This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after elective craniotomy in adult patients. The authors also tried to discover certain predictors for postcraniotomy nausea and vomiting. We studied 170 ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 15 to 70 years, undergoing elective craniotomy for resecting various intracranial tumors and vascular lesions. A standardized anesthesia technique and postoperative analgesia were used for all patients. Patients were divided into two groups and received either saline placebo (Group 1) or ondansetron 4 mg (Group 2) intravenously at the time of dural closure. Patients were extubated at the end of surgery and episodes of nausea and vomiting were noted for 24 hours postoperatively in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. Demographic data, duration of surgery, and anesthesia and analgesic requirements were comparable in both groups. Overall, a 24-hour incidence of postoperative emesis was significantly reduced in patients who received ondansetron compared with those who received a saline placebo (39% in Group 1 and 11% in Group 2, P = .001). There was a significant reduction in the frequency of emetic episodes and rescue antiemetic requirement in patients treated with ondansetron; however, ondansetron did not significantly reduce the incidence of nausea alone (14% in Group 2 vs 5% in Group 1, P = .065). Prophylactic ondansetron had a favorable influence on PONV outcome measures such as patient satisfaction and number needed to prevent emesis (3.5). Side effects were similar in both groups. We conclude that ondansetron 4 mg given at the time of dural closure is safe and effective in preventing emetic episodes after elective craniotomy in adult patients.

This study compared the effect of single-dose caudal epidural bupivacaine, bupivacaine plus ketamine and bupivacaine plus tramadol for postoperative pain management in children having surgery for inguinal hernia. Following ethics committee approval and informed parental consent, 75 children ASA PS I and II, between three and nine years of age and scheduled for elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair with general anaesthesia were recruited. The patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive 0.5 ml/kg caudal bupivacaine 0.25% (group B), bupivacaine 0.25% plus tramadol 1 mg/kg (group BT) or bupivacaine 0.25% plus ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (group BK). The injections were performed under general anaesthesia. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate and sedation and pain scores were recorded at defined intervals following recovery from anaesthesia. The groups were similar in age, weight and duration of operation (P >0.05). No patient experienced hypotension, bradycardia or respiratory depression. Duration of analgesia was (mean±SD) 6.5±4.1 h in group B, 9.2±3.9 h in group BK, and 8.5±3.1 h in group BT (P <0.05). More patients in group B required supplementary analgesics in the first 24 h (P <0.05). Sedation scores were comparable in all groups. Incidence of emesis and pruritus was similar in all the groups. Caudally administered 0.5 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25% plus ketamine or bupivacaine 0.25% plus tramadol 1 mg/kg provided significantly longer duration of analgesia without an increase in the adverse effects when compared to bupivacaine alone.

Background: Epidural anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for inducing surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing lower limb surgeries. Fentanyl as an adjuvant to epidural local anesthetic has been used for a long time. Dexmedetomidine is a potent and highly selective á-2-adrenoceptor agonist with analgesic potency. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as an adjuvant to epidural bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries. Materials And Methods: Sixty patients belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Grade I or II who were undergoing lower limb surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Group BD: received epidural study solution of 38 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride + 1 ml of 100 ìg dexmedetomidine + 1 ml of normal saline. Group BF: received epidural study solution of 38 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride + 2 ml of 100 ìg fentanyl. Onset and maximum level of sensory blockade, time to attain maximum sensory level, time to complete motor blockade, time for two-segment regression, duration of analgesia and motor block, heart rate, and blood pressure were observed. Pain and sedation were assessed by numerical rating scale and Ramsay Sedation Scale, respectively. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: The onset of sensory blockade and time to attain maximum sensory level in Group BD were earlier than that of Group BF (P < 0.001). Duration of analgesia and motor blockade in Group BD were signicantly more than that of Group BF (P < 0.001). Postoperative visual analog scale was reduced statistically signicantly in Group BD (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to epidural bupivacaine is a better alternative to fentanyl with higher analgesic property

Introduction: Spinal anaesthesia has become a popular technique for caesarean section. It however has the potential to cause rapid onset of maternal hypotension which may have detrimental maternal and neonatal effects. Thus, a number of strategies for treating hypotension have been investigated. Careful positioning and volume preloading with crystalloid or colloids have been used to prevent it, but these are not complete measures and vasopressor is required to correct hypotension quickly . Methodology: 100 parturients ASA I and II scheduled for elective as well as emergency Caesarean section under sub arachnoid block (SAB) were studied. All parturients were at term, had uncomplicated singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation. Results: Phenylephrine and Ephedrine are effective given prophylactically IV bolus followed by infusion in maintenance of arterial pressure within 15% limit of baseline. Phenylephrine has quicker and shorter duration of action effect in comparison to Ephedrine. Conclusion: Vasopressor drugs Phenylephreine and Ephedrine, effectively maintained arterial blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section

Background: Epidural administration of various analgesics gained increasing popularity following the discovery of opioid receptors in the spinal cord capable of producing potent analgesia. This effect seems to be greatest when epidural anaesthesia in continued in the post-operative period as epidural analgesia. It is now clear that epidural administration of opioids. Ours was a comparative study between epidural bupivacaine with buprenorphine and epidural bupivacaine for post-operative analgesia in abdominal and lower limb surgery. Methods: 60 patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries of either sex with ASA grade 1 and 2 aged between 20 and 60 years for divided into two groups. After completion of the surgery and when the effect of local anaesthetic wears of and the patients complains of pain the intended study drugs were given when visual analogue pain score touched 5 cm mark. Group – A: Patients received 8ml of 0.25% bupivacaine + 0.15mg of buprenorphine. Group – B: patients received 0.25% of bupivacaine alone. In the post-operative period the following parameters were studied, 1. Onset of analgesia, 2. Duration of analgesia, 3. Vital parameters such as heart beat, blood pressure, respiratory rate, sedation score and visual analogue score were recorded, 4. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, hypotension, respiratory depression, and pruritus allergic reaction were looked for. Results: It is observed that onset of analgesia in Group A (0.25% bupivacaine + 0.15mg buprenorphine) was 7.35 min. When compared to Group B which 15.5 min, which is statically signicant (P<0.05). Duration of analgesia in Group A is 17.23 hrs compared to Group B, which is 5.2 hrs, this is statically signicant (P<0.05). Visual analogue scale was reduced in Group A compared to Group B Conclusions: Addition of buprenorphine to bupivacaine by epidural injection for post-operative analgesia improves the onset, The duration and the quality of analgesia