Anesthetic Management in a Child With Niemann-Pick Disease

Niemann-Pick is a lipid storage disease that results from a lysosomal enzyme deficiency (sphingomyelinase). It has different presentations, and it may affect various organs such as the central nervous system, kidney, liver, and spleen. Due to the complexity of the disease, careful perianesthetic management is necessary in order to reduce the risks and sequels. As there is little evidence available in the literature regarding the anesthetic implications of such patients, in this case report we describe the anesthetic management of a two-year-old female with Niemann-Pick disease.

Attenuation of Hemodynamic Responses to Intubation by Gabapentin in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a Randomized Clinical Trial

A varieties of medications have been suggested to prevent hemodynamic instabilities following laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. This study was conducted to determine the beneficial effects of gabapentin on preventing hemodynamic instabilities associated with intubation in patients who were a candidate for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). This double blinded randomized, parallel group clinical trial was carried out on 58 normotensive patients scheduled for elective CABG under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation in Shariati Hospital. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups of 29 patients that received 1200 mg of gabapentin in two dosages (600 mg, 8 hours before anesthesia induction and 600 mg, 2 hours before anesthesia induction) as gabapentin group or received talc powder as placebo (placebo group). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured immediately before intubation, during intubation, immediately after intubation, 1 and 2 minutes after tracheal intubation. Inter-group comparisons significantly showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate immediately before intubation, during intubation, immediately after intubation, 1 and 2 minutes after tracheal intubation in the placebo group in comparison to gabapentin group. The median of anxiety verbal analog scale (VAS) at the pre-induction room in gabapentin and placebo groups were 2 and 4, respectively that was significantly lower in the former group (P. value =0.04 ); however, regarding median of pain score no difference was observed between them (P. value =0.07). Gabapentin (1200 mg) given preoperatively can effectively attenuate the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy, intubation and also reduce preoperative related anxiety in patients who were a candidate for CABG.

Comparison of the Effects of Magnesium Sulfate and Remifentanil on Hemodynamic Responses During Tracheal Extubation After Laparotomy: A Randomized Double-blinded Trial

BACKGROUND

Because blood pressure and heart rate (HR) elevations during tracheal extubation are common, different medications have been studied to prevent such complications.

OBJECTIVES

To compare magnesium sulfate, remifentanil, and placebo regarding mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR changes during/after tracheal extubation, in patients who underwent laparotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this randomized double-blinded trial, 120 patients undergoing laparotomy were evenly divided into three groups, including remifentanil (1 mcg/kg), magnesium sulfate (50 mg/kg), or normal saline, as placebo. Hemodynamic responses (MAP and HR) were documented at different times (before operation, during medication administration, immediately before extubation, immediately after extubation, and also 3, 5, and 10 minutes after extubation). The double burst time (DBT) was determined using neuromuscular monitoring, as time interval, between administration of reverse medication and DBT of 100%.

RESULTS

The HR was significantly lower, immediately after extubation and 3, 5, and 10 minutes after extubation, in both magnesium and remifentanil groups, compared to normal saline (P < 0.001). The MAP was also lower in magnesium and remifentanil groups, immediately after extubation and 3 minutes after extubation, in comparison to the normal saline group (P < 0.001). Mean (± SD) DBT 100% was significantly higher in magnesium group (30.2 ± 15.3) vs. remifenatnil (13.6 ± 6.8) and normal saline (13.5 ± 8.2) groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both remifentanil and magnesium had favorable outcomes in preventing HR and MAP elevation after tracheal extubation. However, remifentanil was associated with more rapid regaining of consciousness and reversal of muscular relaxation.

Anaphylactic shock during pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery

Introduction:

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease caused by a tapeworm Echinococcusgranulosus. Humans are accidental hosts and infected after digestion of foods contaminated to fecal matter of definite hosts. The most affected organs are liver and lungs. Rupture of cyst (spontaneous rupture or rupture due to trauma or surgery) can cause anaphylactic reactions. Even considered as a rare event during anesthesia, it can be life threatening with the manifestations of severe hypotension and circulatory shock. Thus, immediate and proper treatment is necessary .

Case Presentation:

We report a case of anaphylactic shock during surgery of pulmonary Hydatid cyst in a 42 year old woman and its management.

Conclusions:

During the surgery of hydatid cyst, any hemodynamic instability should raise the suspension of anaphylaxis and early resuscitation should be instituted.

Postoperative gabapentin to prevent postoperative pain: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that has postoperative analgesic effects but there are limited studies on its postoperative administration.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the postoperative oral gabapentin on pain and morphine consumption.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a double blind, randomized study, 64 patients undergoing internal fixation of tibia under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive oral gabapentin or placebo immediately after the surgery. Pain scores were recorded at time points of 2, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively using visual analog scale (VAS). Time duration from the end of surgery until morphine administration and total morphine requirement in the first 24 hours were recorded.

RESULTS

The estimated duration of surgeries was 120-150 minutes. VAS score was not significantly different between the two groups at 2, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. There was no significant morphine consumption difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed no significant analgesic efficacy of oral gabapentin 300 mg immediately after tibia internal fixation surgery under spinal anesthesia at time points of 2, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively.