This study concludes that etomidate is a better agent for induction than propofol in view of hemodynamic stability and less pain on injection.

Abstract:Background: Noxious stimuli release excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate and aspartate, which bind to various receptors including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Magnesium is a NMDA antagonist and has antinociceptive effects in animal and human models of pain. The addition of magnesium to postoperative epidural infusion may decrease postoperative pain and requirement of opioids.Methods: Sixty patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomies were enrolled to receive either 1ml of magnesium sulfate (50 mg/ml) (Group M) or 1 ml of saline (Group C) in the epidural anaesthetic solution (9ml of 0.125% bupivacaine) for postoperative analgesia. Fentanyl 1µg/kg was given epidurally as rescue analgesia. Haemodynamic parameters, pain assessment using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and fentanyl consumption were recorded in the postoperative period.Results: There was significant difference between groups in the time to first analgesic requirement. Compared with Group C, patients in Group M received smaller doses of epidural fentanyl (P< 0.001). The cumulative fentanyl consumption in 24 h was significantly lower in Group M (119±56 mg) as compared to Group C(267.8± 92 mg)(P < 0.001). Patients in Group M had less pain as measured via VAS score in the first hour of the postoperative period (P < 0.001). The groups were similar with respect to haemodynamic and respiratory variables, sedation, pruritus, and nausea. Conclusion: Administration of magnesium to epidural local anaesthetic solution provides longer duration of postoperative analgesia and reduced postoperative fentanyl consumption without added side-effects.

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Introduction:Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) requires rapid diagnosis for the initiation of antibiotics. Its diagnosis is usually based on manual examination of ascitic fluid (AF) having long reporting time. AF infection is diagnosed when the fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) concentration ≥250 cells/mm3.Aims and Objectives:Aim was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of leukocyte esterase (LE) reagent strip for rapid diagnosis of SBP in patients who underwent abdominal paracentesis and to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values.Materials and Methods:The study was carried out on 103 patients with ascites. Cell count of AF as determined by colorimetric scale of Multistix 10 SG reagent strip was compared with counting chamber method (PMNL count ≥250 cells/mm3 was considered positive).Results and Observations:Of the 103 patients SBP was diagnosed in 20 patients, 83 patients were negative for SBP by manual cell count. The sensitivity and specificity of the LE test for detecting neutrocytic SBP taking grade 2 as cut off were 95% and 96.4% respectively, with a positive predictive value of 86.4% and a negative predictive value of 98.8%. Diagnostic accuracy of LE test was 96.1%.Discussion:There was a good correlation between the reagent strip result and PMNL count. The LE strip test is based on the esterase activity of activated granulocytes which reacts with an ester-releasing hydroxyphenylpyrrole causing a colour change in the azo dye of reagent strip. It is a very sensitive and specific method for the prompt detection of elevated PMNL count, and represents a convenient, inexpensive, simple, and bedside method for diagnosis of SBP. A negative LE test result excludes SBP with a high degree of certainty.