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Objective: To compare spinal anesthesia (SA) with general anesthesia (GA) in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery regarding anesthetic parameters and patient satisfaction together with an assessment of total oxidant, antioxidant levels, and Oxidative Stress index (OSI)., Materials and Methods: Sixty patients who were planned to undergo gynecologic laparoscopy were randomized into group G (GA) and group S (SA). Demographics, adverse events and anesthetic parameters were recorded before induction, after induction, and at the 5 th , 10 th , 15 th , 30 th , 60 th , 90 th , and 120 th minutes. Patients and surgeons completed questionnaires. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant level (TOL), and OSI were measured., Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of hemodynamic parameters except heart rate at 30 th minute and mean arteral pressure at 10 th , 15 th , 30 th , and 60 th minute (p<0.05). The postoperative arterial blood pH value was lower in group S (p=0.021). Intraoperative hypotension was lower in group S (p=0.038). There was more intraoperative hypotension in group S when compared with group G (p=0.038). Postoperative analgesic consumption was higher and onset of postoperative pain was shorter in group G (p=0.001 for both). There was no difference between the groups in terms of patient and surgeon satisfaction. There was no difference in terms of TAC, TOL, and OSI between the groups (p=0.862, p=0.940, and p=0.728, respectively)., Conclusion: SA may become a reliable alternative to GA in gynecologic laparoscopy when hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, patient and surgeon satisfaction, as well as total oxidant, antioxidant levels, and OSI are considered., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest., (©Copyright 2020 by Turkish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Turkish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published by Galenos Publishing House.)

Objectives: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) may occur 12-72 hours after spinal anesthesia. PDPH causes patient discomfort following spinal anesthesia and therefore it presents a challenging situation for anesthetists., Methods: This prospective randomized study enrolled 613 patients who were 18 years or older and who had been operated under spinal anesthesia. The spinal anesthesia procedure was performed with the patient in a sitting position through the L3-4, L4-5 interspaces, using 25 and 26 gauge (G) quincke and pencil-point spinal needles. The gender, age, body mass index, level of sensory block, mobilization time of the patients and also the experience and physical fatigue condition of the physicians were recorded. In the postoperative period all patients were questioned as to whether they experienced headache. These questions were repeated at postoperative 1st, 24th, 48th and 72nd hours in the hospital and on the 7th day by phone after they were discharged., Results: Compared to older patients, patients between the ages of 25 to 40 (p<0.001) and compared to other operations, C/S patients (p: 0.003) experienced headaches more frequently in the postoperative period. The other two important factors were the experience (p: 0.013) and the physical fatigue of the physician (p: 0.001) on the day of surgery., Conclusion: The experience and good physical condition of the physician, TUR or anorectal surgery, a patient over 40 years of age and using pencil-point spinal.

Background: Pain is a serious and common problem in bone metastases. For this purpose, complementary and supportive practices are also applied along with medical treatment. This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluating the effect of acupressure on pain in cancer patients with bone metastasis., Methods: The study was conducted in a nonrandomized controlled trial with patients who applied to the radiotherapy unit of an oncology hospital. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and the Visual Analog Scale. A total of 8 acupressure sessions, which lasted for approximately 10 minutes each (with warming and acupressure periods), was applied to the intervention group. The data were analyzed by using χ 2 test, paired t test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient., Results: It was determined that the pain mean score of the intervention group was 7.6 ± 1.9 before the acupressure and decreased to 6.8 ± 1.9 after the acupressure and this result was statistically significant. On the other hand, no significant difference was determined in the pain mean score of the control group., Conclusions: Acupressure is applicable for cancer patients with bone metastasis by nursing staff after receiving brief training and may make a difference in relieving pain of the patients. Further well-designed trials should be conducted.

Cancer is frequently seen in women of reproductive age. Diagnosis, management of treatment, and safety of the therapeutic approach are particularly important for these patients. Presently described is pain management in a case of pregnancy with malignant mesenchymal tumor. A 23-year-old woman in 30th gestational week presented with severe pain in right hip and back of the right thigh. Piriformis block successfully decreased pain and was followed by pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) to the piriformis muscle. PRF, as a non-neurodestructive method, is a safe and effective method to treat cancer pain in a pregnant patient.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare preventive effects of 10% povidone-iodine, and combination of 2-propanol and benzalkonium chloride skin antiseptics on contamination of epidural catheter tip., Methods: Included were 160 patients aged 18-65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications of I-II. Patients were randomized. Povidone-iodine was administered to group P (n=80) prior to insertion of antibiotic prophylaxis catheter; 2-propanol and benzalkonium chloride was administered to group B. Swabs obtained before and after administration of antiseptics were sent for culture. Antiseptics were applied to skin prior to catheter removal, as well as 48 hours after insertion. In sterile conditions, 2-3 cm pieces of catheter tips were sent to laboratory. Preoperative and postoperative complete blood count, body temperature, and signs of postoperative localized skin infection were recorded., Results: Leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were all within normal ranges in preoperative and postoperative. Swab cultures obtained following use of antiseptics were positive in 6 group P patients; coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was found in 5 patients, E. coli in 1, and were negative in group B. Difference between groups was statistically significant (p=0.013). Epidural catheter tip cultures were negative., Conclusion: Combination of 2-propanol and benzalkonium chloride was determined to be more effective in reducing skin flora around epidural catheter insertion site.

Background/aim: To compare the effects of tramadol-only treatment and tramadol + gabapentin treatment in patients who had received an epidural steroid injection., Materials and Methods: Forty patients with hernia disc-originated acute lumbar discogenic pain were evaluated. All patients received a single dose of steroid and local anesthesia mixture epidurally via the lumbar approach. In both groups, Group T (tramadol, n = 20) and Group TG (tramadol + gabapentin, n = 20), the injection dose was adjusted to 4 mL of triamcinolone acetonide and 0.25% bupivacaine mixture. Orally, 75 mg/day tramadol or 75 mg/day tramadol + 900 mg/day gabapentin were added to the treatment. Leukocyte, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and urine serotonin levels were measured prior to and after treatment. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated byvisual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and straight leg elevation test (SLET)., Results: Similar improvements in VAS, ODI, and SLET values were observed in both groups in the second week. The inflammation markers were not different after treatment, neither within the groups nor between the groups., Conclusion: This study revealed that tramadol + gabapentin treatment was not superior to tramadol treatment.

Hyperalgesia is normally an increase in the response to a painful stimulant. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) is a situation frequently encountered in algology clinics. Its treatment is complicated and problematic and often requires alternative methods. A 40-year-old male patient 45 kg weighing had been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer 2.5 years ago. He had used non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics and steroid preparations casually for his increased pain without any monitoring for one year. He was admitted five times for pain control. In the last visit, he complained of severe abdominal, pubic and rectal pain (visual analogue scale [VAS] 8), which was unresponsive to epidural analgesic, and later presented to the algology clinic; he was sleep-deprived, restless and in a panic state. Intrathecal morphine (1 mg) was applied considering his opioid tolerance. Because of increased pain (VAS 8-9) one hour after surgery for abscess in the liver and peritonea, the patient was given intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol and diazem considering his OIH. Then, bolus dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg) followed by dexmedetomidine infusion (0.2 µg/kg/h) was started. Three days later, diagnostic intrathecal clonidine (30 µg) was applied, and the patient's complaints regressed. With the patient reporting relaxed pain (VAS 1-2) after 30 minutes, an intrathecal port was placed. Both cancer pain and OIH were controlled with clonidine 90 µg/day. He was more relaxed, and his pain was tolerable until his death. Intrathecal clonidine administration may be an effective method for the treatment of OIH.

Objectives: We evaluated post dural puncture headache (PDPH) cases and the contributing factors and monitored the treatment response with epidural blood patch (EBP), and other therapies., Methods: In this retrospective study, 77 PDPH cases treated with EBP were included. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, type of surgery, type and diameter of the needle used for dural puncture, number(s) of dural puncture, onset of punctural headache, any conservative therapies for PDPH, number(s) of EBP application, analgesia quality at the 10th minute and 2nd hour after EBP application, and radicular pain during procedure., Results: The mean age of 77 patients (46 female, 31 male) was 31.5 ± 11.3, and the most common surgery performed was cesarean section. More than one attempt was applied in 48 patients. In 37 cases, a 22G spinal needle was used, while a 25 G spinal needle was used in 20 cases. The mean duration of the headache was 3.1 ± 1.3 days for female patients and 4.6 ± 2.3 days for male patients (p=0.020). VAS significantly decreased and patient satisfaction significantly increased after the 10th minute in patients who had EBP (p=0.001). In only one case (2%), the second EBP was needed for pain relief. Transient radicular pain was observed in 17 cases (22.07%) at administration of EBP., Conclusion: In PDPH cases, EBP is an effective and relatively safe method, especially in obstetric patients. We reported that the PDPH symptoms presented earlier in female patients. A preference of a small diameter needle (less than 22 G) and avoidance of multiple attempts is important for spinal anesthesia.

The development of intracranial subdural hematoma after spinal anesthesia is a rare and serious complication that can be fatal if untreated. Needle puncture to the dura mater can cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, and lead to stretching and rupture of the meningeal blood vessels with resultant bleeding. A 24-year-old patient, with a completely normal history and laboratory analysis, has got a L4-5 level spinal anesthesia well done at first try, using a Quinke 25 G needle and 12,5 mg bupivacaine heavy. The first day after spinal anesthesia, the patient started to have a headache. He applied to another hospital where he received conservative treatment with a diagnosis of post-spinal headache. But, persistence of the headache made the patient refer to our pain clinic. The headache was located behind the left ear non-postural in nature, and was associated with tinnitus. Emergency cranial computerized tomography was obtained and acute fronto-temporo-parietal subdural hematoma was reported. After spinal anesthesia, continued atypical headache and presence of tinnitus must alert against an underlying subdural hematoma. Early diagnosis can be made by history of the patient combined with neurological and radiological imaging methods.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to apply combination of axillary plexus block with "selective" injection of nerves and continuous catheter technique, and to compare the anesthetic and postoperative analgesic effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine., Methods: In 30 scheduled patients for unilateral hand or forearm surgery, an axillary brachial plexus block with "selective" injection of nerves and continuous catheter technique was performed with 40 ml of 2.5 mg/ml of bupivacaine, or levobupivacaine. After catheter placement, motor and sensory block were scored, and the patient was interviwed in the postoperative first 24 hours. The postoperative first analgesic need, total analgesic needs, pain scale and side-effects were registered., Results: At the 30th min, complete sensory block was more frequent in the inervation area of the median nerve in the Bupivacaine group than Levobopivacaine group, and in the Bupivacaine group, complete sensory block was more frequent in the inervation area of the median nerve than the other nerves (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, partial motor block of radial nevre was more frequent in the levobupivacaine group (P < 0.05). Tourniquet was well tolerated in all patients with successful block in both groups. Mean duration of analgesia was similar to the bupivacaine and levobupivacaine groups at 14.2 h, and 18.4 h, respectively (NS)., Conclusion: In this tecnique, for median and radial nevre, bupivacained 0.25% produced slightly beter sensory and motor block intensity than levobupivacaine 0.25% in onset of the block. General success in relation to surgery and in the duration of the analgesia was identical in the two groups.

Glomus tumours around the shoulder are very rare. To the best of our knowledge, seven cases have been reported to date. We present a case with special emphasis on its localization and time of appearance. Contrary to the related reports in the literature, the lesion was of short duration and it became symptomatic just 6 months before referral. Complete pain relief was achieved with surgical treatment.

Epidural analgesia is the most common preferred method of labor analgesia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of Turkish obstetricians and gynecologists concerning epidural analgesia and to reveal their doubts as well. A prospective survey amongst obstetricians and gynecologists in Turkey (n=152) was conducted to obtain information about obstetricians' education, knowledge and attitudes with respect to epidural analgesia during labor. The response rate to the survey was 94.7 %. Most respondents only received lectures about epidural analgesia after their specialty training. 35 % of respondents did not achieve an adequate knowledge score. Those with six to fifteen years experience achieved significantly better scores. A delay up to twenty minutes before epidural placement is acceptable to 84 % of respondents. In our opinion, the results of this survey indicate that education regarding epidural analgesia, both during and after obstetric speciality training, could be improved, and this education would best be provided by anesthetists in collaboration with obstetricians. It is hoped that closer collaboration between anesthetists and obstetricians during their respective training and in continuing medical education can be fostered.

Purpose: To investigate histologically the influence of maternal caffeine exposure during pregnancy in vivo on crystalline lenses in neonatal rats., Methods: Experimentally naive, female Wistar-albino rats (200-220 g) were mated with adult male rats over 2 days for copulation. After confirming pregnancy with a vaginal smear method, 50 gravid rats (dams) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 in each), consisting of one control and four experimental groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 experimental dams were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) caffeine at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively, during pregnancy from gestational day 9 through to day 21. Group 4 dams were treated with caffeine in distilled water in a gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day. Group 5 control dams were given i.p. saline solution daily for the same period. After normal delivery, the eyes were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The neonates were then killed by decapitation at postnatal days 1 or 30 and the eyes removed for histopathologic investigation of the lenses., Results: Group 1 and control eyes had normal anterior lens capsules with a single layer of anterior cuboidal epithelial cells, regularly oriented cortical and nuclear lens fibres, and a clear posterior lens capsule with no lining epithelial cells behind the equator. In the remaining groups, histopathologic findings suggesting cataractogenesis included eosinophilic degeneration, lens fibre cell swelling and liquefaction, central lens fibres with retained nuclei, and prominent epithelial cells lining the posterior lens capsule behind the equator. Moreover, some lenses in group 3 had immature cataract on slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination at postnatal day 30., Conclusion: Excessive maternal caffeine exposure during pregnancy had cataractogenic effects on developing crystalline lenses in newborn rat eyes, both macroscopically and histopathologically. If an appropriate dose of caffeine can be identified, caffeine-induced cataract formation may be used as a new experimental cataract model in animal studies.

Epidural analgesia (EA) is one of the most commonly used techniques in obstetric analgesia. Our objective was to evaluate patients who experienced EA during labour as well as to find out their knowledge, attitude and behaviour in this matter, prospectively. Between 1997 and 2002, a questionnaire, "patient evaluation form for EA", was delivered to 190 obstetric patients. The patients were divided into two groups. In Group I there were 100 patients who were evaluated between 1997 and 1999, and Group II was comprised of 90 patients who were evaluated between 2000 and 2002. Demographic data of the patients were similar in both groups. The question "How have you been informed about EA?" was replied as "TV or newspaper" by 50% of the patients in Group I while the answer was "from someone who experienced it before" by 60% of the patients in Group II (p < 0.01). With these information about EA, 30% and 40% of the patients in Group I were found out to be worried about neural paralysis and some possible disorders related to their babies, respectively. However, 40% of the patients in Grup II worried about back pain and headache (p < 0.01). As a result, considering the mother candidates' high information rate from someone who experienced EA before (60%), interest to the labour analgesia will increase as the mothers are satisfied with the results of EA.

Ketoprofen is a NSAIDs of the 2-aryl propionic acid class commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic disease, acute pain and fever. Clinically, ketoprofen seems to reduce morphine requirements by 33 to 40% with ketoprofen's supposed central mechanism of analgesia. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) ketoprofen as an adjuvant to IV PCA (patient controlled analgesia) with tramadol after major gynecological cancer surgery for postoperative analgesia. Fifty patients were enrolled in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients were allocated randomly to two groups: group I (25 patients) served as a control group, with patients receiving saline; group II (25 patients) received ketoprofen. Patients received an intravenous bolus of saline or 100 mg ketoprofen at the end of surgery. Then, PCA was given as a 20 mg tramadol bolus and 10 min lockout time. Pain relief was regularly assessed using a visual analog scale. Tramadol consumption, side-effects, and patient satisfaction were noted during the 24 hours after the surgery. No significant difference was observed in pain score, side-effects and patient satisfaction between the groups (p > 0.05). The cumulative PCA-tramadol consumption was lower in the ketoprofen-treated patients than placebo-treated patients (p < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that a single dose of 100 mg ketoprofen reduced tramadol consumption for treatment of postoperative pain after major gynecological cancer surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extraperitoneal laparoscopy and carbon dioxide insufflation on hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood gases and complications in urethrocystopexy operations., Methods: Twenty-five female patients who underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic mesh urethrocystopexy operation for the correction of urinary incontinence were allocated to the study. Hemodynamic parameters were noted and blood gas analyzes were performed before the induction of anesthesia, 10 min after induction, 5 and 10 min after the beginning of carbon dioxide insufflation, at the end of carbon dioxide insufflation and 30 min after exsufflation., Results: There was no significant change in mean arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, arterial carbon dioxide pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation compared to preinsufflation and preinduction values. End-tidal carbon dioxide pressure did not increase above 45 mm/Hg during carbon dioxide insufflation. Arterial oxygen saturation and partial oxygen pressure did not decrease. Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pleural effusion were not noted in any patient., Conclusion: We conclude that, extraperitoneal laparoscopic urethrocystopexy is not associated with hemodynamic and respiratory impairment.

Infection is a potentially serious complication of long-term epidural (EP) catheterization in cancer patients. Although the use of epidural opioid analgesia is an effective and safe means for pain relief in terminally ill patients, these patients are in need of monitorization for possible infection. This is the first report in which EP catheter cultivation has been assessed in an immunocompromised and febrile neutropenic endometrial cancer patient.

In this study the pathophysiology and characteristics of cancer pain together with cancer pain syndromes and guidelines of management are reviewed. Tumour-associated pain may be nociceptive (somatic or visceral) if the sustaining mechanisms are related to ongoing tissue pathology, or neuropathic when pain is associated with injury to neural tissues. The mechanism by which tumours produce pain include obstruction of lymphatic and vascular channels, distension of a hollow viscous, oedema and tissue inflammation or necrosis. Injury to tissues results in the local release of numerous chemicals that mediate transmission of pain stimulus. Cancer pain syndromes result from one or more of three fundamental causes; direct tumour involvement of tissues, cancer-directed therapy, and mechanisms unrelated to cancer or its treatment. Cancer pain syndromes are also classified as acute or chronic. Cancer pain characteristics provide some of the data essential for syndrome identification. These characteristics include intensity, quality, distribution and temporal relationships. The principles of tumour-directed pain control include modifying the source of pain by treating the cancer and the inflammatory response to cancer, altering the central perception of pain and interfering with nociceptive transmission within the central nervous system.