No abstract

Background: Cooled Radiofrequency ablation is a newer technique for management of chronic knee pain in osteoarthritis. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with chronic osteoarthritis in terms of pain scores for first six months of cooled radiofrequency ablation using ultrasound guidance. Methods: A cross-sectional study with retrospective review of database was evaluated to analyze the change in the Numerical Rating Scale from baseline scores at 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after the Cooled Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves around knee in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis. Results: Median age was 71 years [ 61-73 years (IQR: 25-75)] with more female preponderance. Numerical Rating Scale (Mean ± S.D.) was significantly less at 1 day (1.87 ± 1.22), 1 month (3.03 ± 0.99) and 6 months (3.37 ± 1.098) from baseline values (6.77 ± 1.00). No soreness and numbness were noted.Conclusions: Cooled Radiofrequency using Ultrasound guidance for management of knee pain in chronic osteoarthritis is promising and reduces Numerical Rating Score significantly from baseline at 1 month and 6 months respectively.Keywords: Cooled radiofrequency ablation; genicular nerve; numeric rating scale

Acute appendicitis is commonly encountered surgical emergency worldwide.  Although, it is commonly found in young and middle aged groups, the incidence of the diseases in geriatric age group is very rare and possesses a great challenge to safe technique of anesthesia due to co-existing comorbid conditions and medications used. Geriatric population are more susceptible to complications of appendicitis. This is a case report of 82 years old male patient, presented with appendicular perforation with localized abscess formation in a septic state with multiple comorbid condition. Routinely performed Spinal and general anaesthesia adds further challenge in management of this patient during and after surgery. Therefore, we performed the case in regional nerve block; paravertebral, ilioinguinal- iliohypogastric (ILIH) and coeliac plexus block and sedation.

Background: The postoperative analgesic efficacy of trans-muscular quadratus lumborum block in abdominal surgeries is well established; however, its intraoperative safety and efficacy as an anesthetic is still being explored. This retrospective case review was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of combined quadaratus lumburoum block and low-dose subarachnoid block for anesthesia in complex abdominal operations.Methods: Perioperative data of 29 patients, who underwent abdominal operations during the period of June/2019 to October/2019 under the combined technique, was analyzed. The primary outcome was intra and postoperative pain scores with the conox as qnox and numeric rating scale respectively at different time points. The secondary outcomes were intraoperative sedation scores with conox as qcon and perioperative dosage of fentanyl, changes in mean arterial pressure and the incidence of adverse events.Results: The mean qnox scores at incision, viscera dissection, closure and before transport to the post anesthesia care unit were between 44.66 and 55.79. The mean numeric rating scale scores before bed on the operation day, at 8 am on the first postoperative day, before bed on the first postoperative day and at 8 am on the second postoperative day were between 3.41 and 3.86. The mean qcon scores during the operations were between 61.31 and 65.82 while it was 85.66 following the stoppage of all sedations. The mean total perioperative consumption of fentanyl was 38.7mcg. The proportion of patients having MAP changes of less than 20% from baseline was 85.72%. The incidence of peri-operative adverse events was low.Conclusions: For complex abdominal operations, a combination of ultrasound-guided QLB-TM and low dose spinal anesthesia achieves adequate analgesia and is a safe technique.Keywords: Conox; continuous transmuscular quadratus lumborum block; high risk patients; laparotomy; low dose spinal anesthesia

Background: Ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks have become increasingly popular in the lower limb orthopaedic and gaining more acceptances in total hip replacement surger­ies too. The main objective of this study was to compare peripheral nerve block and spinal anesthesia for total hip replacement surgeries. Methods: In this retrospective study, total patients that underwent total hip replacement in our institution during specific time period were included for the study. They were divided into spinal and peripheral nerve block groups, and data were collected for the analysis. USG guided lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, superior gluteal nerve block was done and conventional landmark technique was done for spinal group. Mean arterial blood pressure, total fluid con­sumption, total fentanyl consumption, pain scores and incidence of nausea was compared. Results: We included 43 patients for the study in which 23 patients were included in nerve block group, and 20 patients in the spinal group. In compared to spinal group, nerve block group had more stable mean arterial blood pressure (P <0.05), less total fluid consumption (P=.000), lower pain scores and fentanyl consumption (P <0.05), and less incidence of nausea (4% to 20%). Conclusions: Peripheral nerve block can be good alternative to spinal anesthesia for total hip replacement surgeries, with more hemodynamic stability and better pain management along with less opioid and fluid consumption.