Incarcerated Amyand’s hernia in a 6-week-old infant repaired under spinal anesthesia

Amyand’s hernia is characterized by the presence of the vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac. It occurs in less than 1% of all inguinal hernias in children’s age. As the usual pediatric inguinal hernia, it can present in multiple ways, from uncomplicated to incarcerated and/or strangulated hernia with normal, inflamed or even perforated vermiform appendix within the hernia sac. The repair of all the infant cases we came across in literature involved herniorrhaphy with or without appendectomy and general anesthesia. Herein, we present a case of Amyand’s hernia in an infant with concomitant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), patent foramen ovale (PFO) and interventricular septum hypertrophy that presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of ordinary right-sided incarcerated inguinoscrotal hernia. Due to the cardiac anomaly the infant underwent spinal anesthesia for the hernia repair, thus contributing to the rarity of the case. By thorough literature review, we could not find any similar case of Amyand’s hernia incarceration in an infant operated on under spinal anesthesia. Furthermore, we discuss the surgical and anesthetic aspects of this condition in children

Thromboembolic Disease in Patients With Cancer and COVID-19: Risk Factors, Prevention and Practical Thromboprophylaxis Recommendations–State-of-the-Art.

Cancer and COVID-19 are both well-established risk factors predisposing to thrombosis. Both disease entities are correlated with increased incidence of venous thrombotic events through multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms involving the interaction of cancer cells or SARS-CoV2 on the one hand and the coagulation system and endothelial cells on the other hand. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended for hospitalized patients with active cancer and high-risk outpatients with cancer receiving anticancer treatment. Universal thromboprophylaxis with a high prophylactic dose of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) or therapeutic dose in select patients, is currentlyindicated for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Also, prophylactic anticoagulation is recommended for outpatients with COVID-19 at high risk for thrombosis or disease worsening. However, whether there is an additive risk of thrombosis when a patient with cancer is infected with SARS-CoV2 remains unclear In the current review, we summarize and critically discuss the literature regarding the epidemiology of thrombotic events in patients with cancer and concomitant COVID-19, the thrombotic risk assessment, and the recommendations on thromboprophylaxis for this subgroup of patients. Current data do not support an additive thrombotic risk for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Of note, patients with cancer have less access to intensive care unit care, a setting associated with high thrombotic risk. Based on current evidence, patients with cancer and COVID-19 should be assessed with well-established risk assessment models for medically ill patients and receive thromboprophylaxis, preferentially with LMWH, according to existing recommendations. Prospective trials on well-characterized populations do not exist

METASTATIC CUTANEUS MELANOMA OF THE GALLBLADDER-CASE REPORT

Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor that originates from melanocytes and most commonly occurs on the skin. Dominantly metastasize to regional lymph nodes, in the brain and lungs and rarely in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The aim of this report is to present a rare case of metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma in the gallbladder, discovered 10 months after excision of the primary melanoma of the skin. A 45-year-old patient was hospitalized in our hospital due to abdominal pain in right upper quadrant and nausea lasting for 7 days. An intraluminal substrate was found in the gallbladder with computed tomography and later a CT guied biopsy was performed on it, thus proving a metastatic deposit of primary malignant melanoma.Metastatic deposits in the gallbladder are extremely rare finding, and 238 cases have been described in the literature

GENERAL ANESTHESIA: IS IT SAFE FOR NEWBORNS, INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN?

Abstract: The exposure of neonates, infants and small children to general anesthesia is becoming a common occurrence.Accumulating preclinical data indicate that exposure to commonly used general anesthetic agents during key periods of brain developmentin this population (between late gestation and 3 to 4 years of age), can lead to apoptotic neurodegeneration, synapse loss, and cognitive and neurobehavioral deficits that persist as the organism matures. New work suggests that infants and small children undergoing some types of surgery could have better recovery if they receive regional anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. In response to this concerns, the Food and drug administration (FDA) and the International Research Society in anesthesia (IARS) started an initiative called Smart Tots (Strategies for Mitigating Anesthesia-related neuro Toxicity in Tots)which examine the effects of anesthesia on brain development.Also another two major prospective studies are ongoing in children: PAN-DA (Pediatric Anesthesia Neurodevelopment assessment Study) project is a large, multi-center study based at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York at Columbia University, and another one is GAS study which is a multisite randomized controlled trial comparing neurodevelopment outcomes in infant receiving general anesthesia compared to spinal and other regional anesthetics to the stress response to surgery. The findings from these studies will help researches to design the safest anesthetic regimens and to develop the new and safer anesthetic drugs for use in pediatric medicine

GENERAL ANESTHESIA: IS IT SAFE FOR NEWBORNS, INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN ?

The exposure of neonates, infants and small children to general anesthesia is becoming a common occurrence. Accumulating preclinical data indicate that exposure to commonly used general anesthetic agents during key periods of brain development in this population(between late gestation and 3 to 4 years of age,) can lead to apoptotic neurodegeneration, synapse loss, and cognitive and neurobehavioral deficits that persist as the organism matures. New work suggests that infants and small children undergoing some types of surgery could have better recovery if they receive regional anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. In response to this concerns, the Food and drug administration (FDA) and the International Research Society in anesthesia (IARS) started an initiative called Smart Tots (Strategies for Mitigating Anesthesia- related neuro Toxicity in Tots) which examine the effects of anesthesia on brain development. Also another two major prospective studies are ongoing in children : PANDA (Pediatric Anesthesia Neurodevelopment assessment Study )project is a large, multi-center study based at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York at Columbia University, and another one is GAS study which is a multisite randomized controlled trial comparing neurodevelopment outcomes in infant receiving general anesthesia compared to spinal and other regional anesthetics to the stress response to surgery. The findings from these studies will help researches to design the safest anesthetic regimens and to develop the new and safer anesthetic drugs for use in pediatric medicine

THE EFFECT OF PLASMA PREPARATION RICH IN GROWTH FACTORS ON PATELLAR STABILITY AFTER MEDIAL PATELLOFEMORAL LIGAMENT REEFING

Introduction: Although more than 100 operative procedures have been described for the treatment of patellar instability, there is no single universally successful procedure. For the most patients with lateral patellar instability medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reefing is recommended. When we perform MPFL reefing we are not aware of the quality and strength of the MPFL tissue. In the presence of recurrent patellar instability,the quality and strength of MPFL tissue is often compromised and it disturbs patellar stability after MPFL reefing. Biomedicine development,recognizing the ligament healing process show us that autologous blood products, particularly PRP can enhance healing in soft tissue injuries. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the potential effect of Plasma preparation rich in growth factorson patellar stability after MPFL reefing. Material and methods: Plasma preparationrich in growth factors was produced from a unit of autologous whole blood using Arthrex ACP double syringe system.Platelet gel was prepared by adding bovine thrombin and 10% solution of calcium chloride.The platelet gel was applied locally into the place where suturing of the MPFL was performed. In this prospective, randomized and double blindstudy12 patients were included:6 patients in the PG group who received platelet gel and 6 patients in the control group who were not treated with platelet gel. Patellar stability was evaluated before surgery and 3 months after surgery with Axial stress radiographs. Results: The calculated 3 month improvement was 12.67 ± 2.51 in the control group and 17.33 ± 1.52 in the PG group, (p=0.064).Although there was greater improvement in patellar stability in PG group comparing to the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).The main reason for this was probably the small number of patients included in the study. Conclusion: Results showed that growth factors from the plasma preparation rich in growth factorshave positive effect on patellar stability after MPFL reefing.We believe that they stimulate and accelerate physiological healing and reparative tissue processes in ligament healing. More studies should be made, including more patients, if we want to get more relevant results

DOES THE ADDITION OF DEXAMETHASON TO LOCAL ANESTHETIC PROLONG THE ANALGESIA OF INTERSCALEN PLEXUS BRACHIALIS BLOCK IN PATIENTS WITH SHOULDER SURGERY?

Abstract: Introduction: Peripherial nerve blocks is a suitable alternative to general anesthesia especially for one-day case surgery. Interscalene approach of plexus brachialis block as much as supraclavicular and infraclavicular provide reliable, safe, effective, low cost and most complete anesthesia with satisfactory postoperative analgesia for upper limb surgery. Postoperative analgesia of plexus brachialis blocks can be prolonged by using different drugs as adjuvants with local anesthetics. Dexamethasone has been shown to prolong the duration of postoperative analgesia when given as an adjunct for peripheral nerve blocks. The investigation was randomized, prospective, double blinded and controlled study. Objective: The study was designed to compare the effects of dexamethasone administered as an adjunct to bupivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus block on the onset, duration and postoperative analgesia in patients under the shoulder surgery. Methods: A prospective, double-blind study was undertaken in patients scheduled for shoulder surgeries under the interscalene brachial plexus block. We enrolled 60 patients, ASA I-II both sexes, aged 19-65 years, weighing 54-89 kg, divided to two groups G1 and G2. The brachial plexus block was performed by interscalene approach and mixture of 2% lidocaine (12ml) and 0.5% bupivacaine (22 ml) either alone or combined with dexamethasone (4 mg). The block was performed by using double technique neurostimulator/ultrasound technique. Results: In our investigation we found a significant increase in onset and duration of motor and sensory block in Group G2 (with dexamethasone) as compared to Group G1 patients (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Addition of dexamethasone to local anesthetic drugs in interscalene plexus brachialis block, significantly prolongs the duration of analgesia and motor block in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. Moreover, it is a remarkably safe and costeffective method of providing postoperative analgesia. Key words: regional anesthesia, interscalene plexus block, adjuvants, dexamethasone

Position Paper on the Management of Pregnancy-Associated Superficial Venous Thrombosis. Balkan Working Group for Prevention and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a multifactorial disease that can possibly affect any part of venous circulation. The risk of VTE increases by about 2 fold in pregnant women and VTE is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. For decades superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) has been considered as benign, self-limiting condition, primarily local event consequently being out of scope of well conducted epidemiological and clinical studies. Recently, the approach on SVT has significantly changed considering that prevalence of lower limb SVT is twice higher than both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The clinical severity of SVT largely depends on the localization of thrombosis, when it concerns the major superficial vein vessels of the lower limb and particularly the great saphenous vein. If untreated or inadequately treated, SVT can potentially cause DVT or PE. The purpose of this review is to discuss the complex interconnection between SVT and risk factors in pregnancy and to provide evidence-based considerations, suggestions, and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of this precarious and delicate clinical entity

Thromboembolic Disease in Patients With Cancer and COVID-19:Risk Factors, Prevention and Practical Thromboprophylaxis Recommendations–State-of-the-Art

Cancer and COVID-19 are both well-established risk factors predisposing to thrombosis. Both disease entities are correlated with increased incidence of venous thrombotic events through multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms involving the interaction of cancer cells or SARS-CoV2 on the one hand and the coagulation system and endothelial cells on the other hand. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended for hospitalized patients with active cancer and high-risk outpatients with cancer receiving anticancer treatment. Universal thromboprophylaxis with a high prophylactic dose of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) or therapeutic dose in select patients, is currently indicated for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Also, prophylactic anticoagulation is recommended for outpatients with COVID-19 at high risk for thrombosis or disease worsening. However, whether there is an additive risk of thrombosis when a patient with cancer is infected with SARSCoV2 remains unclear. In the current review, we summarize and critically discuss the literature regarding the epidemiology of thrombotic events in patients with cancer and concomitant COVID-19, the thrombotic risk assessment, and the recommendations on thromboprophylaxis for this subgroup of patients. Current data do not support an additive thrombotic risk for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Of note, patients with cancer have less access to intensive care unit care, a setting associated with high thrombotic risk. Based on current evidence, patients with cancer and COVID-19 should be assessed with well-established risk assessment models for medically ill patients and receive thromboprophylaxis, preferentially with LMWH, according to existing recommendations. Prospective trials on well-characterized populations do not exist