No abstract

No abstract

BackgroundThe importance of decreasing bleeding in spine surgery is not only important to maintain the patient's hemodynamic balance but also allow a better view of the surgical field.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to compare dexmedetomidine and Esmolol™ as agents to induce hypotension in lumbar spine surgeries.Patients and MethodsA total of 50 patients aged 20 to 65 years belonging to the American society of anaesthesiologist (ASA) class I - II scheduled for decompression and fixation of the lumbar spine were included and divided into two groups namely, Group I, who received Esmolol and group II, who received dexmedetomidine, intravenously. The patients were compared for intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, estimated blood loss, operation time, intraoperative analgesic (fentanyl) consumption, and total fall in haemoglobin (Hb) during the perioperative period.ResultsThe study results showed that dexmedetomidine had lower (100.8 µg) fentanyl and sevoflurane consumption (1.2%), and less blood loss (278 mL) in comparison to the Esmolol group.ConclusionsBoth dexmedetomidine and Esmolol can be used as agents to control hypotension in patients undergoing lumbar spine decompression and fixation surgery; the dexmedetomidine group, however, was associated with better intraoperative hemodynamic stability and reduced intraoperative analgesic and volatile anaesthetic requirement.

The October 8, 2005 earthquake in Northern Pakistan had widespread destructive effects throughout the northern subcontinent. Large numbers of people were killed or severely injured and many medical services destroyed. This report describes the experience of the only standing surgical hospital in the Kashmir region of Bagh District. More than 1,500 people were triaged in 72 hours, many critically injured; 78.4% of patients had upper or lower limb injuries; 50.3% of patients had fractures, mainly closed; 37% of patients required extensive wound debridements. A total of 149 patients received emergency surgery using ketamine anaesthesia with benzodiazepine premedication. This was found to be safe, effective and with a low incidence of major adverse effects. We recommend that ketamine anaesthesia be encouraged in disaster area surgery, particularly in under-resourced regional centres.

No abstract