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Background and Aims: Transdermal opioids are newer modality in use for the control of postoperative pain, because of its noninvasiveness, longer duration of action, sustained blood levels, and with minimal side effects. The study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of analgesia of buprenorphine patch 10, 20 μg·h-1 and fentanyl patch 25 μg·h-1 for relief of pain in the postoperative period in patients undergoing arthroscopic lower limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: It was a randomized, double-blinded, prospective study in which adult patients undergoing lower limb arthroscopic surgery were randomly segregated into three groups. In Group 1 (fentanyl patch 25 μg·h-1), Group 2 (buprenorphine patch 10 μg·h-1), and Group 3 (buprenorphine patch 20 μg·h-1), transdermal patches were applied 12 h prior to surgery. Mean NRS score, total rescue analgesic requirement, drug-related adverse effects, and hemodynamic status were evaluated till 72 h in the postoperative period. Results: Out of 175 screened patients, 150 patients were finally analyzed. Baseline characteristics were the same among all the three groups. Median NRS score was lowest in Group 3 [P value < 0.05 at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after surgery (Kruskal Wallis test). The total consumption of postoperative rescue analgesic diclofenac was the lowest in Group 3 as compared to other groups without any significant increase in adverse events. Conclusions: In arthroscopic lower limb surgery, buprenorphine patch (20 μg·h-1) applied 12 h prior to surgery is an effective postoperative analgesic and it is not associated with any significant adverse effects.

Background: Duloxetine is an antidepressant that is also useful in chronic neuropathic and central origin pain. In this study, the role of duloxetine in decreasing acute postoperative pain after lumbar canal stenosis surgery is explored. Methods: In this single center, triple blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, 96 patients were randomized for statistical analysis. The intervention group received oral duloxetine 30 mg once a day (OD) for 2 days before surgery, 60 mg OD from the day of surgery to the postoperative second day and 30 mg OD for the next 2 days (a total duration of 7 days). A placebo capsule was given in the other group for a similar time and schedule. The same standard perioperative analgesia protocols were followed in both groups. Results: Total morphine consumption up to 24 hours was significantly decreased in the duloxetine group (P < 0.01). The time to the first analgesia requirement was similar in both groups but the time to the second and third dose of rescue analgesia increased significantly in the duloxetine group. The time to ambulation was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in the duloxetine group as compared to the placebo group. Pain scores remained similar during most of the time interval. No significant difference was observed in the complication rate and patient satisfaction score recorded. Conclusions: Duloxetine reduces postoperative pain after lumbar canal stenosis surgery with no increase in adverse effects.

Background: The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) is a validated questionnaire in English to assess the functional capacity (FC) of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aim: The aim of the study is to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the DASI in Hindi. Settings and Study Design: Observational validation study. Methodology: Different translators translated the DASI into Hindi and then back-translated it into English. Validation for feasibility and psychometric properties of translated questionnaire was done on 200 adults, Hindi-speaking patients with CVD, who were advised exercise testing by a cardiologist. Statistical Analysis: Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and test–retest reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficient) were calculated. Construct (correlation with the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification [CCSC] for angina and exercise capacity with treadmill testing [TMT]) and content validity (time taken to fill the questionnaire, ease of understanding the questionnaire items, and comprehensibility) were calculated. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The Cronbach's α for internal consistency was 0.78, which indicates adequate relatedness among the items of questionnaire, and the test–retest reliability was 0.65 (P < 0.05). A significant correlation between CCSC (r = −0.60) and TMT (r = 0.56) was found. The median time taken by the respondents to fill the questionnaire was 4 min. Of all the respondents, 95.74% of the respondents agreed that the Hindi questionnaire was easy to comprehend and 97.87% patients correlated the translated items to their daily physical activity. Conclusions: The Hindi translated and culturally adapted version of the DASI is reliable, valid, and feasible to assess the FC in the Hindi-speaking CVD patients.

Background: There are several methods employed in the management of postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy such as conventional systemic analgesics, including paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic opioids, and thoracic epidural analgesia with all having its limitations and side effects. Aims: The present study aims to compare ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis (STA) block with intraperitoneal instillation of levobupivacaine in reducing postoperative pain, total analgesic consumption, nausea and vomiting, and recovery time in patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Settings and Design: A prospective study was conducted between January 2017 and December 2017 in 80 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy after approval of the Institutional Ethical Committee (Reference No: SGRR/IEC/05/16). Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two equal-sized (n = 40) study groups. Group 1 patients received ultrasonography-guided STA block with 0.25% levobupivacaine both sides and Group 2 patients received 0.25% levobupivacaine through intraperitoneal route. Statistical Analysis: Quantitative data were expressed in mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data were expressed in proportion and percentages. Independent t-test was applied to compare the means of quantitative data and the Chi-square test was used to compare categorical data. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Survival curve was drawn using the log-rank test for comparing two groups. Results: Patient characteristics regarding age, gender, and weight were comparable in the two groups. The mean Numerical Rating Scale scores were less in Group 1 than in Group 2 in the first 6 h, which was found to be statistically significant. There was no significant difference noted in pain scores after 6 h up to 24 h in postoperative area among the two groups. Pain scores for shoulder tip pain were lower in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 in the first 24 h, which was not significant statistically. Conclusion: STA block is a better modality for analgesia compared to intraperitoneal instillation in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Scrub typhus or tsutsugamushi disease is characterized by nonspecific signs and symptoms. Disease manifestation are acute fever, eschar formation at the site of chigger bite and serious respiratory complication. We report the case of a 22-year-old girl admitted in our intensive care unit (ICU) with the chief complaints of fever with chills, rigor, and severe headache diagnosed as scrub typhus. She was treated well for 7 days, cured, and discharged from the ICU. For a physician, awareness of regional prevalence and a history of travel to endemic areas or outdoor activities such as mountaineering and expedition should raise the suspicion for scrub typhus. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent death and reduce morbidity.

A pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is a useful tool for monitor haemodynamics during cardiac surgery in patients with compromised ventricular function and helps in the perioperative patient management. During open heart surgery entrapment of a Swan-Ganz catheter to an intracardiac structure is rare but may lead to potentially life-threatening complications. Here, we report a case of an entrapped pulmonary artery catheter by accidental surgical suturing at the entry point of Superior vena cava into right atrium that necessitated reopening the chest and removing the catheter.

Background: Nowadays, spinal anesthesia is commonly being used in infants and children for infraumblical surgeries. Intrathecal adjuvants such as clonidine and fentanyl are used with local anesthetics for additive effects. Aim: The present study aims to assess and compare the effects of adding clonidine versus fentanyl to bupivacaine intrathecally in terms of propofol consumption, hemodynamic profile, adverse events, and complications intraoperatively in pediatric patients. Settings and Design: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between June 2016 and October 2018 in pediatric patients aged 3–8 years undergoing hernia repair or genital surgery under spinal anesthesia after approval of the Institutional Ethical Committee (Reference No: SGRR/IEC/04/16). Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two equal sized (n = 42) study groups, while analysis was done in (n = 40) each group. Group 1 (BC) received clonidine 1 μg/kg with 0.5% bupivacaine (heavy) and Group 2 (BF) received fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg with 0.5% bupivacaine (heavy). Statistical Analysis: Quantitative data were expressed in mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data were expressed in proportion and percentages. Independent t-test was applied to compare the means of quantitative data, and Chi-square test was used to compare categorical data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Patient characteristics regarding age, weight, and surgical time were comparable in the two groups. The maintenance dose and bolus dose of propofol consumed during surgery were less in Group 1 than that in the Group 2 and were found to be statistically insignificant. The values of hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were less in Group 1 and were statistically significant at different time intervals. Sedation scores were comparable in both groups. Intraoperative incidence of bradycardia, systolic hypotension, and diastolic hypotension were high in Group 1, whereas the incidence of desaturation was high in Group 2. Intraoperative complications such as apnea and respiratory obstruction were high in Group 2, but were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: We conclude that intrathecal adjuvant fentanyl maintains a better hemodynamic profile in terms of adverse events such as bradycardia, systolic hypotension, and diastolic hypotension. Intrathecal clonidine maintains a better sedation level requiring less propofol for sedation. Complications such as apnea and respiratory obstruction can be attributed more to the deep sedation caused by bolus of propofol rather than the inherent properties of intrathecal adjuvant clonidine or fentanyl.

Factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most common known inherited cause of thrombophilia; it is present in ∼5% of the Caucasian population. This results from mutation of the factor V protein, which is found to have normal procoagulant function in vitro but is resistant to inactivation by activated protein C. We describe the case of a 61-year-old male heterozygote for FVL with diagnosed coronary artery disease scheduled for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Avoidance of antifibrinolytics completely, early administration of antiplatelet agents, heparin infusion 6 h after surgery or starting low molecular weight heparin, early extubation, active limb physiotherapy, use of pneumatic compression pumps, and most important of all early mobilization holds the key for successful outcomes of these patients. A comprehensive care team comprising an anesthesiologist, surgeons, and a hematologist should manage individuals with FVL.

To facilitate people with disabilities and those who are old, a novel laser switch based electrical control circuit is proposed. The circuit operates on 230V, 50Hz A.C. and can be operated at large distances of up to 10m. The laser switch is realized by using a diode laser that emits radiations in the visible region of light and a phototransistor as a detector. The electrical control is achieved by using a power EMOSFET to perform switching “on” and “off” operations. To prevent accidental switching operations a minimum contact time of 2.79 seconds is ensured using an incident time analyzer. The electronic circuit is tested for different laser wavelengths with a constant power output of 1mW. The device is also tested for different light ambiences. Test results show that lasers of wavelengths ranging from 652nm to 750 nm can be used for the desired switch operations.