No Difference between Spinal Anesthesia with Hyperbaric Ropivacaine and Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Sedation with and without Intrathecal Fentanyl: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial

To enhance the duration of single-shot spinal anesthesia, intrathecal fentanyl and intravenous dexmedetomidine are widely used as adjuvants to local anesthetics. This noninferiority trial evaluated whether hyperbaric ropivacaine alone can produce a noninferior duration of sensory block in comparison to hyperbaric ropivacaine with intrathecal fentanyl in patients under dexmedetomidine sedation. Methods. Fifty patients scheduled for elective lower limb surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive either hyperbaric ropivacaine 15 mg (Group R) or hyperbaric ropivacaine 15 mg with intrathecal fentanyl 20 μg (Group RF). Intravenous dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg for 10 min, followed by 0.5 μg/kg/h) was administered in both groups. The primary outcome of this study was the time to two-dermatomal regression of sensory block. The noninferiority margin for the mean difference was −10 min. Characteristics of the block, intraoperative and postoperative side effects, postoperative pain score, and analgesic consumption were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results. There was no difference in the two-dermatomal regressions of sensory block between the two groups (Group R 70.4 ± 10.2 min, Group RF 71.2 ± 12.4 min, p = 0.804) with a mean difference of 0.8 min (−7.2 to 5.6, 95% confidence interval). Thus, the noninferiority of hyperbaric ropivacaine alone was established. There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions. Under intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation, the duration of spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric ropivacaine alone was noninferior to that of hyperbaric ropivacaine with intrathecal fentanyl. This suggests that addition of intrathecal fentanyl to hyperbaric ropivacaine may not be necessary in patients receiving intravenous dexmedetomidine.

Effect of general and sub-arachnoid anesthesia on the incidence of postoperative delirium and cognitive impairments in elderly Chinese patients

Purpose: To investigate the effect of general and subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia on the incidence of postoperative delirium and cognitive impairments in elderly Chinese patients. Methods: Elderly Chinese patients (n = 281) aged 65 – 79 years (mean age = 74.12 ± 4.15 years) who underwent proximal femoral fracture surgery were recruited over a 1-year period for this study. The patients were evaluated using neuropsychological assessment battery (NAB) 24 h before surgery, and on the first day 1 month after surgery. Data on activity of daily living (ADL) (in this case toileting at the time of discharge) were recorded and analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in the number of patients that developed postoperative delirium between the two anesthesia groups (p > 0.05). Although the trail making test (TMT) scores (parts A and B) were increased on the first day 1 month after surgery, there were no significant differences in NAB results between the two groups (p > 0.05). Patients who received subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia had significantly higher dependency for toileting at the time of discharge than those who received general anesthesia (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that general and subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia do not cause postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction in elderly Chinese patients who underwent proximal femoral fracture surgery.

Association between anesthetic method and postpartum hemorrhage in Korea based on National Health Insurance Service data

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal mortality. An increasing incidence of PPH has been reported in many countries. The risk factors for PPH differ among studies and it can occur in patients with no known risk factors. In this large-scale study, we investigated whether the anesthetic method used was associated with PPH after cesarean section.Methods: We extracted data on cesarean sections performed between January 2008 and June 2013 from the National Health Insurance Service database. The anesthetic methods were categorized into general, spinal and epidural anesthesia. To compare the likelihood of PPH among deliveries using different anesthetic methods, crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression analysis.Results: Data from 330,324 cesarean sections were analyzed, and 21,636 cases of PPH were identified. Univariate analysis showed that general and epidural anesthesia increased the risk of PPH compared to spinal anesthesia. The OR for PPH was highest for morbidly adherent placenta, followed by placenta previa, placental abruption, and hypertension. When other clinical covariates were controlled for, general and epidural anesthesia still remained significant risk factors for PPH compared to spinal anesthesia.Conclusions: This study showed that general and epidural anesthesia elevated the risk of PPH compared to spinal anesthesia during cesarean section. Since we could not consider the potential bias of group differences in indications, more in-depth clinical trials are needed to validate our findings. Obstetric factors such as placental abnormalities had high odds ratios and thus are more important than the choice of anesthetic method, which should be based on the patient’s clinical condition and institutional resources.

PERCUTANEOUS CYSTOLITHOLAPAXY AS AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH FOR GIANT BLADDER STONES: A CASE SERIES OF PATIENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT COMORBIDITIES

Objective: We reported two giant bladder stones cases, with significant comorbidities and mentally impaired patients, treated with PCCL. Case(s) Presentation: We report two cases of giant cystolithiasis (sized 8.8 cm x 7.2 cm and 7.0 cm x 5.8 cm) in male patients with impaired renal functions and mental illness. We performed PCCL on both patients with cystoscopy-guided bladder puncture and dilation, under spinal anesthesia. Stone fragmentation through transurethral (pneumatic) and percutaneous (suprapubic amplatz ultrasound) lithotriptors was performed simultaneously. Discussion: Stone fragments were evacuated through the nephroscope. These fluoroscopy-free procedures were performed under one hour. The patients were discharged on day three post-operatively without indwelling catheter. Conclusion: We performed PCCL with simultaneous transurethral fragmentation in giant bladder stone cases presenting with impaired renal functions and mental illness. We faced no significant post-operative issue. This technique, or its modified approach, is safe and applicable

Tension-Free Inguinal Hernia Repair in Local Anaesthesia versus Spinal Anaesthesia

Background: Inguinal hernia is a common presentation in surgical clinics. In the past, the hernia surgeries were done under general and spinal anesthesia. Recently local anesthesia is being increasingly used due to the increased efficacy of local anesthetics and economic reasons. We in the current study tried to evaluate the effectiveness of Lichtenstein repair under local anesthesia and spinal anesthesia and the overall outcomes of both methods. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Naganoor, Karimnagar. Successive cases of uncomplicated inguinal hernia were selected for the study. A total of n=60 cases randomly allotted in two groups The LA group and SA group were taken and studied. Post-operatively VAS scale was used to evaluate pain, other postoperative complications such as testicular swelling and pain, urinary retention, nausea/vomiting, postural hypotension, and wound infections were recorded. Results : The age of the patient varied from 20 to 80 years with the highest prevalence noted in the age group of 41 to 60 years. The Mean age of presentation is 51.3 years. The anatomical location and type of hernia are given in table 1. 60.9% of inguinal hernia in this study was an indirect type, 30.4% was direct, 6.5% was pantaloons type and 2.2% was Ogilvie's hernia. Out of 74 patients, 62.1% had a right-sided inguinal hernia compared to the left side which accounted for 37.8%. Complication records showed N=9(23.7%) of the SA group and n=8(22.2%) LA group developed scrotal edema and in total n=17(23%) developed scrotal edema. N=7(18.4%) patients in the SA group and n=7(19.4%) in the LA group developed seroma and in total patients, n=14(18.9%) developed seroma. Conclusion: Lichtenstein tension-free hernioplasty done under local anesthesia is with less immediate postoperative complications, also the best suitable for patients with medical comorbidities and those who are on antiplatelet therapy where spinal anesthesia is contraindicated.

Pericapsular Nerve Group Block (PENG Block) and Spinal Anesthesia as Multimodal Analgetic in Patient with Bipolar Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Introduction. Intertrochanteric fractures are defined as extracapsular fractures of the proximal femur that occur between the greater and lesser trochanter. Bipolar hip arthroplasty is one of the most common major orthopaedic procedures to improve patient’s functional status and quality of life. Spinal anesthesia is a regional anesthetic technique that is performed by injecting local anesthetic drugs into the subarachnoid space to obtain dermatome-level analgesia and skeletal muscle relaxation. Pain after hip replacement originates mainly from the anterior pelvic capsule. The main target for pelvic analgesia is the anterior capsule which is the most richly innervated part of the joint. PENG block is used to block the articular branches to the pelvis. The patient was assessed with an NRS (numeric rating scale) instrument pre and post operative. Case presentation. A-74 year old woman admitted with complaints of pain in the right hip and diagnosed with a closed fracture of the right intertrochanter and planned for bipolar hip arthroplasty with PENG block and spinal anesthesia. Preoperatively the patient was assessed with an NRS (numeric rating scale) instrument with a score of 6. After the procedure, we reevaluated the pain score using NRS was 2 post operative. Conclusion. Patients receiving a PENG block and spinal anesthesia for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia during hip fracture surgery. Prior to spinal anesthesia, PENG block can be performed as a multimodal analgesia in the patient, PENG block expected to facilitate a sitting position during spinal anesthesia and for postoperative pain management