Background: Abdominal hysterectomy is associated with marked postoperative pain and morbidity, but effective postoperative analgesia provides early recovery and ambulation. Aim: We intended to assess the efficacy of bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on postoperative analgesia in females undergoing abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia. Settings and Design: The design was a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical study. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes Ι to ΙΙΙ were scheduled for elective abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia, patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups. ESPB patients received ultrasound-guided ESPB at T9 vertebrae level with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5%. Control group patients did not receive a block. Total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 h and visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain were evaluated postoperatively. Unpaired Student’s t-tests, chi-square tests, and Z tests were used to compare groups. Results: No significant differences were recorded between the groups regarding age, weight, ASA physical status, or surgery duration, Total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 h was significantly higher in the control group than the ESPB group ( P =0.003; 485±20.39 mcg vs 445±67.49 mcg, respectively), VAS for pain was significantly higher in the control group for the first 12 h postoperatively. Conclusions: Bilateral ESPB provided effective postoperative analgesia and markedly decreased postoperative fentanyl consumption in patients undergoing an abdominal hysterectomy.

Background: This study compared the analgesic efficacy of a bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block with that of a bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after elective cesarean delivery. Methods: Sixty mothers scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either ESP block or TAP block. The ESP group received ESP block at the level of the ninth thoracic transverse process with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine at the end of surgery. The TAP group received an ultrasound-guided TAP block with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine on completion of delivery. The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia achieved by each block. Secondary outcome measures were the postoperative pain severity, total tramadol consumption, patient satisfaction. Results: The median (interquartile range) duration of block was longer in the ESP group than in the TAP group (12 hours [10, 14] vs 8 hours [8, 8], p<0.0001). In the first 24 hours, the mean visual analog pain score at rest was lower by 0.32 units in the ESP group. The median tramadol consumption in the first 24 hours was significantly higher in the TAP group than in the ESP group (125 mg [100, 150] vs 100 mg [75, 100, p=0.003]). Conclusion: Compared with the TAP block, the ESP block provides more effective pain relief, has a longer duration of analgesic action, prolongs time to first analgesic requirement, is associated with less tramadol consumption, and can be used in multimodal analgesia and opioid-sparing regimens after cesarean section.

BackgroundRegional anesthesia could affect the homeostatic system functions resulting frequently in perioperative hypothermia and consequently shivering. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and ondansetron to reduce the incidence and severity of shivering after intrathecal blocks.MethodsThis randomized placebo-controlled trial included 120 patients allocated equally in three groups. All patients were anesthetized by standard intrathecal blocks for surgical procedure at lower half of the body and received one of the study drugs intravenously (IV) according to the group assignments. Group S patients (placebo) were administered saline, Group O (ondansetron) were given 8 mg ondansetron, and Group D (dexmedetomidine) were given 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine. Shivering incidence and scores, sedation scores, core body temperature, hemodynamic variables, and incidence of complications (nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, over-sedation, and desaturation) were recorded.ResultsThe incidence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of shivering in group S 57.5% (42.18–72.82%) was significantly higher than that of both group O 17.5% (5.73–29.27%), P < 0.001 and group D 27.5% (13.66–41.34%), P = 0.012. However, the difference in the incidence of shivering between group O and group D was comparable, P = 0.425. The sedation scores were significantly higher in group D than those of both group S and group O, P < 0.001. Sedation scores between group S and group O were comparable, P = 0.19. Incidences of adverse effects were comparable between the three groups.ConclusionProphylactic administrations of dexmedetomidine or ondansetron efficiently decrease the incidence and severity of shivering after spinal anesthesia as compared to placebo without significant difference between their efficacies when compared to each other.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR) under trial number (PACTR201710002706318). 18-10-2017. ‘retrospectively registered’.

Background:It is a challenge for anesthesiologists to balance between administering intravenous fluid, vasoactive agents, and inotropic drugs to maintain appropriate cardiac output.Aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment algorithm guided either by pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) or by the fourth generation FloTrac/Vigileo system combined with monitoring of oxygen transport on hemodynamic management and outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).Settings and Design:This study design was a prospective randomized controlled clinical study.Patients and Methods:Sixty patients aged 45–65 years, scheduled for CABG surgery for two or more grafts with cardiopulmonary bypass, were randomized into two groups 30 patients in each; (1) (Group P) patients in which PAC was inserted into internal jugular vein and connected to monitor. (2) (Group F) Patients in which arterial pressure catheter was inserted in radial artery and connected to the FloTrac sensor and Vigileo monitor.Statistical Analysis Used:Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test and Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used.Results:Central venous pressure rose at the end of surgery in both groups and postoperatively declined transiently. Although the volume of crystalloids administered during surgery did not differ significantly between the groups, Group F received 24% more crystalloids and 3-fold more colloids postoperatively. Duration of postoperative respiratory support increased by 36% in Group P (P = 0.04).Conclusions:Goal-directed therapy based on pulse pressure analysis and oxygen transport increases the volume of fluid therapy, improves hemodynamics, and reduces the duration of respiratory support after CABG surgery.