Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intrathecal compared with intravenous dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to spinal bupivacaine anesthesia for pregnant women undergoing cesarean section on intraoperative and postoperative analgesia with special emphasis on their sedative properties and on the neonatal outcome. Patients and methods A total of 105 women of ASA physical status I or II at term pregnancy were enrolled randomly into three groups. Patients in group I received spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine. In group II, 5 μg dexmedetomidine was added to bupivacaine. In group III, after administration of spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine and an intravenous infusion of 0.5 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine throughout the surgery, the incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, the onset, and the duration of sensory and motor block and the postoperative pain score were assessed. Results No differences were observed in the rate of occurrence of hypotension and bradycardia between the three groups. The time to reach the peak sensory level was shorter in group II and group III with a longer duration compared with group I. The duration of motor block was shorter in group I compared with the two other groups with no significant difference between the three groups in the onset of motor block. The onset of postoperative pain was significantly earlier in group I, and more patients in group I needed supplementary analgesia. No significant difference was noted between the three groups regarding the Apgar score and the incidence of maternal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and dryness of the mouth. Conclusion The use of intrathecal dexmedetomidine or intravenous dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to spinal bupivacaine in women undergoing elective cesarean section improved the intraoperative condition and the quality of postoperative analgesia without neonatal or maternal side effects.

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Context Coadministration of adjuvants with bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia is advocated to reduce its dose and improve the quality of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia with the least number of side effects. Aim The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of three intrathecal regimens for cesarean section. Patients and methods Ninety patients of ASA grade I or II who were scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into three groups of 30 patients each. Group B was injected with 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, group F was injected with 10 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine +10 mg of sufentanil, and group D was injected with 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine +10 mg of dexmedetomidine. Study parameters were as follows: mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO ₂ ), sedation scores, side effects (such as hypotension, bradycardia, nausea/vomiting, shivering, pruritus, respiratory depression), neonatal outcome, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements, and duration of complete and effective analgesia. Results There were no significant differences regarding mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO ₂ , and neonatal outcome among the study groups. Sedation scores were higher in group D compared with groups B and S. Onset of motor block was comparable among the three groups, whereas onset of sensory block, time to two-segment regression and regression time to sensory S1, and motor recovery time were longer in groups D and S compared with group B. Intraoperative analgesic requirements showed no significance among the three groups, whereas duration of complete and effective analgesia was longer in groups S and D compared with group B. Further, postoperative 24 h analgesic requirements were higher in group B compared with groups S and D. Side effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, shivering, and respiratory depression were comparable among the study groups, whereas nausea/vomiting and pruritus were higher in group S compared with groups B and D. Conclusion Addition of sufentanil or dexmedetomidine to hyperbaric bupivacaine for intrathecal block prolongs the duration of sensory and motor block and reduces postoperative analgesic requirements. Sufentanil has a higher incidence of nausea/vomiting and pruritus, whereas dexmedetomidine has better analgesic effects and sedation without respiratory depression.

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Background Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) requires effective control of bleeding for better visibility of the operating field and reduced risk of injury to the optic nerve or the internal carotid artery. Dexmedetomidine can provide controlled hypotension, analgesia, and sedation. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and advantages of dexmedetomidine as an anesthetic adjuvant for FESS. Patients and methods Fifty adult consented patients of comparable demographic profile, scheduled for FESS, were assigned randomly to two groups. Patients of group D received a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1 mg/kg over 10 min, followed by an infusion at 0.4-0.7 mg/kg/h and patients of group C were administered an identical amount of saline solution. During the procedure, hemodynamic changes, intraoperative surgical grade of bleeding (on the basis of the Fromme-Boezaart scale), intraoperative fentanyl consumption, emergence time, and total recovery from anesthesia (Aldrete's score ≥9) were recorded. Results Patients of group D comparatively had a lower intraoperative heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure, along with a significantly lower bleeding score (P < 0.001). The mean intraoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in patients of group D. Emergence time and time to achieve an Aldrete's score 9 or more were significantly lower in group C at 15 and 30 min postoperatively. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine has effectively provided the ideal oligemic surgical field during FESS and offers the inherent advantages of analgesia, sedation, and anesthetic-sparing effects.

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Background Incorporation of adjuvants into local anesthetics could potentially aid in producing satisfactory prolonged postoperative analgesic duration and reducing postoperative adverse reactions associated with excessive systemic analgesic intake. The aim of this trial was to study the effect of incorporating magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant into lidocaine in an interscalene plexus block (ISPB) for arthroscopic acromioplasty. Materials and methods Sixty ASA I and II grade patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic acromioplasty under ultrasound guidance and peripheral nerve stimulation technique were allocated randomly to two groups: group L, which included patients who received 20 ml of lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1 : 200 000 plus 5 ml 0.9% NaCl, and group LM, which included patients who received 20 ml of lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1 : 200 000 plus 5 ml of 10% MgSO ₄ (500 mg MgSO ₄ ). The following data were collected: the onset of sensory block, the occurrence of satisfactory motor block, sensory block duration, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at the first analgesic dose, motor block duration, total morphine consumption in the first 24 h, and the presence of any adverse reactions. Results Patients in the magnesium sulfate group showed a prolonged postoperative analgesic duration, the NRS records decreased significantly on the first analgesic dose, and morphine consumption was reduced, and no adverse events related to its use in ISPB were recorded. Conclusion The addition of magnesium sulfate to lidocaine in ISPB significantly prolongs the analgesic duration and reduces the NRS score and postoperative opioid requirements in shoulder arthroscopic acromioplasty without side effects.

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Background Many additives have been added to local anesthetics in PBA to decrease the time of onset and increase the duration of analgesia to suit the relatively long vitreoretinal surgery with limited success. Dexmedetomidine has been added to local anesthetics for such purpose. Patients and methods Sixty consented ASA I-II adult patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery were enrolled in this randomized, double blind, controlled study. Patients were randomly and evenly assigned to three groups to receive one of three anesthetic solutions for PBA: group C, group D25, and group D50. Patients in group C received 6 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 10 IU/ml hyaluronidase in addition to 1 ml of normal saline. Patients in groups D25 and D50 received the same mixture but with replacement of the normal saline with 25 and 50 mcg dexmedetomidine, respectively. Intraoperative recordings included onset and duration of corneal anesthesia and globe akinesia, hemodynamics, intraocular pressure (IOP), and Ramsay sedation score. Postoperative recordings included time to first rescue analgesia and number of doses required, pain score, and patient and surgeon satisfaction score. Results The onset of corneal anesthesia and globe akinesia was significantly shorter in group D50 than in group C (1.05 ± 0.50 and 6.90 ± 1.94 vs. 1.68 ± 0.78 and 9.10 ± 2.14); in group D25 the onset was insignificantly shorter. Duration of anesthesia was significantly longer in both groups compared with control, as was the time to first rescue analgesia. IOP was also significantly lower in both groups compared with control. Conclusion Addition of two different doses of dexmedetomidine (25 and 50 mcg) to levobupivacaine/hyaluronidase mixture shortened the onset and prolonged the duration of peribulbar block in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. It also lowered the IOP and provided sedation with patient's cooperation, leading to better patient and surgeon satisfaction.

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Background Penile block is recommended for analgesia during and after surface operation on the penis, for example circumcision, phimosis, meatal stenosis, and hypospadias repair. Objective To evaluate the effect of penile block versus caudal block using bupivacaine on the quality of analgesia, and the surgeon's and parents' satisfaction after penile pediatric surgery. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 80 healthy boys aged 1-7 years, of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II health classes, scheduled for hypospadias repair, circumcision and meatal stenosis under general anesthesia. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: group P (penile block, 0.25% bupivacaine, 0.5 mg/kg; n = 40) and group C (caudal block, 0.25% bupivacaine, 0.5 mg/kg; n = 40). The heart rate (HR), the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and oxygen saturation were measured perioperatively. Postoperative pain evaluated by the FLACC pain scale of five categories, (F) Face, (L) Leg, (A) Activity, (C) Cry, (C) Consolability, was assessed on admission to and on discharge from the PACU and 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h postoperatively. Also, the time to first rescue analgesic request and doses of analgesic requirements were recorded. The surgeon's and parents' satisfaction were evaluated on the first day of the operation using a five-point verbal score. Results In group P, there was no significant decrease in the HR and the MAP compared with the baseline, but in group C, there was a significant decrease in HR and MAP compared with the baseline. FLACC pain scores were significantly lower in group P compared with group C (P < 0.05). Also, the time to first need for analgesia was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in group P compared with group C. The total analgesic requirement was also significantly lower (P < 0.05) in group P compared with group C. Conclusion Single-injection penile block is superior to caudal epidural block for relief of postoperative pain in children undergoing penile surgery with more satisfaction to the surgeon and the parents, without significant increase in the rate of adverse events.

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Background Despite its strategic role in health-care delivery, anesthesia does not attract medical manpower in developing countries, more so among medical trainees. This has resulted in an alarming lack of physician anesthetists. This study aims to determine the rate of selection of anesthesia as a specialty choice and factors that influence medical students when choosing specialties. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on final-year medical students in the University of Calabar. A semistructured self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a total of 105 final-year students who had undergone their posting in anesthesia. Summarization of data was done using frequencies/proportions and graphs, and significance level was set at P-value less than 0.05. Results The mean age of respondents was 27.2 ± 4.15 years. Of the students, 72 (69%) were male, whereas 33 (31%) were female. Of them, 96 (91%) indicated interest in specializing, 34 (32%) preferred obstetrics and gynecology, 20 (19%) wanted pediatrics, 13 (12%) preferred family medicine and three (3%) preferred anesthesia. Factors that influenced choice of specialty among the graduating students included: personal interests in 85 students (81%), future job opportunities in the field in 66 students (63%) and requirement of specialized skill in 65 students (62%). In all, 46 respondents (44%) reported that their anesthesia posting experience was interesting, whereas 27 respondents (28%) reported it as very educative. The duration of the posting was rated very short by 25 students (24%). Conclusion With less than 5% of the graduating medical students indicating interest in anesthesia specialization, improvement in training facilities and provision of incentives to intending trainees are strongly recommended.

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Background Different additives have been reported to prolong the duration of caudal anesthesia in pediatrics. Although these drugs successfully increased the duration of the block, many of them were associated with undesirable adverse effects. Dexamethasone has been found to effectively increase the duration of an epidural block in adults, with no resulting side effects. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effect of adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine on the duration of a caudal block in pediatric patients. Patients and methods This was a prospective randomized-controlled study that included 80 children, aged 1-6 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I, undergoing elective unilateral inguinal herniotomy. Patients were randomized to receive 1 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25% (group B) or a mixture of dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg added to 1 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25% (group BD). In the postoperative period, pain was assessed using a modified Objective Pain Scale (mOPS) score until 24 h after surgery and rescue analgesia (oral paracetamol 15 mg/kg) was administered when mOPS score 4 or more was recorded. The primary outcome measure was the time to first analgesic requirement. The number of analgesic doses required in the first 24 h after surgery, residual motor block, sedation scores, intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic variables, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and other adverse effects were recorded. Results Group BD showed a significantly longer time to first analgesic requirement than group B. The number of oral paracetamol doses required in the first 24 h was significantly less in group BD. Group BD showed lower mOPS scores than group B. Modified Bromage scale scores, sedation scores, as well as intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic variables were comparable in the two groups. Group BD showed significantly fewer incidences of PONV compared with group B. Conclusion Adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia and decreases the incidence of PONV after a caudal block in pediatric patients.

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Context Femoral nerve block (FNB) provides effective analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but has been associated with delayed ambulation due to quadriceps muscle weakness. Adductor canal block (ACB) may be a promising alternative, with less effect on the quadriceps muscle and comparable analgesic efficacy. Aim The aim of the study was to compare ACB with FNB regarding the quadriceps muscle strength and its analgesic efficacy in patients following TKA. Settings and design This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study. Patients and methods The patients were randomized to receive either ACB or FNB. The primary outcome was the effect on quadriceps muscle and early ambulation as determined by the timed up and go test and 10-min walk test. The secondary outcome was to compare the analgesic efficacy as determined by numeric rating scale, opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay. Results We enrolled 110 patients, of whom 107 were analyzed. The timed up and go test and the 10-m walk test were significantly shorter in the ACB group than in the FNB group on the postoperative day 1 with P-value of 0.002 and 0.005, respectively, whereas the difference between both study groups was statistically nonsignificant on the postoperative day 2. There was no significant difference between the study groups regarding the numeric rating scale, morphine consumption, or length of stay. Conclusion ACB may promote early ambulation after TKA without a reduction in analgesia when compared with FNB.

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Objectives Acute postoperative pain following radical mastectomy has been shown to increase the risk for chronic postmastectomy pain, a type of neuropathic pain. Preemptive analgesia has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of some types of neuropathic pain. We investigated the analgesic efficacy of duloxetine on acute and chronic pain in patients undergoing breast surgery. Materials and methods Fifty patients scheduled for radical mastectomy with axillary dissection were randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive either duloxetine 60 mg (group D) starting 2 days before operation for 2 weeks followed by 30 mg until the end of study or placebo capsules (group P) for the same course. Total morphine consumption over the first 48 h, time to first rescue analgesic, and pain scores were recorded [visual analog scale (VAS)] at 2, 4, 12, and 24 h postoperatively, daily until the fourth day, then 3 and 6 months later. Results In the duloxetine group compared with the placebo group, total morphine consumption was less (at 24 h, 14 ± 2.3 vs. 24 ± 1.7 and at 48 h, 11.5 ± 2.5 vs. 20 ± 1.4, P < 0.001, respectively), time to first rescue analgesic was longer (4.6 ± 0.7 h vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 h, P < 0.001, respectively), with significant decrease in VAS scores of pain at all time points (P < 0.001), and the incidence of pain was less at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Conclusion Duloxetine significantly reduced postoperative analgesic requirements, VAS, and incidence of chronic pain at 3- and 6-month follow-up in women undergoing breast surgery.

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Background Regional anesthesia has been widely practiced with minimal risk of complications. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of nalbuphine and tramadol as separate adjuvants to lidocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) (Bier's block). Materials and methods This randomized double-blind controlled study was conducted in the Department of Anesthesia, Kasr Al Ainy Teaching Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Sixty patients, aged 20-60 years, ASA I-II, both sexes, scheduled for minor hand surgeries under IVRA were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly allocated into three equal groups: group L (n = 20) received lidocaine in IVRA, group LT (n = 20) received lidocaine and tramadol mixture, and group LN (n = 20) received lidocaine and nalbuphine mixture. The onset, duration of both sensory and motor blocks, time to first analgesic request postoperatively, and complications related to the drugs or technique were recorded. Results There was a statistically significant acceleration in the mean onsets with significant prolongation of the mean duration of sensory and motor blocks in group LT and group LN compared with group L (P < 0.05). The results observed in both groups were comparable. In addition, there was an increase in the mean time to first analgesic request in group LT and group LN compared with group L (P < 0.001). Group LN had the longest duration time of postoperative analgesia and this was statistically significant compared with group LT (P < 0.001). Complications were minimal and nonsignificant. Conclusion The use of nalbuphine and tramadol as adjuvants to lidocaine in IVRA resulted in significant acceleration of the onset and prolongation of the duration of both sensory and motor blocks, with minimal insignificant complications. Both tramadol and nalbuphine effects were comparable.

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Background Ultrasound (US)-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is an effective technique in providing analgesia for abdominal surgery. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a US-guided TAP block and to compare it with a caudal block in unilateral day-case open inguinal hernia repair in children. Patients and Methods Forty ASA I-II, 1-5-year-old children scheduled for elective unilateral open inguinal herniotomy were studied. All patients received general anesthesia; sevoflurane was used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was used to secure the airway. After securing an intravenous cannula, patients were randomized to a US-guided TAP block (n = 20) (group T) using 0.5 ml/kg 0.25% bupivacaine, injected on the same side of surgery, and group C received a caudal block using 1 ml/kg 0.2% bupivacaine (n = 20). Surgery was allowed 15 min after administration the block. Block failure was considered in case of gross movement or more than 20% change in heart rate and/or ABP persisting more than 1 min after skin incision. Any adverse events were recorded. After surgery, patients remained for 4 h in the recovery room. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated using Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS). An anesthesiologist, who was not part of the study team, evaluated the need for rescue analgesia in the intraoperative and postoperative period and a recovery nurse collected the data. If the CHIPPS score was greater than 4, a rescue analgesia of 20 mg/kg acetaminophen was administered. Results No difference was found in hemodynamics in both groups. Also, intraoperative fentanyl consumption was not different and no rescue analgesia was required in the postanesthesia care unit. Conclusion A US-guided TAP block is as effective as a caudal block in providing immediate postoperative analgesia in inguinal hernia repair.

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Objective and aim of study Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complaint in about 21-65% of patients undergoing general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative nebulized dexamethasone in decreasing the incidence of postextubation sore throat. Patients and methods A total of 120 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II patients of both sexes aged 25-60 years sexes were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into one of the two groups of 60 patients each: group D received dexamethasone 8 mg in 5 ml nebulization and group S (the control group) received normal saline in 5 ml nebulization 15 min before general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. The intensity of sore throat and hemodynamic variables were monitored before nebulization, on arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (0 h), and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. Results The incidence and severity of POST were significantly reduced in the dexamethasone group than in the saline group at the following time intervals: 2 h after extubation (P = 0.009), 4 h after extubation (P = 0.000), 8 h after extubation (P = 0.000), and 12 h after extubation (P = 0.002). There was no complication associated with dexamethasone nebulization. Conclusion Preoperative nebulization with dexamethasone 8 mg reduces the incidence and severity of POST in patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

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Background Endotracheal intubation is considered as the definitive method of airway management. Difficulty encountered during direct laryngoscopy for the intubation process is one aspect of the overall problems in airway management. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) represents a significant advancement in the management of patients with a difficult airway. C-MAC videolaryngoscopes present a new approach for the management of difficult laryngoscopy. Patients and methods Sixty patients, of both sexes, aged 20-50 years, ASA I-II, undergoing an elective uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery were included. Patients were allocated randomly to be intubated using FOB (F group) or FOB plus C-MAC videolaryngoscopy (F-CMAC group). Collected data included grades of the Cormack-Lehane laryngeal view, success or failure of the technique, the number of attempts, the duration of the successful attempt, and hemodynamic measurements throughout the intubation procedure. Complications (such as oxygen desaturation, patient distress, soft tissue damage, gagging/vomiting, bradycardia and hypotension, laryngospasm, and bronchospasm) were recorded. Results There was a significant decrease in the duration of the successful attempt, the number of intubation trials, and Cormack-Lehane grades regarding the laryngeal view as well as a decrease in the number of patients who needed facilitating techniques in group F-CMAC compared with group F. No significant difference was found on comparing the heart rate, the mean arterial pressure, and the incidence of complications during intubation between the two groups. Conclusion The C-MAC videolaryngoscope with fiberoptic bronchoscopy allows a significantly faster intubation time, with a decrease in the duration of the successful attempt, fewer intubation trials, and a better grade of laryngeal views assessed by Cormack-Lehane grades, with a decrease in the number of patients who needed facilitating techniques and a comparable incidence of complications during intubation compared with fiberoptic alone for tracheal intubation in patients with a suspected difficult airway undergoing elective uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

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Background Patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures do experience postoperative pain, especially in the abdomen, back, and shoulder region. Intraperitoneal injections of a local anesthetic have been proposed to minimize postoperative pain after laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, this prospective, randomized, controlled, placebo study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of intraperitoneal lidocaine with that of intraperitoneal nalbuphine for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) surgery. Setting Assiut University Hospitals, postoperative surgical world, Egypt. Patients and methods Eighty-one patients with ASA I or II undergoing LC were included in the study. They were classified randomly into three groups: group C, which comprised 27 patients who were given 50 ml normal saline intraperitoneally; group L, which included 27 patients who were given 200 mg lidocaine intraperitoneally in 50 ml normal saline; and group N, which included 27 patients given 10 mg nalbuphine intraperitoneally in 50 ml normal saline. Postoperative pain was recorded using the visual analogue scale for 24 h after LC. Postoperative analgesic consumption was also recorded. Results The mean visual analogue scale was significantly lower in both lidocaine and nalbuphine groups than in the control group within 24 h after surgery. The incidence of shoulder pain was 29.6% in the control group, 22.2% in the nalbuphine group, and 14.8% in the lidocaine group. The mean value of total analgesic consumption in the form of intravenous paracetamol was significantly lower in the lidocaine group (2.3 g ± 0.60) and nalbuphine group (2.5 g ± 0.63) when compared with control group C. There were no significant differences between the three groups as regards hemodynamics. Conclusion Although both lidocaine and nalbuphine when used intraperitoneally produce postoperative analgesia, intraperitoneal lidocaine gives a better analgesic profile with fewer unwanted effects.

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Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine administered intravenously or intrathecally in prolonging spinal anesthesia using bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery. Patients and methods Sixty adult patients classified as ASA I or II and scheduled for lower limb orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into one of the three groups. Group B (n = 20) was injected with 10 ml isotonic saline intravenously over 5 min immediately after patient has received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5 mg; group IV (n = 20) was injected with dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg intravenously diluted in 10 ml isotonic saline over 5 min immediately after patient has received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5 mg; and group IT (n = 20) was injected with 10 ml isotonic saline over 5 min immediately after patient has received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5 mg and dexmedetomidine 3 μg. The onset time, maximum block level, time to maximum sensory and Bromage 3 motor block, duration of sensory and motor anesthesia, time to first analgesic request, and total analgesic consumption in the first 24 h were recorded. Hemodynamics, side effects, and sedation scores were assessed. Results Patients in groups IV and IT had a highly significantly longer sensory and motor block duration than patients in group B. Both durations were significantly longer in the IT group than in the IV group. The time to reach Bromage 3 motor block was significantly shorter in the IV and IT groups than in the B group, with no statistically significant difference between each other. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were comparable in the three groups intraoperatively and postoperatively. Mean heart rate values were significantly decreased at 20-60 min in the IV group in comparison with the other two groups. The time to first analgesic needed was significantly prolonged in groups IV and IT in comparison with group B. The mean total consumption of intravenous tramadol postoperatively in the first 24 h was significantly decreased in groups IV and IT in comparison with group B. Conclusion In bupivacaine spinal block, dexmedetomidine whether administered intravenously at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg or intrathecally in addition to bupivacaine at a dose of 3 μg produced a significant prolongation in the durations of the motor and sensory block, but that administered intrathecally produced more significant prolongation of effect than that administered intravenously, with preserved hemodynamic stability and lack of sedation.

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Background This randomized double-blind study was started with an objective of comparing two commonly used vasopressors (phenylephrine and ephedrine) as intravenous bolus injection to reduce hypotension in elective cesarean section in mothers with pre-eclampsia and estimating their impact on fetal outcome. Place of the study The study was conducted in Woman Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. Patients and methods We studied 40 pre-eclamptic patients undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia who developed hypotension after subarachnoid block. They were randomly allocated to one of the two groups to receive an intravenous bolus of the following drugs: group P, phenylephrine (75 μg, n = 20) or group E, ephedrine (6 mg, n = 20). Hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic pressure to more than 25% of baseline values or systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg. Results There were significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate for the two studied drugs, which were less affected in the ephedrine group as compared with the phenylephrine group. Neonatal Apgar scores were within normal range in both groups. With respect to arterial and venous blood gases, there was significant difference in base excess and nonsignificant difference in pH and PO ₂ between the two groups. Conclusion Both vasopressors phenylephrine (75 μg) and ephedrine (6 mg) were given as a bolus dose to pre-eclamptic candidates receiving spinal anesthesia, causing hemodynamic stability to mothers. However, the usage of phenylephrine was safer for fetal outcome than epinephrine in high-risk cesarean sections (pre-eclampsia) under spinal anesthesia.

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Background Despite the fact that sevoflurane is widely used in pediatric anesthesia due to its fast and well-tolerated inhaled induction and rapid emergence, sevoflurane-induced emergence agitation (EA) in children is not uncommon. This study aims to test the effect of intraoperative magnesium sulfate on reducing the incidence of EA in children anesthetized with sevoflurane. Materials and methods The study included 50 male children, aged 3-6 years, with ASA status I or II, scheduled for elective inguinal herniorrhaphy under GA through laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The patients were allocated into two groups: group M (25 patients) received intravenous magnesium sulfate 10% (0.2 ml/kg), followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 ml/kg till the end of surgery; group C (25 patients) received a similar volume of intravenous normal saline (0.2 ml/kg), followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 ml/kg till the end of surgery. Anesthesia was induced using 6 l/min of O ₂ 100% with sevoflurane 8 vol%. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane 1.5-2 vol% in an oxygen-air mixture. After LMA removal, the agitation scoring scale was used for assessing the quality of emergence. Agitation parameters were measured using a four-point scale. Agitated children were managed by giving intravenous midazolam (0.1 mg/kg). Results The study was completed by 42 children. Magnesium concentrations in group M were significantly higher [2.95 (0.50) mg/dl] compared with group C [2.01 (0.42) mg/dl; P < 0.001]. The emergence time was significantly longer in group M [19.11 (7.45) min] compared with group C [15.421 (6.54) min; P < 0.001]. Other recovery characteristics in terms of the time to LMA removal and the time to reach full Aldrete score were comparable between both groups. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure variables were significantly higher in group C compared with group M at the time of LMA removal (P < 0.01). At the postanesthesia care unit, there was no incidence of agitation reported in group M as compared with 11 patients in group C (P < 0.001). In group C, the mean duration of agitation was 16.4 (8.2) min and the mean dose of midazolam administered was 0.09 (0-0.2) mg/kg per child. No patients in group M complained of pain compared with group C at 5, 10, and 30 min after emergence from anesthesia (P < 0.001). Conclusion Intravenous magnesium sulfate infusion significantly reduced the incidence of sevoflurane-induced EA.

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Objective The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of palonosetron versus ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting during middle ear surgery. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 60 patients, ASA I and II, ages ranging between 23 and 48 years, scheduled for middle ear surgery; they were randomly allocated into two equal groups: group 1 received ondansetron (4 mg) intravenously and group 2 received palonosetron (0.25 mg) intravenously. All medications were given over 30 s immediately before induction of general anesthesia. The duration of surgery, hemodynamic parameters, the severity and frequency of nausea, retching, and vomiting, time to recovery, and time to discharge of all patients were recorded. The patient's requests for rescue antiemetics and details of adverse events throughout the study were recorded. Results A total of 28 patients in group 2 and 22 patients in group 1 had complete response to antiemetic drugs. No patient in group 2 needed rescue antiemetic, whereas four patients in group 1 received ondansetron (4 mg) as rescue. With respect to the severity of nausea, group 2 showed significant decrease in nausea score in comparison with group 1. With respect to the complications, four patients in group 2 and one patient in group 1 developed headache. One patient in group 2 had diarrhea. Conclusion Palonosetron is a good antiemetic alternative during anesthesia with minimal side effects.

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Background Chronic post-thoracotomy pain, which is defined as pain that recurs or persists for more than 2 months, is a common problem affecting the quality of life of patients. We have evaluated the efficacy of perioperative pregabalin for reducing postoperative pain and the incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain. Patients and methods Sixty patients aged 30-49 years undergoing thoracotomy were allocated randomly to receive either pregabalin (75 mg oral twice daily for 5 days before and 5 days after the operation) or placebo at corresponding times in a double-blinded manner. Both groups received the same anesthetic technique. Our primary target was to measure the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain Scale at 3- and 6-month intervals. Morphine consumption was measured as well as the length of hospital stay and the occurrence of postoperative systemic complications. Results Pregabalin decreased the incidence of chronic postoperative pain at 3 and 6 months from 60 and 40% to 10 and 6.7%, respectively. Also, pregabalin decreased the postoperative acute pain intensity as indicated by lower morphine consumption (P < 0.001). Pregabalin decreased postoperative hospital stay, with a time of discharge of 10 (9-10) days for the control group and 8 (7-8) days for the pregabalin group (P < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in the incidence of complications. Conclusion Perioperative pregabalin reduces the incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain, with less postoperative morphine consumption together with early hospital discharge.

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Background Caudal block is the most frequently used regional anesthetic technique for pediatric analgesia, with the disadvantage of limited duration of action. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been reported to provide effective analgesia after lower abdominal surgery, but there are few data comparing caudal block with ultrasound-guided TAP block in pediatric patients undergoing surgical pyeloplasty. Patients and methods Thirty-nine patients (6 months to 6 years) scheduled for elective surgical pyeloplasty were divided into two groups in a double-blinded randomized manner. After sevoflurane in oxygen anesthesia, patients were assigned to one of the two groups: group A (caudal; n = 19 patients) received a single caudal dose of isobaric bupivacaine 0.25% (1.25 ml/kg) and group B (TAP block; n = 20 patients) received isobaric bupivacaine 0.25% (0.3 ml/kg). The primary outcomes were the time to first analgesia in minutes and the analgesic doses (oral acetaminophen and rectal diclofenac) required during the first 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcome measures included FLACC pain scale score and intraoperative hemodynamic variables. Results Group B had a significantly longer time to first analgesia (602, 705, 748 vs. 250, 280, 365 min) and required significantly lower doses of acetaminophen (301.9 ± 161.26 vs. 635.05 ± 205.42) and rectal diclofenac (0, 0, 0 vs. 0, 0, 12.5 mg) than group A. FLACC pain scale score was significantly lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, and 24 h postoperatively. There was no significant difference between both groups with respect to intraoperative hemodynamic variables. Conclusion Unilateral TAP block provided superior analgesia compared with single caudal block injection in the first 24 postoperative hours after surgical pyeloplasty in infants and children aged 6 months to 6 years.

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Background Hyperoxia exerts variable effects on multiple cellular and immunologic parameters and offers potential benefits from use of supplemental oxygen. Supplementation with high concentration of O ₂ has been shown to reduce colorectal anastomotic leakage by 50% and subsequently its use has been recommended to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) by surgical associations of America and Canada. We designed this randomized controlled trial to determine the impact of O ₂ supplementation on the incidence of SSI in urological surgeries performed under neuraxial anaesthesia. Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate whether use of supplemental high-concentration perioperative oxygen decreases the risk of post-uro-SSI as it did after colorectal surgery in previous studies. Settings The study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care in collaboration with the Department of Urology at our institute after obtaining clearance from the Institute of Ethical Committee and written informed consent from patients enrolled in this study. Patients and methods Eighty ASA grade I and II patients, aged between 15 and 60 years, undergoing selected urological surgeries were randomly assigned to two equal groups after they had fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. One group received 8-10 l O ₂ /min through a non-rebreathing face mask during the intraoperative period, which was continued in the postoperative period for about 6 h, whereas the other group continued breathing room air. Data were collected by physicians from the Department of Urology who were blinded to the intervention and were analysed using INSTAT software with appropriate statistical tools. Results Demographic, physical, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic parameters in both groups were comparable (P > 0.05). Although our study showed a tendency towards reduction in SSI (17.5 vs. 12.5%), compared with the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion Perioperative high-concentration oxygen supplementation does not reduce SSI in clean contaminated types of wounds in urological surgeries.

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Introduction The efficacy of local anesthetics in spinal anesthesia can be enhanced by using adjuvants like opioids and α₂ -agonists. Aim The present study was designed to determine the analgesic efficacy and side effects of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for infraumbilical surgeries. Patients and methods In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each, after taking their informed consent. Spinal anesthesia was achieved with 12.5 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in group B (n = 50) and with 12.5 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 10 μg of dexmedetomidine in group D (n = 50). The two groups were compared with respect to hemodynamic parameters, onset of sensory block to T₁₀ and regression to S_1, time to achieve Bromage 3 and regression to Bromage 0, duration of analgesia, number of doses of rescue analgesia required, and complications occurring in 24 h. Results Significant difference was observed in relation to onset of sensory block [12.7 ± 1.015 min in group B and 6.84 ± 0.792 min in group D (P < 0.001)], total duration of sensory block [177.74 ± 28.573 min in group B and 353.36 ± 12.138 min in group D (P < 0.001)], total duration of motor block [146.94 ± 9.173 min in group B and 318.36 ± 9.374 min in group D (P < 0.001)], duration of analgesia [283.96 ± 11.165 min in group D and 126.34 ± 7.684 min in group B (P < 0.001)], and total number of doses of rescue analgesia required in 24 h [1.44 ± 0.501 in group D and 2.56 ± 0.675 in group B (P < 0.001)]. Conclusion Addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine leads to early onset of sensory and motor block with prolonged duration, and patients remained pain free for a longer period with decreased demand for rescue analgesia in the postoperative period as compared with plain bupivacaine.

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Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding dexmedetomidine compared with dexamethasone to bupivacaine to prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia and analgesia in lower abdominal operations. Patients and methods This randomized double-blind study included 60 ASA I or II patients, aged between 25 and 55 years old, scheduled for lower abdominal operations. They were administered 0.5% intrathecal bupivacaine injection and randomly divided into one of three groups: control group (GC), in which patients were administered additional 1 ml of saline; GDX group, in which patients were administered 4 mg dexamethasone; and GDM group, in which patients were administered 10 μg dexmedetomidine. The patients were monitored for heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, intraoperative and postoperative sedation and pain, and adverse events. Results Compared with GC, GDM had significantly faster onset of sensory block (P = 0.006), longer duration of sensory block (P < 0.001), longer duration of motor block (P = 0.013), longer duration of postoperative analgesia (P < 0.001), and significantly higher sedation score (P < 0.001). Compared with GDX, GDM had significantly longer duration of sensory block (P = 0.025) and longer duration of postoperative analgesia (P < 0.001). Compared with GC, GDX had significantly longer duration of sensory block (P < 0.001) and longer duration of postoperative analgesia (P < 0.001). The three groups were comparable in terms of the onset of motor block (P = 0.637) and frequency of adverse events. Conclusion Intrathecal dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone are safe and effective adjuncts to intrathecal bupivacaine anesthesia in lower abdominal surgery. Dexmedetomidine showed to provide more rapid onset and longer duration of sensory block, longer duration of motor block, and longer postoperative analgesia.

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Introduction Care of the critically ill patients is resource-intensive, and 15-20% of hospital budgets are spent in the ICUs. Objectives This study aimed to analyze the epidemiologic patterns of pediatric critically ill patients presenting to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and the etiologies of PICU admission of different age groups. Materials and methods This descriptive study of all children aged less than 14 years presenting with critical illnesses to the PICU was conducted in a tertiary medical Hospital, in Cairo, from 2011 to 2012. All patients transferred to the PICU were included without distinction. Demographic data of critically ill children admitted to the PICU were analyzed. Etiologies of the PICU admissions were analyzed by various age groups. Results There were 532 critically ill children admitted to the PICU. Respiratory system diseases, foreign body inhalation removal, and encephalopathy were the predominant etiologies of admission 49.6, 11.9, and 11.5%, respectively. Mortality rate was the highest in infants below 1 year of age (43.9%). Predominant length of ICU stay was around 7 days. Conclusion The present study shows the etiologies of pediatric patients admitted to ICUs. The epidemiologic analysis of patients admitted to PICU can serve as basis for developing dedicated protocols for critical care and redistributing the ICUs' resources.

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