Reliability of Visually Estimated Blood Loss with Hemoglobin Measurement: 200 Cases of Craniosynostosis Surgery

Background Bleeding is one of the most common complications of craniosynostosis surgery, which its appropriate management is associated with better post-operative outcomes. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the visual estimated blood loss in intraoperative management of infants with craniosynostosis surgery. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was performed on 200 patients who underwent craniocinostosis surgery and hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) at Mofid Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from July 2015 to June 2017. Data collecting was done using a self-made checklist and from patients' medical record. Required data include age, gender, method of anesthesia, and arterial blood gas (ABG), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (Plt) changes during surgery, volume of administered blood and fluid were recorded and evaluated. Data analysis using SPSS software (version 22.0). Results Among the patients, 59% (n=118) were boys, the mean age of patients was 13.3 ± 13.52 months. Anesthesia technics were total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) (15.5%, n= 31), and inhalation or mixed (84.5%, n=169). Patients received 992.02 ± 468 ml fluid and 205.86± 100 ml blood, before surgery.There was no significant difference between preoperative Hb and first Hb in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) (p=0.12). However, preoperative and first Plt in PICU were different (p=0.000). Also, last Hb in ABG (10.5±1.90), and the first Hb in PICU showed no significant difference (r=0.088, p=0.219). Conclusion According the results, visual assessment and correction of blood loss with hemoglobin measurement and by experienced anesthesiologist was a reliable and safe method in patients with craniosynostosis surgery and feasible in every operating room

The Effect of Inhalation Anesthesia with Hyperventilation and Total Intravenous Anesthesia on Intracranial Pressure Control in Pediatrics with Craniosynostosis Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Intracranial pressure (ICP) control is one of the anesthesiologist challenges in craniosynostosis repair surgery, especially in multiple sutures involvement. The aim of this study was comparing the effect of two anesthesia methods including inhalation with hyperventilation and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on ICP control and surgeon satisfaction in pediatrics with craniosynostosis surgery. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 40 pediatric patients with American society of anesthesiologists (ASA) І-ІІ, 6 months to 2 years old were included. All of the patients were scheduled for craniosynostosis repair at Mofid Children Hospital, Tehran, Iran, in May 2016 to January 2017. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In hyperventilation group, patients received isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia and hyperventilation (Paco2=25-30 mmHg) established during surgery. The total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) group received propofol infusion for anesthesia maintenance and Paco2 was maintained 35 mmHg. Intra cranial pressure (ICP) was assessed by surgeon using a 4-point scale. Hemodynamic (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) changes and blood loss were compared between hyperventilation and TIVA groups. Results: The mean age of patients in hyperventilation group was 10.9±3.25 months and in TIVA group was 8.7 ± 2063 months (p=0.11). Fourteen (70%) patients in hyperventilation group and 6 (30%) patients in TIVA group were male (p=0.74). A significant difference was seen in ICP control and surgical condition between hyperventilation and TIVA groups (p=0.032). ICP was controlled better in hyperventilation group. There was no difference in hemodynamic parameters and blood loss between hyperventilation and TIVA groups (p>0.05).   Conclusion: This study showed inhalation anesthesia with hyperventilation was more effective than TIVA on ICP control in craniosynostosis surgery

Comparing the analgesic effect of intranasal with intravenous ketamine in isolated orthopedic trauma: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives: Ketamine is commonly used in anesthetic and sedation before surgical procedures and acts as an analgesic in smaller doses. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intranasal (IN) ketamine in patients with moderate to severe limb trauma (visual analog scale (VAS) > 60 mm). Methods: In a triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial; 154 patients with isolated orthopedic trauma and visual analog scale (VAS) ≥60 mm were included on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups of ketamine-IN (0.4 mg/kg IN ketamine and an equal volume of placebo saline intravenously (IV)) and ketamine-IV (0.2 mg/kg ketamine IV with 0.5 ml saline IN) on the basis of balanced block randomization method. At 5, 10, 20, and 30 min, patients were assessed for VAS measurement and adverse events. Repeated measure ANOVA, independent t-test and chi square test were employed. The level of statistical significance was considered to be less than 0.05. Results: Mean VAS in IN ketamine and IV group at minute 30 was 31.50 ± 13.40 and 29.35 ± 11.73, respectively. At minute 30, 31 patients (20.39%) required a low-dose of morphine as rescue analgesia (P = 0.427). The results showed that mean change score of VAS (difference of time 0 and time 30) in IN ketamine and IV ketamine VAS were 43.8 (95% confidence interval: 41.1–46.5) and 46.4 (95% confidence interval: 42.8–50.1) and there is no difference between two groups in case of score change of VAS (P = 0.245). Adverse events in nasal and intravenous ketamine in both groups were mild and transient. Conclusion: IN ketamine is associated with few side effects and appropriate analgesic effects in isolated orthopedic trauma patients, and it may be used in cases where there is no need for venipuncture of peripheral vessels, especially in crowded EDs. Keywords: Ketamine, Intranasal, Pain, Emergenc