Anesthetic Agents Research Articles

Velocity of cerebrospinal fluid in the aqueduct measured by phase-contrast MRI in rat.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation plays a key role in cerebral waste clearance via the glymphatic system. Although CSF flow velocity is an essential component of CSF dynamics, it has not been sufficiently characterized, and particularly, in studies of the glymphatic system in rat. To investigate the relationship between the flow velocity of CSF in the brain aqueduct and the glymphatic waste clearance rate, using phase-contrast MRI we performed the first measurements of CSF velocity in rats. Phase-contrast MRI was performed using a 7T system to map mean velocity of CSF flow in the aqueduct in rat brain. The effects of age (3months old versus 18 months old), gender, strain (Wistar, RNU, Dark Agouti), anesthetic agents (isoflurane versus dexmedetomidine), and neurodegenerative disorder (Alzheimer' disease in Fischer TgF344-AD rats, males and females) on CSF velocity were investigated in eight independent groups of rats (12 rats per group). Our results demonstrated that quantitative velocities of CSF flow in the aqueduct averaged 5.16 ± 0.86 mm/s in healthy young adult male Wistar rats. CSF flow velocity in the aqueduct was not altered by rat gender, strain, and the employed anesthetic agents in all rats, also age in the female rats. However, aged (18 months) Wistar male rats exhibited significantly reduced the CSF flow velocity in the aqueduct (4.31 ± 1.08 mm/s). In addition, Alzheimer's disease further reduced the CSF flow velocity in the aqueduct of male and female rats.

Inhalational anaesthetic agent consumption within a multidisciplinary veterinary teaching hospital: an environmental audit

Inhalational anaesthetic agents are routinely used in veterinary anaesthesia practices, yet their consumption contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. We conducted a 55-day observational study at a veterinary teaching hospital in Switzerland, monitoring isoflurane and sevoflurane consumption across small, equine and farm animal clinics and analysed the resulting environmental impact. Results revealed that in total, 9.36 L of isoflurane and 1.27 L of sevoflurane were used to anaesthetise 409 animals across 1,489 h. Consumption rates varied among species, with small and farm animals ranging between 8.7 and 13 mL/h, while equine anaesthesia exhibited a higher rate, 41.2 mL/h. Corresponding to 7.36 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in total environmental emissions or between 2.4 and 31.3 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per hour. Comparison to human anaesthesia settings showed comparable consumption rates to small animals, suggesting shared environmental implications, albeit on a smaller scale. This research highlights the importance of continued evaluation of veterinary anaesthesia practices to balance patient safety with environmental stewardship; potential mitigation strategies are explored and discussed.

Effectiveness of different doses of dexmedetomidine on intraoperative haemodynamic profiles and postoperative pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgery at Dilla University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2024: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Abdominal surgery stands as one of the most frequently conducted procedures across surgical specialties, accounting for up to half of surgery-related expenses. Hemodynamic instability emerges as a significant concern during anaesthesia and surgery, provoked by the stress of intubation, surgical incision, and anaesthetic agents. Following abdominal surgery, pain is an inevitable consequence, typically managed with opioid-based analgesia. However, the adverse effects associated with opioids often overshadow their analgesic benefits, particularly in the context of abdominal surgery. Consequently, there exists a necessity to explore and assess alternative non-opioid pain management options post-abdominal surgery as part of a broader strategy to reduce opioid usage. The primary aim of this investigation is to assess the effectiveness of varying doses of dexmedetomidine in regulating intraoperative hemodynamics and alleviating postoperative pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Ethical clearance and institutional review board were obtained from the ethical clearance committee of Dilla University College of Medicine and Health Sciences with protocol unique number of duirb/008/22-01. Our trial has been prospectively registered on the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry with a unique identification number for the registry PACTR202208813896934. Statistical package and analysis were performed by using SPSS version 25. The distribution of data was checked by using Shapiro-Wilk test and the homogeneity of variance was checked by Levene's test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for normally distributed continuous data and non-normally distributed or non-parametric data, respectively. P value less than 0.05 with a power of 90% was considered statistically significant. There was a statistically significant increase in mean SBP in the control group at the different critical time points (P<0.05), as compared to the baseline value, while there was no significant difference in mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) between the baseline and all other levels for group 2 and group 3. A statistically significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was detected in the control group at immediately after intubation (P=0.009) as compared to the baseline value, while a statistically significant reduction in mean heart rate (HR) was observed in group 3 at 15th min after infusion and at 30th 30 min after induction compared to baseline with a P value of 0.002 and 0.008, respectively.Conclusion:Perioperative low-dose infusion of dexmedetomidine at the rate of 0.4mcg/kg/h is a useful anaesthesia adjuvant to control hemodynamic stress response to critical periods. It is wise to use this infusion dose as part of general anaesthesia to achieve better hemodynamic stability.

Evaluation of the suitability of using ArtiSential in various renal surgery: IDEAL stage 1 study

BackgroundArtiSential, a new articulating laparoscopic instruments, addresses the limited movement associated with conventional laparoscopic instruments. This study was conducted to assess the clinical effectiveness of ArtiSential in detailed steps of various renal surgery.MethodsThis study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our institution and registered on the Clinical Research Information Service site of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Participants meeting all inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the clinical trial and underwent renal surgery. The clinical effectiveness of ArtiSential was assessed in terms of the feasibility and objective and subjective parameters across 9 detailed steps.ResultsOf the 15 potential candidates enrolled from October 2021 to November 2021, 1 patient dropped out due to anaphylaxis from an anesthetic agent, and 14 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery using ArtiSential. Of the 14 patients, 2 patients were converted to laparoscopic surgery using straight-shaped instruments due to the ischemia time exceeding 30 min, and 1 patient due to excessive bleeding. The feasibility for most steps was more than 90%, except the renorrhaphy step. The median total operation time and ischemia time were 161 and 23 min, respectively. The median estimated blood loss was 58.5 mL. Two cases of venous injury occurred during renal pedicle dissection step. The accuracy of the procedure judged by reviewers and usability judged by the operator were acceptable in all steps. The surgeon’s quantitatively measured stress score was the highest during renorrhaphy step.ConclusionsLaparoscopic surgery using ArtiSential is feasible for most steps except the renorrhaphy step. The difficulty of performing renorrhaphy is attributed to prolonged ischemia time, which could be addressed by overcoming the learning curve.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service site of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, KCT0006532. Registered 03/09/2021, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=24071.

Remimazolam in General Anesthesia: A Comprehensive Review of Its Applications and Clinical Efficacy.

Remimazolam is a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine with a unique pharmacokinetic profile that makes it an attractive option for use in general anesthesia. This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of remimazolam's applications in the field of general anesthesia, focusing on its pharmacological properties, clinical efficacy, safety profile, and potential advantages compared to other anesthetic agents. Remimazolam acts on GABAa receptors, offering rapid onset and recovery times due to its unique metabolic pathway involving tissue esterases. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in procedural sedation and general anesthesia, showing a favorable safety profile with minimal cardiovascular and respiratory depression. Compared to traditional anesthetics such as propofol, remimazolam presents distinct advantages, including predictable pharmacokinetics, reduced risk of prolonged sedation, and a reliable safety margin. These attributes position remimazolam as a promising agent in various clinical settings. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current evidence on remimazolam and discuss its potential to improve clinical outcomes in anesthesia practice.

Comparison between hemodynamic effects of remimazolam and propofol during general anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The need for safe anesthetic agents with minimal side effects has led to the development of remimazolam, a new benzodiazepine designed to be an alternative to the commonly used drug propofol, which has significant hemodynamic effects. This study aims to compare the hemodynamic effects of remimazolam with propofol during general anesthesia. A systematic search was conducted in Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed databases on 13/02/2023, following the recommendations of Cochrane Handbook and the PRISMA statement. The measure of association used was Risk Ratio (RR) or standardized mean difference, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and 95% Prediction intervals (PI). An additional search was conducted on 04/09/2023. A Trial Sequential Analysis and a GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) evidence table were conducted based on the editor's recommendation. After applying eligibility criteria and removing duplicates, 16 randomized clinical trials comprising 1951 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Significant associations favoring remimazolam over propofol were observed in the following aspects: intraoperative hypotension events (RR=0.47; 95% CI=0.41 to 0.54; 95% PI=0.40 to 0.55); frequency of vasoactive drug administration (RR=0.54; 95% CI=0.46 to 0.64; 95% PI=0.41 to 0.74); intraoperative bradycardia (RR=0.39; 95% CI=0.27 to 0.57; 95% PI=0.26 to 0.66); mean arterial pressure at induction (MD=7.77; 95% CI=6.00 to 9.55; 95% PI=4.39 to 11.15); heart rate at induction (MD=6.40; 95% CI=4.07 to 8.73; 95% PI=0.33 to 12.48); and heart rate at intubation (MD=6.06; 95% CI=2.33 to 9.78; 95% PI=-5.59 to 17.71). This study provides evidence that remimazolam induces fewer cardiorespiratory depressant effects and has a more favorable side effect profile compared to propofol during general anaesthesia.

Environmental impact of anesthetic drugs.

The environmental impact of anesthesia far exceeds that of other medical specialties due to our use of inhaled anesthetic agents (which are potent greenhouse gases) and many intravenous medications. Calls for reducing the carbon footprint of anesthesia are ubiquitous in the anesthesia societies of developed nations and are appearing in proposed changes for hospital accreditation and funding in the United States. The body of research on atmospheric, land and water impacts of anesthetic pharmaceuticals is growing and generally reinforces existing recommendations to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of anesthesia care. The environmental impact of anesthesia care should factor into our clinical decisions. The onus is on clinicians to safely care for our patients in ways that contribute the least harm to the environment. Intravenous anesthesia and regional techniques have less environmental impact than the use of inhaled agents; efforts to reduce and properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste are central to reducing environmental burden; desflurane should not be used; nitrous oxide should be avoided except where clinically necessary; central nitrous pipelines should be abandoned; low fresh gas flows should be utilized whenever inhaled agents are used.

Ni-MoTe2 as a gas-sensitive material for sevoflurane exposure detection: A fluorinated anesthetic agent

Sevoflurane (C4H3F7O) is a fast-acting anesthetic with low side effects and is widely used in surgery for adults and children. However, small amounts of sevoflurane gas may leak from the breathing apparatus during surgery, which can pose a serious health risk to healthcare workers. In this regard, a study on monitoring of accidental leakage of sevoflurane by different gas-sensitive materials is carried out in this paper. The modified structures of Ni, Pt and Ag on the MoTe2 surface are built. The stabilities of Ni-MoTe2, Pt-MoTe2 and Ag-MoTe2 are investigated by adsorption configurations, Independent Gradient Model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH), Electronic Location Function (ELF) and Density of States (DOS). The adsorption properties of three gas-sensitive materials on sevoflurane are subsequently investigated. The gas-sensitive materials with excellent performance are selected combining sensitivity and recovery time. The results show that Ni and Pt can be stably doped on the surface of MoTe2 with forming chemical bonds. The adsorption of Ni-MoTe2 on sevoflurane is chemisorption with the adsorption energy of −0.811 eV. The DOS and IGMH results also indicate that the force of Ni-MoTe2 on sevoflurane is mainly the attraction caused by chemical bonding. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of Ni-MoTe2 for sevoflurane is between 56.26 % and 50.84 %, and the recovery time is between 35.21 s and 0.01157 s, which can meet the requirements of the gas sensor. As a result, Ni-MoTe2 can be used as a gas-sensitive sensor to detect the concentration of sevoflurane in the environment.

DEXMEDETOMIDINE: A VERSATILE, MULTITASKING ANESTHETIC AGENT FOR PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT, A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Dexmedetomidine stands out as a versatile anesthetic agent with a unique combination of sedative, analgesic, and sympatholytic properties, making it highly suitable for various perioperative applications. Its ability to provide arousable sedation, reduce opioid requirements, and maintain hemodynamic stability offers significant advantages in the perioperative management of surgical patients, particularly those with cardiovascular risks or a history of opioid use. The neuroprotective potential of dexmedetomidine further broadens its clinical applicability, especially in neurosurgical and trauma settings. While generally well-tolerated, its use necessitates careful monitoring to mitigate side effects such as bradycardia and hypotension, particularly in patients with hepatic impairment. The availability of atipamezole as an antidote enhances the safety profile of dexmedetomidine, allowing for rapid and effective reversal of its sedative and cardiovascular effects. Given the comprehensive benefits and the evolving evidence supporting its use, dexmedetomidine represents a valuable addition to the anesthesiologists toolkit, warranting its continued exploration and integration into perioperative care protocols.

Remifentanil as an anesthetic agent in children

Remifentanil as an anesthetic agent in children

Split-mouth Comparison of Anesthetic Efficacy of Articaine and Lidocaine for Extractions of Deciduous Maxillary Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To clinically evaluate whether 4% articaine administered alone as a single buccal infiltration in deciduous maxillary tooth extraction can provide favorable palatal anesthesia compared to buccal and palatal infiltrations using 2% lidocaine. A prospective, double-blind, split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical study was carried out on 60 children comprising 36 females and 24 males in the age group of 5-10 years. During two separate appointments, children randomly received either 4% articaine with 1:1,00,000 epinephrine (group I-experimental) as buccal infiltration alone, or 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine (group II-control) as buccal plus palatal infiltration. Second local anesthetic agent was administered at least 1 week apart from first administration. Efficacy of anesthesia was assessed using subjective [Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale (WBFPS)] and objective [sound, eye, motor (SEM)] scales along with occurrence of any adverse effects. For infiltration procedure, 4% articaine (group I) had statistically highly significant (p < 0.001) pain scores on WBFPS as well as on SEM scale compared to 2% lidocaine (group II). According to WBFPS (p = 0.43) and SEM (p = 0.32) scores, the pain on extraction between 4% articaine and 2% lidocaine was statistically insignificant. About 4% articaine buccal infiltration showed better clinical anesthetic efficacy, thus providing effective palatal anesthesia due to its enhanced vestibule-palatal diffusion with no significant postanesthetic complications. Hence, articaine can be used as an alternative to lidocaine in children for extractions of deciduous maxillary teeth. Jankar JL, Pustake BJ. Split-mouth Comparison of Anesthetic Efficacy of Articaine and Lidocaine for Extractions of Deciduous Maxillary Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(S-1):S6-S10.

The Analysis Study of Efficacy and Safety of Topical Anesthetic Agent for Treatment of Premature Ejaculation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Background: Premature ejaculation (PE) affects 20-30% of men globally, with lifelong and acquired types requiring diverse behavioral and pharmacological treatments. This systematic review aims to analyze current evidence on the efficacy and safety of topical anesthetic agent for treatment of premature ejaculation based on literatures of the last 10 years. Methods: The study adhered to PRISMA 2020 standards, examining English literature from 2014 to 2024. PubMed, SagePub, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar were utilized as literature sources. Result: Initially retrieving 360 articles from online databases (PubMed, SagePub, SpringerLink and Google Scholar) six relevant papers were selected after three rounds of screening for full-text analysis. Conclusion: Overall, the evidence suggests that topical anesthetic agents are effective in treating PE. These agents consistently improve IELT and patient satisfaction, with a favorable safety profile. The findings also highlight the importance of individualized treatment approaches, considering patient preferences, sexual habits, and the specific characteristics of PE.

Efficacy of clove oil and rosewood oil as anesthetics on goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Anesthetics have an essential role in aquaculture operations because they minimize physical injury during various handling practices such as sampling, weighing, length measurement and tagging, which decreases stress on fish. Many fish farmers are involved in using alternative fish anesthetic agents with minimal side effects to life such as herbal essential oils. This study aims at investigating the efficacy of clove oil and rosewood oil as anesthetics on goldfish Carassius auratus. Anesthesia effect of both oils was tested in six different concentrations (i.e., 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 mg/l of water) on ten fish between 6–25 g weight and 9–14 cm length. The efficacy of both oils was assessed on the basis of the fish behavior. The induction time (min) was assessed by loss of swimming (LS), partial loss of equilibrium (PLE), final loss of equilibrium (FLE), and medullar collapse (Mc). The fish were observed for balance and response to a tactile stimulus in each treatment. Both clove oil and rosewood oil contributed well as anesthetics as they caused loss of equilibrium and swimming ability in the goldfish. In contrast, clove oil generated more rapid induction, prolonged recovery, and a narrow margin of safety. Fish farmers should use natural and environment friendly anesthetic agents instead of chemical ones, as they may alter negatively the growth and health of fish.

Implications of eucalyptol anaesthesia on juvenile tambaqui Colossoma macropomum: Examining behavioural, muscular, cardiac, and haematological responses

This study aimed to evaluate the anaesthetic efficacy and safety of eucalyptol (ECL) in promoting full body immobilisation (anaesthesia), muscle relaxation, and cardiac activity in juvenile tambaqui, C. macropomum. Fish with an average weight of 30.8 ± 4.3 g and a length of 11.9 ± 0.7 cm were used. Initially, specimens underwent anaesthetic baths at ECL concentrations of 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 μL.L−1 for behavioural assessment. Thereafter, concentrations of 600, 700, and 800 μL.L−1 were arbitrarily selected for further testing, including electrophysiological recordings (EMG and ECG) over 300 s. Additionally, blood samples were collected before and after anaesthesia at 700 μL.L−1 ECL to analyse haematological responses. A total of 10 juveniles were used in each test and recording, divided into three groups: a) control (baseline recording), b) fish exposed only to the vehicle (water mixed with ethanol), and c) fish subjected to ECL for induction and subsequent recovery. The results indicated that higher concentrations of ECL more effectively promoted full body immobilisation (full anaesthesia). The electromyogram revealed significant decreases in muscle contraction power during anaesthetic induction at the three tested concentrations, indicating pronounced muscle relaxation. The electrocardiogram demonstrated a significant reduction in heart rate in fish induced with 700 μL.L−1 (41 ± 4 BPM) and 800 μL.L−1 ECL (35 ± 5 BPM), and the traces from exposure to ECL (600, 700, and 800 μL.L−1 ECL) showed slight, albeit reversible, arrhythmia, which preceded a bradycardic state. All animals gradually returned to sinus rhythm within the appropriate time threshold, suggesting a safe condition for recovery at all concentrations. Haematological results showed that only glucose levels (146.625 ± 30.95 mg.dL−1) were significantly altered compared to the control (76 ± 19.94 mg.dL−1) and ethanol (97.5 ± 16.15 mg.dL−1) groups, with homeostasis resuming after manipulation. In conclusion, ECL was effective in promoting anaesthesia, leading to complete body immobilisation of C. macropomum at concentrations ranging from 300 to 800 μL.L−1 with appropriate induction and recovery times. Concentrations of 600 to 800 μL.L−1 induced pronounced muscle relaxation and cardiac depression without posing a life-threatening scenario. ECL can act safely and reversibly as an anaesthetic agent for use in non-invasive procedures in tambaqui and potentially in other teleost species.

Population pharmacokinetic modeling of sufentanil in adult Korean patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Sufentanil is frequently used as an anesthetic agent in cardiac surgery owing to its cardiovascular safety and favorable pharmacokinetics. However, the pharmacokinetics profiles of sufentanil in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery remain less understood, which is crucial for achieving the desired level of anesthesia and mitigating surgical complications. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of sufentanil in patients undergoing CPB surgery and elucidate the clinical factors affecting its pharmacokinetic profile. Adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB and were administered sufentanil for anesthesia were enrolled. Arterial blood samples were collected to quantify plasma concentrations of sufentanil and clinical laboratory parameters, including inflammatory cytokines. A population pharmacokinetic model was established using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Simulations were performed using the pharmacokinetic parameters of the final model. Overall, 20 patients were included in the final analysis. Sufentanil pharmacokinetics were modeled using a two-compartment model, accounting for CPB effects. Sufentanil clearance increased 2.80-fold during CPB and warming phases, while the central compartment volume increased 2.74-fold during CPB. CPB was a significant covariate affecting drug clearance and distribution volume. No other significant covariates were identified despite increased levels of the inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α during CPB. The simulation indicated a 30 μg loading dose and 40 μg/h maintenance infusion for target-controlled infusion. Additionally, a bolus dose of 60 μg was added at CPB initiation to adjust for exposure changes during this phase. Considering the target sufentanil concentrations, a uniform dosing regimen was acceptable for effective analgesia.

Factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionPostoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common distressing symptoms experienced after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We report the rate, and the factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting, the patterns of prophylactic antiemetic prescription, and the anesthetic techniques used among patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (JDW) National Referral Hospital, Bhutan.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the JDW National Referral Hospital, from January to December 2018. All the patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were included in the study. The demographic variables, premedication, induction agents, muscle relaxants, inhalational agents for maintenance, opioid and adjuvant analgesics, the reversal agents used, and the occurrence of PONV within 24 h were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 23). Continuous variables were compared using a t-test or Mann-Whitney test, categorical variables were tested using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting.Results190 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. The rate of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 31.1% (59/190). Over half (53.7%, 102/190) of the study population were within 21–40 years of age, over 80% (157/190) were female, and 2/3rd were overweight and obese. The most frequently used premedication was ranitidine (39%, 34/87) and metoclopramide (31%, 27/87). More than half (57.4%, 109/190) of the patients received morphine as an opioid analgesic before induction. Sodium thiopentone was a commonly used induction agent (65.8%, 125/190). Succinylcholine and atracurium were mostly preferred muscle relaxants. Isoflurane and air were the most used inhalational anesthetic agents for the maintenance of anesthesia. Ondansetron was the most preferred anti-emetics during the intraoperative period. Previous history of motion sickness (OR 5.8, 95%CI 2.9–11.2, p < 0.001), and use of sodium thiopental (OR 4.1, 95%CI 1.9–9.1, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for PONV. The use of antiemetics (OR 0.1, 95%CI 0.0-0.4, p = 0.002), propofol (OR 0.2, 95%CI 0.1–0.5, p < 0.001), adjuvant analgesic paracetamol (OR 0.4, 95%CI 0.2–0.8, p = 0.026), and adequate hydration with IV fluids (OR 0.9, 95%CI 0.9-1.0, p = 0.042) were preventive factors for PONV.ConclusionThe rate of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was high. History of motion sickness and use of sodium thiopental for induction were independent risk factors of PONV. The use of multimodal prophylactic antiemetics was robust and superior to monotherapy in preventing PONV. This finding re-emphasizes the need for risk stratification and appropriate use of antiemetics and anesthetic agents to prevent PONV.

End-Tidal Control Versus Manual Control of Inhalational Anesthesia Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial.

Precise anesthesia delivery helps ensure amnesia, analgesia, and immobility. Conventionally, the end-tidal anesthetic concentration is maintained through manual adjustment of the fresh gas flow and anesthetic vaporizer output. Some anesthesia delivery systems can deliver and maintain clinician-selected end-tidal anesthetic agent (EtAA) concentration using a modified closed-loop system. We evaluated the performance of an End-tidal Control (EtC) system on the Aisys CS 2 anesthesia machine (GE HealthCare). We hypothesized EtC anesthetic delivery would be noninferior to manually controlled anesthetic delivery. The Multi-site Anesthesia randomized controlled STudy of End-tidal control compared to conventional Results (MASTER) Trial evaluated anesthetic delivery in 210 adult patients receiving inhaled anesthesia. Patients were randomized to either EtC or manual control (MC) anesthetic delivery. The primary objective was to determine whether, compared to conventional anesthesia practice, EtC achieves and maintains clinician-specified EtAA and end-tidal oxygen (Et o2 ) concentrations within defined noninferiority limits. Noninferiority was concluded if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between the percent duration within the acceptable range (5% of steady state or a margin of ~10% of each agent's minimum alveolar concentration) for EtC and MC was ≥ -5% for both EtAA and Et o2 . Secondary objectives included performance measures: response time: time required to attain 90% of the first desired EtAA, overshoot: amount the controller (or vaporizer delivery) exceeded the desired EtAA, and accuracy: average deviation from the desired EtAA. EtC achieved and sustained targeted EtAA and Et o2 concentrations within the noninferiority threshold. The EtAA was within 5% of the desired value 98% ± 2.05% of the time with EtC compared to 45.7% ± 31.7% of the time with MC (difference 52.3% [95% CI, 45.9%-58.6%], P < .0001). For Et o2 , EtC was within the noninferiority limit 86.3% ± 22.8% of the time compared with MC at 41% ± 33.3% ( P < .0001, difference 45.3% [95% CI, 36.1%-54.5%]). The median response time for achieving 90% of the initial EtAA desired value was 75 seconds with EtC and 158 seconds with MC ( P = .0013). EtC exhibited a median overshoot of 6.64% of the selected EtAA concentration, whereas MC often failed to reach the clinician's desired value. The difference in median percent deviation from desired EtAA value was 15.7% ([95% CI, 13.5%-19.0%], P < 0001). EtC achieves and maintains the EtAA and Et o2 concentration in a manner that is noninferior to manually controlled anesthesia delivery.

Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Cervical Paraspinal Interfascial Plane Block for Postoperative Pain after Pediatric Chiari Decompression.

Surgery for lesions of the posterior fossa is associated with significant postoperative pain in pediatric patients related to extensive manipulation of the suboccipital musculature and bone. In this study, we assess the preliminary safety, effect on neuromonitoring, and analgesic efficacy of applying a cervical paraspinal interfascial plane block in pediatric patients undergoing posterior fossa surgery. In this prospective case series, we enrolled five patients aged 2-18 years undergoing surgery for symptomatic Chiari type I malformation. An ultrasound-guided cervical cervicis plane (CCeP) block was performed prior to the incision. A local anesthetic agent (bupivacaine) and a steroid adjuvant (dexamethasone) were injected into the fascial planes between the cervical semispinalis capitis and cervical semispinalis cervicis muscles at the level of the planned suboccipital decompression and C1 laminectomy. Motor-evoked and somatosensory-evoked potentials were monitored before and after the block. Patients were assessed for complications from the local injection in the intraoperative period and for pain in the postoperative period. No adverse events were noted intraoperatively, and there were no changes in neuromonitoring signals. Pain scores were low in the immediate postoperative period, and rescue medications were minimal. No complaints of incisional pain or need for narcotics were noted at the time of the 3-month postsurgical follow-up. In this study, we demonstrate the preliminary safety and analgesic efficacy of a novel application of a CCeP block to pediatric patients undergoing suboccipital surgery. Larger studies are needed to further validate the use of this block in children.

Carbon footprint in trauma surgery, is there a way to reduce it?

BackgroundInhaled anaesthetic agents like sevoflurane contribute for approximately 5% to healthcare’s carbon footprint. Previous studies suggested that the use of these agents should be minimized. Although multiple trauma surgeries can be performed under regional anaesthesia, most are performed under general anaesthesia. This study aims to evaluate the environmental benefits of using regional anaesthesia over general anaesthesia and to compare the associated complication rates.MethodsThis retrospective study included all trauma patients (≥ 18 years) who underwent surgical intervention for hand, wrist, hip, or ankle fractures from 2017 to 2021. The hypothetical environmental gain was calculated based on the assumption that all surgeries were performed under regional anaesthesia. Complication rates were compared between regional and general anaesthesia.ResultsOf the 2,714 surgeries, 15% were hand, 26% wrist, 36% hip, and 23% ankle fractures. General anaesthesia was used in 95%, regional in 5%. Switching this 95% to regional anaesthesia would reduce the sevoflurane use by 92 k, comparable to driving 406,553 km by car. The complication rate was higher with general anaesthesia compared to regional (7.7% vs 6.9%, p = 0.75).ConclusionThe potential gain of the reduction of sevoflurane in trauma surgeries which can be performed under regional anaesthesia can be significant.

Dexmedetomidine as a total intravenous anesthetic in pediatric patients undergoing cleft lip and palate surgery: a case series

BackgroundSurgery for pediatric cleft lip and palate repair often utilizes high-dose opioids and inhaled anesthesia, thereby causing postoperative complications such as desaturation and/or severe agitation after anesthesia. These complications are detrimental to the child and medical personnel and cause tremendous psychologic stress to parents. Our aim is to decrease these complications through dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 receptor agonist with anxiolytic, sympatholytic, and analgetic properties. Devoid of respiratory depressant effect, it allows patients to maintain effective ventilation and reduce agitation, postoperatively. Its unique anesthetic property may shed light on providing safe anesthesia and gentle emergence to this young, vulnerable population.Case presentationA total of 21 patients of Sundanese ethnicity, aged 3 months to 8 years (9 males and 12 females), underwent cleft lip or cleft palate surgery using total intravenous dexmedetomidine. Anesthesia was induced using sevoflurane, fentanyl, and propofol, and airway was secured. Intravenous dexmedetomidine 1.5 μg/kg was administered within 10 minutes, and a maintenance dose of 1.5 μg/kg/hour was continued as the sole anesthetic maintenance agent thereafter. Hemodynamics and anesthetic depth using Patient State Index (SEDLine™ monitor, Masimo Corporation, Irvine, CA, USA) were monitored carefully throughout the surgical procedure. Dexmedetomidine did not cause any hemodynamic derangements or postoperative complications in any of our patients. We found agitation in 9.5% (2/21) of patients.ConclusionDexmedetomidine can be used as a total intravenous anesthetic agent to maintain anesthesia and provide gentle emergence to infants and young children undergoing cleft lip and palate repair.