EFFECT OF SUGAMMADEX AND NEOSTIGMINE ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL:A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objectives: Sugammadex is offered as a recent alternative to cholinesterase inhibitors in reversing neuromuscular block. Sugammadex is a cyclodextrin molecule that is consisted of bounded sugar molecules. Given its chemical structure, sugammadex may increase blood glucose levels. We aimed to investigate the effect of sugammadex on blood glucose and compare sugammadex to the conventional reverse agent Neostigmine. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing medium-term abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group N (n = 30) and Group S (n = 30). The dose of 50 μg/kg Neostigmine and 20 μg/kg atropine was administered for the patients in Group N and 2 mg/kg sugammadex was administered for the patients in Group S. Blood glucose levels were measured at 15 minutes before (T1) and at 30th minute of surgery (T2). Blood glucose levels were recorded 30 minutes (T3), 2 hours (T4) and 4 hours (T5) after administration of the reversing agent. Results: Blood glucose levels that were measured at T3, T4 and T5 were significantly higher in Group S compared to Group N (p<0.05). We consider that sugammadex contains glucose molecules and does not bind to plasma proteins, may cause an increase in blood glucose level and this increase may be associated with chemical structure of sugammadex rather than surgical stress of patients

Evaluation of oxidative stress in degenerative rotator cuff tears

Background: Oxidative stress occurs as a result of the disruption of the balance between the formations of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense mechanisms during the conversion of nutrients into energy. Increased body oxidative stress has been reported to be involved in the etiology of several degenerative and chronic diseases. We hypothesized that the body oxidative stress level is higher in patients with atraumatic degenerative rotator cuff tear than that in healthy individuals. Methods: The patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for atraumatic, degenerative rotator cuff tear were prospectively evaluated. A total of 30 patients (group 1, 19 females and 11 males; mean age: 57.33 ± 6.96 years; range: 50-77 years) and 30 healthy individuals (group 2, 18 females and 12 males; mean age: 56.77 ± 6 years; range: 51-72 years) were included in the study. The Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring systems were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Serum oxidative stress parameters of the patients and the control group were biochemically evaluated. Accordingly, thiol/disulfide (DS) balance (DS/native thiol [NT], DS/total thiol [TT]), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), oxidative stress index, and nuclear factor erythroid-2–associated factor-2 values were used as the biochemical parameters indicating an increase in the serum oxidative stress level. Total antioxidant status and NT/TT values served as the biochemical parameters indicating a decrease in the serum oxidative stress level. Results: The study follow-up duration was 12 months. A statistically significant increase was observed in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores of patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair relative to that during the preoperative period (P = .01). The values of biochemical parameters (DS/NT, DS/TT, TOS, oxidative stress index, and nuclear factor erythroid-2–associated factor-2), which indicated an increase in the serum oxidative stress, were significantly higher in preoperative patients than those in postoperative patients, albeit the control group values were significantly lower than those of the postoperative patients. The biochemical parameters (NT/TT and total antioxidant status) indicating a decrease in the serum oxidative stress levels were significantly higher in the postoperative patients than those in the preoperative patients and significantly lower than those in the control group. Conclusion: High levels of markers indicating an increase in the serum oxidative stress in patients with degenerative rotator cuff rupture suggested that TOS may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of rotator cuff degeneration. Although the oxidative load decreases during the postoperative period, the fact that it is still higher than that in healthy individuals supports this claim. © 2022 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustee

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report

SUMMARY Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an infection rarely seen in intensive care units (ICU). We aimed to discuss the case of IPA found in a patient followed up in our ICU due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A 58-year old patient diagnosed with COPD has been admitted to our ICU due to respiratory failure. There were not any other diseases except from COPD. In his radiological imaging there were diffuse bilateral infiltrates in the chest X-ray and diffuse infiltration in the thorax tomography. Aspergillus spp was isolated in the bronchoalveolar lavage sample from patient and caspofungin was added to the treatment. On the 12th day of the treatment, it was observed that the results of the control radiological imaging became normal and there was no isolation in the control cultures. In recent years, fungal infections have been determined at an increasing rate in the patients who are not immunosuppressed and hospitalized in ICU. In the IPA cases, it has been shown that such underlying causes as diabetes, malnutrition, use of steroid, uremia, cirrhosis and COPD may create risk. Our patient did not have other disease except from COPD and there was a story of prolonged using of steroid. Steroids are quite frequently used in the ICUs. In the patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, even if it is low dose and short-term, the treatment of steroid is accepted as a risk factor in terms of IPA. Since signs and symptoms are atypical in this group of patients, it is rather difficult to diagnose IPA in the short term. The isolation of aspergillus in our patient’s tracheal aspirate taken earlier enabled us to start the treatment early. Although there are not comprehensive studies, it should be kept in mind that İPA may develop in the patients who is using long-term steroid, is admitted to the ICUs due to COPD exacerbations without any other disease

Does chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation provide sufficient cerebral oxygenation?

Background/aim: Some of the patients suffering from cardiac arrest (CA) remain in a chronic unconscious state in intensive care units (ICUs). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chest compression (CC) on cerebral oxygenation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As a secondary goal, we attempted to determine the effects of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) values on consciousness and the survival rate using the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) scoring method

Communication difficulties in perioperative anesthesia management for immigrant and refugee patients

Healthcare providers who encounter different ethnic groups have been faced with serious communication problems with immigrant and refugee (I/R) patients. The perioperative period is very important for both anesthesiologists and patients. In this study, it was aimed to reveal anesthesiologists problems related to I/R patients and to propose solutions for determined problems. An online survey questionnaire about the quantity and quality of communication problems that anesthesiologists come across in the perioperative period was developed. 120 of the anesthesiologists (49.0%) were trying to communicate by using body language or dictionary. 65 (26.5%) of the anesthesiologists could not communicate with these patients at all. During the process of taking Informed Consent Form before the anesthesia practice, 125 of the anesthesiologists (51.2%) stated that used a form written in physicians own language which was not understood by I/R patients. 76 anesthesiologists (31%) stated that they preferred general anesthesia instead of regional anesthesia because of language barriers. As a conclusion, the present study reveals that there are serious problems in the providing health care services regarding anesthesia to I/R patients especially due to the language barriers. [Med-Science 2019; 8(2.000): 375-80

Comparison of effectiveness of intubation by way of “Gum Elastic Bougie” and “Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway” in endotracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical trauma

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of intubations by way of “Gum Elastic Bougie” and “Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway” in endotracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical trauma. Method: 134 patients were included in the study. All patients were placed cervical collar for a simulated cervical trauma. Patients were allocated randomly into three groups: Group NI (n = 45) intubation with Macintosh laryngoscopy, Group GEB (n = 45) intubation with Gum Elastic Bougie, and Group ILMA (n = 44) intubation with Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway. The number of intubation attempts, success of intubation, duration of complete visualization of the larynx, duration of intubation, user's performance score, hemodynamic changes and the observed complications were recorded. Results: Success of intubation in the first attempt was highest in Group GEB while it was lowest in Group ILMA. Regarding the intubation success, rates of successful intubation were 95.6%, 84.4% and 65.9% in Groups GEB, NI, and ILMA, respectively. Durations of visualization of larynx and intubation were shorter in Groups NI and GEB than in Group ILMA. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) while there was no significant difference between Groups NI and GEB. The number of patients with “good” intubation performance was significantly higher in Group GEB while the number of patients with “poor” intubation performance was significantly higher in Group ILMA (p < 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that GEB, which is cheap and easily accessible, should be an advantageous choice in cervical trauma patients for both the easeness of intubation and patient morbidity and mortality. Resumo: Objetivo: Neste estudo avaliamos a eficácia de intubações por meio de guia introdutor Bougie e máscara laríngea em intubação endotraqueal de pacientes com trauma cervical simulado. Método: Foram incluídos no estudo 134 pacientes. Colar cervical foi colocado em todos os pacientes para um trauma cervical simulado. Os pacientes foram alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos: Grupo NI (n = 45) foi submetido à intubação com laringoscópio Macintosh; Grupo ITE (n = 45) foi submetido à intubação com guia introdutor de tubo endotraqueal e Grupo ML (n = 44) foi submetido à intubação com máscara laríngea. Número de tentativas de intubação, sucesso de intubação, tempo de visualização completa da laringe, tempo de intubação, escore de desempenho do usuário, alterações hemodinâmicas e complicações observadas foram registrados. Resultados: O sucesso da intubação na primeira tentativa foi maior no Grupo ITE e menor no grupo ML. Ainda em relação ao sucesso da intubação, as taxas de sucesso foram 95,6%, 84,4% e 65,9% nos grupos ITE, NI e ML, respectivamente. Os tempos de visualização da laringe e de intubação foram menores nos grupos NI e ITE que no Grupo ML. Essa diferença foi estatisticamente significativa, p < 0,05), enquanto não houve diferença significativa entre os Grupos NI e ITE. O número de pacientes com bom desempenho na intubação foi significativamente maior no grupo ITE, enquanto o número de pacientes com mau desempenho na intubação foi significativamente maior no grupo ML (p < 0,05). Conclusões: Concluímos que o ITE, que é barato e facilmente acessível, deve ser uma opção vantajosa em pacientes com trauma cervical, tanto pela facilidade de intubação quanto devido à taxa de morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes. Keywords: Difficult airway, Cervical trauma, Palavras-chave: Via aérea difícil, Trauma cervica

Analysis of Consciousness Level Using Galvanic Skin Response during Therapeutic Effect

The neurological status of patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) is determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Patients in coma are thought to be unaware of what is happening around them. However, many studies show that the family plays an important role in the recovery of the patient and is a great emotional resource. In this study, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) signals were analyzed from 31 patients with low consciousness levels between GCS 3 and 8 to determine relationship between consciousness level and GSR signals as a new approach. The effect of family and nurse on unconscious patients was investigated by GSR signals recorded with a new proposed protocol. The signals were recorded during conversation and touching of the patient by the nurse and their families. According to numerical results, the level of consciousness can be separated using GSR signals. Also, it was found that family and nurse had statistically significant effects on the patient. Patients with GCS 3,4, and 5 were considered to have low level of consciousness, while patients with GCS 6,7, and 8 were considered to have high level of consciousness. According to our results, it is obtained lower GSR amplitude in low GCS (3, 4, 5) compared to high GCS (7, 8). It was concluded that these patients were aware of therapeutic affect although they were unconscious. During the classification stage of this study, the class imbalance problem, which is common in medical diagnosis, was solved using Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique (SMOTE), Adaptive Synthetic Sampling (ADASYN) and random oversampling methods. In addition, level of consciousness was classified with 92.7% success using various decision tree algorithms. Random Forest was the method which provides higher accuracy compared to all other methods. The obtained results showed that GSR signal analysis recorded in different stages gives very successful GCS score classification performance according to literature studies

Analysis of Family/Nurse Affect to Unconscious Patients

Intensive care is a form of multidisciplinary care and treatment given to patients who have an acute life-threatening disease or who are expected to develop such disease. Talking with patients and interacting with intubated patients in the ICU can have a positive effect. It is stated that the patients who are described as unconscious do not hear what is going on around them and are not aware of it. However, families say that their patients react to them. In this study, unlike the literature studies, EEG and GSR signals were obtained from unconscious patients hospitalized in the ICU. It is aimed to examine the effects of family members and nurses such as physical touch and speech to the patient by analyzing the physiological signals of the patient using signal processing methods. Statistical analysis was performed as a result of feature extraction from EEG and GSR signals. As a result, it was observed that the patient's physiological signals changed when interacted with family members and nurse