surgeries. Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a newer technique with motor-sparing characteristics. We compared the analgesic efficacy of these blocks for patient positioning for spinal anaesthesia. Methods: In this study, 60 patients were randomised to either the PENG group (n = 30) or the femoral group (n = 30). After performing the block, the pain was assessed every 10 min using a visual analogue scale (VAS) score for 30 min. The primary objective was the median [interquartile range (IQR)] reduction in pain (dynamic VAS with 15-degree passive limb elevation) at 30 min. Secondary objectives were ease of spinal position score (EOSP), angle obtained during positioning, duration of postoperative analgesia and quadriceps weakness. Results: The demographics were comparable in both groups. After 30 min, the median (IQR) VAS was 6 (5–7) in the PENG group and 5 (5–6) in the femoral group (P = 0.004). Secondary outcomes such as EOSP score and angle obtained by patients were comparable. In the postoperative period, patients had significantly lower pain in the PENG group compared to the femoral group. The duration of analgesia was prolonged with PENG block. Quadriceps weakness was significantly low with PENG block (P < 0.001). Conclusion: PENG block provides better analgesia than a femoral block before spinal anaesthesia for proximal femur fracture surgery. The postoperative duration of analgesia was also longer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Medical professionals must be able to perform life-saving skills like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during emergency situations, even outside the hospital. The foundation course for the first-year medical students includes first aid and CPR training. This quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of basic cardiac life support (BCLS) training based on Indian guidelines, on the self-confidence and knowledge regarding CPR of first-year medical students. Methods: This study was conducted during the foundation course for first-year medical students. The training included a common lecture for all the students followed by a 4 day long practical training in groups of 45–46 students, each day. BCLS training was carried out in three skill stations – airway, chest compressions and full sequence CPR. Students' skills were recorded real time on a skill assessment manikin after completion of the hands-on training. The students were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding knowledge and self-confidence, before and after the training. The outcome measures were the difference in knowledge and self-confidence with regard to CPR before and after the training. Results: Out of the 199 students, 181 were included in the analysis. There was significant improvement in the knowledge score (pre-test – 1.46 versus post-test – 8.27, P < 0.001). The overall confidence regarding first aid skills, BCLS knowledge and self-confidence for performing BCLS improved significantly. Conclusion: There is improvement in knowledge and self-confidence regarding CPR and the students develop an acceptable level of skills after the training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: A daily dose with 6 mg of dexamethasone is recommended for up to 10 days in patients with severe and critical COVID-19, but a higher dose may benefit those with more severe disease.Objective: To assess the effects of 12 mg/d vs 6 mg/d of dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxemia.Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial was conducted between August 2020 and May 2021 at 26 hospitals in Europe and India and included 1000 adults with confirmed COVID-19 requiring at least 10 L/min of oxygen or mechanical ventilation. End of 90-day follow-up was on August 19, 2021.Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1 to 12 mg/d of intravenous dexamethasone (n = 503) or 6 mg/d of intravenous dexamethasone (n = 497) for up to 10 days.Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the number of days alive without life support (invasive mechanical ventilation, circulatory support, or kidney replacement therapy) at 28 days and was adjusted for stratification variables. Of the 8 prespecified secondary outcomes, 5 are included in this analysis (the number of days alive without life support at 90 days, the number of days alive out of the hospital at 90 days, mortality at 28 days and at 90 days, and ≥1 serious adverse reactions at 28 days).Results: Of the 1000 randomized patients, 982 were included (median age, 65 [IQR, 55-73] years; 305 [31%] women) and primary outcome data were available for 971 (491 in the 12 mg of dexamethasone group and 480 in the 6 mg of dexamethasone group). The median number of days alive without life support was 22.0 days (IQR, 6.0-28.0 days) in the 12 mg of dexamethasone group and 20.5 days (IQR, 4.0-28.0 days) in the 6 mg of dexamethasone group (adjusted mean difference, 1.3 days [95% CI, 0-2.6 days]; P = .07). Mortality at 28 days was 27.1% in the 12 mg of dexamethasone group vs 32.3% in the 6 mg of dexamethasone group (adjusted relative risk, 0.86 [99% CI, 0.68-1.08]). Mortality at 90 days was 32.0% in the 12 mg of dexamethasone group vs 37.7% in the 6 mg of dexamethasone group (adjusted relative risk, 0.87 [99% CI, 0.70-1.07]). Serious adverse reactions, including septic shock and invasive fungal infections, occurred in 11.3% in the 12 mg of dexamethasone group vs 13.4% in the 6 mg of dexamethasone group (adjusted relative risk, 0.83 [99% CI, 0.54-1.29]).Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxemia, 12 mg/d of dexamethasone compared with 6 mg/d of dexamethasone did not result in statistically significantly more days alive without life support at 28 days. However, the trial may have been underpowered to identify a significant difference.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04509973 and ctri.nic.in Identifier: CTRI/2020/10/028731. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic transfusion techniques such as apheresis and phlebotomy are frequently used in intensive care units. Use of the apheresis technique for the treatment of various diseases in critically ill patients is growing day by day. There are increasing evidences for using apheresis as a primary therapy or as an adjunct to other therapies for various diseases such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, haemolytic uremic syndrome, drug toxicities, autoimmune disease, sepsis and fulminant hepatic failure. Apheresis is an invasive procedure. It has significant physiologic consequences, so the care of these patients requires continuous supervision. Phlebotomy is performed as an intervention for some disease management. Its use is nowadays restricted to conditions such as polycythaemia, haemochromatosis and porphyria cutanea tarda. In this review, we have looked at various indications, procedure and complications of apheresis and phlebotomy in critical care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Central venous catheter placement is an important procedure for ICU (Intensive Care Unit) patients. We studied the usefulness of ultrasonography for placement of central venous catheter by in-experienced anesthetists. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of 32 patients requiring central venous access (CVA) in surgical ICU (SICU). Data collected were patient's demographics, indication, type of catheter, success rate, attempts, complication rate and access time were recorded and compared with other studies. Result: The overall success rate was 89.5% in the IJV (Internal Jugular Vein) and 92.3% for SCV (Subclavian Vein) group. The success rates for insertion at fi rst, second, and third attempt were 52.6%, 31.6%, and 5.2% for IJV and 46.2% and 53.8% for SCV. Average number of attempts made for IJV cannulation was 1.74 +/- 1.04 and 1.54 +/- 0.51 for SCV. The total time taken for IJV access was 858.78 +/- 381.9 sec, whereas in the SCV group, it was 984 +/- 328.98 seconds. In our study, overall rate of complication was 21.05% (4/19 patients) for IJV and 23.07% (3/13 patients) for SCV insertion. Incidence of various complications like arterial puncture, misplacement of CVC, hematoma, pneumothorax, and hemothorax were also noted. Conclusion: This study concludes that real time ultrasound guidance during IJV and SCV cannulation can achieve higher success rate, fewer complications, number of attempts, and failure rate among inexperienced anesthetists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background. Tubercular brain abscess (TBA) is a rare manifestation of CNS tuberculosis. It is characterised by an encapsulated collection of pus, containing viable tubercular bacilli without evidence of tubercular granuloma. Presentation and history. Patients may present with features of raised intracranial pressure and focal neurological deficit commensurate with the site of the abscess. A history of pulmonary tuberculosis may be present, as documented in one of our six cases; three of our six children developed TBA despite 3-weeks to 12-month courses of antitubercular chemotherapy prescribed for post-TBM hydrocephalus. Diagnosis. Contrast CT head, MRI, MR spectroscopy is helpful in making the diagnosis and planning the treatment. TBA may be unilocular or multilocular on contrast CT scan. A relatively long clinical history and an enhancing capsule with thick wall are suggestive of TBA. Pyogenic abscess, however, has a thin rim on contrast CT. The capsule of TBA is formed of vascular granulation tissue containing acute and chronic inflammatory cells, particularly polymorphs. Proof of tubercular origin must be demonstrated either by presence of acid fast bacilli in culture or staining of pus or wall. Treatment. Treatment options include simple puncture, continuous drainage, fractional drainage, repeated aspiration through a burr hole, stereotactic aspiration and total excision of the abscess. Total excision usually becomes necessary in multilocular noncommunicating and thick-walled abscesses. Antitubercular therapy is the mainstay of management. The development of fulminant tubercular meningitis is sometimes problematic following surgical excision of TBA, as seen in one of our four operated cases. Mortality is reported to be high despite progress in treatment, while five of the six children treated by us responded well to the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]