Syrinx regression after correction of iatrogenic kyphotic deformity: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Syringomyelia has a long-established association with pediatric scoliosis, but few data exist on the relationship of syringomyelia to pediatric kyphotic deformities. OBSERVATIONS This report reviewed a unique case of rapid and sustained regression of syringomyelia in a 13-year-old girl after surgical correction of iatrogenic kyphotic deformity. LESSONS In cases of syringomyelia associated with acquired spinal deformity, treatment of deformity to resolve an associated subarachnoid block should be considered because it may obviate the need for direct treatment of syrinx.

Comparison of Phenylephrine and Ephedrine in the Treatment of Hypotension and Its Effects on the Foetus after Subarachnoid Block for Caesarean Section

BACKGROUND Subarachnoid block has been widely used for caesarean sections and is found to be safe. Hypotension being the most common complication may adversely affect both the mother and foetus. Different measures used to treat this hypotension include preloading with crystalloids/colloids and treatment with vasopressors. The standard choice of vasopressor agents such as ephedrine and phenylephrine is still a controversial issue. It is therefore important to compare the efficacy of the two drugs in the prevention and treatment of maternal hypotension after subarachnoid block and particularly assess their effect on the foetus. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the foetal acid-base status and APGAR score following administration of bolus dose of ephedrine or phenylephrine that was given intravenously for maintenance of arterial blood pressure during lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) under a subarachnoid block. METHODS 100 parturients (18 to 35 years) scheduled for elective caesarean section under subarachnoid block were selected and divided into two groups of 50 each. Group P received 50 mcg i.v bolus of phenylephrine and Group E received 6 mg of ephedrine IV bolus whenever the blood pressure dropped 20 % from baseline or systolic blood pressure ˂ 90 mmHg. Haemodynamic parameters were measured in all patients. APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes following delivery of baby were assessed and cord blood was obtained for acid-base status analysis immediately following delivery. RESULTS Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure did not show any significant difference between the two groups, however, Group E showed higher heart rates. The difference in umbilical artery pH (P-value < 0.001) and base excess (P-value = 0.004) was statistically significant with Group E showing lower pH and higher base excess values than Group P. There was no statistically significant difference in neonatal APGAR scores between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Phenylephrine and ephedrine are equally efficient in managing hypotension during subarachnoid block for caesarean delivery. Thus, either vasopressor can be used although phenylephrine may be a better choice. KEY WORDS Caesarean Section, Phenylephrine, Ephedrine.

Comparison of Efficacy between Intramuscular Diclofenac and Transdermal Diclofenac Patch for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Surgery Under Sub Arachnoid Block in Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India

Background: To compare the analgesic efficacy of transdermal Diclofenac patch (100 mg) with intramuscular Diclofenac sodium (75 mg) for postoperative analgesia and to know the side effects of transdermal Diclofenac patch. Methods: 60 ASA I and II patients, of either sex, aged 15 and above, scheduled for lower limb surgery under subarachnoid block were included in the study. All were allocated randomly by computer generated randomization sheet into two groups of 30 each. Subarachnoid block was administered using 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine. Participants in the study group were applied with a transdermal Diclofenac patch containing 100 mg of Diclofenac diethylamine at the beginning of the surgery. In the control group 75 mg of Diclofenac sodium was given intramuscularly half an hour before the end of surgery. Pain was assessed postoperatively using visual analogue scale. Injection Tramadol 2 mg was administered intramuscularly as rescue analgesia. The data obtained was analyzed using chi - square test and unpaired student’s ‘t’test. Results: The mean time at which rescue analgesia was administered in the control group was 7 hours 28 min and in study group was 20 hours 6min.The time at which rescue analgesics were required in the study group was significantly prolonged (p<0.0001). The amount of Inj. Tramadol required as rescue analgesia in the control group was 189.33 mg. ± 16.38 mg. and in study group it was 97 mg. ± 7.24 mg and this was found to be statistically significant (p<0.0001). When the side effects were compared they were not significant. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained we conclude that, the intraoperative application of 100 mg transdermal Diclofenac diethylamine patch significantly prolongs the time at which patient requires rescue analgesia without any significant side effects. Rescue analgesic requirement was also significantly lower in the study group.

A Comparative Study on Intrathecal Hyperbaric and Hypobaric Bupivacaine in Unilateral Lower Limb Surgeries under Lumbar Sub-Arachnoid Block Held at Central Region of Kerala

BACKGROUND This study compared the characteristics of hyperbaric and hypobaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing unilateral lower limb surgeries under lumbar subarachnoid block with regard to their onset and level of sensory and motor blockades, haemodynamic stability, and recovery profile in terms of analgesic duration and motor recovery. METHODS This is a comparative study. Two groups, each of 36 patients who satisfied American society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) I & II aged 18 – 65 years, were observed intra operatively and during immediate post-operative period. Group 1 received 2.4 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine (heavy) with operated limb in dependent position. Group 2 received 4 ml of reconstituted hypobaric bupivacaine 0.3 %, with the operated limb positioned in non-dependent position. Onset, level and duration of motor and sensory block, hemodynamic changes and duration of surgical analgesia were compared between groups. RESULTS The level of sensory block attained in the hypobaric group was at T12 with maximum at T9, in the hyperbaric group it is variable and at higher level. Duration of sensory blockade was less with hypobaric. Motor block of modified Bromage scale 3 after 10 minutes was none in group 2 and 91.7 % in group 1. Significant fall in systolic blood pressure at 15 to 30 minutes and diastolic BP at 15 and 20 minutes was noted in hyperbaric group after subarachnoid block. There was significant percentage of change in systolic blood pressure from 4 to 70 minutes and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 4 to 90 minutes in hyperbaric group. Duration of surgical analgesia in hypobaric group was longer compared to hyper baric. CONCLUSIONS Intrathecal hypobaric bupivacaine showed better haemodynamic stability and longer duration of analgesia in comparison with hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries. KEYWORDS Anaesthesia, Bupivacaine, Hypobaric, Subarachnoid Block

Effects of Delayed Supine Positioning after Induction of Subarachnoid Block on Post-spinal Hemodynamic Changes Compared to Traditional Subarachnoid Block: prospective observational randomized controlled dose response clinical study

Background This is a prospective observational study to examine if the delayed supine positioning after induction of subarachnoid block will be of value in minimizing hemodynamic derangement following subarachnoidblock for knee Arthroscopein the teaching hospital of Misr University for science and technology Methods Fifty healthy patients are undergoing knee Arthroscope under spinal Anesthesia were randomized into 2 groups Group A(immediate supine position after Subarachnoid block) and Group B (delayed supine position after Subarachnoid block by 2.5 minutes) each group includes 25 patients. After the injection of local anaesthetic, Heart rate (HR), non-invasive blood pressure (Systolic Blood pressure (SBP), diastolic Blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure(MBP)) were measured at 3 min intervals for the first 15 min following administration of local anaesthetic, and then every 5 min until completion of the surgical intervention. Results Hemodynamic readings (SBP, DBP, MBP, HR) showed more stability in Group(B) than Group(A), group(A) showed higher anesthetic sensory level but adequate anesthetic sensory level to perform Knee Arthroscope surgery was achieved in group (B) Conclusion Under the conditions of this study delayed supine positioning after induction of SAB for 2.5 minutes is of great value in gaining an adequate level of anesthesia with more hemodynamic stability and less vasopressor need as a management of hypotension compared to the conventional SAB in Knee Arthroscope surgery.