Comparison of Clonidine versus Esmolol in Controlled Hypotension in Patients Undergoing FESS Surgery

Background: FESS has its share of complications which can be a challenge for both the surgeon as well the anesthetist and achieving a bloodless surgical field is essential So the principle of controlled hypotension can be used to combat this issue. Methods: A hospital-based randomized comparative interventional study was conducted on 60 patients to compare Clonidine (2mcg/kg in 10 ml of saline over 10 minutes before induction followed by an infusion of 1mcg/kg/hr during maintenance) and Esmolol (1mg/kg in 10 ml of saline over 10 minutes before induction followed by an infusion of 1mg/kg/hr during maintenance) to assess and compare the hypotensive properties of both the drugs. Results: After the induction of anesthesia, there was a significant difference in the mean heart rate, and mean arterial pressure between the two groups throughout the intraoperative period (p-value < 0.05). Both groups achieved a target mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65-70 mmHg and improved surgical field quality. Conclusion: This study concluded that clonidine and esmolol both provide hemodynamic stability and a better surgical field in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Clonidine also helps in achieving postoperative sedation and analgesia

Evaluating the efficacy of low-dose hyperbaric levobupivacaine (0.5%) versus hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%) along with fentanyl for subarachnoid block in patients undergoing medical termination of pregnancy and sterilization: A prospective, randomized study

Background: Spinal anesthesia using low doses of local anesthetics with opioids is emerging as a useful technique for day care surgeries. Levobupivacaine, a lesser toxic enantiomer of bupivacaine, has now been increasingly used in various gynecological surgeries. However, its use has not been demonstrated in medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) with sterilization (a kind of day care surgery). This study was performed to compare analgesic and anesthetic effectiveness of low-dose hyperbaric 0.5% levobupivacaine and hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine in combination with fentanyl in spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing MTP with sterilization. Methods: A comparative, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in 90 patients scheduled to undergo elective MTP with sterilization. Group levobupivacaine (L) (n = 45) received 7.5 mg (1.5 mL) of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine + 1 mL of 5% dextrose and fentanyl 25 mcg (0.5 mL), while group bupivacaine (B) (n = 45) received 7.5 mg (1.5 mL) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 1 mL of normal saline and fentanyl 25 mcg (0.5 mL). They were compared with respect to onset and duration of sensory and motor block, time to reach highest sensory level, time to two segments' regression, and total duration of analgesia. Results: Sensory and motor block onset and time to achieve highest level of sensory block were significantly delayed in group L (P < 0.05). Duration of sensory block and duration of analgesia was longer in group L than group B. Motor block duration was significantly shorter in L group (88.4 ± 12.4 min in group L and 133.9 ± 28.1 min in group B). Both groups were comparable in terms of hemodynamic parameters and adverse effects. Conclusion: This study suggests that 7.5 mg of 0.5% levobupivacaine usage in spinal anesthesia provides longer duration of analgesia and better sensory blockade with minimal motor block when compared with 0.5% bupivacaine along with fentanyl and may be a better alternative to bupivacaine in day care surgeries

Sonographic assessment of predictors of depth of the corner pocket for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Background and Aims: There is wide variation in depth of brachial plexus in patient population at supraclavicular region. We plan to find the depth of the corner pocket and correlate it with age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Material and Methods: After approval from Ethics Committee, right-sided supraclavicular region of volunteers was scanned. Once an optimal image, which included subclavian artery, pleura, first rib and nerve bundles, was obtained, the "corner pocket" was kept in the middle of the screen and the image was frozen. Depth of the corner pocket from the skin was measured. Thereafter longest distance (LD) approximating needle trajectory was calculated. The Pearson correlation was used to calculate the relation between these two distances and various predictors such as weight, height, and BMI. Results: Mean shortest distance that is, vertical distance from skin to corner pocket for all volunteers was found to be 1.7 ± 0.8 cm and the mean LD that is, distance traveled by needle entering 1 cm from the edge of foot process to the corner pocket in an in-plane approach was 3.7 ± 0.2 cm. We did not find any significant correlation between age, height versus measured distances. However, significant correlation (0.11) was found between weights, BMI versus two lengths. Conclusion: Prescanning of supraclavicular region for estimating depth of corner pocket should be done before choosing an appropriate size needle. Furthermore, the needle should not be advanced more than the predicted corner pocket depth

Sonographic assessment of predictors of depth of the corner pocket for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Background and Aims: There is wide variation in depth of brachial plexus in patient population at supraclavicular region. We plan to find the depth of the corner pocket and correlate it with age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Material and Methods: After approval from Ethics Committee, right-sided supraclavicular region of volunteers was scanned. Once an optimal image, which included subclavian artery, pleura, first rib and nerve bundles, was obtained, the "corner pocket" was kept in the middle of the screen and the image was frozen. Depth of the corner pocket from the skin was measured. Thereafter longest distance (LD) approximating needle trajectory was calculated. The Pearson correlation was used to calculate the relation between these two distances and various predictors such as weight, height, and BMI. Results: Mean shortest distance that is, vertical distance from skin to corner pocket for all volunteers was found to be 1.7 ± 0.8 cm and the mean LD that is, distance traveled by needle entering 1 cm from the edge of foot process to the corner pocket in an in-plane approach was 3.7 ± 0.2 cm. We did not find any significant correlation between age, height versus measured distances. However, significant correlation (0.11) was found between weights, BMI versus two lengths. Conclusion: Prescanning of supraclavicular region for estimating depth of corner pocket should be done before choosing an appropriate size needle. Furthermore, the needle should not be advanced more than the predicted corner pocket depth