Introduction and Objective. TAP block has gained popularity to provide postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery but its advantage over epidural analgesia is disputed. For lower abdominal surgeries, epidural analgesia has been the gold standard and time-tested technique for providing postoperative analgesia, but contraindications for the same would warrant need for other equally good analgesic techniques. The objective of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of both the techniques. Materials and Methods. Eighty patients in the ASA I-II risk group, undergone an elective C-section, were randomly assigned to the study. In the TAP group, before the C-section, a single-dose spinal anaesthesia was performed by administering 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine to the patients when they were in the sitting position. After the C-section, an ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block was performed in these patients in the recovery room for postoperative analgesia. In the single-dose EPI group, the patients received 16 cc of isobaric bupivacaine, 3 mg of morphine, and 50 mcg of fentanyl, making a total volume of 20 cc and being administered to the epidural space. Results. A higher level of patient satisfaction was observed in the EPI group (p=0.003). The amount (mg) of total analgesics received by the patients in the first 24 hours of the postoperative period was statistically significantly higher (p=0.021) in the TAP group compared to the EPI group. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of the EPI group were significantly lower compared to that of the TAP group (p<0.001). Conclusion. The epidural anaesthesia is still the golden standard to achieve a postcaesarean analgesia. Epidural anaesthesia is a considerably effective method in controlling the postoperative pain. We are of the opinion that epidural anaesthesia should be preferred in the first place to achieve a successful postcaesarean analgesia as it provides more effective pain control.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are among the cytokines released secondary to the surgical stress response. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block on postoperative pain and its immunomodulatory activity through proinflammatory cytokines. TAP (study group; n = 40) or p-TAP (placebo group; n = 40). Patients in the TAP group underwent an Ultrasound (US) guided unilateral TAP block using 20-cc 0.5% bupivacaine solution. Patients in the p-TAP group underwent a sham block using 20-cc isotonic solution. The TNF-α and IL-1β levels were measured three times at preoperative hour-0 and postoperative hours 4 and 24. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were recorded at 0-hours, 30-minutes, 4-hours, and 24-hours. Analgesic use within the first 24-hours following surgery was monitored. The postoperative VAS score was decreased in the TAP group at all time points (0, 4, and 24 hours), and the differences between groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). In the TAP group, the TNF-α and IL-1β levels at 4 and 24 hours post operation were significantly lower than the preoperative levels (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The TAP block for pre-emptive analgesia enabled effective hemodynamic control during the intraoperative period, provided effective pain control in the postoperative period, and decreased inflammation and surgical stress due to the decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the first postoperative 24 hours, indicating immunomodulatory effect.

Purpose. This study was designed to investigate the effects of peripheral nerve block methods, applied through unilateral spinal anaesthesia on elderly patients to undergo total knee arthroplasty, on perioperative hemodynamic parameters and postoperative analgesia period. Materials and Method. 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups in the study. In group USA spinal anaesthesia was performed. In group PCS it was applied on psoas compartment block and sciatic nerve block. Results. Significantly higher intraoperative 60th and 90th minute mean arterial pressure values were ascertained in the PCS group compared to the USA group. The decrease observed in the 5th, 10th, and 20th minute MAP values in the USA group was statistically significant according to the control MAP value. Concerning within group comparisons, the decrease in 5th, 10th, and 20th minute heart rate values in the USA group was statistically significant compared with the control measurement value. The mean beginning time of sensory and motor blocks in the PCS group was found to be at a significantly advanced level compared with that in the USA group. Conclusions. The PCS block technique using bupivacaine hydrochloride ensured a higher haemodynamic efficiency in the perioperative period in high-risk elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03021421.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 disease on kidney functions and early prognosis. Methods: All cases were divided into those discharged and exitus cases. The patients were diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) according to the KDIGO criteria. Results: As a result of the ROC analysis, the patients with a creatinine value above 1.05 for day 1 and 0.975 for creatinine value on day 7 would be mortal (AUC values of 0.641 (0.569–0.714) and 0.757 (0.689–0.825), respectively). As a result of Univariate analysis; D-Dimer, Procalcitonin, BUN and creatinine values are risk factors and a one-unit increase in these values is 1.184; 1.105; It was determined that it would increase 1.024 and 1.304 times (p values 0.008; 0.007; <0.001; 0.002), respectively. Decreased in e-GFR value would increase the risk of death 1.026 (1/0.975) times (p<0.001). Conclusions: We observed the high creatinine, D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin, and low e-GFR levels were risk factors for severity and mortality for COVID-19 disease. While physicians and all stakeholders focus on the prognosis and mortality of the disease of COVID-19 disease, it is necessary to be thorough about kidney involvement as much as respiratory system involvement.

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common complaints in the postoperative period. The type of surgical technique and the site of intervention, as well as the anesthetic drugs and methods directly contribute to the rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). One of the most important factors affecting the frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting is the anesthetic drugs and methods used. Many antiemetic drugs are used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. With the use of these drugs, side effects especially such as delayed recovery from anesthesia, dry mouth, undesirable changes in blood pressure and the occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms are seen. Several antiemetic drugs are commonly used for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting; including scopolamine, chlorpromazine, diphenhydramine, metoclopramide, promethazine, and ondansetron. Low-dose haloperidol and metoclopramide are effective in opioid-induced nausea and vomiting. Dexamethasone reduces the incidence of postoperative nausea in the first 6 hours after surgery. Oral intake starts in patients with severe vomiting parenteral fluid and electrolyte treatment is required. Sometimes provide may need gastric decompression with nasogastric tube. Parenteral fluid and electrolyte treatment and in severe cases gastric decompression with a nasogastric tube may be necessary. Alternative medicine such as acupuncture and acupressure can help prevent or reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting. The aim of this review is to examine the medical therapies and drug-free methods used for the treatment of PONV in the light of the literatüre

Investigation of the nephroprotective effect of dexmedetomidine on colistin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats