Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Volume:14 Issue: 3, Jun 2024

Minimally invasive robotic approaches have become standard in many institutions over the last decade for various pediatric urological procedures. The anesthetic considerations for common laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries are similar since both require the insufflation of CO2 to adequately visualize the operative area. However, few studies exist regarding anesthesia for robotic procedures in children. We hypothesized that pediatric patients undergoing robotic urologic surgeries would require specific anesthetic strategies, especially given the inherently longer durations of these procedures. This study aimed to evaluate anesthetic considerations, current robotic procedures, optimal patient positioning, and port placement for robotic-assisted surgery in pediatric patients. A comprehensive literature review of all published manuscripts from PubMed, EMBASE database, and Google Scholar was performed, focusing on robotic procedures involving pediatric patients, anesthesia for pediatric urology patients, and related topics from 1996 to 2023. Forty published manuscripts were identified and reviewed in depth. In pediatric cases, insufflation pressures and volumes are lower due to the laxity of the abdominal wall. However, the increase in intra-abdominal pressure and absorption of CO2 may result in disproportionate changes in cardiopulmonary function. Specific patient positioning for robotic approaches may further compound these physiological changes. Correct patient positioning is essential to facilitate surgery optimally and safely. Understanding the physiological changes that can occur during a pediatric patient’s robotic urologic surgery allows for safer anesthesia management.

Surgical interventions and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer frequently result in substantial instances of acute and chronic discomfort. Optimizing pain management techniques stands as a pivotal factor in enhancing the well-being and overall quality of life for patients. This comprehensive review discusses various pain conditions encountered after head and neck cancer and explores a multidimensional approach to pain management. The review highlights the significance of incorporating multimodal analgesia, physical therapy, psychological support, palliative care, and emerging techniques including nerve blocks to achieve efficacious pain control. Such an endeavor necessitates cooperation among head and neck surgeons, radiotherapists, and pain specialists.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an effective method for managing obesity. While opioids are used for their hemodynamic stability and their ability to reduce intraoperative stress, they also have reported side effects. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, is noted for its analgesic and anesthetic-sparing effects, leading to a higher quality of recovery.

The study aims to compare the effects of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the recovery of morbidly obese patients following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

This randomized, double-blind study involved 64 patients, equally divided into two groups. The Dexmedetomidine group (Group D) received an intravenous (IV) loading dose of dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) over 15 minutes before anesthesia induction, followed by a 10 mL saline 0.9% infusion over 60 seconds during induction. Post-intubation, dexmedetomidine was administered at 0.5 μg/kg/h. The Fentanyl group (Group F) received a volume-matched saline 0.9% IV over 15 minutes pre-induction and fentanyl (1 μg/kg) diluted in 10 ml saline 0.9% IV over 60 seconds during induction. After intubation, a continuous fentanyl infusion was maintained at a rate of 1 μg/kg/hr.

Extubation time was significantly shorter in the Dexmedetomidine group (Group D) at 8.25 ± 2.7 minutes compared to the Fentanyl group (Group F) at 10.47 ± 2.17 minutes, with a P-value of 0.001. Intraoperative heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were also significantly lower in Group D than in Group F. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were significantly lower in Group D compared to Group F upon arrival at the post-anesthesia care unit and at 2 hours postoperatively (P-value < 0.05). Additionally, the morphine dose consumed in the first 12 hours after surgery was significantly lower in Group D (5.75 ± 2.20 mg) compared to Group F (8 ± 2.38 mg), with a P-value of 0.001.

For morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, dexmedetomidine (DEX) proves to be an effective anesthetic choice. It not only reduces extubation time but also lowers early postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and opioid consumption within the first 12 hours following surgery.

One of the factors that affect the diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the level of sedation.

Therefore, we aimed to compare dexmedetomidine (DEX) as moderate sedation (MS) versus general anesthesia (GA) on the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA.

This randomized open-label controlled trial was carried out on 70 patients older than 18 years of age, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) II or III, and scheduled for EBUS-TBNA. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group D received 1 μg/kg fentanyl 2 minutes before induction with a 1 μg/kg infusion of DEX for 10 minutes, then maintenance with 0.5 - 1 μg/kg/h aiming for a Ramsey Sedation Scale of 4 - 5 while preserving hemodynamics. Group GA received 1 μg/kg fentanyl, 2 mg/kg propofol, and 0.5 mg/kg atracurium (then 0.1 mg/kg every 20 minutes).

Group D had a significantly higher rate of recalling the procedure (P = 0.005) and a lower rate of shortness of breath compared to group GA (P = 0.038). Intraoperative heart rate measurements at baseline were not significantly different between groups but were significantly lower at 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, and at the end of surgery in group D compared to group GA (P < 0.05). Intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure measurements at baseline, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, and at the end of surgery were not significantly different between groups. Recovery time was significantly shorter in group D compared to group GA (P < 0.001).

Compared to GA, MS with DEX showed a comparable diagnostic yield with faster recovery time and better patient satisfaction, as evidenced by a willingness to repeat procedures when needed and less shortness of breath in EBUS-TBNA.

Open heart surgeries are a common surgical approach among patients with heart disease. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common postoperative complications following cardiac surgeries, with an average incidence of 6 - 10%. Additionally, AKI has a mortality rate of 5 - 10%. One of the challenges of cardiac surgeries is selecting the appropriate anesthetic approaches to reduce the risk of AKI.

This study presents a machine learning-based method that consists of two regression models. These models can inform the anesthesiologist about the risk of AKI resulting from the improper selection of anesthetic parameters.

In this cohort study, the medical records of 998 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were collected. The proposed method includes two regression models. The first regression model recommends optimal anesthesia parameters to minimize the risk of AKI. The second model provides the anesthesiologist with the safest margin for deciding on anesthetic parameters during surgery, including cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, anesthesia time, crystalloid dose, diuretic dose, and transfusion of packed red cells (PC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Using this method, the specialist can evaluate the anesthetic parameters and assess the potential AKI risk. Additionally, the proposed method can also provide the treatment team with anesthetic parameters that carry the lowest risk of AKI.

This method was evaluated using data from 526 patients who suffered from postoperative AKI (AKI+) and 472 who did not suffer any injury (AKI-). The accuracy of the proposed method is 80.6%. Additionally, the evaluation of the proposed method by three experienced cardiac anesthesiologists shows a high correlation between the results of the proposed method and the opinions of the anesthesiologists.

The results indicated that the outputs of the proposed models and the designed software could help reduce the risk of postoperative AKI.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, affecting 1% to 5% of the population. Treatment options include pharmacologic management, rest, splints, local steroid injections, and physical therapy. Conservative treatments, such as ultrasound therapy and nerve-gliding exercises, can also be effective.

This study aimed to compare the effects of ultrasound therapy and nerve-gliding exercises on reducing symptoms, improving hand function, and electrodiagnostic tests in patients with CTS.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients with CTS at the specialized physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic at Birjand University of Medical Sciences. The study included 48 patients with CTS, divided into two groups. The ultrasound group received therapy at a frequency of 1 MHz and a current intensity of 1 watt/cm², with each session lasting 5 minutes. The nerve-gliding group underwent 10 sessions of treatment, three times a week. Pain intensity was evaluated using VAS criteria, symptom intensity using the BOSTON Questionnaire, and median nerve latency with EMG-NCS.

The study included 48 patients with CTS, divided into two groups. Both groups showed improved severity of symptoms and function scores at the end of the study (P < 0.001). The ultrasound group significantly reduced the sensory and motor median nerve latency scores (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), and the pain score diminished significantly in both groups (P < 0.001).

Ultrasound and neural-gliding techniques are effective in reducing patients' symptoms and pain intensity in the short term. Additionally, ultrasound can improve electrodiagnostic indicators.

Postoperative shoulder pain is one of the most common complications following laparoscopic surgery. Various interventions have been proposed to control this pain.

The main objective of this comparative study was to determine the effects of intraperitoneal bupivacaine and normal saline infusion, in combination with lung recruitment maneuver (LRM), on shoulder pain following laparoscopic surgery.

The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on 105 candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy referred to Imam Ali Hospital in Bojnurd, Iran, from November 2021 to June 2022. The patients were assigned to three groups using block randomization: BR (receiving 50 cc of 0.25% diluted intraperitoneal bupivacaine + LRM), NR (receiving 50 cc of intraperitoneal normal saline + LRM), and N (receiving 50 cc of intraperitoneal normal saline). Postoperative shoulder pain and surgical incision site pain were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at recovery intervals of 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Additionally, the prevalence of nausea and vomiting, the first time of need for sedation, and the incidence of sedation overdose in the first 24 hours after surgery were investigated. The data were analyzed using one-way analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS software at a significance level of 0.05.

The findings showed no significant differences in demographic variables between the three groups. The range and mean score of shoulder pain based on VAS was 0 - 1 (0.3) in the BR group, 0 - 2 (1.4) in the NR group, and 1 - 3 (2.1) in the N group at 4 hours after surgery. The mean score of shoulder pain intensity in the BR group was lower compared to the NR and N groups during recovery time intervals at 4, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. This difference between groups was significant. There was also a statistically significant difference in the mean score of surgical incision site pain intensity and the first time of need for sedation between the three groups. The occurrence of side effects was not significant between the groups. Itching, bradycardia, and hypotension were not observed in any of the groups.

The findings of this study showed that bupivacaine, along with LRM, is a safe method effective in relieving postoperative shoulder pain. It prolonged the first time of need for sedation and significantly reduced the incidence of shoulder pain.

The success of epidural analgesia hinges on the precise insertion of the needle within the epidural space; failure rates have been reported to reach 32%.

We report a new method using color Doppler to help verify the accurate location of the epidural needle tip.

This is a randomized prospective study. Sixty patients undergoing hysterectomy were enrolled, with 30 patients in each group. Color flow Doppler (CFD) ultrasonography was employed to guide epidural catheter placement. The ultrasound-guided epidural technique was used for patients where challenges in identifying traditional landmarks for epidural space localization were anticipated. The procedure commenced with a spinal epidural technique. After sterile preparation and draping of the area, a curvilinear ultrasound transducer, encased in a sterile sheath, was used to locate the interspinous space. The primary outcome measure focused on flow visualization at different insertion levels. Secondary outcome measures included the duration of catheter implantation, intervertebral level of insertion, and dermatome sensory levels. The study also assessed the quality of epidural analgesia and patients' assessment of analgesic quality using a Verbal Numerical Rating Scale.

The study reported a successful and predominantly safe outcome, with high success rates in flow visualization and effective anesthesia coverage. Flow visualization at the insertion and surrounding levels demonstrated a 100% success rate at all observed points. The Visual Numeric Rating Scale (VNRS) results indicated a median pain score of 2 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 2 - 3, showcasing a generally low level of post-procedural pain among the subjects, reflecting good quality post-operative analgesia.

This study advocates for the integration of CFD into routine clinical practice to enhance procedural outcomes and patient safety during hysterectomy surgeries.

Progeria syndrome is a rare genetic disorder resulting in premature aging. General anesthesia is very challenging in these patients due to difficult intubation and age-related comorbidities. We describe spinal anesthesia management in a 30-year-old man with progeria syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first report on using spinal anesthesia in this group of patients.

Otolaryngology often involves adenotonsillectomies, surgical procedures aimed at addressing obstructive sleep-disordered breathing and underlying apnea in children.

Pediatric anesthesiologists and otolaryngologists encounter challenges in managing pain post-adenotonsillectomy, especially due to the use of opioid medications in children who have an elevated baseline risk of airway obstruction and associated morbidity and mortality.

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was conducted at Eldemerdash Hospital, Ain Shams University, Egypt, from September 2022 to August 2023. A total of 90 patients aged 5 - 13 years who underwent elective tonsillectomy surgery were randomly assigned to two groups, with 45 patients in each group. The first group, referred to as group A, received intravenous 1.0 μg/kg fentanyl, dexamethasone 150 μg/kg, and paracetamol 15 mg/kg. The second group, referred to as group B, received dexamethasone 150 μg/kg and paracetamol 15 mg/kg, with an opioid-free pterygopalatine ganglion block for multimodal anesthesia. The primary outcome measure of this study was the postoperative Wong-Baker scale at 1st, 3rd, and 24th hours.

This study included 90 individuals with similar demographic profiles and comparable initial characteristics and surgical techniques in both groups (P > 0.05). Intraoperative heart rate, mean blood pressure, additional analgesia, postoperative Wong-Baker scale, postoperative rescue analgesia, and laryngospasm did not show significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of nausea, vomiting, hypoxia, and post-anesthesia care unit stay, with group B experiencing fewer of these issues (P < 0.05).

Both conventional opioid-based multimodal anesthesia and opioid-free pterygopalatine ganglion block-based multimodal anesthesia are effective methods for providing analgesia during and after tonsillectomy surgery. The pterygopalatine ganglion block, the latter option, has been found to result in fewer postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, and hypoxia. Additionally, patients who receive this type of anesthesia typically require less time in the post-anesthesia care unit.