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Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cause of cancer death in women. The thoracic pectoral nerve (PECS) block has been described as the gold standard analgesic modality for BC surgery. It has been previously reported that PECS is associated with decreased BC recurrence post-mastectomy. Although several anesthetic drugs and techniques are used in surgical oncology, their effects on the behavior of cancer cells are yet to be known and the key question of whether the anesthetic technique affects cancer outcome remains unresolved. Objectives: Since anesthetic drugs and techniques and post-operative pain may affect BC recurrence, this study aimed to determine whether the anesthetic choice and technique, PECS II block, affects in vitro apoptosis of the MDA-MB-231 BC cell line. Methods: Twenty-two female BC patients, 20 to 75-years-old, with the same pathologic grades were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received propofol general anesthesia (PGA) associated with PECS and the second group received standard PGA. Blood was sampled pre and post-operation from all patients. The sera were isolated and then exposed to the MDA-MB-231 human BC cell line. The mean percentage of apoptosis indices was analyzed by flow cytometry using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate 24 hours after treatment with patients’ sera. Results: A significant decrease was seen in the mean viability percentage of BC cell line in the PECS group, besides a significant increase in the mean percentage of necrosis and late apoptosis indices compared to the control group after exposure to sera collected from patients post-operation. Intra-group analysis of the control group showed that the exposure of the tumoral cell to post-operation sera resulted in a significant increase in the mean percentage of necrosis and late apoptosis index compared to pre-operation sera exposure. In the PECS group, the exposure of the tumoral cell to post-operation sera resulted in a significant increase in the mean percentage of cell viability and late apoptosis index compared to pre-operation sera exposure. Conclusions: In conclusion, anesthesia and BC surgery may induce apoptosis indices in the MDA-MB-231 human BC cell line. We also found that sera collected from PECS II block patients with BC could induce more apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 cell line compared to collected sera from systemic analgesia alone after BC surgery.

Background Bupivacaine, an amid-type local anesthetic, is widely used for clinical patients especially in pregnant women. In addition to neurotoxicity effect of bupivacaine, it can cross the placenta, accumulates in this tissue and retained in fetal tissues. Nevertheless, whether bupivacaine can cause neurotoxicity in fetus remains unclear. Hence, this study was design to investigate the effects of maternal bupivacaine use on fetus hippocampal cell apoptosis and the possible related mechanism. Methods On day 15 of pregnancy, sciatic nerve of pregnant wistar rat (180–200 g) were exposed by lateral incision of the right thigh and 0.2 ml of bupivacaine was injected. After their delivery, we randomly selected one male offspring of every mother. On day 30 after of their birth, the rat’s hippocampi were isolated for molecular studies. Western blotting was used to examine the expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8 and p-Akt in fetal hippocampus. Results Our results showed that maternal bupivacaine use caused a significant increment of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8 expression in fetal hippocampus compared with the sham group. In addition, maternally administered bupivacaine could significantly decrease hippocampal P.Akt/T.Akt ratio which was concurrent with an increment of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8 expression. Conclusion Our data suggest that maternal bupivacaine use increases fetal hippocampal cell apoptosis markers such as caspase 8 and cleaved caspase 3, at least in part, via inhibiting the Akt activation.

Background: Aspiration is one of the important complications of general anesthesia, although infrequent as well as accompanying high morbidity and mortality. The volume of gastric content is considered as a risk factor in this regard. Therefore, it is normally mostly recommend to consider proper fasting time before induction of general anesthesia. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the effect of metoclopramide on reducing gastric contents in patients with incomplete fasting before induction of general anesthesia. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on patients with urgent surgical indications with incomplete NPO time. Every other patient received metoclopramide or placebo. Patients in the intervention group received 10 mg (2 ml) of intravenous metoclopramide, and patients in the control group received 2 ml of distilled water as a placebo. Patients in both groups underwent ultrasonography before starting surgery by an expert radiologist to calculate gastric antral grade (GAG) and cross-sectional antral area (CSA). These measurements were then taken for the second time 30 minutes after intervention, before starting the surgery. The values were compared statistically. Results: The data of 60 patients were analyzed, of which 30 were in each group. The mean age, body mass index, type of the last consumed food (solid or fluid), NPO time in the two groups were not significantly different (P value > 0.05). The number of patients in the metoclopramide group with higher GAG (P value = 0.001) and the mean CSA (P value = 0.004) before the intervention was more than the control group. The GAG and mean CSA after intervention were not significantly different between the two groups; but the mean difference of decrease in CSA in the metoclopramide group was more than the control group (4.3 vs. 0.99; P value = 0.001), and changes of GAG after intervention to lower levels in the metoclopramide group was more than the control group (P value < 0.05). Conclusions: In the current study in which ultrasonographic indexes, including GAG and CSA, were assessed as a suboptimal gastric emptying test method, it was found that metoclopramide could accelerate gastric emptying compared to placebo in patients with incomplete fasting before induction of general anesthesia.

Background: Benson’s relaxation (BR) technique is a suitable non-pharmacological approach to reduce preoperative anxiety (PA). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of BR therapy on PA and the induction and maintenance dose of propofol during cataract surgery (CS). Methods: Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into two experiments or BR and control groups. The Amsterdam and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety inventory (STAI) scores were used to assess PA directly two days and a half-hour before the CS. The control group did not receive any preoperation intervention or relaxation. Benson’s relaxation method was performed three times, each time for 20 minutes, including two days before surgery, a night before surgery, and an hour before the surgery in the presence of a researcher by an audio file. The induction and maintenance dose of anesthetic drug was recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The mean propofol consumption was significantly reduced during the induction of anesthesia in the intervention group compared to the control group (0.99 ± 0.29 versus 1.29 ± 0.49; P = 0.005) as well as the maintenance of anesthesia (84.66 ± 17.98 versus 108.33 ± 34.38, P = 0.001). The results of the post-intervention Amsterdam anxiety score showed a significant decrease in the intervention group compared to the control group (P = 0.032, F = 9.61, Eta2 = 0.12). The control group showed a higher Spielberger state score compared to the intervention group as well as the Spielberger trait (P < 0.001, F = 14.78, Eta2 = 0.18). Conclusions: The BR method effectively reduces the level of PA in patients undergoing CS. Moreover, it reduces the need for anesthetic drug, propofol, during surgery.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective α-2 adrenoceptor agonist with anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic properties that prolongs analgesia and decreases opioid-related side effects when used in neuraxial and perineural areas as a local anesthetics adjuvant. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of a single perineural administration of dexmedetomidine without local anesthetics on narcotic consumption and pain intensity in patients with femoral shaft fractures undergoing surgery. This prospective randomized single-blind clinical trial was conducted in patients undergoing femoral fracture shaft surgery. Based on block permuted randomization, the patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 100µg dexmedetomidine, for a femoral nerve block without any local anesthetics. Total intraoperative opioid consumption, postoperative opioid consumption, visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded and compared. Finally the data from 60 patients with a mean age of 30.4±12.3 were analyzed (90% male). There were no significant differences between the baseline characteristics of the two groups (p>0.05). The mean total consumption of narcotics was reduced during induction and maintenance of anesthesia in the intervention group (p

Background: There are limited available scientific sources of data and rare controlled studies to guide the anesthesiologist regarding preoperative analgesic care in opioid addict patients, despite the increasing prevalence of opioid dependency. Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of using Dexmedetomidine (Dex) during femoral neck surgery on the postoperative analgesic consumption in opium addict patients. Patients and Methods: The present study is a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients suffering from femoral neck fracture with a history of opium addiction who were candidates for surgery under spinal anesthesia were included. After induction of spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine, either Dex or normal saline was infused for patients. Dex with a dose of 0.5 µg/kg/h in the intervention group and normal saline with a dose of 0.5 cc/kg/h in the control group was administered. After the surgery, pain intensity of the patients in recovery was assessed in 10-minute intervals based on visual analog scale (VAS) until 2 hours postoperatively. Time to pain and the total amount of opium consumption for pain control in 24 hours postoperatively were calculated and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Finally, 25 patients in each group were studied. Demographic and baseline characteristics of the patients in the 2 groups were not significantly different. Mean morphine consumption in recovery until 2 hours postoperatively showed no significant difference between Dex and control groups (P = 0.24). However, the mean opioid use during 24 hours postoperatively was significantly difference and it was lower in the group receiving Dex infusion (P < 0.001). Conclusions: It is likely that intravenous Dex infusion during femoral neck fracture surgery under spinal anesthesia can lead to the less opioid use throughout the 24 hours postoperatively in opium addict patients.

Background: The use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has increased in recent years. Data regarding PCA’s usefulness following anorectal surgery are equivocal, and it still needs to be further studied and discussed. Therefore, the current study was conducted to compare PCA with pudendal nerve block (PNB) for pain management in patients undergoing anorectal surgery. Methods: Patients candidate for elective anorectal surgery under general anaesthesia were considered eligible. Prior to the surgery, the patients were divided into PCA and PNB groups. PNB was performed at the end of the surgery just before extubation. PCA was initiated in the recovery room. The patients’ pain scores were recorded based on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours into the post-operative period. The total dose of morphine sulfate consumed, the overall satisfaction, and any side effects were recorded. Results: 100 patients with a mean age of 44.55 ± 11.45 years were enrolled (71% male). Both methods resulted in effective pain control. The difference in the consumed doses of morphine was not statistically significant (P = 0.2). The PNB group patients were more satisfied than those in the PCA group (8.6 ± 1.9 vs. 7.3 ± 2.2; P = 0.037). The recorded side effects were significantly higher in the PCA group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although both morphine-contained PCA and PNB with Marcaine resulted in effective pain control following anorectal surgery, it is likely that local anaesthesia with Marcaine is accompanied by fewer side effects and more satisfaction.

A 25-year-old man underwent an excision of a thigh mass under general anesthesia without any complication. After the operation, he developed oxygen desaturation requiring a jaw thrust maneuver. A rapidly expanding hematoma on the right side of the neck was formed shortly after the application of the maneuver. The patient was returned to the operation room for a neck exploration. Damage to the facial artery and vein was noted. Further evaluations confirmed the diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). It is recommended that considering the probable risk of arising hematoma in NF-1 patients, application of jaw thrust maneuver should be performed meticulously.

Background: This double-blind randomized clinical trial aimed at comparing the effect of intranasal desmopressin with that of intravenous ketorolac in pain management of patients with renal colic referring to the emergency department. Methods: The patients were randomly divided to two groups. One group received intravenous ketorolac 30 mg and intranasal normal saline, while, the other one received intranasal desmopressin 40 μg and 1 mL of intravenous distilled water. The patients’ pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale at the time of admission, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after drug administration. Results: Overall, 40 patients with mean age of 32.53 ± 6.91 participated in this study. Gender ratio (P = 0.288), mean age (P = 0.165), and mean pain score on arrival (P = 0.694) had no significant difference. The mean pain scores, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after drug administration in the ketorolac group was significantly lower than the desmopressin group, and decreased more rapidly (P < 0.001). Conclusions: It is likely for desmopressin to be less efficacious than ketorolac, and desmopressin leads to a significant alleviation of pain in patients with renal colic.

Introduction: The choice of anesthetic technique in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) can be a challenge for anesthesiologists and must be adjusted based on specific circumstances and abnormalities. We report our anesthetic technique in an OI patient to emphasize this point, and to frame a discussion of this subject. According to the accessible data, we report one of the rare OI patients who have undergone spinal anesthesia for emergency surgery. Case Presentation: The patient was a 21-year-old female with OI type IV, who was admitted due to severe anal pain. The surgeon decided to perform an emergency reduction of a prolapsed rectum, with late permanent fixation. Considering the circumstances, we decided to perform spinal anesthesia for the operation, which lasted for 30 minutes. The patient underwent rectal prolapse reduction via rectosigmoidoscopy, of up to 25 cm of rectum. She was transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit after her vital signs were stabilized. After gaining lower extremity strength, she was transferred to the surgery ward. The next day, she was discharged from the hospital. Conclusions: Although most authors believe that general anesthesia following fiberoptic intubation is the preferred method for OI patients, it is likely that spinal anesthesia is acceptable in such patients. Although it is technically difficult, the procedure can be performed by expert anesthesiologists.

Background and Aims: The present study was designed and carried out aiming to evaluate the effects of local dexmedetomidine (Dex) on sedation rate and hemodynamic changes in candidate patients for fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation. Material and Methods: Candidate patients for fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation were randomly divided into three groups including intravenous (IV) Dex group, local Dex group, and control group. Local anesthesia using lidocaine was performed in all patients. After performing the intubation, propofol infusion was used to keep the patients on predetermined cerebral state index (CSI). Hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood O2 saturation (SpO2), and CSI were monitored in all patients before, during, and after the procedure. Coughing score, intubation score, and patient tolerance score during and after nasotracheal intubation were assessed. Propofol consumption was also measured. Results: A total of 95 patients with the mean age of 45.4 ± 6.7 years were evaluated (54.2% of females). Hemodynamic parameters and SpO2 were significantly different between the three groups (P < 0.001). The dose of propofol used for reaching proper CSI was significantly higher in the control group compared to IV and local Dex groups (P < 0.001). There is no significant statistical difference in propofol consumption between local and IV Dex groups. The number of patients who were cooperative during intubation was higher in local Dex group compared to IV Dex and control groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: It is likely that using local Dex during fiberoptic bronchoscopy decreases sudden changes in hemodynamic values and decreases coughing and improves patient tolerance and intubation scores. Local Dex can be useful as IV form with the aim of propofol dose saving.