Lumbar Puncture in the prone position for Low Birth Weight Neonates

Background Lumbar puncture in the lateral decubitus position will make the neonates uncomfortable and is likely to cause position change and unstable vital signs, and the application of sedative drugs will cause adverse effects. This study explored a novel method for lumbar puncture in the prone position for low weight neonates. Methods The neonates were randomly assigned into the standard position group receiving lumbar puncture in the lateral decubitus position; and the improved position group receiving lumbar puncture in the prone position. The success rate of first time attempts and the overall success rate of lumbar puncture, incidence of adverse effects, NIAPAS scores were collected and compared between these two groups. The difference in success rate and adverse effects incidence rate was analysed through Chi-square. Student’s t-test was used for the test of NIAPAS rating. Results The improved position group had a higher success rate of first attempt and overall success rate, significantly lower incidence of adverse effect and lower NIAPAS scores than those of the standard position group (P<0.05). Conclusion This lumbar puncture in the prone position is safer, more effective, and more comfortable for preterm neonates and those with low birth weight. Thus, this method is worth of further promotion. Trial registration Registration number, ChiCTR2100049923; Date of Registration, August 11, 2021; Retrospectively registered.

Comparison of the Hypotension in Lateral Verses Sitting Positions during Induction of Spinal Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section

Objective: To compare the hypotension in lateral verses sitting positions during induction of spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Study Design: This is a Randomized control trial (RCT) study. Setting: Study carried out at Department of Anaesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management, Civil Hospital, Dow University of health sciences Karachi, from December 2018 to June 2019. Materials and Methods: All women age 18 to 45 underwent elective caesarian section having ASA I and II, singleton pregnancy on ultrasound with parity ≤3 were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive spinal anaesthesia in the lateral position (Group L) or the sitting position (Group S) through lottery methods. Using the L3-4 interspace, patients received intrathecal plain bupivacaine, 10mg or 12 mg according to their height, after which they was placed immediately in the supine position with left uterine displacement. Maternal blood pressure was measured with the help of Non-invasive BP apparatus. BP was recorded at baseline then every 5 min till 30 minutes by anesthetist who was unaware of parturient group. Any single or more reading of SBP of <90 mmHg was considered as Hypotension. Results: Mean age of the patients in lateral group was 31.49 ±10.87 years and mean age of the patients in sitting group was 31.80 ±10.77 years (p-value 0.869). Majority of the patients 35 (62.5%) with hypotension were presented with sitting position. Chi square test was applied and statistically significant difference was observed between groups (p-value 0.012). Conclusion: We concluded that less frequency of hypotension was observed when spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section using plain bupivacaine in the lateral position.

Effect of Bidirectional Insertion of External Skeletal Fixation Pins on Axial Pullout Strength in Canine Cadaveric Bone

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bidirectional insertion on axial pullout strength of tapered run out (TRO), traditional negative profile (TNP) and positive profile (PP) pins. Study Design Cadaveric adult canine tibiae were harvested. Tapered run out pins (Group 1) were inserted unidirectionally to the desired position; bidirectionally past the desired position, then withdrawn to the desired position (Group 2); and bidirectionally as described for Group 2, repeated twice (Group 3). Traditional negative profile pins (Group 4–6) and PP pins (Group 9–11) were placed in the same manner. Tapered run out (Group 7), TNP (Group 8) and PP pins (Group 12) were driven unidirectionally such that the shaft of the pin violated the cis-cortex. A servohydraulic testing machine extracted the pins and measured axial peak pullout strength. Results Positive profile pins had significantly greater pullout strength than TRO and TNP pins placed unidirectionally to the desired position. Method of insertion had no effect on peak pullout strength of TNP pins. TRO and PP pins inserted unidirectionally to the desired position had significantly greater peak pullout strengths than insertion bidirectionally or if the shaft of the pin violated the cis-cortex. Conclusion The authors recommend that pins used for external skeletal fixation should be placed unidirectionally to the desired position with fluoroscopic guidance, intra-operative depth gauge measurements or measurements from preoperative radiographs. Repositioning pins results in loss of peak pullout strength with TRO and PP pins.

Prone Versus Supine Position in Intubated COVID-19 Patients With ARDS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundThis review determined the effect of prone positioning in changes of partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), mortality rate, ICU length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation in intubated COVID-19 patients with severe ARDS.MethodsA computer-aided comprehensive electronic bibliographic search from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Direct were conducted. The search comprised the articles written in English and intubated adults (≥ 18 years old) patients with COVID-19. The primary outcome was comparing PaO2/FiO2 ratio between prone and supine position group. Secondary outcomes were PaCO2, ICU discharge, and mortality rate. Review Manager version 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration) was used for statistical analyses of the included studies.ResultsA total of 7 articles were determined to be eligible, consisting of 1403 intubated COVID-19 patients with ARDS that showed prone position was associated with a higher PaO2/FiO2 ratio compared to supine position (MD 60.17, 95% CI 46.86 - 73.47; p < 0.00001). Four studies reported the PaCO2 measurement and showed no significant difference between prone and supine position (MD 2.07, 95% CI -2.79 - 6.92; p <0.40). Only two studies reported mortalities, one study had 262 deaths out of 648 patients (40.4%) and one study lost 11 out of 20 patients (55%). One study reported median ICU stay and mechanical ventilation duration (16 days) were significantly longer in prone position group.ConclusionThis meta-analysis showed that prone position improved PaO2/FiO2 ratio in intubated COVID-19 patients with ARDS.

Bilateral Lung Transplantation for Patients With Destroyed Lung and Asymmetric Chest Deformity

Background: Destroyed lung can cause mediastinal displacement and asymmetric chest deformity. Reports on bilateral lung transplantation (LT) to treat destroyed lung and asymmetric chest deformity are rare. This study presents our surgical experience of bilateral LT among patients with destroyed lung and asymmetric chest deformity.Methods: Six patients with destroyed lung and asymmetric chest deformity who underwent bilateral LT at our center from 2005 to 2020 were included in the study. Demographic data, technical data, perioperative details, and short-term follow-up data were reviewed.Results: Three patients underwent bilateral LT via anterolateral incisions in the lateral position without sternal transection, while three patients underwent bilateral LT via clam-shell incisions in the supine position with sternal transection. Only one patient required intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Four patients underwent size-reduced LT. In the other two patients, we restored the mediastinum by releasing mediastinal adhesions to ensure maximal preservation of the donor lung function. Patients in the lateral position group had a higher volume of blood loss, longer operation time, and longer postoperative in-hospital stay than those in the supine position group. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Postoperative computed tomography in the supine position group revealed that the donor lungs were well expanded and the mediastina were in their original positions.Conclusions: Although bilateral LT in patients with destroyed lung and asymmetric chest deformity is high risk, with sufficient preoperative preparation and evaluation, it is safe and feasible to perform bilateral LT for selected patients. For patients without severe chest adhesions, releasing the mediastinal adhesions and restoring the mediastinum through a clam-shell incision in the supine position is a simple and effective method to maximally preserve the donor lung function without pneumonectomy or lobectomy.

Effects of head positions on awake fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation: a randomized controlled trial

Background There are many factors affecting the success rate of awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic bronchoscope. We performed this study was to investigate the effects of head positions on awake Fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation. Methods Seventy-five adult patients, received general anaesthesia were included in this study. After written informed consent, these patients were undergoing awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic-bronchoscope and according to the head position, the patients were randomized allocated to neutral position group (NP group), sniffing position group (SP group) or extension position group (EP group). After sedation the patients were intubated by an experienced anesthesiologist. The time to view the vocal cords, the percentage of glottic opening scores (POGO), the time to insert the tracheal tube into trachea and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for ease experienced of passing the tracheal tube through glottis, the hemodynamic changes and the adverse events after surgery were recorded. Results The time to view the vocal cords was significantly shorter and the POGO scores was significantly higher in the EP group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05); The SpO2 in the EP group was higher than NP group at before intubation and higher than SP group and NP group at immediate after intubation (P < 0.05); The time to insert the tracheal tube into trachea, the VAS scores for passing the tracheal tube through glottis, the coughing scores had no significant differences among groups (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences regard to the incidence of postoperative complications, mean arterial pressure and heart rate among the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The head at extension position had a best view of glottic opening than neutral position or sniffing position during awake Fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation, so extension position was recommended as the starting head position for awake Fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov. no. NCT02792855. Registered at https://register.clinicaltrials.gov on 23 september 2017.

COMPARISON OF VARIOUS PARAMETERS AFTER INDUCTION OF SPINAL ANAESTHESIA FOR CAESAREAN SECTION IN SITTING AND LATERAL POSITION

Background: Hypotension is one of the common complications in patients undergoing surgeries under spinal anesthesia. This phenomenon is comparatively more in pregnant women undergoing caesarean section under spinal anesthesia due to anatomical variations in the spinal cord and physiological changes in pregnant women. Maternal position may inuence the spread of the local anaesthetic drug. So, in this study we have aimed to compare incidence of hypotension and various other parameters like onset of sensory and motor blockade, total number of mephentermine incremental doses (5mg/dose) required in each group to correct hypotension after induction of spinal anesthesia in sitting and lateral position for caesarean sections. Methods: Seventy American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients undergoing elective caesarean section were randomnly divided into two groups by closed envelope technique to receive spinal anaesthesia in the lateral position (Group L) or the sitting position (Group S). In Lumbar (L3interspace, lumbar puncture was done after taking aseptic precautions, plain bupivacaine 0.5% heavy 10 or 12 mg according to the height was injected after conrming free ow of cerebro spinal uid. After this, they were placed in the supine position immediately with right wedge providing for left lateral uterine displacement to avoid supine hypotension syndrome. Maternal blood pressure was measured every minute for 5 minutes, every two min for 10 min and 5 minutely thereafter. Hypotension was dened as a fall in systolic blood pressure >20% of the baseline value or a value <90 mmHg. Results: Statistical studies showed that number of patients who received spinal anesthesia in lateral position had signicantly more incidences of hypotension (19 incidences) compared to those who received in sitting position ( 10 incidences) with P value being (P= 0.048). And also there was faster onset (average time) of action (sensory and motor) in Group L(5 minutes for sensory and 6.2 minutes for motor) than compared to Group S (7 minutes for sensory and 7.4 minutes for motor) but not statistically signicant ( P= 0.361 for sensory and 0.639 for motor). We also observed that, total number of incremental doses (5mg/dose) of mephentermine used were more in patients who received spinal anaesthesia in lateral position (n= 10 increments) than compared to those who received in sitting position( n=5 increments) but it was not statistically signicant (P=0.145). Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia given in lateral position of the patients for caesarean section causes signicantly more incidences of hypotension than that given in sitting position. And there were no signicant differences with respect to onset of sensory and motor block and mephentermine requirement between the groups.

Comparative Study of Effect of Spinal Anesthesia in Sitting and Lateral Positions on the Onset Time of Sensory Block and Hemodynamic Condition in Cesarean Section: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Spinal anesthesia is the method of choice for the cesarean section. Hypotension is a common complication of this method. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effect of spinal anesthesia in the sitting and lateral positions on the onset time of sensory block and hemodynamic condition in cesarean sections. Methods: In this clinical trial, 106 elective cesarean section candidates under spinal anesthesia were selected and randomly divided into two groups: spinal anesthesia in the sitting position (group S) and the lateral position (group L). The onset time of the sensory block, quality of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic condition, frequency of hypotension, nausea, and vomiting, and the doses of ephedrine and atropine were compared between both groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 software at a 95% confidence level. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age. The frequency of hypotension in L and S groups was 24.5% and 57.7%, respectively (P = 0.001), in minute 6 after spinal anesthesia and 5.7% and 36.5%, respectively (P < 0.001), in minute 8 after spinal anesthesia. The mean time to reach the sensory level of T6 was 1.30 ± 0.43 min versus 4.54 ± 2.12 min (P < 0.001), motor block score in minute 5 was 2.98 ± 0.14 versus 2.82 (P = 0.044), and ephedrine dose was 11.5 mg and 16.92 mg in the L and S groups, respectively (P = 0.010). The maximum sensory-motor block and satisfaction of women with spinal anesthesia were significantly higher in the lateral position than in the sitting position (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia in the lateral position than in the sitting position lead to a more rapid sensory and motor block, reduced ephedrine consumption, and enhanced satisfaction of women.

Lateral position: a friendly surgical position for intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures via infrapatellar approach

Background The conventional infrapatellar approach to intramedullary nailing of tibial fractures adopts the supine high-flexion knee position. However, this has disadvantages including difficulty in obtaining the proximal tibial anteroposterior view during intraoperative fluoroscopy, prolonged duration of fluoroscopy. Accordingly, the present study investigated the utility of the lateral position in the infrapatellar approach to intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures. Methods The present study was a retrospective analysis of 112 patients who sustained closed tibial shaft fractures and treated with intramedullary nailing via the infrapatellar approach. Patients were divided into two groups according to surgical position: lateral or supine. The demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results There were 54 patients in the lateral and 58 in the supine position groups. The duration of surgery and fluoroscopy was shorter in the lateral group than the supine group (p < 0.05). Blood loss during surgery was lower in the lateral compared with supine position group (p < 0.05). The malunion rate was lower in the lateral position group as compared with the supine position group (p < 0.05); moreover, fewer surgical assistants were needed than in the supine group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in fracture healing time, other complications between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions The lateral position was a more convenient choice for intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures via infrapatellar approach.

Self-proning in COVID-19 patients on low-flow oxygen therapy: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Rationale and objectivesProne positioning as a complement to oxygen therapy to treat hypoxaemia in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in spontaneously breathing patients has been widely adopted, despite a lack of evidence for its benefit. We tested the hypothesis that a simple incentive to self-prone for a maximum of 12 h per day would decrease oxygen needs in patients admitted to the ward for COVID-19 pneumonia on low-flow oxygen therapy.Methods27 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to Geneva University Hospitals were included in the study. 10 patients were randomised to self-prone positioning and 17 to usual care.Measurements and main resultsOxygen needs assessed by oxygen flow on nasal cannula at inclusion were similar between groups. 24 h after starting the intervention, the median (interquartile range (IQR)) oxygen flow was 1.0 (0.1–2.9) L·min−1 in the prone position group and 2.0 (0.5–3.0) L·min−1 in the control group (p=0.507). Median (IQR) oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was 390 (300–432) in the prone position group and 336 (294–422) in the control group (p=0.633). One patient from the intervention group who did not self-prone was transferred to the high-dependency unit. Self-prone positioning was easy to implement. The intervention was well tolerated and only mild side-effects were reported.ConclusionsSelf-prone positioning in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring low-flow oxygen therapy resulted in a clinically meaningful reduction of oxygen flow, but without reaching statistical significance.