Objective: The aim of this randomized, controlled study was to compare the sedoanalgesic effects of ketamine-dexmedetomidine and ketamine-midazolam on dressing changes of burn patients. Materials and Methods: Following Ethics Committee approval and informed patient consent, 90 ASA physical statuses I and II adult burn patients were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Ten minutes before dressing change, the dexmedetomidine group (group KD) ( n=30) received a continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 1 μg kg^-1 , the midazolam group (group KM) ( n=30) received a continuous infusion of midazolam at a rate of 0.05 mg kg^-1 and the saline group (group KS) ( n=30) received a continuous infusion of saline intravenously. One minute before dressing change, each patient was administered 1 mg kg^-1 ketamine intravenously. Hemodynamic variables, pain and sedation scores, the number of patients requiring additional ketamine, time to dressing change and recovery time were recorded. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values were significantly lower at, before and after ketamine administration; and 5, 10 and 15 minutes after the procedure in group KD in comparison with the other groups ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pain scores among the groups during the study period. Sedation scores were significantly higher in group KD than in groups KM and KS at the end of the first hour ( P<0.05). Time to dressing change and recovery time were similar in all the groups. Conclusion: In burn patients undergoing dressing changes, although both combinations ketamine-dexmedetomidine and ketamine-midazolam offered an effective sedoanalgesia without causing any significant side effect, the former resulted in higher sedation and lower hemodynamic discrepancy.

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Traditionally, routine investigations prior to surgery are considered an important element of preanesthetic evaluation to determine the fitness for anesthesia and surgery. During past few decades this practice has been a subject of close scrutiny due to low yield and high aggregate cost. Performing routine screening tests in patients who are otherwise healthy is invariably of little value in detecting diseases and in changing the anesthetic management or outcome. Thorough history and investigation of positive answers by the clinicians, combined with physical examination of patient represents the best method for screening diseases followed by few selective tests as guided by patient's health condition, invasiveness of planned surgery and potential for blood loss. A large number of investigations which are costly to pursue often detect minor abnormalities of no clinical relevance, may be risky to patients, cause unnecessary delay or cancellation of surgery, and increase medico-legal liability. An approach of selective testing reduces cost without sacrificing safety or quality of surgical care.

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Cancer pain is still one of the most feared entities in cancer and about 75% of these patients require treatment with opioids for severe pain. The cancer pain relief is difficult to manage in patients with episodic or incidental pain, neuropathic pain, substance abuse and with impaired cognitive or communication skills. This non-systematic review article aims to discuss reasons for under treatment, tools of pain assessment, cancer pain and anxiety and possibly carve new approaches for cancer pain management in future. The current status of World Health Organization analgesic ladder has also been reviewed. A thorough literature search was carried out from 1998 to 2010 for current status in cancer pain management in MEDLINE, WHO guidelines and published literature and relevant articles have been included.

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Background: Ideally, the intensity of postoperative pain should be predicted so as to customize analgesia. The objective of this study was to investigate whether preoperative electrical and pressure pain assessment can predict post-caesarean section pain and analgesic requirement. Materials and Methods: A total of 65 subjects scheduled for elective caesarean section, who gave written informed consent, were studied. Preoperatively, PainMatcher^® was used to evaluate electrical pain threshold, while manual PainTest™ FPN 100 Algometer and digital PainTest™ FPX 25 Algometer determined pressure pain threshold and tolerance. Postoperatively, numerical rating scales were used to assess pain at regular time intervals. Patients received intramuscular pethidine (100mg, 6 hourly), rectal diclofenac (100mg, 12 hourly), and oral paracetamol (1g, p.r.n.) for pain relief. Statistical analysis was conducted using PASW Statistics 18 software. Results: Preoperative electrical pain threshold correlated significantly with post-caesarean pain scores at 6 and 24 hours (r = -0.26, P < 0.02; r = -0.23, P < 0.04, respectively), and with the quantity of paracetamol consumed by the patient within 48 hours of surgery (r = -0.33, P < 0.005). Preoperative pressure pain tolerance measured by PainTest™ FPX 25 Algometer was significantly correlated with pain scores 6 hours postsurgery (r = -0.21, P < 0.05). Pain scores 6 hours post-caesarean section correlated significantly with anesthesia--general or spinal (F = 4.22, v ₁ = 1, v ₂ = 63, P < 0.05). Conclusions: The predictive methods proposed may aid in identifying patients at greater risk for postoperative pain. Electrical pain threshold could be useful in personalizing the postoperative analgesic protocol.

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Blood transfusion refers to the perioperative administration of blood and blood components. Adherence to proper indications for blood component therapy is essential because of its potential adverse effects and costs of transfusion. Over the years, the significance of blood components in treating certain diseases or conditions has been recognized. In this article, the most commonly used blood components along with the new developments in component therapy have been discussed. Recommendations by different academic and clinical trials and studies have been presented for quick reference. The individual coagulation factors are discussed in brief.

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Background: Severe sepsis leads to organ failure and results in high mortality. Organ dysfunction is an independent prognostic factor for intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of acute organ dysfunction for ICU mortality in patients with severe sepsis using administrative data. Materials and Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in 2008. The study was conducted in 112 teaching hospitals in Japan. All cases with severe sepsis in ICU were identified from administrative data. Results: Administrative data acquired for 4196 severe septic cases of 75,069 cases entered in the ICU were used to assess patient outcomes. Cardiovascular dysfunction was identified as the most major organ dysfunction (73.0%), and the followings were respiratory dysfunction (69.4%) and renal dysfunction (39.0%), respectively. The ICU mortality and 28-day means 28-day from ICU entry. were 18.8% and 27.7%, respectively. After adjustment for age, gender, and severity of illness, the hazard ratio of 2, 3, and ≥4, the organ dysfunctions for one organ failure on ICU mortality was 1.6, 2.0, and 2.7, respectively. Conclusions: We showed that the number of organ dysfunction was a useful indicator for ICU mortality on administrative data. The hepatic dysfunction was the highest mortality among organ dysfunctions. The hazard ratio of ICU death in severe septic patients with multiple organ dysfunctions was average 2.2 times higher than severe septic patients with single organ dysfunction.

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Anesthesiologists consistently work in the mouth of patients but are not exposed to comprehensive education of teeth, the surrounding structures, and intraoral prosthesis. One of the most common adverse events related to anesthesia is perioperative dental damage. To minimize these dental injuries, a preoperative assessment of patient's dentition and intra-oral tissues should be undertaken.

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Background: Myocardial lactate assays have been established as a standard method to compare various myocardial protection strategies. This study was designed to test whether coronary sinus (CS) lactates, pyruvate and lactate-pyruvate (LP) ratio correlates with myocardial dysfunction and predict postoperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 40 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CS blood sampling was done for estimation of myocardial lactate (ML), pyruvate (MP) and lactate-pyruvate ratio (MLPR) namely: pre-CPB (T ₁ ), after removal of aortic cross clamp (T ₂ ) and 30 minutes post-CPB (T ₃ ). Results: Baseline myocardial LPR strongly correlated with Troponin-I at T1 (s: 0.6). Patients were sub grouped according to the median value of myocardial lactate (2.9) at baseline T1 into low myocardial lactate (LML) group, mean (2.39±0.4 mmol/l), n=19 and a high myocardial lactate (HML) group, mean (3.65±0.9 mmol/l), n=21. A significant increase in PL, ML, MLPR and TropI occurred in both groups as compared to baseline. Patients in HML group had significant longer period of ICU stay. Patients with higher inotrope score had significantly higher ML (T2, T3). ML with a baseline value of 2.9 mmol/l had 70.83% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity (ROC area: 0.7109 Std error: 0.09) while myocardial pyruvate with a baseline value of 0.07 mmol/l has 79.17% sensitivity and 68.75% specificity (ROC area: 0.7852, Std error: 0.0765) for predicting inotrope requirement after CPB. Conclusion: CS lactate, pyruvate and LP ratio correlate with myocardial function and can predict postoperative outcome.

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Background: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of clonidine and fentanyl as an additive to ropivacaine given via single shot caudal epidural in pediatric patients for postoperative pain relief. Materials and Methods: In the present double blind study, 90 children of ASA-I-II aged 3-8 years scheduled for infraumblical surgical procedures were randomly allocated to two groups to receive either ropivacaine 0.25% 1 ml/kg+clonidine 2 μg/kg (group I) or ropivacaine 0.25% 1 μl/kg+fentanyl 1 μg/kg (group II). Caudal block was performed after the induction of general anesthesia. Postoperatively patients were observed for analgesia, sedation, hemodynamics, and side effects/complications. Results: Both the groups were similar with respect to patient and various block characteristics. The analgesic properties and hemodynamics were also comparable in both groups (P > 0.05). Side effects such as respiratory depression, vomiting bradycardia were significantly less in group I than group II (P < 0.05) ensuing more patient comfort. Conclusions: The analgesic properties of clonidine and fentanyl as additives to ropivacaine in single shot caudal epidural in children are comparable but clonidine offers a more favorable side effect profile. The use of clonidine as additive to ropivacaine in caudal epidural is superior choice to fentanyl because of lack of unwanted side effects and increased patient comfort.

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Schwannoma arising from the base of the tongue are very rare and only a few cases have been reported so far. Definitive diagnosis is always made after a histological examination. Apart from an anticipated difficult airway with a risk of airway obstruction upon induction of general anesthesia, anesthetic concerns also include possibility of trauma to the growth and bleeding with attendant risks. We discuss the awake fiberoptic technique used for endotracheal intubation in such a case. This case report highlights the importance of detailed history taking and clinical examination, with emphasis on airway assessment and preoperative planning.

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Alkaptonuria is a rare inherited genetic disorder of tyrosine metabolism characterized by a triad of homogentisic aciduria, ochronosis, and arthritis. The most common clinical manifestations of ochronosis involve the musculoskeletal, respiratory, airway, cardiovascular, genitourinary, cutaneous, and ocular systems. We report the perioperative anesthetic management of a 56-year-old alkaptonuric patient, with multiple comorbidities scheduled, for revision total hip replacement. A review of her medical history revealed alkaptonuria, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and Pott's spine with disc prolapse. We want to highlight the need of thorough preoperative evaluation in patients of alkaptonuria, as it is associated with multiple comorbidities. The systemic involvement should determine the anesthetic plan. Caution should be exercised during positioning to prevent injury to the joints and the spine.

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Depression is common in patients with ischemic heart disease. According to mental health surveys, approximately one-fifth of the patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease have major depression. ^[1] It is well-recognized that stigma associated with mental disorders leads to individuals avoiding treatment or concealing treatment for them. We report a case of serotonin syndrome that occurred during postoperative period in a patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The patient was receiving 60 mg/day fluoxetine for the last 4 years, which she and her attendants concealed during the preoperative evaluation. To our knowledge this is the first case of serotonin syndrome, reported in biomedical literature, in a postoperative patient. We suggest that history taking should also focus on antidepressant drug intake by patients. If serotonin syndrome occurs in such patients aggressive and timely management can help avert mortality.

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Pregnancy-induced hypertension constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing nations and it complicates about 6-8% of pregnancies. Severe preeclampsia poses a dilemma for the anesthesiologist especially in emergency situations where caesarean deliveries are planned for uninvestigated or partially investigated parturients. This article is aimed to review the literature with regards to the type of anesthesia for such situations. A thorough search of literature was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and Google to retrieve the articles. Studies on parturients with severe preeclampsia, undergoing caesarean section, were included in this article. There is growing evidence to support the use of subarachnoid block in such situations when the platelet counts are >80,000 mm⁻³ . Better hemodynamic stability with the use of low-dose local anesthetic along with additives and better neonatal outcomes has been found with the use of subarachnoid block when compared to general anesthesia.

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A 74-year-old female with diabetes mellitus type II and Alzheimer's disease, taking donepezil for 4 months was operated for right modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia. During the procedure a higher dose of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was required than those recommended for her age yet the muscle relaxation was inadequate intra-operatively. Residual neuromuscular blockade persisted postoperatively, due to the cumulative effect of large doses of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, needing post-operative ventilatory assistance. After ruling out other causes of resistance to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants, we concluded that acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil was primarily responsible for inadequate muscle relaxation and delayed post-operative neuromuscular recovery.

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When inhalational induction is indicated, sevoflurane is the most popular choice in both children and adults. Higher inspired concentrations of sevoflurane can cause adverse cardiac arrhythmias that are seen to disappear once the agent is discontinued. We report the occurrence of isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation and junctional rhythm with absent P waves during sevoflurane anaesthesia in an adult and a child, respectively.

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Children with craniofacial abnormalities provide a challenge to an anesthesiologist being one the commonest cause of expected difficult airway. Difficult airway management should be predicted and planned in advance to avoid critical problems. It is important to understand the development and characteristics of the more common anomalies and their peculiar anesthetic challenges in order to construct a safe anesthetic plan. We describe the successful airway management of a Tessier N. 4 anomalous child with left orofacial cleft, cleft lip and cleft palate.

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Introduction: Opioid receptors have been demonstrated in the peripheral nerve endings of afferent neurons. Blockade of these receptors with peripherally administered opioid is believed to result in analgesia. Aim: To evaluate whether buprenorphine added to bupivacaine for wound infiltration can enhance post-operative analgesia via peripheral mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Forty ASA I and II adult patients scheduled for open donor nephrectomy were enrolled in this randomized double blind prospective study. In group A ( n=20) patients, the wound was infiltrated with bupivacaine 0.5% (2 mg/kg) and in group B ( n=20) with bupivacaine 0.5% (2 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (2 μg/kg). All patients were given diclofenac 75 mg IM at 8 h interval. Post-operative quality of analgesia was assessed by VAS (0-10) for 24 h and when VAS > 4 rescue analgesic was administered. Total dose of rescue analgesic and side effects were noted. Results: The time of administration of first rescue analgesic was significantly higher in group B (10.52±5.54 h) as compared to group A (3.275±1.8 h). Mean VAS was significantly lower in group B as compared to group A. The total dosage of rescue analgesic was more in group A as compared to group B patients. Conclusion: Addition of buprenorphine to the local anesthetic significantly prolonged the time to first rescue analgesic requirement and the total consumption of rescue analgesic in 24 h, thus providing evidence in support of the existence of peripheral opioid receptors.

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Background: The Truview EVO2 ^TM laryngoscope is a recently introduced device with a unique blade that provides a magnified laryngeal view at 42° anterior reflected view. It facilitates visualization of the glottis without alignment of oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes. We compared the view obtained at laryngoscopy, intubating conditions and hemodynamic parameters of Truview with Macintosh blade. Materials and Methods: In prospective, randomized and controlled manner, 200 patients of ASA I and II of either sex (20-50 years), presenting for surgery requiring tracheal intubation, were assigned to undergo intubation using a Truview or Macintosh laryngoscope. Visualization of the vocal cord, ease of intubation, time taken for intubation, number of attempts, and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated. Results: Truview provided better results for the laryngeal view using Cormack and Lehane grading, particularly in patients with higher airway Mallampati grading (P < 0.05). The time taken for intubation (33.06±5.6 vs. 23.11±57 seconds) was more with Truview than with Macintosh blade (P < 0.01). The Percentage of Glottic Opening (POGO) score was significantly higher (97.26±8) in Truview as that observed with Macintosh blade (83.70±21.5). Hemodynamic parameters increased after tracheal intubation from pre-intubation value (P < 0.05) in both the groups, but they were comparable amongst the groups. No postoperative adverse events were noted. Conclusion: Tracheal intubation using Truview blade provided consistently improved laryngeal view as compared to Macintosh blade without the need to align the oral, pharyngeal and tracheal axes, with equal attempts for successful intubation and similar changes in hemodynamics. However, the time taken for intubation was more with Truview.

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A 25 year old, 68 kg, primigravida, was taken up for emergency caesarean section for meconium stained liquor and fetal distress. She was a known case of pre eclampsia and her blood pressure was controlled on tab methyl dopa. she was administered general anaesthesia. after delivery of baby she went into postpartum hemorrhage which was controlled with intramyometrial prostodin. but immediately after its administration she went into acute pulmonary edema.

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Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is a rare disease, characterized by non-progressive, multiple joint contractures since birth. Anesthetic issues include difficult intravenous access, difficult airway management and regional anesthesia. We report the anesthetic management of a six-day-old neonate presenting to the emergency with features of intestinal obstruction, who was detected for the first time to have arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. General anesthesia along with caudal analgesia for peroperative and postoperative pain relief was used. There was an episode of intraoperative hyperthermia, which was tackled successfully. The child had an uneventful post-anesthesia recovery.

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Gilbert's syndrome, caused by relative deficiency of glucuronyl transferase is the commonest cause of congenital hyperbilirubinemia. We report anesthetic management in a case of Gilbert's syndrome for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Avoiding drugs which use this enzyme for its metabolisim or excretion, and minimizing the stress during the perioperative period allows safe conduct of anesthesia for these patients.

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Introduction: Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents remains one of the most feared complications of anesthesia. A gastric pH of 2.5 or less and a volume of 25 ml (0.4 ml/kg body weight) or more in average adult patients are considered critical factors for the development of pulmonary damage in adults. Materials and Methods: This study compared the efficacy of a single oral dose of erythromycin (a macrolide antibiotic) with oral pantoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) on pre-operative gastric fluid volume and pH in a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled fashion in 80 adult patients (of ASA physical status I and II) planned for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups of 40 patients each. The pantoprazole group (Group I) received oral pantoprazole 40 mg and the erythromycin group (Group II) received oral erythromycin 250 mg at least 1 h prior to the induction of anesthesia. After tracheal intubation, gastric fluid was aspirated via a Salem Sump tube and its volume and pH were measured. Results: Although both erythromycin and pantoprazole decreased the gastric fluid volume to a similar extent, the decrease in gastric fluid acidity by pantoprazole was significantly greater than that by erythromycin. The proportion of patients at risk of pulmonary aspiration according to traditional criteria, i.e. pH ≤2.5 and volume ≥25ml, was lower in the pantoprazole group. Conclusion: Administration of pantoprazole was found to be more useful than a sub-therapeutic dose of erythromycin in decreasing both volume and acidity of gastric content.

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Background: We conducted this study to analyze the data of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) following postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during one-year period, the interventions they received, and the outcome. Materials and Methods: Case records of patients admitted to ICU with PPH were analyzed. Data retrieved were as follows: Primary admission or referred case, duration between onset of PPH and arrival, condition at admission, resuscitative measures, procedures to manage PPH, presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and its management, duration of ICU stay, and the outcome. Results: Of 21 patients with PPH, 15 were admitted in the ICU. All were referred from other hospitals. Duration between onset of PPH and arrival was 6 (15) hours (mean [standard deviation]). All were conscious on arrival. In 10 patients, blood pressure was not recordable. Tachycardia was a common feature. One patient had bradycardia (54 bpm/BP not recordable). Resuscitative measures included oxygen supplementation and fluid resuscitation. Eight patients underwent uterine artery embolization, 2 patients underwent embolization followed by surgery, and 11 patients underwent surgical intervention only. Twelve patients had DIC on admission which was managed with blood component therapy. Duration of stay in ICU was 12.6 (5.4) days (mean [standard deviation]). Two patients expired following intractable DIC and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Though these 2 patients had severe shock on presentation, they did not have DIC at the time of presentation. Conclusions: Despite early resuscitation and intensive care management, DIC is a major cause of mortality. Late onset DIC (onset after admission to ICU) was associated with poor outcome in this study.

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Patients with genetic disorders associated with multiple congenital anomalies present unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. We report the successful perioperative management of a child with biliary atresia, situs inversus totalis, and Kartegener syndrome scheduled for corrective biliary surgery. We recommend that patients with multiple congenital anomalies need to be thoroughly and cautiously evaluated. The perioperative management should be individualized based on associated anomalies along with appropriate monitoring.

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Spinocerebellar degeneration or olivopontocerebellar degeneration denotes a group of disorders of various etiologies manifesting as degenerative changes of various part of the central nervous system. We describe the anesthetic management of a patient with severe olivopontocerebellar degeneration posted for vaginal hysterectomy. A combined spinal epidural technique was performed at the level of L2-L3. The anesthetic implications of the various aspects of spinocerebellar degeneration are discussed.

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Penetrating abdominal injuries are potentially life threatening due to the associated hemorrhagic shock and visceral injury. Through and through penetrating injury with polytrauma is rarely encountered. We report a case presenting with in situ projecting heavy metallic rod in a through and through penetrating abdominal injury along with foreign body in a road traffic accident. Anaesthetic management was difficult due to inability to position in supine, rapidly progressing hemorrhagic shock and hypoxia due hemopneumothorax. Two operating tables were used with adequate intervening space to accommodate the posteriorly projecting metallic rod during intubation in supine position. Intensive monitoring and resuscitation resulted in uneventful successful outcome.

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Bariatric restrictive and malabsorptive operations are being carried out in most countries laparoscopically. Carbon dioxide or gas embolism has never been reported in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. We report a case of carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in a young super obese female patient. Early diagnosis and successful management of this complication are discussed. An 18-year-old super obese female patient with enlarged fatty liver underwent LSG under general anesthesia. During initial intra-peritoneal insufflation with CO ₂ at high flows through upper left quadrant of the abdomen, she had precipitous fall of end-tidal CO ₂ and SaO ₂ % accompanied with tachycardia. Early suspicion led to stoppage of further insufflation. Clinical parameters were stabilized after almost 30 min, while the blood gas analysis was restored to normal levels after 1 h. The area of gas entrainment on the damaged liver was recognized by the surgeon and sealed and the surgery was successfully carried out uneventfully. Like any other laparoscopic surgery, carbon dioxide embolism can occur during bariatric laparoscopic surgery also. Caution should be exercised when Veress needle is inserted through upper left quadrant of the abdomen in patients with enlarged liver. A high degree of suspicion and prompt collaboration between the surgeon and anesthetist can lead to complete recovery from this potentially fatal complication.

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We describe a 23-year-old man with no history of any other illness contacting H1N1 infection during convalescence from dengue fever. The patient had bilateral pneumonia with renal and hepatic dysfunction. The patient was treated successfully with osaltamivir and noninvasive ventilation along with other supportive measures. Despite multiorgan involvement and severe pulmonary involvement, he had a rapid improvement and did not require invasive ventilation. The possibility of the preceding or concomitant dengue viral infection reducing the severity of H1N1 infection was considered. It may be possible for two viruses to infect the same cell and as such, there may be interaction of the pathologic pathways of the two viruses, leading to change of virulence or altered host response. Such an interaction between the two viruses may be clinically important in the setting of the current H1N1 pandemic and the increased geographic distribution of the dengue virus.

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Aim: The aims of present study were to compare the propofol and rocuronium with thiopentone and rocuronium in terms of clinically satisfactory intubating conditions and to co-relate intubating conditions with degree of paralysis in adductor pollicis muscle using train of four ratio (TOFR). The intubating conditions were evaluated after rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ at 60 s. Materials and Methods : 60 patients of ASA grades I-II of either sex, age 18-50 years, undergoing various elective surgical procedures were randomly divided into two groups, propofol rocuronium (PR group) and thiopentone rocuronium (TR group) of 30 patients in each. In the PR group, patients received propofol 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ and rocuronium 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ ; in TR group, patients received thiopentone 5 mg kg⁻¹ and rocuronium 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ . In all patients the intubating conditions were evaluated by the observer at 60 s. TOFR was measured at the time of intubation by an assistant. Results : In the PR group the number of the patients placed in intubating conditions grades I, II, III and IV were 40%, 36.67%, 13.33% and 10% and their mean TOFR were 31.8±17.9%, 61.8±;14.6%, 61.7±27.9%, and 78.3±5.7% respectively. While in theTR group the number of patients placed in intubating condition grade I, II, and III were 60%, 26.67%, and 13.33% and their mean TOFR , 41.2±28.3%, 68.0±10.9% and 78.7±6.8%, respectively. There was no patient in grade lV in theTR group. Conclusion : The clinical intubating conditions and degree of paralysis of adductor pollicis muscle after rocuronium 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ at 60 s in adults induced with propofol or thiopentone sodium are comparable.

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