Selcuk Kayir and Alperen Kisa. Korean J Pain 2021;34:82-93. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2021.34.1.82

Background and Objectives: Extubation success in ICU patients is crucial for reducing ventilator-associated complications, morbidity, and mortality. The Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI) is a widely used predictor for weaning from mechanical ventilation. This study aims to determine the predictive value of serial RSBI measurements on extubation success in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 86 ICU patients at Hitit University between February 2024 and July 2024. Patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful extubation groups. RSBI values were compared between these groups. Results: This study included 86 patients (32 females, 54 males) with a mean age of 54.51 ± 12.1 years. Extubation was successful in 53 patients and unsuccessful in 33. There was no significant difference in age and intubation duration between the groups (p = 0.246, p = 0.210). Significant differences were found in RSBI-1a and RSBI-2 values (p = 0.013, p = 0.011). The median RSBI-2a was 80 in the successful group and 92 in the unsuccessful group (p = 0.001). The ΔRSBI was higher in the unsuccessful group (p = 0.022). ROC analysis identified optimal cut-off values: RSBI-2a ≤ 72 (AUC 0.715) and ΔRSBI ≤ −3 (AUC 0.648). RSBI-2a ≤ 72 increased the likelihood of successful extubation by 10.8 times, while ΔRSBI ≤ −3 increased it by 3.4 times. Using both criteria together increased the likelihood by 28.48 times. Conclusions: Serial RSBI measurement can be an effective tool for predicting extubation success in patients on IMV. These findings suggest that serially measured RSBI may serve as a potential indicator for extubation readiness.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) operations are being performed under general anesthesia (GA). Further studies are needed on the issue whether these operations can be performed under spinal anesthesia (SA). In this study we aimed to compare SA with (GA) in terms of efficacy and complications in patients who will undergo LC operations, and to investigate the effects of preemptive analgesia on the development of shoulder pain, transition to general anesthesia, and postoperative analgesia. Sixty patients in ASA I-II risk group between 18-65 years of age undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into general anesthesia (GA, n=30) and spinal anesthesia (SA, n=30) groups. Patients were premedicated with i.v. midazolam and fentanyl preoperatively. Anesthesia was induced with propofol in the GA group, and maintained with Desflurane and remifentanil. In the SA group, spinal anesthesia was provided with intratechal administration of 15 mg bupivacaine at L2-3 level, and block level was increased to T4 by keeping the patient in Trendelenburg position for 7-10 minutes. Demographic data, hemodynamic parameters, operation time, visual analog scale (VAS) scores at postoperative 0th,1st, 4th, 8th,12th and 24th hours, patient-surgeon satisfaction, side effects, and occurrence of right shoulder pain in SA group were inquired and recorded. Effective anesthesia was produced in both groups. Hypotension was observed in 5, bradycardia requiring atropin administration in 4, and perioperative shoulder pain in 9 patients in Group SA, but none of them required general anesthesia. Hypotension developed in one patient in Group GA. The postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower in Group SA at 0th,1st, 4th hours. Patient satisfection scores were higher in Group SA. We concluded that spinal anesthesia may be an alternative method to general anesthesia in patients who will undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations especially when the risk of general anesthesia is too high.

In patients undergoing surgery due to diabetic foot complications from uncontrolled diabetes may lead to neuraxial or general anesthesia-related issues. Regional anesthesia techniques can be preferred to prevent these complications. This study aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects and outcomes in terms of pain of continuous infusion and single injection methods of popliteal nerve block in patients undergoing surgery due to diabetic foot. Sixty-three patients in ASA II-IV risk group scheduled for diabetic foot surgery were randomized into two groups for popliteal nerve block as the anesthesia method. Group 1 (n:32), 30 mL of local anesthetic was administered around the popliteal nerve under ultrasound guidance and nerve stimulator. Group 2 (n:31) had a catheter placed beyond the needle tip by 4-5 cm. An elastomeric pump was prepared for the infusion of 2 mL/h of 0.25 % bupivacaine through the catheter. Hemodynamic parameters before and after the block, onset, block duration times, postoperative pain scores, time to analgesic requirement, patient satisfaction, and discharge time were recorded. Pain scores were higher in Group 1 after 12 h postoperatively and in Group 2 after 60 h postoperatively (p = 0.006, p < 0.01, respectively). The time to the first analgesic requirement was not statistically different between Group 1 (mean 804.64 ± 1020.8 min) and Group 2 (mean 2012.78 ± 1424 min) (p = 0.072). There was no significant difference in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate between groups before and after successful blockade (p > 0.05). Continuous infusion method of popliteal nerve block provides a longer pain-free period. Both methods showed similar hemodynamic data and low pain scores. Although continuous infusion method provides better analgesia, its procedural cost, technical difficulties, and adverse effects on patient comfort should also be considered.

The literature study was conducted by using the Web of Science (WoS) database, employing bibliometric analysis to examine all papers released from 1980 to 2020. The search was performed using the terms “sepsis, septicemia, septic shock” specifically within the titles of the publications. The findings of the literature research revealed a total of 51,725 articles. Out of the total number of publications, 26,896 articles were identified, accounting for 51.9% of the total. The bibliometric study revealed that the United States had the largest number of papers (8693), followed by China (2807), Germany (2299), France (1606), and the United Kingdom (1932). The writers that exhibited the most prolific output in terms of article production on the topic of sepsis were Vincent, with a total of 217 articles, followed by Wang P with 154 articles, and Chaudry IH with 126 articles. The University of Pittsburgh, Brown University, and the University of Michigan were identified as the most productive universities, in that order. The findings from the prediction model revealed that the projected number of articles to be published in 2021 is estimated to be 2086, while the projected number for 2030 is estimated to be 2637. The literature has predominantly focused on disease markers and diagnostic methods, severity and effects of the disease, immunity and inflammation, effects of the disease in neonates and the neonatal period, and treatment and care. According to trend analysis results, recent focus in sepsis research includes a broad spectrum of investigations such as mortality rates, prognostic determinants, diagnostic methods, biomarkers, epidemiological insights, critical care strategies, infections, treatment outcomes, emergency department scenarios, pediatric assessments, and antibiotic interventions.

Objective: It is aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Dexmedetomidine (DEX), which has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory properties, in acute carbon monoxide toxicity. Material and Method: 28 Wistar-Albino female rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, CO poisoning + DEX and DEX only. The rats in the study groups were exposed to 3000 ppm CO for 30 minutes. DEX was administered half an hour after the onset of CO exposure. At the end of the experiment, blood and tissue samples were taken from the sacrificed rats. Bcl-2 Immunopositively cell values in tissue samples taken from prefrontal and hippocampal areas were scored by examining immune expressions of Bcl-2 antibodies obtained by immunohistochemical method under light microscope. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine ADMA levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity values were measured from blood and right hemisphere brain tissue samples by biochemical methods. Results: CAT, SOD, MDA, ADMA and NO values were statistically different between the experimental groups (p0.05). CAT, SOD and NO, and Bcl-2 immunosuppressive cell levels were decreased in the CO group compared to the control group (p