Background and Objectives: Immunodeficiency associated with aging comorbidities increases the vulnerability of geriatric patients to sepsis. Early recognition and management of sepsis are essential in this population. This study evaluated the relationships between RDW, MPV, and MPV/PLT ratios and mortality in geriatric sepsis patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between 2020 and 2024 in the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation at a university hospital. Patients aged ≥ 65 years with a SOFA score of ≥2 were included. Demographic data (sex, age, height, weight, and BMI), hemogram parameters (RDW, MPV, and PLT), blood gas, and biochemical values were analyzed. Furthermore, their comorbidities; site of infection; ICU length of stay; vital signs; and SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II scores, recorded within the first 24 h following ICU admission, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, Student’s t-test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Monte Carlo exact test, and ROC analysis. A p-value of 0.03 on day 1 (AUC: 0.580, 95% CI: 0.516–0.642, sensitivity: 72.81%, specificity: 65.91%, p = 0.027), >0.04 on day 3 (AUC: 0.602, 95% CI: 0.538–0.663, sensitivity: 60.53%, specificity: 60.61%, p = 0.005), and >0.04 on day 5 (AUC: 0.618, 95% CI: 0.554–0.790, sensitivity: 66.14%, specificity: 62.88%, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The MPV and MPV/PLT ratios demonstrated statistically significant but limited predictive value for 28-day mortality in geriatric patients with sepsis. In contrast, the limited prognostic value of RDW may be related to variability in the inflammatory response and other underlying conditions. The correlations found between SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II scores highlight their importance in mortality risk prediction.

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is providing effective postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing cesarean section (CS). This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects on pain levels of bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine combined with dexamethasone in ultrasound-guided TAP block for postoperative pain after CS. Material and Method: In this randomized controlled trial, 120 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups. At the end of the surgery, an ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed on all patients: bupivacaine 0.5% (Group B), bupivacaine 0.5% + dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg) (Group BD), and bupivacaine 0.5% + dexamethasone (4 mg) (Group BDx). Postoperatively, all patients were evaluated at 0, 1, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h for visual analog scores VASs, tramadol consumption, complications, and patient satisfaction. A p value of < 0.05 is statistically significant. Results: At 0 h, VASs in the sitting and supine positions were significantly higher in the BDx group (0.85 ± 1.61 and 0.85 ± 1.36, respectively) compared to the B group (0.05 ± 0.32 in both positions) and the BD group (0.15 ± 0.48 in both positions) (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). At the 24th hour, VASs in the sitting and supine positions were significantly lower in the BDx group (1.7 ± 1.2 and 1.43 ± 1.05) compared to the B group (2.3 ± 0.68 and 2.2 ± 0.72) and the BD group (2.57 ± 1.01 and 2.28 ± 0.78) (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). At 0 h, the tramadol requirement was highest in the BDx group at 12.5%, while it was not required in the B and BD groups (p = 0.005). At 0 h, the rate of nausea and vomiting was highest in the BDx group at 17.5%, compared to 2.5% in the BD group and 0% in the B group (p = 0.003). Patient satisfaction scores were higher in the dexamethasone group compared to the other groups. This was significant between Group B and Group BDx (p = 0.009 < 0.05). Conclusions: Adding dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone to bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided TAP blocks reduces postoperative pain and increases patient satisfaction after cesarean sections. Dexamethasone, due to its delayed onset but extended duration, achieves lower pain scores and higher satisfaction. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Predicting mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of comorbidities, CRP/albumin ratio and lactate levels in predicting mortality, providing comprehensive insights into these parameters. This retrospective study was conducted between 2016 and 2021 in the ICU at a university hospital. Demographic data, comorbidities, and ICU length of stay were recorded, while APACHE II scores and laboratory parameters were measured within the first 24 hours following ICU admission. The study compared survivors and non-survivors using a 1:1 matching methodology. The association of these variables with mortality was statistically analyzed. The study included 540 patients, with a mean age of 64.1 ± 16.6 years and 62.4% were male. The mortality rate was 50%, and non-survivors were slightly older than survivors (65.3 ± 12.5 vs 63.1 ± 13.5 years, P = .12). Hypertension (43.3% vs 24.1%, P < .001), coronary artery disease (16.7% vs 6.7%, P < .001), and chronic renal failure (13% vs 3%, P < .001) were significantly higher in non-survivors. Increased mortality was significantly associated with higher lactate levels (5.78 ± 2.98 vs 3.11 ± 2.11 mmol/L, P < .001), higher CRP/albumin ratios (36.45 ± 26.42 vs 18.15 ± 14.57, P < .001), and lower albumin levels (3.21 ± 0.56 vs 3.61 ± 0.55 g/dL, P < .001). Additionally, univariate logistic regression analysis showed that each unit increase in WBC (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05, P < .001), NEU (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05–1.11, P < .001), PLT (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, P < .001), and lactate (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.38–1.62, P < .001) was associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study highlights that CRP/albumin ratio, lactate levels and comorbidities are significantly associated with increased mortality in ICU patients. Moreover, unit increases in WBC, NEU, and PLT were also linked to a higher mortality risk. These findings can improve clinical management through the early identification of high-risk patients in ICUs.

Background: Our aim was to observe the effects of local infiltration analgesia (LIA) or erector spinae plane block (ESPB) methods, which we applied preemptively in patients who were scheduled for surgery with a lumbotomy surgical incision and on intraoperative remifentanil consumption, and to compare the postoperative numerical rating scale (NRS), morphine demand, consumption, and pain degrees. Methods: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists I to III patients aged 18 to 75 years who were due to be operated on with a lumbotomy surgical incision were included in the study. The present study was conducted via prospective, randomized controlled, double-blind trials. After the induction of standard anesthesia, LIA was applied to 30 patients and ESPB was applied to 30 patients preemptively. The dose of remifentanil consumed in the intraoperative period was measured, and the hemodynamic parameters were measured every 5 minutes. Morphine bolus treatment with the postoperative patient–controlled analgesia and rescue analgesia with paracetamol were planned for the patients. Postoperative morphine and additional analgesia consumption, NRS, hemodynamic parameters, and complications were recorded for 48 hours. Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of demographic and hemodynamic data. The mean consumption of remifentanil was measured as 455 ± 165.23 µg in the intraoperative ESPB group and 296.67 ± 110.59 µg in the LIA group, and a statistical difference was observed (P = .001). In the postoperative follow-ups, the ESPB group drug consumption and NRS score averages were significantly lower at all times (P = .01; patient-controlled analgesia-morphine, 41.93 ± 14.47 mg vs 57.23 ± 15.5 mg and additional analgesic-paracetamol: 2.1 ± 1.06 vs 4.27 ± 1.14 g). The mean duration of additional analgesic intake of the groups was 10.6 ± 8.1 in the LIA group, while it was 19.33 ± 8.87 in the ESPB group, a significant difference. The patient satisfaction questionnaire was also significantly in favor of ESPB (P = .05). Conclusions: In conclusion, it has been shown that the intraoperative LIA method is more effective in terms of remifentanil consumption and in controlling pain in operations performed with a flank incision, but the ESPB method provides longer and more effective pain control in postoperative follow-ups.

Introduction: This paper investigates the effect of low-flow anesthesia applications on postoperative cognitive function in geriatric age group (≥65 years old) patients who underwent elective transurethral resection of the prostate surgery. Materials and Method: A total of 98 patients aged 65 and over who underwent elective transurethral resection of the prostate surgery under general anesthesia between December 2021 and November 2022 in Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Research Hospital’s Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation were included in the study. The patients were subjected to a mini mental test the day before the operation and postoperatively at six hours, one day, three days, and seven days. Visual analogue scale scores were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The data obtained were compared between the patient groups who underwent low-flow (1 L/min, n: 49) and high flow (4 L/min, n: 49) anesthesia. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A comparison between the postoperative 6thhour, 1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, and 7th day mini mental testing scores of the low-flow anesthesia and high flow anesthesia groups did not exhibit any notable variations (p: 0.668, 0.785, 0.745, 0.705, respectively). The visual analogue scale scores of the cases at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours did not differ statistically according to the type of flow applied (p: 0.316, 0.925, 0.651, 0.548, 0.624, 0.466, respectively). Conclusion: It is thought that low-flow anesthesia can be applied safely, but it does not have a significant effect on cognitive functions compared to high flow anesthesia. Keywords: Anesthesia, General; Sevoflurane; Cognitive Dysfunction; Geriatrics.