RAHI–SATHI presents an innovative twinning model of global health academic partnership, resulting in a number of successful research activities, that features trainees or students as the driving force, complemented by strategic institutional support from both sides of the partnership. Others can promote similar student-led initiatives by: (1) accepting an expanded role for trainees in global health programs, (2) creating structured research and program opportunities for trainees, (3) developing a network of faculty and trainees interested in global health, (4) sharing extramural global health funding opportunities with faculty and trainees, and (5) offering seed funding.

Introduction:The intrathecal administration of combination of drugs has a synergistic effect on the subarachnoid block characteristics. This study was designed to study the efficacy of intrathecal midazolam in potentiating the analgesic duration of fentanyl along with prolonged sensorimotor blockade.Materials and Methods:In a double-blind study design, 75 adult patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group B, 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine; Group BF, 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 25 mcg of fentanyl; and Group BFM, 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 25 mcg of fentanyl + 1 mg of midazolam. Postoperative analgesia was assessed using visual analog scale scores and onset and duration of sensory and the motor blockade was recorded.Results:Mean duration of analgesia in Group B was 211.60 ± 16.12 min, in Group BF 420.80 ± 32.39 min and in Group BFM, it was 470.68 ± 37.51 min. There was statistically significant difference in duration of analgesia between Group B and BF (P = 0.000), between Group B and BFM (P = 0.000), and between Group BF and BFM (P = 0.000). Both the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade was significantly prolonged in BFM group.Conclusion:Intrathecal midazolam potentiates the effect of intrathecal fentanyl in terms of prolonged duration of analgesia and prolonged motor and sensory block without any significant hemodynamic compromise.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients are most challenging. These patient present the most serious array of intubation and difficult airway imaginable, secondary to decrease or no cervical spine mobility, fixed flexion deformity of thoracolumbar spine and possible temporomandibular joint disease. Sound clinical judgment is critical for timing and selecting the method for airway intervention. The retrograde intubation technique is an important option when fiberoptic bronchoscope is not available, and other method is not applicable for gaining airway access for surgery in prone position. We report a case of AS with fixed flexion deformity of thoracic and thoracolumbar spine, fusion of posterior elements of cervical spine posted for lumbar spinal osteotomy with anticipated difficult intubation. An awake retrograde oral intubation with light sedation and local block is performed.

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Introduction: Continuous femoral analgesia provides extended pain relief for surgeries over thigh. Successful continuous peripheral nerve analgesia depends on catheter proximity to the target nerve and stimulating catheters may allow more accurate placement of catheters. Hence we conducted a study to compare the efficacy of stimulating nerve catheter and non stimulating nerve catheter in femoral 3-in-1 nerve block for postoperative analgesia. Materials and Methods: 60 ASA grade I & II patients of either sex between 18 to 65 years of age posted for total knee replacement surgery were randomly allocated into two groups: Group SC (stimulating catheter) and Group NSC(non stimulating catheter). All patients received subarachnoid block and after completion of surgery femoral catheter (stimulating/non stimulating depending on the group) was placed using peripheral nerve stimulator for postoperative analgesia. When spinal level regressed to T12 dermatomal level, Inj.Bupivacaine (0.25%) 20ml with Inj.Lignocaine (1%) 10ml was given. The patients were followed for next 24 hours from the time of first bolus. After the 1 st bolus when the VRS score was ≥3, intermittent boluses of Inj.Bupivacaine (0.25%) 15 ml with Inj.Fentanyl 0.5µg/kg were given. All patients received Inj. Paracetamol 20 mg/kg IV 6 hourly. In case patient still had VRS score ≥3 then rescue analgesia in the form of Inj.Diclofenac sodium 1 mg/kg IV was given. Two groups were observed for total duration of sensory block (time from 1st bolus dose till the time VAS score was ≥3); requirement of analgesic solution; requirement of rescue analgesia; and any complication or side effects. Results: Total duration of sensory block in group SC was 9.40±0.21 hours compared to 7.10±0.23 hours in group NSC (p=0.0001). Total requirement of analgesic solution was less in SC group in comparison to NSC group. No significant complication observed in either group. Conclusion:Stimulating nerve catheter provides longer duration of sensory blockade with decreased requirement of local anaesthetic solution and opioid when compared to non stimulating nerve catheter.