Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: One of the disturbing complications of propofol is pain on venous injection. Some investigators had reported that corticosteroids effectively induce and prolong the duration of local anesthetics. The aim of this study was to assess and comparing the efficacy of propofol pretreatment with dexamethasone in prevalence and severity of its pain on injection.

Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled prospective study, 90ASA I and II, 20 to 60 years-old patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled. In all patients, one of the veins of both hands was catheterized with a 20 G catheter. Then randomly, and simultaneously 2 ml dexamethasone (8 mg) was injected to one of them and 2 ml of normal saline was injected to other. After 30 seconds, 2 ml propofol (20 mg) was injected to both hands, at the same time in 30 seconds. Pain intensity was measured using VAS system.

Results: The age mean was 32.87±5.61. Twenty nine patients were male (32.2%). The mean of pain during propofol injection was significantly lower in dexamethasone group than normal saline group (1.61 vs.4.21 respectively, p< 0.05). Also the pain incidence was significantly lower in dexamethasone group compared to normal saline group (20% vs. 57.78% respectively, p> 0.05).

Conclusion: Intravenous administration of 8 mg dexamethasone before propofol IV injection significantly decreases the pain on injection of propofol.

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Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a one of the most common symptoms of vertebral column diseases. Spinal muscles have a outstanding role in maintaining vertebral column function in daily life. But proper function and motion of hip and knee joints also has an important role in performing smooth, fine and nonstressed movements of lumbar spin. Where as accurate and fine motions of hip and knee joints in cooperate with lumbar spin can improve translation and summation of forces and increase performance of movements. The aim of this research is to indicate the amount of interventions of lower limb joints on lumbar spin function in patients with LBP, and attention to physical treatment (PT) of them.

Materials and Methods: Fifty females with LBP due to osteoarthritis ( OA) of lumbar spin participated in this study and divided in two groups randomly with similar number of cases: a) ordinary treatment or control group and b) complementary treatment group. Patients in control group treated by routine PT approach ( superficial heat, ultrasound, TENS, forward flexion and back extension exercises ) and patients in complementary or test group received routine treatment similar to control group and also strength and stretching exercises of hip and knee joint muscles ( latisimous dorsi, gluteous maximus, iliopsoas, quadriceps and hamstring ) bilaterally. Range of motion (ROM) of lumbar, hip and keen joints by valid goniametere and pain of lumbar in motions at all of axis by visual analog scale measured before, after five and ten sessions of treatments in both groups.

Results: In control group with non parametric tests there was not significant difference of MMT of muscles and ROMs of hip and knee joints. Lumbar pain in motion after ten sessions of PT in this group reduced significantly ( P< 0.05 ). Increase of lumbar motion in all of axis after PT was significant at this patients ( P< 0.05 ). In second group that received complementary treatments ROM of joints, lumbar pain had significant differences between onset of treatments and five and ten sessions later ( P< 0.05 ), but there was not significant findings in MMT of muscles. There were significant differences between percentages of reduce of pain and increase of ROM in comparison of two groups ( P< 0.05 ). Where as patients that received ordinary PT and strength and stretching of muscles around of hip and knee indicated better recovery signs.

Conclusion: Reduce of lumbar pain with improve of motion and flexibility of muscles such as quadriceps, hamstring, gluteus maximus, iliopsoas and latisimous dorsi in a complete physical therapy approach indicate there are a great correlation between lumbar pain and functionality of lower limb joints. Therefore concentration to flexibility and extensibility of muscles of lower limbs is a basis aim in treatment of patients with lumbar OA.

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Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary pathology occuring in context of infection, trauma, burn, and sepsis. Tissue injury and release of chemical mediators result in tissue damage and organ failure especially respiratory failure. Many therapeutic modalities including vitamin E, allopurinol, and N-acetylcystein (NAC) have been used to decrease levels of inflammatory factors and to control and improve signs and symptoms. The antioxidant feature of NAC induces synthesis of glutathione- the scavenger of free radicals- and increase respiratory drive and PaO₂. In time diagnosis of ALI, prompt institution of treatment will reduce mortality and morbidity in critical illness.
Methods: This open label analytical clinical trial included a total of 50 patients admitted in the ICU ward of Sina University Hospital. They were randomly divided into two groups of 25, the case group received NAC 150mg/kg in 100ml Normal saline within 20 minutes then 50mg/kg in 100ml Normal saline within 4 hr after that 50mg/kg daily for three days. The controls received only normal saline. Oxygenation and ventilation parameters were studied In both groups.
Results: There were no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic indices, mean SpO₂, ABG values, mortality rates, and clearing of chest x-rays. The best outcome was seen in young traumatic patients.

Conclusion: In this relatively small group of patients presenting with an established ALI/ ARDS subsequent to a variety of underlying disease, intravenous NAC treatment during first four days neither significantly improved systemic oxygenation nor reduced the need for ventilatory support.

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Background: Axillary block is used for inducing anesthesia in outpatient hand and forearm surgeries. Few researches have studied hemodynamic and blockade effects of low doses of Epinephrine. The aim of the present study was to compare the duration of analgesia and hemodynamic changes following the injection of high/low epinephrine doses in such surgeries.

Methods: The present randomized clinical trial study was conducted on healthy individuals (ASA I-II) who were candidates for hand and forearm surgeries. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first two groups were allocated to receive lidocaine with low (0.6µg/cc) and high (5µg/cc) doses of epinephrine whereas lidocaine plus normal saline was injected in the third group. The hemodynamic changes (Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate) and the occurance of any side-effects along with the duration of analgesia and motor block were recorded.

Results: From among the total of 75 patients, 15 cases were excluded due to incomplete blockade or failure needing general anesthesia. The duration of analgesia and the motor block were longer in the high dose epinephrine group, the difference, however, was not statistically significant. Heart rate changes within the groups was significant in the 4^th-7^th and 10^th minutes. Mean arterial blood pressure changes was only significant in the 4^th minute, within the groups.

Conclusions: Administering low doses of epinephrine plus lidocaine as a local anesthetic not only provides acceptable analgesia compared to higher doses of the medication, but also is associated with fewer side effects.

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Background: Epidural catheters are seldom difficult to remove from patients. The breakage of the catheters is uncommon, troublesome and occasionally dangerous. Case presentation: A lumbar epidural catheter inserted in a 17 year-old man for applying anesthesia for internal fixation of femur fracture and subsequent postoperativeepidural analgesia. In the third postoperative day, during unsuccessful attempt for removing the catheter, it was broken and was retained in his back. A CT- scan was performed and shows a fragment of catheter in the sub- laminar ligament between L3 and L4 without any connection with epidural space. As the patient had no complaint the fractured fragment was left in site and he was just followed up in the clinic. Conclusion: The knowledge of practical method in locating the retained epidural catheter, and the indication for surgical removal are very important. CT- scan is useful in showing the mechanism and locating the epidural catheter entrapment and facilitating surgical follow-up.

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Burning Transient Neurologic Syndrome (TNS) which was first described by Schneider et al in 1993, is defined as a transient pain and dysesthesia in waist, buttocks and the lower limbs after spinal anesthesia.1,2 The incidence of TNS after spinal anesthesia with lidocaine is reported to be as high as 10-40%.3,4 This prospective study was designed to determine the incidence of TNS with two different types of drugs, lidocaine and bupivacaine, in lithotomy or supine positions as the primary outcomes and to determine the association between two different types of needles and surgical positions with the occurrence of TNS as the secondary outcome. The present study was conducted on 250 patients (ASA I-II), aged 18-60 years old, who were candidates for surgery in supine or lithotomy positions. According to the needle type (Sprotte or Quincke) and the local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine) all patients were randomly divided into four groups. After establishing standard monitoring, spinal anesthesia was performed in all sitting patients by attending anesthesiologists at L2-L3 or L3-L4 levels. The patients were placed in supine or lithotomy position, in regards to the surgical procedure. During the first three postoperative days, patients were observed for post spinal anesthesia complications, especially TNS. Any sensation of pain, dysesthesia, paresthesia or hyperalgesia in the low back area, buttocks, the anterior or posterior thigh, knees, either foot or both feet were recorded. Moreover, duration of pain, its radiation and its relation to sleep and the patients' position were all carefully considered. Ultimately, the patients' response to opioid (pethidine) for analgesia was determined. The incidence of TNS was higher when spinal anesthesia was induced with lidocaine (68% vs. 22%, P=0.003). TNS developed in 85% of the patients in lidocaine group and 58% in bupivacaine group after surgery in lithotomy position (P=0.002). In 77 patients pain was in lumbosacral area that radiated to lower limbs and was aggravated in sitting position but in 22 patients pain was in thighs with no radiation. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) for the determination of pain severity was six in all patients. Pain was alleviated by the administration of pethidine. With regard to the needle type, there were no significant differences between the two types of needles (P=0.7). According to the results of this prospective study, it seems that induction of spinal anesthesia by lidocaine combined with surgical lithotomy position increases the risk of TNS. Our study is in concordance with Keld's study.5 Higher neurotoxicity of lidocaine in comparison with bopivacaine may justify the higher incidence of TNS in the lidocaine group. Moreover, natural lumbar lordosis is maintained better in supine position while it is lost in lithothomy position which may lay traction forces on cauda equina or other nerve roots in the lumbar area leading to neuropraxia.

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Background: Random pattern flap is a common reconstructive surgery procedure but its necrosis is a challenging problem. A lot of pharmacological agents and surgical procedures have been examined for the prevention of this complication to maximize the length to width ratio of these surgical flaps. Therefore, we designed an experimental study to evaluate the effects of aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix) and their combination on random skin flap survival in rats.
Methods: Forty male rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups. Surgery was done under general anesthesia. A random, rectangular 3×11 cm dorsal skin flap was designed, elevated and sutured back into its primary site. In group one, 100 mg/kg Aspirin and in group two, 25 mg/kg Plavix were administered orally for 7 days postoperatively. Aspirin and Plavix were co-administered in the third group for the same period of time while the control group received no medication. After 7 days, the total surface of flaps, the viable and also the necrotic parts were measured by Image J software. Mean standard deviation and analysis of variance were calculated to compare the results.
Results: The mean area of flap survival was 62.49% in the control, 64.04% in Aspirin, 65.09% in Plavix and 64.06% in combination groups. No statistically significant differences were found between treatment groups and control rats.
Conclusion: In this study, we found no significant differences between Aspirin, Plavix or their combination on the survival of random skin flaps.

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Background: Renal transplantation is the preferred therapeutic method for patients with end-stage renal disease. Patients with renal failure have significant associated medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. The suitable anesthesia for renal transplantation requires minimal toxicity for the transplanted organ, as well as sufficient pain relief and maintenance of optimal blood pressure and intravascular volume to keep renal functions. The aim of this study was to improve our experience of spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing renal transplantation.
Methods: Sixty consecutive patients scheduled for elective renal transplantation over a period of two years who consented for spinal anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Intraoperative hemodynamic, intravenous fluids and infused blood products, duration of surgery, urine output and arterial blood gas and intensity of pain score in the recovery room were monitored. We also noted intraoperative and postoperative complications.
Results: Spinal anesthesia was satisfactory in all, but in five patients they required supplementation with general anesthesia for excessively prolonged surgery. There were no significant intraoperative hemodynamic changes. The total intravenous fluid used during surgery was 65.15±7.2 mL/kg, the mean surgical time was 170±22 min. The mean of mean arterial pressure (MAP) during the operation was 98±12 mmhg. There was no significant acidosis at the end of the operation (PH=38±0.03). Also the mean intensity of pain was 4±2 in recovery and a few of patients suffered from bladder catheter bladder discomfort in the recovery room (8 patients).
Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia is a successful regional anesthetic technique in well selected patients for renal transplantation. A successful outcome in this technique is dependent on close intra-operative monitoring, optimization of intravascular fluid volume and keep the hemodynamic status in optimal range.

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Background: The Trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR) has been studied as a phenomenon including bradycardia, arterial hypotension, apnea and gastric hypermotility during manipulation of the peripheral or central parts of the trigeminal nerve.
Case presentation: We report a case of a 26-year-old man undergoing surgery for a skull base extra axial tumor in right petrous bone suspected to metastasis of a previous renal cell carcinoma which had been treated four years ago. The patient presented with continuous and unilateral headache and difficulty in swallowing, sensory neural hearing loss, nasal speech and tongue deviation to left side. He underwent general anesthesia with standard monitoring and total intravenous anesthetic technique. The first episode of sudden onset bradycardia and hypotension related to surgical manipulation was detected intraoperatively in which the heart rate spontaneously returned to normal level once the surgical manipulation stopped. However, it repeated several times by beginning of tumor resection and manipulation in the region of trigeminal nerve. The intensity of bradycardia in subsequent episodes of TCR was relatively crescendo and had no fatigability. Finally, it was treated by administration of a single dose of atropine (0.5mg/IV) and did not happen again.
Conclusion: The risk of TCR should be considered in any neurosurgical intervention involving trigeminal nerve and its branches, especially at the skull base surgeries. The vigilance of the medical team and continuous intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring alerts the surgeons to interrupt surgical maneuvers upon the TCR occurrence, immediately.

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Background: Today Anesthesiologists occasionally face with bradycardia during gastric surgery and recognized this phenomenon as a vagal reflex. The objective of this study is finding of anesthesia risk factors for bradycardia and prevention of its hazardous complications during gastric surgeries. Methods: In this retrospective study, fifty patients undergoing laparatomy and gastric surgery in Sina hospital between September 2009 to September 2013. They had been anesthetized with propofol or thiopental and their maintenance was kept by isoflurane or propofol were enrolled. The age, gender, underlying diseases, drug history, chemotherapy, kind of surgery, heart rate variability, onset time of bradycardia and its complication during a period of four years was noted. Results: Of Fifty patients, 31 males and 19 females was enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 48±8.3 yr all patients had laparatomy under general anesthesia. The kind of surgery were mainly gasterectomy and gastrojejunostomy. The mean onset of episode bradycardia was 24.5±3.5 min after initiation of surgery incision, and most of the bradycardia was mild to moderate (47 patients) that with injection of atropine it resolved. There was no relationships between anesthetic drugs and anesthetic maintenance, age, gender, and incidence of bradycardia event during the surgery. The risk factors of bradycardia were, diabetes mellitus in seven patients, use of beta blockers in 17 patients in perioperative period and gastric cancer and chemotherapy (neoadjuant therapy) in three patients that lead to asystole, they were not response to standard treatment during surgery and lead to death. Conclusion: The history of gastric cancer and previous chemotherapy might be the only common factors that cause to bradycardia and irresponsible asystole during gastric surgery in these patients. It seems that only close monitoring and vigilant anesthesiologist require for treatment and prevention from adverse effect of such a sever bradycardia event.

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Background: Pain control after orthognathic surgeries due to severity of pain and limitations of opioids use in these patients are particular importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral gabapentin and intramuscular ketorolac in combination with intravenous acetaminophen for pain control after this surgery.

Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial (RCT) on 75 patients (18-60 years old American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, I, II) that undergo orthognathic surgery in Sina University Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran from June 2013 to August 2014. The patients were randomly divided in 3 groups. All of groups received 1 gr (intravenous acetaminophen) 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The control group (n= 25) received placebo. The second group (n= 25) received 30 mg ketorolac intramuscular after induction of anesthesia and the third group (n= 25) received 600 mg Gabapentin orally 30 minute before the induction of anesthesia. The pain severity score assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), the level of sedation assessed by Ramsey scale, opioid requirement, nausea and vomiting was recorded in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. For rescue pain management intravenous morphine was administered.

Results: Seventy-five patients were enrolled in this study. Use of Ketorolac and gabapentin declines the pain intensity, level of agitation and morphine requirement in the recovery room and early hours in the ward (P= 0.011). The 24-hour opioid consumption, nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in control group compared with the both intervention groups (15±1.4 vs. 5±0.5 mg) (P< 0.05) retrospectively. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate changes was significantly lower in ketorolac and gabapentin groups compare to control group in recovery room (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that ketorolac as well as gabapentin can decline the pain intensity and opioid requirement with less nausea and vomiting and good hemodynamic control after orthognathic surgery.

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Background: To assess patient' reaction towards bedside teaching in the nephrology ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex (Tehran) and to identify the factors that may influence it.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the nephrology ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex from march to September, 2014. All inpatients present on the day of the study were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Results: 146 patients were examined in this study that 62 patients (42.5%) were women and 84 cases (57.5%) were men. 112 (76.7%) of patients had a good feeling about the training to physicians. The behavior of students was evaluated respectful by 132 individuals (90.4% of patients). Total number of 106 individuals (72.6% of patients) had trusted to the health care team and 120 people (82.2% of patients) knew that the physicians’ behaviors are associated with the respect to their religious beliefs. Not being same sex of the examiners was important for 47 individuals (32.2% of patients). The number of 123 cases (84.2% of patients) evaluated the physicians' behavior with respect to their privacy. The number of 119 individuals (81.5% of patients) received their responses from the examiners. Statistical tests indicate a significant relationship between the respectful behavior of students with patient and good feeling about training to physicians, so that the 95.5% of people who have seen the respectful behavior of students to oneself had a good feeling about training to physicians (P˂0.001). The relationship between the presence of teacher with students and good feeling on training to physicians was significant (P=0.013). Positive feeling about practicing physicians was associated with patient age. So the age average of people who feel good about practicing physicians was significantly lower than the other people (47.2±17 versus 55.6±18 and P=0.028). Conclusion: The relationship between respectful behavior and presence of teacher with students and age and good feeling on training to physicians was significant.

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Results: One hundred patients were enrolled in this study. The median age of patients was 55.4±10.8 years (12-75 yr). First-try insertion success was 98% in the guidewire group and 74% in the control group (P=0.001). First, the try insertion failure percentage was 2% in the guidewire group and 26% in the control group (P=0.001). The time needed for NG tube insertion was significantly lower in the guidewire group, as 38.3±4.8 seconds in the guidewire group vs 61.5±6.2 seconds in the control group (P=0.001). A significantly lower number of complications like twisting, sticking, hemorrhage and traumatization were seen in the guidewire group.  Remarkably, that no case of absolute insertion failure was seen in the guidewire group but there were three such cases in the control group. Conclusion: The incidence of a successful first-try NG tube insertion has been significantly improved by the use of Steel Wire rope against the conventional neck flexing technique, in unconscious intubated patients, and causes less traumatization and complications as well.

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Results: In the glide scope group, 76% of students were able to see the epiglottis and larynx in 20 seconds, but in the Macintosh group, 43% of students were able to see the larynx in 20 seconds. In terms of endotracheal intubation time, 72% of the students in the glide scope group were able to successfully perform endotracheal intubation within 40 seconds in their first attempt, but in the Macintosh group, 44% completed endotracheal intubation within 40 seconds (P=0.00). In the evaluation of the quality of skill, the average score of the students in the Macintosh group was 15.30±0.56, while the average score in the glide scope group was 17.20±0.83 (P=0.00). The scores and satisfaction of the students in the glide scope group were higher than the Macintosh. Conclusion: The use of video laryngoscope in teaching of intubation in trainees will increase the speed, and accuracy of their training and satisfaction compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope.

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