Evaluation of attitudes and knowledge of anesthesiologists about regional anesthesia methods in ophthalmic surgery: A national survey study

Aim: The use of regional techniques in ophthalmic surgery is becoming increasingly important. Worldwide, these techniques are usually performed by ophthalmologists, while the perioperative care of patients is provided by anesthesiologists. Therefore, good communication between the surgeon and the anesthesiologist is necessary for the careful management of all techniques used in ophthalmic surgery. In this study, the willingness of anesthesiologists to assume responsibility in the use of regional techniques and their knowledge of ophthalmic nerve blocks were assessed in a national survey.Material and Methods: A total of 23 questions were asked to assess attitudes and knowledge about regional anesthesia procedures in ophthalmic surgery, and participants had three weeks to complete the Web-based questionnaire. Complete responses from 126 physicians were analyzed.Results: 60% of participants work in university hospitals as faculty members. Although 54.8% of participants had worked in ophthalmic surgery for 3 months or more, and 76% reported that they had not attended any lectures or seminars on regional block use in ophthalmic surgery. When asked who applied blocks in ophthalmic surgery, 95% of the participants answered the surgical team.Discussion: The lack of theoretical and practical knowledge about ophthalmic nerve blocks is striking even among the group of physicians who practice regional anesthesia. Even if regional techniques are performed by the surgeon himself, the anesthesiologist's responsibility in perioperative patient care cannot be ignored. For this reason, the level of knowledge of anesthesiologists on this topic should be increased through various continuing education courses

Yüksek riskli hastada karotis endarterektomi cerrahisi için ultrason eşliğinde karotis kılıf bloğu ve literatür taraması

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery is generally performed for patients who under the risk of ischemic cerebral stroke due to the critical obstruction of the carotid artery. Ischemic complications may occur during the surgery. So, the awakeness of the patient is very important during the surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques may be performed instead of general anesthesia for shunt placement during CEA surgery. Herein, we aimed to share our successful US-guided carotid sheath block experience for anesthesia management during CEA surgery.Karotid endarterektomi cerrahisi genellikle karotis arterin tıkanıklığından dolayı iskemik serebro-vaskuler olay riski altındaki hastalara uygulanır. Cerrahi sırasında iskemik komplikasyonlar gelişebilir. Bu nedenle cerrahi sırasında hastanın uyanıklığı çok önemlidir. Cerrahi sırasında şant yerleşimi için genel anestezi yerine rejyonal anestezi teknikleri tercih edilebilir. Bu makalemizde karotid endarterektomi cerrahisi sırasında anestezi yönetimi için ultrason eşliğinde uyguladığımız başarılı karotis kılıf bloğu deneyimimizi paylaşmayı amaçladık

Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block for breast surgery: A report of three cases, novel block and new indication

Breast surgery is a common surgical procedure in the world. Since it affects the postoperative recovery and mobilization, pain after breast surgery is an important issue.1 Several regional techniques such as interpectoral/ pectoserratus blocks (PECS I/II), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), and rhomboid intercostal plane block (RIB) are used for pain relief after breast surgery. PECS I-II blocks most commonly used techniques for breast analgesia.2 However, they are closed to the surgical area, and the local anesthetic distribution may be affected by the surgical incision of the pectoral muscles. ESPB may be performed from the cervical to the sacral vertebrae. The clinical, cadaveric, and radiological results of ESPB are inconsistent.3 RIB provides focused hemithoracic analgesia; however, RIB fails to cover the cranial aspect of the T2 dermatome.

Türk hekimlerinin fibromiyalji tedavisindeki tutumları; pregabalinofobi ağrı tedavisinin yeni gerçeği mi?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the treatment preferences of physicians interested in fibromyalgia treatment and to investigate their hesitations about prescribing pregabalin. METHODS: Our survey study was conducted between February 5 and 20, 2021. The survey forms were sent to the known email addresses and phone numbers of 1569 physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), algology, and rheumatology physicians. The replies to the surveys were checked for possible resubmissions. The pooled data were evaluated with the SPSS 22.0 statistical package program. Frequency distributions were calculated and presented as n, %. RESULTS: Four hundred and six PMR, rheumatology, and algology specialists fulfilled the study forms. About 59.0% of physicians stated that they prefer duloxetine as the first-line agent of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) treatment. Pregabalin was only 6.0% of the physicians' first choice for FMS. About 35.0% of the participating physicians stated that the PMR department should follow up FMS patients. About 44.3% of the participants noted that they refer FMS patients to other departments which interested in FMS treatment and do not want to follow-up FMS patients. About 81% agreed that pregabalin causes addiction. About 36.7% stated that at least 20% of the patients could abuse pregabalin and 97.8% of physicians stated that they were prejudiced about prescribing pregabalin to prisoners. Approximately two of the three physicians experienced an act of violence in their hospital regarding pregabalin prescribing. CONCLUSION: These data showed that the 'Pregabalinophobia' should be accepted. This condition is associated with life safety concerns of the physician not only from unreliability of the drug. It seems that the doctors have valid reasons to develop this prejudice.Amaç: Bu çalışma, fibromiyalji tedavisi ile ilgilenen hekimlerin tedavi tercihlerini belirlemek ve pregabalin reçetelemek konusundaki tereddütlerini araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Anket çalışmamız 5 Şubat 2021–20 Şubat 2021 tarihleri arasında gerçekleştirildi. Fiziksel tıp ve rehabilitasyon, algoloji ve romatoloji hekimlerinden oluşan 1569 kişinin bilinen e-posta adreslerine ve telefon numaralarına anket formları gönderildi. Anketlere verilen yanıtlar olası yeniden gönderimler açısından kontrol edildi. Veri havuzu SPSS 22.0 istatistik paket programı ile değerlendirildi. Frekans dağılımları hesaplandı ve n, % olarak sunuldu. Bulgular: Dört yüz altı fiziksel tıp ve rehabilitasyon, romatoloji ve algoloji uzmanı çalışma formlarını tamamladı. Hekimlerin %59’u fibromiyalji tedavisinde birinci basamak ajan olarak duloksetin tercih ettiklerini belirtti. Pregabalin, hekimlerin fibromi-yalji için ilk tercihinin sadece %6'sıydı. Çalışmaya katılan hekimlerin %35'i fibromiyalji hastalarının fiziksel tıp ve rehabilitasyon bölümlerinde takip edilmesi gerektiğini belirtti. Katılımcıların %44,3’ü fibromiyalji hastalarını, fibromiyalji tedavisi ile ilgilenen ve fibromiyalji hastalarını takip etmek isteyen diğer bölümlere sevk ettiklerini belirtti. Katılımcıların %81'i pregabalinin bağımlılığa neden olduğunu kabul etti. Katılımcıların %36,7'si fibromiyalji hastalarının en az %20'sinin pregabalini kötüye kullanabileceğini belirtti. Hekimlerin %97,8'i mahkumlara pregabalin reçete edilmesi konusunda ön yargılı olduğunu belirtti. Üç hekimden yaklaşık ikisi hastanelerinde pregabalin reçete edilmesi ile ilgili bir şiddet olayına maruz kaldığını belirtti. Sonuç: Bu veriler “pregabalinofobi”nin kabul edilmesi gerektiğini göstermektedir. Bu durum, yalnızca ilacın güvenilmezliğinden değil, hekimin can güvenliği endişeleriyle de ilişkilidir. Görünüşe göre doktorlarda bu ön yargının oluşmasında geçerli nedenler vardır

Cadaveric investigation of the spread of the thoracoabdominal nerve block using the perichondral and modified perichondral approaches

Interfascial plane blocks and associated nomenclature are currently popular topics in the field of anesthesia. While several novel plane blocks have been described, cadaveric studies on the spread of novel blocks are important for determining appropriate applications [1]. Recently, Tulgar et al. [2] defined the thoracoabdominal nerve block using a perichondral approach (TAPA). They reported that local anesthetic (LA) administered on the upper and lower aspect of the 9th through the 10th costal cartilages would block both the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches, thus providing abdominal analgesia. After describing the TAPA, the authors also redefined the approach, naming it the modified TAPA (M-TAPA). They reported that administering LA only to the lower surface of the costal cartilage would provide successful analgesia similar to that provided by the TAPA [3]. In the literature, there are some case reports and observational studies on the TAPA and M-TAPA [2,3]; however, to the best of our knowledge, no reliable cadaveric investigation has demonstrated the spread of these blocks. Therefore, in this cadaveric investigation, we aimed to evaluate the areas of spread associated with the TAPA and M-TAPA. This study was approved by the Istanbul Medipol University Ethics and Research Committee (Decision No. 36, 06.01.2022)

Anesthesia management for ALS and WPW

WOS: 000435650500021Epidural anesthesia can provide anesthesia and analgesia for unilateral or bilateral lower extremity surgery and is associated with a low complication rate. We present our epidural anaesthetic management of a patient with both Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome after intertrochanteric femur fracture surgery. It should be kept in mind that the choice of correct anaesthetic method in such patients with complicated neurological, pulmonary, and cardiac symptoms will significantly reduce postoperative mortality and morbidity

Pain management and functional recovery after pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for total hip arthroplasty: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial

Background: The immediate postoperative period after total hip arthroplasty can be associated with significant pain. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of pericapsular nerve block on pain management and functional recovery after total hip arthroplasty. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 489 adult patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty, ASA 1-2, operated under spinal analgesia. Participants were assigned to receive either a pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or a sham block. Results: The primary outcome measure was the postoperative NRS score in motion. The secondary outcomes were cumulative opioid consumption, the time to the first opioid, and functional recovery. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Intraoperative pain scores were significantly lower in patients who received the PENG block than in the control group (p < 0.0001). Also, the time to the first opioid was considerably longer in the PENG group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, 24% of PENG patients did not require opioids (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The pericapsular nerve group showed significantly decreased opioid consumption and improved functional recovery. Pericapsular nerve group block improved pain management and postoperative functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty

Erector spinae plane block vs interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia management in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy

Background Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is the gold standard method used for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ESPB and ISB after shoulder arthroscopy. The primary outcome is the comparison of the perioperative and postoperative opioid consumptions. Methods Sixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. ESPB was planned in Group ESPB (n = 30), and ISB was planned in Group ISB (n = 30). Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia was administered to both groups in the postoperative period. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid and analgesic consumption of both groups, side effects and complications related to opioid use, postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic use were recorded in the first 48 h postoperatively. Results Pain scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group in the first 4 h postoperatively than in the ISB group (p < 0.05). The total fentanyl consumption and number of patients using rescue analgesics in the postoperative period were significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea in the postoperative period was significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). Conclusions In our study, it was seen that ISB provided more effective analgesia management compared to ESPB in patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy surgery

The efficacy of ultrasound-guided anterior quadratus lumborum block for pain management following lumbar spinal surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block. There is no randomized study on the efficacy of QLB for lumbar surgery. We evaluated the efficacy of QLB for postoperative pain management and patient satisfaction after lumbar disc herniation surgery (LDHS). Methods: Sixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for LDHS under general anesthesia were included. We allocated the patients into two groups: the QLB group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). QLB was performed with 30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine in the QLB group. Paracetamol 1 g IV 3 × 1 was ordered to the patients at the postoperative period. If the NRS score was ≥ 4, 1 mg/ kg tramadol IV was administered as rescue analgesia. Results: There was a reduction in the median static NRS at 0 h and 2 h with QLB compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the resting NRS at any other time point up to 24 h. The median dynamic NRS was significantly lower at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h in the QLB group (p < 0.05). The need for rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the QLB group. The incidence of nausea was significantly higher in the control group. The postoperative patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the QLB group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We found that the QLB is effective for pain control following LDHS

A comparison of adductor canal block before and after thigh tourniquet during knee arthroscopy: A randomized, blinded study

Background: Adductor canal block (ACB) provides effective analgesia management after arthroscopic knee surgery. However, there is insufficient data about performing ACB before or after inflation of a thigh tourniquet. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of ACB when it is performed before and after thigh tourniquet and evaluate motor weakness. Methods: ACB was performed before the tourniquet inflation in the PreT group, it was performed after the inflation of the tourniquet in the PostT group. In the PO group, ACB was performed at the end of surgery after disinflation of the tourniquet. Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of demographic data. Opioid consumption showed no statistically significant differences (for total consumption; p = 0.5). The amount of rescue analgesia administered and patient satisfaction were also not significantly different between groups. There was no significant difference in terms of static and dynamic VAS scores between groups (for 24 hours; p = 0.3, p = 0.2 respectively). The incidence of motor block was higher in the PreT group (eight patients) than in the PostT group (no patients) and in the PO group (only one patient) (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Using a tourniquet before or after ACB may not result in any differences in terms of analgesia; however, applying a tourniquet immediately after ACB may lead to muscle weakness