Comparison of equipotent doses of ropivacaine-fentanyl and bupivacaine-fentanyl in spinal anaesthesia for lower abdominal surgery

The aim of this randomised, double-blind study was to compare equipotent doses of plain ropivacaine and bupivacaine (19.5 mg and 73 mg respectively), both with fentanyl 20 mu g, for spinal anaesthesia in lower abdominal surger

Comparison of efficacy of intraarticular application of tenoxicam, bupivacaine and tenoxicam: bupivacaine combination in arthroscopic knee surgery

Arthroscopic knee surgery is one of the most common surgeries done in outpatient settings; however, postoperative pain is believed to be the major barrier for discharge and early rehabilitation. In this study we evaluated and compared the efficacy of intraarticular application of long-lasting non-steroidal. analgesic drug tenoxicam, a long-lasting local anaesthetic bupivacaine and combination of the two on postoperative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery. With the approval of the local ethics committee and signed informed consent of the patients, 75 American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients aged between 18 and 65 years going under elective arthroscopic meniscectomy were included in this randomized, blind, prospective study. The patients were divided into three groups: group-T (GT) patients (n=25) had intraarticular 20 mg of tenoxicam in 20 ml normal saline; group-B (GB) patients (n=25) had 50 mg bupivacaine in 20 ml normal saline (0.25%); group-BT (GBT) patients (n=25) had intraarticular 20 mg of tenoxicam and 50 mg bupivacaine (0.25%) in 20 ml normal saline after completion of the surgery and before deflation of the tourniquet. Postoperative analgesia was maintained by intravenous tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg/s at the first 4 h and paracetamol 500 mg and codeine 7.5 mg preparation (Pacofen) as needed (maximum six per day) during the study period. The numeric rating scale (NRS) values were at rest and at active-passive motion at 4, 12, 24 and 48 h, total analgesic consumption, at 4 It for tramadol and at the end of 48 It for oral medication; and patient satisfaction at the end of 48 It was evaluated and recorded. The demographic features of the patients, and tourniquet times, were found to be similar between the groups. Group BT had significantly lower NRS values than GB at 12 It at rest. Group BT was found to have significantly lower NRS values at 4 It compared with GT, and significantly lower NRS values at 12 It compared with GB. Group BT was found to have significantly lower NRS values at 48 h compared with GB. Group T had significantly higher NRS values at 4 It compared with GB. Group B had significantly higher values at 12 h compared with GT and GBT. Group B used significantly more analgesics than GBT and GT throughout the study period. Group BT patients had significantly more satisfaction at the end of the study period when compared with GT and GB. Application of intraarticular tenoxicam-bupivacaine solution is a simple, safe and effective method of analgesia after arthroscopic meniscectomy with high patient satisfaction

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in patients with mild-to-moderate left ventricular dysfunction: Hemodynamics and recovery profile with two different anesthetics used during deep sedation

Objective: To compare the effects of thiopental and propofol during defibrillation threshold testing (DFT) on hemodynamics and recovery profile in patients requiring automatic internal cardioverter-defibrilator placement

Risk factors for early-onset, ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care patients: selected multiresistant versus nonresistant bacteria.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the leading nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. The frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has increased in recent years, and these pathogens cause most of the deaths attributable to pneumonia The authors, therefore, evaluated factors associated with selected multidrug-resistant ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care patients