Background An adequate anesthesia technique generates appropriate postoperative analgesic properties and decreases the patient’s stress response. This will lead to decreased morbidity and mortality associated with immunology disturbances, such as infection, prolonged wound healing, and sepsis. Objectives The aim of this study was to compare interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, as the markers of the stress response, between continuous epidural and quadratus lumborum (QL) block as postoperative analgesia techniques among living kidney donors. Methods Sixty-two patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: continuous epidural and QL block. A group received bilateral QL block with 20 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% and the other received 6 mL/hour of bupivacaine 0.25% continuously via an epidural catheter. Prior to extubation, the QL block group received bilateral QL block with the same dose and the continuous epidural group was administered with 6 mL/hour of bupivacaine 0.125%. Blood samples were drawn to compare IL-6 and CRP concentrations after intubation (preoperatively), directly after surgery, 24 hours postoperatively, and 48 hours postoperatively. Postoperative pain was measured with the numerical rating scale (NRS). Morphine requirement and duration of catheter usage were also measured postoperatively. Side effects within 24 hours postoperatively were noted. Data were analyzed with independent t -test or Mann-Whitney test. Results No difference was observed between the groups in the plasma concentration of IL-6 either after surgery or 24 hours postoperatively (P = 0.785 and P = 0.361, respectively) although the mean IL-6 concentration 24 hours postoperatively was lower in the QL block group than in the continuous epidural group. CRP concentration was not significantly different between the groups either after surgery or 48 hours postoperatively (P = 0.805 and P = 0.636, respectively). Conclusions There was no significant difference in IL-6 and CRP concentrations between continuous epidural and QL block among living kidney donors. Both continuous epidural and QL block techniques showed comparable postoperative analgesic properties among living kidney donors undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy.

BackgroundSuccess of spinal anesthesia in pregnant females is strongly influenced by the position of the patient at the time of spinal insertion. Pendant position is a new position introduced to increase the intervertebral spaces. The current study aimed at comparing successful spinal puncture among the patients with pendant position in comparison with the ones with traditional sitting position for the elective caesarean section.MethodsThe current study was a non-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) (registration code: NCT02753660 (ClinicalTrial.gov) on pregnant females undergoing spinal anesthesia. The participants were divided into 2 groups by the random consecutive sampling method; group A (pendant position) and group B (traditional sitting position). The successful placement of spinal needle was determined by the number of attempts, the amount of bone contact, and the time of spinal puncture. The inclusion criteria were pregnant females aged 18 to 45 years, body mass index (BMI) of 18 to 35 kg/m2, and the physical status I to III, based on American society of anesthesiologists classification (ASA).ResultsFollowing the approval of the ethical committee, 308 subjects were enrolled in the study. The rate of successful puncture on the 1st attempt of group A was significantly high (92% vs. 78%, P value = 0.001). Additionally, group A had significantly less total amount of bone contact (185 vs. 421, P value < 0.001) and shorter time for spinal puncture (9 seconds vs. 12 seconds, P value < 0.001).ConclusionsPendant position was significantly better than traditional sitting position to provide successful 1st attempt spinal puncture in pregnant females undergoing cesarean section.

BackgroundThe frequency of postoperative sore throat (POST) after laryngeal mask airway insertion (LMA) was relatively high. Lidocaine might reduce the pain and inflammatory response. Additionally, inhalation form might result in a better distribution, which results in a better airway analgesia and minimal systemic effect.ObjectivesTo compare the incidence of sore throat post LMA insertion after 1.5 mg/kg of lidocaine inhalation and 10 mg of intravenous dexamethasone.MethodsThis was a single-blinded randomized clinical trial, which included 128 patients who underwent ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia with LMA insertion. Inclusion criteria were individuals 18 - 65 years old, ASA 1 or 2, Mallampati class I or II, and no sore throat before surgery. After University of Indonesia Research Ethical Committee approval and informed consent, all subjects were randomly divided into two groups: lidocaine inhalation group, which would receive lidocaine inhalation 2% 1.5 mg/kg (additional NaCl 0.9% until total 6 mL volume) and intravenous 2 mL NaCl 0.9%, and dexamethasone group, which would received NaCl 0.9% inhalation (6 mL volume) and dexamethasone 10 mg intravenously 10 minutes before LMA insertion. POST incidence and pain severity assessment were done 2 hours postoperatively. Statistical analysis were done with SPSS version 21.ResultsThere were 10.9% of subjects in the lidocaine inhalation group and 9.4% subjects in the dexamethasone group who suffer from POST postoperatively (P > 0.05). The median of POST pain in the lidocaine inhalation group was 0 (0 - 1), whereas in dexamethasone group it was 0 (0 - 3). This study did not find any side effects on both groups.ConclusionsLidocaine inhalation 1.5 mg/kg was proportional to intravenous dexamethasone 10 mg in reducing the incidence and severity of POST after LMA insertion.