Comparison of Sprotte and Quincke Spinal Needles on the Frequency of Spinal Anesthesia Failure in Patients undergoing Cesarean Delivery

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare Sprotte and Quincke spinal needles on the frequency of spinal anesthesia failure in patients undergoing cesarean delivery.Materials and Methods: In this randomized and double-blind clinical trial, 100 pregnant women in ASA class I or II, term and single pregnancies who were candidates for elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were studied. In patients of the study group (n=50), spinal anesthesia was performed using Sprotte spinal needle 25G and in patients of the control group (n=50) with Quincke's spinal needle 25G. The frequency of spinal anesthesia failure was recorded as complete and partial failure.Results: In the study group, one patient of incomplete failure two patients with complete failure; and in the control group, 2 patients of incomplete failure and 3 patients of complete failure were observed, which was not a statistically significant difference between the two study groups (p=0.749). Only 3 patients of the control group require repeat spinal block. The frequency of sensory (p=0.002) and motor (p=0.001) block for surgery was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The Post-Dural puncture headache (PDPH) was significantly higher in the control group (14% vs. 0%; p=0.006).Conclusion: The frequency of spinal anesthesia failure and post-Dural puncture headache (PDPH) using Sprotte spinal needle was lower than in Quincke needle in patients with spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery

Evaluation of Ultrasonography Results in Terms of Involvement of Lymph Nodes before Thyroidectomy and Its Comparison with Pathologic Results after Thyroidectomy in Non-Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients

Background & objectives: 10 year survival rates for thyroid cancer is about 90%, but papillary thyroid cancer often spread to regional lymph nodes resulting in survival rate falls below 90%. In patients with thyroid cancer, cervical lymph node metastasis risk is about 20 to 50 percent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ultrasound results and the involvement of lymph nodes before thyroidectomy and compare it with the pathologic response after thyroidectomy in patients with non-medullary thyroid cancer. Methods: 60 patients with thyroid cancer were randomly selected and entered into the study. Ultrasonographic examination of cervical lymph nodes was performed by two radiologists using an ultrasound machine in all patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Patients underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph node dissection by surgeon. Results: In papillary thyroid cancer, there was a significant relationship between ultrasonographic results and pathologic outcomes in determining the presence of cervical lymph node metastasis before thyroidectomy. And also, there was a significant relationship between the results of ultrasonography and pathologic findings in determining the location of affected lymph nodes. Conclusion: Compared to histological examination, ultrasonography can be a useful tool in determining the location of affected cervical lymph node in thyroid cancers before surgery

The association of serum dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix gamma carboxyglutamate protein (dp-ucMGP) as a marker of vascular vitamin K status with allograft function in kidney transplant recipients

Introduction: Kidney transplantation has considerably increased the survival and life quality of patients with end-stage renal disease. Objectives: The current study was designed to investigate the circulating level of dephosphorylateduncarboxylated matrix gamma carboxyglutamate protein (dp-ucMGP) as a marker of vitamin K status and vascular calcification in kidney transplant recipients as well as its association with the allograft function. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 90 eligible kidney transplant recipients were evaluated in the post-transplant phase (about 6-12 months after kidney transplantation). The serum levels of dp-ucMGP, urea, creatinine and other biochemical indices were determined. Results: The mean serum level of dp-ucMGP was 3.78±3.79 µg/L. Most of the participants (80%) had a normal range of serum dp-ucMGP (12 µg/L). Serum dp-ucMGP did not have any statistical significant association with serum urea, creatinine and kidney function (P>0.05). Conclusion: Further epidemiologic studies are needed to assess the time trends of dp-ucMGP after renal transplant and its relation to kidney function, since high serum level of dp-ucMGP may make kidney transplant recipients prone to various cardiovascular disease (CVD) and transplant rejection

Case Report: Scleral Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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