Background Post-spinal anesthesia (PSA) hypotension in elderly patients is challenging. Correction of PSA hypotension by fluids either colloids or crystalloids or by vasoconstrictors pose the risk of volume overload or compromising cardiac conditions. Dexamethasone is used to treat conditions manifested by decrease of peripheral vascular resistance. The research team was the first to test the hypothesis of its role in preventing or decreasing the incidence of PSA hypotension. Methods One hundred ten patients, aged 60 years or more were recruited to receive a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone 8 mg IVI in 100 ml normal saline (D group) (55 patients) 2 h preoperatively, and 55 patients were given placebo (C group) in a randomized, double-blind trial. Variations in blood pressure and heart rate in addition to the needs of ephedrine and/or atropine following spinal anesthesia (SA) were recorded. SA was achieved using subarachnoid injection of 3 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5%. Results Demographic data and the quality of sensory and motor block were comparable between groups. At 5th, 10th minutes post SA; systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures were statistically significant higher in D group. At 20th minutes post SA; the obtained blood pressure readings and heart rate changes didn’t show any statistically significance between groups. The need for ephedrine and side effects were statistically significant lower in D group than C group. Conclusion Post-spinal anesthesia hypotension, nausea, vomiting and shivering in elderly patients were less common after receiving a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone 8 mg IVI than control. Registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 03664037, Registered 17 September 2018 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.ClinicalTrial.gov

Background. The frequency of shivering regarding regional anesthesia is 55%. Newer effective and tolerable options for postspinal anesthesia shivering (PSAS) prophylaxis are necessary to improve patients’ quality of care. This research assessed the impact of preemptive mirtazapine versus preemptive dexamethasone to decrease frequency and severity of PSAS in gynecological procedures. Methods. 300 patients booked for gynecological procedures under spinal anesthesia (SA) were randomly apportioned into three groups (100 each) to get one preemptive dose of 30 mg mirtazapine tablet (M group), 8 mg dexamethasone diluted in 100 ml of saline infusion (D group) or placebo (C group) two hours before surgery. Incidence of clinically significant PSAS was the primary outcome. Core temperature, shivering score, hemodynamics changes, adverse events, and patient satisfaction score were documented as secondary outcomes. Results. Compared with C group, mirtazapine and dexamethasone decreased incidence of clinically significant shivering (74% vs. 16% and 31%, respectively; P < 0.001 ). M and D groups had less hypotensive episodes during 5–25 min after intrathecal injection ( P < 0.001 ). 90 min after SA, tympanic temperatures were lower than baseline values in the three groups ( P < 0.001 ). Pruritus, nausea, and vomiting were more often in C group ( P < 0.001 ), whereas sedation was more frequent in M group ( P < 0.001 ). C group had the lowest satisfaction scores ( P < 0.001 ). Conclusion. Prophylactic administration of mirtazapine or dexamethasone attenuated shivering with minimal hazards in patients scheduled for gynecological surgeries under spinal anesthesia with priority to mirtazapine. The trial is registered with NCT03675555.

Background Shivering is known to be a frequent complication in patients undergoing surgery under neuraxial anesthesia with incidence of 40–70%. Although many pharmacological agents have been used to treat or prevent postspinal anesthesia shivering (PSAS), the ideal treatment wasn’t found. This study evaluated the efficacy of paracetamol and dexamethasone to prevent PSAS in patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. Methods Three hundred patients scheduled for surgeries under spinal anesthesia (SA) were allocated into three equal groups to receive a single preoperative dose of oral paracetamol 1 g (P group), dexamethasone 8 mg intravenous infusion (IVI) in 100 ml normal saline (D group) or placebo (C group), 2 h preoperatively, in a randomized, double-blind trial. The primary endpoint was the incidence of clinically significant PSAS. Secondary endpoints included shivering score, the change in hemodynamics, adverse events (e.g., nausea, vomiting and pruritis) and patients` satisfaction. Results Clinically significant PSAS was recorded as (15%) in P group, (40%) in D group and (77%) in C group (P < 0.001). The mean blood pressure values obtained over a 5-25 min observation period were significantly higher in the D group (P < 0.001). Core temperature 90 min after SA was significantly lower in the 3 groups compared to prespinal values (P < 0.001). Nausea, vomiting and pruritis were significantly higher in the C group (P < 0.001). P and D groups were superior to C group regarding the patients’ satisfaction score (P < 0.001). Conclusion Paracetamol and dexamethasone were effective in prevention of PSAS in patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries compared to placebo controls. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03679065 / Registered 20 September 2018 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.ClinicalTrial.gov.

What this paper contributes to our knowledge: Coadministration of nebulised heparin (25000 IU/6h/day) and salbutamol (5mg/6h/day) for a maximum of 14 days decreased the inflammatory process and increased the ventilator-free days (VFDs) among mechanically ventilated AECOPD patients. Heparin nebulisation was safe and wasn`t associated with any bleeding hazards.

Background Thoracic paravertebral block may be used for analgesia after breast surgery. Ultrasound can be used during the whole technique of paravertebral block to increase success rate and decrease its complications. As well, pectoral nerve block is now used for pain relief after modified radical mastectomy with or without axillary clearance. Objective To compare thoracic paravertebral block and pectoral nerve block for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy Methods The study was performed over 30 female patients that were randomly divided into 2 groups with 15 patients in group A for thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and 15 in group B for pectoral nerve block (PECS) with injection of total 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% in each block. Outcome measures of the study are postoperative analgesia duration (time to first rescue analgesia (0.5 mg/kg pethidine) after administration of block) and total analgesic dose in 24 h after surgery and postoperative pain which will be assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0–10 as 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain). The vital signs and pain score will be recorded at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after surgery. Results Our study showed decrease in systolic blood in PVB group immediately postoperative and in the first 6 h postoperative with p value < 0.05. Less time to perform the block in PECS group with p value < 0.001. Less VAS score in PECS group with statistically significant difference between groups at 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h. More time is needed for the 1st requested rescue analgesia in PECS group with p value < 0.05. Patients in the PECS group received less total dose of pethidine with a p value < 0.05 Conclusion The PECS can be effectively and safely used, provides better relief of pain and less hemodynamic changes compared with the TPVB, and reduces postoperative analgesic consumption. Therefore, the PECS can be used safely for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing breast surgeries with axillary dissection.