Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may cause postoperative residual curarization when they are used for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex reverses neuromuscular blockade by chemical encapsulation and is not associated with the side effects that may occur with the use of anticholinesterase agents. Because of increased outpatient surgical procedures postoperative residual curarization and rapid postoperative recovery have a greater importance in the pediatric patient population. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of sugammadex and neostigmine on reversing neuromuscular blockade in pediatric patients undergoing outpatient surgical procedures. 80 patients, aged 2-12 years, scheduled for outpatient surgery were enrolled in this randomized prospective study. Neuromuscular blockade was achieved with 0.6mgkg(-1) rocuronium and monitorized with train-of-four. Group RN (n=40) received 0.03mgkg(-1) neostigmine, Group RS (n=40) received 2mgkg(-1) sugammadex for reversal of rocuronium. Extubation time (time from the reversal of neuromuscular blockade to extubation), train-of-four ratio during this time, time to reach train-of-four>0.9, and probable complications were recorded. There was no significant difference between the patients' characteristics. Extubation time and time to reach train-of-four>0.9 were significantly higher in Group RN (p=0.001, p=0.002). Train-of-four at the time of neostigmine/sugammadex injection in Group RN were significantly higher than in the RS group (p=0.020). Extubation train-of-four ratio was significantly lower in Group RN (p=0.002). Sugammadex provides safer extubation with a shorter recovery time than neostigmine in pediatric patients undergoing outpatient surgical procedures.

Background/Aims: Different drug combinations are used for sedation in colonoscopy procedures. A ketamine-propofol (ketofol) mixture provides effective sedation and has minimal adverse effects. Alfentanil also provides anesthesia for short surgical procedures by incremental injection as an adjunct. However, no study has investigated the use of ketofol compared with an opioid-propofol combination in colonoscopic procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients, ASA physical status I-II, scheduled to undergo elective colonoscopy, were enrolled in this prospective randomized study and allocated to two groups. After premedication, sedation induction was performed with 0.5 mg/kg ketamine +1 mg/kg propofol in Group KP, and 10 mg/kg alfentanil +1 mg/kg propofol in Group AP. Propofol was added when required. Demographic data, colonoscopy duration, recovery time, discharge time, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation, Ramsey Sedation Scale values, colonoscopy patients’ satisfaction scores, and complications were recorded. Results: The need for additional propofol doses was significantly higher in Group AP than in Group KP. MAP at minute 1 and 5, Ramsey Sedation Scale at minute 5, and discharge time were significantly higher in Group KP than in Group AP. Additional propofol doses and total propofol dose were significantly lower in Group KP than in Group AP. Conclusion: Ketofol provided better hemodynamic stability and quality of sedation compared with alfentanil-propofol combination in elective colonoscopy, and required fewer additional propofol; however, it prolonged discharge time. Both combinations can safely be used in colonoscopy sedation.

We evaluated the effect of early awake prone position administration on oxygenation and intubation requirements and short-term mortality in patients with acute respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. This is an observational-cohort study. Patients receiving mask oxygen therapy in our intensive care units because of acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia were included. The Awake Prone Position (APP) group consisted of patients who were applied awake prone position, whereas non-APP group consisted of patients who were not applied awake prone position. PaCO2, PaO2, pH, SpO2 values and PaO2/FiO2 ratios were recorded at the beginning and 24th hour. Demographic data, comorbidities, intubation requirements, ventilator-free days, length of intensive care unit stay and short-term mortality of the patients were recorded. The data of total 225 patients were examined, and 48 patients who met our study criteria were included. At the 24th hour, the median SpO2 value of the APP group was 95%, the median PaO2 value was 82 mmHg, whereas the SpO2 value of the non-APP group was 90% and the PaO2 value was 66 mmHg. (p = 0.001, p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in length of intensive care unit stay and ventilator-free days, but short-term mortality and intubation requirements was lower in the APP group (p = 0.020, p = 0.001) Awake prone position application in patients receiving non-rebreather mask oxygen therapy for respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia improves oxygenation and decreases the intubation requirements and mortality.