Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement with ultrasound has emerged as a simple, non-invasive and reliable surrogate of invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement. Increase in ICP might lead to postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postoperative headache. Here, we aimed to evaluate the extent of change in ONSD, resulting from pneumoperitoneum (PP) and Trendelenburg (TP) position during the laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH), by using ultrasonographic ONSD measurement. We also aimed to investigate the relation of ONSD with PONV and postoperative headache. Sixty-one patients undergoing LH with general anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective study. ONSD was measured at six time-points during the LH. The primary outcome of the study was the change in ONSD with the introduction of PP and TP. The relation of ONSD with PONV and postoperative headache were the secondary outcomes. ONSD demonstrated an increasing trend from baseline to the 10th minute of the TP. A relative decrease occurred in ONSD following supine positioning which further decreased after the release of the PP. However, even after the release of the PP, the median ONSD was significantly higher compared to the baseline values (5.1 mm vs. 4.9 mm, P<0.01). Presence of PONV and headache were significantly correlated with the extent of the increase in ONSD from baseline to PP and from baseline to TP. ROC curve analysis revealed that a cut-off value of 5.85 mm for ONSD was predictive for PONV (P<0.001). Combination of PP and TP leads to a significant increase in ONSD during LH. The extent of the increase in ONSD during the procedure is significantly correlated with PONV and headache occurring within the first three hours of recovery.

Introduction The pulmonary recruitment maneuver (PRM) has emerged as an effective way of reducing post-laparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP). However, the optimal lower pressure level for a PRM to reduce PLSP has not yet been investigated. Aim To compare the efficacy of the low-pressure PRM with...

OBJECTIVE: Considerable amount of women undergoing dilatation and curettage (D&C) are subject to preoperative anxiety. We hypothesized that the implementation of video-based multimedia information (MMI) before the D&C might facilitate patients' education and provide clear information regarding the procedure. This study aimed to compare the impact of video-based MMI and conventional written information on anxiety, pain severity, and satisfaction in patients undergoing D&C. METHODS: Seventy four women scheduled for D&C for abnormal uterine bleeding were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Subjects were assigned to receive a video-based MMI or conventional written information (controls). The trait and state anxiety were assessed using the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the MMI or written information. STAI-state (STAI-S) was repeated after the application of the MMI or written information. All patients underwent D&C by the same gynecologist. Following D&C, patient satisfaction and procedural pain were ranked using a Likert scale and Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS: Post-informational STAI-S score was significantly lower than the pre-informational STAI-S score in the video group (p<0.001), whereas no significant change occurred in STAI-S score in the control group (p=0.210). The satisfaction rate of the patients receiving MMI before the D&C was significantly higher than the satisfaction rate of the controls (75% vs. 50%, p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Implementation of MMI before the D&C procedure is associated with less anxiety, less severe postoperative pain and improved patients satisfaction, compared to the conventional written information.

Background & Objectives: Hypothermia, described as temperature < 35°C, is a frequent condition encountered in patients operated under general anesthesia. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to estimate its incidence and to investigate the conditions associated with hypothermia in pediatric patients. Methods: This prospective clinical study was carried out in the operating theatre of a tertiary care center between August 2015 and September 2015. A total of 108 pediatric patients who underwent various surgical procedures that lasted for more than 30 minutes were enrolled. Baseline demographic data, types of surgical procedures, duration of operations, preoperative and perioperative body temperatures were recorded. The incidence of hypothermia and its possible correlates were sought. Results: Our series consisted of 108 children (77 males, 71.3%; 31 females, 28.7%) with an average age of 6.08±5.09 years were included in the study. There was no case diagnosed with hypothermia in the preoperative, perioperative and postoperative periods. Patients in American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA) three group had significantly higher preoperative body temperatures compared to those in ASA-1 and ASA-2 groups (p = 0.027). The postoperative body temperature in patients receiving intravenous fluid replacement was significantly lower (p=0.017). Conclusion: For pediatric patients scheduled for surgical interventions, we recommend close monitorization and follow-up of body temperature, implementation of preventive measures to avoid hypothermia and routine perioperative heating. Avoidance of hypothermia may prevent hazardous consequences of postoperative hypothermia. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.456 How to cite this:Esen O, Yilmaz G, Aydin N. Perioperative hypothermia in pediatric patients operated in a tertiary care center: Incidence and correlates. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):793-798. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.456 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.