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Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 infections caused mild-to-moderate illness. However, a sizable portion of infected people experience a rapid progression of hyper-inflammatory and hypoxic respiratory illness that necessitates an effective and safer remedy to combat COVID-19. Methods A total of 150 COVID-19-positive patients with no to mild symptoms, between the age groups 19–65 years were enrolled in this randomized, open-labeled three-armed clinical trial. Among them, 136 patients completed the study with RT-PCR negative reports. The patients received herbal drugs orally (Group A (Adhatoda vasica; AV; 500 mg; n = 50); Group B (Tinospora cordifolia; TC; 500 mg; n = 43), and Group C (AV + TC; 250 mg each; n = 43)) for 14 days. Clinical symptoms, vital parameters, and viral clearance were taken as primary outcomes, and biochemical, hematological parameters, cytokines, and biomarkers were evaluated at three time points as secondary outcomes. Results We found that the mean viral clearance time was 13.92 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.85–14.99) in Group A, 13.44 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.14–14.74) in Group B, and 11.86 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.62–13.11) days in Group C. Over a period of 14 days, the mean temperature in Groups A, and B significantly decreased linearly. In Group A, during the trial period, eosinophils, and PT/INR increased significantly, while monocytes, SGOT, globulin, serum ferritin, and HIF-1α, a marker of hypoxia reduced significantly. On the other hand, in Group B hsCRP decreased at mid-treatment. Eosinophil levels increased in Group C during the treatment, while MCP-3 levels were significantly reduced. Conclusions All the patients of the three-armed interventions recovered from COVID-19 and none of them reported any adverse effects from the drugs. Group C patients (AV + TC) resulted in a quicker viral clearance as compared to the other two groups. We provide the first clinical report of AV herbal extract acting as a modifier of HIF-1α in COVID-19 patients along with a reduction in levels of ferritin, VEGF, and PT/INR as the markers of hypoxia, inflammation, and thrombosis highlighting the potential use in progression stages, whereas the TC group showed immunomodulatory effects. Trial registration Clinical Trials Database -India (ICMR-NIMS), CTRI/2020/09/028043. Registered 24th September 2020, https://www.ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=47443&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2747443det%27 Graphical Abstract

Recent trend shows that minimally invasive surgery is in great demand. Robot-assisted procedures have become more popular, as they overcome several drawbacks of traditional laparoscopic techniques. Robotic surgery, however, might necessitate changes in how patients are positioned and how staff and equipment are organised generally, which might go against the traditional approach to anaesthesia care. The novel effects of this technology have the potential to produce paradigm-shifting therapeutic improvements. To provide better anaesthetic treatment and advance patient safety, anaesthesiologists should be aware of these developments by understanding the fundamental components of robotic surgical systems.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) was announced as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020 due to its rapid spread and multinational involvement. Operating room preparedness in these times should encompass increased vigilance, protective measures, and alternative procedures in an effort to mitigate the spread from a proven or suspected case. Specifically, by reducing aerosol-generating procedures as in general anesthesia, anesthesiologists can decrease exposure to patient's respiratory secretions and transmission of virus to the health-care professional and other patients. The Interoperability Standards Advisory in its advisory has also recommended regional anesthesia over general anesthesia as one of the steps that can reduce aerosol spread. Further, to restrict airway manipulation, peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) should be considered whenever possible in suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 undergoing surgery. PNB has the advantage of maintenance of respiratory functions, prevention of aerosolization, and so preventing viral transmission. This article explores the practical information and suggested measures for conducting PNB in COVID-19 patients with suggestions toward resource planning, clinical environment modification, equipment preparation, supply of drugs, choosing of correct personal protective equipment, safe PNB procedures, anesthesia monitoring, and postanesthetic care. By addressing these issues, infection control during anesthesia can be achieved and which is essential in the present era with emerging infection and novel pathogens such as coronavirus 2 causing the severe acute respiratory syndrome. Thus, framing a structured protocol for PNB among these patients is essential for the best perioperative outcome.

Background: Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are generally used to provide postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and other lower extremity procedures; these blocks are used rarely for intraoperative anesthesia. We present here, the patients who underwent TKA under PNBs (FLOS Block). FLOS block is nothing but femoral, lateral cutaneous femoral nerve, obturator, and sciatic nerve block. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 patients participated in the study for TKA using PNB, FLOS block. All the patients received standardized anesthesia and analgesia upon hospitalization. Outcome evaluations included the visual analog scale (VAS) scores during surgery, activity at rest, postoperative blood pressure, and heart rate, also the sedation for femoral, lateral cutaneous femoral nerve obturator and sciatic nerve (FLOS) blocks. Compared with neuraxial (spinal/epidural) anesthesia, PNB (FLOS Block) minimizes hypotension, minimizes urinary retention, improves patient satisfaction, ambulation restrictions, and eliminates the risk of spinal hematoma and infection. Results: The finding suggests a decreased requirement of opioids in the PNB technique (FLOS Block). Pain scores, assessed by subjective VAS scale, were accurately handled in all the patients reviewed, with good pain control with PNB (FLOS Block). PNB (FLOS Block) provided stable hemodynamic, prolonged, and better postoperative analgesia. Intraoperative anesthesia was very satisfactory for surgery. The requirement of total doses of rescue analgesics, VAS score peroperatively for 48 h, the incidence of side effects, and complications were very few and acceptable. Conclusion: A femoral, sciatic nerve block with obturator and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block may be an option to the spinal epidural anesthesia in the patients undergoing TKA. PNB (FLOS Block) showed similar patient satisfaction and postoperative analgesia to spinal-epidural anesthesia.

Trauma is a significant health problem and a leading cause of death in all age groups. Pain related to trauma is severe, but is often undertreated in trauma population. Opioids are widely used to treat pain in trauma patients but being associated with undesirable effects. In contrast, regional analgesia confers excellent site-specific pain relief that is free from major side effects, reduces opioid requirement and is safe and easy to perform. Specific populations that have shown benefits (including decreased morbidity and mortality) with regional analgesic techniques include those with fractured ribs and femur and hip fractures and patients undergoing digital replantation. The use of regional anesthesia in patients at risk for compartment syndrome is controversial; although the data is sparse, there is no evidence that peripheral nerve blocks delay the diagnosis. The benefit of regional analgesia is most evident when it is initiated as early as possible. The performance of nerve blocks both in the emergency room and in the field has been shown to provide quality pain relief with an excellent safety profile.

In recent anesthetic practice, peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are used extensively for surgical anesthesia and nonsurgical analgesia. PNBs offer many benefits over other anesthetic techniques in a certain population of patients, and in some specific clinical setting, that may contribute to faster and safer pain relief, increased patient satisfaction, reduced hospital stay, and decreased overall healthcare cost. The technique involves the injection of the anesthetic in the vicinity of a specific nerve or bundle of nerves to block the sensation of pain transmitting to a specific portion of the body. However, the length of analgesia when a single anesthetic is used for PNB may not last long. Therefore, the practice of adding an additional agent called adjuvant has been evolved to prolong the analgesic effect. There are many such adjuvants available that are clinically being used for this purpose imparting great efficacy and safety to the anesthetic process. The adjuvants molecules are generally classified as opioids, alpha-2 agonist, steroids, etc. Most of them are safe to use and show little or no adverse event related to neurotoxicity and tissue damage. Although there is extensive use of such adjuvants in the clinical field, none of the molecules is approved by the FDA and is used as an off-label drug. The risk to benefit ratio must be assessed while using such an agent. This review will try to delineate the basic need of adjuvant in peripheral nerve block and will discuss the advantages and limitations of using different adjuvants and will discuss the future prospect of such application.

Background and Aims: We aim to study the significance of intraoperative hyperlactatemia in reconstructive oncoplastic surgery. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on a cohort of patients who underwent reconstructive oncoplastic surgery with free flap for oral cancer over a 6-month period. The study population was divided into two groups based on peak lactate levels. Group N with peak lactate level less than 2 mmol/L and Group H peak lactate level more than 2 mmol/L. The various parameter studied were patient's comorbidities; intraoperative events (vasopressor requirement, blood transfusion, and duration of surgery); postoperative parameters including the need for re- exploration and duration of stay in hospital and intensive care unit. Results: The study demonstrates that intraoperative rise of lactate was not influenced by comorbidities. None of the intraoperative parameters studied influenced the lactate levels. Baseline lactate level was found to correlate with peak lactate level intraoperatively. But it was observed that there was normalization of lactate level within 24 hours postoperatively in both the groups. There was no difference in outcome parameters in the two groups. Conclusion: Intraoperative hyperlactatemia is not a significant prognostic factor for outcome in oncoplastic reconstructive surgery.

Airway exchange catheters (AECs) are a safe option for exchanging an endotracheal tube (ETT) or in the trial to extubate a patient from ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). The complication with AEC is underreported. Pneumothorax is a known complication for instrumentation by AEC in the airway. However, having a pneumothorax complication while placing the AEC in expert hands and with all safety precautions is very rare. We report a case of developing pneumothorax while exchanging an ETT in the ICU. Early clinical diagnosis and remedial measures helped us to save the patient. It is interesting as we did not encounter any difficulties while placing the AEC with no significant change in ventilation settings. We feel that highlighting this case will help the physician in the emergency and in the ICU to have a strong suspicion of pneumothorax while using AEC.

Background and Aims: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has multifactorial etiology. It is a commonly encountered morbidity after anesthesia specially following middle ear surgery. Various antiemetic medications have been tried with mixed responses. Palonosetron is a newer 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonist marketed for PONV prophylaxis. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV after middle ear surgeries. Material and Methods: One hundred patients of ASA class 1 or 2, aged 18 years and above, weighing between 40 and 90 kg scheduled for elective middle ear surgeries were randomly assigned into palonosetron group (n = 50) and ondansetron group (n = 50). Palonosetron was administered in dose of 1 mcg/kg maximum up to 75 mcg and ondansetron in dose of 0.1 mg/kg maximum up to 8 mg. Intraoperative monitoring of QTc interval was also done to see any significant change after the antiemetic administration. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and side effects were recorded over 2, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. All parameters were compared between the two groups as mean ± standard deviation and as count (%). Two sided P values of

A person presented with multiple gunshot injury. Chest x-ray & CT whole body trauma protocol was done which showed multiples pellets of bullet in abdomen and one bullet in elbow according to entry wound. There was an entry wound without any bullet in left maxillofacial region however there was no exit wound. A bullet was noticed in tracheobronchial tree. There was no pneumothorax any signs of chest trauma or any pneumomediastinum. It is assumed that the bullet first hit the left cheek (maxilla) and lost its momentum. As the patient lost consciousness and had a fall leading to inhalation (aspiration) of bullet in the airway. As per ballistic experts it was basically a jacketed metallic bullet. As bullet moved in airway, the outer metallic core reached the trachea near carina and the soft metallic core slipped more distally to right main bronchus and bronchus intermedius. While inspection the outer metallic capsule was seen in trachea just above carina which was hollow and was gently removed with the help of foreign body forceps. The core was removed with dormia basket without any mucosal tear. The favorable outcome can be attributed as patient had no lung contusion or chest trauma and bullet was inhaled which was not very old. The evolution of bronchoscopy started with rigid one but the fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) has revolutionized the pulmonary interventions. The FOB can be used with minimal traumas under local anesthesia resulting in markedly reduced morbidity and mortality.

Ellis–Van-Creveld syndrome (EVC), otherwise known as chondroectodermal or mesoectodermal dysplasia, is an autosomal recessive disorder found in the Amish population of Pennsylvania in the USA, with the incidence of 1:244,000 for the general population. The classical syndrome encompasses a tetrad of clinical manifestations, including di sproportionate dwarfism, postaxial polydactyly, ectodermal dysplasia (mainly affecting the teeth, nails, and hair), and congenital heart disease (CHD). Additional involvement may occur in organs of endodermal origin, such as the pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal (hepatic and pancreatic), hematologic, and central nervous systems. The perioperative care of a 2-year girl who underwent surgical correction of supernumerary digits is presented here.

Abdominal field blocks are commonly used as part of multimodal analgesia for post-operative pain relief in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Conventionally, transversus abdominis plane block is used, but has the disadvantage of limited spread only to T10–T12 segments, providing only partial pain relief. The new quadratus lumborum (QL) block has the advantage of providing wider sensory block from T6 to L1 and thus has an evolving role in opioid-free anaesthesia. Opioid-induced cough depression, urinary retention, and drowsiness can be problematic in patients with Prune belly syndrome, who have deficient abdominal muscles and myriad of genitourinary problems. We report a case of a young male with Prune belly syndrome, who had a pain-free post-operative period after high inguinal orchidectomy with unilateral QL block.

Laparoscopic renal autotransplantation has serious perturbations on the body's homeostasis due to its non physiological positioning, use of pneumoperitoneum, changing fluid strategy at different points of time and on-going steps to maintain optimal environment for the transplanted kidney. Generally speaking, the anaesthetic management of renal auto-transplantation by open technique is not very complex and the perioperative management can be categorized in the intermediate level of clinical skill requirement. Adding to the comfort of the anaesthesiologist is the fact that these patients are not in end stage renal disease state and does not manifest the comorbidities, multisystem involvement and technical complexities of long term renal dysfunction and renal replacement therapy. In our case report surgeons used the da Vinci surgical robotic system for laparoscopic transplantation of the kidney at a new site. In this article we discuss the anaesthetic challenges of robot assisted laparoscopic renal auto-transplantation along with a description of our index case.

Williams-Beuren syndrome, commonly known as Williams syndrome (WS), is a multi-organ disorder. The principal anomalies of the syndrome are developmental delay, unusual craniofacial dysmorphic features, and cardiovascular anomalies such as valvular or supravalvular aortic stenosis, pulmonary artery stenosis, and coronary insufficiency. Sudden cardiac death during minor procedures even in the absence of gross cardiovascular pathology is the most dreaded complication in these patients. A 7-year-old child with WS was posted for left-sided inguinal hernia repair under general anesthesia. Our article describes the uneventful perioperative course of the patient and highlights the concerns and complications that may be an integral part with the syndrome.

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an arrhythmogenic cardiac disorder resulting from the malfunction of cardiac ion channels. Patient with LQTS may present with syncope, seizures or sudden cardiac death secondary to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) or torsades de pointes. Patient may be asymptomatic in the pre-operative period but may develop VT for the first time in operation theatre. We are reporting anaesthetic management of a child with LQTS planned for bilateral thoracoscopic cervicothoracic sympathectomy.

Newer developments in the field of chemotherapeutic drug regimes, radiotherapy, and surgical techniques have improved the prognosis of cancer patients tremendously. Today increasing numbers of patients with aggressive disease are posted for surgical resection. The advances in reconstructive flap surgery offer the patient a near normal dignified postresection life. Hence, the expectations from the patients are also on the rise. Anesthetic challenges known in oncosurgery are that of difficult airway, maintenance of hemodynamics and temperature during long surgical hours, pain management, and postoperative intensive care management. But, recently acquired data raised the possibility of the anesthetic technique and conduct of perioperative period as a possible contributory factor in the growth and possible recurrence of the primary tumor. The foundation of the concept is somewhat fragile and not supported by conclusive evidence. In fact, like any other controversial topic in medicine, contradictory reports of the favorable effects of anesthetic technique and medications are plenty in the literature. This is the basis of our article where we have analyzed the current evidence available in the literature and how these and the forthcoming large scale studies may revolutionize the practice of oncoanesthesia.

A common upper airway and digestive tract is a rare congenital anomaly that is usually fatal and its exact incidence is not known. It is a diagnostic challenge as it requires high index of suspicion. It should be considered in a neonate with respiratory distress in a non-vigorous baby requiring endotracheal intubation, which is difficult even in expert hand. We present a newborn with suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula that was diagnosed intraoperatively to have absent upper blind pouch of the esophagus and on autopsy found to have laryngeal atresia with absent vocal cords and a common aerodigestive tract continuing distally with trachea. The neonate was ventilated with endotracheal tube (ETT) placement which in retrospect we came to know that it was in the esophagus. The neonate also had associated multiple congenital anomalies of VACTERL association. The importance of teamwork between neonatologist, pediatric surgeon, anesthesiologist, and radiologist is highlighted for diagnosis and management of such rare cases.

We present a child posted for magnetic resonance imaging of brain under general anesthesia with the rare combination of mucopolysachharidosis type VI and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The presence of both these disorders has important anesthetic implications. The pathophysiology of this rare combination of disease is reviewed with emphasis on the anesthesia management.

Endobronchial spillage of fungal material into normal lung can infect it and the spillage of fungal material should be prevented during surgery. We report our experience of a patient who presented for right upper lobectomy with bronchiectasis, tubercular destruction and subsequent aspergilloma. A 4F Fogarty catheter was introduced through the tracheal lumen of the left sided endobronchial double lumen tube (DLT) to occlude the bronchus intermedius to prevent spillage of aspergilloma into the non-infected lower and middle lobes of the right lung. The Fogarty catheter was pulled into the trachea just before stapling the bronchus; thereafter, right upper lobectomy was completed successfully. The patient was extubated uneventfully and transferred to post-operative recovery ward. The endobronchial blockage of the intermediate bronchus of the operative lung by the Fogarty catheter and isolation of the left lung by the DLT prevented spillage of aspergilloma in both the operative right lung and the left lung.

The successful treatment of infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) depends primarily on accurate and repeatable diagnosis of the type(s) of nystagmus present as well as their variation with gaze and convergence angles or fixating eye. Research over the past 40 years has demonstrated that the only way to achieve both is by making and analyzing ocular motility recordings. Determination of the direct effects of peripheral and central INS therapies can only be made by pre- and post-therapy comparisons of the nystagmus characteristics, specifically of the quality of the foveation periods within each cycle. If one is only interested in cosmetic improvements, diminution of the nystagmus amplitude is all that need be measured. However, if improvement of visual function is the primary goal of therapy, then measurement of the pre- and post-therapy foveation quality must be made, both in primary position and over a broad range of gaze angles. The use of the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) on nystagmus data yields both an accurate measure of foveation quality and a prediction of maximum potential acuity for the patient's waveform. When used with the patient's measured, pre-therapy visual acuity, the NAFX demonstrates the amount of visual acuity loss that is due to sensory abnormalities, demonstrates the amount due to the nystagmus waveform, and estimates the measured post-therapy acuity for all values of improved NAFX and gaze angles measured. The ability to predict visual acuity improvement was not possible before the use of the NAFX. The failure to incorporate accurate measures of nystagmus waveform and foveation quality into their diagnostic evaluation continues to deprive patients of the best possible standard of care and results in mistaken diagnoses as well as inappropriate and, in some cases, unneeded multiple surgeries.

Byline: Khanna. Sangeeta, Sapra. Harsh The 70th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISACON 2023) was the first conference to be hosted by the state of Haryana in [...]