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Introduction: Acute respiratory failure is a potential complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that severely affects the health of the patient and may require mechanical ventilation. We compared noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation in COPD patients with acute respiratory failure type II to validate clinical outcome based on biochemical analysis of arterial blood gases (ABGs) and pulmonary parameters in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation, period spent in intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality., Materials and Methods: After approval of institutional ethical committee 100 patients were selected for randomized prospective controlled trial and divided into two groups of 50 each according to mode of mechanical ventilation. Group-I patients managed with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) Group-ll managed with invasive ventilation., Results: Demographic data between two groups were comparable. ABG parameters were better at 2 h and 6 h interval in NIV as compared to invasive ventilation ( P < 0.05). The duration of ventilation and total time spent in ICU was 106±10 hours and 168±8 hours respectively in NIV group and 218 ± 12 and 280 ± 20 in invasive group. On intergroup comparison these were significantly less in noninvasive group ( P < 0.05). Hospital acquired pneumonia occurred in 10% of patients in invasive group whereas no incidence of pneumonia found in noninvasive group. Mortality rate was 12% in invasive groups and 2% in noninvasive groups., Conclusion: NIV leads to significant improvement in ABG and pulmonary parameters and it reduces duration of ventilation and total period of hospital stay so it can be used as an alternative to invasive ventilation as first-line treatment in COPD., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Anesthesia: Essays and Researches.)

Background: For an outpatient surgery, an ideal anesthetic drug should have a faster onset and shorter duration of action and minimal side effects. Although Bupivacaine is a drug of choice in spinal anesthesia but is not suitable for ambulatory surgeries. We aimed to compare 1% 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP) which is considered to be a short-acting agent with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine as a spinal anesthetic agent in ambulatory surgeries., Materials and Methods: The study includes a prospective analysis of 60 patients who underwent ambulatory surgeries of <60 min and were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each: Group I - intrathecal injection of preservative-free formulation of 1% 2-CP 40 mg (4 mL) given and Group II - intrathecal injection of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 10 mg (2.0 mL) given time to reach surgical anesthesia, time for resolution of motor block, time for end of anesthesia, time to requirement of first postoperative analgesic, time to unassisted ambulation, time for micturition, and time to reach discharge readiness criteria, which were recorded., Results: We observed that in the CP group, onset time is early and there was more fast regression of surgical anesthesia in the CP group resulting in less time required for unassisted ambulation and less time for discharge from the hospital., Conclusion: We concluded that 2-CP can be used for spinal anesthesia in shorter duration surgeries with early recovery from anesthesia and hence early discharge from the hospital., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Anesthesia: Essays and Researches.)

Introduction: A myriad of supraglottic airway devices (SADs) are developed over time to search the device that conforms to the anatomy of the human respiratory tract noninvasively, but these devices are associated with the risk of aspiration. Baska ® mask (BM) is the latest addition to the family of SADs to circumvent the incidence of aspiration., Aims of Study: The aim of the study was to compare the sealing pressure and rapidity of the insertion of BM with ProSeal laryngeal mask (PLM) airway and the incidence of laryngopharyngeal morbidity between two devices., Materials and Methods: A randomized prospective open-label study was done on sixty adult patients of the age group of 18-60 years after approval from the institutional ethical committee and registration of trial in the Clinical Trials Registry. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I (BM) where BM was inserted after the induction of general anesthesia and Group II (PLM) where PLM was inserted after induction. The airway sealing pressure in BM was calculated. The mean time of insertion of respective SAD and the number of successful attempts were also recorded in both groups. For analysis of continuous variables, independent sample Student's t -test was applied, and for categorical variables, Chi-square test was used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The rate of successful attempts of insertion was comparable in both the groups. The mean insertion time was 14.25 ± 3.82 s in BM group and 22.01 ± 2.64 s in PLM group, which was statistically significant. The airway sealing pressure was 30.25 ± 3.34 cmH 2 O in BM group and 23.50 ± 4.05 cmH 2 O in PLM group, which was also statistically significant., Conclusion: BM has better ease of insertion with adequate sealing pressure as compared to PLM airway, thus reducing the chances of aspiration and offering its potential application in securing airway in emergency situations., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Anesthesia: Essays and Researches.)

Introduction: In the past, many wash-in schemes have been used with initially high fresh gas flow (FGF) to achieve the necessary alveolar concentration of inhalational agent in 10-15 min. This study was designed to show whether 1-1-12 wash-in scheme proposes an earlier achievement of induction or is there any requirement of high FGF phase to know the time taken for induction with and without nitrous oxide (N 2 O)., Aims: The aim of the study was to find out the time required for the alveolar concentration of desflurane to be from 1% to 6% with and without N 2 O., Design: It was a potential randomized study which was conducted on sixty patients admitted for elective surgery., Materials and Methods: Two groups of thirty patients each were made and randomly assigned. Group N received desflurane with N 2 O plus oxygen and Group A received desflurane with air plus oxygen., Statistical Analysis: The observations were noted and evaluated accordingly. Analysis was done using unpaired t -test., Results: Hemodynamic parameters were almost similar in both the groups. In Group N, gradual F A D (Alveolar Desflurane concentration, i.e., end-tidal desflurane) from 1% to 6% was achieved at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 min. In Group A, the same was achieved at 0.6, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 min ( P > 0.05). No significant difference was found between the recuperation time and score in both the groups. Rather complications were more in Group N and statistically significant for nausea and vomiting., Conclusion: Time taken to attain F A D from 1% to 6% was 4 min in both the groups. It is concluded that the recitation of 1-1-12 wash-in scheme is autonomous on the use of N 2 O and high FGF phase., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background and Aims: Postspinal headache and low backache are common complaints following spinal anesthesia which regresses spontaneously but sometimes becomes very troublesome for the patient as well as for the anesthesiologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postspinal headache and low backache after spinal anesthesia in lower abdominal surgery., Materials and Methods: One hundred patients of 18-60 years of age group with patients physical status the American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I or II after due consent divided into equal numbers of two groups: median (M) approach and paramedian (P) approach scheduled for lower abdominal surgery. Group M (50 patients) received spinal by median approach while in Group P (50 patients) received spinal by paramedian approach. The incidence of postspinal headache and low backache was observed in each group. All the patients were observed up to 7 days postoperatively. Data collected was analyzed statistically by SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp) and Chi-square test, and P < 0.05 considered as statistically significant., Results: Postspinal headache was observed to be 4% in paramedian approach and 20% in median approach group. Backache incidence recorded in both the groups was 2% and 10%, respectively. P value calculated statistically was < 0.05 and hence statistically significant in paramedian approach in respect of incidence of both postspinal headache and backache., Conclusion: Incidence of postspinal headache and low backache is less in paramedian approach than in median approach., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: The availability of rapid and short-acting intravenous and volatile anesthetics has facilitated early recovery that is why nowadays ambulatory surgery is becoming more common. If the criteria used to discharge patients from the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) are met in the operating room (OR), it would be appropriate to consider bypassing the PACU and transferring the patient directly to the step-down unit. This process is known as "fast-tracking" after ambulatory surgery., Aims: To compare hemodynamic characteristics and recovery profile as per fast-track criteria (FTC) of recovery and postanesthesia discharge scoring system (PADSS) between sevoflurane and desflurane., Materials and Methods: One hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I-II patients aged 20-50 years were randomly divided into two groups. Following anesthesia induction with injection propofol and injection dexmedetomidine airway was secured with i-gel, Group D ( n = 50) received desflurane + dexmedetomidine + O 2 + N 2 O and Group S ( n = 50) received sevoflurane in place of desflurane. Emergence time was noted and FTC was evaluated in the OR, Score >12 is considered as shifting criteria for ambulatory surgery unit (ASU). PADSS was noted in ASU at an interval of 15 min for 3 h and Score >9 is considered as ready to discharge home., Results: Response to pain, verbal commands, and spontaneous eye opening in Group D was shorter than that in Group S ( P = 0.001). Mean time to achieve FTC score >12 was 15 min in both the groups. Eighty-six percent of patients were ready to go home between 60 and 90 min using PADSS., Conclusion: We concluded that early recovery is faster for desflurane, and there is no difference in ready to go home time between desflurane and sevoflurane., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) under anesthesia is an important modality in the treatment of severe, persistent depression; bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; especially in cases resistant to pharmacologic therapy., Aim: The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on patients' hemodynamics, motor seizure duration, and recovery times following ECT., Materials and Methods: Ninety cases aged between 18 and 50 years of the American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I and II; were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each. Group A received normal saline (placebo), Group B received dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg, and Group C received esmolol 1 mg/kg; followed by induction with propofol 1 mg/kg and muscle relaxation with succinylcholine 0.75 mg/kg. Hemodynamic parameters at baseline, after study drug infusion, after induction, and after ECT application were recorded at different time intervals. The motor seizure duration using arm isolation method and recovery times using postanesthesia discharge scoring system were noted., Results: The maximum increase in hemodynamic parameters was seen following the ECT current application. Post-ECT rise in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate in dexmedetomidine group was significantly less as compared to esmolol and control group at 2, 4, 6, and 8 min using unpaired t -test. There was no significant difference in motor seizure activity duration, emergence, and recovery times among the three groups., Conclusions: Both dexmedetomidine and esmolol attenuate the hyperdynamic response to ECT without affecting the seizure duration, but dexmedetomidine has a more favorable response in view of stable vitals, smooth emergence and no adverse effect on recovery duration., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Dental fear and anxiety is a common problem in pediatric patients. There is considerable variation in techniques used to manage them. Various sedation techniques using many different anesthetic agents have gained considerable popularity over the past few years. Children are not little adults; they differ physically, psychologically, and emotionally. The purpose of this review is to survey recent trends and concerning issues in the rapidly changing field of pediatric sedation. We will study the topic from the perspective of an anesthesiologist. It will also provide information to practitioners on the practice of conscious sedation in dentistry and will also outline the route of administration, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of various drugs used., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Anesthesia and surgery have proved to be highly anxiety provoking and with the rise of elective surgery, its aspect of patient's experience has become prominent in time. However, our fault as anesthesiologists is that we have not made people get versed with what we people as anesthesiologist do in the operating room. Hence, keeping in view all this, a study was carried out, in which video information/images regarding anesthesia and surgical procedure was shown to patients on PowerPoint Presentation. Different images showing previous patient's hospital journey were shown to educate patients., Methods: Two hundred patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery were taken and were divided into two groups of 100 each. Patients (study group or Group I) were shown video clippings/images of other previously operated patients and their hospital journey including surgery and anesthesia for which patient came in hospital. The study was carried out on the patient in each group while Group II was treated in normal way and not shown any type of images/videos. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used as a criterion to measure the level of anxiety in Group I and II at four different intervals that are before pre anesthetic check up (PAC), after showing videos and images in Group I, 1 h before surgery and 8 h after surgery., Statistical Analysis: The results of observation of both the groups at different intervals time were statistically compared and analyzed. These characteristics were analyzed using the "Chi-square tests" and "unpaired t -test.", Results: Video and images information if done preoperatively have been shown to reduce patient's anxiety, although little is known regarding the effects of the method., Conclusion: Showing videos/images of hospital journey for educating the patients before the operation is beneficial to patients undergoing elective surgery., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Postoperative pain is a major cause of fear and anxiety in hospitalized patients and so if patients remain pain-free during this period, they can cooperate with the circumstances well, leading to early recovery. Over the last two decades, there has been considerable revival of interest in the use of regional anesthesia techniques for surgery and pain management. As very few studies have been conducted using ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) as adjuvants, the present study was undertaken with primary aims to compare the hemodynamic stability, onset and duration of sensory and motor block and with secondary aims of the postoperative analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine and MgSO 4 along with ropivacaine., Materials and Methods: After getting the Institutional Ethics Committee approval, this study was conducted on fifty patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical Status I and II aged between 20 and 65 years of either sex and scheduled to undergo infraumbilical surgeries under spinal anesthesia. They were divided into two groups of 25 each. Group D patients received 3 ml of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine hydrochloride with 10 μg of dexmedetomidine whereas Group M patients received 75 mg of MgSO 4 in the place of dexmedetomidine. The quality of surgical analgesia and quality of intraoperative muscle relaxation were assessed and graded., Results: We found out that onset of sensory and motor block was earlier in Group D in comparison to Group M. There was a significant reduction in the time to the first rescue analgesia in group receiving intrathecal dexmedetomidine., Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine group are better than ropivacaine plus MgSO 4 in providing early onset of sensory and motor block as well as in providing postoperative analgesia., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Peripheral nerve blocks are gaining popularity for many infraumblical surgeries with the development of new techniques such as ultrasound and peripheral nerve stimulator. It provides stable hemodynamic, better, and prolonged postoperative analgesia. This study was carried out to see the effectiveness of combined femoral and sciatic nerve block with ropivacaine alone and by adding fentanyl., Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 100 patients scheduled for lower limb surgeries and were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each. In Group A, patients received 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine for femoral nerve block and same dose for sciatic nerve block and in Group B, 25 μg fentanyl was added each for femoral nerve and sciatic nerve block along with ropivacaine. All hemodynamic parameters, onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks were noted. The patient characteristics were analyzed using the "Chi-square tests" and the intergroup comparison of the parametric data was carried out using the unpaired t -test using software IBM SPSS 17.0., Results: Combined femoral and sciatic nerve block provide longer duration of postoperative analgesia of about 12-13 h. All the above-mentioned parameters were statistically non-significant., Conclusion: Hence in this study, onset and duration of sensory and motor block was comparable in both groups. However postoperative analgesia was prolonged as compared to neuraxial blockade without any hemodynamic instability.

Background: Combined spinal-epidural analgesia has become the preferred technique for labor analgesia as it combines the benefits of both spinal analgesia and flexibility of epidural catheter. Study was carried out with the primary aim to compare levobupivacaine and ropivacaine with fentanyl in terms of onset and duration of sensory block and to know maternal and fetal outcome., Materials and Methods: In a prospective randomized double-blind study, 60 primipara of the American Society of Anesthesiologists health status Class I and II with singleton pregnancy in active stage of labor were randomly allocated into two groups of 30 each. Group A received 3 mg intrathecal levobupivacaine with 25 μg fentanyl followed by epidural top-ups of 14 ml of levobupivacaine 0.125% with fentanyl 30 μg whereas Group B received 4 mg intrathecal ropivacaine with 25 μg fentanyl followed by epidural top-ups of 14 ml of ropivacaine 0.2% with fentanyl 30 μg. Patients were monitored for sensory and motor block characteristics, hemodynamics, maternal and fetal outcome, side effects, and complications. These characteristics were analyzed using the "Chi-square tests" and "unpaired t -test.", Results: Onset of analgesia was rapid in Group A (4.72 ± 0.54 min) as compared to Group B (5.58 ± 0.49 min). Duration of analgesia was also prolonged in Group A (117.00 ± 11.86 min) as compared to Group B (90.17 ± 8.85 min). Patients remained hemodynamically stable and side effects, and complications were comparable in both groups., Conclusion: Levobupivacaine with fentanyl leads to early onset and prolonged duration of analgesia as compared to ropivacaine with fentanyl during labor analgesia.

Background: The advent of laparoscopic surgeries has proved to be beneficial for both patient and surgeon although increased morbidity may result from hemodynamic changes associated with laryngoscopy, intubation, and pneumoperitoneum (PNP)., Aim: The present study was prospective, randomized, double-blind conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dexmdetomidine and fentanyl in attenuation of pressor responses to laryngoscopy, intubation, and PNP in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)., Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients of 18-65 years, American Society of Anaesthesiologists Class I/II of either sex for elective LC, were included. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group I received dexmedetomidine and Group II Fentanyl loading 1 μg/kg over 15 min followed by maintenance 0.2 μg/kg/h throughout the PNP., Measurements: Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were recorded preoperatively, 15 min after infusion of study drug, 1 min after induction, 1 min after intubation, throughout the PNP, end of surgery, and until 60 min in postoperative period. Sedation score, visual analog scale score along with modified Alderete score applied in postanesthesia care unit., Results: Control of HR and MAP in Group I was better than in Group II during laryngoscopy, intubation and PNP. There was also smooth extubation, less sedation and better control of pain in Group I than in Group II., Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the benefits of dexmedetomidine over fentanyl in hemodynamic stability and analgesic quality in LC. Thus, it is establishing its utility over for attenuation of pressor response.

Difficult airway, a scenario with potentially life threatening outcome, is routinely encountered by an anesthesiologist leaving him with the dilemma of whether to use regional anesthesia (RA) or general anesthesia. Our study aims to look into this problem. The literature search was performed in the Google, PubMed, and Medscape using key words "regional anesthesia, difficult airway, pregnancy, ventilation, intubation, epidural anesthesia, nerve blocks." More than 38 free full articles and books published from the year 1987 to 2014 were retrieved and studied. At first sight, RA may appear to offer an ideal solution as it helps to avoid the problem of difficult airway. However, the possibility of a total spinal block, failed or incomplete RA, local anesthetic toxicity or unforeseen surgical complication may make it imperative that the airway is secured. The correct decision can only be made by the anesthetist when all the relevant clinical information is taken into account. It is also important to ensure that before considering RA in a patient of difficult airway, an anesthesiologist must have a preformulated strategy for intubation.

The operation theater (OT) environment is the most complex and volatile workplace where two coequal physicians share responsibility of one patient. Difference in information, opinion, values, experience and interests between a surgeon and anesthesiologist may arise while working in high-pressure environments like OT, which may trigger conflict. Quality of patient care depends on effective teamwork for which multidisciplinary communication is an essential part. Troubled relationships leads to conflicts and conflicts leads to stressful work environment which hinders the safe discharge of patient care. Unresolved conflicts can harm the relationship but when handled in a positive way it provides an opportunity for growth and ultimately strengthening the bond between two people. By learning the skills to resolve conflict, we can keep our professional relationship healthy and strong which is an important component of good patient care.

Substance abuse has crossed all social, economic, and geographic borders and is spreading its fangs in each and every sphere of society irrespective of age, gender, caste, creed, and religion. These days, we encounter several patients of substance dependence who visit different hospitals for elective surgical procedures or in emergency (e.g., roadside accidents and with various complications associated with substance abuse). These patients at that time may be either addicted to them or are intoxicated by them or on de addiction treatment. Acute or chronic use of these drugs affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous, renal, hematological, and hepatic system variably in individuals thus due to diverse clinical presentations a complete understanding of the path physiology and anesthetic implications of drug abuse is essential to tailor a safe anesthetic plan for these high-risk group of patients.

Background: The challenging task of postoperative pain relief comes within the realm of the anesthesiologist. Combined spinal epidural (CSE) anesthesia can be used as the sole technique for carrying out surgical procedures and managing postoperative pain using various drug regimes. Epidural administration of opioids in combination with local anesthetic agents in low dose offers new dimensions in the management of postoperative pain., Aims: Comparative evaluation of bupivacaine hydrochloride with nalbuphine versus bupivacaine with tramadol for postoperative analgesia in lower limb orthopedic surgeries under CSE anesthesia to know the quality of analgesia, incidence of side effects, surgical outcome and level of patient satisfaction., Settings and Design: A prospective, randomized and double-blind study was conducted involving 80 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II coming for elective lower limb orthopedic surgeries carried under spinal anesthesia., Materials and Methods: Anesthesia was given with 0.5% of 2.5 ml bupivacaine intrathecally in both the groups. Epidurally 0.25% bupivacaine along with 10 mg nalbuphine (group A) or tramadol 100 mg (group B) diluted to 2 ml to make a total volume of 10 ml was administered at sensory regression to T10., Statistical Analysis: The data were collected, compiled and statistically analyzed with the help of MS Excel, EPI Info 6 and SPSS to draw the relative conclusions., Results and Conclusions: The mean duration of analgesia in group A was 380 ± 11.49 min and in group B was 380 ± 9.8 min. The mean sedation score was found to be more in group B than group A. The mean patient satisfaction score in group A was 4.40 ± 0.871 and in group B was 3.90 ± 1.150 which was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). We concluded that the addition of nalbuphine with bupivacaine was effective for postoperative analgesia in terms of quality of analgesia and patient satisfaction score as compared to tramadol.

The Anesthesiologist provides continuous medical care before, during, and after operation to permit the surgeons to perform surgeries; sometimes quite challenging that could otherwise cause substantial threats to the patient's survival. Anesthesiologists, because of their combination of skills are uniquely qualified to care for dying patients suffering from end diseases like cancer. These skills include knowledge of analgesic and sedative pharmacology for the management of pain, awareness of perceptual alterations along with well-known skills in drug titration and experience with critically ill and highly anxious, often agitated patients under stressful circumstances. Anesthesiologists are physicians who provide medical care to patients in a wide variety of situations. This includes preoperative evaluation, consultation with the surgical team, creation of a plan for the anesthesia (which is different in each patient), airway management, intraoperative life support, pain control, intraoperative stabilization of all the vitals, postoperative pain management. Outside the operating room, Anesthesiologist's spectrum of action includes with general emergencies, trauma, intensive care units, acute and chronic pain management. In spite of providing these highly skilled services, Anesthesiologists are facing a lot of stress these days which predisposes them to burnout, fatigue, substance abuse, and suicide. The practice of anesthesia in Indian scenario is different as compared to the western countries. In India, the Anesthesiologists are dependent on surgeons for their work. The degree of stress faced is due to a number of factors like the type and quality of work, his/her relationship with surgeons and the support he/she receives from colleagues and family.

Background: General anesthesia as a technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomies has disadvantage in terms of the stress response, lack of postoperative analgesia and emesis. Regional anesthesia offers advantages over general anesthesia in terms of cost, postoperative analgesia, intact respiratory control mechanism and early ambulation. Shoulder tip pain remains the main concerns that can be alleviated by adding various adjuvants to local anesthetics., Aims and Objectives: To study the effect of adding intrathecal dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine to decrease shoulder tip pain, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic changes and side effects if any., Materials and Methods: Totally, 60 patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group A received 3 ml of bupivacaine heavy and group B received 5 µg of dexmedetomidine along with 3 ml of bupivacaine diluted to total volume of 3.5 ml in each group., Statistical Analysis: It was done using Chi-square and Student's t-test., Results and Conclusions: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine provides stable hemodynamics, excellent sedation and analgesia and abolishes shoulder tip pain.

Background: Infraclavicular brachial block with coracoids approach has gained popularity because of consistent bony landmarks and less chances of vascular puncture and pneumothorax., Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding clonidine to bupivacaine or ropivacaine on the onset and duration of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia in infraclavicular block., Materials and Methods: In a prospective randomized double-blind study, 60 patients of 18-65 years were randomly divided in to two groups of 30 each. Infraclavicular block was performed with 30 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine + 150 μg clonidine in group R and 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine + 150 μg clonidine in group B and were compared for onset and duration of sensory and motor block, postoperative analgesia, side-effects and complications., Results: Significant differences were observed in the time for onset of sensory block (5.80 ± 5.12 min in group R and 4.87 ± 1.46 min in group B, P < 0.05); onset of motor block (11.37 ± 2.66 min in group R and 9.60 ± 1.78 min in group B, P < 0.05); duration of sensory and motor block (10.07 ± 0.91 and 9.03 ± 0.89 h in group R and 12.50 ± 1.14 and 10.67 ± 1.18 h in group B respectively, P < 0.01) and duration of analgesia (15.30 ± 1.39 h in group R and 18.07 ± 1.66 h in group B). No significant difference was observed in hemodynamics, sedation, side-effects and complications., Statistical Analysis: Variables were compared using Chi-square test for nonparametric data and Student's t-test for parametric data., Conclusion: Addition of clonidine to bupivacaine lead to early onset and prolonged duration of sensory and motor block with prolonged analgesia as compared to the addition of clonidine to ropivacaine.

Background: Intrathecal opioids added to low dose local anesthetics in spinal anaesthesia intensifies sensory block without affecting sympathetic blockade. Aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intrathecal levobupivacaine plain versus levobupivacaine plus fentanyl in infraumbilical surgeries., Materials and Methods: In a prospective randomized double blind study, 100 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists grades I and II of either sex, 20-65 years of age were included after approval from the Ethics Committee. Informed consent was taken and patients were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each, to receive either 2 ml of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine (group L) or 2 ml of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine + 25 μg fentanyl (group LF) intrathecally. Patients were monitored for sensory and motor block characteristics, postoperative analgesia, haemodynamics and side effects and complications for 24 h., Results: Onset of sensory block and time to maximum sensory block was rapid in group LF (4.8 ± 1.50 and 8.46 ± 1.87 min) as compared to group L (7.6 ± 1.46 and 15.80 ± 2.43 min) (P < 0.000). Maximum sensory block was T6 in group LF and T8 in group L. Maximum Bromage score was 2 in both groups but was achieved earlier in group LF (P < 0.000). Duration of sensory and motor block was significantly prolonged in group LF (270.98 ± 28.60 and 188.52 ± 9.81 min) as compared to group L (197.58 ± 11.20 and 152.76 ± 9.79 min). Total duration of analgesia was also prolonged in group LF (265.16 ± 26.18 min) as compared to group L (168.16 ± 11.08 min). Patients remained haemodynamically stable and side effects and complications were comparable in both groups. Data was analyzed using "Chi-square test" and "unpaired t-test.", Conclusion: Addition of fentanyl to levobupivacaine leads to early onset and prolonged duration of sensory and motor block as well as postoperative analgesia with stable haemodynamics and minimal side effects.

Anaesthesiology is a speciality that delivers most prompt and positive results in medical field. This naturally leads to high expectations among the general public. In the past, patients used to subject themselves to surgery after signing a simple willingness form. But in the present scenario, if any catastrophe occurs, it grabs news headlines, negligence is suspected by laymen in such cases, and these cases land up in a court of law. In the courts, decisions are left to judiciary, which can be potentially influenced by the opinon of general public. This leaves a lot of subjectivity in these decisions. There has been a rising trend in medical negligence cases registered in consumer courts after the decision of the Supreme Court, that the services provided by an anaesthesiologist come under the word "service" of Consumer Protection Act (1986). So the apprehension amongst the anaesthesiologists regarding the legal issues is rising. This article underlines the standard of care, protocols by which anaesthesiologists should abide to avoid legal consequences. Doctors should have legal awareness so that they can defend their cases in courts properly. There is a need to maintain healthy doctor-patient relationship, good record keeping, and to provide a reasonable standard of care. Doctors should keep abreast with the latest development in the medical field.

Background: Flupirtine is a centrally-acting, nonopioid analgesic that interacts with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors., Aim: The present study was designed to compare analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of orally administered flupirtine and diclofenac sodium for postoperative pain relief., Settings and Design: In a prospective, randomized double-blind study, 100 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist grade I and II in the age group of 18-65 years of either sex undergoing elective abdominal surgeries were included after taking informed consent., Materials and Methods: The present study started after 12 h of surgery and patients were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each. For postoperative analgesia, group A received flupirtine 100 mg orally and group B received diclofenac sodium 50 mg orally and study drugs were repeated every 6 hourly for 5 days postoperatively. Vital parameters and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain were recorded at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h, and adverse effects were noted for 48 h of the study period., Statistical Analysis: Data were compiled and analyzed statistically using Chi-square test and two-tailed Student's t-test., Results: Visual analogue scores decreased more rapidly in diclofenac group during 1(st) h, hence there was rapid onset of analgesia in this group as compared to flupirtine group but later on VAS was comparable in both groups at all measured intervals (P > 0.05). Patients in diclofenac group experienced significantly more heartburn (P = 0.00), impaired taste sensation (P < 0.001) and dizziness (P = 0.004) as compared to flupirtine group., Conclusion: Oral flupirtine and diclofenac sodium were equally effective for postoperative analgesia. There was faster onset of analgesia with diclofenac sodium, but flupirtine was better tolerated by the patients because of its minimal adverse effects.

Background: Various adjuvant are being used with local anesthetics for prolongation of intra operative and postoperative analgesia in epidural block for lower limb surgeries. Dexmedetomidine, the highly selective α2 adrenergic agonist is a new neuroaxial adjuvant gaining popularity. The aim of the present study was to compare the hemodynamic, sedative and analgesia potentiating effects of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine when combined with ropivacaine., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in prospective, randomized double-blind manner in which 100 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist Grade I and II in the age group of 20-65 years of either sex under going lower limb surgeries were included after taking informed consent. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 50 each. Epidural anesthesia was given with 150 mg of 0.75% ropivacaine in Group A (n = 50) and 150 mg of 0.75% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) in Group B (n = 50). Two groups were compared with respect to hemodynamic changes, block characteristics which included time to onset of analgesia at T10, maximum sensory analgesic level, time to maximum sensory and motor block, time to regression at S1 dermatome and time to the first dose of rescue analgesia for 24 h. At the end of study, data was compiled and analyzed statistically using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Student t-test. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant and P < 0.001 as highly significant., Results: Significant difference was observed in relation to the duration of sensory block (375.20 ± 15.97 min in Group A and 535.18 ± 19.85 min in Group B [P - 0.000]), duration of motor block (259.80 ± 15.48 min in Group A and 385.92 ± 17.71 min in Group B [P - 0.000]), duration of post-operative analgesia (312.64 ± 16.21 min in Group A and 496.56 ± 16.08 min in Group B [P < 0.001]) and consequently low doses of rescue analgesia in Group B (1.44 ± 0.501) as compared to Group A (2.56 ± 0.67). Sedation score was significantly more in Group B in the post-operative period., Conclusion: Epidural Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to Ropivacaine is associated with prolonged sensory and motor block, hemodynamic stability, prolonged postoperative analgesia and reduced demand for rescue analgesics when compared to plain Ropivacaine.

Many patients with psychiatric illnesses are prescribed long-term drug treatment, and the anaesthesiologist must be aware of potential interactions with anaesthetic agents. Psychotropic drugs often given in combination with each other or with other non-psychiatric drugs generally exert profound effects on the central and peripheral neurotransmitter and ionic mechanisms. Hence, prior intake of these drugs is an important consideration in the management of the patient about to undergo anaesthesia and surgery. This article highlights the effects of anaesthetics on patients taking antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and lithium carbonate. The risk that should be considered in the perioperative period are the extent of surgery, the patient's physical state, anaesthesia, the direct and indirect effects of psychotropics, risk of withdrawal symptoms and risk of psychiatric recurrence and relapse.

Background: Laryngeal mask airway is a non invasive supraglottic device which has led to a radical change in the management of modern general anaesthesia. Propofol as a single agent is unsatisfactory and to overcome problems associated with LMA insertions. In the present study, we evaluated the haemodynamic changes and laryngeal mask airway insertion conditions comparing ketamine and opioids as adjuncts to propofol., Patients and Methods: 90 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 each. In Group PK-ketamine 0.5mg kg(-1), in Group PF-fentanyl 1ug kg(-1) and in Group PB - butorphanol 20ug kg(-1) was given intravenously immediately before induction with propofol 2.5 mg kg(-1). Jaw relaxation was assessed according to Young's criteria and the overall conditions according to modified Scheme of Lund and Stovener., Results: The mean total dose of propofol required in Group PK was 160.37 ± 15.75mg, in Group PF 156.22 ± 17.18 mg and in Group PB 140.08 ± 18.97 mg. The incidence of absolute jaw relaxation was highest in Group PB (93.33%) patients, intermediate in Group PF (53.33%) patients and lowest in Group PK i.e. 36.66% patients. Excellent insertion conditions were observed in 12 (40%) patients in Group PK and 13 (43.33%) patients in Group PF and in 26 (86.67%) patients in Group PB. Group PK showed more rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate post LMA insertion as compared to Group PF and Group PB., Conclusion: It is concluded that addition of butorphanol to propofol for LMA insertion provided absolute jaw relaxation and excellent insertion conditions with stable haemodynamics Side effects like coughing, gagging, lacrimation and laryngospasm were lower as compared to the other two groups.

Telemedicine is the use of electronic information and communication technology to provide and support healthcare when distance separates the participants. India is characterised by low penetration of healthcare services where primary healthcare facilities for rural population are highly inadequate. The majority of doctors practice in urban and semi-urban areas, whereas the major proportion of population lives in rural areas. This calls for the innovative methods for utilisation of science and technology for the benefit of our society. There are few reports in the literature which support the use of telemedicine technology for pre-operative assessment, intra-operative consultation, monitoring and post-operative follow-up, which is discussed in this article.