Old meets new: Commentary on high volume, multilevel local anesthetics-epinephrine infiltration in kyphoscoliosis surgery: Blood conservation Zeinab Ahmed Elseify Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):403-404

High-volume, multilevel local anesthetics–epinephrine infiltration in kyphoscoliosis surgery: Blood conservation Alaa Mazy, Alaa Eldin A. Elmaadawy, Mohamed Serry, Mohamed Kassem Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):405-410 Introduction: Scoliosis surgery is usually associated with severe bleeding. Various systemic strategies for blood conservation were applied, while the local techniques get less attention. The preemptive use of sufficient volume for proper tissue infiltration at two levels was applied. The local epinephrine may control bleeding without reliance upon deliberate hypotension, permitting a higher tissue perfusion. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 46 patients scheduled for posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis correction. Patients were randomized into two groups. group I received a cocktail of high volume (100 ml/each 10 cm of wound length) of local anesthetics and epinephrine tumescent infiltration at the subcutaneous (SC) followed by intramuscular level bilaterally. Group C received saline infiltration in the same technique. Statistically, data were analyzed according to its distribution using the t-test, Mann–Whitney, and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Results: There was a significant reduction in blood loss (38%), reduced blood and fluid transfusion (36% and 23%), and reduced operative time (23%), with higher surgeon satisfaction. The surgical field visibility (Fromme's scale) was much better during SC and muscular dissection in Group I, while it was fair during the bony work. The satisfactory field in spite of higher mean blood pressure in Group I greatly omitted the reliance upon deliberate hypotension. Conclusion: The high-volume multilevel infiltration of epinephrine cocktail can provide a significant blood and operative time conservation in kyphoscoliosis surgery.

Different analgesic routes of magnesium sulfate: Intravenous versus pectoralis II interfascial plane block for breast cosmetic surgeries Maha A Abo-Zeid, Sameh Ghareeb, MM Abdelhalim Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):411-416 Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the most effective analgesic route of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) either intravenous (i.v.) or pectoralis interfascial plane block. Patients and Methods: Fifty adult female patients were divided into two equal groups: i.v. MgSO4 and Pecs II block MgSO4(Pecs MgSO4) group. After general anesthesia, in i.v. MgSO4group, the local anesthetic (LA) for Pecs II block was prepared by adding 3 mL saline to 57 mL bupivacaine 0.25% divided equally for each side. A bolus i.v. solution of MgSO4 10% 0.5 mL.kg-1 diluted in saline in a total volume of 100 mL was given over 15 minutes. Then, the solution for continuous i.v. infusion; 30 mL MgSO4 10% and 70 mL saline was infused at the rate of 0.5 mL.kg-1.h-1 intraoperatively. For PecsMgSO4group, LA formed of 3 mL MgSO410% added to 57 mL bupivacaine 0.25%. Whereas, 100 mL saline was given as bolus i.v. followed by continuous infusion of 100 mL normal saline at the rate of 0.5 mL.kg-1.h-1. Results: In the group received MgSO4-bupivacaine Pecs II block, there was a nonsignificant decrease in postoperative morphine consumption compared to i.v. administration of MgSO4. The two groups were comparable in the intensity of pain and sedation scores. Conclusion: The use of bupivacaine Pecs II block enhanced with addition of MgSO4to pectoralis interfascial plane block or intravenously in patients underwent breast cosmetic surgeries under general anesthesia was associated with comparable results of the postoperative morphine requirements, intensity of postoperative pain, and extension of the duration of postoperative analgesia. The intraoperative hemodynamic effects i.v. MgSO4were superior to the pectoralis interfascial plane route of administration.

Dexamethasone versus hyaluronidase as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in the ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of the median nerve for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome patients Mohammed Awad Alsaeid Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):417-422 Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common focal entrapment neuropathies. Although the exact etiology remains unclear, high-pressure-related intracarpal tunnel compression of the median nerve (MN), progressing ischemia, and mechanical strangulation are common mechanisms. The therapeutic managements for CTS depend on the disease severity, varying from a conservative treatment to surgical interventions. Conservative treatment is helpful for most of the patients with mild-to-moderate CTS. Hydrodissection is a minimally invasive procedure of injecting solutions into some anatomical spaces to facilitate dissection and adhesiolysis. Steroids as an anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat chronic pain conditions. Hyaluronidase as an adhesolysis agent can also be used for epidural injections with local anesthetics (LAs) and steroids for control of chronic back pain. Aim of the Study: This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of hyaluronidase versus dexamethasone as adjuvants to the mixture of LAs in ultrasound (US)-guided hydrodissection of the median nerve in mild to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. Settings and Design: This study was a prospective randomized controlled double-blinded clinical study. Methods: 40 patients aged from 20 to 60 years old with clinical, electrophysiologic, and ultrasonographic evidence of mild to moderate CTS were included in this study. Each patient was assessed at the baseline (prior to injection) and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months intervals after injection: (1) The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) which is a frequently used patient-based questionnaire for measurement of CTS. primary outcome. (2) Median motor and sensory nerve conduction studies (NCS) secondary outcome. (3) Median nerve ultrasonography. The ultrasound examination included measurement of the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the distal wrist crease (DWC). Also, the median nerve echogenicity, mobility, and vascularity at the DWC were assessed by US. Secondary outcome. All outcome assessments were assessed by single investigator who was blinded to the study details. All patients received US guided hydrodissection of the median nerve at the distal wrist crease. The selected patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups containing 20 patients each according to the study drugs; Group (D) received 5 mL (3 mL plain bupivacaine 0.5% and 2 mL (8 mg) dexamethasone), and Group (H) received 5 mL (3 mL plain bupivacaine 0.5% and 2 mL normal saline containing 300 international units (IU) hyaluronidase. Ultrasound-guided intracarpal injection using ultrasonography (Sono Scape A5; Shinzhen, China) with a 10-18-MHZ linear array transducer was performed by the same physician who was not aware of study groups, the MN was observed at the inlet of the carpal tunnel, 3 ml of solution was injected via the in-plane ulnar approach, to detach the MN from the transverse carpal ligament and an additional 2 ml was injected to separate the MN from underlying flexor tendons. All patients were observed for 30 minutes post injection for possible side effects before discharge. Normally distributed numerical data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and differences between the groups were compared using the independent Student's t-test. Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Intragroup data at different follow up time points were evaluated using paired Student's t-test. All statistical tests were two-tailed, with P < 0.05 being considered statistically significant. Results: The demographic data of the patients in both groups were statistically insignificant (P-value >0.05). In the pre-injection time, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups as regards BCTQ (SSS, FSS), electrophysiological studies (SNCV, DML), and sonographic data (CSA, echogenicity score, mobility score, and vascularity score). The comparison between both groups showed that measured parameters as regards BCTQ (SSS, FSS), electrophysiological studies (SNCV, DML), and sonographic data (CSA, echogenicity score, mobility score, and vascularity score) were significantly improved in group H compared with group D in the follow up periods at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-injection (P-value <0.05). The comparison within each group showed that in group D, the measured parameters; BCTQ (SSS, FSS), electrophysiological studies (SNCV, DML), and sonographic data (CSA, echogenicity score, mobility score, and vascularity score) were statistically significantly improved at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months follow up post-injection times but they were not significantly improved at 6 months post-injection time compared with the pre-injection data (P-value >0.05). While in group H, these measured parameters were statistically significantly improved in the all follow up post-injection times; at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and even at 6 months periods compared with the baseline pre-injection data (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was concluded that MN hydrodissction using hyaluronidase (as an adhesolysis agent) significantly improved patients with mild to moderate CTS compared to steroid (as an anti-inflammatory agents) hydrodissection of MN as regards BCTQ (SSS, FSS), electrophysiological studies (SNCV, DML), and sonographic data (CSA, echogenicity score, mobility score, and vascularity score) not only at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months follow up post-injection times but these parameters were also significantly improved at 6 months post-injection time in bupivacaine- hyaluronidase hydrodissection group compared to bupivacaine-steroid hydrodissection group.

Esmolol infusion reduces blood loss and opiate consumption during fertility preserving myomectomy Jehan Mohammad Ezzat Hamed, Walid Mamdouh Ataalla Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):423-429 Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of esmolol-induced hypotensive anesthesia (EIHA) on intra-operative (IO) bleeding during open myomectomy. Patients and Methods: Eighty-eight women were randomly divided into the study group received EIHA without uterine tourniquet and control group who received normotensive anesthesia with uterine tourniquet. EIHA was provided as priming dose of esmolol (0.5 mg.kg-1) before the induction of anesthesia and esmolol infusion (0.05-0.3 mg.kg-1.min-1) to maintain mean arterial pressure at 60–70 mmHg that was stopped on completion of myomectomy. Fentanyl was used as IO analgesia (loading dose: 1.0 μg.kg-1 then infusion of 0.2-0.4 μg.kg-1.h-1). All patients received 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES; initially, 3 mL.kg-1 over 5-10 minutes and supplemental doses according to requirements) and Lactated Ringer's solution (LR; 5 mL.kg-1.h-1). Trigger for blood transfusion was hemoglobin concentration (HBC) <7 g.dL-1. Study outcomes included the extent of postoperative (PO) HBC deficit in relation to preoperative HBC, frequency of tourniquet application for the study patients, and total fentanyl consumption. Results: EIHA significantly reduced blood pressure measures since laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation till the end of surgery in the study group compared to control group. Eight study patients (18.9%) required tourniquet application for control of bleeding; however, amount of IO blood loss; total field visibility score and PO HBC deficit were non significantly lower in the study group. EIHA allowed significant reduction of the IO amount of LR and additional amounts of HES infusions. Study patients group consumed significantly lower IO fentanyl doses with significantly longer duration till the 1st PO request and the number of additional fentanyl, and lower numeric rating scale scores in study group compared to controls. Conclusion: Open myomectomy under EIHA is feasible and safe and allows fertility-sparing with minimal risk of blood transfusion. The applied procedure of EIHA allowed blunting of pressor reflexes secondary to LIT, surgical stresses and extubation, and allowed reduction of IO and PO opioid doses.

Endotracheal intubation criteria and stress response: Airtraq versus macintosh laryngoscopes – A prospective randomized controlled trial Sabry Ibrahim Abdallah, Khaled Mohamed Gaballah Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):430-436 Background: Airtraq® is a single-use video laryngoscope used to facilitate tracheal intubation in both expected and unexpected difficult airways. Aims: We hypothesized that Airtraq laryngoscope would facilitate better intubation criteria and lower stress response to laryngoscopy in comparison to the Macintosh laryngoscope. Materials and Methods: In this randomized, single-blinded, prospective study, 70 adult patients were randomly assigned to be intubated with either Airtraq (Group AT) or Macintosh (Group M) laryngoscope (35 patients in each). The primary outcomes involved intubation time, first-attempt success rate, time to best laryngoscopic view, and percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score. Other recorded parameters involved the hemodynamic and intraocular pressure (IOP) responses to laryngoscopy and intubation and complications during and after laryngoscopy and after extubation. Serum samples were collected before anesthesia induction and 2 min after intubation and analyzed for epinephrine, cortisol, and glucose. Results: Group AT had significantly higher POGO score and significantly shorter intubation time and time to best laryngoscopic view than Group M (P < 0.001). The first-attempt success rate was 97.1% in Group AT and 94.3% in Group M (P = 0.55). Postoperatively, laryngospasm and sore throat were encountered in 2.9% of Group M patients compared to 0% in Group AT (P = 1.00). The heart rate, mean arterial pressure, IOP, serum epinephrine, and cortisol were significantly increased in Group M than Group AT. Conclusion: In comparison to the Macintosh laryngoscope, Airtraq conferred significantly better intubation criteria and lesser stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation.

Postoperative analgesic efficacy of sub-Tenon's block with levobupivacaine in retinal surgery under general anesthesia Ola T Abdeldayem, Ghada F Amer, Mohamed G Abdulla Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):437-440 Background: Vitreoretinal surgery is associated with undesirable intraoperative and postoperative complications including pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and oculocardiac reflex (OCR). Systemic analgesics have side effects and are contraindicated in some cases. We hypothesized that the preoperative sub-Tenon's injection of levobupivacaine with general anesthesia would decrease postoperative pain and intraocular pressure as well as the incidence of complication. Methods: Eighty patients who were presented for vitreoretinal surgery, aged 30–60 years, were enrolled in the study. General anesthesia was administrated to all patients; then, they were randomized into two equal groups (40 each) – Group I: patients received 5 mL placebo solution for sub-Tenon's block and Group II: patients received 4 mL levobupivacaine 0.5% in 1 mL saline for sub-Tenon's block. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a verbal pain scale. Surgeon satisfaction, postoperative analgesic consumption, and perioperative hemodynamics were also reported. Results: Verbal rating pain scores were significantly lower at the first 6 h postoperative in Group II (sub-Tenon's levobupivacaine) compared to Group I (sub-Tenon's placebo). First analgesic rescue time and total dose of analgesic consumption were significantly reduced in Group II compared to Group I. There was a lower incidence of OCR with sub-Tenon's levobupivacaine (Group II), also surgeon satisfaction was significantly superior in the same group. Conclusion: The combination of general anesthesia with sub-Tenon's block using levobupivacaine in retinal surgery patients reduces pain scores after surgery; total analgesia requirement also decreases the incidence of OCR.

Comparing efficacy of perineural dexmedetomidine with intravenous dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block Rayashettypura G Somsunder, Narayanappa B Archana, Gurulingaswamy Shivkumar, Kempegowda Krishna Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):441-445 Background: Prolonging postoperative analgesia using various adjuvants has become a trend in regional anesthesia practice. There are literally no studies where different routes of dexmedetomidine have been compared in supraclavicular block. We compared perineural dexmedetomidine and intravenous (i.v.) dexmedetomidine when used as an adjuvant with levobupivacaine using a nerve stimulator-guided supraclavicular block. Methodology: Sixty patients of either sex, aged between 18 and 60 years, belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classes I and II posted for upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were enrolled for a prospective observational study. The patients were categorized into two groups: Group levobupivacine with perineural dexmedetomedine (LDP) received 20 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine plus 10 mL of 2% lignocaine plus 1 μg.kg-1 dexmedetomidine perineurally, and Group levobupivacaine with intravenous dexmedetomedine (LDV) received 20 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine plus 10 mL of 2% lignocaine and 1 μg.kg-1 dexmedetomidine in 50 mL of normal saline administered as infusion over 10 min and given 10 min before start of the supraclavicular block. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks, hemodynamic variables, adverse effects, and duration of analgesia were assessed. Results: Demographic profile, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, and duration of analgesia were comparable in both the groups. The incidence of hypotension was high in Group LDV compared to Group LDP, which was found to be statistically significant (LDP – 2, LDV – 11,P < 0.005). Twelve patients in LDV group had Ramsay sedation score >3 whereas In LDP group two patients had Ramsay Sedation score >3 which was statistically significant (LDP – 2, LDV – 12, P < 0.002). Conclusion: The i.v. dexmedetomidine is equally effective as compared to perineural dexmedetomidine with respect to onset and duration of block and duration of analgesia but has greater hemodynamic instability.

Comparative study of effectiveness of tramadol and butorphanol as adjuvants to levobupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block Anita Kumari, Himani Chhabra, Ruchi Gupta, Harmandeep Kaur Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):446-451 Background: Butorphanol and tramadol, the synthetic opioid analgesics, have been used alone or in combination with a local anesthetic in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory and motor block characteristics with the addition of tramadol (100 mg) and butorphanol (2 mg) to levobupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus anesthesia. Settings and Design: This study was a prospective, randomized, double–blind, and comparative study. Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to three groups of 30 each. Group A received 0.5% levobupivacaine (25 mL) and saline in 5 mL, Group B received 0.5% levobupivacaine in 30 mL with 100 mg tramadol, and Group C received 0.5% levobupivacaine in 30 mL with 2 mg butorphanol. The duration of sensory block was evaluated as a primary outcome and other parameters as secondary outcomes. Statistical Tests: Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square test for nonparametric data and analysis of variance for parametric data. Results: Onset time of sensory block was fast and comparable in both Group B and C as compared to Group A (P = 0.000). Group C had the longest duration of sensory block and duration of analgesia followed by Group B and Group A. Group C and Group B showed statistically longer duration of motor block as compared to Group A (P = 0.000). Hemodynamic derangements and adverse effects were comparable. Conclusion: Butorphanol (2 mg) as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular block hastens the onset and prolongs the duration of the block as well as postoperative analgesia to a greater extent as compared to the addition of 100 mg tramadol.

Survey of surgeons attitude to local anesthetics for postoperative pain relief PL Narendra, Harihar V Hegde, K Chandrashekharappa, Vrinda V Tore, Preetish Endigeri, Mahesha Boodadi, Dayanand G Talikoti, Maroof Ahmad Khan Anesthesia: Essays and Researches 2019 13(3):452-464 Background: There is no ideal postoperative pain management. Simple surgeon-delivered local anesthetic (LA) techniques such as wound infiltration and regional nerve blocks can play a significant role in the improvement of postoperative pain relief. Settings and Design: Administered paper questionnaires to delegates attending surgical society conferences. Methods: A 15-point questionnaire was administered to surgical delegates attending general surgey, orthopedic and gynecological conferences at different locations. Results: Response rate was 65.26%. 33% of surgeons used LA regularly, 31% occasionally, and 36% never used LA for postoperative analgesia. 50% of all surgeons used lignocaine for local anesthesia (P < 0.0001) and infiltration (65% of all surgeons) was the most common method (P < 0.0001). Only 30% surgeons knew the correct duration of action of bupivacaine infiltration (P < 0.0001) and only 4% surgeons knew that LAs are antimicrobial (P < 0.0001). 53% of orthopedic surgeons used combination of lignocaine and bupivacaine, while 46% of general and 73% gynecologists surgeons used lignocaine more commonly. Only <5% of all surgeons had used long-acting liposomal bupivacaine and almost 40% more were willing to use the liposomal LA drug only if more evidence is available. Conclusions: Although majority of surgeons were aware of the benefits of LA use for postoperative pain relief, reluctance, lack of knowledge of LA drugs and methods of LA use and fear of infection and wound healing are barriers for effective use of LA drugs for postoperative pain relief. Attending anesthesiologists must develop methods in the operating room to create awareness about the effectiveness of LA use for postoperative pain relief. Single-use vials or ampules of LA must be encouraged to LA use for postoperative analgesia, especially in the third-world countries.