Search

Typhoid fever, a classical disease of enteric origin caused by Salmonella species of bacteria, is among the most important diseases threatening public health in Africa. The African continent is a marker for both low resources within the healthcare system and poor disease control policy formulations in managing endemic infectious diseases. Since the colonial era, the Widal serological test has been used to confirm typhoid fever in Africa, however recent studies recommend blood culture, and when blood culture cannot be obtained, clinical findings, laboratory Widal test confirmation, and ruling out other febrile illnesses as confirmatory pathway to diagnose typhoid fever in Africa. Managing typhoid fever relies on antimicrobials. In 1980s chloramphenicol was the medication of choice. Years later, amoxicillin and co-trimoxazole were adopted. However, the instantaneous rise of resistant strains of Salmonella enterica confers an important challenge to treat the burdensome enteric fever. The current treatment algorithm of typhoid fever in Africa relies significantly on the use of fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and cephalosporins. Developed nations have successfully addressed and controlled typhoid fever via improvement in accessing safe water and food, better sanitary and hygienic behaviours, and vaccines development. Nevertheless, there is significant evidence to infer improvement in the diagnosis management of typhoid fever over the last few decades, and efforts are underway to control the disease spread in Africa. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest developments in typhoid fever diagnosis and management in Africa and provide key recommendations for a coordinated approach to mitigate typhoid in the continent.

Objective The objective of the present study was to evaluate morphine consumption and pain scores 24 hours postoperatively to compare the effects of a bilateral pectointercostal fascial block (PIFB) with those of a transversus thoracic muscle plane block (TTMPB) on acute poststernotomy pain in cardiac surgery patients who have undergone median sternotomy. Design Prospective, randomized, double-blinded. Setting The operating room, intensive care unit, and patient ward at a university hospital. Participants Thirty-nine American Society of Anesthesiologists II-to-III patients aged 18- to-80 years, scheduled for elective cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. Interventions Patients randomly were allocated to groups scheduled to receive bilateral ultrasound–guided PIFB or TTMPB. Measurements and Main Results The primary outcome was postoperative morphine use within the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were the numerical pain rating scale (NRS) scores at rest and during coughing, time of first analgesic demand from the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device, and rescue analgesia use. The nausea/vomiting scores, time to extubation, length of stays in intensive care and the hospital, patient satisfaction scores, and complications were also recorded. The first 24-hour morphine use did not significantly differ between the PIFB and TTMPB groups (mean ± standard deviation [95% CI], 13.89 ± 6.80 [10.83-16.95] mg/24 h and 15.08 ± 7.42 [11.83-18.33] mg/24 h, respectively, p = 0.608). No significant difference between the two groups in the NRS scores at rest and during coughing was observed; the groups had similar requirements for rescue analgesia in the first 24 hours (n [%], three [15.8] and seven [35], p = 0.273, respectively). The time from PCA to the first analgesia request was longer in the PIFB than in the TTMPB group (median [interquartile range], 660 [540-900] minutes, and 240 [161-525] minutes, respectively, p = 0.002). Conclusions PIFB and TTMPB showed similar effectiveness for morphine consumption within 24 hours postoperatively and in pain scores in cardiac surgery patients.

IntroductionInappropriate citation of retracted literature is a common problem in the general medical literature. In 2020, more than 2300 articles were retracted, a dramatic increase from 38 in 2000. By exploring a contemporary series of retractions by one research group, we aimed to evaluate if citations of retracted articles is occurring in the area of regional anesthesiology.MethodsUsing the Scopus database, we examined the full text of all the articles citing research articles coauthored by an anesthesiologist who had multiple articles retracted in 2022. After excluding the research articles citing non-retracted articles authored by the above mentioned anesthesiologist, we included in our analysis all the articles containing a retracted citation and published after the retraction notice.ResultsThe search was performed on October 30, 2022, retrieving a total of 121 articles citing the researcher’s work. Among the retrieved articles, 53 correctly cited non-retracted research and 37 were published before the retraction notice. Among the 31 remaining articles, 42 retracted research papers were cited. Twenty-five of the retracted articles were cited in the Discussion section of the manuscripts, 15 in the Introduction section, 1 in the Methods section (description of a technique), and one was cited in a review. No manuscript used the flawed data to calculate the sample size.DiscussionIn this contemporary example from the regional anesthesia literature, we identified that citation of retracted work remains a common phenomenon.

Background/Aim: Delayed graft function (DGF) continues to be an important complication in patients who underwent kidney transplantation. Our study aimed to determine the rate of DGF and risk factors after renal transplantation at our center and explore DGF-related complications and outcomes. Methods: Patients over 18 years of age who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2015 and January 2020 were evaluated. DGF was defined as the need for at least one dialysis session within the first week after renal transplantation. The factors affecting DGF were analyzed as the primary outcome, and discharge and additional complications, as the secondary outcomes. Results: Data of 206 patients who underwent renal transplantation were analyzed, and delayed graft function (the need for at least one dialysis session within the first week after renal transplantation) was observed at a rate of 20.9%. A statistically significant relationship was observed between DGF and presence of diabetes mellitus, cadaver graft transplantation, higher cold ischemia time, need for postoperative erythrocyte suspension and fresh frozen plasma transfusion (P

The incidence of breast cancer has increased significantly over recent years.1 Surgery is the gold standard treatment for most cases, and general anaesthesia (GA) is the preferred anaesthetic technique. However, regional anaesthesia may be an alternative to GA in multimodal regimens in high-risk patients to avoid GA-related cardiovascular or pulmonary side effects.2 The use of neuraxial techniques [thoracic epidural or thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB)] or an intercostal nerve block can therefore be suggested.3 However, novel approaches that are easier, safer, and more effective have been proposed to overcome possible complications and difficulties of these techniques. One approach, the pectoral nerve (Pecs) II block, is a fascial plane block that has shown promising results in anterolateral chest wall 2 analgesia.3,4 The aim of this technique is to block the pectoral nerves, intercostobrachial, intercostals3- 6 and the long thoracic nerve.4 The Pecs block II has been used successfully as part of the multimodal regimen for postoperative analgesia, but not yet as a primary anaesthetic technique in breast surgery.3 Here, we describe breast cancer resection with ultrasound (US)-guided Pecs block II and sedation in two high-risk elderly patients. Both patients provided written consent for publication of the case reports and related images. Here, we present two breast cancer resection cases with multiple comorbidities who underwent ultrasound-guided Pecs II blocks under sedation. Additional analgesic and / or local anaesthetic infiltration was required for parasternal region pain (simple mastectomy, Case 1) and axillary region pain (sentinel node biopsy, Case 2). However, Pecs II blocks may not block the anterior cutaneous intercostal nerve branches or the intercostobrachial nerve in operations involving the medial part of the breast or extending to the axilla.

The Coronavirus Disease - 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has put additional strain on Africa's fragile healthcare systems and has impacted the rise of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Currently, there is a rise in cases of Monkeypox Disease, a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, which was first documented in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most of the clinical symptoms of Monkeypox resemble that of smallpox, whose virus also belongs to the same genus. Initial symptoms include headache, fever, and fatigue, followed by lymphadenopathy and a rash. This study aims to provide more insight into Monkeypox by exposing its current burden and efforts to combat it amidst COVID-19 in Africa. Since Monkeypox disease is re-emerging and is less contagious than COVID-19, prevention and treatment are much more manageable. Still, African countries face several crucial challenges in responding to the Monkeypox in times of the covid-19 pandemic. These include lack of a well-functioning surveillance system for early detection of the disease, lack of awareness and knowledge of the monkeypox disease across the general population, lack of healthcare facilities already burdened by COVID-19 cases, and shortage of trained healthcare professionals. On the other hand, one significant factor contributing to the minimized risk in Africa was the smallpox vaccination done before 1980. However, a declining cross-protective immunity is seen in those inoculated with the smallpox vaccine and the ever-increasing risk to the unvaccinated population. Thus, focusing on vaccination and disease surveillance operations and diligent monitoring, as well as cross-border collaborations with international sectors, including One Health, FOA, OIE, and WHO is critical to achieving the ultimate eradication of monkeypox in Africa.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge of intensive care physicians in Turkey about COVID-19 and their attitudes towards the strategies and application methods to be used for COVID-19 cases that need to be followed up in an intensive care unit, and to raise awareness about this issue. DESIGN AND SETTING: The population for this descriptive study comprised clinicians working in a variety of healthcare organizations in Turkey who provide monitoring and treatment within the intensive care process for COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Data were collected online using a survey form on the SurveyMonkey website between April 20 and April 25, 2020. RESULTS: The mean age of the 248 intensive care clinicians participating in the study was 37.2 ± 13.7 years and 49.19% were female. High rates of classical laryngoscope use were observed, especially among clinicians employed in state hospitals. Among all the participants, 54.8% stated that they were undecided about corticosteroid treatment for patients who had been intubated due to COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Many medications and methods are used for COVID-19 treatment. All national science committees are attempting to create standard treatment protocols. For intensive care treatment of COVID-19 patients, many factors require management, and clinicians’ experience is guiding future processes. We believe that this study will create awareness about this topic and contribute to the creation of standard treatment algorithms and the provision of better and safer healthcare services for this patient group.

Target hemoglobin (Hb) level is not clearly determined in patients followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) for traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aims to investigate the impact of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and Hb level on the neurological outcome in the first 24 h in patients with TBI.In this retrospective study, we reviewed the 2-year organizational database. We evaluated data from patients who underwent RBC transfusion and whose Hb values were 7-9 g/dL and9 g/dL in the first 24 h. We considered that a Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) of 1-3 at the time of discharge from the ICU was a poor neurological outcome (PO) and that a GOS3 was a good neurological outcome (GO).A total of 147 patients were included in the study 28.6% of whom were discharged from the intensive care unit with PO. The Hb (g/dL) values of PO patients in the first 24 h were lower compared to those of GO patients (median [interquartile range]; 9.2 [2.5] vs 11 [3.4], p0.01). RBC transfusion of PO patients in the first 24 h was also less compared to that of GO patients (median [interquartile range]; 15 [35.7] vs. 19 [18.1], p = 0.038). In logistic regression analyses, neither RBC transfusion (OR [95%CI]; 0.786 (0.108-5.740), p = 0.81) nor Hb level (OR [95% CI]; 0.50 (0.057-4.362), p = 0.53) was an independent risk factor for PO.In patients followed up in the ICU due to TBI, RBC transfusion and Hb values in the first 24 h are not associated with PO at the time of discharge from the ICU.

To investigate the effect of the fluid challenge test on the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) change.Quasi-experimental study.Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ondokuz Mayis University Hospital, Samsun, Turkey, from January to November 2021.A fluid challenge was defined as a 500 mL crystalloid infusion administered over 10 minutes, and fluid responsiveness was defined as a subsequent increase in stroke volume of at least 15% administered to the ICU patients. The ONSD and hemodynamic variables were measured by ultrasonography before (T0), at the end (T1), and 30 min after the fluid challenge (T2). The primary outcome of the study was the change in ONSD measurements associated with the fluid challenge, and the secondary outcome was the relationship between fluid responsiveness and the change in ONSD.A total of 60 patients were included. The ONSD (mm) value was significantly higher at T1 compared to T0 (mean ± standard deviation: 5.12±0.30 mm vs. 5.10±0.32 mm; p=0.011). However, at T2, the ONSD was similar to that at T0 (5.10±0.31 mm vs. 5.10±0.32 mm; p=0.662). The stroke volume (mL) was also significantly higher at T1 and T2 compared to T0 [median IQR 60 (6) mL vs. 60 (4.7) mL vs. 52 (5) mL, respectively, p0.01]. No significant relationship was found between the ONSD and the change in fluid responsiveness (p=0.621).The fluid challenge test increases ONSD and may cause an increase in intracranial pressure.Fluid therapy, Stroke volume, Intracranial pressure, Ultrasonography, Optic nerve sheath diameter.

In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the patients who underwent neuroanesthesia in our clinic between 2015 and 2019.Material and Method: All patients who underwent neuroanesthesia between 01.01.2015 and 31.12.2019 at Ondokuz Mayıs University Medical Faculty Hospital were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, type of surgery performed, anesthesia management and complications were recorded.Results: A total of 5172 patients were included in our study. 52.9% of the patients were male and the mean age was 43.2%. It was observed that the patients were operated most frequently for herniopathy (21.3%), shunt/external ventricular drainage (19.7%) and cranial mass (18.7%), and 77.3% of the cases were elective surgery. The average duration of anesthesia was 145.9 minutes. Thiopental (46.7%) and propofol (45.6%) were used most frequently as induction agents, while rocuronium (93.7%) was preferred as neuromuscular blocking agent in almost all patients. Remifentanil (81.4%) was the most commonly used intraoperative analgesic. While inhalation anesthesia was preferred for maintenance in 3077 (59.5%) patients, total intravenous anesthesia was used in 1811 (35.1%) patients. Complications developed in 24.1% of the patients, and cardiovascular complications were observed in 71.9% of the patients. It was determined that 1282 patients (24.8%) needed postoperative intensive care.Conclusion: It was concluded that the repetition of retrospective studies at regular intervals would contribute to the development of anesthesiology by enabling both the evaluation of the practices in the same clinic and the comparison between clinics.Keywords: Neuroanesthesia, neurosurgery, perioperative period, retrospective

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and lidocaine infusions added to the multimodal analgesia regimen on pain scores and analgesic requirement in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.A prospective randomized double-blind trial. Seventy-three patients aged 18 to 65 years (ASA II-III) undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups. Intravenous (IV) ketamine (0.5 mg/kg/h), dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg/h), and lidocaine (2 mg/kg/h) were administered to Groups K, D and L, respectively. Postoperative infusions were continued for 12 hours.Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores (during rest and movement) in the admission to postanesthesia care unit, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours, and on day 15 were assessed postoperatively. Rescue analgesia requirement, the number of patients with nausea, retching, and vomiting, time to mobilization, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were recorded.VASIV lidocaine added to multimodal analgesia provided better pain control in the early postoperative period compared to dexmedetomidine and ketamine and decreased the hospital LOS.

To evaluate whether pneumoperitoneum pressure lower than the standard pressure would allow higher cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) during laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN).Randomised controlled trial.Ondokuz Mayis University Hospital, Samsun, Turkey, from January to November 2020.Sixty-two patients (aged 18-65 years; ASA I-III) scheduled for LN were equally divided into a low-pressure (LP; 8 mmHg) and standard-pressure (SP; 14 mmHg) group. Mechanical ventilator settings were adjusted to maintain 32-37 mmHg ETCO2 and96% SpO2 throughout the surgery. The rSO2 was evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy before and one minute after induction and then every five minutes until patient transfer to the recovery unit. Oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures, pH, and haemoglobin, recorded at five minutes after induction, five and 30 minutes after insufflation, and 10 minutes after desufflation, were examined for correlations with rSO2.Both groups had similar rSo2, arterial blood gas, and haemoglobin values at all measurement times. The LP group showed no differences between the preoperative values and the values obtained at the different time points. In contrast, the SP group showed significant differences between the preoperative and the measured values (except at 25, 30, and 35 minutes) (p = 0.001). Four patients (12.9%) in both groups showed cerebral desaturation. The rSO2 values were moderately correlated with the CO2 and haemoglobin values.Low insufflation pressure offered no advantages over standard pressure in terms of haemodynamics, arterial blood gases, cerebral oxygen saturation during LN, and CO2 insufflation did not change rSO2 levels. Key Words: Pneumoperitoneum, Spectroscopy, Oximetry, Nephrectomy, Surgery, Laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Background Dexmedetomidine is a potent and highly selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist with sympatholytic, sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic properties. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of a dexmedetomidine infusion in liver transplant recipients in the early postoperative period on early and smooth extubation. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 21 patients undergoing liver transplantation between December 1, 2018, and February 31, 2020. Patients were divided into the dexmedetomidine and midazolam groups. The primary outcome was the extubation time. Secondary outcomes were mean arterial pressure and heart rate before and after extubation. The collected data included the patients' age, gender, surgery time, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, cold ischemia time, blood transfusion amount, and extubation visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Results Extubation time was significantly shorter in the dexmedetomidine group than midazolam group (median [minimum-maximum], 4 [0-6], 8 [4-13] hours, respectively, p = 0.000). Extubation VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in dexmedetomidine group (p = 0.000). Mean arterial pressure values before and after extubation were significantly higher in patients' midazolam group than the dexmedetomidine group (p = 0.003, p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions Dexmedetomidine infusions provided early and smooth extubation with stable hemodynamics in our patients.

BACKGROUND Quadratus lumborum blocks (QLBs) are relatively novel regional anaesthesia techniques, and the efficacy of all three types of QLB for postoperative analgesia in caesarean delivery (CD) has been demonstrated in separate studies. The aim of the present study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of the QLB-II and QLB-III blocks performed at the end of surgery in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia for CD. METHODS We conducted a comparative, blinded, prospective, randomised and efficiency study. A total of 80 patients scheduled for elective CD under spinal anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either bilateral ultrasound-guided QLB-II or QLB-III block in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was opioid consumption administered by a patient-controlled analgesia in the first 24 hours postoperatively. The secondary outcome of the study was pain intensity. Also, the time of first opioid requirement and the presence of nausea and vomiting were recorded. RESULTS Morphine consumption was statistically significantly lower in the QLB-III group when compared with the QLB-II group at the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 24th hours (P

Introduction In this study, our objective was to compare the lateral sagittal infraclavicular block (LS-ICB) with the costoclavicular infraclavicular block (CC-ICB) for ultrasound (US)-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block in terms of block dynamics as well as patient and surgeon satisfaction levels. Methods A total of 100 patients, falling under the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I-III categories, who were aged 18-65 years and scheduled for elective forearm and hand surgery were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive a US-guided LS-ICB or US‑guided CC-ICB. The local anesthetic (LA) agent used (20-ml 0.5% bupivacaine) was identical in all subjects. The block performance time and the motor and sensory block onset times were determined to be the primary outcomes. Results The block performance time and the sensory block onset time were shorter in the CC-ICB group compared to the LS-ICB group [median (interquartile range): three (2.5-3.3) vs. two (1.5-2.3) minutes, p

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of protective face mask usage during the postoperative period on carbon dioxide retention in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design This study was designed as a prospective, randomized trial including 40 ASA I–II patients aged 3–10 years who were scheduled for elective surgery. Methods Patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The first group (Group 1) received O2 treatment over the protective face mask. In the second group (Group 2), the protective face mask was worn over the O2 delivery system. Heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SPO2) level, end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) level, and respiratory rate (RR) were measured using a patient monitor at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 minutes and recorded. The primary outcome of the study was the determination of the EtCO2 levels, which were used to assess the safety of the mask in terms of potential carbon dioxide retention. Findings None of the participants’ SPO2 levels fell below 92% while wearing masks. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of EtCO2, HR, SPO2, and RR (p > 0.05). Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, protective surgical face masks can be used safely in the postoperative period for pediatric patients aged 3–10 years.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a new and popular interfacial fascial plane block which has been used in many different surgeries. There are a few cases in which ultrasound-guided sacral ESPB was used for postoperative analgesia. This article presents the successful use of bi-level, bilateral sacral ESPB for main anesthetic method in anorectal surgery. Anesthetic level required for surgery was accomplished in 30 minutes, and none of the patients experienced pain throughout the surgery. The patients were discharged at the postoperative fourth hour without any complications. The patients, who were contacted later, indicated no need for any analgesic for 24 h postoperatively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature where sacral ESPB is used as the sole anesthetic technique. The sacral ESPB can be considered in anorectal surgery as an alternative technique for spinal or general anesthesia.

Sağır, Özlem (Balikesir Author), Introduction More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. Methods and analysis EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. Ethics and dissemination EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369. ©

OBJECTIVE To assess whether the use of an aerosol box for percutaneous tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 can protect healthcare workers and affect the procedure-related outcomes and complications. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital, Canakkale, Turkey from March to August, 2020. METHODOLOGY A retrospective evaluation of patients, who underwent percutaneous tracheostomy with an aerosol box, was conducted. Patients aged over 18 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 and requiring percutaneous tracheostomy were included. Exclusion criteria were: age under 18 years and refusal to participate in the study. Patients' age, gender, comorbidities, APACHE II scores at intensive care admission, numbers of intubated days, durations of tracheostomy opening time, and complications were recorded. RESULTS Twenty-four patients underwent the procedure. Tracheostomy was performed successfully in all 24 cases (100%). The mean age of the cases was 67.2 ± 10.1 years. Four patients experienced minor bleeding related to performing the percutaneous tracheostomy using the aerosol box. No healthcare workers were infected with SARS-CoV-2 while performing the tracheostomy procedure. CONCLUSION Use of the aerosol box had adequate efficacy and safety for performance of the percutaneous tracheostomy procedure in intubated patients with COVID-19, who were being followed up in the intensive care unit. This procedure could be used as an alternative to traditional tracheostomy methods in patients with contagious respiratory infections. Key Words: Tracheostomy, Intensive care unit, COVID-19, Aerosol box.

Purpose Tremendous physical and psychological pressure has been placed on healthcare workers due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to examine the anxiety and depression levels and related factors among healthcare professionals working in operating theatres (anesthetic technicians and nurses) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design The universe of this descriptive study consisted of healthcare professionals working in operating theatres in various healthcare institutions in Turkey. Methods The data were collected online between 9 April 2020 and 12 April 2020 using a SurveyMonkey questionnaire (SurveyMonkey, San Mateo, California, United States) and healthcare workers who volunteered to participate in the study were contacted via the social media platforms Twitter, LinkedIn and WhatsApp and asked to answer the questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 22.0 software. Findings In total, 702 healthcare professionals working in operating theatres participated in the study. The mean depression and anxiety scores of the participants were found to be 9.4±4.6 (min: 0–max: 21) and 10.0±4.5 (min: 0–max: 21), respectively. Depression scores were statistically significantly higher among females, single individuals, those who had children, those living with a person aged 60 years or older (p

Karabulut, Erman/0000-0002-0787-905X; Dost, Burhan/0000-0002-4562-1172 WOS: 000525003200001 PubMed: 32275463 Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of anesthesiology specialists and residents in Turkey about COVID-19 and their attitudes toward the strategies and application methods to be used for a suspected/confirmed COVID-19 case that needs to be operated on or followed up in an intensive care unit, as well as to raise awareness about this issue. Methods: This descriptive study comprised anesthesiology specialists and residents working in various health institutions in Turkey. The data used in this study were obtained online between March 13, 2020 and March 25, 2020 through the website SurveyMonkey (SurveyMonkey, San Mateo, CA) by using a survey form. We contacted members of the Turkish Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Society through the social media platforms Twitter, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, as well as through their e-mail addresses and invited them to participate in the study. Those who agreed to participate responded to the aforementioned survey. We used SPSS 22.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY) to analyze the survey data statistically. Results: A total of 346 anesthesiology specialists and residents participated in the study. Although the majority of the participants exhibited the correct attitudes toward airway management, research assistants with little professional experience were observed to be undecided or had the tendency to make incorrect decisions. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading rapidly worldwide. The incidence of COVID-19 cases is increasing daily, and this disease can cause patient death. Anesthesiology specialists and residents who perform emergency operations on these patients in settings other than intensive care units should follow simple and easy-to-understand algorithms to ensure safety. The provision of theoretical and practical training to healthcare providers before they meet patients will help ensure patient-healthcare provider safety and prevent panic, which can cause distress among healthcare providers.